The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

Episodes

Episode 347: Understanding UK vs. Australian Property Markets with Martin North

How does the UK property market compare to ours here in Australia? In this episode, we sit down with Martin North from Digital Finance Analytics to really break it down. We’re diving into what makes the UK property market tick and how it stacks up against what we see in Australia. What are the key drivers over there? And how do they align—or differ—from what’s happening on our home turf?

Martin’s got a ton of insights on property trends across the globe, and in our conversation, we dig into the unique factors shaping the UK market, from economic policies to how buyers behave. Are there things we can take away from the UK’s approach, or are we carving out our own distinct path here in Australia?

We also get into how history and culture influence the property scene in each country. Are there common threads, or are the differences too big to ignore? Most importantly, what can Australian investors learn from the UK’s journey in the property market?

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of global property markets or just want a fresh perspective on what’s happening here in Australia, this conversation with Martin North is one you won’t want to miss. Tune in as we explore the dynamics of the UK and Australian property markets, and discover valuable insights that could impact your next investment decision.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

00:57 - Who is Martin North?

03:48 - Can Australia gain confidence from the UK's inflation decline?

07:35 - How does the UK's property investment culture compare to that of Australia’s?

11:04 - Proportion of owner-occupier vs rented property in UK

13:51 - Has borrowing capacity in the UK stayed steady despite rate hikes?

18:55 - How does city migration in the UK compare to Australia?

21:30 - Is there a trend of early wealth transfer in the UK for earlier housing market entry?

26:40 - How do UK and Australian rental issues compare?

28:16 - Despite the UK investing more in social housing, why is there still a shortage?

32:51 - Has the existence of inheritance tax impacted entry into the housing market?

33:50 - Over 5 years of hosting "Walk the World", how have your views and insights evolved?

40:00 - How should one approach property investment after missed chances?

45:55 - How does Martin feel about the property market’s outcome?

49:58 - Can the UK manage the demand for millions of new homes?

51:51 - Martin North’s property dumbo

About Our Guest:

Martin North is a prominent researcher who specialises in the mortgage lending, savings payments, and superannuation sectors. He is the founder of Digital Finance Analytics — a boutique research, analysis, and consulting firm. He has a long history of research in mortgage stress in Australia and publishes relevant indices on defaults, mortgage stress, and consumer confidence. In addition to his work in finance, he curates the YouTube channel "Walk the World," where he covers finance and property news with a distinctively Australian flavour and invites controversial guests. He is also a founding director of Asbestos Awareness Australia, a registered charity he established with his late wife, Jill, in 2021.

Connect with Martin North:

Resources:

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Chris Bates