First-time buyers emerge With interest rates now retreating after two years of prohibitive mortgage costs, the real estate landscape is starting to open up for first homebuyers. Many first-time buyers put their ambitions on hold as the cost of cash rose after the pandemic, and we also saw a historic spike in property values in…
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A quirk of the Australian property scene is the fact there is more than one “scene”. In fact, there are eight – each run by our federated state or territory governments. This makes life pretty hard for investors, who have to navigate the rules and regulations of each jurisdiction, or a homeowner who is looking…
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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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In the ever-changing world of real estate, it pays to stay informed. Listening to a podcast is a great way to stay up to date and learn valuable new tips without it feeling like hard work. We’ve identified five podcasts that unlock a wealth of knowledge and insights for both seasoned investors and first-time buyers…
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Continual media coverage of property prices and interest rates reflects the importance of our homes as a cornerstone for building personal wealth. It often feels as if every ebb and flow is highlighted, often leaving us confused about the true investment value of property. New data reminds us why the majority of us firmly believe…
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