Property & Mortgage News

Tide turns as beachfront homes await sale

THE dream of owning a beach shack is still alive with a wave of run-down old beachfront homes sitting on the market waiting for the next tide of new owners.

It cost $2.5m to build, it's on sale for $1.5m

FORMER used car salesman selling his five bedroom double-story beachfront mansion cheap. Interested?

Homes failing to hold their value

THE number of Australian homes worth less than what their owners paid for them is growing.

Clear more to cut fire risk: Study

HOME owners in bushfire-prone areas should clear at least 40m around their houses if they want to save them from the flames.

Cedar Woods expects rate cuts boost

PROPERTY developer Cedar Woods says it expects a boost in sales in 2012 after two consecutive rate cuts.

Canberra tops property hot spots

INVESTORS looking for properties should keep the national capital in mind as one of the best spots in the country.

The best place to buy a house in Australia

INVESTORS note - high incomes, scarce land will see property boom in this place. And you'll never guess where it is.

Property: A beginner's guide

PROPERTY prices have been a bit battered in the past year, yet building a real estate portfolio remains a burning ambition for many Australians.

Buyers reject city's flood properties

ALMOST three-quarters of Brisbane homebuyers will not consider purchasing a house that was inundated during last year's floods.

Home loans beat market expectations

THE number of home loans approved in November rose 1.4 per cent to 46,953, official figures show.

Bank on big loan discounts

DISCOUNT interest rates on home loan packages are getting better for borrowers as major lenders battle for new business.

Revamp your bedroom with a new bedhead

WITH a host of renovations shows on television, people are more conscious than ever about buying furniture that is not only practical but makes a statement and grabs attention.

Mortgage rate held, but ANZ staff face job cuts

ANZ mortgage-holders breath a sigh of relief as the bank's staff anxiously await news over hundreds of possible job cuts.

Adelaide house prices set to climb

HOUSE prices in Adelaide are expected to start climbing again in 2012 after shedding 5.4 per cent last year.

States lose out as fortune favours resource rich

AUSTRALIA'S two biggest states suffer a property confidence slump as investors move to more resource-rich areas.

Why January's a great time to buy a home

THE holiday season is the ideal time to buy a new home or get yours ready to market, reports Amy Noonan.

New home sales boosted after rate cut

New home sales received a welcome boost in November after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the interest rate, a survey shows.

What a million dollars will buy in your city

WHAT might seem a good amount to spend in one housing market isn't enough to get your foot in the door in other states.

Beware of land tax grab

THE Real Estate Institute has warned homeowners to keep up to speed on the tax laws after one homeowner was hit with a surprise land tax bill of $14,000.

Approvals up, but housing still weak

AUSTRALIA'S housing sector is still weak, despite a rebound in building approvals, economists say.

The Generation Y guide to buying a home

THEY are often accused of wanting it all now, so how can members of Generation Y save a deposit for their first home?

You can get beachside home for less than $100K

NO, you're not dreaming. There are still places where you can get a beachside home for less than $100,000.

Campers catch million-dollar views

FORGET the $25,000-a-week price tag on beachfront mansions, savvy Aussies are enjoying the views for next to nothing.

An entire city homeless in Queensland

ALMOST 70,000 Queenslanders are languishing on public housing waiting lists while hundreds of homes sit empty.

Foreign rush to purchase Aussie property

OVERSEAS buyers, mainly Chinese, dominate state's residential property market in 2011, spending $334.2 million.

Shopping for a home loan? You should read this

PEOPLE looking for a home loan will find it easier to compare different banks' offers under new regulations.

The right kind of mood: House values on the up

HOMEOWNERS finally have some good news, with a survey showing the first rise in capital city home values this year.

Stamp duty rush for first home

FIRST-home buyers eager to avoid paying up to $17,990 in stamp duty have stormed Sydney's property market before the December 31 deadline.

Rate cuts can't save the housing market

BIGGER interest rate cuts won't be enough to get homebuyers rushing back into the market in 2012 as world debt woes cast a shadow.

Most affordable inner-city suburbs

WANT to buy a cheap inner-city property but don't know where to start? Here are the most affordable suburbs within 10km of major cities.

Mortgage stress hits sun belt

QUEENSLAND is Australia's worst-performing state for mortgage delinquency, with Noosa and Airlie Beach among areas affected.

Housing shortage set to balloon

AUSTRALIA'S housing shortfall is expected to blow out to more than 640,000 in 20 years, prompting industry calls for tax cuts.

Stable rates improve mortgage stress

MORTGAGE stress declined across Australia in the six months to September 30.

Mass of rooms with a pew on market

THEY are the holiest of sites on the market and agents are just praying they can sell them.

Real estate: What your budget will buy

AN unassuming part of Sydney has emerged as the harbour city's  property powerhouse this year.

How this world-beating view became a hard sell

IT'S a luxury building next to the Opera House that looks out over Sydney Harbour. So why are so many residents selling up?

Year of uncertainty looms over property

FLOODS, cyclones and the European debt crisis put a dampener on 2011, and the property sector expects tough going again next year.

Gen Y growing up, now looking to buy a house

MORE young Aussies are living with their parents until they're 30 and spend their cash on trips and gadgets, right? Wrong.

Gen Ys keen on property, survey says

AUSTRALIA'S generation Ys are keen to enter the property market and don't just want to spend their cash, a new survey has found.

Australian house prices 'not sustainable'

GLOBAL ratings agency warns of serious misgivings about Australia's housing market amid Europe fears.

Relief for borrowers in mortgage pain

MORTGAGE arrears are expected to fall as the impact of recent interest rate cuts reach borrowers, Fitch Ratings says.

Loans slim down as buyers shun debt

THE size of the average new home loan has tumbled 2 per cent over the past year - the biggest fall in a decade.

Bottom rung: three-bed house a snap at $54,000

AUCTION clearances have been soft but bargains lurk in the far-flung reaches of the market, like this place.

Home loan approvals continue to rise

ECONOMISTS are not surprised by the release of higher housing finance figures, given the growing trend upwards in recent months.

Clamp down on mortgage stress

MORTGAGE stress has become a common word in Australia and the end result is always the same - emotional pain.

Older Australians stuck in family home

CALL for stamp duty on homes to be dropped to allow older Aussies to downsize and free up properties for families.

Revealed: Australia's cheapest house

WHO says you need a huge deposit and a double income to become a property owner?  

Owners fighting on the beaches

THEY are the dying beach villages of the NSW coast - towns that should be thriving but face slashed property values and stalled development.

Builders downsize quarter-acre

BUILDERS are responding to falling demand and higher land costs by cutting the sizes of houses and lots, according to new research.

Queenslanders are downsizing

MORE Queenslanders are downsizing to medium-density homes, new research shows.

Property deals fall over as home valuations drop

HOME buyers dump deals as bank valuations come in thousands of dollars below purchase prices.

Property: What your budget will buy

IF you are in the market for a property, here's our guide to what your budget - large or small - can buy this weekend. 

The Aussie suburbs where houses just won't sell

HOME owners are waiting up to a year to sell their properties in some of the country's worst-affected areas.

Building approvals fell 10.7 per cent in Sept

AUSTRALIAN residential building approvals fell 10.7 per cent to 10,484 units in October.

'Worst nearly over' for property prices

RELIEF is in sight for Sydney's bruised property market, where the average family home has fallen in value by 1.4pc over the past year.

Capital city home prices fall 4 per cent

AUSTRALIA'S capital city home prices have declined four per cent in the year to October, led by a heavy slump in Brisbane.

New home sales grow 5.5 per cent - HIA

SALES of new homes in Australia posted a modest increase amidst lower interest rates and a competitive skilled trade market, a peak residential body says.

Negative equity a growing problem

HIGH-RISK homebuyers and lenders are facing the prospect of negative equity in their homes after recent property price falls around the country.

Negative equity a growing problem

HIGH-RISK homebuyers and lenders are facing the prospect of negative equity in their homes after recent property price falls around the country.

Super slow sales on real estate's 'Super Saturday'

ALL the hype behind what is billed as the busiest day of the year to snap up property did little to revive sluggish sales.

Sad end to a 'Super' day as home sales plummet

VICTORIA'S only Super Saturday of the year has failed to rally homebuyers as sales drop to the lowest clearance rate in eight years.

Property: What your budget will buy

IF you are in the market for a property, here's our guide to what your budget - large or small - can buy this weekend. 

Mining money should fund housing - Mayor

MINING royalties should be spent on affordable housing in towns where residents are sleeping under bridges, mayor says.

Insurance catastrophe for bushfire area

AN insurance catastrophe has been declared for areas affected by bushfires burning in Western Australia's southwest.

No room as mining boom turns to squeeze

THE mining boom is turning Australia’s rental market on its head with modest homes in semi-arid desert fetching as much as mansions on millionaire’s row.

Auction rates lag as buyers hold back

AUCTION results in capital cities continued their lacklustre run over the weekend as buyers stayed on the sidelines.

Property: What your budget will buy

IF you are shopping for a new property this weekend, here's our guide to what your budget - large or small - can buy.

Fund manager banks on 'growing' market

A SYDNEY-based fund manager is in due diligence to buy a Brisbane office/retail block and development site for about $60 million.

Revealed: Australia's most expensive suburbs

PROPERTY prices may be falling, but cashed-up home buyers are still prepared to pay hefty prices for prime real estate.

Home price caution on consumer jitters

PEOPLE are hesitant to buy property because of falling housing price expectations, a survey has found.

First home buyers are back

AUSTRALIA'S struggling first-home market finally looks set for recovery as buyers regain confidence in the property and financial markets.

