Viewing by month: May 2012
ABS releases Housing Finance data for March 2012
The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently released its Housing Finance data for March 2012, which showed that the total value of dwelling commitments for the month of March, excluding alterations and additions, fell 0.2 per cent (trend) compared with February 2012. The seasonally adjusted series fell 0.5 per cent in March 2012. According to the ABS, the total value of owner occupied housing commitments (trend) fell 0.5 per cent in March, following a fall of 0.4 per cent in...Read complete post
Maximise the capital growth and yields of your investments
For some investors it can prove difficult to think with your head and not your heart when considering a property purchase, particularly if you become emotionally attached to a particular dwelling. However, there are a number of factors that must be considered with a clear, unaffected mind if your investment is to be a financially successful one. Chris Gray is a well known property expert and has nearly 20 years’ experience in property investing and education. His top ten tips to maximise...Read complete post
Do you have adequate insurance for your investment property?
As an investor, it is important to understand your options when it comes to protecting your investment and its contents. To this end, I’d like to share with you the following piece provided by EBM Insurance Brokers, which appeared in the April 2012 issue of CENTURY 21 Wentworth’s Property Investor. Underinsurance under the microscope If your home was damaged or your possessions stolen, would the amount they are insured for completely cover your loss? If you...Read complete post
Save energy at home this winter
As winter approaches and with it often some very cold days and nights, it can certainly be tempting to rely on appliances such as heaters to stay warm. Unfortunately, such increased use will likely also result in larger costs over the period. Having said this, CENTURY 21 Australia believes that both property owners and tenants can successfully mitigate potential increases to energy costs at home this winter through the implementation of simple energy saving measures. “Man...Read complete post
Soft home value results over April
According to the recently released RP Data-Rismark May 2012 Home Value Index, capital city dwelling values were down -0.8 per cent in the month of April following the stability witnessed over the first quarter of 2012, leaving national home values down -0.7 per cent year to date. Property values across the combined capital cities of Australia showed renewed softness in the latter half of April with dwelling values falling by -0.8 per cent after a stable first quarter. Over the...Read complete post
Have you considered a property manager for your investment?
With reductions to interest rates, subdued value growth and an array of attractive residential real estate purchase opportunities available, current conditions are certainly looking favourable for property investors. What many investors may not understand however is that the investment process doesn’t necessarily stop once a purchase is made – a property must be effectively tenanted and maintained for your return to be maximised. For many busy investors, the most cost effective...Read complete post
Claiming depreciation deductions on your own home
In difficult economic times, many property owners with spare rooms in their homes may be able to generate additional income by renting these unneeded rooms out to tenants (where appropriate), including family members and friends. For those readers to whom this option might be of interest, I thought I would share the following piece provided by BMT Tax Depreciation. It is an excerpt of an article which appeared in the April 2012 issue of CENTURY 21’s Property Investor. ...Read complete post
Lower interest rates may spur property market
At its monthly meeting last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia elected to reduce the official cash rate by fifty basis points to 3.75 per cent. This decision was welcomed by CENTURY 21 and we expect that it will help to encourage growth in the national property market. Charles Tarbey, Chairman of CENTURY 21 Australasia, said of the decision, “Should the banks pass on the rate cut, this decision should be an...Read complete post