It’s amazing to think winter is already here; just in time for our electricity and gas prices to increase. Escalating energy costs, plus rising food and fuel bills, suggest there’s never been a better time to adopt a few basic measures to keep your home warm during these cold months. A well-insulated home is highly…
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When you’re preparing to sell your home in winter months, don’t relegate your back garden and entertaining area in favour of improvements indoors. You can make your garden appealing with just a few inexpensive touches that will win over prospective buyers despite the falling mercury. Two favourite improvements are the installation of a pizza oven…
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Favourable conditions for property investors are again emerging as rents rise and higher interest rates start to take the heat out of the market. Weekly rents increased 4.7% in the 12 months to March. That’s the strongest growth in almost eight years, according to the latest REA Group’s PropTrack rental report. The low number of…
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Successful sellers will be adjusting their expectations this winter as we begin to experience a cooling real estate market after a 12-month period of record-breaking prices. Higher inflation and interest rates are starting to temper buyers’ exuberance, but it doesn’t mean selling your property is a bad idea. In fact, it’s probably quite the opposite,…
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The recent 0.5% rise in the target cash rate set by the Reserve Bank is not a cause to panic or shelve your plans to purchase a new property. It’s just part of the reality of our financial lives. The cash rate has increased to 0.85% to calm any chance of uncontrolled inflation and a…
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The record rainfalls we’ve experienced have caused many homes to feel and smell damp and even suffer from mould. Mould is unsightly, releases a lingering odour and, most importantly, is unhealthy. Luckily, it’s not a giant headache to put right. A combination of dampness creeping into your home and insufficient ventilation causes most mould problems. …
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The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced four key areas it would be focussing on for tax returns this year. Target areas include any profit from investments in cryptocurrencies, claims relating to working at home (expected to be a hot area after the pandemic lockdowns), record keeping and expenses against rental properties. ATO Assistant Commissioner…
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Wage growth continues to fail to keep pace with the rate of inflation, according to new figures. The Consumer Price Index rose 5.1% in the year to the March quarter, but wages grew only 2.4%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The disparity between the rates of inflation and wage growth represents a…
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Businesses will need to prepare for increases in contributions to employee superannuation, which will take effect from July 1,the start of the financial year. The super guarantee (SG) rate will move from 10% to 10.5%. Every employee now qualifies for a contribution regardless of how much they earn, following the removal of a $450 per…
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Business owners and flood victims have been warned to be wary of potential scams following separate warnings from Westpac Bank and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Westpac said it was likely there would be fake donation sites for the Lismore flood victims, as well as scammers posing as insurers, business executives and government staff claiming…
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