Trusts have long been one of the most powerful tools available to property investors. Used properly, they can protect your assets, help with estate planning, and provide flexibility in managing your growing wealth. But used poorly – or set up for the wrong reasons – they can quickly turn into financial handcuffs rather than a…
Gambling has long been a favourite pastime for Aussies and according to a report from Gambling Statistics Australia, we spend an average of $1.9 billion on lotto every year. Of the 6.8 million Australians who like to take a punt, about 76% of them play the lottery. Who is buying all these tickets? When you do…
If you want to get the best deal on a property, it’s going to take more than writing an offer and crossing your fingers it gets accepted. Effective negotiation isn’t rocket science, but it does require knowledge, effort and a fair amount of patience. Before you start offering purchase prices to agents, make sure you’re…
While it’s not typically required by law, most financial products such as ETFs and managed funds report historical investment returns over 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, as well as since inception. This data is incredibly useful, as it allows investors to assess performance over the short, medium, and long term, all of which are…
“What do you want your retirement to look like?” Most people pause when I ask that. Then they give vague answers: I want to travel more” or “spend time with the grandkids.” Nice ideas. But vague answers don’t lead to meaningful action. At Metropole, we’ve learned that the best way to help our clients build…
Ever heard of the 1% rule in property investment? It sounds simple, even seductive. Buy a property where the monthly rent is at least 1% of the purchase price, and you’re set for positive cash flow. In theory, it’s a quick way to separate good investments from bad. While you may come across this a…
Nationally, housing affordability has deteriorated badly since the pandemic. Cotality data shows home values are up 46.8% in the past 5 years. The median dwelling value has gone from 6.4 times, to almost 8 times median household income. Median rent across Australia has reached $672 per week, with rent values up 43.8% in the past…
We often talk about Australia’s retirement system being one of the best in the world, underpinned by compulsory superannuation, the age pension, and voluntary savings. But the latest HILDA survey reminds us that the real wealth divide in retirement isn’t about how much super you’ve got – it’s about whether you own your home. The…
Are you considering investing in Melbourne’s property market? You’re not alone — and you’re certainly not too late. Melbourne has posted four consecutive months of home price growth so far in 2025. This represents a notable turnaround as Melbourne property prices fell in most months of 2024. Melbourne continues to rank as one of Australia’s most…
Australia’s property markets are on the move again. After a period of fragmented property price growth and cautious sentiment, recent developments have brought momentum back into the picture. The Reserve Bank of Australia has delivered three interest rate cuts this year lowering the official cash rate to around 3.6% — easing borrowing costs and sparking…
