In March, the Anti-Corruption Data Collective (ACDC) and Transparency International released the inaugural Opacity in Real Estate Ownership (OREO) Index. The results? Australia didn’t just underperform — it came dead last.

The index evaluated major economies on:

• The scope and accessibility of real estate ownership data; and The strength of anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks governing property transactions.




(OREO Index: Australia ranked dead last on real estate transparency and AML oversight)

While the government talks tough, the market shrugs and carries on. New AML reforms were announced — 17 years in the making — but already being labelled “toothless.” Property can still change hands even if buyers refuse to say who they are or where the money came from.

Of course, it’s no mystery why illicit funds — and plenty of “legitimate” ones too — flood into Australian real estate. If you were trying to stash money quietly, wouldn’t you pick a sun-drenched, English-speaking country with strong title law, a Foreign Investment Review Board that rarely says no (except to the poor), “golden visas” for sale. and no serious transparency rules?

We can’t stop it, and we certainly can’t compete with it — but we can sell into it. More buyers (whatever their motives) means more demand for finished product. Renovators, flippers, and small-scale developers: you don’t have to agree with the system to profit from it. Just make sure you’re selling what the market wants — and let the regulators chase ghosts while you chase returns.

The Great Australian Knockdown: Opportunity Amidst the Rubble

In the ever-evolving landscape of Australian real estate, a silent transformation is underway. Over 20,000 homes received demolition approvals in the past year, with Melbourne leading at 6,075, followed closely by Sydney at 5,351.





Source ABS

While policymakers grapple with ambitious housing targets, the market speaks a different language. Demolitions, often viewed as a loss, are, in fact, a prelude to creation. Each razed structure paves the way for modern dwellings, duplexes, or multi-unit developments, especially in established suburbs ripe for densification.

For the astute developer, this isn’t a crisis—it’s a canvas. The demand for contemporary housing in prime locations remains insatiable. As older homes make way for new constructions, opportunities abound for those ready to capitalize on the shifting tides.

In this dance of demolition and development, the key lies in foresight. Identifying the next hotspot, understanding zoning nuances, and delivering what the market desires will distinguish the successful from the spectators.

Inflation Falls—And the Herd Cheers

Australia’s latest inflation figures this week have come in lower than expected, with the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 2.1% to May 2025, down from 2.4% in April. The Reserve Bank’s preferred measure, the trimmed mean, also declined to 2.4%, its lowest since November 2021.

The markets are now abuzz with anticipation of a rate cut at the RBA’s July meeting, with some analysts assigning a 92% probability to a 25-basis point reduction.

For property entrepreneurs and small developers, this could mean increased borrowing capacity and a potential uptick in buyer demand. While lower interest rates can stimulate the market, they don’t guarantee profitability. The headlines say it’s good news. Rate cuts are back on the table. Markets are thrilled. Twitter’s thrilled. Your mortgage broker’s definitely thrilled. But we know better than to confuse noise for signal. Yes, cheaper money can lift prices — until it doesn’t. Demand goes up, sure… but so do build costs, delays, compliance red tape, and council backflips. In the end, your deal lives or dies by your own numbers — not the Reserve Bank’s mood swings. Make your own calls. The herd will be along shortly.

Until next week,
Stay sharp. Stay cynical. Stay profitable.

Property Lovers