Navigating Pool Certification as a Returning Homeowner

Navigating Pool Certification as a Returning Homeowner

Hello, fellow Sydneysiders and pool lovers! Today, I want to share a personal tale that might resonate with many of you who’ve been away from our sunny shores for a while. It’s about the unexpected journey of pool certification that greeted me upon my return to Sydney after a stint abroad. Back to the Blue:…

Navigating the New Non-Domicile Rules: Key Considerations for Australian Expatriates in the UK
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Navigating the New Non-Domicile Rules: Key Considerations for Australian Expatriates in the UK

Discover the potential ramifications of the updated “non-dom” rules in the United Kingdom for Australian expatriates. With proposed changes to taxation policies, residency considerations, and financial planning strategies, Australian expats residing or having financial ties in the UK need to stay vigilant. Learn how these revisions might affect your tax liabilities, residency status, and overall financial well-being. Stay informed and prepared to navigate the evolving landscape of UK tax laws with expert guidance tailored to your unique circumstances.

Unlocking Opportunities: Preparing for Declining Interest Rates

Unlocking Opportunities: Preparing for Declining Interest Rates

In recent years, the real estate sector and borrowers alike have grappled with the relentless rise of interest rates, significantly impacting many Australians ability to enter the housing market amidst limited supply. However, amidst this economic flux, signs point to a potential reversal: as forthcoming rate cuts could ignite another wave of property price increases…

Tight Supply Still Putting Upward Pressure On Property Prices

Tight Supply Still Putting Upward Pressure On Property Prices

In the past few weeks, we’ve been hearing a lot more talk about supply rising and new listings coming onto the market. With interest rates rising at a record pace, there are some out there that are suggesting we are going to see an influx of new listings as we head into the Spring selling…

Supply and Demand, Not Interest Rates Driving Property Prices

Supply and Demand, Not Interest Rates Driving Property Prices

The turnaround in sentiment across the Australian property market is continuing to grow, with all the latest data pointing to the worst being behind us for now. According to CoreLogic data, property prices across the five largest capital city markets are up 1 per cent over the past month, led by Sydney which is 1.5…

Sydney’s Blue-Chip Property Continues To Hold Up

Sydney’s Blue-Chip Property Continues To Hold Up

After six months of price declines across Sydney, the signs are now starting to look a lot more promising, particularly in the upper end of the property market. The latest data from CoreLogic shows that over the month of February, property prices in Sydney increased by 0.3 per cent. This is on the back of…

Why You Need To Remember The Long Term When Investing In Property

Why You Need To Remember The Long Term When Investing In Property

Despite sentiment falling in the property market recently as the RBA continues to hike interest rates, it’s worth remembering that property is a long-term game. Over the past few months, values have fallen across the country and that has seen buyer demand decline. That said, both values and sales volumes are coming off a record-setting…

The Ups and Downs of Sydney’s House Price Cycle

The Ups and Downs of Sydney’s House Price Cycle

Anyone who has been in real estate long enough understands that property is cyclical in nature. There are periods of strong growth, followed by lengths of time where prices either stagnate or fall. But over the long run, prices continue to rise, and this has been a great builder of wealth for many Australians. Now…

How to Deal with A Rising Interest Rate Environment

How to Deal with A Rising Interest Rate Environment

With each passing day, the rumblings around interest rate rises continue to grow louder. With the latest CPI data from Australia showing that inflation is now sitting at 3.5%, the calls keep coming for the RBA to act sooner rather than later on interest rates. We’re also hearing a similar story out of the US where…

Why Falling Clearance Rates are a Good Thing for Property Markets

Why Falling Clearance Rates are a Good Thing for Property Markets

Over the past few weeks, we’ve slowly started to see auction clearance rates across Sydney and Melbourne begin to fall as significant new listings have hit the market. This has coincided with the removal of lockdowns in NSW, Victoria and the ACT and the onset of the seasonally strong spring selling season. While the mainstream…

