Why aren’t we building enough homes to meet Australia’s housing demand? 🤔  

It’s a complex question with political, economic, and historical layers, and to help us make sense of it all, we’ve brought in an industry expert…    

In this episode, we’re chatting with Tim Reardon, Chief Economist at the Housing Industry Association (HIA)!  

The HIA has been representing the Australian residential building industry for more than 75 years, using feedback from builders, tradies, manufacturers, and suppliers across Australia to ensure its economic outlook is based on real-world industry knowledge. 

In this episode, we dive into:  

📉 The restrictions on foreign investment and how it’s impacting housing supply
🏗️ Impacts of rising material and labour costs post-COVID
📉 Why we’re only building half the number of apartments we need
🔑 The political and economic roadblocks holding back home construction, and more!  

Listen now if you’re wondering what it’ll take to solve Australia’s housing crisis.

Free Stuff Mentioned…

• Vote for The Property Couch!
  If we’ve added any value for you, we’re asking you to vote for us at the 2024 Australian Podcast Awards! Help us to reach and positively transform more folk’s money management, finance and property investing knowledge across Australia. Cast your vote now >>   

• 2025 Summer Series is just around the corner, and we want YOU to be part of it! Let’s normalise money conversations and pull back the curtain on how these successful property investors achieved the financial peace their reaping today.  Got a story? Send it our way today >>

• (NOT FREE) The Housing Industry Association’s (HIA) Housing Outlook – State & National Report
  Stay informed with HIA’s latest quarterly forecasts on home building and renovation trends, both in your state and across Australia. Learn more now >>  

Timestamps

• 1:18 – Ben fist-bumped the founder of Google?! 
• 5:13 – Our prelim predictions 😉🏉 
• 6:43 – 2025 Summer series shoutout! 
• 7:00 – If we’ve given you any value, please vote for us at the 2024 Australian Podcast Awards 😊  
• 10:37 – Mindset Minute: Why you don’t have as much time as you may think!  
• 13:04 – Welcome, Tim Reardon!  
• 14:03 – The #1 overlooked factor that’s affecting the future of our housing market  
• 15:17 – Why are we caught in an “infinite loop” with high-rise builds?  
• 18:42 – Money Story: The link between farms and economics 📈 
• 20:46 – Escaping the farm cycle and the central role of land  
• 24:38 – “Telling stories to builders”: The road to HIA  
• 26:42 – Who pays to make water flow uphill?  
• 32:02 – How can other states “unwind” the problems?  
• 33:52 – What’s a house and land package worth across Australia? 
• 35:37 – Why South Australia is doing it right  
• 38:17 – Inclusionary Zoning: Why should the costs be shared?   
• 41:08 – How can the Government solve Australia’s supply issues?  
• 45:01 – Does Tim believe change is realistic?  
• 47:17 – Western Australia: What good policy looks like in action  
• 51:27 – The Greens’ movement against landlords    
• 52:58 – The politics behind banning foreign investors  
• 57:40 – Transforming the narrative 
• 1:02:30 – Can 3D printing and AI offer a solution?  

And… 

• 1:07:48 – Thank you, Tim! Keeping politicians honest and combining coalface feedback with economic data 
• 1:11:47 – Lifehack: Kids vs. Leather car seats 😉  
• 1:12:42 – WMPN: Calling out the Liberal party…