Category: News

Locations that add a premium to home prices

With many young families currently in the market for a larger home, a burning question is whether it’s worth paying a premium to be near good schools. If you have a young family, how much extra would you pay to be in the catchment area of a good school?  The Real Estate Institute of Victoria…
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Regional fluctuations offer investor opportunities

Regional Australia has traditionally been a location of solid returns for investors seeking steady capital growth and reliable tenancies. The recent spate of interest rate rises and shifting buying patterns in the aftermath of Covid have complicated the regional picture. However, that doesn’t mean investors should turn away. Investors seeking to start or expand their…
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Halloween began as harvest festival

For many of us Antipodeans, Halloween is essentially an American celebration that has captured the imagination of our kids over the past couple of decades.  The global tradition continues to gain traction, with 300,000 more Australians this year planning to celebrate on October 31. Research from the Australian Retailers Association in collaboration with Roy Morgan…
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Barbie pink palaces that would be gold mines

The world seems to have gone Barbie crazy during the past few months, and her legendary pink “Dreamhouse” has enjoyed a share of the spotlight. The original pink Dreamhouse was built in 1962 in Malibu, California. It’s the only real-life Barbie house, but industry researcher CoreLogic has imagined 20 other pink palaces have been constructed…
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Be prepared to catch the property rebound

Persistence for both the buyer and the seller is essential in today’s property market. Latest data shows many sellers are sitting on the sidelines while motivated buyers compete for the few homes for sale. The lack of homes for sale is bolstering prices across America, but sellers appear to be reluctant to put out the…
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Finding your dream home in today’s market

Home-hunting can be a deeply frustrating experience if you approach the challenge without a plan. Finding the right property, negotiating successfully or being able to pick yourself back up when you miss out has never been more important. These tried-and-tested methods have enabled buyers to find their dream homes in the toughest markets. Be efficient…
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Why investors are returning to market

With residential real estate continuing to enjoy value growth and stronger renter demand, inquiries about purchasing an investment property are increasing. Renewed interest in being a landlord will likely stem from the prospect of mortgage rates falling in the short to medium-term, coupled with record levels of rent: a trend that we’ve seen in many…
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Bounce back likely in Spring selling season

Uncertainty among buyers and sellers about the outcome of the October election has added to the complexity of the New Zealand property market as it begins its value turnaround after a couple of tough years. Sales volumes dipped across the country in July, notably 15.4% in Auckland, as buyers and sellers wait for the poll…
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It’s time for sellers to make a move

Statistics and sentiment don’t always choreograph neatly when the property market turns the corner; and that’s what we’re currently seeing in New Zealand. Buyer sentiment has increased markedly in the past few months even as the pace of value declines eases.  The prospect that we’re near the end of an extended period of interest rate…
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Is now a good time to fix your mortgage rate?

If you’re one of thousands of homeowners who’ve just come off a fixed-rate deal with their bank, you may wonder whether entering into a similar agreement is a good idea. Lenders are using attractive fixed-rate deals to compete for customers, both first-time buyers and existing homeowners, but is the time right to enter into such…
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