Homeowners slash prices to make a sale

PROPERTY sales in one state are so slow vendors are dropping their asking prices by 25 per cent to wrap up a sale.  

Call for asbestos warnings

ASBESTOS warnings should be broadcast by all television networks during home renovation programs, says the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) says.

Property: What your budget will buy

IF you are in the market for a property, here's our guide to what your budget - large or small - can buy this weekend. 

Resist emotion with real estate

NO other investment evokes such unnecessary emotion and misguided perceptions as residential property.

Renovators at risk of overspending

A RUSH to renovate by property owners who don't want to sell into the flat real estate market is threatening to create a new set of financial problems.

Good, bad and ugly property debt

REAL estate debt can be dangerous and debilitating, but for thousands of investors it has also been their ticket to financial freedom.

Housing was in doldrums before rate cut

HOUSING loan approvals edged up in September, but not enough to challenge the view that demand for housing was in the doldrums, ahead of the rate cut earlier this month. 

Mortgages on up, but less being borrowed

DEMAND for mortgages was climbing ahead of the Reserve Bank's move last week to lower interest rates, official figures say.

No point in property negativity

THE following words are not going to be pleasant reading for the 1.7 million Aussie landlords who own negatively-geared investment properties.

Hot property is first since fires

MARYSVILLE chalks up another milestone when the first home to be auctioned since Black Saturday goes under the hammer.

Interest rate cut fails to fix market misery

A MUCH-ANTICIPATED rate cut and blue skies did little to revive sluggish sales in Australia's largest housing markets.

Housing market on the ropes

PLUMMETING demand for new houses in Melbourne will continue as most of Australia emerges from a slump, BIS Shrapnel says.

Rate cut fails to fix market misery

A MUCH-ANTICIPATED rate cut and blue skies did little to revive sluggish sales in Australia's largest housing markets on the weekend.

Savers cling to great Aussie dream

FIRST-home savers are stepping-up their activity with a large jump in the number of people signing up for the Government's First Home Saver Accounts.

Building approvals fall 13.6 per cent

AUSTRALIAN residential building approvals fell 13.6 per cent to 11,889 units in September, seasonally adjusted.

Housing sector 'making a comeback'

THE housing sector is set to make a comeback, getting a further boost from yesterday's interest rate cut, economists say.

New house sales drop in September

NEW home sales have declined in September, with economists saying the softer figures give the RBA another reason to cut rates.

New house sales drop in September

NEW home sales have declined in September, with economists saying the softer figures give the RBA another reason to cut rates.

Property prized target for ATO

PROPERTY may be a favourite investment for 1.75 million Australians but it's also a prized target for the ATO audit team.

What your budget will buy in our capital cities

IF you're in the market for a new property, here's our guide to what your budget - large or small - can buy.

Even the PM struggles to find a rental property

THE PM is experiencing the housing crisis first hand in her search for a home while the Lodge is being renovated.

NSW housing approvals now online

BUILDERS and home renovators can now go online to get their approvals fast-tracked.

Property: What your budget will buy in our capital cities

IF you're in the market for a new property, here's our guide of what your budget - large or small - can buy.   

$600m punt on new Barrier Reef resort

DEVELOPERS to have another crack at developing a massive new resort on Great Keppel Island costing $600 million in first new Barrier Reef project in 20 years.

Property: What your budget will buy

THE weekend's almost here and if you're out shopping for a new property, here's our guide of what your budget - large or small - can buy.   

Price slide: Property glut leaves prices lagging

SELLING binge in capitals drive prices down for fifth consecutive quarter. But which city has the cheapest housing?

HOUSING STRESS: Even the PM struggles to find a rental property

THE PM is experiencing the housing crisis first hand in her search for a home while the Lodge is being renovated.

Your home valued - was it science or art?

HOW do you know if your real estate agent is pumping up the value of your house to sucker you into signing with them?

Old Aussies 'to lose their homes'

OLDER Australians will be stripped of their security if the federal government pushes ahead with an "undisguised grab'' of their homes as part of its aged care reforms, says a pensioners group.

You can (almost) bet on a Melbourne Cup rate cut

GOOD news is the odds of a rate cut are looking certain - but don't place your bets on it just quite yet.

Clearance rates for auctions nosedives

CLEARANCE rates for commercial property auctions have nosedived as sellers and buyers take a wait and see approach.

Bricks and mortar built to grow

IT'S official - your home is the best investment you are likely to make. In the debate over shares vs property, bricks and mortar win out.

Retirement villages in focus

RETIREMENT villages are in the spotlight, with Minister Michael O'Brien inviting submissions on how to simplify contracts.

Commuters paying the price for property dream

A LONG commute to work is a growing trade-off for home ownership with research showing serious health effects.

Real estate: What your budget will buy

IF you're in the market for a new property, here's our guide of what your budget - large or small - can buy in capital cities.   

Sharemarket plunge wipes out super gains

IN another blow to superannuation savers, the average super fund fell a further 1.8 per cent during September.

Housing costs biggest concern for many workers

HOUSING costs are the single biggest concern for workers in insecure employment, a survey has found.

Want a green card? Easy, buy a US house

FOREIGNERS may be given visas for buying US houses to kickstart the economy.

Home where the hurt is as owners sell up to rent

HOME owners ditching white picket fences and opting to rent as families feel financial strain.

Master the property market

TV real estate guru Andrew Winter will explain how to survive and thrive in the market at a series of Property Masterclasses organised by News Limited.

No recovery for home building sector

LAND sales are well below where they were last year, suggesting there will be no recovery in the new home building sector until 2012.

Bank backs state as property powerhouse

VICTORIA is tipped to regain its status as the powerhouse of the nation's commercial property sector within two years.

Real esate: What your budget will buy

THE weekend's almost here and if you're out shopping for a new property, here's our guide of what your budget - large or small - can buy.   

Home where the hurt is as buyers switch to rentals

HOME owners ditching the white picket fence and opting to rent as families pushed to the fringe by financial strain.

No property bubble in Australia ... is there?

THE slowdown in property sales is not a sign that the housing market is about to crash, writes real estate expert Andrew Winter. 

Renovate, relocate or detonate

RENOVATE or relocate? It's an age-old question, but despite the pros and cons of staying or going, the best decision ultimately hinges on that golden rule of real estate: location, location, location.

Scammers raid real estate site

ONLINE property listing website, realestate.com.au has been hit by a phishing scam, with scammers posing as landlords offering rental properties to try to obtain personal details.

Coles threat to houses on The Block

IT'S a tough sell that just got tougher. Houses on The Block failed at auction - now they have an unwelcome new neighbour.

Retail property still popular with investors

SLOW consumer spending has not spread to retail property investors, with demand accelerating and sales edging close to $2 billion.

When home loan honeymoons turn sour

HOME loans with honeymoon periods may look tempting, but amid heavy competition there are other products that could save you thousands of dollars.

Renovate, relocate or detonate

Property: What your budget will buy

THE weekend's almost here and if you're out shopping for a new property, here's our guide of what your budget - large or small - can buy.   

McGraths struggle to sell luxury home

GLENN McGrath is struggling to sell his Sydney family home, which has been languishing on the market.

Units almost as expensive as houses

FORGET saving cash by giving up a yard, units cost almost as much as houses to rent.

ACCC prepares for carbon tax blitz

THE consumer watchdog is gearing up for a carbon tax blitz to protect consumers after the historic clean-energy legislation was passed yesterday.

Rise in housing lending small but welcome

THE rise in lending for housing in August was a small but welcome sign that this key section of the economy has not given up the fight.

Home loans rise in August

THE number of home loans approved in August rose 1.2 per cent to 50,965 from an upwardly revised 50,363 in July, official figures show.

Boom time? House prices to 'jump 20 per cent'

HOUSE prices and rents are set to go through the roof again in at least half of Australia's major cities - but which half?

House prices to jump by 20 per cent

ECONOMISTS are predicting house prices will escalate and rents will go through the roof within two years.

Start young for property profits

PROPERTY investors are best holding for at least two growth cycles to maximise profits in their assets, says a leading investment group who advocates that investors start their journey before age 40.

Capital gains tax relief for flood region

BILL Shorten has flagged plans to waive capital gains tax on investment properties traded in the Lockyer Valley land swap deal.

Tips to create extra storage

THE one thing no one has enough of is storage space. Whether a house, apartment or studio, we all look for somewhere to put those bit and pieces we can't bear to throw out "just in case".

Building survey warns of job losses

BUILDING activity and profits in the sector are expected to fall, possibly leading to job losses, a survey shows.

Odds firm on Cup Day rate cut

THE chance of an interest rate cut on Melbourne Cup Day has jumped after new research fuelled concerns unemployment is rising.

Court tells dad he can't kick son out of home

A CASH-strapped father has lost a bid to evict his son from home despite the fact he has not paid rent for almost six years.

Small banks cash in on mortgage war

REGIONAL banks appear to have been the early winners in the "big four banking war''.

Many homeowners over-committed

TOO many new homeowners are over-committing themselves with enormous mortgages just to get a foot in the property door, says affordable housing group Adelaide Benevolent Society.

Revealed: Our hottest ugly duckling suburbs

IF you're a home buyer whose budget has forced you to buy cheaper, you may be in for some unexpected bonuses.

Job ads signal interest rate cut

JOB advertisements have fallen for the third month in a row, in a sign that employment growth will slow in the coming months.

Revealed:Our hottest ugly duckling suburbs

IF you're a home buyer whose budget has forced you to buy cheaper, you may be in for some unexpected bonuses.

