The federal government’s Help to Buy scheme is before the parliament. Both the Coalition and the Greens are opposed to it. If the bill is passed, the government will provide an equity contribution of up to 40% of the purchase price of a new home, and up to 30% for an existing dwelling, with buyers…
Making the leap from homeowner to property investor comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. While many landlords try to minimise their outlay and maximise their return – and understandably so – insurance is the one essential expense you simply can’t afford to scrimp on. It’s so important that you are adequately covered…
How do you choose an investment-grade property? One that will outperform the averages and deliver wealth-producing rates of return? Well…you probably know by now that property investment is part science and part art. The art component is the market intelligence that comes from decades of experience in buying and investing on the ground. And this…
It’s no secret that Australians are now valuing sustainable, energy-efficient homes not just for environmental reasons but as a smart way to save money. With the cost of living pressures escalating, incorporating energy-efficient features into homes is becoming a financially savvy strategy. This trend is especially relevant as high utility bills are increasingly stretching household…
One of the skills of being a good negotiator is knowing when not to talk but to listen. I have found that many inexperienced negotiators are too eager to show off just what they know. This can work against them as they often reveal too much too soon, in particular about what they are willing…
Recently one of my nephews, who has suddenly taken an interest in the property, asked me: “You’ve been investing for a long time – If you could go back 40 or 50 years, what would you have liked to know then that would have made you do things differently?” Now that’s a great question, isn’t…
Australia’s rental vacancy rate has hit a historic low of close to zero. The latest estimate from SQM Research is 1.1%. The latest estimate from the property listing firm Domain is 0.7%. As would be expected with hardly any of Australia’s rental properties vacant and available for rent, rents have soared – at first in…
Some of the most attractive homes are hiding a stack of problems. That is the thing about property flaws: they’re hidden beneath the house, in the walls, or are simply hard to detect with the naked eye. You end up falling in love with the home, its attractive décor, and you buy it. Then six…
In a remarkable display of market strength, Australian homeowners in key capitals have witnessed their property equity soar by over $100,000 in just the past year. The PropTrack Home Price Index for March reveals a noteworthy trend: even with a surge in listings, property prices have not only held firm but reached new heights, underscoring…
Sophisticated investors understand their portfolios are the equivalent of income-producing businesses and wealth-creation vehicles. What I mean is they don’t adopt a set-and-forget attitude, and then naively hope that it all works out in their financial favor… someday! Rather, just like business owners, they make sure they have the necessary insurance in place to protect…
