March 8, 2013
Now that we’re well into 2103, homebuyers and investors looking to the property markets for direction are seeing positive signs and responding with renewed interest.
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
This is reflected in more people attending open homes, offers being made to buy properties, higher auction clearance rates and property values slowly rising.
March 1, 2013
Is property still a good investment? The last few flat years in our markets and concerns about the potential for future capital growth has some investors worried.
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
Some people might be wondering what’s ahead for property, especially as they’re hearing some commentators suggesting we’re in unprecedented times. You just have to look back further.
February 22, 2013
For much of last year, Australian housing markets were a ‘tug-of-war’ with low interest rates pulling hard on one end of the rope and poor consumer confidence at the other.
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
Despite many of the fundamentals being sound, consumers were sitting on the sidelines waiting to see how the economy played out or perhaps for someone to ring the bell indicating that markets had bottomed.
February 15, 2013
Last week I wrote about how Australians are now the wealthiest they’ve been in five years. I bet if you asked the average person how they feel, they wouldn’t be too optimistic about their financial position. Why?
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
The continual barrage of negative media is still spooking many Australians. With all the overseas worries as well as local concerns – things like the mining boom slowing and pessimism about the state of our economy – folks have been saving rather than spending since the GFC.
February 8, 2013
While 2012 was difficult year for most of us – particularly those interested in property – it finished off with some good news. Household wealth climbed 18.4 per cent last year to $69,422 per person, making us the wealthiest we’ve been in five years.
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
One of the interesting aspects of the rise in wealth is that it wasn’t driven by rising asset prices, but by people saving more. Rather than spending, Australians have been stashing their cash. Many have reduced their credit card debts, while others have taken advantage of low interest rates to pay off more of their mortgage.
February 1, 2013
If you’re not familiar with Charlie Munger, he’s vice chairman of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway. Munger is probably the most quotable investor of all time. Sometimes what he says is hilarious and sometimes it’s serious. It always gets you thinking
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
At a 2008 shareholder meeting, Munger criticised his physique, said ethanol was “one of the dumbest ideas in the history of the world” and then fell asleep on stage. In front of 40,000 people.
This is why people love him.
January 25, 2013
At the beginning of the New Year it’s customary for commentators to give forecasts for what’s ahead. Today I’m going to share 10 reasons I’m feeling positive about 2013.
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
But first let me give you my obligatory forecast, which is… most forecasters will be wrong this year. Why do I say this? You just have to remember all the things we worried about last year that didn’t happen?
December 14, 2012
With the year coming to an end, it’s interesting to look back and see how turbulent the last 12 months have been and how many crises we’ve survived.
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
The troubles in Europe and the US didn’t bring the financial system to its knees, our economy performed well and our property markets didn’t collapse as some doomsayers predicted. In fact our markets finished the year in much better shape than they started. Read more →
December 7, 2012
Australia has had a boom and gloom economy over the past year. On the one hand, our economy still grew – unlike many others around the world –underpinned by a resources boom. But on the other, consumers and businesses were gloomy.
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
It was much the same with property. Some areas fared well through the year, but many didn’t. Looking back, I think 2012 will be remembered as the year the property market turned.
November 30, 2012
The Victorian Government is drawing up plans for the future of Melbourne, and they’ve got quite a task ahead of them. Melbourne’s population is expected to increase by half, from the current 4.1 million. This means an extra two million residents in less than 40 years.
BY MICHAEL YARDNEY
This influx is sobering when you consider the amount of infrastructure required to support that many new inhabitants. Read more →
