February 7, 2012
I recently replied to a blog posted by API deputy editor Vanessa De Groot relating to the difficulty of buying property interstate.
BY PETER KOULIZOS
I suggested a simple five-step process so as to try and overcome the fear with buying in unfamiliar territory. As many people are considering buying interstate, especially in the resource-rich states, I thought it would be a good idea to provide some more detail on this five-step process.
January 9, 2012
As promised, I’m following on from my last blog, called ‘2011 – annus horribilis’. (The term ‘annus horribilis’ is the Latin phrase for ‘horrible year’.)
BY PETER KOULIZOS
I don’t think too many property owners will be sad to see the end of 2011, which saw property prices drop in every capital city. Now for 2012 – annus betterus (it’s not a Latin phrase).
October 24, 2011
Recently there have been discussions on whether potential homebuyers should be able to access their superannuation to buy property.
BY PETER KOULIZOS
When I heard this strategy being suggested, my first response was ‘no’. The main reason I was initially against the idea is that I was concerned that if some superannuation funds had been invested into the family home and something went wrong, it would also jeopardise their retirement.
Read more →
September 19, 2011
One of the problems with purchasing property is deciding on what to buy.
BY PETER KOULIZOS
Some of the common choices for investors include a house in the inner or middle ring suburbs, an older style unit in the suburbs, a brand new apartment in the CBD or an investment property in a mining town. Read more →
July 14, 2011
The latest RP Data Market Update provides a mixed bag of data, with both good news and bad news for Australia’s property market.
BY PETER KOULIZOS
Reading some of the newspapers or watching the evening news, you’d most certainly be excused for thinking that Australia was in an economic recession. Much of what we hear in the media is doom and gloom; rarely is there a positive story about the property market nowadays. However, when you dig a little deeper, you can also find some very positive news, which can give us a little bit more confidence in the market.
Yes, it may sound strange, but there definitely is positive news out there!
May 12, 2011
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?
April 11, 2011
There’s much debate at the moment in relation to Australia’s future population. We’ve moved from Kevin Rudd’s ‘Big Australia’ to Julia Gillard’s ‘Sustainable Australia’.
By PETER KOULIZOS
Some are saying we should severely limit overseas migration and limit families to a maximum of two children. Others are saying we need many more (skilled) migrants and we should also allow more refugees to settle here. To make the population question a bit clearer, I’ve outlined the case for a bigger Australia against just two criteria: economics and the environment.
March 17, 2011
A lot of talk is going around about extraordinarily high Australian property prices. Houses are said to be overpriced by 40 per cent and there are claims there’s an Australian housing bubble that’s about to burst.
BY PETER KOULIZOS
It’s no wonder the average person in the street isn’t sure what’s happening in the housing market, as there are untold numbers of so-called ‘experts’ who have their version of the story.
February 21, 2011
I often hear people say that it’s too difficult for young people to buy their first home. Reasons given include restrictive lending criteria, high interest rates and high property prices. Now, I don’t necessarily disagree with these comments but as I am a ‘glass half full’ type of person, I try and look on the positive side and for solutions.
By PETER KOULIZOS
Restrictive Lending Criteria
There’s no doubt that straight after the global financial crisis it was very hard to borrow money from lending institutions. Some banks wanted first homebuyers to have at least a 20 per cent deposit and demonstrate genuine savings over a very long period of time. Did you realise that now many banks are willing to accept a five per cent deposit and genuine savings over six months?
January 27, 2011
It seems to me that 2011 will be a slow year for property throughout the country. In other words, don’t expect above average property price growth this year.
BY PETER KOULIZOS
Without the assistance of a general rise in property prices, are you still able to increase the value of your property? The answer is yes!
The key to increasing the value of your investment property is to increase your rent and/or improve the property. Read more →
