19 Results

News Limited-controlled REA Group offered to establish a slush fund worth tens of thousands of dollars for a leading Melbourne real estate agent if it committed to an exclusive two-year advertising deal.

Leading affordable housing advocate professor Julian Disney has described Australia’s mansions as on-shore tax havens that suck resources from more productive investments, and called for an end to the “huge distortions” in the way housing is taxed.

Another year, another massive increase in house prices and more excuses proffered by the real estate industry as to why Australia’s houses are among the most expensive in the world.

Why have rents started dropping, despite what some property writers tell us, asks Adam Schwab? Most likely because there is actually a surplus of rental stock rather than a shortage as alleged by the likes of the HIA.

Europe’s economic woes are back in the headlines, with Ireland appeaing in the most immediate danger thanks with the mooted €35 billion cost of bailing out Anglo Irish Bank causing Ireland’s budget deficit to increase to an alarming 32% of GDP (ten times the EU limit).

Clearance rates are falling, stocks dwindling and even some real estate agents are expressing concerns about the prospects for the property market.

China has revealed plans to introduce a tax on property in a new bid to cool the overheating property sector, and to give governments a new source of revenues.

In contrast to the Henry report’s advice that payroll tax be eventually abolished, the Rudd government has decided to increase its own payroll tax, writes Gavin R. Putland.

A very clever interactive calculator by the NY Times showing exactly when is the best time to make the switch over from renting to buying a property. It’s aimed at the US market, but it’s fun to play with anyway.

Homeowners might be counting their riches as house prices rise, but it’s screwing young Australians financially. Those who are down-grading win but the rest of society suffers, writes Tim Colebatch.

The housing cost problems faced by Australians can be resolved mostly by elastifying the supply side — building more homes. The Reserve Bank is now waking up to the fact, writes Christopher Joye.

Christopher Joye and Steve Keen go head to head on the Australian residential property market.

When it comes to buying a house, although tempting the ‘out-of-my-budget-but-my-favourite’ property, it’s imperative to go with your head not your heart. The repercussions won’t be just financial, says Trent Hamm.

Mirvac’s earnings for 2009 have taken another hit, writes Glenn Dyer.