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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Positive energy has returned to the New Zealand real estate market with increased buyer interest, more properties listed for sale and a long-awaited upward trend in values. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or both, it’s worth spending a little time examining the findings of a recent survey measuring the state of the market. The House…
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The old myth that you shouldn’t sell in winter doesn’t seem to be credible with some of our celebrities, who’ve put up a range of properties for sale in the last few weeks. Of course, their properties neatly fit into the super-luxe category, which rarely struggles regardless of the economic cycle or time of year.…
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Australia’s housing market has not been short of the occasional twist or turn in 2023, and many owners sat on the sidelines to watch how it would play out. In the past four months we’ve seen it turn from decline to a far more positive sentiment. But we got a final twist with the Melbourne…
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Whether you want to upgrade your home or you’re a first-time buyer, the recent interest rate rise imposed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) on Melbourne Cup day will be of more than passing interest. Families, couples and singles in the throes of buying their next or first property will want to know the…
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Demand for more sustainable residential buildings isn’t going away, and both the federal government and many local councils appear on course for adjusting building regulations during the next few years. The real estate industry is increasingly discussing the impact of a draft Federal Government and CSIRO rating system that would influence home valuations and insurance…
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The momentum for Australia to reduce carbon emissions from residential buildings is growing stronger, with the nation’s largest city councils pledging to phase out gas stoves. The City of Sydney and the City of Melbourne have joined the Global Cooksafe Coalition, which is seen as a prelude to banning gas stoves following similar moves by…
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Property researcher CoreLogic has released a heroic set of numbers that reveal granny flats could solve our residential accommodation problems. The study claimed to have found 655,000 sites across Australia that could accommodate a granny flat, regardless of whether your grandmother was interested in being an occupier. More than a third would be within 2km…
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The strong performance of the housing market, despite the recent interest rate hike on Melbourne Cup day, should give heart to homeowners who are looking to either upgrade or downsize this summer. The most recent Home Value Index from industry researcher CoreLogic shows property has edged up again in October, registering 0.9% value growth on…
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