Viewing by month: January 2011
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
Smart new painting technology
As opposed to going away on holiday, people often take some time off over summer simply to stay at home, perhaps enjoying local attractions or just relaxing. This extended time in the house over daytime hours sometimes sees people consider their homes in a different light – perhaps noticing an overgrown garden or an ageing interior theme. It is therefore common during this time for new renovating projects or decorating ideas to spring to life. Many of these are started...Read complete post
Finance figures suggest real estate off to a positive start in 2011
The real estate industry had what looked to be some positive news last week with the release of housing finance figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The figures considered the level of finance commitments in November 2010, taking into account the different classes of borrowers as well as the varying purposes for seeking finance (e.g. purchase of a new home, construction of a home, etc). In what was a positive sign for the Australian real estate market, the figures...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
Things to keep in mind when purchasing property overseas
There seems to be an unprecedented number of Australians choosing to invest in property overseas at the moment. And who can blame these buyers? With the current strength of the Australian dollar, as well as the relatively low prices of some international real estate, I can definitely understand how offshore property may look attractive. Purchasing a property overseas however can definitely be a complex process and there are a few things that investors should keep in mind, in...Read complete post
Queensland Floods
By Charles Tarbey I, along with my colleagues at CENTURY 21 Australia and the majority of Australians, spent last week watching the Queensland floods unfold, shocked by the appalling devastation caused by the floods. There is no way that I can even begin to imagine the terror, uncertainty and loss that those affected by the horrendous conditions in Queensland have experienced over the past few weeks. Yet in an exhibition of true Australian spirit it has...Read complete post
Property Marketing - The different ways to find a new home
I often find that reading through the property lift out of a newspaper can be quite an enjoyable way to look at what properties are available for sale. The beautifully laid out advertisements take on an almost picture-book like feel and in combination with my morning coffee make a great way to start the day! However there is no doubt that my slow browsing is not the preferred method of the majority of home-hunters in the market. The advent of the internet has seen online real...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