API Blog :: Have your say!

May 31, 2011

Bank policies change in the blink of an eye!


How quickly things can turn around in the world of finance. Banks are fickle institutions, making it nigh on impossible to borrow money one minute and then almost throwing it at customers the next!

BY ROLF SCHAEFER

The hint of increasing competition between the major banks that was blowing in the wind earlier this year has ramped up to an almighty battle of the big boys and we’re now seeing fierce campaigns to win business between the banks. Now is the perfect time to review your loans and get your financial ducks in a neat little row while money is easier to come by.

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May 27, 2011

Is there really a property shortage in Melbourne?


Contrary to the many reports of a housing shortage, a recently leaked report reveals there’s an oversupply being created in Melbourne’s sprawling fringe, with supply exceeding demand by thousands of homes. Meanwhile, there’s a huge undersupply of houses in established suburbs.

BY MICHAEL YARDNEY

?A recent article in Melbourne’s The Age newspaper, entitled ‘Home construction on urban fringe ‘excessive’’ written by Jason Dowling reported that:

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May 26, 2011

The consequence of a big Australia


The stream of extreme bullish and bearish views regarding the real estate market tirelessly adopts the guise of a political contest.

BY CATHERINE CASHMORE

Those of us working in the industry are constantly accused of talking up the market for our own greedy ends. On the other end of the spectrum are the ‘bubble’ doomsday pundits, who are so determined to see our market take on the form of an American style crash and shoot down the drain, they hang onto any bit of negative data they can lay their hands on. However the real truth is neither bearish nor bullish, but in many respects overwhelmingly predictable.

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May 25, 2011

How useful is data?


The compilation of data related to the property market is now extremely comprehensive, with some companies dedicated solely to putting figures together and getting information out there.

BY VANESSA DE GROOT

There are regular news stories about the increase or decrease in the median price of property and it’s widely used as an indicator of the overall state of the property market.

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May 24, 2011

How to determine paint requirements


There are many things to consider when it comes to buying paint. You might think it’s simply a question of what colour, but you’d be wrong. Don’t fall at the first hurdle however and decide to hire a painter after realising just what you’ve let yourself in for.

Ana StankovicBY ANA STANKOVIC

Do-it-yourself can be therapeutic – especially painting – and you’ll save yourself the cost of a tradesman, so have some faith in your abilities and spend the weekend doing some painting.

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May 20, 2011

How much is that property worth?


If you’re looking to buy your next home or investment property, or even if you’re considering selling your property, a question you would be asking yourself is: ‘How much is this property really worth?’

BY MICHAEL YARDNEY

Who do you ask – the selling agent? A valuer? A buyers’ agent? Maybe the bank?

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May 18, 2011

Why do people want to live so close to the city?


There’s no doubt that living close to a capital city CBD has its advantages. There’s plenty of amenity in the way of shops, restaurants, cafés and, of course, public transport.

BY VANESSA DE GROOT

But I’m still quite, well, somewhat, baffled as to why people want to live so close to the city.

Really, what is it that most people need the city for? Unless you live right in the city and, rather than relying on a car, you merely step out of your apartment and use public transport and other services, then I would hazard a guess that most people rarely go into the city – they don’t need to, because everything they need is elsewhere.

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May 17, 2011

Will Brisbane’s new minimum and maximum building heights post-flood raise confidence?


Brisbane City Council has raised building heights for new and significantly renovated houses in flood-affected areas. Will this give property values the confidence boost they desperately need?

nicole

BY NICOLE NAVARRO

Prior to southeast Queensland’s recent flood disaster, Brisbane City Council required builders and developers to construct all habitable living areas on Brisbane River flood prone land at least 3.7 metres plus 500 millimetres above the ground.

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May 13, 2011

Capital cities or country Australia – what makes for a better property investment?


Since one of the primary drivers of property prices is where people choose to live I like

to know where future population growth is likely to occur to ensure the value of my properties keeps rising.

BY MICHAEL YARDNEY

It should come as no surprise that the vast majority of people live within the capital cities. According to RP Data, at June 2010 64 per cent of Australia’s residents lived in one of our eight capital cities, with 55.5 per cent living in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.

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May 12, 2011

So, why so glum?


The current state of play in the property market has got many people scratching their heads.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on.

BY PETER KOULIZOS

With the number of properties for sale at record highs and the number of properties actually selling at (almost) record lows, you would think we’re all spooked. But why?

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