Gaining a foothold in the housing market remains a challenge as prices and rents climb higher. Photo: Darren England/AAP PHOTOS

Essential workers can barely find an affordable home to rent while investors flock to the property market.

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Lower interest rates and higher rents have boosted bank lending to investors.

Its at its highest share of new loans since 2017 in a report on Thursday by property data firm PropTrack, sponsored by landlord insurer Terri Scheer.

Hopeful first home-buyers can access five per cent mortgage deposits, but some warn the scheme will also push up prices and

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