The Blog

Everyone has to deal with their money, and some of us do it better than others. If you think you’re a master of handling your personal finances — or you’ve never given a thought to your level of expertise — take a look at the points below. Your approach might not be as flawless as […]

The housing wealth gap between younger and older Australians is undeniably growing. Our newly published study attempts to find out how much it has grown by estimating the gap in the home equity of older people (Australians in their 50s) and younger people (Australians in their 30s) in 1997–98 and 2017–18.     Adjusted for […]

From changing the mood of a room and defining different zones to simply making you feel good, there’s no end to what a well-placed pop of colour can do. If you’re tempted to add some colour to your home but you’re unsure exactly how to go about it, these 31 cheery spaces from homes on […]

Located on a peninsula between Tuggerah Lake and the Pacific Ocean lies the flourishing suburb of Long Jetty, aptly named for its three very long jetties extending out into the lake’s shallow waters. This hipster hamlet has garnered praise as the Central Coast’s version of Sydney’s Newtown, with incredible cafes, street art and vintage stores. […]

Many experts assure you that property investment is a long-term game because prices always rise over time. Future growth builds on past growth, delivering the snowballing result called compounding growth. Because of the power of compounding growth, some strategists even insist that timing the market is futile. By this they don’t mean that its future […]

“It creates so much ease of living without too much maintenance.” Photo: The Guthrie Project   What on earth could be better than lounging around some gorgeous open-air pool or lingering over a dinner under the stars at a beautiful holiday resort? That’s easy: having those lovely outdoor spaces at home. The pandemic crashing into […]

Where kitchen space is at a premium, could a single-wall kitchen layout be your solution? Single-wall kitchens generally have the smallest possible footprint and, as the name suggests, incorporate all furniture and appliances in a single run. Fewer cabinetry units can mean this kitchen layout may cost you less than others, while in a well-planned […]

The ‘fixed-rate cliff’ has emerged as one of the biggest potential risks to housing market values, and overall stability in 2023. This article explains what the cliff is, and five must-know pieces of information that put the cliff into context.   What is the ‘fixed-rate cliff’? Mortgage rates fell dramatically during the pandemic. This was […]

A lot of people say they’re good with money. They say they have a gift for making it. That they love money and that money loves them. This may be true.     But just because you like money and enjoy making it (that’s most of us) doesn’t mean you’re good with money. Those are […]

Have you ever thought of doing up an old property to on-sell and make a quick profit? Of course, this concept is often taught at property seminars and has recently been popularised by reality television shows like “The Block”. But can you really flip houses for a living?     If you’re after a quick buck […]

With greater work flexibility and record high prices in Sydney, the NSW Central Coast saw a large increase in buyer activity, explains Angus Moore, economist, realestate.com.au. Now, despite rising interest rates, enthusiasm for the area’s property looks set to continue in 2023. “We saw a lot of people moving up from Sydney — in particular […]

When it comes to property investment, many buyers and investors become obsessed with the idea of timing their property purchase with the view that buying at the bottom of the market for the cheapest price is a formula for property success. And considering the current property market conditions, this seems more prevalent than ever. But, in my […]

After a record-smashing Australian Open, tennis is enjoying a resurgence of popularity throughout the country, and homes with their own tennis courts are proving the big winners. The first Grand Slam of the year saw well over 800,000 people physically come through the gates and millions more watch on TV, while tennis participation rates have […]

It has been very well reported that many mortgage holders will soon be paying much higher interest rates when their fixed rate terms expire. It is estimated that $478 billion worth of fixed-rate mortgages is due to expire in 2023. In addition, borrowers may also have to navigate the end of an interest-only term, which […]

Last week, a prospective client asked me a very good question. They asked whether I have data that shows what investment returns my clients have generated. Whilst this sounds like a logical question, my response was that not only did I not have this data, but it also wouldn’t necessarily be that useful.     […]

‘A wonderful alternative to your traditional coastal meccas.’ Photo: Laura Bell Peacefully tucked away, Caves Beach is a serene seaside suburb on the east Lake Macquarie peninsular, nestled between the lake, the Swansea Channel, and the popular surfing beach of the same name. Despite being initially regarded as merely an affordable ‘outer suburb’ of Newcastle […]

OPINION It is hard to go anywhere without hearing about Australia’s rental crisis. And for good reason, with rents soaring at record double-digit rates across much of Australia on the back of record tight rental vacancies.   Australia’s rental market initially tightened over the pandemic due to a desire for more space, the growing trend to working […]

Real estate veteran John McGrath says the housing price slump is nearing its end and a combination of natural pent-up demand and the return of cashed-up expats will boost the property market. “While the economic climate and impact of further interest rate rises is difficult to predict, we think we are either at, or approaching, […]

The living room is one of the most heavily used, multi-functional spaces in a home. It’s commonly used for movie nights, reading time, children’s playdates, creative projects, book club gatherings, homework, music practice, naps and more. This makes it a difficult room to keep organised since the activities taking place there are often unrelated, each […]

If you’re a first-time investor or it’s been a long time since you last bought property, the property hunt can be a daunting prospect. Like any other major purchase, solid preparation helps to ensure a smoother journey. “Think of it like travelling to a foreign place – most of us like to know what we’re […]