AdvertisementPropertyNewsHome loans This is how many home owners are actually in negative equity now Wes Mountain August 6, 2026 — 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Related Article Property prices How far property prices fell in the past – and how this year compares “I don’t think it’s a big risk,” Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan agreed. Even for many of those who are in negative equity, the impact is largely theoretical. “[Banks are] not going to start penalising home owners at the very first sight of negative equity,” she said. AdvertisementRisks for banks Hassan said the Global Financial Crisis, when swathes of US borrowers defaulted, haunted discussions about negative equity in Australia.