Weekend reads – Must read articles from the last week
There are more interesting articles, commentaries and analyst reports on the Web every week than anyone could read in a month.
Each Saturday morning I like to share some of the ones I’ve read during the week.
The weekend will be over before you know it, so enjoy some interesting reading.
What does tourism in Australia look like now that travellers are returning?
Is the Australian tourism industry preparing for its comeback?
This article from Simon Kuestenmacher of thenewdaily.com.au gives some interesting statistics and insights.
The international terminals at our airports looked like busy beehives before the pandemic.
During the lockdowns, we’ve learned that empty terminals look like the set of a creepy zombie movie.
As of May 2022, all state borders are open (I am writing this column in a hotel room in WA) and more international destinations allow travel every month.
The ABS counts the number of overseas arrivals into the country.
From February 2020 to April 2020, the tap was turned off and arrivals fell from 1.6 million people to less than 20,000.
It needed a pandemic for us to understand just how big the business of tourism is.
Rising interest rates have eased demand from potential buyers over 2022, which has been evident in the slowing of home price growth.
But demand for homes in one state continues to outpace the rest.
The PropTrack Potential Buyers Index, which measures the number of people seriously interested in buying, shows that demand has been trending downwards since March this year.
This has been caused in part by anticipated interest rate hikes, which saw lenders start to raise mortgage rates from November 2021 onwards.
Fixed term loans for both owner-occupiers and investors were most impacted by the increase at first.
Australia’s downward house price trend will not change despite a new federal Labor government being elected on the weekend, experts say.
Economists are predicting the property market will continue to soften despite new policies aimed at helping first home buyers, single parents and low-income earners get into the market sooner and a promise of 30,000 extra social and affordable homes.
CBA senior economist Gareth Aird said the policies won’t be enough to soften the impact of rising interest rates and the rising cost of living on Australian households.
“Regardless of who won the election, rising interest rates will be the one thing that shapes economic outcomes and the future of the housing market,” Aird said.
This article from abc.net.au provides the latest information.
Long searches, skyrocketing prices, and diminishing quality.
Sydney has become a landlord’s market, and desperate renters are paying the price.
Rental vacancy rates across Greater Sydney dropped to 1.4 per cent in April, according to Domain, with the number of vacant rentals halved in the three months between December and March.
Meanwhile, the median weekly asking price for a rental house is at a record high.
In other words, Sydney is currently what you call a “landlords’ market”.
What are the keys to successfully integrating your work and life?
This article from forbes.com gives a few insights.
The keys to retention, engagement and happiness in the workplace lie in two critical areas and elements: boundaries and connection.
Let’s not lose having healthy boundaries when we go back to a physical office.
It’s so crucial to have boundaries.
They indicate to others what’s most important to us; they draw a line in the sand and keep unhealthy people or events away.
They also could inspire others to have the courage to implement boundaries—because it takes courage to stand for what is most important to you without apology.
It’s honoring simply who you are and it’s to be respected and valued.
As we move back to a physical office, let’s keep in mind what is most fundamental: the humanity of us all—the desire for connection and connectedness and the value we want for ourselves and each other.
About Michael YardneyMichael is a director of Metropole Property Strategists who help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He's once again been voted Australia's leading property investment adviser and one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders. His opinions are regularly featured in the media. Visit Metropole.com.au
2 comments
Michael Yardney2020-02-15 21:10:05
Thanks Jackline - as you know we were just quoting some of the interesting articles we read this week
Hi Michael,
Love reading your posts, however there is a correction that needs to be made. In the "12 of the Most Unusual and Beautiful Homes in Australia" article, Cliff House is a concept, it doesn't physically exist at this point in time in Aus ...Read full version
Love reading your posts, however there is a correction that needs to be made. In the “12 of the Most Unusual and Beautiful Homes in Australia” article, Cliff House is a concept, it doesn’t physically exist at this point in time in Australia. Maybe someone will get inspiration and have the deep pockets to make it a reality. 🙂
Thank you for your teachings and sharing your knowledge in the property/investing world.
