TOP AFFORDABLE INNER CITY SUBURBS
TOP AFFORDABLE INNER CITY SUBURBS
Posted on Friday, August 15 2014 at 1:31 PM
They say buying the right property close to the CBD pays. But generally property prices in these central locations can hurt the hip pocket in comparison to purchasing further afield. Investors and owner-occupiers could be delighted by RP Data’s latest findings revealing affordable inner city suburbs do still exist.
RP
Data research analyst Cameron Kusher highlights the top five most affordable
suburbs for houses and units within 10 kilometres of Australia’s capital
cities.
“Inner city suburbs are also generally better
serviced by both essential and desirable amenities such as schools, medical
services, shopping centres, social amenity, roads and public transport
infrastructure,”
he says.
There’s a large divergence in results across the
cities, when looking at the most affordable median value suburbs in close
proximity to the CBD. Sydney’s Wolli Creek, for example, has the lowest median
house value at $710,303 (which is not very affordable) but in Melbourne the
most affordable suburb is Bellfield at $533,252. In most other capital cities,
except for Darwin the starting point for a house is significantly lower.
In many cities these areas are less desirable
than other inner city suburbs however they’re close to the city and potentially
have scope for urban renewal over the coming years says Kusher.
“Home values in inner-city areas are likely to
continue to increase particularly as mortgage rates remain at such low levels,”
he says.
And as a result more and more potential buyers
are likely to be priced out of the inner city housing market.
“This scenario creates good opportunity for
other city areas – if buyers can’t afford to purchase a home within the inner
city, they will most likely look to those locations that tick as many of the
inner city boxes, just at a lower price point than the inner city areas,” he
says.
“Given this, suburbs featuring quality public
transport connections, abundant retail and social amenity, quality schools and
medical amenity will likely see renewed interest as inner city buyers look to
these more affordable alternatives.”
Most affordable
suburbs within 10km of capital city CBDs
(As of June 2014)
HOUSES UNITS
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Borrowers shun fixed loans
Borrowers shun fixed loans
Posted on Monday, August 11 2014 at 10:58 AM
Homeowners and investors are shying away from fixing home loans, according to the latest housing finance data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The proportion of borrowers
who fixed their home loan in June 2014 was at the lowest level in 17 months.
There were just 7448 fixed
home loans financed in June, (14.26 per cent of all loans), which is 942 fewer
fixed home loans financed, or 11 per cent lower, than the previous month.
Money expert at comparison
website finder.com.au Michelle Hutchinson says lenders need to do more if they
want to attract borrowers to fix.
“It’s no surprise that fewer
borrowers are fixing their home loans, because fixed home loans aren’t as
competitive as variable rate home loan deals,” she says.
“Despite many lenders,
including the major banks, dropping some of their fixed home loans in recent
weeks, they have a long way to go before they’re lower than variable rates.
Many lenders have room to be more competitive in the fixed rate home loan market.
“For instance, the lowest
variable home loan rate is 4.54 per cent by Loans.com.au – 0.39 percentage
points lower than the cheapest five-year fixed rate of 4.93 per cent by UBank.
Even though this is the lowest five-year fixed rate we’ve seen, it would still
cost an extra $71 per month in repayments for a $300,000 home loan over 30
years.”
However, Hutchinson adds
leading economists expect interest rates to start rising next year, if not
sooner.
“This could mean that we
won’t see fixed rates fall much further,” she says.
“So for borrowers who are
worried about the higher costs when interest rates rise, it’s worth comparing
fixed home loans for the security that repayments won’t change for the fixed
period, even though they may not be as competitive as variable home loan
rates.”
Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/API_Property_News/~3/pGRV3cHYXyI/borrowers-shun-fixed-loans
Borrowers shun fixed loans
Borrowers shun fixed loans
Posted on Monday, August 11 2014 at 10:58 AM
Homeowners and investors are shying away from fixing home loans, according to the latest housing finance data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The proportion of borrowers
who fixed their home loan in June 2014 was at the lowest level in 17 months.
There were just 7448 fixed
home loans financed in June, (14.26 per cent of all loans), which is 942 fewer
fixed home loans financed, or 11 per cent lower, than the previous month.
Money expert at comparison
website finder.com.au Michelle Hutchinson says lenders need to do more if they
want to attract borrowers to fix.
