Mature trees can add real character to a property. They provide shade, privacy, street appeal and a stronger sense of established landscaping. For buyers and tenants, this can make a home feel more livable and attractive. But trees are also living assets that change over time, and when they are ignored, they can quietly turn…
Australians have become much more gloomy about the economy and increasingly worried about the irresponsible behaviour of the United States in the past year, according to the Lowy Institute’s 2026 poll. The poll also shows a big decline in support for cultural diversity over the past two years, albeit from a very high level. Almost…
A rental property is one of the largest assets most people will ever own, yet its insurance is often an afterthought. The catch is that a standard home policy does not cover the risks a landlord actually faces. Tenants, rent, and legal liability all change the picture. Most investors arrange cover once and rarely revisit…
Around 2.8 million of Australia’s lowest-paid workers will get a 4.75% pay rise from July 1 this year, after the latest Fair Work Commission annual decision on award wages. Around 100,000 of the very lowest paid workers, on entry level and minimum pay, were singled out for an almost 6% increase, as rising inflation had…
There’s a version of property due diligence that happens in a display suite. You walk through a well-lit, carefully staged apartment, the finishes look good, the sales consultant is helpful, you like the feel of the building, and you sign. This is a reasonable way to buy an established property. It’s not an adequate approach…
Most property investors spend considerable time analysing suburb growth trends, rental yields, and purchase prices. Far fewer pay serious attention to what happens inside the buildings they own, specifically the electrical systems and HVAC equipment that tenants rely on every single day. Building systems are not as visible or exciting as capital growth projections. But…
A buyer scrolling through listings on realestate.com.au or Domain has already made a series of decisions before the agent’s phone rings. They have filtered by suburb, price range, and bedroom count. They have looked at the headline photo. They have decided, in a few seconds, whether this property is worth opening. What happens in the…
For many Australians, most of their retirement wealth is tied up in their home. A simple, well-designed program to tap into those trillions in home equity could help boost their retirement incomes. Such a program exists. However, it remains little known and underused. The federal government’s Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS) allows older Australians to…
![The Cities Where the World’s Billionaires Were Born [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://cdn.propertyupdate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/billionaire-270x200.jpg)
New York stands out as the world’s leading billionaire birthplace, but it’s far from the only global hub shaping extreme wealth. Across Asia, cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Mumbai also rank among the top origins of the world’s richest individuals. This world map highlights the cities around the world where at least 10 billionaires…
Australia’s housing debate today often centres on two policies: negative gearing and the capital gains tax (CGT) discount. Many investors argue these settings are essential for housing supply, while critics say they encourage speculation and inflate prices. But there is an interesting historical perspective that is often overlooked. For much of the twentieth century, Australian…
