Today I’d like to discuss a few things that never change in a world that never stops changing. And that’s because the things that never change are the most important things to pay attention to. However, change gets the most attention because it’s exciting, it’s surprising, it’s something that the media can comment on. I…
2024 was an extraordinary year for Australia’s property market! While housing prices have kept climbing in most parts of the country, the pace has shifted gears. Poor affordability, higher interest rates, and a surge in the number of homes for sale have all conspired to slow price growth. Meanwhile, the rental market is showing signs…
Rental markets finished the year on a softer note, with the national rental index up just 0.1% in the month of December to be 0.4% higher through the December quarter and 4.8% higher over the calendar year according to Corelogic. Source: Corelogic January 2025 CoreLogic’s research director, Tim Lawless, said:. “This was the smallest December…
Forget investing in the share market, bonds, or even gold. And definitely avoid crypto! Whether it’s planning for retirement, simply building your wealth, or planning to leave a legacy for future generations, here are 9 reasons why the residential property market is the best place to invest your money. 1. You have “control” over your…
There’s an endless stream of news articles discussing the economic factors that influence property prices: interest rates, unemployment, the supply of new homes, rezoning, and population growth – just to name a few. Having followed the property market closely for more than two decades, I have two observations to share. First, I’d love to have…
Do you feel richer? There is no doubt that many Australians are suffering from a cost-of-living crisis but overall, Australia’s household wealth has reached new heights, with the average household net worth climbing to an impressive $1.58 million. This milestone secures Australia’s position as one of the top five wealthiest nations globally in terms of…
Where interest rates head in Australia next year and beyond depends not on inflation per se but on what happens with new job creation. This impacts the unemployment rate and, in most situations, the level and direction of inflation. So looking forward it is all about jobs. Our first chart shows that the annual rate…
It’s no secret that Australia’s major cities are facing a housing crisis. With affordability at an all-time low and the dream of homeownership becoming more elusive for many, there’s one crucial piece missing from our housing puzzle – the “missing middle.” This term refers to medium-density housing options like townhouses, duplexes, and low-rise apartments, which…
Why are we blaming international students for Australia’s housing crisis? In recent years, as housing affordability has worsened across Australia, international students have been thrust into the spotlight as a scapegoat. It’s an argument that’s tempting in its simplicity: more students mean more demand, which pushes up rents. But the reality? It’s a lot more…
Australia’s middle class is no longer the robust backbone it once was. Over the past few decades, it has been hollowed out, squeezed by economic forces, structural changes, and policy decisions. What was once a bell curve society—dominated by a thriving middle class—is now becoming a U-shaped structure, with more people slipping into the lower…