Despite the disruption the global pandemic continues to inflict on freedoms and the economy, the Australian property market is still going gangbusters, with home sales continuing to outpace new listings.
According to CoreLogic, the sales-to-new listings ratio hit 1.4 over the three months to July, meaning that for each dwelling added to the market, more than one gets sold. This ratio has trended ever since June 2020 when the Federal Government … Read the full post »
Last Tuesday Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the annual budget; a big-spending, jobs-focused budget which contained help for single parents and first home buyers to enter the property market, partially by encouragement incentives for Australians nearing retirement to downsize their homes, in order to free up more housing for younger families and help more people into home ownership.
Those aged over 60 will be allowed to contribute up to $300,000 into … Read the full post »
According to leading industry experts, it will be first home buyers amongst the hardest hit if APRA (Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) responds to growing pressure to limit home lending, as fears are being raised about buyers extending themselves beyond reasonable limits in this environment of a booming market.
Throughout the nation, almost every market has experienced a significant spike in activity since the end of 2020, with home values rising at … Read the full post »
Last week we spoke about four key factors to consider when purchasing an investment property: capital growth, cash flow, tax benefits, and accelerated growth. This week we will talk about location and professional advice.
Location
You are all familiar with the real estate mantra ‘location, location, location’. Location is a key factor that can make or break a property investment.
Question: How do you get it right?
Answer: Research.
You need to find out about … Read the full post »
Property investment is not for the faint-hearted, it is a big decision, and like all investment that involves significant amounts of capital outlay or borrowing; it is not without risk. However, it is also one of the most solid and proven ways of growing your wealth, and generally involves less risk than the stock market and other capital ventures that can deliver strong returns in short periods of time. A … Read the full post »
When in the market to purchase a property, one of the most critical first steps is to physically inspect, either via private inspection, or more commonly – an ‘open home’ conducted by the Agent. This is a crucial part of the information gathering process and also allows you to get a real ‘feel’ for the property that you can’t from photos and marketing blurb.
To maximise the effectiveness of this experience, … Read the full post »
As the Great Australian Dream of home ownership continues to evade many, particularly in capital cities such as Sydney where housing affordability is a major issue; an increasing number of first home buyers are teaming up with a close friend, colleague, relative or partner, as a way of getting their foot on the property ladder. You may have watched Network 10’s Five Bedrooms – it was a light-hearted Aussie drama … Read the full post »
This week the Federal Coalition announced a new initiative to assist first home buyers to enter the property market; The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) will be available to first home buyers who have saved a deposit of at least 5 per cent. This means they won’t have to save for a full 20 per cent deposit, which is often a massive financial stumbling block preventing and/or delaying buyers … Read the full post »
According to respected property commentator and analyst Michael Matusik, first home buyers and downsizers will be the key drivers in demand for housing this year. These two market segments are looking for certain features in property.
What are first home buyers looking for?
Most first home buyers KEY driver is affordability; bank lending is tightening up and house prices, despite the current fall in some capital cities, have risen to a level … Read the full post »
The Queensland State Government have made changes to the Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant in their annual budget, reducing it from $20,000 on new homes to $15,000 from July 1, 2018; contracts signed prior to this will still receive the full $20,000, if eligible…but time is running out.
Purchasers must be buying or building a NEW house, unit or townhouse valued at less than $750,000. You can buy off the plan … Read the full post »
With continued discussion in the media, and by political representatives about housing affordability in Australia, as we head towards the end of the Financial Year, it is a timely to remind people of the FHSS Scheme that was handed down in the 2017-2018 Budget last year to assist entry level buyers saving for a property.
What is the FHSS?
FHSS was introduced in last year’s Federal Budget as one measure to address … Read the full post »