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…
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…
![The 25 Richest Countries in the World - Here's Where Australia Sits [Infographic]](https://cdn.propertyupdate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/world-globe-puzzle-coins-economy-270x200.jpg)
Which are the richest countries in the world, by nominal GDP per capita? This map looks at the top 25 countries and Australia sits at # 10. Yes despite the pandemic, the average Australian is wealthier than ever. Despite all the challenges Covid has thrown at us wealth is up 19.7% on a year ago…
House prices in some of Australia’s more popular school catchment areas have soared by as much as 46% over the past 12 months. Parents are paying a premium for homes in locations that make their children eligible for enrolment in high-performing or popular government schools according to the 2021 School Zone Report by Domain Group. Domain’s…
