Unsuccessful people do not read or educate themselves, preferring to spend time on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or watching TV. They have very little self-control. Self-control is a muscle. When exercised it gets stronger. Daily self-improvement reading exercises that muscle. Daily exercise increases self-control. Daily meditation increases self-control. Pursuing a dream and the goals around a…
Australian home values have risen 35.6% since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia in March 2020. The market saw a strong cycle of growth through the pandemic, and a short-but-sharp drop in values following the commencement of the rate hiking cycle, and made a full recovery in value by November 2023, hitting fresh record highs each…
Right now things feel awful. Tuesday’s Westpac Melbourne Institute survey shows three times as many Australians say their finances have worsened than say they’ve got better, and twice as many think the economy is getting worse as think it is getting better. The national accounts show real income per Australian (adjusted for inflation) has been…
Yesterday’s inflation data revealed skyrocketing insurance premiums could drive the RBA toward a cash rate hike in August. This relentless increase in insurance premiums, well beyond increases in other cost categories, is an inflation villain that could see us all suffer from higher interest rates this year. If the government is serious about stemming inflation,…
A well-known study, conducted in 2013 by PEW Charitable Trusts, found that 70% of those born and raised in poverty, remain poor as adults. This “cycle of poverty” continues generation after generation. This data flies in the face of the notion that, at least in America, anyone can become financially successful so long as they…
Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the conflicting information about Australia’s housing markets? Well, you’re not alone. A short while ago, Ken Raiss, director of Metropole Wealth Advisory, and I conducted a webinar, and even though there were well over 1,500 people registered for the webinar, I know the audience to this podcast…
Are we in an election year? Excuse me for being cynical, but each state seems to be bringing initiatives to help housing affordability. Don’t get me wrong… this is a good thing. However, when looking more closely at some of the initiatives, the numbers don’t really stack up. Build-to-rent scheme for essential NSW workers The…
Property investors are exiting Melbourne. In May, over 3,000 property investors decided to leave Melbourne, marking a 34% increase from the previous year, according to an article from the AFR. The article noted that nearly 4,000 ex-rental properties across Victoria were put up for sale, exacerbating the already critical shortage of rental options. Why is…
Millennials who delay buying their first home are putting themselves at huge risk of being long-term renters. But complaining about a lack of affordability isn’t going to get them anywhere; instead, they need to start to turn attitude into action. The fact is: that the number of first-home buyers is dwindling. This is a massive…
Conducting a thorough inspection is one of the most important things you can do when buying a property, whether it’s a brand-new or a second-hand home. But not all potential buyers know how to spot a lemon. The clue is in the name – it’s a property inspection, not a leisurely walk-through. Don’t feel pressured…