Homeowners' $300 million blow

AUSSIES lost $290 million by selling properties for less than what they paid.

Tips on how to beat rates rumba

HOMEOWNERS are making the difficult choice between taking on a discounted fixed rate or sticking with a variable mortgage.

Mall growth remains steady

LARGE retail malls have withstood sluggish consumer spending by holding property values in comparison with strip shopping.

Waterfronts get greater payoff

The Central Bank has calculated how much more expensive houses are, the closer you are to the city centre or the waterfront.

Waterfronts get greater payoff

The Central Bank has calculated how much more expensive houses are, the closer you are to the city centre or the waterfront.

Outer suburbs offer many happy returns

BRISBANE'S outer suburbs are smashing the fancier inner-city areas in rental returns.

Location the new Aussie dream

OWNING a home on a block in the suburbs has long been touted as the "Great Australian Dream" - but does it represent reality?

Construction activity stays terribly weak

ACTIVITY in the Australian construction sector is still in the doldrums, as a lack of consumer and investor confidence takes its toll, a report shows.

How to pick a property hot spot

PROPERTY prices have slipped and the market is ripe for bargain hunters, but picking real estate hotspots is no less a challenge. So what is the key to getting in early before an area takes off?

Construction activity in the doldrums

AUSTRALIA'S construction sector is still in the doldrums, as a lack of consumer and investor confidence takes its toll.

Real estate agents' dirty tricks

THEY may seem like they chasing the best deal for home buyers and sellers but many real estate agents play property like Monopoly and love to cheat.

Landing clamp-down: Goodbye cheap home loans

THE honeymoon may soon be over for home buyers with banks set  to end their mortgage market discounting soon.

GRUEN TRANSFER: Let Gen Y buy house with super

YOUNG workers should be allowed to use their super as a deposit for a house, says Nicholas Gruen who helped devise Australia’s current super scheme.

Tenant recreates Sistine Chapel on walls

RETIRED British decorator transforms home by covering its interior in renaissance-style murals to emulate the Sistine Chapel.

Surprise lift in home-building approvals

A STRONG increase in building approvals in August has been treated cautiously by economists.

Building approvals rise 11.4 per cent

STRONGER than expected international trade and building approvals figures for August should not change the central bank's interest rate outlook, economists say.

Beware of real estate agents' latest trick

IT has long been known in real estate circles that when it comes to house sales, selling the dream is as important as price and location.

Chasing that ultimate mortgage fix

MORTGAGE customers flood into fixed-rate loans to seek certainty in the face of volatile investment markets and as banks cut rates.

Home buyer tips to cash in on help

GOOD news first home buyers - the Government is still offering a boost for your hip pocket.

Tax forum needs to improve housing costs

FIRST-home buyers are being pushed out of the housing market by wealthy investors taking advantage of tax loopholes, a lobby group says.

Tax forum needs to improve housing costs

FIRST-home buyers are being pushed out of the market by wealthy investors taking advantage of tax loopholes, a lobby group says.

HIA wants housing taxes on the agenda

STAMP duty and other taxes on newly-built housing should be on the agenda at the Federal Government's national tax forum, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) says.

HIA wants housing taxes on the agenda

STAMP duty and other taxes on newly-built housing should be on the agenda at the Federal Government's national tax forum.

More Aussies falling behind on home loans

CRACKS in Australia's real estate market spreading rapidly as economic slowdown takes increasingly heavy toll.

Pressure grows on property market

THE cracks in Australia's real estate market are spreading rapidly as the economic slowdown takes an increasingly heavy toll.

What boom? More Aussies falling behind on their home loans

CRACKS in Australia's real estate market spreading rapidly as economic slowdown takes increasingly heavy toll.

Jitters drive demand for fixed rate loans

ONE of the nation's leading lenders says global financial uncertainty has led to an unprecedented demand for fixed-rate mortgages.

Retailers all vamped up and ready for war

STORE giants turn to architects and spend millions on makeovers in latest battle in war with web competitors.

House prices continue to fall - NAB

HOUSE prices fell for a second consecutive quarter and are expected to continue to decline as housing affordability becomes more of a factor for buyers.

House prices continue to slide

HOUSE prices fell for a second consecutive quarter and are expected to continue to decline as housing affordability becomes more of a factor for buyers.

Tips to keep a tenant sweet

PROPERTY investors are receiving higher rents but, in a rare twist, vacancy rates are rising in most capital cities.

Foreigners wary on property

INTERNATIONAL investors are increasingly wary of Australian property amid global economic uncertainty.

Tips to keep a tenant sweet

PROPERTY investors are receiving higher rents but, in a rare twist, vacancy rates are rising in most capital cities.

Home buyers not worried by foreign investors

FIRST home buyers aren't worried about foreign investor competition in the property market, says mortgage provider RAMS Home Loans.

Home equity debt law changes

NEW laws are set to ban negative equity debts and force greater information disclosure for reverse mortgages.

Great Aussie dream? Keep sleeping on it Gen Y

HOME ownership dream rapidly fading for young Aussies, with just one in 40 expected to own their properties when they retire.

The great Aussie dream ... not for Gen Y

THE great Aussie dream of home ownership is rapidly fading for Generation Y.

Aussies struggling with mortgage stress

A QUARTER of Australian homeowners are experiencing mortgage stress and rental vacancies remain tight.

The Great Aussie Dream ... or nightmare?

THE Great Aussie Dream is becoming a looming nightmare, with home ownership forecast to be out of reach for most over 65 year-olds within 40 years.

Millionaire's tears at home auction fail

THE wife of one of the Gold Coast's richest men reduced to tears after their mansion was passed in at auction almost $2 million below its value.

Call to make housing more affordable

IT takes more than eight times the average annual income to buy an average Sydney home, according to a report by a housing action group.

Call to make housing more affordable

IT takes more than eight times the average annual income to buy an average Sydney home, according to a report.

Cramped houses are the way of the future

THE kids will never leave and Nana will move it too. That's the future for homes as property prices kill the Aussie dream. 

Cold calls, hot coffee: Anything to make you buy

AGENTS battling a slow real estate market are cold-calling people for help spruiking auctions to friends.

Queenslanders built best for floods

THE old "Queenslander" is set to regain its place as the state's preferred architecture.

Blacklist points to wariness on loans

One of Australia's big banks is showing an increasing reluctance to finance investment in residential and commercial developments.

Housing starts crash as buyers stay clear

Australian housing starts fell 7 per cent last financial year as home buyers and builders sat on the sidelines.

Property bubble can take more adversity

BY now Australians are totally accustomed to visiting gurus telling us our houses are about to crash in value.

Dense housing a threat to Aussie birth rates

EXPERT warns nation's largest city being turned into place where you wouldn't want to raise kids - if you can have them.

Dream prices a thing of the past - except in NSW

CBA fires up for home loan war amid warnings of "economic tsunami" for property market.

Tsunami to hit Australian real estate

AUSTRALIA'S love affair with property is about to turn sour as gloom sets in, forecaster warns.

Tsunami' to hit Australian real estate

AUSTRALIA'S love affair with property is about to turn sour as an "economic tsunami'' looks set to hit, forecaster warns.

Gen Y banking on parents to buy their first home

STRUGGLING young buyers know it's hard to enter the housing market. But not when mum and dad pay the deposit.

Gerry Harvey sizes up real estate

Building and leasing mining camp dongas is part of Gerry Harvey's plan.

Island resorts may tempt buyers

PAMOJA Capital is offloading Dunk and Bedarra island resorts on the Great Barrier Reef.

Dream of buying first home 'simply unachievable'

SCRAPPING of stamp duty concessions in Australia's most populous state may condemn young to rent for life.

Mortgage sales soar to 18-month high

MORTGAGE sales soared to $2.7 billion in August, their highest level for 18 months.

Auctions on block as sales cool

MELBOURNE'S love affair with auctions is cooling as buyers swing back to private sales.

Drive-by shooting suburb real estate hot spot

THREE beds, two baths, a car space - who cares about the shootings down the street?

House prices fall further in July

HOME prices in Australia's capital cities have fallen by 2.9 per cent over the past year as consumer caution, financial market volatility and poor business conditions outside the resource sector impacted sales.

House prices fall further in July

HOME prices have fallen 2.9 per cent over the past year due to consumer caution, share volatility and poor business conditions.

Which city has the biggest property fall?

BRISBANE suffers biggest price falls while Sydney bucks the trend, fuelling fears of a multi-speed property market.

No recovery in sight for home building

WORSE than expected home building approval figures show recovery is not in sight for the sector and may be months away.

Tips and traps for first home buyers

GETTING a foot in your own front door is one of the biggest financial hurdles people face, but the dream can become a reality in a few years.

New home sales down 8 per cent - HIA

NEW home sales fell sharply in July for a second consecutive month, reflecting deterioration in new home building conditions, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) says.

Push for stimulus as new home sales slide

NEW home sales continue to plummet, prompting calls for the Government to boost the struggling industry.

New home sales slide to record low

NEW home sales have tumbled to their lowest level in more than a decade as buyers desert the market.

No recovery in sight for home building

THE home building sector could continue to stagnate for the next six months, with worse than expected home building approvals figures showing a recovery is not in sight.

South Australia has the smallest houses

WE are building the biggest homes, but South Australia has the nation's smallest and baby boomers may have something to do with it.

State treasurers urge GST reform

STATE treasurers say the Federal Government's push to dump stamp duties on property sales will be "impossible" without GST reform.

First-home buyers return to market

FIRST-HOME buyers are dipping their toes back in the market thanks to a correction in house prices, Mortgage Choice says.

