Asked to grade Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget on his own criteria of delivering on “inflation in the near term and then growth in the medium term”, most of the 49 leading economists surveyed by the Economic Society of Australia and The Conversation have failed to give it top marks. On a grading scale of…
When you buy a property, what part of the purchase increases in value? It is the land of course. It is the question that almost every property investor I speak with understands without hesitation. So, if the land is a critical component for successful investing, why not maximise your total budget and just buy vacant…
It’s an age-old debate: Does money buy happiness? While it’s sometimes the case that money can make people with “challenging” behaviours even more so, generally speaking, having enough money for the basic necessities of life as well as your wants and needs usually means a happier life. Now I’m not saying that money will solve…
Australia’s housing crisis has become a fierce political battle that could have major implications for the next federal election. As I see it, the fierce battle over housing is set to intensify and define the next federal election as Labor, the Coalition and the Greens target a growing cohort of voters who believe they’ve been…
If you own an investment property and rent it out, you can write off a number of costs on your annual tax return. This includes claiming a deduction for any borrowing expenses incurred and any cost incurred for arranging finance to purchase it. Tax time is a big bonus for many Aussies with rental properties,…
It seems that green homes are easier to sell, according to Domain’s annual Sustainability in Property Report. Data from the report reveals that energy-efficient homes receive more attention from buyers nationwide, resulting in quicker sales compared to their non-energy-efficient counterparts (see Table 1). Table 1 shows the difference in how long it takes to sell…
Building a granny flat out the back of your property has fast become a popular way to increase your living space or even earn some extra rental income, but does it make good investment sense? According to reports, the number of granny flats being approved and built in NSW is at an all-time high. The…
Spare a thought for the word ‘no’. It gets a bit of a bad rap. It’s seen as a negative word to use, a slap-down, a refusal. And many people are uncomfortable with using it. They tend to stick to ‘maybes’ or they delay making decisions. Sometimes they will simply ignore an issue, hoping it…
In order to accomplish anything, you need a driving force, otherwise nothing will happen. A wish is not strong enough to make you take action. A wish is a weak desire. Only a strong desire can drive you forward, to act and accomplish aims and goals. I hope the following quotes help you reset your…
Victoria has become Australia’s second-most popular state for international buyers and tenants eyeing a move to the lucky country last month. New figures from PropTrack show that offshore demand for rentals is currently 32% above historical norms, with increasing interest coming from the UK, New Zealand, and China. Only New South Wales had higher demand…