How to feel more self-sufficient at home

11 June

There is something deeply rewarding about knowing your home can do more than simply provide shelter. A self-sufficient home gives you a greater sense of control, comfort and confidence. It does not mean living completely off-grid, growing every meal...[Read More]

Cooling house market offers hope to first-time buyers

10 June

Australia’s housing market is experiencing rapid downward pressure because of global conflict and the federal budget, but the conditions are unlikely to benefit renters. Just 51.1 per cent of homes auctioned across capital cities this weekend...[Read More]

7 signs you are ready to downsize the home and take life a little easier

4 June

There comes a time when the family home that once felt full of noise, movement and memories can start to feel a little too big, too quiet, too expensive or simply too much work.   Downsizing is not just about moving into a smaller home. For many...[Read More]

Home price falls may signal end of housing super cycle

3 June

Falling home prices in Sydney and Melbourne might just have signalled the end of Australia’s 30-year housing super cycle. Dwelling values fell 0.9 per cent in Sydney and 0.8 per cent in Melbourne during May, according to data from research agency...[Read More]

Labor shrugs off claim tax shift will sink house prices

3 June

Contentious changes to taxes on property investments won’t be the main driver of expected falls in prices, the housing minister says. As auction clearance rates hit lows not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, Clare O’Neil said it was unclear how...[Read More]

AI to hit Aussies as data centres push up energy costs

3 June

The race to build data centres in Australia could force household electricity prices up by as much as 26 per cent within a decade, a study has found. The artificial intelligence hubs could also use as much electricity as all homes in the state of...[Read More]

Budget measures could cut house prices by 10 per cent

27 May

The budget’s tax whack on property investors will accelerate a housing slowdown caused by interest rate hikes, potentially causing the biggest downturn in more than 40 years. Home price growth was already slowing nationwide, with outright falls in...[Read More]

Jobless jump, Iran war shoot down fears of rate rise

27 May

The likelihood of a rate hike in June has shrunk after a surprise jump in the unemployment rate showed the Iran war is having a material impact on Australia’s economy. While bad news for workers, the rise in the jobless rate from 4.3 per cent to...[Read More]

Australia’s remaining solarless roofs harder to crack

27 May

On a mission to investigate solar, battery and electrification retrofits for the block of flats she lives in, Coco Venaglia has faced hurdle after hurdle. The building’s strata committee is open to upgrades but pressed for time, and was pleased...[Read More]

Labor happy with softer housing market since budget

27 May

Softer auction rates are a sign tax changes in the federal budget are making things easier for first home buyers, the housing minister says, as Labor weathered another day of criticism from investors and entrepreneurs. Auction clearance rates held...[Read More]

Renewables pushing out rivals to give power bill relief

27 May

Power bill relief is coming for households in most eastern states as solar and batteries chew into expensive gas and hydro generation to cover evening peaks. Annual savings of more than $200 compared to the year prior have been confirmed for some...[Read More]

Mixed results from first post-budget auction weekend

20 May

All eyes were on the auction market to see the response to negative gearing and capital gains tax changes in the first weekend after the federal budget. The results were mixed. The volume of homes that went to auction across the capital cities fell...[Read More]

Middle ring could be ‘hollowed out’ by tax overhaul

20 May

Rental supplies in the middle ring of Australian capital cities could be hollowed out by changes to investor tax concessions in the federal budget. Real estate agents expect investor interest in established properties to crater after Tuesday’s...[Read More]

Land levy planned despite anti-‘forever tax’ pledge

20 May

Property owners in Australia’s most populous state could pay an annual levy of up to $600 under a proposal to change the way emergency services are funded. NSW is the only mainland state that funds emergency services by taxing property insurance...[Read More]

Why ditching car park rules could make homes cheaper

20 May

Changing car parking requirements could shave about $70,000 off the cost of building a typical two-bedroom apartment in Sydney. A report from the Grattan Institute revealed more than $1 billion is wasted on building off-street car parks that go...[Read More]