Hasn’t it been an incredible year for our property markets in 2021? They have soared to heights nobody could have predicted just 12 months ago when there were so many grey clouds on the horizon. But what happens next and what does 2022 have in store for our property market? Only time will tell, but…
Is homeownership the key to happiness? According to new research by Finder, 83% of homeowners have reported being happy compared to only 69% of renters. According to Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker, a nationally representative survey of more than 30,000 respondents, those who rent report lower levels of happiness and higher levels of money stress than…
There are many differences between methods of sale between the different states around Australia. Understanding these differences can be a big advantage, especially if you are an out-of-town buyer looking to compete with local buyers and property experts. Here are the methods of sale for residential property in Queensland and how they work. Auction Our…
Have you heard of “Dual Key” investments? They are the poor cousin of the humble duplex – but unlike the duplex they make terrible investments. While dual-key properties are a fairly recent concept in Australia and are mainly built in Queensland and aimed at investors who are looking for cash flow, they have long been a common…
We’ve all received promotional texts and phone calls, but do you know how many of them were scams? The number is staggering, particularly when looking at the last 12 months. An alarming number of Australians have been contacted by a scammer in the past 12 months, according to new research by Finder. Ahead of Scams…
As we move our way out of our Coronavirus Cocoons Australia’s economy, and in fact, the world economies, are looking positive for the years ahead. Recently the Economist’s Intelligence Unit forecast that the post-pandemic recovery will continue in 2022, with global GDP expanding by 4.1%. However, this rebound will mask great variations in the pace…
Being good with money is a skill you can learn. Some people complain they aren’t very good with finances — they argue they don’t have a head for numbers — but I believe everyone can become wealthy if they know how. Part of it comes down to smart investments, sure, but the other, equally important part,…
New lending rules are about to kick in, which will limit the amount people can borrow from the bank. From Monday 1st November, banks must make sure new home loan applicants can repay their mortgage if rates rise by 3 per cent. The current ‘stress test’ is 2.5 per cent above current rates. APRA, the…
Have you ever bought Ikea furniture? I know I have and it had me wondering about Ikea’s history. Looking back through 70 years of IKEA catalogues tells a tale of style innovation, retro trends, the rise of the Scandi lifestyle, and a flatpack living room that would evolve across generations. To illustrate this, HouseholdQuotes scoured…
Is your financial situation affecting your relationship? If so, you are not alone, according to recent research results from Finder. No savings, unpaid debt, and poor financial knowledge have all led to Australians getting dumped. A nationally representative survey of 1,007 respondents revealed 1 in 8 Australians (13%) have been through a breakup due to…
