Australia’s rental market is in crisis with vacancy rates at all-time lows, slim rental stock and skyrocketing prices. But there are some areas bucking the trend. New PropTrack data shows that in some regions, the availability of rental properties is actually increasing. Could this be a sign that our rental crisis is turning a corner ..read more

I’ve often said that demographic changes will be more important in shaping our property markets in the medium to long term than the ups and downs of interest rates or the vagaries of our economy, so I’m pleased to have leading demographer Simon Kuestenmacher back on the show. Simon is a co-founder of The Demographics ..read more

Melbourne, often hailed as the cultural capital of Australia, boasts a vibrant real estate landscape, particularly in the realm of apartment developments. With its thriving economy, diverse neighborhoods, and dynamic lifestyle offerings, it's no wonder that Melbourne continues to attract investors, homebuyers, and renters alike.   However, amidst the plethora of options, finding the top new developments ..read more

The dynamics of immigration and visa requirements have an impact on Australia's housing market, in addition to local issues. In recent years, visa categories like as the Partner Visa and the Skilled Occupation List have had a substantial impact on property market patterns around the country. Understanding how these immigration limitations affect the real estate ..read more

Whatever age you are or the point of your career you’re at, it’s important to know how much is in your superannuation. After all, the more you can contribute to your superannuation, the more you will have for retirement. It’s also interesting, then, to see how your superannuation balance compares to others your age and ..read more

Regular readers of this blog would be aware of my unwavering commitment to adopting a long-term perspective when it comes to making financial decisions. While I firmly believe in this approach, I also recognise that there are occasions when short-term decision-making can offer advantages. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that such instances are infrequent and exceptional. Why does a long-term focus produce superior results? Adopting a long-term approach with financial decisions offers two primary advantages. Firstly, it encourages a focus on long-term fundamentals because you must be fixa ..read more

The question: When will Australian house prices crash? is one of the most common questions I come across from beginning property investors. You see, in markets like today, investors, buyers, and even renters are waiting to find out whether they should take the plunge now or wait for prices to come down… or even crash entirely. I’ll say right now that an Australian property crash is very unlikely, and in a moment I’m going to share 10 reasons why. Put simply…for a property market to "crash" there must be forced sellers and nobody on the other side of the transaction to purchase their propertie ..read more

The Reserve Bank's decision to hold the cash rate steady at 4.35% in March wasn't surprising. Many are betting on a downward trend in interest rates soon, though the exact timing remains a mystery, with some commentators now, believing it will be later in the year, initially hoped for. According to PropTrack's Senior Economist, Eleanor Creagh, this continued pause in rates reflects a softening in inflation pressures and a period of adjustment for the economy, businesses, and consumers, following the significant interest rate increases initiated in May 2022. Ms Creagh commented: "Despite the c ..read more

In an unexpected turn in the Australian property market, Adelaide and Perth are now nearly as pricey as Melbourne for the first time in up to 15 years, according to recent data. According to the latest CoreLogic Home Value Index, Adelaide’s median dwelling price jumped to $734,173 in March, a 1.4% increase, while Perth’s median broke the $700,000 mark, reaching $703,502 – a 1.9% rise. In contrast, Melbourne’s median dwelling price remained steady at $778,892, suggesting a potential crossover between Adelaide and Perth in the near future. If this trend continues Adelaide’s median house price is ..read more

It seems that Aussie households are struggling to clear their Christmas debts. In fact, credit card debt attracting interest charges has risen for the third month in a row according to the latest RBA credit card statistics. The total credit card bill attracting interest on personal credit cards is now $17.61 billion. At an average interest rate of 18.34 per cent, Australian households are now collectively shelling out an estimated $8.8 million in interest charges a day. RBA: Credit card debt attracting interest charges (excludes commercial cards) Amount owing – Feb 2024 Monthly change Year ..read more