The world-first decision by the Australian Government to ban the use of engineered stone commonly installed in kitchens and bathrooms will have ramifications for homeowners and renovators. Engineered stone has become a go-to material for many renovators over the past decade. However, the silica dust emitted when cut has been found to be potentially fatal. …
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Investors who keep a keen eye on property news headlines may have been surprised when researcher CoreLogic declared Brisbane had overtaken Melbourne in median dwelling values. But are the numbers what they seem? Digging deeper into the data is always a worthwhile exercise because it perfectly illustrates how property is never a static investment. These…
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Homeowners and investors looking to renovate will be delighted that fast-rising construction costs are coming under control. New data shows that during the three months to December, 2023, costs rose only 0.8% which was a significant fall from the 4.7% quarterly rise recorded in the third quarter of 2022. Construction costs rose 2.9% last year,…
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With Australia’s property market in a resurgent mood at the end of 2023, the prospects for continued value increases for the next 12 months appear strong. The cash rate hike to 4.35% on Melbourne Cup Day may have dampened the party, but industry researcher CoreLogic continues to show monthly rises of up to 0.9% in…
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The New Zealand property market is showing signs of a resurgence with a return to positive price trends and a greater volume of homes coming onto the market. Three key factors powering predictions for 2024 include speed of the market downturn, immigration numbers and the possibility that interest rates have peaked. The bottom of the…
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Market predictions indicate that 2024 will herald a property sell-off by many investors, even though prices are rising and the risk of further interest rate increases has all but evaporated. At the heart of concerns is the new National Coalition Government’s plans to shake up the real estate investor market. Under its election policies, the…
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The Federal Reserve has created 18 months of rate hikes to calm inflation, but the real challenge for the property market has been the continuing high 10-year bond yield. These bonds are viewed as one of the safest possible investments and an indicator of investor confidence in the economy, so the yield will impact mortgage…
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Understanding the mood of a market is a fundamental principle of buying and selling any product, but it’s never more essential than in real estate. With the market in a post-boom transition period influenced by high mortgage costs and strong prices, buyers and sellers need to understand each other’s perspectives. Buyers are best served if…
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With so much discussion about mortgage costs going down in 2024, is it better to buy now or continue renting until interest rates have fallen below 4% or 5%? Delaying a decision until mortgage costs taper down comes with the risk of trying to buy as prices increase. This list of pros and cons in…
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Better times may be ahead in the real estate market during 2024, in a year that promises to see the end of rising mortgage costs and the start of a journey to a more normalized market. Although, given it’s an election year, some uncertainty will remain. All the talk is expected to continue to revolve…
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