When was the last time you went on holiday? For some that may be a touchy subject, as many Aussies were restricted in their movements over the last few years But now that the borders have opened again and holidays are back on the agenda, I would suggest there will be a similar process involved…
Investors usually diversify their properties to minimise exposure to risk. But if we know exactly where and what properties to buy in order to secure the most profitable outcomes, we can safely put all our eggs in one basket. Many advisers say that putting all our eggs in one basket is a high-risk strategy. They…
Whether or not you personally give any weight to superstitions, it may pay to consider them if you are buying or selling a property. Generally speaking, westerners are not overly superstitious and males less so than females, but we do live in a multicultural society. Many immigrants bring their traditions and superstitions with them and…
Australia claims the title as the most popular destination in the world for high net worth individuals (HNWI) with more than $1.47 million (US$1 million) to invest. A new report shows 3,800 HNWIs moved to Australia in 2022, representing the biggest influx of any country worldwide. And the figures are set to be higher still…
In all the debate about Australia’s housing crisis, the impact of transport has been largely overlooked. When we talk about transport, it’s usually about time spent commuting and not the out-of-pocket costs. While housing is typically the biggest household cost, spending on transport is the second or third-largest cost – and these costs are inextricably…
It is often suggested that it’s a lot more difficult for people to buy their first property compared to many decades ago. It is true that property is a lot more expensive. However, I would like to suggest that in many respects, buying a property today is easier than it was many decades ago. I…
Have we reached the peak affordable housing debate in Australia? Or is it a case of that old mountaineering saying: the fog is thickest just before the summit? As someone who has been involved in building innovation for the past decade, what strikes me about the current debate is not its height, but its flatness….
Borrowing capacity has reduced by around 30% over the past year due to the impact of higher interest rates and the increased 3% interest rate buffer that banks must use to calculate your borrowing capacity. This was eloquently depicted in this chart by CBA in February 2023. I wanted to explore the common strategies that people can use to…
It’s human nature for us to exaggerate when talking about our achievements. We tend to embroider facts about our relationships, families, work and homes, placing them in the best possible light while we push any uncomfortable truths which don’t fit our picture of perfection into the background. Salespeople do exactly the same, but we often…
You’ve found the ideal new home – a beautiful established terrace and then comes the shock. The building and pest inspection reveal rising damp. Rising damp is when moisture from under the house gets into the internal walls. So what should you do? You’ll often be able to tell a home has rising damp when…
