For the first time in six months, the amount of credit card debt incurring interest has decreased, but the total balance of $17.73 billion is still wreaking havoc on the finances of many Australians. The RBA’s latest data reveals that the total debt attracting interest charges has fallen by 0.1% or $19 million from the…
We find ourselves living in a time of great uncertainty, particularly when we cast our gaze upon the economic landscape of the past decade. For an extended period, inflation and interest rates remained stagnant, with no indication of change in the foreseeable future. These conditions persisted for so long that an entire generation has known…
What price would you be willing to pay, to become a successful property investor? Let’s face it, over the last decade of record low-interest rates and low levels of inflation, holding property has been relatively simple. While there have been the ups and downs of normal cycles, with a pandemic thrown, it has been more…
According to the latest ABS Lending Indicators data property buyers are adjusting to current market conditions in different ways. New lending has increased for the first time in 14 months while existing borrowers are responding to rising interest rates by refinancing at record levels. In March, new lending rose by 4.9% compared to the previous…
I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing a lot of so-called “experts” on social media confidently forecasting the direction of our real estate markets and property prices for the balance of 2023 and beyond. However, if they really knew how to predict our markets these individuals would likely be enjoying a luxurious lifestyle, reaping…
After declining for most of last year, home prices have started to increase again in 2023, with April marking the fourth consecutive month of rises nationwide, according to the latest PropTrack Home Price Index. This is due to factors such as strong migration, limited supply, and tight rental markets, which are offsetting the impact of…
Following a decrease from its peak to a trough of slightly more than 4%, it seems that national home prices are now on the rise again, with Sydney spearheading the recovery. The housing market began the year with more strength, and after nine consecutive months of decline, home prices increased for the third time in…
Brisbane’s property market has seen some of the most robust growth of markets across the country, supported by the pandemic-induced sea and tree-change shift. The city had the strongest property market in 2021 exhibiting astonishing growth, with many locations experiencing 30% or more house price growth. And as higher borrowing costs began to weigh heavily…
New research by Finder suggests that Australian couples are accelerating their cohabitation plans to alleviate financial stress. A survey of 441 renters conducted by Finder revealed that 15% of couples have moved in together earlier than intended. Of this group, 10% decided to cohabit earlier than planned to cope with the escalating cost of rent,…
Is income inequality in Australia on steroids? Well, according to a recent report by the senior economist at the Australia Institute, the level of inequality has escalated significantly. Describing the situation as “inequality on steroids,” he informed The Business program on ABC TV that following the global financial crisis (GFC), the top 10 per cent…
