By Viva Hyde - Courier Mail A property turf war has erupted as seasoned investors and desperate first-home buyers clash over low-cost new builds, with investors pumping a massive $1.92 billion into new housing in just three months.
A property turf war has erupted as seasoned investors and desperate first-home buyers clash over low-cost new builds, with investors pumping a massive $1.92 billion into new housing in just three months.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data reveals investor loans for the construction of new Queensland dwellings hit an all-time high of 1,877 in the June 2026 quarter following the Albanese government’s controversial tax overhaul.
The state’s swift shift to new builds was confirmed by latest broker data.
Loan Market figures show overall Queensland investor applications plunged 31.8 per cent between March and July.
But the share of investors targeting new dwellings spiked to a record 5.42 per cent in May, with outer growth hubs like Toowoomba, Ipswich, Coomera, and Caloundra West taking the highest volume of applications.
Place Advisory spokesman Bruce Goddard said the townhouse market had become hotly contested as house-and-land packages in outer suburbs like Logan and Kallangur exceeded the grant cap.
“House and land approaching $1m in outer suburban markets shows just how difficult it has become for buyers to secure a brand-new detached home,” Mr Goddard said.
“Townhouses are not cheap, but they can reduce the price by close to $200,000 while still providing the bedrooms, secure parking, outdoor space and modern finishes many buyers want.”