Two OCR hikes are on the cards. Here's what nobody can predict yet

Economists, including Brad Olsen from Infometrics, widely expect the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to increase in both October and December. These anticipated hikes are a response to recent economic pressures, and the Reserve Bank is expected to act regardless of the election timing.

The real uncertainty is what happens in 2027. The future path for interest rates and the property market will depend on unpredictable factors like economic recovery and population growth, which will become clearer over summer.