“It’s no surprise that fewer
borrowers are fixing their home loans, because fixed home loans aren’t as
competitive as variable rate home loan deals,” she says.
“Despite many lenders,
including the major banks, dropping some of their fixed home loans in recent
weeks, they have a long way to go before they’re lower than variable rates.
Many lenders have room to be more competitive in the fixed rate home loan market.
“For instance, the lowest
variable home loan rate is 4.54 per cent by Loans.com.au – 0.39 percentage
points lower than the cheapest five-year fixed rate of 4.93 per cent by UBank.
Even though this is the lowest five-year fixed rate we’ve seen, it would still
cost an extra $71 per month in repayments for a $300,000 home loan over 30
years.”
However, Hutchinson adds
leading economists expect interest rates to start rising next year, if not
sooner.
“This could mean that we
won’t see fixed rates fall much further,” she says.
“So for borrowers who are
worried about the higher costs when interest rates rise, it’s worth comparing
fixed home loans for the security that repayments won’t change for the fixed
period, even though they may not be as competitive as variable home loan
rates.”
Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/API_Property_News/~3/pGRV3cHYXyI/borrowers-shun-fixed-loans
Borrowers shun fixed loans
Borrowers shun fixed loans
Posted on Monday, August 11 2014 at 10:58 AM
Homeowners and investors are shying away from fixing home loans, according to the latest housing finance data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The proportion of borrowers
who fixed their home loan in June 2014 was at the lowest level in 17 months.
There were just 7448 fixed
home loans financed in June, (14.26 per cent of all loans), which is 942 fewer
fixed home loans financed, or 11 per cent lower, than the previous month.
Money expert at comparison
website finder.com.au Michelle Hutchinson says lenders need to do more if they
want to attract borrowers to fix.
“It’s no surprise that fewer
borrowers are fixing their home loans, because fixed home loans aren’t as
competitive as variable rate home loan deals,” she says.
“Despite many lenders,
including the major banks, dropping some of their fixed home loans in recent
weeks, they have a long way to go before they’re lower than variable rates.
Many lenders have room to be more competitive in the fixed rate home loan market.
“For instance, the lowest
variable home loan rate is 4.54 per cent by Loans.com.au – 0.39 percentage
points lower than the cheapest five-year fixed rate of 4.93 per cent by UBank.
Even though this is the lowest five-year fixed rate we’ve seen, it would still
cost an extra $71 per month in repayments for a $300,000 home loan over 30
years.”
However, Hutchinson adds
leading economists expect interest rates to start rising next year, if not
sooner.
“This could mean that we
won’t see fixed rates fall much further,” she says.
“So for borrowers who are
worried about the higher costs when interest rates rise, it’s worth comparing
fixed home loans for the security that repayments won’t change for the fixed
period, even though they may not be as competitive as variable home loan
rates.”
Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/API_Property_News/~3/pGRV3cHYXyI/borrowers-shun-fixed-loans
Renovation revolution
Renovation revolution
Posted on Thursday, August 07 2014 at 9:18 AM
Home renovations are set to boom over the next three years according to a report by Master Builders Australia (MBA).
The industry group has released
their Forecast of Building and Construction paper, and chief executive officer Wilhelm Harnisch says it flags
strong future gains for renovation.
“The new forecasts released by
Master Builders predicts growth in the housing alterations and additions market
of 14.9 per cent ($96.4 billion) in value per annum on average over the forecast
period to 2016/17.”
Harnisch says this is a striking turn
around in a previously slow sector.
“The robust outlook is in stark
contrast to the languid performance experienced over the last three years, when
it contracted by an average of 3.2 per cent per annum.”
The MBA believe the renovation
market will bolster the country’s construction sector.
“The strong growth in renovations
will be a shot in the arm for builders across Australia and complement the
solid pipeline of work indicated by the solid lift in new building activity.”
The Northern Territory is expected
to have the strongest growth, with average yearly gains of 27.8 per cent – up
from an average of 9.7 per cent over the previous three years.
Per annum growth in New South
Wales and Western Australia is predicted to be 19 per cent and 18.6 per cent
respectively.
The ACT, Queensland and Victoria
are all expected to see gains exceeding 12 per cent for the period.
In current dollar terms, spending
on alterations and additions across Australia is forecast to average more $9.6
billion per annum in the three years to 2016/17, which is nearly 38 per cent
higher than the $7 billion annual average for the three years to 2009/10.
