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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If you’re thinking of selling and wondering how to maximize the value of your property quickly – and on a budget – you’ll have to look very hard to find a better solution than repainting your home. A fresh coat of paint throughout the home will hide the dents and scratches that walls suffer as…
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Facing voter frustration at housing affordability, the White House has pushed legislation to Congress seeking to cap annual rent increases at 5% and punish corporate landlords by withdrawing their federal tax breaks if they ignore the limit. The Biden administration also pledged to repurpose public land in Nevada so 15,000 affordable housing units can be…
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