Media Releases and Property Articles


We keep a regular eye on what's happening in the property market and post up to date press releases, media articles newspaper and magazine clips and whatever else we think might be useful information to you about buying and selling property on this page. I hope you find this page a valuable resource when you are researching property.

If you're thinking about buying or selling a property and you would like to know how much it is worth then you can find out quickly, easily by requesting a free independent sales appraisal.

Stock on Market - Up for November 6 December 11   Figures released this week by SQM Research reveal that residential property listings have slightly increased during the month of November, rising by 5,631 to come to a total of 388,848 nationally. This figure represents a 16.7% increase since the corresponding period of the previous year (November 2010) as well a a 1.5% increase month-on-month. Read More
Top end housing almost as bad as during the GFC 3 December 11   The premium housing sector continues to dramatically underperform creating further downward pressure on property values. Read More
Industry Market Wrap 3 December 11   The RP Data-Rismark Home Value Index results for October were released this week and on a seasonally adjusted basis, capital city home values fell by -0.5%. Property values are now -4.0% lower over the past 12 months and have fallen over each month of 2011. Read More
Earthtrade Press Release 20 October 11   Herron Todd White Group acquires environmental brokers Earthtrade. Independent property advisory group, Herron Todd White, has acquired leading environmental broker Earthtrade, enhancing its services to clients who include landholders, resources companies, infrastructure projects and land developers. Read More
Maverick Newsletter Issue 30 summer 2011 - 12 13 September 11   This issue of our newsletter will give you the latest educational information about property depreciation and property investing. It will help you learn more and could save you or your clients a lot of money. You are receiving this email as you have an investment property, are interested in property investing, or are someone who works with property investors. Please circulate this Maverick newsletter among colleagues, clients or friends to help give them a rare insight into tax depreciation and property. Read More
Christopher's Housing Boom and Bust Report 8 September 11   With the RBA leaving interest rates on hold for another month, Louis Christopher the Managing Director of SQM Research had the following words to share - "Today's announcement will not change the current downward momentum of the housing market. We believe that this downturn that is with us will last well and truly into 2012 and unless there is an interest rate cut at some point within the next ten months, house prices will decline for most capital cities in the range of 10-15% which represents their total decline (peak to trough)." Read More
Sydney and Canberra homes buck weak market conditions 31 August 11   While dwelling values in Australias combined capital cities declined by a seasonally adjusted (s.a.) 0.6% in the month of July, and regional markets fell by a similar 0.7% (s.a.), homes in Sydney (+0.1% s.a.), Darwin (+0.6% s.a.) and Canberra (+1.9%s.a.) managed to produce small capital gains. Read More
Market on Road to Recovery 21 August 11   Queensland's residential property market has regained some of the ground it lost following the natural disasters earlier this year, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ). The REIQ June quarter median house price report found that preliminary sales numbers in many areas across the State are on the road to recovery, however, property price growth remains relatively subdued. Read More
Go Gecko real estate group calls in administrators 21 July 11   A Queensland-based real estate group has called in administrators after falling victim to the property market slump. The founder of Go Gecko Pty Ltd Geoff Doyle has also been ousted from the chief executive's role, News Ltd reports. Read More
Rents rise while home values fall by 2.7 per cent in 2011 30 June 11   Capital city dwelling values declined by 0.3 per cent (seasonally adjusted - s.a.) in May, and are down 1.2 per cent (s.a.) over last 3 months. Rest of State house values were also weak in May (-0.1 per cent s.a.) and are off -0.9 per cent (s.a.) over last 3 months. Gross rental yields for Aussie apartments are now 5.0 per cent. Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 3 June 11   The RP Data-Rismark Home Value Index results for April 2011 were released this week, highlighting the ongoing softening of housing market conditions. In seasonally adjusted terms, capital city home values were down -0.3% for the month, -1.2% for the quarter and -1.5% over the year. The results varied widely across the capital cities; over the year home values were down by -6.8% in Brisbane and by -7.1% in Perth while at the other end of the scale values were up 1.2% in Sydney and 0.7% in Canberra. Melbourne values were down-0.4% over the year in Melbourne. The full details of the Index results can be viewed under the research tab at rpdata.com Read More
RP Data News - Luxury suburbs drag down Aussie housing market 31 May 11   The near-double interest rate hike in November last year has bitten, with seasonally-adjusted Australian capital city dwelling values down 1.2% in the three months to end April, although in raw terms home values are mostly unchanged (-0.2%). Expensive suburbs have been the poorest performers in line with the share market. Read More
SQM Research Newsletter 31 May 11   Top Ten Most Discounted Properties We are back to normal this week, with SQM Research compiling the top ten most discounted properties on a national scale. Read More
SQM Research Newsletter 24 May 11   Top Ten Most Discounted This week SQM Research is throwing something different into the mix and has compiled a list of discounted properties from around Australia - a highly discounted property from each state, with the addition of two of our personal picks - properties which may not possess the highest discounts but appear to be of value to a certain degree. These two properties are those marked with an *. Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 6 May 11   The Reserve Bank (RBA) held their May board meeting on Tuesday of this week. At this meeting the RBA board decided to keep official interest rates unchanged at 4.75% . In relation to housing and credit the board specifically noted: overall credit growth remains quite modest. Signs have continued to emerge of some greater willingness to lend, and business credit has resumed growth after a period of contraction. Read More
House prices up as sales tumble 24 April 11   Residential sales volumes are falling across the country, although median values continue to increase, according to figures from the Residential Land Report for the December 2010 quarter, released this week by the Housing Industry Association and RP Data. Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 1 April 11   February’s RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Home Value Index result (0.0 per cent s.a.) suggests that Aussie home values continue to tread water despite robust household income growth. There was little revision to RP Data-Rismark’s January estimates.

