How new builds can change the maths for investors

Following recent Federal Budget changes, the flow-on effect to the housing market has caused investors to look more closely at brand new properties.First-home buyers and upgraders may be considered the main buyers of brand-new builds, but 2026 budget night could be changing that, with tax settings that make them more appealing to investors than in years past.“The Federal Budget changes have created a much clearer distinction between investing in a new home and purchasing an established property,” says Daniel Hubbard, Group Manager, Invest by Metricon.While this is potentially good news for investors, there is still a degree of confusion about exactly what is changing and the trade-offs to weigh up.“The strongest investment decisions will still be driven by the fundamentals: buying the right type of home, in the right location, at a sustainable price and taking a genuinely long-term view,” he says.Changes from the 2026 Federal Budget are making new builds a more appealing choice for investors.Key tax changes driving new-home appealNew tax rules for investors were the big reveal of budget night in May 2026, which Angus Moore, REA Group senior economist, says could shift investor dema...