Shortage lifts capital office rents

Office rents in four Australian capital cities have risen substantially in the second quarter.

How to snare a bargain property

WEAKNESS in the real estate market has reduced property prices, but finding a bargain still requires research and a businesslike approach by investors.

Property prices keep Mirvac wary

PROPERTY developer Mirvac Group has warned Australian house prices will likely remain flat as the economy takes a toll.

Residential property prices flat - Mirvac

RESIDENTIAL property prices are expected to remain flat with little growth in the foreseeable future, one of Australia's biggest property developers, Mirvac, says.

How to snare a bargain property

WEAKNESS in the real estate market has reduced property prices, but finding a bargain still requires research and a businesslike approach by investors.

Block failure - the stark reality for vendors

THEIR homes starred in the year's most popular TV show - but not even 3.43m viewers could save The Block from flatlining market.

Hey honey, I shrunk the McMansion

AUSTRALIA has world's biggest homes but desire to make them bigger over as Gen Ys prefer to spend money on bigger lifestyle.

Landlords looking to invest interstate

PROPERTY investors are expanding their portfolios beyond their home state, new research by Terri Scheer Insurance has found.

Belt tightens as first-home scheme fails

NATION'S largest home lender stops offering federal government's vaunted First Home Saver Account - because no one  wants it.

Don't bet on rates cut, homeowners told

HOMEOWNERS have been warned not to bet their house on the RBA cutting rates, amid predictions of a Xmas property crash.

Threat to strip thousands off homes

A NEW green scheme threatens to wipe tens of thousands of dollars from the market price of some Australian homes.

Scam sells home while owner away - again

POLICE are investigating an alleged sale of a house without the owner's knowledge, the second case of its kind within a year.

Boomers bailing out Gen Y housing dream

BABY boomers are under pressure to use their hard-earned superannuation savings to help pay for their children's houses.

Home loans rise slightly in June

OFFICIAL figures show the owner occupied housing sector is holding up well, and won't affect the outlook for interest rates, economists say.

'We won't make you sell off family homes'

By Malcolm Farr AUSTRALIANS won't have to sell off their home as they get older to afford aged care, under a new plan.

Stay-at-home kids squeezing families

RISING property prices means adult children refuse to leave the family nest, pushing up the size of Australian households.

Limited supply forcing up office rent

RENTS are expected to climb in most of the country's major office markets over the next year as high demand outstrips limited supply.

Mortgage market falls on rate rise fears

MORTGAGE sales fell 3.7 per cent in July, borrowers going into their shells in fear of an interest rate rise and the carbon tax.

Tenants feel the heat as rents skyrocket

TOUGH times lie ahead for tenants as rents escalate across capital cities, fueled by the housing squeeze and rate jitters.

Tenants feel the heat as rents skyrocket

TOUGH times lie ahead for tenants as rents escalate across capital cities, fuelled by the housing squeeze and rate jitters.

Gen Y target investment properties

GEN Yers are putting aside their aspirations to own their dream home and instead are looking to enter the market through an investment property.

Building approvals plummet as rates hit

OFFICIAL data showing falling building figures means any recovery in the Australian housing sector is tentative at best, economists say.

Home lending tumbles to record low

GROWTH in home lending has tumbled to its lowest level in 34 years in a harbinger of further pain for the property market.

Green rating slug for Aussie homeowners

HOMEOWNERS to be hit with an $800 bill to give their houses a compulsory "green rating" before they are sold or leased.

Gen Y target investment properties

GEN Y is putting aside aspirations to own their own dream home, instead looking to enter the market through an investment property.

New home sales slump in June

NEW home sales fell in June, suffering their largest monthly decline in five years, a private survey of major residential builders shows.

Home values fall for sixth month in a row

HOME values continued to drop in June, as consumers worry about rising interest rates and the state of the global economy.

Decade of unaffordable house prices

IT will take at least a decade for housing to become affordable again, and Sydney is still Australia's least affordable city.

Alesco to counter housing slump

ALESCO is confident of countering a forecast slump in housing construction this financial year after returning to profit in "tough" trading conditions.

Got a spare $800k? Buy some Wild West

FORGET about owning a house, or even a block. In the US, you can buy the town, run the jail and only let your friends in the saloon.

Auction clearance rates hit ten-month high

SYDNEY realtors defied the gloomy winter weather, with auction clearance rates hitting a 10-month high on the weekend.

Cut years off your home loan

WOULD you like to shave 10 years off your mortgage? How much interest could this save you?

Aussie dream fading as home buyers flee

THE number of South Australians people buying their first home has dropped almost 50 per cent in the past two years.

Record 15-month decline in house prices

HOUSE prices in Perth continue to spiral downward, recording the longest run of consecutive monthly falls the market has ever seen.

Repossession writs double in six months

COST of living takes its toll as record numbers of Australians begin to default on their mortgages and face eviction from their homes.

Property runs hot amid winter chill

SYDNEY realtors defied the gloomy winter weather, with auction clearance rates hitting a 10-month high on the weekend.

Real estate group calls in administrators

QUEENSLAND-based real estate group has called in administrators after falling victim to the property market slump.

City office rents on the way up

SYDNEY'S office rents are expected to grow by at least 10 per cent next year, according to new research from CB Richard Ellis.

Flat rents a fresh headwind for investors

PROPERTY investors are facing fresh headwinds with rental income growth stuck below the pace of inflation.

Flat rents a fresh headwind for investors

PROPERTY investors are facing fresh headwinds with rental income growth stuck below the pace of inflation.

First-home buyers flee property market

THE Australian property industry is shedding first-home buyers at breakneck speed, with 60,000 fewer buyers within the past year.

Sydney pricey? It's tough anywhere

ADELAIDE land values jump 200 per cent overtaking Sydney for first time, but buyers take heart - it's still less expensive than Perth.

Sydney pricey? It's tough buying anywhere

ADELAIDE land values jump 200 per cent overtaking Sydney for first time, but buyers take heart - it's still less expensive than Perth.

Household costs keep cap on rent rises

Apartment rents inched up over the June quarter across Australia while rents for houses fell, data shows.

Super funds should be looking overseas

AUSTRALIA'S superannuation funds will be forced to look offshore for property investments.

Commercial loan commitments up

COMMERCIAL finance commitments by lenders rose 8.7 per cent, seasonally adjusted, to $32.126 billion in May.

Materials hike will add to home price

THE average cost of building a home is set to rise by $5000 as the carbon tax pushes the price of construction materials higher.

Decade of property pain, economists warn

BLEAK predictions for one city's housing market with economists expecting it to remain in the doldrums for ten years.

'House prices safe unless economy tanks'

HOUSE prices are falling modestly, but will not fall sharply unless the world economy tanks, an expert claims.

Caution keeps loan ratios down

AUSSIES are borrowing less as house prices slide, further entrenching the culture of debt reduction, according to new data.

Ads help NAB claw back mortgages

NATIONAL Australia Bank chief Cameron Clyne's fight for a larger share of Australia's mortgage market continues to bear fruit.

Builders worried as stimulus fades

BUILDERS are worried there will not be enough private sector work available when the Federal Government stimulus programs end.

ABS data won't change rate outlook

INTEREST rates look likely to stay unchanged despite the release of weak retail trade and building approvals from the ABS.

Homes are too small for backyard footy

NEW home buyers are being offered house blocks a quarter the size their parents bought - and paying much more for them.

'Interest rates on hold until August'

THE Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to hold interest rates steady when it meets tomorrow but a hike is tipped next month.

Australian mortgage arrears rising

WITH Australian mortgage arrears at record highs and bank credit growing, Australia's banks are in danger of losing their halo.

Property growth migrates to mining areas

QUEENSLAND'S mining boom is increasingly driving its property business, with population growth slowing in many areas.

Loan pain as mortgage entry fees explode

NEW home loan customers are being hit by massive increases in upfront mortgage fees because of the ban on exit fees.

Prices drop: Sold on saving not spending

HOUSE prices have fallen almost 3pc so far in 2011, even more in Brisbane and Perth - but Sydney has missed out on savings.

Mortgage price war fails to win borrowers

MAJOR banks' price war to secure new mortgage customers hasn't resulted in a rush of borrowers, says a mortgage broker.

Gen-Y 'avoid rent' to save for home loan

A SURVEY of mortgage-holders under the age of 30 found 71 per cent of respondents claimed never to have rented a property.

'Interest rates heading for 10 per cent'

THINK tank predicts homeowners will be hit by a raft of rises as Reserve Bank looks to prevent runaway inflation.

Exit-fees ban bad for borrowers

FROM next week, mortgage exit fees will be banned. It's now too late to be careful what you wish for.

Small lenders renew warning on ban

SMALL lenders renewed their warning that the ban on mortgage exit fees would hurt competition in the home loan sector.

Boom a bust for mining hotspots

PARTS of Queensland are in danger of becoming a sea of 40,000 "dongas" housing the workforce of big mining companies.

Refinancing for renovations surges

REFINANCING to renovate is back in vogue as the sluggish property market means people are opting to do up their home rather than turn it over.

What home loan lenders want to know

LENDERS looking for more than a deposit and secure job, they're now searching for skeletons lurking in a borrower's financial closet.

Aussies doing their block for city lifestyle

AUSSIES want more townhouses and apartments in desirable areas rather than a house on a quarter-acre block, a report reveals.

Insurance premiums soar 300 per cent

INSURANCE premiums for homes in flood zones have jumped more than 300 per cent, with companies warning of more hikes to come.

Property market hinges on employment

AUSTRALIAN banks are experiencing a sharp lift in mortgage arrears, but the spike is not likely to damage the national property market.

