Australian home values have now fallen for seven months in a row, auction clearance rates are stuck in the 40s and some economists are describing this as the biggest property downturn in 40 years. So it’s no surprise that the question I’m being asked most by investors right now is when it will all end….
Yes, it’s the beginning of another week, so here’s another 10 smart money sayings from some successful investors. Hopefully one or two will inspire you to do some great things this week: 1. When the market’s going down, it is not because you are stupid. And when it is going up, it’s not because you…
Gambling has long been a favourite pastime for Aussies and according to a report from Gambling Statistics Australia, we spend an average of $1.9 billion on lotto every year. Of the 6.8 million Australians who like to take a punt, about 76% of them play the lottery. Who is buying all these tickets? When you do…
What if the most important factor determining your financial future was decided before you were even born? Before you went to school, chose a career, purchased your first property or made your first investment, the circumstances of your birth had already influenced the opportunities available to you. It’s an uncomfortable thought, particularly for those of…
If a picture paints a thousand words, then this collection of charts should do a pretty good job of painting the landscape as it affects our economy and our property markets. Each month the RBA summarises macroeconomic and financial market trends in Australia by providing a detailed chart pack. World Economy Australia’s economy doesn’t operate in…
Australia remains one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet many Australians feel as though they are working harder simply to stand still. That feeling is now being confirmed by the economic data. Australia is heading towards its weakest decade of growth in living standards since the First World War, with GDP per person…
Every year, economists, property analysts and media commentators tell us where interest rates, house prices and rents are heading next. Some forecasts will be broadly correct, many will miss the mark, and almost none will anticipate the unexpected events that eventually shape our markets. Yet property investors continue searching for certainty, which is understandable when…
Imagine waking up tomorrow morning to discover that the median house price in your suburb had fallen by 5%. Would you assume your home was now worth 5% less? Would you worry that your investment portfolio had taken a hit, or perhaps conclude that housing was finally becoming more affordable? Well, I’d suggest you think…
You can earn more than you did five years ago and still feel as though you’re going backwards. For many Australian households, that’s become a familiar experience as everyday expenses, mortgage repayments and tax absorb more of their income, leaving less room to save, invest or enjoy life. After more than 50 years of investing,…
Cotality’s national Home Value Index (HVI) was down 1.2% in October, taking the downturn into a seventh consecutive month. The pace of the decline is faster than any previous downturn in the past 40 years, with capital city values down 8.1% in seven months. Every month, investors, homeowners, and would-be buyers turn to the latest…