Property
Preparing your home for retirement – Start 10 years early
9 April
Retirement is often imagined as a time of freedom, comfort and enjoying the lifestyle you’ve worked hard to build. But one area that is often overlooked in retirement planning is your home. Where you live—and how well it suits your future...[Read More]
Winter-proof your home: 10 smart steps to avoid costly insurance claims
9 April
As the colder months approach across Australia, preparing your home for winter isn’t just about comfort—it’s about protection. Winter weather can expose weaknesses in your property, leading to costly damage and unnecessary insurance claims....[Read More]
Building the right team when buying an investment property
2 April
Purchasing an investment property is a major financial decision. For many Australians, it involves committing significant capital, taking on long-term debt, and relying on the property to help build wealth over time. Investment properties can...[Read More]
The RBA conflict that could decide its next rates call
2 April
A conflict at the heart of the Reserve Bank’s mandate could determine the outcome of its next interest rates decision. Minutes from the central bank’s March meeting published on Tuesday revealed a split between the five members who voted for a...[Read More]
Major capital home prices slip in two-speed market
2 April
Australia’s two largest property markets could be entering a downturn as rising inflation and interest rates squeeze prospective buyers. But while the Middle East conflict will take some steam out of price growth, Australia’s chronic undersupply...[Read More]
Fuel relief may not be enough to help stressed budgets
1 April
Households already under pressure from higher interest rates will still face a cost wall of elevated fuel prices, despite government efforts to take some of the heat out. Two of Australia’s biggest banks have recorded spikes in spending at petrol...[Read More]
Calm before storm: RBA braces for spikes and hikes
26 March
A slight easing in Australia’s headline inflation rate before the Iran war will do little to ease the Reserve Bank’s fears, as economists expect price growth to bounce back with a vengeance in March. Consumer prices rose 3.7 per cent in the 12...[Read More]
Three more rate hikes tipped as prices begin to rise
26 March
Mortgage holders could face as many as three interest rate hikes by Christmas, according to money markets, as concerns mount over the Iran war’s impact on inflation. Rates traders upped their predictions on Friday, pricing in almost 75 more basis...[Read More]
Top bank wary of economic darkness ‘we have to have’
19 March
The Reserve Bank does not want to send Australia into a recession but its options to avoid one might be running out. Governor Michele Bullock has old reporters a recession could be a possibility if inflation proves too hard to get down, after the...[Read More]
Collateral damage: war threatens to blow up inflation
19 March
The Reserve Bank of Australia has hiked interest rates for the second straight month, warning of more pain the longer the war in the Middle East drags on. In a split five-four decision on Tuesday – the tightest since the central bank started...[Read More]
Iran conflict raises spectre of triple RBA rate hike
12 March
Three of Australia’s four major banks predict the Reserve Bank will hike interest rates for the second month in a row as fears that war in the Middle East will worsen inflation fuelled a drastic turnaround in markets. Westpac, NAB and Commonwealth...[Read More]
Rate hike odds spike for ‘live’ March RBA meeting
5 March
Traders upped their bets for a Reserve Bank rate hike in March to a one-in-three chance after the central bank’s governor said the meeting would be “live”. While Michele Bullock was careful not to signpost the RBA’s decision on March 17, her...[Read More]
Good news is bad news: GDP growth fuels inflation fears
5 March
Higher spending on defence, data centres and Black Friday sales has helped the economy grow at its fastest pace in almost three years, boosting living standards but raising fears of more interest rate hikes. Gross domestic product expanded 0.8 per...[Read More]
Minister won’t rule out tax change as Greens up demands
5 March
Young people see the housing market as being stacked against them, Australia’s housing minister says, as the Greens call for drastic changes to property tax concessions. Clare O’Neil continues to play a straight bat to suggestions the government...[Read More]
Compact homes unlocking cheaper, cleaner city living
5 March
In a time of climate change and strained housing affordability, sometimes it pays to think small. At just 50 square metres, the apartments and townhouses inside the Two Sisters development in North Melbourne are far smaller than the 236 sq m average...[Read More]