Viewing by month: June 2011
Queensland Government moves to deregulate real estate commissions
Queensland’s Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Paul Lucas, recently announced that Queensland will move to deregulate real estate commissions, a decision that will bring the state into line with other Australian states and territories. Mr Lucas said that over the years numerous national and state reviews had been conducted which recommended the deregulation of real estate commissions, a move he says is also supported by the real estate industry. From our perspective...Read complete post
CENTURY 21 launches revolutionary property ‘App’ in Australia
Here at CENTURY 21 Australia, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of innovation when it comes to real estate. It therefore gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of the CENTURY 21 iPhone App which is set to change the way Australians buy and sell real estate and will ensure you never miss out on your dream property again. The free App is capable of providing users with unique, advanced and instantaneous information on listed CENTURY 21 properties through...Read complete post
Buyer activity stimulated
In some positive news for the property market, recent reports are suggesting that buyers may be responding to the fact that interest rates have now been kept on hold for seven consecutive months, with a lack of immediate indication that rates will rise – for the next month at least. A recent article by Ruth Liew in the Weekend Australian Financial Review entitled ‘Rate freeze gets cheaper houses moving’ (June 11 – 12), quoted CENTURY 21 Chairman and Owner, Charles Tarbey, who...Read complete post
Keep heating costs down this winter
With various parts of Australia experiencing exceptionally low temperatures, it is not surprising that there are many people who are concerned about their heating costs as we head into winter. Such apprehension is certainly not unfounded - the expense of running even just small artificial heating devices can definitely add up. There are numerous ways to reduce your reliance on artificial heating this winter, which can go some way to help financially as the cost of energy rises. Read complete postThe RBA moves to keep interest rates steady
Australian mortgage holders had a win on Tuesday, with the Reserve Bank of Australia leaving interest rates on hold at 4.75 per cent – where they have been since the RBA last increased rates on Melbourne Cup Day in November 2010. The decision was not unsurprising given the substantial contraction seen in the economy over the March quarter – according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia’s gross domestic product dropped 1.2 per cent over the...Read complete post
Awards recognise the outstanding performance of CENTURY 21 individuals and offices
It always gives me great pleasure to recognise the outstanding work and achievements of real estate professionals in the CENTURY 21 network across Australia. And with so many highly talented individuals working under the CENTURY 21 banner, it often seems as though there just aren’t enough awards to give. The CENTURY 21 2011 National Convention was held in Hobart over the 2nd and 3rd of June and gave me the chance to catch up with many CENTURY 21 principals and agents, as well as...Read complete post
Take care when choosing a retailer to install your solar
There is no doubt that installing solar panels to generate electricity at home can be a great way to reduce your electricity bill as well as the impact of your home on the environment. However, according to a recent article by consumer watchdog Choice entitled ‘Unsafe solar installation’, many of the government rebates and feed-in tariffs to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are now being restricted. As a result, the solar market is seeing the emergence of unsafe operators...Read complete post
Stay ahead of the rate game
We have covered the issue of interest rates fairly extensively in this blog. The last time the RBA lifted the official cash rate was in November 2010 and since then it almost feels as though we have been playing a waiting game, anticipating the next rate rise. While relief for mortgage holders has come month after month as the RBA moved to keep rates on hold at least up to now, it must be said that nobody likes to sit on their hands doing nothing. Although we enjoy the rate...Read complete post