Experienced residential commentary
Most apartment projects in Australia today start with an off-plan marketing programme. And buying off-plan – also called off-the-plan – is quite a common strategy for both owner residents & investors. Read More
So what exactly is happening with Australia’s housing finance?
Last week’s official statistics – well, more importantly, the media hype & reporting that seems these days to accompany such data – leaves most of us shaking our heads.
“Best increase in four years.” “May’s interest rate cut has immediate impact.” “Largest ever volume in loans for one month.” And The Band Played On…to quote a recent Joe Walsh tune. Read More
We know this frustrates many, many home buyers. A place is up for auction and you want a price guide from the agent. They respond awkwardly, they dodge and sidestep and they answer your question with a question. The best you can hope for is a printed list of recent local sales. Not a hard question is it? How much does the owner want? So why can’t the agent tell you?
It’s the law. Read More
One of the more common investment questions that I get asked is, “What’s hot?” Now, I happen to think that is the wrong question. What the investor really should be asking is, “What should I buy?”
And for mine, the answer comes down to understanding three simple concepts:
Your 3 minute weekend update…
1. Employment up
Employment rose by 50,000 in April after falling by 31,000 jobs in March.
Economists had expected a 12,000 lift in jobs in April, whereas full-time jobs rose by 34,000 & part-time jobs rose by 16,000 in April. The unemployment rate fell to 5.5%.
Were more than 50,000 jobs created in one month? It’s unlikely – and just as unlikely that over 30,000 jobs were lost in the previous month. The wide fluctuations could be put down to various factors – sampling problems, the limited ABS budget and timing being an early Easter this year. Read More
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Margaret Lomas from Destiny Financial Solutions and asked her about the worst property investment advice she’d been given. Margaret is also the star of Property Success on Sky TV. Here’s what we discussed. Read More
Interest rates have fallen to 53 year lows, with another 0.25% fall very likely this side of 30th June.
Why? Well forget all the gobbledygook you will hear on the news tonight – rates fell because the fiscal brake is taking its toll & new housing starts are not moving upwards, as the RBA hoped.
Below is what we wrote about interest rates a few weeks back…some may have missed it, as it was in our regular weekend post.
Given the 1.75% fall, so far, in official interest rates, most economists are at a loss as to why the new housing market remains sluggish, as does the overall Australian economy.
Some great work by Michael Knox at RBS Morgans helps explains why.
Australia is currently going through a period of significant fiscal tightening. This has been happening for the last two years & is set to continue. This tightening is in response to Australia’s budget deficit. Read More
Fast car driving – sleek and modern – public transit – photos waiting – blood and glass – three points of rain – carpet lining – seats reclining
Clever words on smooth tongue talking – shove it brother – just keep walking
Just Keep Walking, INXS 1980 Read More
Your 3 minute weekend update….
1. Auction clearance rates lift
The future of housing looks a little brighter this week with yet another strong result in the Sydney & Melbourne markets & to a lesser degree in Adelaide & Perth.
The significance of auction clearance figures is they provide an instant gauge of the market. Sometime back we mentioned that rates over 50% mean that prices should continue to grow & rates over 70% are indicative of a recovery.
The latest stats show the national weighted average is almost 70%. Sydney saw 73.2% & Melbourne 70.6% – with both those cities having sustained rates above 70% for most of this year. Adelaide followed at 52.1%. Brisbane still lagged at 42.3% but has some stand-out news of its own – read on.
2. Stock for sale.
Nationally there has been a drop in the new listings for sale – 25,000 across the country, which is down 9% on this time last year. Read More
According to a report in The Age (15th April 2013) City roads crowded with solo drivers, the Victorian government has “reprioritised” $5.4 million originally earmarked for setting up 110 car pooling schemes.
That’s a pity in a city where around 85% of motorised work trips are made by cars and average occupancy is 1.2 and falling. Spending a minor sum to promote higher occupancies seems like it would be worth doing. Read More
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MOWBRAY
Mowbray, East Brisbane - new boutique project, 56 units, 2 kms Brisbane CBD. Attractive lifestyle area adjoining Kangaroo Point; nearby retail & eateries. Great public transport infrastructure; views. Mowbray is a highly rated Matusik Property Pick. BE QUICK!
OSHEN, YEPPOON
Oshen, Yeppoon is a 61-apartment project on an elevated site with clear ocean views & a central position. There are currently no other one-bedroom & two-bedroom dual-key apartments in the Yeppoon area. Construction is underway.
ESCENT
ESCENT is by award-winning Melbourne-based developer BPM, and is their second Brisbane apartment project in the city's vibrant West End precinct. A 56 apartment development, well-designed & well-priced product for local target market.
THE MILTON
The Milton is FKP's 30-storey mixed use tower, in Brisbane's inner west - 298 contemporary one & two bedroom apartments; premium office suites; shopping & restaurants. Construction is well underway.
CLEARVIEW RISE
Clearview Rise comprises an 18 hectare strategic site, to house 370 new dwellings in a prime location opposite Roma Hospital & 1.5 km from Roma town centre. New houses in Clearview Rise are very affordable & currently offer investors potential gross rental yields from 6.8% to 7.6%.
HORIZONS
Horizons is the second stage of Urban Edge in the Kelvin Grove Urban Village. Nearly complete, Horizons provides investors the opportunity of buying and settling a one or two-bedroom new apartment in one of Brisbane's best inner city neighbourhoods this financial year. Horizons is a Highly Rated Matusik Property Picks selection.
PARKVUE AT OXLEY
Parkvue @ Oxley is a new infill detached housing estate offering full turn-key 3 & 4 bedroom house packages for sale. Prices range from $494,000 & average $555,000 (including land). Allotment sizes from 375m² to 550m². The site is flood-free, just 12km from the Brisbane GPO & 1km from the Oxley railway station.
PADDINGTON TERRACES @ ROBINA
Paddington Terraces @ Robina ticks many investor boxes and has a high Walk Score. With build completion and settlement due in June/July 2013, this is the right product in the right location at the right time.
