There seems to be some contention among property experts as to the future health of South East Queensland’s property markets. One commentator has argued that the sector is in danger of an imminent meltdown with prices set to fall by 7% this year due to an oversupply of housing stock on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts.

On the other hand, a new report from ANZ suggests that the housing market has held up just fine, arguing prices will ultimately be sustained by higher income growth. [Read more...]

Before we begin counting the financial cost of the Queensland floods, we would like to first and foremost express our condolences for all those who have lost their loved ones and homes; our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

As a resident of Brisbane, I myself witnessed the devastation caused by the largest flood event we have seen since 1974 firsthand.

Working within the property industry up here on a daily basis, I have had countless people ask me what will happen to the residential property market as the flood waters recede and the massive task of cleaning, repairing and rebuilding is undertaken. [Read more...]

I’m sure you were asked at some point or another by your parents, “If (insert name) jumped off a cliff, would you?”

While this is obviously a ridiculous question, the point they were trying to make is there are followers and there are leaders, and perhaps at the time you were intending to follow someone who was heading in a less than desirable direction!

When we are teenagers, we’re often warned about “peer pressure”, which is basically doing something because everyone else is doing it.

This behaviour is also known as the “herd mentality”. [Read more...]

All  investors know that location is one of the most critical components of any successful property investment.

When long term capital growth is the sought after reward at the end of the real estate rainbow (as it always should be), it is vital that you not only find the best possible property, but the best possible position.

Now by position, I don’t just mean finding the right suburb, in the right area, near the right capital city…

I mean the exact aspect of the property within that ideal suburb; one that consistently delivers strong, long term capital growth that outperforms the averages. [Read more...]