Best Melbourne Suburbs to Invest in 2026 (Under $800K Budget)

The Property Strategy We’re Using After The Budget | My Next Property

Australia’s 2026 Federal Budget has just triggered one of the biggest property investing shake-ups in decades, with proposed changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax, borrowing capacity, investor strategy, SMSF property investing, and the future of cash flow assets. In this episode, Steve is joined by Kurt to break down what these tax changes could mean for everyday Australian investors. They unpack how removing negative gearing from established dwellings may impact borrowing power, why some investors could lose over $200K in serviceability, and why the classic “buy 2–3 growth properties and hold forever” strategy may need to evolve. They also explore where the new opportunities may appear: from cash-flowing units and SMSF investing to owner-occupier markets, affordable suburbs, and contrarian buying moments while other investors panic. 1:23 — Investor Confusion: What Mortgage Brokers Are Hearing Now 3:47 — Negative Gearing Changes: What Actually Happened 9:21 — The Supply Problem: Why This May Not Fix Housing 12:14 — Capital Gains Tax Changes: Should Investors Sell? 17:31 — Borrowing Power Breakdown: Mum & Dad Investor Scenario 20:47 — Rentvesting Impact: $200K+ Borrowing Capacity Drop 31:07 — SMSF Property: The Opportunity The Budget Didn’t Touch 33:30 — Next Steps: Don’t Panic, Review Your Strategy If you're ready to build a serious portfolio, remember to Subscribe! HOW CAN I HELP? 🏠 Request Your FREE Strategy Session 👉 https://tinyurl.com/property-strats-book-a-call 🏠 My Buyer's Agency 👉 ⁠https://www.propertystrats.com.au/

Is Brisbane Still Worth Buying In? 6 Suburbs Investors Should Know

Brisbane property investing in 2026 is moving fast, and Steve breaks down exactly where investors should be looking if they want exposure to one of Australia’s strongest momentum markets. With vacancy rates near zero, stock levels close to all-time lows, and buyer demand still running hot, this episode unpacks why Brisbane continues to surprise the market. Steve compares Brisbane against Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, explains why the $900K–$1.3M price bracket has become the new sweet spot, and reveals five key suburbs plus one bonus unit play worth watching. If you’re considering Brisbane property in 2026, this episode will help you understand where the opportunity may still exist, and what to avoid when chasing momentum. 1:40 — Brisbane vs Melbourne — Momentum, Value and Landlord Risk 4:40 — #1 Bray Park — Moreton Bay Demand, Land Content & 0.4% Vacancy 6:42 — #2 Springfield — Ipswich Growth, Train Access & Family Appeal 8:20 — #3 Strathpine — Dual Living, Granny Flat Potential & Rezoning 10:29 — #4 Capalaba — Redlands Owner-Occupier Demand & Coastal Access 12:55 — #5 Redbank Plains — Cheapest Pick, Big Blocks & Key Risks 15:44 — Bonus: Coorparoo Units — Inner Brisbane Momentum Under House Prices 18:43 — Final Verdict — The 5 Suburbs Steve Would Watch Now If you're ready to build a serious portfolio, remember to Subscribe! HOW CAN I HELP? 🏠 Request Your FREE Strategy Session 👉 ⁠https://tinyurl.com/property-strats-book-a-call 🏠 My Buyer's Agency 👉 ⁠https://www.propertystrats.com.au/

Top 10 BEST Suburbs To Buy in 2026

In this episode, Steve breaks down his flagship "Value Spots" list: the exact suburbs across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Geelong, and Perth where he's actively buying for his own portfolio and for clients today. Forget vague hotspot hype — these are data-backed picks with real median prices, yield figures, days-on-market stats, and growth numbers you can act on. He also draws the line between a true "value spot" and a speculative hotspot — and why that distinction matters for long-term wealth. If you're an everyday Australian trying to build a serious property portfolio, this episode is your shortcut. 1:06 — The Selection Standard — What Makes a Suburb Worth Buying 2:07 — #1 Werribee — Houses, Land Value & 7.4% Annual Growth 3:46 — #2 & #3 Grovedale & Whittington, Geelong — Under the Radar, Flying Out the Door 5:42 — #4 Lakemba, Sydney — 18.2% Growth on Units Nobody Believed In 6:50 — #5 Melton, Melbourne — 6.6% Population Growth & The $550K→$620K Deal 8:35 — #6 Cranbourne North — Subdivision Potential & 7% Solid Growth 9:41 — #7 & #8 St Kilda & South Yarra — Melbourne Unit Market at Inflection Point 11:55 — #9 Annerley, Brisbane — The Unit Play Mirroring Sydney's Trajectory 13:47 — #10 Rivervale, Perth — 19.6% Growth & Why Houses Are Off the Table Now 15:33 — The Long-Game Framework — Doubling in 7–10 Years & How to Get the Full 20-Suburb Report If you're ready to build a serious portfolio, remember to Subscribe! HOW CAN I HELP? 🏠 Request Your FREE Strategy Session 👉 ⁠https://www.propertystrats.com.au/request-a-free-strategy-session/ 🏠 My Buyer's Agency 👉 ⁠https://www.propertystrats.com.au/

