TWO CENTS WORTH
Articles and Musings by John Hudson
12-02-21
MARKET UPDATE FEBRUARY 2021
As we enter 2021, the real estate sector, predicted to crash and burn in 2020, is stronger than ever. Despite the ‘mortgage-holiday’ expiring in March 2021, experts predict that demand will remain at elevated levels, with more investors expected to return to the market.
03-02-21
AN INCREASE IN EQUITY CAN OPEN DOORS
Queensland is experiencing a property boom that could see prices increase by more than 20 percent in some areas and last for years to come.
Fears of a collapse in real estate prices in the wake of the pandemic have been replaced with a surge in confidence in the Sunshine State’s housing market, driven by an exodus to a healthy lifestyle, affordability, infrastructure spending and continuing low interest rates.
06-11-20
THE MISSING PIECE IN MOST PROPERTY HUNTING
Here’s what you need to know about pre-approvals.
Rate drops create further opportunities
Eariler this month the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced a 0.15% rate cut, taking the official cash rate to just 0.1%. Lending laws have been up for discussion and it looks like the ball could very well be in the first home buyers and upgraders court in the future. Read on to learn how a pre-approval could benefit you and get in touch if you would like to explore your options.
21-10-20
MARKET UPDATE OCTOBER 2020
The ‘sea-change’ trend has continued over the last month, with Realestate.com.au reporting an increase in search activity in regional areas as opposed to city suburbs. The Northern Territory is the most popular location with a 135% increase in searches despite the low stock volume. In close second is regional Victoria with search rates up by 130%. It seems that Aussies are warming to a regional life post-pandemic.
08-10-20
THINKING OF RENOVATING OR BUILDING?
SOME Facts ABOUT the $25,000 government
homebuilder grant
In the current uncertain times, we are seeing two interesting trends; That of established home owners choosing to bed down and renovate rather than sell, as well as new entrants to the property market choosing to construct rather than buy an established home.
03-04-19
MARKET UPDATE AUGUST 2019
According to a just released report from ANZ and Core Logic, Australia’s housing affordability is the best it’s been since 2016, helped by recent falls in property values in the Sydney and Melbourne markets. Sydney property prices have recorded the most significant decrease, dropping by 14.5% since their 2017 peaks.
08-06-20
NEW GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE TO BUILD OR RENOVATE
The Government has just announced that $25,000 grants will be available to owner-occupiers “substantially renovating” or building a new home from 4 June to 31 December 2020, as part of the Morrison Government’s new $688-million HomeBuilder package.
For those eligible, the government will contribute $25,000 towards your new house construction worth up to $750,000 and for renovations of existing homes ranging from $150,000 to $750,000, as long as the current value is no more than $1.5 million.
06-05-20
MARKET UPDATE MAY 2020
As consumer confidence hit a record low in April, the real estate market is now faced with buyers and sellers abandoning the market until there’s more certainty. The number of new properties listed for sale in the 28 days to April 19 has fallen significantly, 28.7% below the same period last year. more
14-12-20
GOOD NEWS FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS
The new Government-backed initiative to help Australians get into their first home sooner is now available.
The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) means you can buy your house with a deposit of as little as 5%. This could save you a substantial amount of Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (on average about $12,500) and can be used alongside other government grants and concessions.
07-02-20
MARKET UPDATE FEBRUARY 2020
Welcome to our first report of the new decade!
What will the 20s be like for property markets in Australia? Unfortunately, no one has a crystal ball to be able to accurately predict the future, but when it comes to property, it’s crucial to be aware of current trends to help you make the best possible buying or selling decisions.
04-12-19
MARKET UPDATE DECEMBER 2019
The end of the year, and the decade, is fast approaching. Property is a long-term investment, so it’s a great time to see how it’s performed over the last ten years in major markets across Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, median house prices in Australian capital cities ten years ago were as follows: Sydney $595,000, Melbourne $480,000,
I REALLY WANT TO BUY BUT I DON'T HAVE A DEPOSIT!
12-11-19
Buying a house can be a complicated process, but for a lot of us the hardest part is actually saving the initial deposit (ideally 20% of the property’s value). Compared to even twenty years ago, the percentage of income needed is much higher, meaning even the most diligent savers find it difficult to get started. So what do you do if you really want to step onto the property ladder but just can’t accumulate enough deposit? The good news is that you still have options, but the pros and cons of each need to be carefully considered.
09-08-19
Lower interest rates and the decrease of assessment rates means greater lending capacity for home buyers.
With regulators having applied the brakes to lending in recent years, (some estimates claim borrowing capacity has reduced by as much as 30%) the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has decided to lower the minimum interest rate serviceability buffer from 7% to a level determined by lenders.
12-02-21
03-02-21
An increase in equity can open doors
06-11-20
THE MISSING PIECE IN MOST PROPERTY HUNTING
21-10-20
8-10-20
THINKING OF RENOVATING OR BUILDING - HOMEBUILDER GRANT EXPLAINED
12-08-20
08-08-20
NEW GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE TO BUILD OR RENOVATE
06-05-20
14-02-20
GOOD NEWS FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS: FIRST HOME LOAN DEPOSIT SCHEME
07-02-20
04-12-19
12-11-19
I REALLY WANT TO BUY A HOUSE BUT I DON'T HAVE A DEPOSIT!
06-09-19
11-08-19
LOWER INTEREST RATES AND THE DECREASE IN ASSESSMENT FLOORS
09-08-19