There is a lot of talk about house prices in Australia. We hear much less about rental costs, writes Christopher Joye of Property Observer.
Rental market
The housing bubble and the illogical excuses that surround it
It’s not only uneducated investors and self-interested mortgage brokers who make illogical excuses for the property bubble.
Renting is smart, even if you’re worth $15 billion
As long as you are disciplined enough to invest the money that would have been used for repaying principal, based on current home prices, renting is a much smarter move than buying.
Busting the property myth: fewer residents, and rents are dropping
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.
Housing shortage? Don’t dwell on it, there isn’t one
If there is a housing shortage, why are rents not increasing? The mythical housing shortage claims continue in earnest as self-interest market participants warn of a dire deficit of suitable dwellings.
Housing a ‘productive way to spend’ your hard-earned?
The Australian housing bubble is causing investment in over-priced property to the detriment of dynamic business. This may be “productive” for real estate agents or mortgage brokers, but not for the Australian economy.
Should you rent or buy?
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.
Rentals do have a say in residential property prices
The rental market is critical to residential property prices — many who claim that property prices never fall should look closely at the rental sector before believing real estate propaganda over facts.
Experts get it very wrong on rentals
The rental market is fairly uncomplicated, but business journalists are commonly thinking of reasons as to why rents go up or down. This is only one reason: the number of vacant rental properties.
Overcoming housing inequality in tough times
As the economy worsens, Australia must find ways to ensure everyone can afford a place to live, writes Ben O’Mara.
