Australian housing prices have softened, but a lower apartment price does not show whether the building has adequate funds for maintenance, defects or future major work.

Higher rent and a rising gross rental yield do not prove that an investment property is cash-flow positive. Vacancy, operating costs and the actual loan cost still determine the monthly result.

A lower purchase price may improve the entry maths, but rent still needs to cover vacancy, holding costs and finance—or household income must fund the gap.