Finding Opportunities In A Tight Market

Finding Opportunities In A Tight Market

As house prices continue to surge higher across the country, investors need to be more pragmatic than ever when it comes to identifying good opportunities. Around the country, the latest data from CoreLogic suggests house prices on a national basis have increased by more than 20% over the last 12 months. Record low-interest rates have…

Home Values Rising At The Fastest Pace In 32 Years

Home Values Rising At The Fastest Pace In 32 Years

The latest set of figures from CoreLogic has confirmed what most homebuyers already know, which is that house prices are rising at a record pace. In March, house prices increased in value by 2.8% across Australia, which is the fastest rate we’ve seen since October 1988. Spurred on by record-low interest rates and a host…

Property Prices Rise As Markets Favour Sellers

Property Prices Rise As Markets Favour Sellers

Property prices across the country are continuing to rise thanks to a combination of low interest rates and low supply, and in the process creating a tricky environment for buyers. According to the latest data from CoreLogic, house prices rose nationally by 2.1% in February, marking the biggest one-month gain since 2003. Notably, both Sydney…

House Prices To Continue Rising in 2021
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House Prices To Continue Rising in 2021

When COVID was beginning to unfold across Australia and the world in the early part of 2020, property experts and media pundits began to predict sharp falls in house prices. The Commonwealth Bank forecast a potential 32 per cent house price crash with the other major banks also believing we would see similar drops over…

The Perfect Storm for Borrowers and Property Investors
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The Perfect Storm for Borrowers and Property Investors

It appears as though the Government and the RBA are pulling out all stops in a bid to get people to borrow, invest and spend money to stimulate the economy and create employment. The latest decision by the RBA to slash interest rates to a record low 0.1 per cent and embark on a range of QE…

House Prices Continue to Defy the Critics
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House Prices Continue to Defy the Critics

The latest house price data from CoreLogic has been released and it’s showing what many in the real estate industry have known for some time, that house prices are starting to climb in six out of eight of our capital cities and across many non-metro markets. Earlier in the year, when COVID was just starting…

Moving From Responsible to Sensible & Responsible Lending
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Moving From Responsible to Sensible & Responsible Lending

On Friday, the Federal Government announced the biggest change to lending standards we’ve seen since the GFC and it could make finance a lot easier to obtain for property investors. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is poised to put some of the responsibility back on the borrower and away from the lender in a move that aims…

It’s Not All Doom and Gloom for Property Markets
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It’s Not All Doom and Gloom for Property Markets

Despite the ongoing media speculation about large 30% plus falls in house prices, there are still plenty of strong residential property markets across the country. Of the nation’s 15 market jurisdictions (8 capital cities and 7 regional markets), 11 have house prices higher than they were at the start of the year Interestingly, some of the…

Are the Numbers Telling Us the Whole Story?
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Are the Numbers Telling Us the Whole Story?

As Melbourne heads back into lockdown, the headlines are still painting a very negative picture for the Australian property market as a whole. The latest data from CoreLogic is suggesting that house values have fallen modestly over the past two months and now with limited auction activity in Melbourne for the foreseeable future that could…

Buying Off-the-Plan or Building a New Home in Today’s Market
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Buying Off-the-Plan or Building a New Home in Today’s Market

With the announcement of the HomeBuilder package from the Federal Government and a host of other incentives being offered by various State Governments, building a new home or buying off the plan has just become a lot more popular. However, when looking to buy off the plan Brisbane or building a new dwelling, there are…

How to Make the Most of the Home Builder Grant
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How to Make the Most of the Home Builder Grant

All the talk recently has been surrounding the Federal Government’s latest incentive for the real estate sector, known as HomeBuilder, which is a $25,000 grant to encourage homeowners to build and renovate. The package has not been without its critics as the criteria to qualify is relatively restrictive. You need to firstly be earning less…

The Impact of COVID-19 for Property Investors
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The Impact of COVID-19 for Property Investors

The impact of COVID-19 has seen unprecedented changes made to the way we live our lives, and for many people the way we earn an income. With social distancing measures grinding industries to a halt, the financial fallout is going to be significant. Despite the fact that the Australian Government has rolled out a number…

