Category: Australian
Latest inflation indicators
It is well known that inflation has been a key influencer of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate decisions over the course of the year with the Bank aiming for a target range of 2 – 3 per cent over 2012 and 2013.
While the official inflation data, the Consumer Price...Read complete post
Don’t discount smaller spaces, simply consider smarter designs
It is no secret that many Australians have long had a love for substantially sized homes, set on considerable blocks of land, with room for all the family. However, with affordability concerns and a change in preference for inner city living, as well as the physical size of many new developments decreasing, a number of people are being faced with the possibility of living in dwellings of a smaller size. However, those home buyers and investors who may...Read complete post
Time for Australian property owners to get serious about energy efficiency
There’s no doubt that energy costs represent a significant expense for Australian households. And with already expensive energy prices looking to rise substantially over the next few years, as well as an impending carbon price, it seems that there is no better (or more prudent) time for property owners to assess the ways that household energy consumption can be reduced. CENTURY 21 Chairman and Owner, Charles Tarbey, recently said that there is a...Read complete post
Lowered inflation paves way for rate cut
Last week saw the Australian Bureau of Statistics release the Consumer Price Index for the September 2011 quarter. In good news for home owners and prospective borrowers, the measure, which serves as the official inflation data referred to by the Reserve Bank of Australia when setting the official cash rate, was unexpectedly low. The September quarter saw the CPI rise by 0.6 per cent, down from the 0.9 per cent rise seen in the June quarter 2011. Over the year to...Read complete post
Housing finance approvals up for August
The Australian Bureau of Statistics last week released data regarding housing finance commitments for the month of August 2011. These are generally considered to be reasonably good indicators of the state of the residential property market as they represent the aim of the population to engage with the housing market, either through the purchase or construction of a dwelling. According to the ABS, the total value of dwellings financed in August rose 1.1 per cent (trend) compared...Read complete post