Government Grants and Schemes for Homebuyers: What’s Available Down Under Acquiring a house in Australia could be an uphill financial journey, but numerous government programmes serve to make it a more common task. The programmes provide substantial backing for low- to average-income families, help them acquire a home for the first time, and conduct market […]
Navigating the dos and don’ts of investment property returns. Rental properties and holiday homes are once again in the sights of the Australian Tax Office, which has had growing success identifying erroneous claims. Last year about 70 per cent of returns related to investment properties audited by the ATO had to be amended, most often
Recent changes by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) have led to significant tightening of investment lending criteria by the major lenders. Fortunately, there are still numerous ways for investors to discover a loan that’s right for their circumstances. Don’t be disheartened First things first, don’t let the tightened lending criteria deter you from entering
Switching home loans could help pay down your mortgage sooner, providing you are refinancing for the right reasons and understand what’s involved. Here’s our guide to refinancing to help you make the right move when the time comes. Know the costs Paying 0.5 per cent less per annum on a $250,000 principal-and-interest mortgage will save
It’s a perennial question when it comes to real estate: should you sell at auction or via private treaty? Some sellers prefer the predictability of setting a price, while others are prepared to let their property go to the highest bidder. There is no right or wrong and each vendor’s situation is unique. We’ve put
One in two Australian home buyers1 now borrow via a broker. A dip in sentiment towards traditional banks, tighter lending criteria for investors and better-educated consumers have all helped boost mortgage brokers’ popularity over the past decade. There are, indeed, a raft of reasons to turn to a broker for your next home loan. Here are
It’s no secret tax deductions, in addition to capital gains, remain a carrot for property investors. But tax rules have tightened, and the landscape is always shifting, making it hard for the average person to keep up with what’s claimable, and what’s not. With June 30 creeping up, Haven looks at tax impacts for property
While you’re getting your head around the macro, don’t lose sight of the micro. Median house prices can vary greatly from suburb to suburb. Here’s the local data house-hunters should have to help make an informed decision. Price growth While property is a long-term proposition, it’s worth comparing the last five years of price growth
If Dorothea Mackellar was here today she might replace her famous poetry line about “ragged mountain ranges” with one about the country’s home price ranges. Just like our natural geography, the nation’s property landscape is one of contrasts. Predicting which markets are on the up and which are heading south is never an exact science
While prices are a product of supply and demand, it’s worth understanding the factors that sit beneath both sides of the equation. In other words, what drives supply and what drives demand? INCOMES Higher household incomes, thanks largely to two-income couples, have seen Australians seek better quality housing, invest more in property and bid-up pricing.