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RP Data Property Pulse 18 March 11   This week the Reserve Bank (RBA) released the minutes of their March Board Meeting this week and at this meeting the RBA Board decided to keep the official cash rate unchanged at 4.75%. Subsequently, the standard variable mortgage rate remained at 7.8%. The minutes of the meeting highlighted that a lot of the domestic data flows were beginning to provide evidence of the impact of the floods. The RBA expects that the impact of the floods is likely to take 0.5 percentage point off growth in both the December and March quarters. The minutes also highlighted that outside of the resources sector the economy remains soft. Consumer confidence has been trending lower, retail sales growth and housing market activity has also been much softer in recent months. Of the minutes, the most notable was the decision to keep interest rates on hold, they state: ‘Interest rates on loans were slightly above average, a level reached after the monetary policy decision taken in November 2010. Members judged that this mildly restrictive stance of policy continued to be appropriate. The Board therefore decided to leave the cash rate unchanged.’

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RP Data – Rismark Home Value Index Release 31 January 11   Aussie dwelling values rose by a seasonally-adjusted 0.4% in the December quarter, and 4.7% over the year. The capital city market peaked in May 2010 and remains below this threshold today. Over 2010, Melbourne (+8.4%) and Sydney (+6.6%) were the best performers. Perth (-2.3%) and Brisbane (-1.0%) were the worst.

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RP Data - Rismark Home Value Index 1 December 10   Dwelling values were up a modest 0.3% in seasonally-adjusted terms during October. Yet the November rate rise, bank top-ups, declining clearance rates, and a rising stock of unsold homes hint at tougher times ahead.
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Pool Safety Laws 1 December 10   The second and final stage of Queensland's new swimming pool safety laws came into effect on 1st of December 2010.

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Property Pulse 12 November 10   The ABS released housing finance data for September which showed an improvement in the number of home loans being taken by owner occupiers. Over the month total owner occupier finance commitments increased by 1.3% which was the third successive month in which they have improved. Read More
$407 billion worth of properties to change hands within 15 years 11 November 10   A large proportion of Generation X and Ys are poised to inherit a record number of housing estates from their veteran and baby boomer parents over the next 15 years as part of an unprecedented intergenerational wealth transfer, according to a new report. Read More
Property Pulse 5 November 10   The Reserve Bank (RBA) decided to increase interest rates by 25 basis points this week following their monthly board meeting. The increase takes the official interest rate to 4.75%. At the time of writing it was not clear what the average standard variable interest rate would be, the CBA lifted their rates by 40 basis points and the other major banks as yet have not announced their moves. Read More
RBA raise interest rates 5 November 10   At its meeting, the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to raise the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent, effective 3 November 2010. The Board concluded that the balance of risks had shifted to the point where an early, modest tightening of monetary policy was prudent. Read More
RBA raise interest rates 5 November 10   At its meeting, the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to raise the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent, effective 3 November 2010. The Board concluded that the balance of risks had shifted to the point where an early, modest tightening of monetary policy was prudent. Read More
New pool safety laws – one month to go 1 November 10   The second and final stage of Queensland's new swimming pool safety laws will come into effect 1 December 2010.

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Top Four Advertising Methods 1 November 10   Top Four Methods of Advertising 2003 Vs 2010 Read More
Residential Property 1 November 10   Recent movement in prices and volatility on the stock market hasnt dampened sentiment for residential property, with 66 per cent of respondents indicating that they see the current stock market climate having a beneficial impact on residential property over the next 12 months. Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 29 October 10   The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) this week released the September 2010 quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI) results which were generally below expectations. The all groups indicator was recorded at 0.7% for the quarter (2.8% pa). Read More
Property Pulse 15 October 10   Housing finance data released this week by the ABS shows that finance commitments continue to report weak results. The data showed that total owner occupier finance commitments increased by 1.0% during August however, they remain -22.8% lower over the year. Read More
Rough diamonds still be found 8 October 10   It's a well-known property investment philosophy - buy the worst house in the best possible street. And across Queensland there remain plenty of rough diamonds to choose from, but buyers need to be realistic and be able to afford to invest the time, and the money, usually required to restore the sparkle to these hidden gems. Read More
Property Pulse 17 September 10   A number of important data releases have come out over the past week notably, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has released labour force and dwelling commencement statistics and Westpac and the Melbourne Institute’s has released their September consumer sentiment survey results. Read More
Residex News 15 September 10   Election is over and for once I called it right, well almost. For an article in the Your Mortgage Magazine on 29th June 2010 before the election was called Read More
House Prices - Down they go, and possibly for some time too 27 August 10   After a year and a half of price growth, residential property values are starting to slide.



