July 1 is the start of a new financial year. It also marks the end of the National Rental Affordability Scheme, which once provided more than 35,000 affordable rental homes across the country. The scheme was introduced by the Rudd government in 2008 in response to declining affordability. But it was later axed by the…
A recent termite court case has highlighted one of the most important lines a buyer may see in a pest report: further investigation needed. The Region article reported that Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson said the inspection report in a Canberra property case should have warned that termites and extensive termite damage could have been present in…
Planning the dining room comes last. The table arrives from one trip, the chairs from another, and the wall behind both stays untouched for months. By the time the rest of the house comes together, and the budget runs out, the dining room is the last priority. Australia’s furniture retail sector reached $12.6 billion in…
Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club address last week reminded us she doesn’t like multiculturalism, she sees immigration as responsible for most of the country’s problems, and she regards the values of some immigrants as inimical to a predominantly “Judeo-Christian society”. She called for “monoculturalism” to replace “multiculturalism”. These kinds of views are not new for…
Standard storage methods often fail to protect sensitive tools or bulk supplies from the unpredictable nature of an outdoor work environment. A weatherproof shipping container acts as a fortress for your assets, providing a sealed, secure, and dry environment that is built for harsh conditions. This article explores why these industrial units are the premier…
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…
