Real Estate

All ecosystems need balance. The rental market is no different. 

21 JULY 2025 Editorial by REIV Interim CEO Jacob Caine, Published in the Herald Sun on 19 July 2025 The significant challenges facing Victoria’s rental market are well known. Rents have risen dramatically, vacancy rates are at record lows, and pressure is mounting on all sides. Renters are understandably struggling. But so too are rental providers who are navigating a system that is...

Rising optimism as Victoria sees second consecutive quarter of property price growth

08 July 2025 House and unit prices across Victoria have risen for a second consecutive quarter as interest rate cuts, climbing wages and easing living costs drive renewed market confidence. Quarterly median data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has shown that in the three-month period to 30th June (Q2 2025), house prices climbed 0.4 percent and units climbed 1.3 percent compared to...

Buying into the Classroom

04 July 2025 Education isn’t just a priority for Melbourne families – it’s often the defining factor in where they choose to live. When a family is looking to buy a home, delivering the best educational outcomes for their children frequently drives their purchasing decisions. One of the most evident signs is in property prices around high-performing school catchments. Analysing REIV’s median...

Tax Tips for Rental Providers

17 June 2025 The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released new tools and tailored guidance to help property investors and real estate professionals get their tax returns right this year.   Tailored Tax Tips for Real Estate Workers The occupation guide includes:  Which deductions can be claimed  Income that must be declared  Recordkeeping requirements  You can...

Another status quo budget for Victoria’s property sector is a missed opportunity to address critical housing supply issues

20 May 2025 MEDIA RELEASE The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has highlighted the lack of meaningful property sector reform in the 2025-26 Victorian State Budget (Budget), amid concerning new data reflecting diminishing investor confidence and the Victorian government reportedly forecast to generate $18.2 billion from property taxes this financial year. While welcoming positive budgetary...

New Mandatory Fee Notices for Owners Corporations

28 April 2025 The government has introduced mandatory new owners corporation fee notices that provide information and advice to owners and residents facing financial hardship. Effective immediately, owners corporation managers must use updated notices that clearly outline options for payment plans, access to dispute resolution services, and financial counselling support. A dedicated phone line for...

Positive quarterly house price results reflect ongoing stabilisation of diverse Victorian property market

04 April 2025 The median house price rallied in metropolitan and regional Victoria over the March 2025 quarter, with 2.7 and 1.2 per cent increases, respectively. This rebound follows respective declines of 2.0 and 1.3 per cent over the December 2024 quarter. Combined with modest growth in median unit and apartment prices of 0.9 and 2.1 per cent across metropolitan and regional Victoria...

Unit and house rents are on an equal footing for the first time in metropolitan Melbourne

12 March 2025 REIV’s latest vacancy rate report for February 2025 shows that median weekly rents for units in the metropolitan region have matched their house counterparts for the first time, at $581 per week. The growth in weekly rents for units has outpaced houses over the past year. The median rents for metro houses have remained unchanged at $580 since November 2024, went up slightly from $570...

New Infrastructure Victoria report calls for stamp duty reform

05 March 2025 Infrastructure Victoria has released a report that calling for stamp duty reform. REIV CEO Kelly Ryan provided commentary on the in-depth report, noting, “As a long-time advocate for property tax reform, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) welcomes Infrastructure Victoria’s findings regarding the negative impacts of stamp duty on housing affordability made in its...

Victorian Government announces major changes to housing targets

26 February 2025 After community consultation, the Victorian Government has announced significant changes to its housing targets. This includes sizeable reductions in the approval targets applied to metropolitan councils. Local councils were engaged around their growth capacity and limitations. Key industry stakeholders were also consulted. Communities expressed concerns about housing targets and...