The state of America’s real estate market is a cornerstone in the debate about the health of America’s economy. It’s becoming an increasingly important part of the presidential election as folks weigh up how happy they feel about their own financial situation. High interest rates have weighed heavily on every borrower – that’s for sure.…
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Keen observers of real estate often use trends in home loan applications as a predictor for the short-term performance of property prices. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for May indicates Australia is having a strong winter ahead of an anticipated busy spring selling season. Significantly, the data illustrates that while there may…
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We all love to escape on a summer vacation, but it’s important to spend a few moments considering how to safeguard your home while you’re away. Unfortunately, empty homes can be attractive to those with less-than-good intentions. While the FBI doesn’t have specific data, some studies have found burglaries can increase by up to 11%…
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Australian dwelling values increased a further 0.7% in June, taking growth to 8% across the financial year ending June 30. The CoreLogic data suggests the median average value increase for every Australian property was $59,000. The average price of a home – any residence, be it a house, apartment or duplex – is now $794,000.…
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You’d be forgiven for thinking America’s real estate market is a bit of a puzzle with shifting headlines about interest rates, home prices, and inventory levels. Without an experienced agent at your side, it’s easy to feel a little lost in these shifting sands. While the number of homes coming onto the market is increasing,…
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Fixer-upper homes can be tempting for buyers daunted by current property prices. Significant value can be achieved by renovating these types of properties and then flipping them to an eager market. There was good news for renovators this month with a new report showing that construction costs and materials are starting to level out after…
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Inheriting a property can be a special, emotional gift to some people, while others will consider it simply a procurement of bricks and mortar. Either way, property inheritance or succession requires the inheritor, or beneficiary, to consider issues such as tax implications and government regulations. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) says that while there are…
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With rents on the rise and vacancy rates extremely low, renting with roommates has rarely looked so attractive. At the same time, caution is needed, especially when renting with others. Negotiations to create a cohabitation deal are crucial, and you’ll need to be prepared to make compromises. Firstly, splitting the rent with roommates should be…
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Selling your family home is a big decision, and it’s natural to have questions about the potential tax implications. Homeowners in Australia enjoy what is called “main residence exemption”, which shields your home from capital gains tax (CGT) when you sell. However, the rules can be a bit tricky. Think of the main residence exemption…
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New data from property media company OneRoof provides a stark view of the current housing market in New Zealand as pressure continues to build on the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) to drop interest rates. In the past month, it has kept the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.5% – significantly higher than Australia’s (4.56%) and Canada’s…
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