Category: Property Management
First quarter of the year sees home values stabilise
The recent release of the RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Daily Home Value Index results for March showed that national home values rose 0.2 per cent in March 2012 – a potential sign that the Australian housing market is stabilising. The market has remained unchanged for the quarter ending 31 March 2012; this flat result is the strongest result since March 2011 when values increased by 0.7 per cent. According to the managing director of Rismark International, Ben Skilbeck: “While...Read complete post
The benefits of knowing your neighbours
These days, I think it is fair to say that there is less of a neighbourhood culture than there has been in the past. I suppose this isn’t a surprising progression – people tend to lead busier lives, there are not as many people at home during the day and with the increase in apartment living there is less of that familiarity you get between people seeing each other out on the street on a daily basis. While not unexpected I still think it is a bit of a shame that people aren’t as ‘n...Read complete post
Land Sales Volumes Down, Prices Rise
Those who have read this blog before will know that the continuing issue of housing affordability in Australia, and my concerns/frustrations in response, are not foreign concepts. Last year there were numerous publications considering the situation; September saw the release of the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s Deposit Power Housing Affordability Report, which recorded the sixth consecutive quarterly decline in housing affordability in Australia. Prior to that, the...Read complete post
Ensure your holiday home pays its way all year round
I always find summer time, especially the Christmas and New Year period (in the Southern Hemisphere), to be quite an interesting time for real estate. Many people take time off work and while some go on extended overseas trips, lots simply spend a week or two in a rented house near a beach or other location away from home. The pairing of good weather (hopefully) and beautiful scenery with some much needed relaxation can often see holidayers start to contemplate the idea of owning...Read complete post
Using Property Data to your Advantage
And we’re off! I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Years and for those people who took time off work – had a nice, relaxing break. 2010 has now officially passed, and the team at CENTURY 21 Australia are gearing up for what we believe will be a very busy year for real estate in 2011. For one reason or another, people often find themselves making ‘life’ decisions around New Years. I think it ties into the idea of resolution-making - the start of another year...Read complete post
Security when 'Home Swapping'
I’ve been hearing increasing stories of people I know going on holidays through a home exchange program – that is, as opposed to staying in a hotel or serviced apartment, you stay in somebody else’s home, and they stay in yours. I think the concept is a great idea, allowing you to stay in beautiful accommodation both around Australia and overseas for a fraction of what you would pay for a hotel. It is crucial however that proper precautions are taken to protect both your own...Read complete post