Property
Renovating for value — or renovating for you?
13 August
Renovating a home can be exciting. A new kitchen, an outdoor entertaining area, an extra bedroom or a beautifully landscaped garden can completely change how a property looks and feels.But before choosing tiles, appliances or paint colours, there is...[Read More]
Renovate, move or build? Choosing the right way to change your home
30 July
As life changes, your home may no longer suit your needs as well as it once did. Perhaps your family is growing, you need a home office, the kitchen feels outdated, or you simply want more space and comfort. When this happens, homeowners usually...[Read More]
Shoddy bank record-keeping hits savers as scammers lurk
29 July
Systemic shoddy record-keeping at big banks is risking the savings of Australians trying to benefit from a safe investment strategy. The financial regulator issued the warning around mortgage offset accounts, which are marketed to borrowers as a way...[Read More]
Top 5 reasons to review your mortgage
23 July
A home loan is often the largest financial commitment a person will make, yet many borrowers spend more time comparing electricity plans or insurance premiums than reviewing their mortgage. Once a loan has been approved and repayments begin, it can...[Read More]
Getting your home ready for spring: Five ways to fall in love with it again
23 July
Spring has a way of making us look at our homes differently. The days become longer, the garden starts to come alive and natural light begins to reveal all the areas we may have overlooked during winter. It is also the season when many homeowners...[Read More]
The best and worst ways to live alongside your neighbours
16 July
A good home is about more than the building, the backyard or the location. The people living around you can have a major influence on how comfortable, secure and enjoyable your neighbourhood feels. When neighbours communicate, show consideration...[Read More]
How first-time homebuyers can save $8,500 in taxes
15 July
First-time homebuyers are missing out on thousands of dollars by not using a little-known scheme that helps save them money for the deposit. The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets them take advantage of their superannuation account’s favourable...[Read More]
How to save money around the home amidst the rising interest rates
9 July
With interest rates rising almost everywhere, including Australia, people have begun tightening their purse strings as best they can. However, decreasing spending to ensure your expenses match your reduced budget could mean barely any savings or...[Read More]
Family affair: investor tax changes spawn new tactics
8 July
A 1950s red brick walk-up in southwest Brisbane is a window into how the federal budget is reshaping the property market. Marketed as “the ultimate set-up for multi-generational living”, the three-unit apartment block in Oxley has bucked the...[Read More]
Treasurer responds after budget attack by ex-RBA head
1 July
The treasurer has hit back at attacks to budget tax changes from a former Reserve Bank governor after the contentious laws passed parliament. Ex-RBA governor Philip Lowe said changes limiting negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount would...[Read More]
Pledge to fix ‘widow’s tax’ on investment properties
1 July
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has promised to fix laws imposing a so-called “widow’s tax” on investment properties, without providing details on how he will close the loophole. The issue, which relates to investors with jointly owned properties...[Read More]
Home owners told to ‘take a deep breath’ on tax reforms
24 June
Plunging auction clearance rates are not cause for concern, top government ministers are insisting, with one urging anxious home owners to “take a deep breath”. An overhaul of negative gearing and capital gains tax is expected to pass federal...[Read More]
Your home: 7 ways to increase its value and enjoy it more
18 June
Your home is more than bricks, mortar, paint and flooring. It is the place where life happens. It is where families gather, memories are made, visitors are welcomed, and everyday routines unfold. For many people, their home is also one of their...[Read More]
CGT share changes will ease home prices, treasurer says
17 June
Controversial tax changes for shares and businesses will prevent more money from being funnelled into existing homes, Treasurer Jim Chalmers claims. Businesses have been relatively receptive to Labor’s decision to wind back tax breaks for property...[Read More]
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]