World AffairsThe GuardianFri, Jun 12, 2026, 3:00 PMNeutral

Liberals are scaring first-home buyers with warnings of negative equity – but experts believe there’s little to worry about

Economists have indicated that fears among first-time home buyers regarding negative equity are largely unfounded, as recent data shows that falling house prices are primarily occurring in the more expensive segments of the Sydney and Melbourne markets. This trend is attributed to rising inflation, increasing interest rates, and concerns over the economic impact of the Middle East conflict.

Liberals are scaring first-home buyers with warnings of negative equity – but experts believe there’s little to worry about

WPN Brief

  • What Happened

    Economists have indicated that fears among first-time home buyers regarding negative equity are largely unfounded, as recent data shows that falling house prices are primarily occurring in the more expensive segments of the Sydney and Melbourne markets. This trend is attributed to rising inflation, increasing interest rates, and concerns over the economic impact of the Middle East conflict.

  • Why It Matters

    The implications of this development suggest that first-time buyers, particularly those with smaller deposits, may not be significantly affected by the current housing market fluctuations, potentially easing their concerns about mortgage values exceeding home prices.

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