Our commentary on issues important to home owners, investors and borrowers
The next time you engage a conveyancer, it is a good idea to quiz them on their email and internet security protocols. For now this is a point of vulnerability, which if not adequately protected, could you leave you with a serious financial shortfall.
Read MoreIn news this month, AMP Capital economist Shane Oliver has stated that he is not expecting interest rates to change until 2020, a view increasingly supported by actions from the RBA who are looking to maintain a balance between economic growth and a cooling property market.
This is good news for those wanting low mortgage rates, with young Australians still very keen on buying property - ING’s Millennial Homeownership Report finding three quarters of 22-37 year olds are ready to make substantial sacrifices to save for a home beyond just forgoing luxuries.
Read More45% of the new full-time jobs on the Sunshine Coast over the last five years have been in construction. Across all employment types, the Sunshine Coast saw full-time jobs losses last year of 210 and a 1,155 fall in construction positions. The Sunshine Coast is creating jobs but not necessarily full-time ones. This will have an impact on what type of housing is needed and where it is located.
Read MoreIn this month’s edition, the real estate slowdown across the country continues, with Domain Group data showing national property prices slumping 1.2% in the 3 months to March. Over the year however, prices were up 6.3% on CoreLogic data, with Tasmania taking out top spot for six of the 10 most sought-after suburbs in the country.
Read MoreIn this month’s news, the Reserve Bank of Australia has broken a record for the longest stretch without an interest rate change, with rates on hold at 1.5 per cent for the 18th consecutive meeting. And a new study from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute has found capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing benefits are “heavily skewed” towards affluent Australians. It pushes for a move towards a progressive rental deduction where sophisticated investors are not given as significant tax concessions.
Read MoreWhile the arrangement of finance is central to the process of mortgage broking it is so much more than filling in forms and choosing the lowest initial interest rate. A good broker helps their client with the overall process of buying a property. They act as advocate, project manager, assist with the assessment of financial risk, and liaise with solicitors, real estate agents and the bank's back office to make settlements happen on time.
Read MoreLoanscape is your information resource about lending and property.
Loanscape has today released its Borrowing Capacity Index for Q3/2024. It shows that the borrowing capacities of Australian individuals and families have started to recover after the sharp decline over the past 2 years. Lower income borrowers continue to be disproportionately impacted by interest rate increases: the family income required to qualify for the average size loan in Australia is 37% higher than 2 years ago.
Loanscape has today released its Borrowing Capacity Index for Q2/2024. It shows that the borrowing capacities of Australian individuals and families have stabilised after the sharp decline over the past 2 years. Lower income borrowers continue to be disproportionately impacted by interest rate increases: the family income required to qualify for the average size loan in Australia is 35% higher than 2 years ago.
Combined dwelling values have re-accelerated across the nation in February, with all mainland capitals soaring in value. It probably comes as no surprise that Perth claimed the top spot by gaining a whopping 1.8% for the month
Loanscape has today released its Borrowing Capacity Index for Q1/2024. It shows that the borrowing capacities of Australian individuals and families continue to decline. The more modest decline in the size of average loans being taken confirms that lower income borrowers are being disproportionately impacted by interest rate hikes: the family income required to qualify for the average loan in Australia is now 32% higher than 18 months ago.
The end of the year is fast approaching, with most capitals experiencing a strong recovery on dwelling values from the downturn that culminated at the start of 2023.
The recovery is mainly due to an influx of immigration and constricted supply, which the Government is trying to remedy with its ambitious goal of building 1.2 million homes by 2029 through HAFF.
Loanscape has today released its Borrowing Capacity Index for Q4/2024. It confirms the forecast trend that borrowing capacities of Australian individuals and families are recovering from their low levels which coincided with the last of the recent increases to borrowing rates initiated by the Reserve Bank of Australia.