September 14, 2010
Buying your first home may not be as easy as it used to be, but it’s definitely achievable.
By CHRIS ACRET
If you’re a first homebuyer who’s feeling a little discouraged, take heart because there are many ways to get a foot in the property market door.
It might seem a little old fashioned, but simply changing your ‘money mindset’, creating a savings plan and getting organised can put you on the road to owning your first home. Read more →
September 10, 2010
It was no surprise that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) didn’t increase interest rates on Tuesday, but property investors should factor in rising rates in their budgets for the next year or two.
By MICHAEL YARDNEY
In its statement the RBA indicated comfort with current interest rate levels. Governor Glenn Stevens said the RBA’s official rate was “appropriate for the time being”.
This suggests to me that the next cash rate move will likely be up, even if it may be some time before this happens.
And even if the RBA doesn’t increase the official cash rate for a while, now that the election result is clear local banks may increase their retail Read more →
September 8, 2010
As the pundits debate just how much, or little, the new minority Gillard Government will be able to achieve, the housing development industry has some blunt advice.
ELIZABETH ALLEN
Get down to work and deal with the pressing issues affecting housing supply in Australia, say some of the housing industry’s main players.
“Affordability”, “bottlenecks”, “infrastructure” and “population policy” are some of the words on their impatient lips.
The Federal Government has to act quickly or else watch the housing situation become “dire”, warns the Housing Industry Association (HIA). Read more →
September 7, 2010
Spring is traditionally a time people start thinking about selling property. The days are getting warmer, hours of sunlight are increasing and after hibernating in winter, our gardens can be manicured to look magnificent.
BY PETER KOULIZOS
Over the next couple of months, I will be providing tips for vendors who are considering selling their property at this time of year.
The first consideration is, “Should I sell my property myself or should I use a r
eal estate agent?” Read more →
September 3, 2010
The latest regional population figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal an increasing trend toward inner-city living, as Gen Y leads the surge of people choosing to move closer to our major CBDs. So what does this mean for property investors?
By MICHAEL YARDNEY
As they leave the sanctuary of their parents’ homes and realise true independence, most Gen Ys are opting to live closer to employment opportunities, established infrastructure and lifestyle amenities, including public transport, shopping, restaurants and entertainment facilities. Read more →
September 1, 2010
Over the past few days I’ve been pondering just how much the recent election outcome and the property market have in common.
By ELIZABETH ALLEN
To approach both the election result and current property prices with equanimity it helps to believe in the old adage “every cloud has a silver lining”.
It’s been hard while watching Australia wallow in its post-election hiatus and seeing the Independents’ egos – with a couple of exceptions – expand daily. Read more →
