Property
Iran conflict raises spectre of triple RBA rate hike
11 March
Three of Australia’s four major banks predict the Reserve Bank will hike interest rates for the second month in a row as fears that war in the Middle East will worsen inflation fuelled a drastic turnaround in markets. Westpac, NAB and Commonwealth...[Read More]
Energy rating report card urged for all Aussie homes
11 March
All Australian homes should receive a score out of 10 for energy efficiency before they can be sold or rented, experts say, as part of an expansion to a national assessment program. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, which is used to rate...[Read More]
Rate hike odds spike for ‘live’ March RBA meeting
4 March
Traders upped their bets for a Reserve Bank rate hike in March to a one-in-three chance after the central bank’s governor said the meeting would be “live”. While Michele Bullock was careful not to signpost the RBA’s decision on March 17, her...[Read More]
Good news is bad news: GDP growth fuels inflation fears
4 March
Higher spending on defence, data centres and Black Friday sales has helped the economy grow at its fastest pace in almost three years, boosting living standards but raising fears of more interest rate hikes. Gross domestic product expanded 0.8 per...[Read More]
Minister won’t rule out tax change as Greens up demands
4 March
Young people see the housing market as being stacked against them, Australia’s housing minister says, as the Greens call for drastic changes to property tax concessions. Clare O’Neil continues to play a straight bat to suggestions the government...[Read More]
Compact homes unlocking cheaper, cleaner city living
4 March
In a time of climate change and strained housing affordability, sometimes it pays to think small. At just 50 square metres, the apartments and townhouses inside the Two Sisters development in North Melbourne are far smaller than the 236 sq m average...[Read More]
Young women giving up on home ownership as costs rise
4 March
Young women consider owning a house less of a priority than men their age, with many citing affordability and not being able to qualify for a mortgage as major barriers. Women in both the millennial and generation Z age groups consider property...[Read More]
Rent-to-own: housing plan aims to boost home ownership
4 March
Thousands of renters will be able to save deposits and purchase homes through a multimillion-dollar program pitched to voters ahead of a state election. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced Labor’s rent-to-own policy on Wednesday,...[Read More]
Stubborn inflation could spell further rates pain
25 February
Higher levels of inflation will stick around for several months, the treasurer has warned, as new figures put pressure on the Reserve Bank to lift interest rates further. Underlying inflation ticked up for January, coming in at 3.4 per cent, up from...[Read More]
‘Dumbest option’: top economist slams housing tax break
25 February
A major rewrite of Australia’s tax rules is needed to make them fairer and more efficient, one of the nation’s top economists has warned. Former Treasury secretary Ken Henry, who led a 2010 review of taxes, said the current system could be...[Read More]
Financial independence: guiding adult children to contribute at home
5 February
Many parents face the question of when their adult children living at home should start paying board and contributing to household expenses and chores as they transition into adulthood. The question of when and how much to charge, as well as the...[Read More]
Seeking professional advice when looking to buy your dream home
26 February
Seeking professional advice when looking to buy a property is an important step, especially if you’re new to the market or dealing with complex situations. Here are some key instances when you should consider consulting a property agent and what...[Read More]
Housing and energy costs surge higher in inflation data
25 February
The first round of inflation data for the year has arrived, which is likely to increase pressure on the Reserve Bank to lift interest rates further. WHAT DID THE DATA REVEAL? * Headline inflation remained steady for January at 3.8 per cent * Trimmed...[Read More]
Vested interest ‘cartel’ killing Aussie housing dream
25 February
A “cartel” of vested interests is stymying crucial tax reforms which could help free up more homes, a former boss of the Reserve Bank says. Bernie Fraser, the only person in Australian history to have served as both RBA governor and Treasury...[Read More]
Aussies tapping more credit as arrears value swells
25 February
Australians have leaned into debt ahead of the central bank’s pivot to hike interest rates, with applications for mortgages and credit cards doubling in the recent quarter. Mortgage credit demand grew 12.3 per cent, while credit card applications...[Read More]