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Interstate migration slows
Interstate migration slows
Posted on Monday, August 04 2014 at 7:42 AM
An analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) demographic data reveals migration between Australia’s states and territories has slowed since the onset of the GFC.
The
main regions for overseas migrants arriving to settle in Australia appears to
be New South Wales and Victoria. While ABS data shows the number of overseas
migrants arriving in the country’s mining states is in fact slowing. Queensland and Western Australia
have each seen a fall in both net interstate and net overseas migration over
the year.
The analysis, which was carried out by RP Data research
analyst Cameron Kusher, shows a flow on from the
slowdown in mining construction activity, where activities on these projects
moves from construction to production, which is resulting in lower worker
demand.
Victoria is now attracting a record number of
net interstate migrants, with 7528 new residents moving from other states last
year. Victoria also attracts an impressive 62,337 net overseas migrants.
NSW is experiencing a net outflow, with 11,219
residents leaving the state in 2013. Despite the state’s outflow, NSW attracted
71,446 net overseas migrants over the year.
In Queensland, the net inflow of residents from
other states and territories is near a record low. During 2013, Queensland’s
net interstate migration was recorded at 6897 persons compared to a 20-year
average of 22,743 per annum. Although Queensland attracted 37,355 net overseas
migrants, it’s a plunge from the 46,161 at the same time in 2012.
Previously,
residents have migrated from NSW and Victoria to Queensland and WA. However
Kusher explains that since the onset of the GFC, the outflow of citizens to the
mining states of Queensland and WA has slowed with fewer people leaving NSW and
Victoria.
“The sea change phenomenon was a big driver of
this migration before the financial crisis,” he says.
“It now seems that when someone has secure
employment, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria, they’re less inclined
to trade that in and move interstate.
“With unemployment rising nationally and demand
for workers in the resources sector slowing we’d expect this trend to continue
over the coming year. In fact the net loss of residents from New South Wales
may reduce further and the net gain of residents in Victoria may increase.”
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How to buy an investment property faster
How to buy an investment property faster
Posted on Monday, July 28 2014 at 11:20 AM
Would-be investors are willing to cut back on everyday spending to afford an investment property, according to a Mortgage Choice First Time Investor survey.
A staggering 74.3 per cent of respondents said
one of the first things they’d do is pull in the pursue strings in order to
afford an investment property, while 56.3 per cent suggested they’d ‘eat out
less’ and 25.7 per cent said they’d cut back on ‘alcohol related spending’.
Mortgage Choice spokesperson Jessica Darnbrough says there are lots of
things potential buyers can do to reduce their daily spending.
“Establishing good savings habits can be as simple as taking back the
basics approach,” she says.
“When it comes to saving money, potential property investors should look
to implement some tried and tested methods that can help them to get ahead
without having to make extreme changes to their current way of life.
“It pays to build an achievable budget. Budgeting monthly or in
accordance with the length of your pay period will allow you to amend your
budget fairly quickly if an unexpected expense rears its ugly head.”
Mortgage Choice offers the following tips for first-time buyers ready to
take their first step onto the property ladder:
Become a VIP member
Sign up to become a VIP member at your regular shopping spots. Whether
this means you’ll get a few dollars off per ticket on a trip to the cinema,
receive sale prices at your favourite clothing stores, or earn a supermarket
discount voucher, every little bit counts.
Savings enforcer
Ask someone to help you oversee your savings plan. If you know someone
is going to keep a close eye on your finances and hold you accountable if you
don’t reach your savings goal, you’ll be more inclined to stick to your budget.
Home cooked meals
Rather than buying your lunch each weekday, why not prepare your own
meals by making a weekly trip to the supermarket. If you’re heading to the
shops, it pays to have a shopping list and a full stomach.
If you’re hungry to begin with and don’t have a strict list in place,
you may find you buy more than you need.
Waste not, want not
Eliminate some of the little luxuries that you can do without. Try
cutting back on takeaway coffees, fashionable items that have a short life span,
pay television, Internet or data usage etc.
