72 per cent of investors only own one property in Australia. This represents a lost opportunity considering the best way to unlock the financial benefits of investing in property is to own multiple assets. The key to building a strong portfolio is tapping into your equity, which can be converted into cash for deposits for future investments. But starting this process can be overwhelming, often discouraging investors to … Read more »

Gentrification was a term coined in the 1950s to describe organic population shifts witnessed in London’s inner neighbourhoods. It involves a process whereby higher income investors displace lower income residents of a neighbourhood or suburb, ultimately changing the character and physical appearance of the area.

It’s important not to confuse gentrification with urban renewal; a process of clearing and rebuilding or renovating properties in urban slums. … Read more »

Being a first home buyer is no easy task. The sea of processes and procedures can be overwhelming and stressful. For people wishing to enter the property market, a common question is “should I buy an investment property, or my first home?”. The answer depends on the purchaser’s long-term financial goals. But is there a way to do both?

Four things to consider when seeking out your first … Read more »

Predictions that the Australian property market will burst continue to run rampant as the country faces the greatest credit-fuelled real estate market it’s ever seen. The market has seen a drop off in investor confidence and the repercussions of this are being felt from buyers to sellers with falling auction clearance rates and plateauing property prices in Sydney and Melbourne.

Here are our tips for property … Read more »

After showing strong conditions through to September, the final quarter of 2015 ends with capital city dwelling values declining by 1.4%.

According to the CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index, dwelling values were absolutely flat across the combined capitals during December, with negative movements in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra being offset by a rise in dwelling values across the remaining five capital cities. The Sydney housing market was the main drag … Read more »

The Reserve Bank meeting in early December declared that the cash rate will remain at 2%. Most of the experts on the panel agreed that Australia’s improving economy will be the most likely reason to keep the cash rate as it is.

However, commentators are suggesting that 2016 will be much more difficult for both borrowers and lenders.

“It’s going to be tougher for households next year and it’s not just borrowers … Read more »

Using a self-managed super fund (SMSF) to buy property is becoming increasingly popular but the decision requires careful consideration.

There are significant advantages to having a property in an SMSF for example tax effectiveness: your super fund will be taxed at 15 per cent which is considerably lower than most people’s personal tax rates.

However, there are a few things to bear in mind if you … Read more »

Over the last four years the number of investment property loans in Australia has grown by 37% compared to an increase of only 4% in the number of owner occupied loans.

Check out the latest findings from the Roy Morgan Research Consumer Single Source survey of approximately 45,000 people per annum thanks to Announcer.

Investors

The survey reported that the 35 to 64 age group accounted for 78% of the … Read more »