Multi Generations The New Norm
Increasingly, several generations of Australian families are living together under the same roof. Social demographer Mark McCrindle says there are several reasons for the lifestyle choice.“Younger generations are either leaving home later or returning back to the parental home,” he says.“Then on the parents’ side, they’re living longer and sometimes the older paren...
Listings Drop Puts Pressure On Prices
Home buyers have been active in markets across Australia, making the most of favourable lending conditions by buying up and depleting stock levels of properties for sale.The latest figures from SQM Research show listings nationwide fell 12% in December compared to the same time a year earlier.The stock shortage has inspired a rise in asking prices, with the national average rising by 2.4% for h...
Green Home Loans Offer 2.44%
Australians will soon be able to get a discounted home loan if they buy or build housing that meets high energy efficiency standards, with rock-bottom interest rates from 2.44%.The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is launching a green home loan program for borrowers who meet a minimum 7-star energy rating.Bank Australia is the first lender to offer the scheme and will grant a 0.4 percentage poi...
Brokers Optimistic About 2020
A survey of mortgage brokers has revealed a high level of optimism for residential real estate markets in 2020. The HashChing 2020 broker survey has found that most mortgage brokers expect the recovery in major markets to continue, interest rates to fall further and investors to return to the market in large numbers. HashChing CEO Arun Maharaj says brokers are “justifiably optimistic&rd...
Launch Looms For FHB Scheme
The Federal Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme starts on 1 January, but it is limited to 10,000 borrowers and not all lenders have been endorsed to participate, so applicants need to be aware of all the terms and conditions.The scheme enables borrowers with deposits of just 5% to be given a special government guarantee which allows them to avoid expensive lenders’ mortgage ...
Sustainable Homes of the Future
With drought and water supply a core issue in many parts of Australia, it’s noteworthy that a residential estate with water-saving technology has taken out an Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Award for Excellence. The design saw the homes’ water use cut by 70%.UDIA Victoria chief executive Danni Hunter says innovations around environmental excellence are making a big...