Struggle street outstrips ritzy postcodes

By Sonja Koremans HOUSE prices in Australia's battler suburbs are performing better than those in the country's wealthiest enclaves.

Brace for more insurance premium pain

INSURANCE companies warn of "substantial premium rate increases" due to the worst spate of natural disasters in decades.

Australians can't afford to pay mortgage

QUEENSLAND makes history as Australia's worst state for mortgage defaults, with two per cent of holders in arrears.

Struggle street real estate outstrips ritzy postcodes

By Sonja Koremans HOUSE prices in Australia's battler suburbs are performing better than those in the country's wealthiest enclaves.

State leads field in mortgage defaults

QUEENSLAND has made history as Australia's worst state for home loan defaults, with 2 per cent of mortgage holders in arrears.

Natural disasters to hit premiums

AUSTRALIA'S biggest insurance companies are lifting premiums as they react to a succession of natural disasters.

Mortgage stress grips nation

QUEENSLAND makes history as Australia's worst state for mortgage defaults, with two per cent of holders in arrears.

Profit on the chopping Block

The production company behind The Block may struggle to cover the $3.6 million price tag for the terraces being renovated in this year's show as the property market cools.

Aussie homeowners bear heaviest debt

AUSTRALIAN homeowners might be among the world's most indebted, but they're happy to bear the mortgage burden.

Do your homework on contract builders

CONSUMERS have been warned to ensure they do thorough checks on builders before contracting their services after some unlicensed operators were convicted of criminal offences.

Home loans soar as flood areas recover

AUSTRALIA'S stagnating property market is showing signs of improving, with an unexpected rise in home loan approvals.

Stockland in talks to sell $200m assets

PROPERTY developer Stockland says it is in advanced negotiations to sell about 20 per cent of its industrial portfolio for $200 million.

Construction industry shrinks again

AUSTRALIA'S construction industry has shrunk for the 12th consecutive month and looks highly vulnerable to interest rate rises.

Lenders stall construction progress

DEVELOPERS' frustration is growing over what they say is an unwillingness by lenders to finance construction to match the increasing demand for new properties.

Gen Y sacrifice for great Aussie dream

YOUNGER Aussies are the most prepared to give up on life's luxuries to buy their own home than the older generation, survey shows.

Tasmania casts sale spell on J.K Rowling

ISLAND state weaves magic on Harry Potter creator who reportedly shelled out $10 million on her family's new holiday home.

Lodging a claim to Aussie dream

VICTORIA could become the lodger state with more first-home buyers planning to rent out a room in their home to help cover mortgage repayments.

Green credentials improve property value

HOUSES with solar power, natural gas and rainwater tanks rising in value as property buyers look for long term financial savings.

Mortgage defaults rises on coastal strip

THE rise in the number of home owners falling behind in mortgage repayments is concerning, a major Australian bank executive says.

First-home stimulus inflated prices

ANZ Bank's Australian chief executive Phil Chronican says the Government's first-home buyer stimulus did nothing but drive up housing prices.

Foreign investors flock to real estate

OFFSHORE investors bought $3.1 billion worth of Australian commercial real estate last year.

Renovation plans put on hold

AUSTRALIANS appear to be shelving plans to build or renovate their homes, with data showing a fall in home-building approvals.

'Housing wobbly, but not collapsing'

AUSTRALIA'S housing market is unlikely to suffer a "structural collapse" on the scale of America's property rout, a new report says.

One in four to retire without owning home

DECLINING home ownership rates mean that a quarter of   Australians will not own their own home by the time they retire.

House prices fall more than 1pc in April

HOUSE prices in the capital cities fell this quarter, dragged by losses in the luxury property market, a survey says.

Australia's new home sales fall flat

AUSTRALIAN new home sales are flat and show signs of falling to levels seen during the global financial crisis, a survey shows.

Mortgage defaults surge to new high

HOME loan defaults have hit a record high as more households crumble under financial stress and can't make their mortgage repayments.

Why Miller's mad to the max

HOLLYWOOD director and property developer and embroiled in row over timber deck and two palm trees at prized waterfront.

Home loan defaults soar as debt bites

HOME loan defaults continue to soar as more households crumble under financial stress and fail to make repayments.

Rate pain looms for first home owners

FIRST home owners who bought property with the help of Government grants are vulnerable to rising rates, the RBA warns.

Construction giant tips flat times ahead

LEND Lease predicts more softening in the housing market as anticipated rate rises keep potential buyers on the sidelines.

Building gloom 'a silver lining'

QUEENSLAND has recorded the worst level of residential construction activity in the country, according to new figures.

Suncorp to reap $65m from sale

THE flagship Suncorp building in Brisbane has been sold to a private investor for about $65 million, according to sources.

Heat's on as lending hits 10-year low

COMPETITION is set to heat up in the  home lending market as monthly housing finance commitments slide to a 10-year low.

Sharing can help you get a house, mate

LIVING with the folks isn't the only way to afford your own place. There's a trend towards buying, then getting a flattie in to help pay.

Carbon costs will sting housing industry

A CARBON tax will push up prices of building supplies and aggravate Australia's housing affordability crisis, experts warn.

Carbon costs will sting housing industry

A CARBON tax will push up prices of building supplies and aggravate Australia's housing affordability crisis, experts warn.

Mortgage holders abandon their lenders

MORTGAGE refinancing activity has jumped as borrowers abandon their lenders in search of better home loan deals.

Mortgage holders abandon their lenders

MORTGAGE refinancing activity has jumped as borrowers abandon their lenders in search of better home loan deals.

Property auction rates 'misleading'

THE real estate industry needs urgent reforms and independent audits to prevent the continued publication of misleading data.

Cyclone Yasi hits property prices

CYCLONE Yasi has hit again but this time in the form of house prices in North Queensland.

High-income households under stress

MORTGAGE pain is not just for Aussie battlers, with a growing number of high-income households suffering financial stress.

Rental returns sluggish for capital cities

IT'S a tale of many cities when it comes to the fortunes of property investors, with only limited rent increases and capital gains during the past year.

Bargains as auction rate hammered

AUCTION clearance rates in two cities hit lows not seen since the global financial crisis, with vendors shaving prices to get sales.

Higher living costs deter home buyers

COST-of-living increases are the main reason for a drop in the number of new home loans.

Home loans fall to 10-year low - ABS

NUMBER of home loans approved in March fell to a 10-year low, dragged down by the Queensland floods and by the rate hike.

How to deal with mortgage stress

AS mortgage stress spreads with rising rates and property prices, David and Libby Koch explain how you can stop the bank foreclosing.

'Rare opportunity' if size doesn't matter

IT'S the size of a squash court, but this city block will set you back about a quarter of a million.

Builders busy on units as homes lag

BUILDING approvals increased in March with a 9 per cent rise despite a negative result over the previous year.

Home pressure as defaults rise

MORTGAGE customers are defaulting on their loans at a faster pace than at the height of the global financial crisis.

Women go it alone in property market

WOMEN are increasingly deciding a man is not a financial plan, with a survey revealing more women are buying on their own.

High rents leave Aussie families homeless

SHORTAGE of rental homes and an influx of rural poor into capital cities are pushing families into homelessness, study finds.

Bring on house price fall, says ANZ

ANZ chief Mike Smith has welcomed the malaise infecting Australia's property market, saying the fall in prices is "not a bad thing".

Home sales rise for third straight month

NEW home sales up for third month, reflecting the steady interest rate, but an economist says we're far from reaching "healthy levels."

House prices dive in massive market fall

AUSTRALIAN capital city house prices fell more than expected, with Brisbane and Melbourne recording the biggest falls.

Home prices see biggest slump in 12 years

CAPITAL CITY home prices see biggest quarterly fall in 12 years as more stock in the housing market allows buyers to wait for bargains, a survey says.

Property values dive in flood zones

LAND valuations of flood-affected properties plummet, exposing victims to mortgages greater than the worth of their homes.

Dream run over for home lenders

THE home loan market is poised to end its 20-year run of double-digit growth as consumers shun mortgages, a report says.

Brisbane prices under water after deluge

THE devastating floods on top of years of  economic decline have made Brisbane houses the cheapest of the mainland capitals.

Green light to relax loan rules

THE corporate regulator has ended confusion for banks, ordering them to resume lending to middle-aged and older Australians.

Rental market tight in wake of disaster

A LACK of new housing coming on to the market in the wake of the Brisbane floods is heightening competition for properties.

New home loan volumes plunge

RESIDENTIAL property prices will continue to fall in the next six months as mortgage brokers report a 20 per cent drop in loans.

New home loan volums plunge

RESIDENTIAL property prices will continue cooling in the next six months as mortgage brokers report a 20 per cent drop in loans.

Land sales slide to lowest in decade

RESIDENTIAL land sales reach their lowest level in a decade, after almost halving from a year earlier, a housing report shows.

Penthouse, rural shack cost the same

HOW much would you pay to rent a modest weatherboard cottage in a central Queensland town? How about $1800 a week?  

Miners pay $90K a year just to rent

LANDLORDS are lining up with their hands out asking for rents as high as $90,000 a year for a modest mining town home.

Aussies sought to buy US real estate

AUSTRALIAN mum-and-dad investors are being asked to pump millions of dollars into the high-risk US property market.

Auction clearance rates remain flat

DESPITE strong listings, relatively low clearance rates continued to weigh on the Melbourne and Sydney property markets at the weekend.

Aussies lured to buy US real estate

AUSTRALIAN mum-and-dad investors are being asked to pump millions of dollars into the high-risk US property market.

