NAB survey shows Australian housing sentiment turns negative for first time in six years

NAB’s Residential Property Survey index fell 18 points to -4 in Q3 2026, turning negative for the first time in six years. Property professionals forecast house prices to drop 4.2% over the next 12 months; expected rent growth held elevated at 3.7%. Construction costs remained the top barrier to new development at 77%; interest rates rose to second at 58.3%. Owner-occupiers stayed the largest buyer segment; local investor activity rose slightly but stayed below late-2025 levels. Stamp duty was flagged as a constraint for first-time or newer buyers by about two-thirds of respondents. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. NAB — National Australia Bank Ltd. published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. (C)