There’s a well-worn saying in property circles: buy near transport and you’ll do well. But the latest research from Domain on Sydney’s Metro Northwest reminds us that while proximity does pay, it pays unevenly, and often earlier than most investors realise. Domain’s Senior Economist, Dr Joel Bowman, explains it: “Transport infrastructure reshapes local housing markets,…
When most people think of identity theft, they imagine vulnerable seniors being tricked over the phone or tech-savvy scammers preying on the young. But the reality is very different, and far more unsettling. A new study has revealed that the group most likely to be victims of identity fraud in Australia isn’t the elderly or…
We often talk about the rising cost of living, but new research shows just how much pressure it’s putting on everyday Australians, so much so that millions are dipping into their own pockets to keep loved ones afloat. According to Finder, more than 7.7 million Australians have given financial help to friends or family in…
For generations, owning a home has been a deeply personal milestone in Australia: the great Australian dream. But today, we’re seeing a new twist on that dream, particularly among Gen Z homeowners. For them, property isn’t just about shelter or status. It’s about opportunity. A recent Great Southern Bank report reveals that younger Australians are…
Buying property in Australia is tricky enough without the added complexity of state taxes, federal rules, and the ever-changing definitions of who qualifies as a “foreign person.” Recently at Metropole, we worked with a client who held a Resident Return Visa (subclass 155) – a type of permanent visa. Their big questions were: Will I…
Australia’s inflation story just took an interesting twist. After months of trending down, headline inflation nudged higher in July: lifting to 2.8% from June’s 1.9%. That may not sound like much, but it’s the first rise we’ve seen in the monthly CPI series since late 2024. So, what’s driving it? Electricity prices surged by over…
Western Australia has once again claimed the top spot in the latest CommSec State of the States report, leading the nation’s economic performance rankings for a fourth consecutive quarter. South Australia also began 2025 with a bang, climbing from fourth to second, driven by solid gains across several key indicators. The State of the States…
All investors know that location is one of the most critical components of any successful property investment. When long-term capital growth is the sought-after reward at the end of the real estate rainbow (as it always should be), it is vital that you not only find the best possible property but the best possible position. In…
Australia’s property market continues to throw up a mix of challenges and opportunities — and once again, it’s the savvy investors who are moving first. The latest Mortgage Insights Report from Money.com.au paints a fascinating picture of how lending patterns are shifting across the country. On one hand, investor lending is climbing back toward record…
There’s been a lot of noise again about allowing first-home buyers to dip into their superannuation to purchase a property. It’s not a new idea—the Morrison government floated it in 2022, and now it’s resurfacing as a potential vote-winner for the Liberals ahead of the next election. At first glance, it sounds appealing, doesn’t it?…
