Property
Big bank changes RBA rate call as cost pressures ease
11 June
The Reserve Bank’s next interest rate move is more likely to be down than up, economists at National Australia Bank say. NAB has joined Commonwealth Bank and ANZ in forecasting the cash rate to stay on hold at 4.35 per cent for the rest of 2026,...[Read More]
7 signs you are ready to downsize the home and take life a little easier
4 June
There comes a time when the family home that once felt full of noise, movement and memories can start to feel a little too big, too quiet, too expensive or simply too much work. Downsizing is not just about moving into a smaller home. For many...[Read More]
Interest rate impact hits housing approval levels
4 June
Rising interest rates have been blamed for a downturn in housing approvals, but tax changes in the federal budget could lead to an uptick. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the total number of dwellings approved in April fell...[Read More]
Labor shrugs off claim tax shift will sink house prices
3 June
Contentious changes to taxes on property investments won’t be the main driver of expected falls in prices, the housing minister says. As auction clearance rates hit lows not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, Clare O’Neil said it was unclear how...[Read More]
Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
28 May
A softer-than-expected inflation result will give the Reserve Bank a little more space to leave interest rates on hold, but another hike is not off the cards yet. Australia’s annual headline inflation rate fell to 4.2 per cent in April, from 4.6...[Read More]
Jobless jump, Iran war shoot down fears of rate rise
28 May
The likelihood of a rate hike in June has shrunk after a surprise jump in the unemployment rate showed the Iran war is having a material impact on Australia’s economy. While bad news for workers, the rise in the jobless rate from 4.3 per cent to...[Read More]
Mixed results from first post-budget auction weekend
21 May
All eyes were on the auction market to see the response to negative gearing and capital gains tax changes in the first weekend after the federal budget. The results were mixed. The volume of homes that went to auction across the capital cities fell...[Read More]
Rates revelation: why RBA dissenter voted against hike
21 May
The Reserve Bank’s lone dissenter against a rate rise argued interest rates were already high enough to get inflation back under control, before being overruled by the rest of the central bank’s board. Minutes of the May 5 meeting, released on...[Read More]
Middle ring could be ‘hollowed out’ by tax overhaul
20 May
Rental supplies in the middle ring of Australian capital cities could be hollowed out by changes to investor tax concessions in the federal budget. Real estate agents expect investor interest in established properties to crater after Tuesday’s...[Read More]
Land levy planned despite anti-‘forever tax’ pledge
20 May
Property owners in Australia’s most populous state could pay an annual levy of up to $600 under a proposal to change the way emergency services are funded. NSW is the only mainland state that funds emergency services by taxing property insurance...[Read More]
Budget time is review time: why professional advice matters
14 May
The Federal Budget is more than a political announcement. For many Australians, it is an important reminder to stop, review and ask a simple question: are my financial, lifestyle and tax strategies still working in my favour? Budget changes can...[Read More]
Smarter energy at home: Serious ways to reduce electricity bills
14 May
Electricity bills have become one of the biggest household expenses, and for many families, the usual advice of “turn off the lights” simply does not go far enough. While small habits matter, meaningful savings often come from understanding...[Read More]
Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
14 May
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is defending an extra $18 billion in government spending next financial year despite warnings it will make the Reserve Bank’s fight against inflation harder. The federal budget on Tuesday revealed government spending will...[Read More]
‘These geniuses’: PM’s generational housing gamble
13 May
Anthony Albanese is playing “gutsy” politics with sweeping changes to tax concessions for landlords but risks offending established investors who may not have expected the overhaul, an expert in politics says. From July 2027, negative gearing...[Read More]
When you should consider consulting a property agent and what they can do for you
7 May
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...[Read More]