The Bureau of Meteorology has warned there is a 70% chance of La Niña returning this spring. The bureau’s three-month climate outlook shows a high chance of above-average rainfall for most of the eastern two-thirds of the Australian mainland between September and November. “With wet soils, high rivers and full dams, and the outlook for…
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One of Australia’s leading property and finance economists believes we will see “a slow down in interest rate rises” at the end of the year. Ray White Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee has forecast that inflation will peak at the end of 2022 – and that, as a result, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will…
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The Australian Taxation Office has urged businesses that can switch to Single Touch Payroll Phase 2, but haven’t yet done so, to start reporting as soon as possible. STP2 began on 1 January 2022. As of 14 June, there were about 144,000 businesses reporting STP2 information for 1.7 million staff. Some businesses can’t yet switch,…
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The federal government has increased the number of small and medium businesses that can benefit from government spending contracts. Under changes to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, which took effect on July 1, the federal government will allocate at least 20% of its overall contract spend to SMEs, compared to the previous target of 10%. Value…
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Consumers are returning to bricks-and-mortar stores in increasing numbers, suggesting traditional retail continues to have a bright future. Ray White Commercial Head of Research, Vanessa Rader, said Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows ecommerce has never represented more than just a small share of retail sales, and has actually been declining. In the five…
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Australia has its strongest labour market in almost half a century, after the unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in June, the lowest since 1974. That was down from 3.9% the month before and 4.9% the year before. Significantly, the participation rate – the share of adults who either have a job or who are actively…
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The exhilaration of buying a first property is unforgettable: your home is full of endless possibilities. As a first-time owner, you’re likely to want to put your mark on your new home, and that means hitting the furniture stores and redecorating. But, don’t be too hasty because if you rush the process, you also risk…
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Losing a property you had your heart set on can be disappointing, but you must ensure that it doesn’t turn you into a vulnerable buyer. You must remind yourself to fight the emotions of missing out and stick to the fundamentals of a property search. Whatever you do, don’t fall into the trap of feeling…
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Homes that have been recently remodeled or well-maintained often attract significant buyer interest. This trend reflects the challenges many buyers face when considering properties that need substantial work. Whether you’ve added an extension, updated a bathroom or kitchen, or made other significant improvements, these enhancements can make your property more appealing to a wide range…
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You need two essential skills when buying a property: the ability to recognise the home of your dreams when you see it and, to stay within budget. If you believe that’s pretty straightforward, think again. Too many buyers enter the market without finance in place or clarity around what they want to buy. The idea…
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