The Property Price Surge Continues but the RBA are Watching
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The Property Price Surge Continues but the RBA are Watching

Property prices have started the year in the same fashion they ended 2019, but the RBA is starting to take note. The latest data from CoreLogic has shown that over the January period, house prices in both Melbourne and Sydney have continued to push higher and there appear to be more increases in store for…

Tax Changes Hit Expats Main Residence CGT Exemption
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Tax Changes Hit Expats Main Residence CGT Exemption

I have always struggled to comprehend how this legislation is going to actually reduce the pressure on housing affordability as the ultimate outcome will probably be that fewer homes will be listed for sale as owners choose not to sell their main residence to avoid incurring any capital gains tax as a result of a…

As Property Prices Rise Can Sellers Meet Buyer Demand?
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As Property Prices Rise Can Sellers Meet Buyer Demand?

2019 has started to look like a tale of two halves. In the early part of the year, property pundits were doom and gloom as the political and regulatory fallout from the most recent housing boom weighed heavily on market sentiment. APRA had been hard on lenders and that was keeping borrowers under wraps. At…

Will Brisbane Be the Big Winner from the Sydney Boom?
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Will Brisbane Be the Big Winner from the Sydney Boom?

When asked most people would consider Sydney to be a far stronger economy than Brisbane, with far higher wages. Sydney is a global city by most measures, not dissimilar to the likes of New York or London. Sydney is one of the economic powerhouses of Australia and along with Melbourne is growing at a rapid…

The Spring Selling Season is Getting Set to Heat Up
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The Spring Selling Season is Getting Set to Heat Up

The early indicators are starting to look good for property prices as buyers are starting to show their hands ahead of the Spring selling season. Across the board, the indicators are starting to suggest that the recent weakness in property markets in many states is starting to scream opportunity for savvy buyers. The most obvious…

The Pro’s and Con’s of AirBnB in Australia
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The Pro’s and Con’s of AirBnB in Australia

The share economy has changed the way many of us operate from how we get around (Uber), to how we get our food delivered (Deliveroo) and even where we choose to stay when we travel (AirBnB). For investment purposes, using a platform like AirBnB can also be an excellent way to boost the yield on…

HECS Repayments For Expats
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HECS Repayments For Expats

It’s pretty clear that the Australian Government is doing whatever it can to clamp down on those Australian’s living and working overseas who are (generally speaking) not paying taxes in Australia. One of the ways they have started to do this is by calling up non-residents to start paying off any of their student debt….

Green Shoots Are Starting to Appear for Property Prices
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Green Shoots Are Starting to Appear for Property Prices

Property markets in both Sydney and Melbourne are showing the early stages of prices stabilising with the first signs of growth since the market peaked in 2017. Australia’s property market has been reinvigorated by a host of regulatory and monetary policy moves in recent times that have led to a huge lift in confidence. The…

Will Immigration Cuts Impact Property Prices?
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Will Immigration Cuts Impact Property Prices?

There is little doubt that much of Australia’s economic success has been built on the back of a very open policy towards immigration. Last year, 163,000 permanent migrants were granted places all across the country, in what was hotting up as a key election issue only weeks ago. Population growth is clearly a controversial topic…

How To Get The Best Tax Benefits When Renovating Your Investment Property
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How To Get The Best Tax Benefits When Renovating Your Investment Property

Properties, like most things, gradually deteriorate over time. This means that after a certain period, your property will require a renovation instead of a repair. If you want to Buying Investment Property in Australia or you’re the owner of a Investment property, this won’t feel like a win-win situation. After all, a significant renovation means…

What To Know Before Starting To Invest In Real Estate

What To Know Before Starting To Invest In Real Estate

When we hear the words ‘investing’ and ‘real estate’, a trigger goes off in our minds, and we immediately think of dollar signs and how much money we’ll make from it. Before you jump into this long-term relationship, you should realise that your success depends heavily on your finances and factors that could impact it….

