What’s Really Driving the Crisis? Eliza Owen Cuts Through the Noise
The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate · Chris Bates
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Show Notes
Australia’s housing market is creaking under pressure — record-low affordability, rising lower-end prices, and policies that keep boosting demand instead of easing it. In this episode, Cotality’s Head of Research Eliza Owen helps us zoom out and make sense of the contradictions shaping today’s market.
We unpack why “years to save a 20% deposit” is the wrong metric, why income — not deposits — is the real barrier, and how the 5% deposit scheme pushes prices up by funnelling demand under strict caps. Eliza also breaks down the mismatch between the homes we build and how Australians actually live, alongside the collapse in turnover rates that concentrates buying power among wealthier households.
If you want a clear, data-led look at what’s really driving the crisis — and why prices keep rising even as affordability falls apart — this conversation cuts through the noise.
Episode Highlights
00:00 — Introduction and Overview of Australia's Housing Market
02:18 — Government Incentives and Their Impact
04:17 — Challenges in Housing Affordability
10:16 — Policy Measures and Their Effects
12:18 — Affordability and Market Trends
17:55 — Turnover Rates and Market Stability
22:20 — The Case for Replacing Stamp Duty with Land Tax
25:28 — Mismatch in Housing Supply and Demand
28:19 — Challenges in the Rental Market
31:38 — Eliza's Departure and Reflections
34:42 — Global Perspectives on Housing Markets
38:51 — Affordability Metrics and Policy
42:33 — Underquoting and Auction Dynamics
43:36 — Conclusion and Listener Engagement
About the Guest
Eliza Owen is the Head of Research at Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), where she leads national market intelligence and economic analysis across Australia’s property sector. Appointed in 2020, she brings more than a decade of expertise in affordability metrics, credit conditions, lending environments, and the economic pressures shaping housing performance.
Eliza has guided industry leaders through some of the most pivotal moments in recent history — from the volatility of COVID-era markets to the rapid rate-hike cycle and today’s affordability crisis. Her work helps governments, banks, and real estate professionals understand the shifting forces impacting buyers, sellers, and renters, using rigorous data to illuminate what’s really happening beneath the headlines.
A sought-after keynote speaker and trusted media commentator, she has presented to thousands across real estate, construction, banking, and finance, translating complex economics into clear, practical insights. Passionate about demystifying housing data, Eliza is recognised for storytelling that cuts through complexity and empowers Australians to make smarter, evidence-based decisions in an increasingly strained housing landscape.
Connect with Eliza
- Eliza’s LinkedIn
- Cotality Australia’s LinkedIn
- Cotality Australia’s Website
- Cotality Australia’s Facebook Page
- Cotality Australia’s Instagram
Resources
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