Google shows in 2009 more and more Australians are interested in buying investment property

A research done using Google Insights shows that in 2009 the “investment property” search volume trended up for the first time since 2004. Here is the chart since 2004 and the prejection for 2010 (click on the chart to see the full size image). As you can see that since 2004 the search volume of …

2010 will be a good year for rental property investors

With residential property prices around the country on the rise, some real-estate investors are wondering if they have missed the boat. “I have been considering investing in a unit for about 12 months,” writes Kate, “but I thought prices would fall significantly due to the global economic crisis, and they didn’t. Then I expected prices …

Westpac lowered its loan-to-valuation ratios (LVR)

Westpac Banking Corporation has tightened its mortgage loan criteria by lowering its loan-to-valuation ratios (LVR) for new full-documentation mortgage customers on Wednesday from 92 per cent to 87 per cent including two per cent for lenders’ mortgage insurance. The LVR for new low-documentation customers has been lowered by Westpac to 80 per cent including LMI. The …

Investment property rents likely to rise up to 11% in 2010

Rents are set to soar by as much as 11 percent this year, as landlords seek to cover rising costs amid a strengthening economy. Rents for homes across Australia increased nationally by a mere two per cent in 2009 – the weakest annual increase since 2002, the Australian Property Monitors’ Quarterly Rental Report says. Matthew Bell, …

End of the First Home Buyer Grant Boost will NOT Hurt NSW and ACT Property

Angus Raine, CEO of Raine & Horne is optimistic for the residential property markets in NSW & ACT in 2010. “There is some concern the end of the First Home Owners Boost (FHOB) will hurt the market,” says Mr Raine. “I don’t agree with this assessment. The Federal Government was smart to extend the FHOB …

Rising Rents and Home Prices in 2010

Australia’s rapidly growing population and overseas migration is set to underpin the Australian property market in 2010 according to Angus Raine, CEO, Raine & Horne. “Building approvals levels are currently running around 145,000 per year according to industry averages, which is well short of the new homes required to meet our rapidly growing population.” According …