Viewing by month: January 2012
Inflation figures support case for February rate cut
The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently released its official inflation data – the Consumer Price Index – for the December 2011 quarter. The figures showed that the Index was unchanged over the quarter, as compared with a rise of 0.6 per...Read complete post
Professional building inspections – an important step in the buying process
For many Australians, the purchase of a property is one of biggest, and likely most expensive, commitments made over the course of a lifetime. It is for this reason that it is important to take certain steps to eliminate as much uncertainty as possible from the buying process. Read complete post2012 off to positive start for residential real estate with dwelling approvals up
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently released its building approval data for November 2011 – a key statistic for the residential property industry as it provides an indication as to how many private sector residences have been approved for construction.Read complete post
Prepare for an autumn sale
Who can believe how quickly this year has started? One minute it feels like everyone is going on their merry way for Christmas, and the next we’re already into the third week of January – with only one month left of summer! For those Australians who have earmarked the 2012 autumn period for the sale of their property, I would suggest that now is an ideal time to get things moving. With the appointment of an agent, allowing time to advertise and not to mention the preparation of...Read complete post
Buying a self-renovated property
With the plethora of television shows focused on home improvements substantially increasing in popularity over recent times, so too are many Australians being inspired to engage in Do-It-Yourself renovation projects in their own homes. While many of these renovations are no doubt completed with finesse, there may be the possibility of some such projects potentially containing faults if they have not been undertaken by a professional, experienced builder. For prospective buyers...Read complete post
Enjoy privacy in your home
When building or choosing a new home, it is not uncommon for many Australians to try to capture the feeling of open space. For some this can mean a preference for properties with features such as large windows and seamless inside to outside areas. Unfortunately a potential issue that can arise for residents of properties with such features is that of privacy. So, how can property owners and renters ensure that their property is well protected from unwanted prying eyes?...Read complete post
House prices rise in November
The end of December marked the release of the RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Home Value Index results for November, which saw, according to the two companies, the first rise in home values since December 2010. ...Read complete post
Preparing for what the 2012 residential property market has to offer
Welcome to 2012! I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas and New Year period. Even for those who didn’t manage to take some extended time off, I hope you were able to celebrate with family and friends. 2012 is now officially underway and the team at CENTURY 21 Australia are gearing up for what is sure to be an exciting year for the Australian residential property market. I know that for many people the start of the year sees decisions made about whether to...Read complete post