Many successful property investors monitor their portfolio annually. They take note of their income & growth returns and look at what equity is available to expand their existing portfolio. Many first time property investors become complacent to owning one as they have limited resources to professionals who can help them. In this market insight, we take the opportunity to explain what equity means...
APRA changes make borrowing easier. Post the federal election, the mood in the property market looks active and very promising. There are many good indicators that indicate we are entering a new property cycle. A move that’s going to make it easier for everyday Australians to qualify for a loan. One of those indicators is the recent announcement from Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)....
Tax time is approaching for the year ending June 2019. Now is the right time to consult your accountant and ensure your financials are in order prior to lodging your tax return. We encourage property investors to act promptly. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has said "they’re going to be looking much closer at your tax returns this year". The ATO conducted a random sample audit identifying 90% of...
We are the first to admit we were very lucky to experience a very long extending summer in Melbourne. That warmer weather is coming to an end and we now welcome the winter. It's not unknown knowledge that utilities expenses have crept up in price over the last 3 years. Here we offer you some energy saving tips to help reduce your bill this winter. Don't heat the entire home - If you have a spare...
When it comes to property buying, there are many types and forms of real estate available. One popular type of property is the house and land package. So what is a house and land package and why is it so popular? There are two types of house and land packages You buy your vacant land and later build your home with a construction loan. Buy the house completed on the developer’s land. The second...
When purchasing property, many buyers are influenced on school locations when choosing a home. Both owner occupiers and investors want to remain close to a reputable school. In this article we take the opportunity to summarise some of the biggest schools in Victoria based on enrollment size. Here is some interesting information that may take your interest, when you next look to buy a...
Unfortunately, burglary and home theft is always an ongoing issue Australia wide. It’s not unheard of hearing cases where thieves follow you home, learn when you are at work and discovering ways to enter your home or garage. One of the most popular reasons why Australians buy and occupy Apartments is its enhanced security. Most modern Apartments are harnessed with their own intercom, camera access to...
According to the latest statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency Victoria, we have seen our crime rate fall by about 7.8 percent. Victoria Police deputy commissioner Shane Patton "Whilst we acknowledge any crime is one crime too many, when you can see these type of results, it's some validation — it's some vindication that we are heading in the right direction”. The most notable criminal...
For people in the property market, a large consideration to work through prior to buying a property is which type of mortgage to apply for. Mortgage Choice published a useful article highlighting a hot topic in the current market. Do we lock in a fixed interest rate or do we ride out a variable interest rate? If this is you, you’ll need to carefully consider the following points. Obtaining lending...
According to the The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) :- The proportion of vacant properties in metro Melbourne as at March 2019 remained at a recorded rate of 2.2%. The proportion of vacant properties in regional Victoria as at March 2019 remained at a recorded rate of 1.2%. The weekly median rent for houses in metropolitan Melbourne stayed at $450 per week. The weekly median rent...