The Australian Financial Review ran a piece by Lucy Dean that should make anyone interested in housing policy pause for thought. According to data released by Housing Minister Clare O’Neil, 5,778 people bought homes in October using the federal government’s expanded 5% deposit scheme -roughly one in ten of all home sales that month. On paper,…
We’re well into a new year, and our property markets have come through the roller coaster of the first half of this decade with flying colours. Of course, each year brings its own set of wins, challenges, and lessons. Looking back at last year, 2025 was certainly no exception. So it’s a good time to…
One of the main drivers of housing demand has the power to radically alter housing prices and rents, yet like an elephant in the room, it’s being ignored by most analysts and researchers. The elephant is the movement of people from one State or Territory to another, which is called interstate migration. The biggest changes…
Buying your first home is a significant milestone that requires careful planning and preparation. For most people, it’s the biggest financial decision they’ll ever make. With so much at stake, it’s essential to have a good understanding of the property market and the home-buying process. Here are 9 things every first home buyer needs to…
Here are 20 great quotes to give you a little push and inspiration for your week: 1. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Anais Nin 2. “There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” Aristotle 4. “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side…
Warren Buffett reigns supreme as the greatest investor in history, with a personal fortune of around US$132 billion. Many years ago I learned that if you want to succeed in business or investing and get rich, it pays to study Buffett. And the great news is Buffett is happy to share his knowledge. Over the…
Have you ever noticed that the more you wait for the perfect moment to make your next move, the less clarity you seem to have? It happens to investors at all levels – from beginners buying their first property to sophisticated players expanding multimillion-dollar portfolios. And funnily enough, the ones with the most experience often…
There has been a spate of articles and commentary in recent days calling on the Australian government to reduce spending. Those calling for government cuts – mostly long-time advocates of smaller government – claim this would lower inflation, and as a consequence reduce interest rates. In fact, claims that government spending is now a very…
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…
When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% on Tuesday, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched. For some, like self-funded retirees, the rate rise was good news. Higher interest means their savings…
