REAL ESTATE

These Less Conventional Methods will Help Save to Own a Home

As saving for a home deposit becomes an even greater challenge with higher living costs, some borrowers are exploring unconventional ways to help them save sooner, according to Mortgage Choice, one of Australia's largest independently owned mortgage broker.

Australian Cities Report Sets Stage for Infrastructure Reform

The State of Australian Cities 2011 sets the stage for the implementation of much-need planning reform coupled with a major boost to infrastructure spending, said the Property Council of Australia and the Residential Development Council (RDC) on Thursday.

Canadian Housing Market Strong

Buoyed by strong demand and low interest rates, Canadian house prices continue to rise. In the year to end-June 2011, the national house price index rose by 4.52% (1.37% inflation-adjusted), according to Teranet-National Bank of Canada.
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Australia’s Housing Market Still Cooling

Australia's housing market continues to weaken in the first half of 2011, following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)'s action in hiking the key interest rate to 4.75% in November 2010, up from 3% in September 2009. RBA has kept the key rate unchanged since then.

India’s Stunning House Price Boom Continues!

India's housing markets surged in Q2 2011. There were amazingly strong house price increases, despite an economic slowdown which saw gross domestic product grow by 'only' 7.7% during the year to Q2 2011, the weakest growth for six quarters, due to high interest rates and the poor performance of mining and quarrying (1.8% annual growth), construction (1.2%) and the manufacturing sectors (7.2%).

Lower Property Valuations Hurting Australian Borrowers

Australian borrowers are facing increased costs as the valuations on their properties are coming in lower than anticipated due to the softer real estate market nationwide and a more conservative approach by valuers, according to mortgage broker Loan Market.

Unit Rental Prices Soaring, Nearing House Prices

Even with a subdued quarter for rental prices, annual growth figures show rental prices for units are approaching that for houses in most capital cities, according to a new report released on Thursday.

Key Home Loan Features that Attract More Borrowers

Customers who look beyond the interest rate horizon when choosing a home loan often stand to benefit in the long run, according to Australia's largest independently-owned mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice.

St. George Names New Head of Broker

The St. George Banking Group has named current RAMS head of franchise Clive Kirkpatrick as its new general manager of broking across St. George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA brands.

Aussie Pushes Into Perth

Aussie Home Loans has pushed its recruitment drive into WA, seeking to draw franchisees from both within and outside the financial services industry.

Sydney Sees First Homebuyer Spike

A Sydney real estate group has claimed a 20% spike in first homebuyer enquiries ahead of changes to stamp duty concessions in NSW.

FBAA Promises More than 'A Piss Up'

The FBAA has announced the line-up for its inaugural conference, with president Peter White promising the event will contain a wealth of practical information, and be more than "a piss up".

Australand’s Hamilton Reach Selling Fast

Hamilton Reach, the latest project from diversified property group Australand, has struck a chord with buyers with more than 40% of the first release sold since its launch in April this year.

Stable Cash Rates: No Help in Housing Affordability

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to leave interest rates on hold may be a sigh of relief for people with a mortgage, but it makes no headway in terms of making housing more affordable, said Australia’s housing sector.

AFG Warns Against 'Laughable' One Big Switch

Mortgage industry aggregator Australian Finance Group (AFG) has come out in support of the broker proposition, by issuing a warning to consumers over the loan offer being provided by One Big Switch.

Loan Ave Brokers in Running for Ferrari Fun

South Australian mortgage manager Loan Avenue is offering brokers the chance to win a drive of four Ferraris, promising that they will be able to 'return home and gloat'.

Don't Confuse Low-Docs with Lie-Docs

There has been no significant change to the ability of brokers to write genuine low-docs under NCCP, which has only stamped out more dubious forms of lending, according to Select Finance director Bruce Gibbons.

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