Housing Shortage, Seller Disclosure Laws & What to Watch This Month
By Leigh Martinuzzi | Martinuzzi Property Group – eXp Australia
Another week in real estate, and yes—I’m still banging on about the housing shortage. But for good reason. It’s becoming more obvious by the day that we have a real supply issue in Australia, and the data backs it up.
Matusik’s recent report really highlights the depth of the problem. According to government targets, we should be building at least 240,000 new homes every year just to keep up with demand. But right now? We’re only hitting around 170,000 to 180,000 completions annually. To put that into perspective, a decade ago we were approving 10 homes for every 1,000 residents. Today, it’s just 6 per 1,000—a 40% decline.
Why the drop? Matusik points to skyrocketing construction costs—up 30 to 40%—a chronic shortage of skilled labour, and probably most frustrating of all, restrictive planning and zoning regulations. Our industry is crying out for more streamlined processes and smarter infrastructure planning. We can’t keep kicking the can down the road. The red tape is holding back not just big developers but everyday Aussies who simply want to build a granny flat or an extra dwelling on their existing property. We’re lagging behind, and it’s affecting our ability to meet demand. And the longer we delay, the higher prices go—and the more people get priced out of the market. That’s not the kind of Australia I want to see.
In other news, there are changes coming that homeowners need to be aware of. Starting 1st of August 2025, Queensland will introduce mandatory seller disclosure requirements. If you’re planning to sell, this means you’ll need to provide a standardised disclosure statement to buyers before entering into a contract. It’s similar to what we’ve seen in places like Victoria and is designed to bring more transparency to the selling process. The statement will include key info about the property—things like title particulars, zoning, easements, and anything that may materially affect the buyer’s decision. While we don’t yet have full clarity on how the new process will roll out, I’ll be keeping a close eye on it and will continue to update you as more info becomes available.
Looking ahead, we’re heading back into normal life now that the public holidays and election are behind us. I expect we’ll see a few more properties hit the market as we roll into winter. That said, I don’t think we’ll suddenly see a flood of stock—it’s still going to be tight. The supply shortage isn’t going away anytime soon.
One date to circle on your calendar: 20th May, when the RBA next meets. All the major banks are forecasting a cash rate cut. With inflation easing to around 2.7% and energy cost pressures subsiding, there’s growing hope we’ll see some relief for mortgage holders. Any rate cut will improve borrowing capacity and likely stoke more demand, especially with buyer interest already strong across most markets. Sunshine Coast included.
So as always, I’ll keep watching the data and sharing my thoughts. If you’re in property mode—whether you’re thinking of selling, buying, or just want to stay in the loop—reach out anytime or subscribe to my weekly update. I’m here to help.
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If you are in buying or selling mode I’ve also created this free resource – Sunshine Coast Home Sellers and Buyers Guide.
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