Ask for discounts
Have you been a member of your local gym for
some time? If so, it may pay to give them a call and see if they can reduce
your weekly fee for being a loyal customer. Of course, your gym isn’t the only
place you can ask for discounts; try asking for a discount wherever you feel
comfortable. After all, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
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Brisbane winter breaks 23-year growth drought
Brisbane winter breaks 23-year growth drought
Posted on Wednesday, July 30 2014 at 4:30 PM
Brisbane is on track for its first consecutive increase in June quarter sales in more than two decades, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).
The winter sales period is normally subdued in
the Sunshine State capital, however recent figures show it’s bucking this
historic trend.
Antonia Mercorella, acting CEO at the REIQ, says
the market appears to be gathering momentum.
“Brisbane is set to record its first consecutive
increase in June quarter sales since 1991-92,
“Traditionally this is one of Brisbane’s quieter
selling periods but there has been a reversal of that trend over the last two
years, as buyers grow more confident.”
Mercorella says there’s been increasing demand
across many Brisbane suburbs.
“Demand is so strong that agents throughout the
city are reporting a shortage of stock as they struggle to get enough
listings.”
Mercorella says Brisbane recorded sales growth
of almost 10 per cent in the June 2013 quarter, and although results for the
June 2014 quarter are yet to be finalised, they appear promising.
“We’re also seeing some solid price growth in
Brisbane, with house prices up 6.8 per over the last year, according to the
latest RP Data-Rismark Daily Home Value Index.”
Mercorella says demand combined with the city’s
relative affordability should result in strong gains for the city’s real
estate.
“Despite this growth, Brisbane still has a very
significant affordability edge over Sydney, Melbourne and Perth where median prices
remain much higher.
“With interest rates still at record lows, the
outlook for Brisbane real estate is very positive and buyers can expect the
market to continue performing strongly.”
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First-timers could soon use super to buy property
First-timers could soon use super to buy property
Posted on Monday, July 28 2014 at 1:36 PM
First homebuyers trying to enter the booming property market might soon be able to use their own superannuation as a deposit for a first home.
Independent Senator for South Australia Nick Xenophon will introduce
legislative changes in the spring session of parliament, which could have a
profound impact on the way first homebuyers purchase property and enter the
market.
For the first time, a proposal would allow first homebuyers to access
their superannuation and use this as a deposit, rather than saving for years
and years.
The scheme would be based on a similar one in Canada, which is known as
the Home Buyers’
Plan.
In Canada, up to $25,000 can be accessed for a first home and the amount
has to be paid back into the super fund within 15 years.
“With more and more Australians finding it difficult to break into home
ownership, (and) adopting the Canadian scheme would make a difference to many
thousands of Australians each year,” Xenophon says.
He adds housing affordability in Australia has fallen for the past three
decades, as house prices outstrip income growth.
This year’s annual affordability survey by Demographia found Australia
had the second-worst housing affordability in the world, behind Hong Kong.
All 39 Australian housing markets surveyed were ‘seriously’ or
‘severely’ unaffordable, defined as having average house prices of more than
four times the average income.
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SA First Home Owners Grant ends
SA First Home Owners Grant ends
Posted on Tuesday, June 17 2014 at 10:26 AM
The end of June marks the end of an era for South Australia’s First Home Owners Grant of $5000 with it ceasing to exist in its current form.
Real Estate Institute of South Australia (REISA) chief executive officer
Greg Troughton says the grant has long been a much-needed stimulus for
first-time buyers.
“The one saving grace for South Australian homebuyers was the First Home
Owners Grant for established homes.
Although this has dropped to $5000 in recent years, it did go some way
to ameliorating the effects of a $20,000 stamp duty for those wishing to buy
their first home at the current median price,” he says.
For the first time in 14 years, this grant will cease and Troughton says
this is disappointing.
“South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania are the only states
which currently have assistance for first homebuyers purchasing established
housing. And not surprisingly, these are
the only three jurisdictions in which the proportion of first homebuyers to
total finance commitments continues to rise or at the very least, remain stable.
“Those states that have abolished their first home owner grants for
established homes have consistently seen ever diminishing numbers of first
homebuyers within the umbrella of total finance commitments.”
He says while REISA recognises the significant levels of assistance
currently provided by the State Government towards the purchase of new homes, the
vast majority of first homebuyers (90.7 per cent in South Australia) purchase
established rather than new homes.
“Housing affordability is always high on everyone’s agenda. This move will simply ensure that it stays at
the very top,” he says.
In replacement of the grant will be $15,000 for
new homes only, up to the value of $575,000.
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