News Archive
09 March 2009
First home-buyers 'more confident'
THREE-quarters of first home buyers are planning to buy a house as lower interest rates and cheaper properties make their dream more affordable, a survey says. Seventy-six per cent of respondents want to purchase a house, up from 54 per cent a year before, the 2009 Mortgage Choice survey of 1012 first home buyers shows. It also found 16 per cent intend to buy a flat. Mortgage Choice seni... read news item »
04 March 2009
Weigh up the cost of buying
First home buyers can apply for a raft of incentives. But is it the best time to enter the market? Spurred on by falling interest rates, cheaper house prices and government handouts of up to $21,000, first home buyers are back. But with some experts predicting house prices could fall further, is it the right time to buy? Initial indicators show first home buyers are upbeat. In December, lend... read news item »
03 March 2009
Home, sweet green home
There are several easy ways to reduce your home's digital footprint, and save money while you're at it. My recent column on energy consumption in the IT industry raised a lot of interest. I said that this year might be the year of green IT - the year corporate computer users become aware not only of the energy consumption of their IT function, but of the important role IT has to play in reduci... read news item »
03 March 2009
Interest rates: Reserve Bank leaves rates unchanged
OH, so close. The Reserve Bank denied homeowners a rare moment of good news amid all the economic doom and gloom today, leaving the official interest rate steady at 3.25 per cent. While economists had said the Reserve's decision could have gone either way, a small cut had been predicted. With figures due out tomorrow expected to show Australia moving closer to an official recession, a 2... read news item »
28 February 2009
It's a great time to buy
. . . but make sure you follow our Flat Chat columnist's guide to avoiding the pitfalls. There's rarely been a better time to buy an apartment. With softening prices, low interest rates and first home-buyer grants, the savvy purchaser has a great opportunity to nab a top-notch unit and still pay less. You could wait for prices to drop a bit further but then you risk missing the wave if they g... read news item »
26 February 2009
2009 not all doom and gloom
Property professor Peter Koulizos shares picks for the year ahead and explains why 2009 will be an interesting year for many in the property arena. This year is going to be a very interesting year. Along with the rest of the world, we are currently experiencing one of the worst financial crises in our modern history. The bad news is that ... read news item »
26 February 2009
Will the grants stop
The June deadline for first home buyers to cash-in on the boost to grants is fast approaching but will this be their last chance? Michael McNamara isn’t so sure. The rush is on, many first home buyers (FHBs) will be hurrying to make their first property purchase before June 30th 2009, fearful that they will miss out on the maximum b... read news item »
26 February 2009
House versus units for first home buyers
This week Michael looks at the pros and cons of first home buyers purchasing a house or a unit So you have thumbed your nose at all those Chicken Little doom and gloomers. You know that property purchases should be for the long term and 2009 is the year to buy your first home. We spoke recently about the “ where to buy ” ques... read news item »
23 February 2009
Rate Cuts and Grants the Stars for Australian Properties
“Since September, the Reserve Bank has cut interest rates by four percent, while the FHOB provides purchasers of existing homes with Federal Government funding of $14,000, (up from $7,000) and $21,000 for new homes,” said Mr Raine. “Clearly the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut rates by a further one per cent in early February is also fuelling fi rst home owner thirst for a... read news item »
22 February 2009
Low-end property owners reap benefits
HOMEOWNERS whose properties are worth less than $500,000 are reaping the greatest rewards of government grants and low interest rates. Economists say prices will rise by 5 or 6 per cent in Sydney suburbs where the median house price is below half-a-million dollars thanks to demand by first-time buyers. Auction volumes picked up yesterday as the market swings into gear for the year aft... read news item »