If you thought interest rate uncertainty was behind us, think again. Westpac has just lifted its fixed home loan rates for the second time in just over a month, increasing them by as much as 0.35 percentage points. The move follows the Reserve Bank’s latest hint that another rate hike could be on the cards…
Open a news site and you’ll be forgiven for thinking civilisation is sliding off a cliff. We’re told property is unaffordable, inflation is destroying household budgets, geopolitical tensions are rising, and technology is coming for our jobs. If you take the headlines at face value, the world seems chaotic and uncertain. Yet step back, widen…
For a while there, “the next rate cut” started to feel like a foregone conclusion. Borrowers were counting on it, buyers were pricing it in, and the media narrative was drifting toward relief. But now the story is different, with most economists suggesting there won’t be another interest rate cut anytime soon. In a fresh…
SQM Research released its latest data on residential property vacancy rates. Australia’s national residential vacancy rate rose to 1.3% in November 2025, up from 1.2% in October. The total number of residential vacancies increased to 38,690 dwellings, up by 2,538 from the previous month, signalling a mild seasonal easing in the national rental market. Vacancy…
What could the world’s most successful investor possibly teach you about Australian property? A lot more than you think. Warren Buffett may have made his fortune in shares, but his timeless lessons about money, patience, and decision-making apply just as powerfully to building wealth through real estate. In The New Tao of Warren Buffett authors…
Capital city unit rents generally increased over November with house rents steady overall compared to the previous month. Most capitals continued to report stable house rents over the month with Canberra and Brisbane higher by 0.9% and 0.7% respectively. Hobart house rents fell by 1.3% with Darwin down sharply by 3.6%. Sydney continued to report…
Every time interest rates move up or down, we are asked the same question: “Should I fix my mortgage rate?” It’s a fair question – especially after the rollercoaster of recent years. Many borrowers are still feeling the sting of higher repayments and are tempted to lock in some certainty. But as with most financial decisions, the best answer is not based…
You know how every summer Australians wander down to the beach, breathe in the salty air, have a few too many wines, and suddenly convince themselves that owning a holiday home is a brilliant investment strategy? Well… it isn’t. In fact, it’s one of the biggest financial traps I see Aussies fall into. And today,…
Australia’s ageing population is becoming the political football no one asked for. And lately, you can feel a shift in tone coming from Canberra; subtle, quiet, and very intentional. We’re now hearing the phrase “an intergenerational lens” attached to government policy. On the surface, it sounds virtuous. Fairness across age groups. Sharing opportunities. Balancing outcomes. But…
Most property investors start out with one simple goal – financial freedom. But the question I often get asked is: “How do I actually live off my property portfolio when the time comes?” The truth is, owning a few properties isn’t enough. To achieve financial freedom, you need to build a substantial, diversified, and well-structured…
