You often hear location is paramount when choosing a great investment property. But what makes a good location? While a lot of factors come into play, easy access to facilities must be near the top of the list. Walking distance to transport, shops and the café lifestyle is one of the strongest trends attracting buyers…
As new policies, prices, thresholds and eligibility criteria move into the new financial year, a raft of changes is coming into effect from the 1st of July. From young Aussies looking to buy their first home to retirees dependent on the pension, these new rules will have some pocketing more dollars, while others are forced…
Have you considered refinancing your loan? Maybe you’re wondering how much borrowers need to pay to refinance their home loans? According to Canstar, the average cost to refinance an owner-occupied home loan in Australia is $803. This includes fees such as the discharge, application, valuation, documentation, legal and settlement costs. Canstar pointed out that to…
In good news for those stuck in “mortgage prison”, Australia’s biggest bank, CBA, has announced it will lower the stress test on select refinance applications from 3 percentage points to just 1 percentage point. By the APRA guidelines, banks are required to subject all new mortgage applications, including refinancing, to stress tests. But moves by…
Are you looking to build a level of wealth or financial security like the majority of Australians? It is the most common answer I get when I ask clients what they would like to get out of their investments. ……“Financial Freedom” It is the Holy Grail of Investing and one that few people ever get…
Australian consumers are currently facing a challenging environment due to high inflation. According to this report from Westpac, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) intent to bring inflation back to the target range of two to three per cent, is putting significant pressure on Australian households. Westpac expect the RBA to deliver two more rate…
The Australian property market hasn’t taken the big, prolonged plunge that the pessimists forecast. In fact, the most recent PropTrack Home Price Index indicates that the ongoing price rebound carried on through May, and we’re seeing prices go up in more places than before. Home prices across the country have been going up for the…
It’s halfway through 2023, and with concerns about rising interest rates and talk about a recession, one question many are asking is: What’s ahead for the Australian property market? Interestingly, according to the Domain Forecast Report, Australia’s housing market will be in a well-established, steady recovery over the coming financial year, with select capital cities…
Covid 19 changed where and how many of us wanted to live. It triggered a significant migration away from Australia’s major cities as families sought more affordable housing options in regional and outer-metropolitan areas, capitalizing on the widespread adoption of flexible work arrangements. Analysis of newly released regional population data from the ABS by The…
Does Australians’ perception of the ideal family home change? Well, according to recent research commissioned by ING, Australian families are increasingly valuing convenience and smaller, low-maintenance homes as they reassess their priorities in light of rising living costs and the gradual recovery from the pandemic. Aussie families prefer properties in a 20-minute neighbourhood The study…
