THE PROPERTY NERDS: Budget fear freezes

Australia's property landscape is changing, but the numbers driving the next investment opportunity go far beyond house prices. From inflation and interest rates to local supply, vacancy rates, and economic resilience, these are the indicators shaping investors' next move. On The Property Nerds podcast, Arjun Paliwal sits down with PRD chief economist Dr Diaswati (Asti) Mardiasmo to explore how investors can make sense of an increasingly complex market, where economic conditions, government policy, and local market data are becoming just as important as property prices. The pair discuss the federal budget and its impact on investors, including the changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax, and trusts, while examining why new-build incentives may not translate into the housing supply many expect. Mardiasmo also explains why buyer's agents are playing a more strategic role than ever before, helping investors interpret economic trends, local market conditions, and suburb-level data rather than simply sourcing properties. The conversation also explores why local market data matters more than national headlines, and the economic indicators investors should be watching.