House auctions stuck in holding pattern

DESPITE strong listings, relatively low clearance rates continued to weigh on the Melbourne and Sydney property markets at the weekend.

Melbourne's property bubble finally bursts

AFTER a "red hot" 2010, property prices in Melbourne are dropping at a rate of $400 a week - the biggest falls in two years.

Thousands freed from high fixed loans

MORE than 100,000 homeowners will be sighing with relief that three-year fixed-rate mortgages have run its course.

Resources boom drives luxury market

THE resources sector is driving Brisbane's luxury housing market.

Bank customers switch to brokers

A GROWING number of Australian bank customers are using a mortgage broker to secure a new home loan with lenders.

Renters stuck on struggle street in 2011

A CRITICAL shortage of vacant properties has led to sharply rising rents with no relief in sight for tenants this year.

Australians under severe mortgage stress

THE number of homes repossessed in Australia could rise sharply if interest rates rise this year, an industry report reveals.

High charges hit retail projects

CONSTRUCTION across commercial and retail developments will continue to lag because a new cap on charges is still too high.

Couples rate real estate ahead of kids

ABOUT one in three Australians are considering delaying plans to start or grow a family as the cost of entering the property market rises.

Plea for low-cost housing

THE IMF is urging governments to consider initiatives to promote affordable housing or provide good-quality rental accommodation as an alternative.

Monaco sets pace for pricey pads

MONACO was the world's most expensive luxury residential market last year for the third straight year.

Renters squeezed by property shortage

RENTERS continue to be squeezed as the deteriorating outlook for home affordability pushes up demand for rental properties.

Sydney: romantic and cheap

MONACO is the most expensive city in the world for real estate, but Sydney rates well in other areas.

Top Australian earners head for the sea

BEACHSIDE playgrounds and harbourside suburbs are again home to the top earners in the country.

Car lifts save space and even money

THE home accessory du jour is not a kitchen appliance or entertainment system. It's a lift for your car.

Home loans in biggest decline in 14 years

HOME loans fell at a greater rate than expected in February, with one state seeing its biggest monthly drop in 14 years.

Cowboy landlords squeezing tenants

COURT puts a stop to landlord who made $1500 a week in rent by cramming up to 12 people in three-bedroom apartment.

Cowboy landlords squeezing tenants

FROM the outside it looks like every other spacious apartment in a prestigious building. But behind the front door, this unit has been changed into a landlord's dream.

Mortgage holders showing stress

MORE evidence has emerged that Australians are battling financial stress.

Is this the world's smallest apartment?

WOMAN saves on rent by living in an apartment so small that she has to sit sideways to use her toilet and she can't sit up in bed.

Renovation rescue in housing gloom

RENOVATIONS are rescuing Australia's ailing housing industry, figures released yesterday show.

Home prices to slump as buyers flee

THE bull run in house prices is running out of steam as investors realise that credit costs are dwarfing yields, an expert warns.

Building approvals dive again

THE impact of rate rises is still hitting the Australian construction industry with building approvals slipping 7.4 per cent. 

Foreign investors snap up office buildings

ASIAN private equity groups and sovereign wealth funds will dominate big-ticket office sales in Australia this year.

First home buyers 'strike' growing

A CAMPAIGN urging first home buyers to take part in a "buyer's strike'' to drive down property prices is gaining momentum.

Home buyers may 'strike' to reduce prices

A CAMPAIGN urging first home buyers to take part in a "buyers' strike'' in to drive down property prices is gaining momentum.

Westfield starts $320m mall revamp

WESTFIELD is spending $320 million on one of the highest grossing shopping centres in Australia.

Australian property prices 'a disgrace'

AUSTRALIAN house prices are a "national disgrace'' according to futurist, economist and population analyst Brian Haratsis.

How to slash out-of-control house prices

PLAN to freeze city populations would drive down property prices by up to 18 per cent, finds study, but it would also hit wages.

New home sales slow in February

NEW home sales across Australia remained little changed in February and may suggest a weak year to come, a survey shows.

Banks' price war just a publicity stunt

NEARLY half of existing or potential borrowers think a "price war'' between the banks won't promote lasting competition.

Home insurance premiums skyrocket

INSURANCE premiums for some homes have jumped more than 20 per cent since the latest flooding.

Shock rise in mortgage default cases

IF YOU have missed three monthly mortgage payments, expect a default notice in the mail any day now.

Big banks' price war just PR stunt

NEARLY half of existing or potential borrowers believe the "price war'' between the major banks only served to boost their profiles.

Rove's laughing big time now

ROVE McManus sold his Melbourne mansion for $3.4 million yesterday in a private auction that included a handful of pre-approved bidders.

Terri's Irwin's secret property sell-off

STEVE Irwin's widow Terri has been quietly selling off many of the star couple's properties at a loss as Australia Zoo hits hard times.

Home insurance prices jump 20 per cent

INSURANCE premiums for some Australian homes have jumped more than 20 per cent since since the latest flooding.

Bargain price for luxury tropical island

A TROPICAL resort island that has hosted stars such as Elton John and Vivien Leigh has been snapped up for less than $10 million.

'Basket case' region facing a correction

THE fallout from Queensland's housing boom is expected to last all year, with an analyst describing the area as a "basket case''.

Mortgage exit fees officially banned

By Malcolm Farr MORTGAGE exit fees - sometimes as high as $7000 - will be banned from July under new regulation.

Buy property through your super

MORE people are investing in property through their self-managed super funds after being scarred by heavy share market losses.

How to buy property in your super

MORE people are investing in property through their self-managed super funds after being scarred by heavy share market losses.

Aussie street among world's priciest

SYDNEY street one of the world’s most expensive addresses, in a list that includes Kensington Place Gardens and New York’s Fifth Avenue.

Property not ready for staff pay rises

MODEST pay rises have returned to the property industry, which is gradually re-covering from the global financial crisis.

Industry not ready for staff pay rises

MODEST pay rises have returned to the property industry, which is gradually re-covering from the global financial crisis.

Property prices uncomfortably high

AUSTRALIA has "uncomfortably high" house prices that are vulnerable to an adverse shift in world economic circumstances.

Hopes high held for Japanese property

AUSTRALIAN listed companies, which own $4.2 billion worth of property in Japan, are hopeful of receiving good news on their portfolios.

More suburbs join $1 million club

AUSTRALIA'S million-dollar suburb club has soared to the highest point in years, with 212 enclaves in the prestigious crop.

World's 9th expensive street is in Sydney

SYDNEY street one of the world’s most expensive addresses, in a list that includes Kensington Place Gardens and New York’s Fifth Avenue.

Property prices have hit record highs

MORE properties sold for record prices in city's west than in any other region over the past year, defying the sales collapse in other areas.

Property prices hit new record highs

MORE properties sold for record prices in city's west than in any other region over the past year, defying the sales collapse in other areas.

Soaring home prices may spark crisis

BOOMING house prices could set off a mortgage crisis in Australia similar to the sub-prime disaster that gripped the US.

House prices 'too high for cops, teachers'

TEACHERS and police face being priced out of most Australian capital cities due to rising house prices, research shows.

Flooding drags home loans down

HOME loan approvals fall in wake of flooding but numbers expected to pick up during rebuilding.

Aussie homes 'most overvalued in world'

AUSTRALIANS love to watch their home values rise but a leading magazine says our house prices may have gone too far.

Floods batter Aussie economy, property

ECONOMISTS say the recent floods are to blame for a slump in Australia's trade and housing building approvals.

Floods batter Aussie economy

ECONOMISTS say the recent floods are to blame for a slump in Australia's trade and housing building approvals.

'Worst ever' property dive after disasters

HOMEBUYERS are fleeing the Australian property market in the wake of recent natural disasters with capital cities hardest hit.

First carbon-neutral apartments coming

AUSTRALIA'S first carbon-neutral apartments will be on the market this year, with the Melbourne dwellings expected to fetch about $1 million.

First carbon-neutral apartments coming

AUSTRALIA'S first carbon-neutral apartments will be on the market this year, with the Melbourne dwellings expected to fetch about $1 million.

FED:Many Gen-Y workers saving for a home

MORE than a third of young, potential home buyers are saving 20 per cent of their pay packet to get on the property ladder, a new survey has found.

Many Gen-Y workers saving for a home

MORE than a third of young, potential home buyers are saving 20 per cent of their pay packet to get on the property ladder, says a survey.

Earthquake to drive up insurance costs

PREMIUM and reinsurance costs are likely to rise in the fallout from the Christchurch earthquake.

Cost will force residents out for good

BUILDING quake-proof homes in Christchurch will be too expensive for many people.

Find the best mortgages

MORTGAGE holders are being told they are the big winners in the price war between the Big Four banks but are they?

Homebuyers unsure what rate they pay

BIG banks' pitch to woo mortgage customers may be a waste of their time with many homebuyers unaware of what rate they pay.

Mortgages: Who offers the best deals?

MORTGAGE holders are being told they are the big winners in the price war between the Big Four banks but are they?

Avoid borderline decisions with property

RESEARCH matters if investing afar, writes Anthony Keane.

Rudd invests in a family escape

KEVIN Rudd and his wife, Therese Rein, have spent $3.2 million on a luxurious holiday home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Loans surprise could trigger rates shock

LATEST figures show surprise rise in loans after the last interest rate hike, prompting prediction of another rate rise by May.

Jump in home loans despite rate rise

EXPECT another interest rate rise before May after latest figures show a surprise rise in loans after the last rate hike.

Banks refuse to budge on loan exit fees

AUSTRALIA'S home-loan war has intensified with two of the big four banks have defiantly refused to scrap mortgage exit fees.

