Amazing Grace
News from the Dog House Everyone, I am delighted to announce the arrival of my newest pack member – Grace Yeung. Grace already has a successful real estate business, marketing to Asian investors; and now she has wisely added finance to her customer offering. I first met Grace a few months ago. She is entrepreneurial, […]
Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics in Property
Sydney’s clearance rates are down to 73 per cent from an April high of 90 per cent, Does this mean that the sky is falling in that prices will soon drop? Almost certainly not in my opinion. 73 per cent is still considered to be a sellers’ market (albeit not as strong as previously). Given […]
Time for a Haircut?
First of all, many thanks for all the well-wishes from all my fans. I must confess that it has been a tough few days; not just for me, but also for my staff Doug and Jen. As you probably know I don’t have the best of health in certain areas (namely my back and hips) […]
The Good and Bad of Buying Off-Plan (and how your mortgage broker can help)
We have all seen the headlines of someone making a motza after buying a property off plan. But behind the scenes there is often a mortgage broker who has worked really hard to turn your dreams into reality. And, as the property markets peak, we could be seeing stories of people losing their savings on […]
Happy New Year!
Welcome to our Festive Edition of News from the Dog House – Shana Tova! Simone has just come back from a few days off celebrating Rosh Hashanah with her (extended) family. I don’t know how it is for you, but I find myself in a real dog-fight with my extended family on any given holiday. Mind you […]
Your Interest Rates Could Be About to Go Up!
The regulator’s drive to calm down the (investor) property market may be having a negative impact on home owners. Who, through no fault of their own, are seeing interest rates rise. Ironically this is happening at a time when other home owners are enjoying ultra-low interest rates. The government regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority […]
Real estate agents: telling the rippers from the duds
Sept 7, 2015| Johanna Leggatt| The New Daily http://thenewdaily.com.au/money/2015/09/07/real-estate-agents-telling-rippers-duds/ To some, they are the snake oil salesmen of the property industry, presiding over open home inspections – clipboard in hand – like haughty gods. But not all real estate agents should be tarnished with the same brush. A good agent is worth the money sellers pay them: they are […]
Interest rates on hold but economists tip cut for Melbourne Cup Day
Sept 1, 2015| Kirsten Robb| Domain http://www.domain.com.au/news/interest-rates-on-hold-but-economists-tip-cut-for-melbourne-cup-day-20150901-gjca4k/ The official interest rate remained on hold at 2 per cent on Tuesday but economists say the Reserve Bank of Australia may be forced to cut rates by November, making Melbourne Cup day a winner for mortgagees and spring buyers. The move to keep rates steady was widely expected, with experts […]
Sydney house price growth up but Melbourne to overtake in spring
Sept 1, 2015| Jennifer Duke| Domain http://www.domain.com.au/news/sydney-house-prices-up-over-august-but-melbourne-to-overtake-in-spring-20150901-gjc6rf/ Sydney property price growth outpaced all other capital cities in August, but Melbourne is about to knock it off its perch, according to new data. The Harbour City’s dwelling values crept up 1.1 per cent, while capital cities grew just 0.3 per cent nationally, CoreLogic RP Data’s Home Value Index found. There was no […]
Big banks could be stung by risky lending: regulator
Aug 26, 2015| George Lekakis| The New Daily http://thenewdaily.com.au/money/2015/08/26/big-banks-will-stung-risky-lending-warns-regulator/ Australia’s top banking regulator has signalled that it might impose more restrictions on home lenders to combat “heightened risk” in the residential property market. Wayne Byers, the chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), believes lenders are increasingly approving loans to borrowers who will potentially be […]
