Victoria’s property market is undergoing significant changes aimed at stimulating buyer interest and addressing the housing supply shortfall. The Victorian government has introduced a temporary stamp duty concession for off-the-plan properties, effective October 21, 2024. The concession runs for a year and targets the state’s property market challenges. By reducing upfront costs, the Victorian government…
As we increasingly embrace digital transactions, the convenience of tapping, swiping, and entering our card details online also brings significant risks. A recent report from Finder has uncovered a worrying statistic: 1 in 6 Australians have had their credit or debit card skimmed in the past year. This is a stark reminder that, despite the…
For decades, the Australian dream was clear: a quarter-acre block, a standalone home with a backyard, and the sense of space and ownership that came with it. But like so many other aspects of life, this vision is evolving, driven by changing demographics, economic pressures, and shifts in lifestyle priorities. Whether you are a homebuyer…
What goes into your morning cup of coffee, and what makes it possible? The obvious answer might be coffee beans, but when you start to account for additional costs, the scope of a massive $200+ billion coffee supply chain becomes clear. From the labour of growing, exporting, and roasting the coffee plants to the materials like packaging, cups,…
We are currently witnessing what could be described as the greatest wealth transfer in modern history. As the baby boomer generation begins to age, a massive amount of wealth is being transferred to the subsequent generations. Over the next decade, this generation, who rode a wave of economic prosperity for decades, is forecast to pass…
Australia’s economy has been undergoing a profound transformation over the last century, shifting from its traditional roots in agriculture and manufacturing to becoming a knowledge-based society. This shift has significantly altered the types of jobs available, the skills required, and even the locations where people choose to live and work. As we continue to navigate…
Love is in the air—or is it? New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has given us a fresh look at the marriage and divorce trends in Australia for 2023, and it’s clear that while love may still be alive and kicking, it’s also becoming a bit more selective about when and where…
We are in the midst of the worst housing crisis I have seen in my five decades of being involved in property. It was a significant shortage of houses for those who want to buy, and worse shortage of dwellings for people who want to rent. And while all sorts of excuses have been bandied…
What would you tell yourself if you could go back in time and meet your younger self? What advice would you give yourself to make your future easier? Here are some of the things I tell the younger me. 1. Learn from your mistakes. Accept that you’ll make lots of mistakes along the way. They…
Cheaper homes don’t make for more homes. The contradiction at the heart of our housing challenge right now is that more supply is needed to help housing values come down. In reality, though, the residential construction sector is still struggling to deliver housing with a reasonable profit margin. For private sector developers and builders, arguably…
