Properties are still being snapped up pretty quickly, the latest data shows, but it's expected that more Australians will start falling behind with their mortgage payments next year. The struggles are likely to stem from the fact that while capital city home prices continue to rise, the increase in wages has been pitiful. Data company [...]
The life plan for young Aussies has always been something like this: get a job, save money, buy a house, start a family. It may have worked well for past generations, but for many millennials it just isn't that simple anymore. It's the 'buy a house' bit, in particular, which is causing problems. With many [...]
Australia continues to be a popular choice on the global investment stage thanks to its mature market and comparatively strong yields, although transaction volume has fallen this year as there just aren't as many suitable investment properties available. This is according to a study from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PwC which predicts emerging [...]
New figures on rental property vacancy rates have shown that Hobart has the tightest rate of all the capitals, with just 0.6% (162) of properties vacant. The analysis from SQM Research shows it's a good market for landlords but anyone looking to rent could be facing stiff competition. There was a slight rise in the [...]
Rising property prices are pushing homeowners to find new ways to achieve their dream home. Unable to afford the upgrade to a larger property, more and more homeowners are instead choosing to renovate their existing property – spending an average of almost $70,000 while they're at it, according to new research. The 'Houzz and Home' [...]
65% of Aussies are worried they won't have enough savings to fund their retirement, while almost nine out of 10 mortgage holders are pushing to clear their debt sooner, new studies have shown. Mortgage Choice’s Diversified survey looked at Australians' attitudes towards retirement and found that over half (54%) wouldn't start seriously thinking about retirement [...]
We've seen peer-to-peer lending revolutionise the banking sector, and now a new product could be about to do the same for insurance in Australia. Founded in Germany in 2010, Friendsurance is bringing peer-to-peer insurance to the Australian market. Its business model unites groups of customers (usually 10) to help cover each other’s small claims. “Today [...]
If you're a Gen Y-er struggling to get on the property ladder, we'll pause to let you feel sorry for yourself for a moment. And rightly so – you've landed in a generation where house prices are through the roof, education is no longer free and you'd better not require any healthcare or you'll be [...]
The government is planning an overhaul of the way vocational loans work, but representatives from the sector say the proposed changes are flawed and will result in at least half a million young Australians missing out on the chance to develop their skills. The planned cuts to the taxpayer-funded loan system could even result in [...]
If you've ever dreamed of becoming a property tycoon with investments all over the country, it just got a bit easier. Scraping together deposits and worrying about complicated tax issues needn't be a problem, with a new company offering investors the chance to buy into properties one brick at a time. The latest property up [...]
In Australia we like to do things big, and we have wonders such as the Big Pineapple, the Big Prawn and the Big Merino to show for it. Our love of big things even carries through to our homes, and we've built up quite a reputation over the years for having the biggest houses in [...]
Following the recent legalisation of ride-sharing services in Queensland, the discussion has now opened to the impact it could have on cities and how the general public moves in and around them. TTM traffic engineer Simon Crank said ride-sharing services have the potential to be so much more than a taxi alternative and could significantly [...]
Rising property prices are pushing homeowners to find new ways to achieve their dream home. Unable to afford the upgrade to a larger property, more and more homeowners are instead choosing to renovate their existing property – spending an average of almost $70,000 while they're at it, according to new research. The 'Houzz and Home' [...]
Scott Morrison has just made a commitment to something that could make or break the Coalition's campaign for the next election. The Treasurer has acknowledged the need for housing to become more affordable – and soon – but his solution steers clear of the controversial changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax that Labor [...]
If you're on the verge of buying your first home but have been waiting for property prices to stabilise or even fall, it looks like you'll have to hold out for a while longer. After this morning's RBA decision to leave the rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent, it was noted that housing market conditions [...]
