REAL ESTATE

The Russian housing market hasn't recovered - despite appearances. Resale apartment prices rose 3.79% during the year to end-Q2 2011, according to the Federal State Statistics Service, but the kicker was inflation - resale apartment prices actually fell 5.25% when the price figures are adjusted for inflation.

Australia's housing market continues to weaken in the first half of 2011, following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)'s action in hiking the key interest rate to 4.75% in November 2010, up from 3% in September 2009. RBA has kept the key rate unchanged since then.

India's housing markets surged in Q2 2011. There were amazingly strong house price increases, despite an economic slowdown which saw gross domestic product grow by 'only' 7.7% during the year to Q2 2011, the weakest growth for six quarters, due to high interest rates and the poor performance of mining and quarrying (1.8% annual growth), construction (1.2%) and the manufacturing sectors (7.2%).

The key in property investment is to know where in the cycle you are buying so you can judge whether you're getting a good price and whether prices have further to fall.

The Queensland Government has given MSF Sugar Limited the go-ahead to proceed with a $500 million hotel, marina and resort and residential development at Maryborough north of Brisbane.

Australian borrowers are facing increased costs as the valuations on their properties are coming in lower than anticipated due to the softer real estate market nationwide and a more conservative approach by valuers, according to mortgage broker Loan Market.

Persistent weakness in the home finance sector should provide another reason for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to cut official rates on Melbourne Cup day, according to mortgage broker Loan Market.

Incoming head of third party for Suncorp Steven Heavey has vowed the bank’s credit policies and broker processes will go under the microscope when he begins his role.

Even with a subdued quarter for rental prices, annual growth figures show rental prices for units are approaching that for houses in most capital cities, according to a new report released on Thursday.

Building permit activity in Victoria improved to $2.3 billion in August 2011, a jump of 21.8 percent on the same month last year.

The way in which adult apprentice wages are supposed to be calculated remains unclear, creating a potential liability for builders, Australian builders say.

Industry activity and profits are expected to fall, which may result in job losses, according to Master Builders Australia’s September quarter 2011 national survey.

Australia’s suburbs are happy places to live, with 70 per cent of new homeowners saying they have a good or great relationship with their neighbour, a new survey has revealed.

Customers who look beyond the interest rate horizon when choosing a home loan often stand to benefit in the long run, according to Australia's largest independently-owned mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice.

The St. George Banking Group has named current RAMS head of franchise Clive Kirkpatrick as its new general manager of broking across St. George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA brands.

Home loan competition between the banks has primarily benefited high income earners, it has been claimed.

Medium and high density developments are set to trump those in the urban fringe, RP Data has suggested.

Aussie Home Loans has pushed its recruitment drive into WA, seeking to draw franchisees from both within and outside the financial services industry.

A Sydney real estate group has claimed a 20% spike in first homebuyer enquiries ahead of changes to stamp duty concessions in NSW.

Westpac has appointed Tony MacRae as its new general manager of third party distribution, with Huw Bough moving across to RAMS as its general manager of franchise business.

Brokers can do a better job of detecting mortgage fraud by getting to know customers more closely.

The Master Builders Association of Victoria will take the world-first “ALink‟ program to Victoria University, Newport next Thursday in a bid to tackle apprenticeship drop-out rates.

The FBAA has announced the line-up for its inaugural conference, with president Peter White promising the event will contain a wealth of practical information, and be more than "a piss up".

Australia’s building and construction industry is calling on the government to remove impediments affecting the nation’s supply of housing.

Hamilton Reach, the latest project from diversified property group Australand, has struck a chord with buyers with more than 40% of the first release sold since its launch in April this year.

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to leave interest rates on hold may be a sigh of relief for people with a mortgage, but it makes no headway in terms of making housing more affordable, said Australia’s housing sector.

Mortgage industry aggregator Australian Finance Group (AFG) has come out in support of the broker proposition, by issuing a warning to consumers over the loan offer being provided by One Big Switch.

The volatile share market has seen self-managed superfunds dumping shares for quality commercial and industrial space in Melbourne’s city fringe following an outpour of deals in the past week.

South Australian mortgage manager Loan Avenue is offering brokers the chance to win a drive of four Ferraris, promising that they will be able to 'return home and gloat'.