Just when we thought we’d seen it all in Australia’s rental crisis—skyrocketing rents, chronic undersupply, and fierce competition for even the most modest of properties- a new phenomenon is emerging that reflects just how desperate tenants have become. It’s called pet bidding. Yes, really. We’ve long been talking about rent bidding, where would-be tenants offer…
When it comes to most aspects of life, $1 million goes a long way. Whether it’s a lifetime of family groceries1, 75 years’ worth of household transport costs2, or smashed avocado for breakfast every day, for over 100 years3. For housing, however, $1 million is increasingly standard. In August last year, the median house value…
How long does it take for the price of a well located property to double? Do property values really every 10 years? And what can we expect to happen to the value of the property over the next decade? Let me start by saying that the idea that property values double every 7 to 10…
In recent weeks, a quiet shift has been happening behind the scenes in our financial system. While the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) continues to hold the official cash rate steady at 4.35% – at least in the short term- a number of lenders, including five more just this past week, have been trimming their…
If you’re confused about cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as an investment, you’re not alone. What you’re about to read is a property expert’s take on crypto, so I’m not sure if it’s worth more than your hairdresser’s take on physical fitness. I don’t profess to be an expert, but let me give you some…
Interest rates are falling, confidence is rising, and property prices are stabilising. This could actually be one of the best times in years to get into the property market. According to NAB’s latest Residential Property Survey, Australia’s housing market has turned a significant corner. After a challenging year of interest rate uncertainty and affordability headwinds,…
It seems that everyone was an investment genius when the property markets were booming. But when times get tough it’s important to listen to those who have the perspective of having lived through a number of economic cycles and who take a holistic approach to wealth creation. And clearly we are now in interesting, and…
While many Australians are keen to invest in property to secure their financial future, the statistics clearly show that most investors fail to achieve their goals. More than half of those who buy an investment property sell up in the first 5 years and only around 20,000 investors have joined the 1% club who own…
What if I told you the single biggest threat—or opportunity—for your wealth creation journey could be something you never saw coming? In the early 1980s—long before there was a TV show by the same name—economist Dr. Don Stammer taught me to always watch out for the “X Factor.” These are the wild cards of the…
Making a profit in renovating a property seems like a very attractive proposition. Buy low, renovate cheap, and add substantial value is the aim of the game. It sounds simple enough, right? While there is always a strong demand for renovated properties – as there are always people wanting to move into a property that…