MAJOR WARNING: Australia's CGT & Negative Gearing Tax Changes Just Got Worse!

Australia's property investors will face the biggest CGT and negative gearing reforms in decades! In this episode, Steve breaks down every Labor Budget proposal before May 12th. From CGT discount cuts (50% down to 30%) to negative gearing restrictions on established properties, Stephen explains exactly what these tax changes mean in dollar terms, who they impact, and how to protect your investment property portfolio now. He also unpacks why immigration, vacancy rates at record lows, and a chronic undersupply of housing mean these tax reforms are unlikely to cool the market — and may actually make things worse for renters. Whether you're a seasoned investor managing multiple properties or just starting out, this episode gives you a clear-headed framework to navigate uncertainty, review your portfolio structure, and spot real opportunities — including where smart money is quietly moving right now. 0:48 — The Housing Supply Crisis — Vacancy Rates, Immigration & 1.2M Homes Target 2:01 — Negative Gearing Restrictions Explained — Who It Actually Affects 3:52 — The CGT Discount Cut: From 50% to 30% — The Real Dollar Impact 6:11 — How to Protect Your Portfolio: Trusts, SMSFs & Purchasing Entities 7:51 — History Repeating: What Happened When Hawke & Keating Abolished Negative Gearing in 1985 9:04 — Victoria: The Contrarian Opportunity — Why Investor Lending Is Actually Rising 12:07 — Where the Real Opportunities Are Right Now — Affordable Markets & Two-Tiered Dynamics 14:29 — The Government's Muddled Housing Policy — And What Actually Needs to Change 16:11 — Final Takeaway: Be Strategic, Stay Calm, Control What You Can If you're ready to build a serious portfolio, remember to Subscribe! HOW CAN I HELP? 🏠 Request Your FREE Strategy Session 👉 ⁠https://www.propertystrats.com.au/request-a-free-strategy-session/ 🏠 My Buyer's Agency 👉 ⁠https://www.propertystrats.com.au/

Is Melbourne the Most Affordable Capital City Right Now?

Is the Melbourne property market really on the verge of a crash, or is this the greatest buying opportunity of the decade? In this episode, Steve Ash breaks down why Melbourne has become the most affordable capital city out of Australia’s "Big Five" and why current headwinds are creating a perfect storm for savvy investors. He also defines what a real "market crash" looks like and compare Melbourne’s current stagnation to the pre-boom cycles of Brisbane and Perth. Whether you are looking for high-yield boutique units or long-term capital growth through "sweat equity," he outline three proven strategies to build wealth in Melbourne right now. 02:45 The Affordability Shift: Why Melbourne is now #5 in median price 06:44 Four Market Headwinds: Policy, Land Tax, and Compliance issues 08:50 Learning from History: Brisbane and Perth’s pre-boom stagnation 11:34 Strategy 1: High-Yield Units – Achieving 6.8% yields in "Blue Chip" areas 13:11 Strategy 2: The Value Play – Land banking and subdivision potential 14:03 Strategy 3: Capital Growth – Manufacturing $120,000 in "sweat equity" 16:03 The Verdict: Best and worst-case scenarios for the next 10 years If you're ready to build a serious portfolio, remember to Subscribe! HOW CAN I HELP? 🏠 Request Your FREE Strategy Session 👉 ⁠https://www.propertystrats.com.au/request-a-free-strategy-session/ 🏠 My Buyer's Agency 👉 ⁠https://www.propertystrats.com.au/