In this spring market, Australian property has become so competitive that it feels like the majority of owners in the mid-tier and luxury segments are investing in styling their homes to impress buyers. Even an average four-bedroom family home can comfortably cost $8,000 or more to style. Of course, the majority of the cost is…
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Sales agents ask you lots of questions when you’re beginning the process of selling your home to upsize, downsize or move interstate. One of the more interesting ones is, “What do you love about your home?” It’s a good idea to pause before you answer. Why? Because you know better than anyone else what makes…
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The spring market continues to deliver handsomely for homeowners with national values increasing month-on-month by another 0.7%, according to the latest data from Cotality’s Home Value Index (HVI). The result, the strongest monthly gain since May 2024, means property prices have now risen 4.1% year-on-year, according to Cotality figures. If the current growth trends continue…
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Navigating the debate on negative gearing is crucial for any Australian property investor. This guide will help you understand the core arguments that are for and against the policy, as well as explaining how this policy may fit into your investment strategy. Negative gearing is a tax policy that allows property investors to minimise their…
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A major challenge for the real estate market has been persuading empty nesters to sell the family home and downsize. Stamp duty on the purchase of a new home – a tax that can get into six-figure territory – is the key reason why older Australians are refusing to sell their family homes. In the…
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When preparing your house for sale, the most common advice you’re likely to hear is to repaint both the interior and exterior of the property. Sales agents will be especially keen for you to give the property a facelift so prospective buyers feel the property has been well maintained and feels fresh and inviting. Painting…
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The big change first-time buyers were promised at the last Federal election has arrived. From the start of this month, young buyers can access a home loan with a 5% deposit and avoid punitive mortgage insurance that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Currently, Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is compulsory if a buyer has…
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For anyone buying a property, it’s easy to assume that so long as you meet the basic criteria to secure a mortgage, your lender will be only too happy to take your money. While that is largely correct, there are some internal rules that banks apply, especially to those buying into apartment buildings, that can…
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With industry research indicating property values are consistently rising at 0.7% – that’s on track for an annual growth rate of 8.4% – it’s a valuable exercise to validate reported market trends using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The total value of residential dwellings in Australia rose $213.8 billion to $11.56 trillion…
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Limited stock of homes for sale is helping to push values higher as the spring selling season gets into full swing. Deal values have continued to edge higher every month since February, according to the latest data from industry researcher Cotality (formerly CoreLogic). The market has registered another 0.7% upswing for August. For metropolitan areas,…
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