Why Young Australians Are Rethinking Homeownership in 2025

Is homeownership still the dream, or is it becoming a burden? I sat down with Professor Elizabeth Sheedy, an expert in household finance and risk management, to explore what younger Australians really think about buying a home.With years of academic research and real-world experience under her belt, Professor Elizabeth shares findings from a powerful study that dives deep into the mindset, struggles, and shifting values of today’s would-be homeowners. We cover everything from rising costs and financial resilience to the emotional toll of mortgages and the pursuit of freedom over bricks and mortar.This episode isn’t just about numbers, it’s about people. Whether you’re a hopeful buyer, seasoned investor, or simply curious about the changing landscape, this is a conversation you need to hear.Key Moments:00:00 Introduction02:03 Elizabeth’s Journey and Background08:07 Younger Aussies Are Rethinking Homeownership15:10 Risk, Resilience & the Real Cost of Property22:10 The Idea of “Mortgage Prison” and Fear of Long-Term Debt30:19 Living Too Much in the Moment Financially35:36 Homeownership vs. Financial Wellbeing38:20 Government Policy and the Inequity in Homeownership Incentives41:04 Build-to-Rent and the Rise of Institutional Landlords44:27 Ethical Considerations in Property Investment48:30 What True Financial Resilience Looks LikeAbout Professor Elizabeth Sheedy:Professor Elizabeth Sheedy is a household finance and risk management expert at Macquarie Business School. She authored Risk Governance: Biases, Blindspots and Bonuses and is an Associate Editor for the A*-rated Journal of Banking and Finance.She teaches in the MBA and Master of Applied Finance programs, focusing on risk measurement. Her research explores young adults' financial decisions; housing, debt, and resilience using surveys, experiments, and interviews. She co-developed the Macquarie University Risk Culture Scale and contributes to policy discussions on financial misconduct, pay, and ethics.Connect with Professor Elizabeth Sheedy:Visit the website: https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/elizabeth-sheedy Follow Professor Elizabeth Sheedy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-sheedy-4a98005/ About Aaron:Aaron-Christie David founded Atelier Wealth, a Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) approved Mortgage Broker. Aaron’s focus is clear – supporting property investors to make confident decisions to build their property portfolio. He has been recognised in the MPA Top 100 Broker rankings for the last three years.With over 10 years of financial services experience, with a career spanning Wizard Home Loans and Commonwealth Bank, Aaron's decision to become a broker was to help more Australians fearlessly buy investment properties to achieve intergenerational wealth.Connect with Aaron:Visit the website: https://atelierwealth.com.au/   Follow the Australian Investment Property Podcast’s Official Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/aupropertyinvestmentpodcast/Follow Aaron on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronchristiedavidFollow Aaron on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronchristiedavid/Subscribe to Atelier Wealth’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@atelierwealth_au