The global economy is continuing its expansion, led by very strong growth in the Asian region. The recent disaster in Japan is having a major impact on Japanese production, and some effects on production of manufactured products further afield. Commodity prices, including oil prices, have generally continued to rise over […]
THE Gillard government has sounded out unions over steps to cool Australia’s housing market, with measures that range from a new sales tax for investors sitting on large property portfolios, to curbing the popular strategy of using negative gearing for multiple properties. Senior federal Labor figures and key union backers […]
Interest rates are on hold for now but economists expect the next move to be up. Home buyers are turning to fixed-rate mortgages in response to the steady rise in interest rates last year and predictions that rates will go higher this year. Recent statistics shows that the proportion of […]
This week, we look at the implementation of the banning of home loan exit fees and what impact it will have on the industry and borrowers. Mortgageport’s Managing Direct Glen Spratt believes that while the banning of exit fees should make the mortgage industry more transparent and hopefully improve customer […]
A RETURN of first home buyers to the property market is expected to lift residential building activity next financial year, says BIS Shrapnel. The research firm expects new housing starts to rebound by 6 per cent nationally in 2011-12, propelled by stable interest rates, rising rents from housing shortages, and […]
