A recent analysis by the e61 Institute and PropTrack has shed light on the significant impact of Queensland’s 2011 stamp duty hikes. The numbers are telling: a sharp 7.2% drop in home purchases for that year. This isn’t just about sales figures; it’s about people – with a 9% decrease in relocations (equating to 20,000…
Given the resilience in local and global economic growth over recent months – along with continued steady declines in inflation – it appears increasingly likely that a soft economic landing is probable this year. In Australia, the December quarter consumer price index had dropped to 0.6% on a quarterly basis, and to 4.1%, on an…
In some of Australia’s most sought-after suburbs, finding a rental property is an increasingly herculean task. With a tiny fraction of properties available for rent tenants face fierce competition, driving up rental prices and exacerbating the existing rental crisis. High demand and limited supply are leaving many in a lurch. However, it’s not all doom…
The Commonwealth Bank, Australia’s biggest lender, is forecasting six interest rate cuts in 2024 and 2025 starting in September this year. They also expect dwelling prices to rise a further 5% in 2024. The CBA’s head of Australian Economics, Gareth Aird, says the recent rise in unemployment will force the RBA to take action to…
A panel of 31 leading economists assembled by The Conversation sees no cut in interest rates before the middle of this year, and only a slight cut by December, enough to trim just $55 per month off the cost of servicing a $600,000 variable-rate mortgage. The panel draws on the expertise of leading forecasters at…
The latest 2024 First-Home Buyer Report from Domain, in collaboration with digital lender Unloan, backed by Commbank, offers a deep dive into the evolving landscape for first-home buyers in Australia. This comprehensive report paints a complex picture, primarily influenced by the current surge in interest rates. Quicker savings for a deposit – but it’s not…
Sydney’s rental market has plunged into crisis, with ultra-low vacancy rates, high rent prices, strong demand, and a rising population putting the city’s market into a pressure cooker environment. And recent data highlights that the distressing state of Sydney’s rental market has led to a bleak outlook for renters. Here’s a rundown of all the…
Underlying land value, scarcity factor and desire for more space through the pandemic have led to a substantially larger rise in house values relative to unit values over the past four years. At the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, the house premium, or the difference between median capital city house and unit values,…
The decision to keep the cash rate on hold at 4.35% was almost universally expected, given the low inflation figures released for the December quarter, which came in roughly 45 basis points under the RBA’s forecast. Other factors supporting a hold decision include weak retail trade outcomes, a gradual loosening in labour market conditions and…
The latest ABS Lending Indicators data reveals a surprising shift in December, marking an end to the recent growth spurt in new housing loans. A noteworthy decline of 4.1%, down to $26.27 billion, breaks the consecutive five-month growth streak. The most significant drop was observed in the owner-occupied segment, with new loan commitments plummeting by…