NAB's exit fee plan triggers mortgage war

BANK'S aggressive move to poach customers from rivals set to spark raft of cheap home loan deals as big four battle for business.

NAB's exit fee plan triggers fresh lender mortgage war

BANK'S aggressive move to poach customers from rivals set to spark raft of cheap home loan deals as big four battle for business.

Bad news renters, more rises on the way

RENTS are set to rise a solid 7 per cent this year, boosting returns for property investors.

Commonwealth to claw back loan share

THE Commonwealth Bank plans to kickstart its residential lending and claw back market share.

Commonwealth to claw back loan market

THE Commonwealth Bank plans to kickstart its residential lending and claw back market share.

Landlords prey on cyclone victims

LANDLORDS are believed to be attempting to profit from the misery of Queensland cyclone victims by bumping up rents.

Retail rent revival as economy lifts

AUSTRALIAN retail property is to expected to perform better over the next three years as rents increase and the economy improves.

Rents lagging behind interest rates

LANDLORDS are in line for more cash flow pain this year as improving rental incomes fail to keep up with rising interest rates.

$800,000 for termite 'dump' with no floor

THE Sydney property market shows no sign of weakening with an unliveable home selling for $150,000 above reserve.

Years to sell glitter strip apartments

SALES of Gold Coast high-rise apartments are so slow that it could take five years to absorb even existing stock.

Mortgage growth slowest in seven years

NEW mortgage growth has dived, with homebuyers spooked by interest rate rises the Queensland flood crisis.

Building approvals up in December

BUILDING approvals rose 8.7 per cent to 14,457 units in December, official figures released today show.

Floods, rates hit homebuyer confidence

NEW mortgage growth in January was the slowest for seven years, with homebuyers scared by interest rate rises the Queensland flood crisis.

Shrink your home loan

HOME loans are a necessary evil, like governments and dentist check-ups.

Interest rate hikes dampen home sales

FLOOD relief policy dampened recovery of new home sales after another drop in December.

House prices better than expected

HOUSE prices rose marginally in the December quarter but showed continued weakness in Brisbane and Perth, economists say.

Property prices higher, but only just

AUSTRALIAN home prices increased in the final three months of 2010 but remain below their peak levels, a survey shows.

Another man's Castle for sale

GOING to Bonnie Doon? You might fancy snapping up a piece of the holiday spot's most famous real estate while you're there.

No sparkle ahead for flat pub market

NINETY per cent of pubs currently on the market are facing some sort of financial pressure.

No sparkle ahead for flat pub market

NINETY per cent of pubs currently on the market are facing some sort of financial pressure.

Chasing the best rate can save marriage

REFINANCING your home loan can lead to greater happiness and a better quality of life, a recent survey shows.

Approvals tipped to dive 30 per cent

BUILDING approvals are forecast to dive in flood-hit Queensland, despite a $1.5bn repair project.

Mortgages to increase $200 by year's end

RISING incomes are adding to inflation and will push rates up another full percentage point this year, says economic forecaster.

Mortgages set to increase by $200 a month

HOME owners brace for more mortgage pain after experts warn fast rising income and low inflation spells bad news for rate rises.

House prices tipped to fall in 2011

TIGHT credit conditions and rate rises are tipped to push Aussie house prices down in 2011.

Great Australian Dream reality in 2011

AS property prices ease across the country, 2011 looms as the year where the Great Australian Dream once again becomes reality.

Great Australian Dream reality in 2011

AS property prices ease across the country, 2011 looms as the year where the Great Australian Dream once again becomes reality.

Bargains for battlers with dream run tipped to end

AS property prices ease across the country, 2011 looms as the year where the Great Australian Dream once again becomes a reality.

Hottest spots to buy real estate in 2011

NEWS.COM.AU'S guide to Australia's 2011 property hotspots.

Insurers push for national flood map

FLOOD mapping would encourage more insurers to offer better coverage, ICA says.

Developers bullish on flood rebound

FLOODS have devastated Queensland but some developers are bullish on its property market.

Flood damage puts $5bn of loans at risk

NEARLY $5 billion worth of mortgages and commercial loans are at risk of default due to the Queensland floods crisis.

CoreLogic in bid for RP Data

US data provider CoreLogic aims to dramatically expand its international footprint.

Mortgage brokers shine in slowdown

MORTGAGE brokers performed better than average during the slowdown in residential lending during 2010.

Construction industry sees 'signs of life'

SLOWDOWN in the construction industry eases in December, with engineering construction growing for first time in six months.

Up for sale: island homes going cheap

AUSTRALIA is experiencing an island fire sale with more than a dozen retreats on the market.

Fixed-rate mortgages soar in popularity

FIXED-RATE mortgages have gained favour amid volatile financial markets and interest rate fears.

Packer digs in at new $43m compound

WITH three properties already purchased and two houses now demolished, billionaire James Packer is on his way to building a massive compound in Sydney's east.

Building slump fuels rates reprieve

A SLUMP in home-building approvals has strengthened the case for the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates next month.

Building approvals fall after rebound

BUILDING approvals fell in November as the Melbourne Cup interest rate hike weighed on building activity, economists say.  

Rate hikes dampen new home sales

NEW homes sold across Australia fell by 0.2 per cent in November, following a series of rate rises.

Rental history to help get a home loan

IMAGINE being able to use your rental history as evidence of genuine savings when trying to get a home loan.

First-homebuyers abandon hope in 2010

AUSTRALIAN first-homebuyers abandoned hope of buying a place of their own this year, data reveals.

Melbourne leads way on house prices

MELBOURNE house prices bucked the national trend to rise an average of $2100 in November.

House prices tipped to slip in year ahead

THE RBA's rate hike sparks national fall in house prices with further declines likely in 2011.

Aussie home prices 'best in the world'

AUSTRALIA led the world in house price increases this year but a slowdown is on the way.

Brakes put on 2011 property prices

PROPERTY investors should expect subdued price growth in 2011, but talk of a housing bubble bursting is overrated, experts say.

There's limited value in new homes

NEW house and land packages are not the best investments, according to a new analysis.

Overvalued property prices here to stay

STRONG population growth and rising income will continue to over inflate Australian house prices.

House prices to pick up in late 2011

INVESTORS and first home buyers are expected to drive up house prices by around five per cent next year, property analysts say.

Island resorts to get $1bn facelift

AUSTRALIA'S tropical island resorts are at the centre of a $1 billion-plus spending spree.

Island resorts to get $1bn facelift

AUSTRALIA'S tropical island resorts are at the centre of a $1 billion-plus spending spree.

Overvalued property prices to stay

STRONG population growth and rising income will continue to over inflate Australian house prices.

Pricey homes look set to stay

AUSTRALIANS maybe wealthier, but they also appear to be paying over the odds for their homes.

Overseas ready to snap up our real estate

COMPETITION from offshore investors could drive up the price of core Australian real estate.

Home buyers snub big banks

HOME buyers deliver a slap to the banks, driving a surge in finance figures for non-bank lenders.

Home buyers seek comfort of fixed loans

HOME lending is inching upwards and a growing number of people are seeking fixed rate loans.

Demand rises for fixed home loans

THE demand for fixed rate mortgages hit almost 11 per cent of home loans in November, at its highest in 29 months, says one broker.

Bad news banks, new tool for borrowers

ONLINE calculator is intended to divert billions into smaller lenders and save borrowers thousands.

How to burst the real estate bubble

AUSTRALIA could escape property bubbles if banks had to tether housing credit to rental values.

Burnt by $4.5m on coastal sale

A LOSS of $4.5 million in only two years on a Gold Coast mansion tells the a grim story of the diving property market on the coast. 

Building approvals soar but risk remains

AUSTRALIAN home-building approvals rose in October for the first time in seven months.

Fears rates rise will spark house sale rush

HOUSING affordability set to worsen with one in five looking to sell if rates climb any higher.

Rates pressure forces house sales

ALMOST one in 10 home buyers believe the latest round of  rates rises could force them to sell up.

Building approvals rocket but risk remains

AUSTRALIAN home-building approvals rose in October for the first time in seven months.

Little cheer in nation's new home sales

NEW homes sales have improved slightly but not enough to lift the  cloud hovering over the industry.

Beware of hidden property costs

PROPERTY is probably our most loved investment sector but there are money traps for the unwary.

Little cheer in Australia's new home sales

NEW homes sales have improved slightly but not enough to lift the  cloud hovering over the industry.

Keep an eye on hidden property costs

PROPERTY is probably our most loved investment sector but there are money traps for the unwary.

Australia's most expensive postcode

A 2KM stretch of riverfront has become the most prestigious real estate precinct in Australia.

Agents throw weight behind bank reforms

REAL estate agents have thrown their weight behind bank reform, calling for credit unions and building societies to be considered the "fifth pillar" in the banking system.

Australia's least affordable city revealed

ASPIRING first home-owners in Melbourne probably already knew their position was bleak, but a new report has just confirmed it.

Melbourne worst for housing affordability

BUYING a house in Melbourne is now even more difficult than buying a property in Sydney.

Mortgage crisis surges towards GFC peak

THE proportion of "low-doc" mortgage customers behind on payments is surging towards its peak at the height of the GFC.

Homeowners switch to online auctions

A COUPLE have overseen the auction of their unit  to a purchaser for $80,000 above its reserve.

Mortgage rules set for major overhaul

THE reverse mortgage industry is set for a shake-up with new laws and tougher disclosure rules.

Rising rates adding to homes stockpile

REAL estate agents have a stockpile of unsold properties as potential buyers lose confidence.

Rising rates add to homes stockpile

REAL estate agents have a huge stockpile of unsold properties as potential buyers lose confidence.