Common Mistakes that Beginners in the Property Investment Market Should Avoid

Common Mistakes that Beginners in the Property Investment Market Should Avoid

Buying property in Australia can be a dangerous territory to navigate when you have no experience. Like all investments, it requires a keen understanding to reap its rewards and this will only happen if you understand the intricacies involved. The key is to avoid making these mistakes: Failing to do your research – Sounds like…

What you need to know if you’re planning to move overseas from Australia for tax residency purposes
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What you need to know if you’re planning to move overseas from Australia for tax residency purposes

The decision to leave Australia for a long period is not an easy one to make. There are many things you’ll need to consider, and as you’ll soon learn, your responsibilities don’t automatically cease the moment you step onto foreign soil. If you’re currently living abroad, stay up to date with your tax obligations by…

High Yield High Risk Property Investment – What You Should Think About
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High Yield High Risk Property Investment – What You Should Think About

When it comes to calculating the rental yield of a property, it’s only natural as a property investor to look for opportunities that show the highest amount of rental yield. However there might be a fair amount of risk attributed to high-yield properties, and as such, you have to be sure to take a holistic…

How Owning Your Own Home Can Be The Best Way To Get Some Much Needed Security When You Retire

How Owning Your Own Home Can Be The Best Way To Get Some Much Needed Security When You Retire

Owning a house is one of the most essential methods in wealth accumulation, but many people who are beginning to look at retirement, question whether they should still own their houses, or sell and rent. It’s a fact that one of your biggest expenses in retirement will be centred around housing, and this can become…

Is Australian Off-The-Plan Property Investment For You?
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Is Australian Off-The-Plan Property Investment For You?

Investing in a property in another country is a leap that requires trust and confidence. Investing in Australian residential property developments from abroad remains a popular choice for many Singaporean residents and Australian expats, but, increasingly these investors are shying away from mass market properties and unit developments in favour of unique, boutique apartments purchased…

How Much Should You Be Spending On A First Time Property Investment?
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How Much Should You Be Spending On A First Time Property Investment?

Ask a group of people what they think is the perfect value of a property investment and you will get varied answers. Some will recommend caution and choosing an affordable investment that gives slow but steady returns over time. Others will recommend stretching yourself and getting something a little out of your price range for…

What You Should Consider When Buying A Property Investment In Australia
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What You Should Consider When Buying A Property Investment In Australia

Investing in Australian property is a great way to make the most out of your portfolio, but when it comes to picking out the actual property, it might be difficult to choose the best one. To help you find the best possible property investment for your needs, we’ve put together some considerations you can make…

Want To Help Your Kids Get Into Investment Property In Australia? Consider A Family Guarantee
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Want To Help Your Kids Get Into Investment Property In Australia? Consider A Family Guarantee

Are you a parent that wants to help your child with buying property in Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra or Sydney? Before you cash in that policy or take a lump sum out the bank for them to use as a deposit, a family guarantee might be a better option. What A Family Guarantee Entails A family…

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How Owning Your Own Home Can Be The Best Way

Many homeowners have experienced some form of shock when the global financial crisis hit our markets, and are wondering how to best secure their financial future, especially in terms of their retirement. Owning a house is one of the most essential methods in wealth accumulation, but many people who are beginning to look at retirement,…

Australia’s economy is on a roll – Have Australian Interest Rates bottomed?
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Australia’s economy is on a roll – Have Australian Interest Rates bottomed?

Australia’s economy on a roll, thanks to state governments Economist, AFR Mar 10 2017 Property developers are building more houses, farmers are exporting more food and foreigners are paying more visits. Brendon Thorne Gold rush in the late 19th century so enriched Charters Towers, an outback town in the state of Queensland, that it opened its…

Start investing in property at a young age. These are the steps you need to take!
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Start investing in property at a young age. These are the steps you need to take!

Any seasoned investor knows that the younger you begin investing in property the better the financial gains will be down the road. Eager young investors are well-placed to reap the many benefits of property investment which continues to retain great appeal with Australians. It is reported that at least 20 percent of Australians are property…