Category: News

Why lenders are looking at your social media profile

An intriguing article has been published on the popular real estate website Realtor.com, claiming mortgage lenders are checking the social media profiles of  prospective clients. It says lenders are seeking out information on the professional side of your life, trying to substantiate your work history and make a judgment on your track record as an…
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We’re missing housing target more than 250,000 homes

The nation’s ability to build more homes has become one of the most hotly-contested issues in Australian politics. While the new Labor Government has made several high-profile promises on housing, most relate to helping Australians buy their first homes.  Underpinning Labor’s pledges, however, is the nation’s capacity to build more homes to meet demand. Our…
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Promises plentiful in a boost for first homebuyers

As Australia moves on from a historic election victory for the Labor Party, it’s worth reflecting on what it promised voters before we all went to the polls. Housing became a central theme of last month’s election, and the policies of the returned Labor Government are likely to have an impact on the ability of…
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Number of $1m homes rises 25% in 10 years

The track record of property as a high-quality investment has been underlined again by new data showing the number of homes now valued at more than $1 million has increased by almost 25% in the past decade. Fewer than 10% of properties could boast $1 million values back in April 2015, but now that figure…
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Buyers’ market a boost for street-savvy upsizers

After months of owners holding onto their properties tightly and bolstering prices, the pendulum is swinging back in favour of buyers, and especially for Kiwis who are seeking to upgrade. The recent 0.25% reduction in interest rates – the Official Cash Rate (OCR) has now fallen from 5.25% last August to 3.25% – is offering…
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Not even a democracy sausage can dampen home values

Australians are normally a careful people when it comes to money, and the prospect of a federal election is enough to put most property purchases on hold as buyers wait to see which party and policies win the day. Not this time. Buyer demand for homes across Australia showed no sign of stalling as the…
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NZ market full of opportunity as pendulum swings to the buyer

As we head into winter, the New Zealand housing market is full of mystery and intrigue. Trying to find the perfect time to buy and sell a home has rarely been harder if you believe you can read the tea leaves of our real estate market.  We’ve been helped by the recent 0.25% cut in…
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6 ways to make the most of our booming property market

Buyers enjoy rare opportunity in cautious market

It’s time to reassess your real estate strategy! If you’re backing off purchasing your dream home because of the tariff threats, then you could be missing a rare opportunity. If you’re wavering, know that the possibilities of striking a great deal will likely be gone in a year’s time. Fortune favours the brave, as they…
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Incentives and rules first homebuyers should know

Purchasing real estate has been a rising challenge for aspiring first homebuyers due to a combination of higher prices and wage stagnation, but there are a number of government schemes to help young Canadians.  The recent change in market momentum that now favours the buyer – thanks to an increasing number of homes for sale…
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Property forecast changes as mood swings to buyers

Looking into the crystal ball of real estate is a perilous pastime. Any experienced agent will tell you it’s more important to transact when you are ready, rather than try to buy and sell a home like you would offload shares. By the time you’ve picked up on a new market trend, it’s usually too…
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