Property Investors: A valuer's opinion on how long this downturn could run | Scott Chapman

There is one thing every property investor wants to know right now. How long is this property downturn actually going to last?

You've heard all sorts of opinions. Some people say it's almost over. Others are telling you we're heading for a crash that will make 2008 look like a picnic. Neither of those is right, and today's guest has the data to prove it.

By the end of today's show, you're going to understand exactly what history tells us about how long property downturns run for, why some markets are falling harder than others, and what you need to be doing right now if the July 2027 capital gains tax changes could affect you.

My guest today is Scott Chapman, Managing Director of Opteon, the largest independent valuation firm in the country, which means Scott and his team aren't reading about the market from a spreadsheet somewhere. They're valuing thousands of properties every week, right across the country, so they see exactly what's happening on the ground before it shows up in the official statistics.

Opteon has just released some fascinating analysis comparing this downturn to the last three Australian property downturns. What they found might surprise you, and it has real implications for how you should be thinking about your portfolio right now.

We examine how the current downturn compares with previous cycles and why Sydney and Melbourne are experiencing different conditions from other markets.

We explore how interest rates, lending restrictions, buyer sentiment, open-home attendance and auction results can influence property market momentum.

Scott explains why the 1 July 2027 capital gains tax changes may make accurate property valuations increasingly important for investors.

We also discuss why automated estimates can be useful starting points, but should not replace professional advice when making significant investment decisions.

Takeaways

• Property downturns vary significantly between Australian cities

• Weak sentiment can delay property market recoveries