The current housing boom risks ending in tears with the Reserve Bank forced to crunch it to save the rest of the economy from overheating.
House prices
Residential lending may hurt us in the long run
While politicians and the media laud Australia’s “world-beating” property market, precious capital is being greedily soaked up by an asset class that confers minimal economic benefits.
Big lie theory explains how the bubble inflates
Why are seemingly rational people paying so much more for property than they did even as recently at 10 years ago? They fall for the “property lie”: the myth that property “never falls in value” and will be “more expensive next year”.
If you can’t afford your mortgage, then start calling the removalists
Yes, interest rates rose again this week. But if a slight rate increase — which we’ve been warned about for months — is hampering your ability to pay your mortgage then you should move to a cheaper house, writes Paul Colgan.
NAB data has RBA humming a rate rise tune
Buried in yesterday’s very upbeat business confidence and conditions survey from the National Australia Bank was a surprisingly negative forecast on house prices for 2010.
It’s the leverage, stupid
Steve Keen may have lost his bet with Rory Robertson on house prices, but he’s still right on the fundamentals, he argues: the crisis would have occurred long ago and been far less severe if governments and central banks hadn’t attempted to rescue the system from its own follies.
Gottliebsen: The Australian dream is over
Yesterday’s rate rise, coupled with recent changed to Australia’s superannuation policy, locks us into a nation-changing situation: we will soon be a nation of renters, says Robert Gottliebsen.
What do the Chinese know about investing in property?
Apparently, the Chinese, not always known for their investing expertise have been “single-handedly been responsible” for Melbourne’s recent home price inflation — at least according to one real estate agent.
Keen on Keane: the great population overhang story
On Monday, Bernard Keane took economist Steve Keen to task over his call that property prices will fall next year. Today, Keen has his right of reply.
The Dyer Index: lies, damn lies, and statistics
Which parts of Friday’s US economic figures may have frightened the horses and spooked the herd of investors?
The ins and outs of underquoting
With residential property real estate bubble appearing to rapidly re-inflate, the focus has once again shifted to allegations of under-quoting.
Housing is overpriced, Swan is making it so
As a treasurer, Wayne Swan makes a fine politician. In a free-market economy, it is not the role of the government to prop up over-priced assets — especially an asset as critical to millions of Australians as housing, says Adam Schwab.
Cage match 2: Steve Keen weighs in on house prices
Economist Steve Keen weighs-in on yesterday’s housing-price cage match, defending a “historical analogy” he made suggesting house prices might fall.
Green shoots or another mirage?
The US housing market appears like it might be stablising, with house prices up for the first time in three years. A weary Wall Street was glad for the news, but expects a gradual recovery.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Reactions to Rudd’s ETS delay
Crikey readers discuss Rudd’s Emissions Trading Scheme, the US economy and The Monthly’s cover highlights.
It’s official: house prices falling off a cliff
The fall in Australian house prices accelerated in the March quarter, official statistics have revealed.
Housing prices through the looking glass
Droves of first home owners are being convinced to enter into life-long debt to purchase a property that they cannot afford, writes Adam Schwab.
US house prices which continue to fall, unchecked
House prices in the 20 biggest American cities dropped a nasty 19% in the year to January, writes Glenn Dyer.
US house prices officially awful
The plunge in US house prices shows no sign of easing, pointing to further problems in the coming months, writes Glenn Dyer.
Rental vacancies the first pin prick in property bubble
The latest rental data contradicts the oft-repeated claims of a widespread housing crisis, writes Adam Schwab.
How much is your house worth? Who knows?
For many Australians, the vast majority of their assets consist of their primary residence or investment properties, but very little is known about their true value, writes Adam Schwab.
Richard Farmer’s political bite-sized meaty chunks
Meaty snippets from the home of government, Richard Farmer writes.
Boost for Housing Supply: HIA chief
The first Swan budget is a step in the right direction for solving the problem of housing supply, writes Chris Lamont from HIA.
How overvalued is Australian residential property?
Another US house price survey, another decline in value and the correction seems to be heading across the Atlantic. Will it reach Australia?, writes Adam Schwab.
Production of bricks hit by house slump
The housing industry is in a slump which is bad news for home owners and even worse news for banks. But don’t forget the brickmakers, writes Glenn Dyer.
