379- Mortgage Market Update March 2026 ft. Sam Carrello

Trent Fleskens and award-winning WA mortgage broker Sam Carello discuss Perth’s tight housing market, with stock still under 3,000 listings and weekly transactions in the 700s driven by limited supply. They cover the recent 0.25% rate rise that banks passed on, the jump in fixed rates since early December, and current pricing (owner-occupier variable P&I about 5.54–5.65%, two-year fixed about 5.69%, investment IO variable about 6.00–6.15%). Sam explains how buyers are using fast finance clauses supported by strong pre-approvals, and why flexibility on settlement is critical in competitive conditions with 6–8 offers per property. They also discuss increased use of bridging loans, downsizer “no end debt” bridging, the first home buyer 5% scheme pricing some buyers out, and parents buying or gifting deposits to help children.