Buying a property can be a real thrill. Walking through open homes, signing yourself up to a significant loan, becoming a landlord – it’s enough to get even seasoned investors a little giddy with the excitement of it all. Then… then the property just sits. And waits. Every now and then you check in and…
Here’s something for the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia to ponder as it meets next month to set interest rates. It has pushed up rates on 13 occasions since it began its attempt to restrain inflation in May 2022. On each occasion, its rationale was that by making borrowing more expensive, it would…
When you think about the word “free” what does it mean to you? For some people, it means the freedom to do whatever they want — whether that’s financial freedom or having no ties so you can travel the world. For others, “free” means something that costs you no money. But, of course, nothing in…
More new homeowners are rejecting yesterday’s sentiment of owning their own castle and buying investment properties before their own home instead. Driven by affordability and smart financial forecasting, Australians are investing as they’re starting to see the benefit of owning rental properties as a strategic move up the property ladder. Our investors are getting younger,…
From high property prices to restricted borrowing capacity and even sky-high rent costs, it’s harder than ever for first-home buyers to break into the property market. The Reserve Bank’s 13 interest rate hikes, sluggish wage growth, and higher deposits are just some of the many factors that have put many buyers on the back foot….
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have soared in popularity over the past decade, primarily because Aussies are keen to control their financial futures and in part, because for some an SMSF is a great vehicle to purchase property to help grow your retirement wealth position when you’ve run out of borrowing capacity in your own name….
What lies ahead for Australia in the next 10 years? Well, Simon Kuestenmacher highlighted a chart that is pivotal when forecasting the next ten years in Australia in his column in the New Daily. Its simplicity belies its significance in understanding our nation’s future housing demands and consumption shifts. It juxtaposed Australia’s current demographic profile…
One of the challenges our government is facing in handling the housing crisis is dealing with inaccurate population forecasts. HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon recently highlighted a startling fact: “Australia’s population hit 26.8 million in September 2023, surpassing the Australian Government’s forecast by over a decade.” This revelation came as the ABS released its latest…
Arranging for a property valuation prior to purchase, or a valuation on a property you already own for refinancing is relatively straightforward. That said, it’s important to understand potential pitfalls associated with a valuation so you can brace for a possibly unfavourable outcome. If you are applying for a loan from a bank, they will…
How foreign investors really created Australia’s housing crisis. Some commentary in the media suggest that’s the case, but recently Tim Reardon, the Chief Economist at the Housing Industry Association (HIA), offered a different perspective that challenges these common misconceptions. Misconception 1: Foreign investors leave homes vacant It’s a popular belief that foreign investors are buying up properties…
