REAL ESTATE

The Philippines has long been one of the more overlooked real estate investment markets in Asia. After all, the Philippines has not been known for having both political and economic stability as well as clear rule of law - like in Singapore.

The Great Australian Dream could remain just a dream with house prices moving from being affordable to severely unaffordable in the last 10 years.

Realcommercial.com.au has long been the dominant commercial real estate portal in Australia. However, this position is under threat, as they face increased competition from new entrants, the ending of guaranteed revenue agreements and improvements to competing portals.

Do not be spooked by gloomy economic forecasts: right now there are great bargains to be had for the canny property investor. A slowing of the Australian economy and a decrease in demand for housing has created a once in a lifetime opportunity for buying solid investments in areas with strong growth drivers.

Perth properties have experienced 15 consecutive months of price decline, the REIWA has said.

Lower interest rates don't seem to be enticing first home buyers, new figures have indicated.

ASIC has claimed success as it has completed the initial licensing of the credit industry, and has warned it will take a tough stance on unlicensed activity.

Queensland’s city of Gladstone is now number one among Australia’s property hotspots, thanks to the resources boom. The regional city was chosen for Australian Property Investor magazine’s annual Hot 100 this year, which lists 100 locations around Australia where property prices are expected to rise.

With fixed rate loans dropping to levels below or equal to variable rate loans, there's never been a better time to shop around for a new mortgage. When it comes to changing your mortgage, however, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

Talk of rising enquiries from first home buyers has not translated into sales, new data suggests.

Rental growth across Australia's capital cities stalled in the June quarter, according to reports from the country's largest property data providers.

Over the past year or so we have seen the rise of Real Estate Agents using Facebook to promote their business or personal profile. The best of you continually add informative and fun content to your page and have seen a steady rise in fans. But there is a disturbing trend to this and this shows complete mis-understanding of how to market yourself online.

First home buyers in Australia have not yet returned in numbers to the property market despite some growth in the last few months, according to a financial comparison site.

The broad adoption of HR outsourcing across Asia-Pacific has emerged as the main finding of regional research conducted by Talent2.

House prices have continued to soften in the June quarter, with rental growth slowing as well.

A fall in residential land sales augurs poorly for home building, the HIA has said.

Property ownership has become Australians no.1 priority, with buying a home now regarded as even more important that having children, according to new research released today.

Confidence in housing picked up by 3.3% with the Index now at its highest level since January 2010, as a result of modest recent falls in house prices improving affordability. The uptick comes as overall consumer sentiment in Australia plummets to its lowest level in two years.

Housing stock on market is falling, but still has some way to go before reaching the levels it saw last year.

Bright days are ahead for the mortgage broking industry despite a difficult credit market and increased regulation, Bankwest's Ian Rakhit has said.

Property price growth in Australia may have stalled over the past year or so, but experts say there are still plenty of areas around Australia where property prices are continuing to rise and countless locations where values are expected to rise in the near future.

The cost of living in Australia has become the biggest concern for the next 12 months among upcoming property investors, new research shows.

Heritage Building Society has finalised an $800m RMBS deal in its largest domestic securitisation transaction.

Capital city rents have grown below inflation over the past year, RP Data has stated.

As a followup to recent articles relating to the industry revolt and ACCC investigation into RealEstate.com.au, Australian Financial Review journalist Ben Hurley has released another article that takes aim at RPData and their valuation strategy.

Compliance costs and lenders’ volume targets are pushing many broker groups into each other’s arms. MPA investigates the do and don’ts of consolidation.

PLAN CEO Trevor Scott is a passionate supporter of the broker industry and a big believer that brighter days are ahead for brokers.

Capital city auction clearance rates are edging up after tracking below 50% for five weeks, RP Data has indicated.

Australia is on the cusp of making major changes to its credit reporting regime, but whether the new system will be better for brokers’ clients is still up for debate.