Mortgage rules set for overhaul

THE reverse mortgage industry is set for a shake-up with new laws and tougher disclosure rules.

Generations: when housing hurts you

OUR financial  experts discuss what predicament is tougher - saving a deposit for a home or paying off a mortgage.

Treasury warning on 'property bubble'

THE prospect of a sudden and dramatic drop in house prices is "the elephant in the room".

Victorian home owners losing it all

LENDERS&nbsp;have moved to seize almost 11,000 Victorian properties worth an estimated $2.5 billion in the past five years.

Sydney's cheapest living space at 20sq m

STUDIO with shared bathroom and laundry costing $133,000 could be one solution to our mortgage crisis by helping ease high repayments.

Foreigners snapping up prime real estate

MAJOR real estate firms lure cashed up investors with promises of secure growth opportunities.

Exit fees 'vital' for small lenders

NON-BANK lenders are disputing Canberra's crackdown on exit fees, arguing they were essential for recovering lost mortgage costs.

Expect the worst: Property auctions slump

PROPERTY owners have been told to lower expectations as the auction market hits worst level in two years.

Homes sell despite city rejecting plans

DEVELOPER rakes in $4 million in deposits for units in a urban tower that has been rejected by city planners.

Home loans stable, rates may cap gains

AN improvement in home lending shows loans have stabilised, but the recent rate rise will cap any increases, economists say.

Rate hike pummels property market

AUCTION clearance rates have collapsed after last week's rate hike spooked would-be buyers.

How to fight back against the banks

DAVID and Libby Koch offer tips on how to fight the banks that lift loan rates above the RBA's official increase.

Investors snap up homes for cost of a car

EAGER homebuyers are buying bargain-priced houses in the US for the cost of a new car.

Rates so bad they make UK look desirable

IT'S the one thing Aussies would kill for right now - a mortgage rate of less than one per cent.

Sydney's cheapest living space at 20sq m

STUDIO with shared bathroom and laundry costing $133,000 could be one solution to our mortgage crisis by helping ease high repayments.

Answer to rates stress - $1 a week rent

SMALL towns offer cash-strapped city slickers some cheap relief to combat mortgage stress.

House prices slide on rate jitters

HOUSE prices at their slowest pace since the GFC, driven by fears of rising mortgage costs.

House prices slide on rate jitters

HOUSE prices at their slowest pace since the GFC, driven by fears of rising mortgage costs.

How bad tenants leave landlords in debt

RECKLESS tenants are running riot in rental properties, costing thousands of dollars in repairs.

Housing bubble a myth, says Westpac

HIGH property prices fuelled by acute supply shortage that's likely to worsen, Westpac study claims.

House prices flatline, but freefall not likely

HOUSE price growth continues to stall with city home values mostly unchanged in September.

House prices slipping in most capital cities

HOUSING market stops dead in its tracks, with price growth of just 0.1pc for the September quarter.

House prices slipping in most capital cities

HOUSING market stops dead in its tracks, with price growth of just 0.1pc for the September quarter.

Plan to end estate agents' price furphies

ESTATE agents to give specific price range for homes, rather than terms like "$500,000-plus".

Chronic rental shortage a fact of life

A chronic shortage of available rental homes is now a permanent fact of life in NSW's major metropolitan areas, according to new figures.

Super Saturday: 1700 homes on the block

BUSIEST day of the year for auctions but despite the hype, clearance rates are still falling.

Rogue agency accused of low quotes

REAL estate agency accused of repeatedly under-quoting house prices suspended and risks losing its licence.

Property tsar rues the rising dollar

RISING dollar has halted the rush of overseas money into nation's residential property market.

First-timers oblivious to home saver plan

IT'S meant to be a plan to help first-time buyers into the housing market, but many haven't heard of it.

Don't expect property crash anytime soon

WORRY for first-time buyers as prices set to soar by 20 per cent in Perth, Sydney and Adelaide.

First home buyers 'priced out of market'

"HANGOVER effect" from first buyer grant and rate hikes means people are struggling to buy, experts say.

First home buyers 'priced out of market'

"HANGOVER effect" from first buyer grant and rate hikes means people are struggling to buy, experts say.

Top traps for first-time property investors

THE rewards for property investors are usually worth the risks, but there are plenty of traps to avoid.

Sydney's mortgage pain worst in the world

CITY's families spend more of their income on repayments than those in London and New York.

The cities where rents will hit you most

DARWIN and Canberra remain the most expensive Australian cities to rent a home.

Investors 'could create housing bubble'

RESERVE Bank executive says lower rental yield means there's a limit on how far house prices go.

House prices dip and will fall further

FALL of 0.2 per cent in state capitals and analysts predict the same level of declines in the months ahead.

Must sell: overpriced property

STATE creates millionaires' row with "top dollar" house buy-up only to find it must sell in soft market.

Home owner warning of $90-a-month rise

BIG banks to lunge at chance to beef up mortgage rates if the RBA hikes the official rate, analysts say.

Country house fit for a polo king

COWDRAY Park House in West Sussex has gone on sale for the 'bargain' price of $41.7 million

Stamp duty bonanza fills State coffers

HOMEBUYERS gave $46 million to the Victorian Government last weekend alone.

House prices to ease while capital shrinks

NEW generation of homebuyers won't see the growth baby boomers have, experts warn.

Calls to end great stamp duty rip-off

HOME buyers slugged more than $3.6 billion in 12 months as tax pushes property costs up. 

Banks 'lending into housing debt bubble'

LENDERS diving into property market and inflating prices in a risky business move, study warns.

Winter auctions hit but spring is here

SYDNEY and Melbourne had a slower winter period than last year, despite strong spring results.

Moving your mortgage to another lender

THE essential guide to reaping the benefits and avoiding the pitfalls of moving your loan to a new lender.

Banks 'lending into housing debt bubble'

LENDERS are driving property market and inflating prices in risky business move, study warns.

Winter auctions hit, but spring's in the air

SYDNEY and Melbourne had a slower winter period than last year, despite strong spring  results.

Lenders back to throwing cash at buyers

MORTGAGE lenders are again lending desperate homebuyers more than a property is worth.

Owner stunned after scammer sells house

HOMEOWNER returns from overseas to discover property "sold" without his knowledge.

Mum and 7 kids in one bedroom

A SINGLE mother and her seven children have spent almost two years living in one bedroom.

Sydney's Pitt Street is hot property

SYDNEY'S Pitt Street Mall now rivals Fifth Avenue as one of the most expensive shopping strips.

Lenders throwing cash at buyers

MORTGAGE lenders lending desperate homebuyers more than a property is worth in a bid to keep the market rising.

Couple want $20m for penthouse with view

ONE of Australia's most desirable penthouses is for sale - but is any apartment worth that much?

Housing sales up 11pc as buyers return

HOME sales jumped last month as first-time buyers returned to the market in sign of confidence.

Home loan weakness continues

WEAKNESS remains in home lending sector, giving RBA room to hold rates steady, economists say.

Cost of renting soars above inflation rate

CAPITAL city rents jump by more than double the rate of inflation in the past five years, data shows.

Homebuyers have spring in their step

MORE than 100,000 people are ready for a home-buying spree experts predict will jump-start Sydney's property market.

Follow Yellow Brick Road to buy a home

FIRM gives first home buyers a boost by removing lending requirement for proof of savings.

Downsizing your home? Prepare yourself

EMPTY-nesters and families downsizing homes facing stiff competition in the mid-price range.

Downsizing your home? Prepare yourself

EMPTY-nesters and families downsizing homes facing stiff competition in the mid-price range.

Banks deny homeowners cash to upgrade

EXPERTS say lenders are taking a hardline stance and are increasingly blocking homeowners from bridging finance.

Auction spike signals fear of spring slump

PROPERTY markets are maintaining their steam, but analysts warn of harder times in spring.

Auction spike signals fear of spring slump

PROPERTY markets are maintaining their steam, but analysts warn of harder times in spring.

Investors jump in as properties increase

INVESTORS  targeting off-the-plan apartments hoping for short-term gain will be "disappointed".

Sydney backwaters become very desirable

REAL estate shock as waterside suburbs increase in value faster than the rest of Sydney.

Island holiday homes beckon for Aussies

AUSSIES are taking advantage of the strong Aussie dollar and budget flights to buy holiday homes overseas.

Facebook, not BBQs, the new hot property

REAL estate agents replace traditional sausage sizzles with gimmicks and gadgetry to lure buyers.

Sydney backwaters desirable and expensive

REAL estate shock as waterside suburbs increase in value faster than the rest of Sydney.

Landlords count cost of tenants from hell

MORE landlords forced to claim insurance as number of thefts and value of stolen property rises, an insurer says.

City of houses out of reach in affordability

HOUSING affordability plunges to near-record lows, with aspiring home buyers feeling worst of it.

'Ponzi borrowers' at risk of property crash

LOCAL property investors in too much debt with housing bubble at risk of bursting, analyst says.

'Ponzi borrowers' at risk of property crash

LOCAL property investors in too much debt with housing bubble at risk of bursting, analyst says.

Home buyers 'should wait until spring'

PROPERTY prices are set for a major tumble in spring after a winter plateau, expert predicts.

Australia's two-speed property market

Demand for property in Melbourne and Sydney is strong but there's uncertainty everywhere else, Ray White says.

Choosing a Home Loan

If you thought that finding the right property was difficult, you haven't seen anything yet. Choosing the right home loan to suit your needs can be a minefield! There are so many options - how can you work out the right one for you? Well, here are a few steps to make it a little bit easier.

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