When will interest rates start coming down? It’s the biggest question in the real estate market right now. It seems incredible to think the Reserve Bank of Australia actually put them up to 4.65% in November last year. Since then, it has steadfastly refused to move despite having seven meetings to consider its options. As…
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Understanding how to handle the pressure of auctions is an essential skill in your home-buying arsenal of knowledge and experience. While not every market favours auctions, many of the most prestigious properties go under the hammer in the expectation that buyer competition and the pressure of the moment will drive up the price. Nationally, at…
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With the summer selling season in full swing, many buyers are experiencing the stress of taking part in an auction. The pressure and competition of the moment can be confronting for some buyers – there’s a lot of money on the line, not to mention the lifestyle choice that’s about to be made. For those…
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While real estate values at the elite end of Australia’s market are experiencing a slight dip, that’s not true for properties being targeted by first homebuyers or investors. At the affordable end of the housing and unit markets, prices rose 0.5% in October, according to the latest data from industry researcher CoreLogic. First homebuyers and…
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Optimism for a big rebound in New Zealand property prices have increased with a third successive cut in interest rates. Our Official Cash Rate (OCR) has dropped a further 0.5% to 4.25% – the third successive reduction by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. While it’s too soon to see evidence of the latest cut,…
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Predictions of an improved buyers market are emerging as Americans gaze into the crystal ball to see how the real estate scene will respond in 2025 to a Trump-run economy, the likelihood of lower interest rates and more homes for sale. The leading property aggregator Zillow says its economists believe values will rise 2.6% next…
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The journey to acquiring your first home is a significant milestone, marking a transition into a new phase of life. While exhilarating, the process can also be daunting, filled with complexities and unfamiliar terrain. This comprehensive guide is designed to equip first homebuyers with the essential knowledge and tools needed to navigate this significant undertaking…
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With today’s real estate market experiencing ebbs and flows on an almost monthly basis, sellers often ask me about the profile of a typical buyer. Usually, they’re seeking information that will help them prepare their home for sale and a guide for how long it might take to strike a deal. In our neighborhood, there’s…
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New loan rules to expand insurance mortgages from 25 to 30 years are set to take effect next month to help first homebuyers into the market. By increasing the repayment period five years, first-time buyers will face lower monthly mortgage bills. However, if the loan were to go to full-term, they would pay more in…
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Forget wedding bells, young Canadians are more interested in being a homeowner. Some 40% of under-30s say buying a property is critical to their five-year plan, signalling a preference over travel (30%) and marriage (24%). The survey conducted by the Royal Bank of Canada comes as interest rates have dropped a further 0.5% to 3.75%,…
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