During 2020, most economists and commentators predicted that property values would plummet by 10%, 20% or even 30%! In May, I wrote a blog (and in The Australian newspaper here) outlining the reasons why I disagreed with these overly bearish forecasts. We now know that property prices didn’t fall by any more than 2% to …
One of the advantages of investing in property is that you can make improvements to enhance its value and consequently your personal wealth. A disadvantage is that dwellings require ongoing maintenance, and this expense reduces an investment property’s cash flow. Minimising or avoiding maintenance costs is often a false economy. Maintenance cannot be avoided, only …
It is my observation that investment-grade apartments in Melbourne have under-performed (from a capital growth perspective) compared to houses over the past 8 to 10 years. That is, apartments have generated very little capital growth (sometimes none), whereas houses have grown in value by between 5% and 8% p.a. over the same period. I have …
Update: Since writing this blog the government has announced that it will abolish ‘responsible lending’ rules in March 2021 which means lenders may no longer have to review borrowers living expenses. This change will increase borrowing capacity and increase the supply of new loans. And this will stimulate the property market in 2021 which will …
This blog’s title is a bit deceptive, because every property you buy is important, for either lifestyle or financial reasons. I contemplated using the title: “why the first property you buy is the most important one”. But the reality is, if you have made a mistake on your first property, you can always start again. …
Melbourne’s Covid transmission outbreak has been widely publicised by the media. Melbourne’s daily positive test rate is relatively benign by world standards (i.e. 0.5-0.6% versus 7.5% in the USA). However, the reinstated 6-week lockdown of Melbourne is likely to have a negative impact on Australia’s economy. Melbourne is responsible for producing over 19% of Australia’s …
The price you pay for an investment property will only matter if you purchase the wrong asset. An investment grade asset will, in the long run, mask any purchase price errors that you may have made. That is why focusing on the quality of the asset is easily the most important thing you must do …
There have been a number of economists and commentators who have predicted that property values will fall anywhere between 10% and 32% this year. It seems like it’s almost become a competition for who can be the most bearish. However, my view is a lot less bearish. I believe property values won’t fall by more …
If many employees continue to work from home, then perhaps demand for property in close proximity to capital city CBD’s will fall. And conversely, perhaps demand for property in regional centres that are well serviced by pubic transport (trains) will increase. This encourages us to consider whether the work-from-home movement will change the way we …
With interest rates at all-time lows, in some situations, it is now a lot cheaper to be an owner-occupier than a renter. And with the prospect of interest rates not rising anytime soon, it could stay that way for a few years, unless the market changes. I thought it would be interesting to analyse the …
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