REAL ESTATE

Homeloans has launched a new product it says will help brokers cater to a variety of credit profiles.

The taxes on a median new home in Sydney are more than $260,000, the HIA has claimed.

Australia’s building and construction industry is asking for major reforms in two key areas of the Australian taxation system, which it says have a substantial impact on housing affordability, and the supply of residential housing in Australia.

While the headline in the latest National Australian Bank Residential Property Index was gloomy with a 14 point drop reported for the September quarter (and for the second quarterly fall in a row), the detail of the report revealed a case for a bit more optimism.

Signing the largest leasing deal in the history of the Ipswich CBD, the Queensland Government has secured the entire commercial component of the new nine-story office tower being developed as part of the $1 billon Ipswich City Heart development.

A controversial group buying campaign conducted by a consumer group will not undermine brokers, one of its non-bank participants has claimed.

RP Data has previewed upcoming house price data, saying little recovery is expected in August.

First Home Buyers in New South Wales are acting quickly upon pre-approvals in an effort to beat the clock before the stamp duty concession runs out at the end of the year.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) sought on Wednesday for interest rate cuts amid weak home sales.

A number of leading indicators have painted a mixed picture of Australia's construction industry over the first half of the year, according to a report by Research and Markets.

Australians appear to be reluctant in acquiring new properties for now as a new industry survey showed mere moderate gains in the real estate sector in August, posting sales improvement of only 1.1 percent in the month.

The MFAA has echoed warnings from Gadens Lawyers about the use of the term "independent" in describing the services provided by mortgage brokers.

While global and domestic data highlight the need for a rate cut, the RBA does not seem swayed, Westpac has said.

About 60 per cent of Australian mortgage holders have decided to create a bigger savings buffer for ‘unforeseen circumstances’ amid recent financial market turmoil, according to independently-owned mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice.

A Tallai mansion previously voted house of the year by the Queensland Master Builders Association has been snapped up by an undisclosed buyer for $5.8 million prior to its auction on October 5.

A financial services consultant has claimed banks will increasingly try to shut out brokers as the mortgage market becomes more competitive.

Brisbane’s commercial market is rebounding quickly as demand for office space continues to be led by increased business activity from the resources sector.

New research from mortgage provider RAMS Home Loans show first home buyers in Australia aren't overly concerned about foreign investor competition in the property market. Despite talk of overseas investment into the Australian property market, local buyers say they are not worried.

Sales of existing homes climbed 7.7 per cent from the previous month to an annual rate of 5.03 million units, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Wednesday. The median price was 5.1 per cent lower than a year earlier, making analysts remark that the outlook is still grim for real estate.

Treasury boss Martin Parkinson has backed a move to abolish real estate stamp duties, saying they are biggest drag on productivity and inhibit economic adjustment.

The RBA has indicated that a 'clouded' international outlook had contributed strongly to a decision to keep the cash rate on hold.

Brokers should be careful before branding themselves as advisers, and ensure the term accurately reflects their business model, ASIC has stated.

First home buyers are poised to make a strong return to the property market as they move quickly to beat the loss of stamp duty concessions at the end of the year.

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and Austrade have launched two new publications designed to promote Australian green building capability to overseas governments, private sector developers, architects, engineers, specifiers and distributors of green building products.

The quality that consumers perceive is being provided by mortgage brokers, in comparison with banks and credit unions, will improve following the introduction of the NCCP, according to the MFAA.

Critics of the Victorian Government plan to expedite cases through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT) were attacking housing affordability and employment opportunities of thousands of Victorians, the Urban Development Industry of Australia warned today.

When it comes to property, Australians are starting to choose location over size, according to new Grattan Institute research.

Housing has become the biggest cost of living issue all over Australia and there is a significant crisis, according to a coalition of national housing, welfare and community sector organisations to highlight the problem of housing affordability in Australia.

Home prices in China grew only 4.1 percent in August, hinting earlier policy rules laid down by government in July may be slowly taking effect.