Property
Renovating for value — or renovating for you?
13 August
Renovating a home can be exciting. A new kitchen, an outdoor entertaining area, an extra bedroom or a beautifully landscaped garden can completely change how a property looks and feels.But before choosing tiles, appliances or paint colours, there is...[Read More]
‘Hawkish’ RBA open to more hikes after holding rates
12 August
The Reserve Bank has left the door open to more interest rate hikes as it held the benchmark lending rate steady for a second straight meeting.Falling house prices and lower-than-expected inflation helped convince the central bank’s nine-member...[Read More]
‘Softer than we thought’: RBA’s admission on inflation
5 August
Surprise inflation data, which came in lower than expected and below the central bank’s own forecasts, was due to softer fuel prices, according to the RBA’s chief economist. Figures released on Wednesday revealed headline inflation for June fell...[Read More]
Renovate, move or build? Choosing the right way to change your home
30 July
As life changes, your home may no longer suit your needs as well as it once did. Perhaps your family is growing, you need a home office, the kitchen feels outdated, or you simply want more space and comfort. When this happens, homeowners usually...[Read More]
Surprise inflation drop eases chance of RBA rate hikes
29 July
Falling inflation levels have defied Reserve Bank predictions, alleviating fears another interest-rate hike is imminent. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed headline annual inflation falling to 3.8 per cent in June, down from four...[Read More]
Top 5 reasons to review your mortgage
23 July
A home loan is often the largest financial commitment a person will make, yet many borrowers spend more time comparing electricity plans or insurance premiums than reviewing their mortgage. Once a loan has been approved and repayments begin, it can...[Read More]
Getting your home ready for spring: Five ways to fall in love with it again
23 July
Spring has a way of making us look at our homes differently. The days become longer, the garden starts to come alive and natural light begins to reveal all the areas we may have overlooked during winter. It is also the season when many homeowners...[Read More]
How trust in the RBA could help keep interest rates low
22 July
As people lose faith in institutions across the globe, a report shows maintaining trust in the Reserve Bank can help keep inflation under control. A survey released by the central bank on Wednesday showed people who have higher trust in the RBA are...[Read More]
The best and worst ways to live alongside your neighbours
16 July
A good home is about more than the building, the backyard or the location. The people living around you can have a major influence on how comfortable, secure and enjoyable your neighbourhood feels. When neighbours communicate, show consideration...[Read More]
Trump threatens to shoot down signs of economic rebound
15 July
Just as businesses and consumers were beginning to grow more confident, a return to arms in the Middle East risks sending sentiment back to the doldrums. Business confidence climbed nine points in June, despite warnings the federal budget would...[Read More]
How first-time homebuyers can save $8,500 in taxes
15 July
First-time homebuyers are missing out on thousands of dollars by not using a little-known scheme that helps save them money for the deposit. The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets them take advantage of their superannuation account’s favourable...[Read More]
How to save money around the home amidst the rising interest rates
9 July
With interest rates rising almost everywhere, including Australia, people have begun tightening their purse strings as best they can. However, decreasing spending to ensure your expenses match your reduced budget could mean barely any savings or...[Read More]
Inflation-fuelling supply shocks under RBA microscope
8 July
Expect to hear more from the Reserve Bank as it grapples with how to navigate a world punctuated by more frequent supply shocks due to heightened geopolitical tensions and climate change. With shocks like the Middle East oil crisis and Donald...[Read More]
Family affair: investor tax changes spawn new tactics
8 July
A 1950s red brick walk-up in southwest Brisbane is a window into how the federal budget is reshaping the property market. Marketed as “the ultimate set-up for multi-generational living”, the three-unit apartment block in Oxley has bucked the...[Read More]
Longest stretch of weak growth since 1990s forecast
8 July
Australia’s economy is set to grow below two per cent for the longest period since the early 1990s, exposing a malaise long masked by population growth, a report has warned. Rarely has the economics advisory group adopted such a downbeat...[Read More]