Why rent bidding apps will make the rental market even more unaffordable

From The Conversation. Renters are already the weak party at the negotiating table because they cannot ignore their need for a place to live. But a new series of apps that pit renter against renter will only further tip the balance of power in favour of landlords, making it even harder to get a house. … Continue reading “Why rent bidding apps will make the rental market even more unaffordable”

The Property Imperative Weekly 12th May 2017

The latest edition of our weekly digest is published today. In the week the big banks copped it in the budget, and investor borrowing momentum is predicted to slow, we look at events over the past seven days. Watch the video, or read the transcript. We start with the main announcements in the Budget. First … Continue reading “The Property Imperative Weekly 12th May 2017”

Super saver accounts fail to impress

From The New Daily. The government’s plans to allow first home buyers to salary sacrifice up to $30,000 into superannuation accounts looks set to do little to make houses more affordable. “Under this plan, most first home savers will be able to accelerate their savings by at least 30 per cent,” Treasurer Scott Morrison said … Continue reading “Super saver accounts fail to impress”

Record numbers of home owners approaching Mortgage stress

From Ten Eyewitness News When it comes to paying off the Mortgage, it’s a slippery slope that could see the entire house of cards come tumbling down. New figures released by the Australian National University have found that one in five Aussies are constantly struggling to pay their mortgage, while others have admitted to falling … Continue reading “Record numbers of home owners approaching Mortgage stress”

Will The Budget Hit The Banks?

Could the budget impose an interbank levy on the big four tonight? There is certainly speculation in the media it might raise $6bn over 4 years. That would be enough to lift mortgage rates again. The weakish results in the past week, (NIM under pressure) and the threat of such a levy explains why major … Continue reading “Will The Budget Hit The Banks?”

Why older Australians don’t downsize and the limits to what the government can do about it

From The Conversation. Encouraging senior Australians to downsize their homes is one of the more popular ideas to make housing more affordable. The trouble is, incentives for downsizing would hit the budget, but make little difference to housing affordability. It sounds good: new incentives would encourage seniors to move to housing that better suits their … Continue reading “Why older Australians don’t downsize and the limits to what the government can do about it”

Suncorp Targets First Time Buyers

Suncorp has announced an exclusive new offer for first home buyers to “help them realise their property ownership dreams”. Suncorp’s Home Package Plus Special Offer for First Home Buyers allows customers to choose from a Standard Variable rate or a 5 Year Fixed rate of 3.99% p.a. on new lending of $150,000 or more. The … Continue reading “Suncorp Targets First Time Buyers”

Mortgage Stress On The Radio

I had the chance to discuss our latest mortgage stress research with Jon Faine on ABC Radio Melbourne today. The ABC also did an on-line segment based on the interview: Almost 52,000 Australian households are at risk of defaulting on their mortgages in the next 12 months and a quarter of home owners are under … Continue reading “Mortgage Stress On The Radio”

Aid for home buyers could be a back-to-the-future flop

From The New Daily. The federal government may be poised to unveil a special savings account and tax breaks for first home buyers in next week’s budget, despite government ministers refusing to confirm leaked reports in the media at the weekend. With the housing affordability crisis close to the top of voter concerns, the federal Treasurer last … Continue reading “Aid for home buyers could be a back-to-the-future flop”

The Property Imperative Weekly Launched

Today we launch the first of our regular Property Imperative Weekly Update Blogs and Vlogs; the next stage in the development of the Digital Finance Analytics site and in response to requests for a summary service. We have been publishing regular reports on the residential property and mortgage industry in Australia for many years, in … Continue reading “The Property Imperative Weekly Launched”