In our view, prices are likely to continue to slide for much of 2010/11, even if interest rates remain on hold. If rates rise, then we could see a substantial fall in end values. We believe the next direction for interest rates is down and not up. The real economy is quite weak, demand lacklustre and many businesses cannot continue to hoard labour, so unemployment is likely to rise.
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RP Data Property Pulse 6 August 10   RP Data’s measure of pre-listing activity by real estate professionals, the Market Activity Index saw a slight increase over the last week with the index sitting at 120.5 points. Despite the slight upwards movement we expect that the level of market activity will continue to trend lower until at least the beginning of the spring selling season. Read More
Housing shortage tracking to 500,000 by 2020 27 May 10   Findings of the Housing Industry Associations (HIA) inaugural Housing to 2020 report show if current building trends persist, then Australias cumulated housing shortage would reach 466,000 dwellings by 2020. Read More
Population growth will continue to support first home buyer demand in 2010/11 27 May 10   First home buyer intentions are not expected to fall to the same extent as they did following the expiration of the First Home Buyer Boost Scheme in 2002. Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 7 May 10   In a positive sign for housing supply, new dwelling approvals jumped 15.3 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis in March with 16,383 new dwellings approved for construction over the month. Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 30 April 10   This week the Australian Bureau of Statistics released their Consumer Price Index figures for the March 2010 quarter. The Consumer Price Index measures the level of price inflation and the results showed that over the last 12 months, prices had inflated by 2.9%. When volatile items are removed from the results a 2.9% increase has also been recorded. Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 23 April 10   RP Datas measure of pre-listings activity, the Market Activity Index, nudged slightly higher this week. Despite this increase we may still start to see a slowdown in real estate listing activity in the coming weeks and months as the sceptre of higher interest rates lingers. Read More
Homeowners to prepare for further rate rises 6 April 10   The decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to increase the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 per cent today was not entirely unexpected, after comments from RBA Governor Glenn Stevens last week and increases in key export prices.
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Rismark Home Value Index Release 31 March 10   City home values continue to climb despite rate rises... while growth in non-capital city
markets much slower. Read More
City home values continue to climb despite rate rises... 31 March 10   City home values continue to climb despite rate rises... while growth in non-capital city markets much slower. Based on the RP Data - Rismark February Hedonic Home Value Index results released today, dwelling values in Australias capital cities continued to rise by 1.4 per cent over the month following on from 2.0 per cent growth in January. Read More
Unit and townhouse sales soften 15 March 10   Continuing a trend in Queensland's residential property market, the number of sales of units and
townhouses reduced markedly during the tail end of 2009, according to the Real Estate Institute of
Queensland (REIQ). Read More
Buyers cautious as market conditions change 8 March 10   The reduction of first home buyers in the Queensland residential property market has had a dramatic impact on the latest median house prices from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ). Read More
RP Data Property Pulse - March 5 March 10   Last week saw the greatest number of auctions so far this year with 2,200 auctions, an increase in volume of 52% from the previous week. Across the combined capital city markets the weighted average clearance rate was 73%. Read More
Homeowners need to adjust budgets 2 March 10   The decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to increase the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4 per cent appears contrary to the language used by the central bank in its last decision, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ). Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 5 February 10   The RBA shocked seemingly everyone this week with their decision not to raise interest rates following their Board Meeting on Tuesday. Read More
Consumer confidence surges in January, Westpac-MI survey show 20 January 10   Consumer confidence surged in January as households appear to have absorbed three interest rate rises, a survey shows. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment increased by 5.6 per cent to 120.1 points in January, from 113.8 in December. Read More
RP Data Property Pulse 8 January 10   The RP Data-Rismark national Home Value results were released last week and they showed that the Australian residential property market continued to strengthen during November. Read More
QLD Property Bounces Back 7 December 09   Queensland's residential property market has regained most of the ground lost over the past year, according to the latest Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) median house sales data.
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Rental markets to tighten further in 2010 and 2011 30 November 09   Plunge in apartment construction leaves new supply critically low. Leading industry analyst and economic forecaster, BIS Shrapnel, is anticipating rental growth around Australia will surge in 2010, following a period of more moderate growth in 2009.
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An overview of the Sustainability Declaration 30 November 09   The Queensland government has amended legislation to make it mandatory for sellers of residential property to complete and sign a sustainability declaration from 1 January 2010.
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House Price Growth to Accelerate 14 October 09   ADELAIDE'S housing prices will increase 23 per cent by the middle of 2012, the biggest rise in values of all the capital cities, and nearly twice the growth rate of Perth and Canberra, according to a new report with Brisbane to rise 14%.
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What time is it in your state? 5 October 09   ACCORDING to the property clock, the best time to buy is at the bottom, 6 o'clock, just after the oversupply has hit and properties are at a discount to their underlying value.
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Property Shows Long-Term Capital Growth 23 September 09   Queensland residential property continues to show strong long-term capital growth with many suburbs recording median price increases of more than 100 per cent over the past five years.
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Australia's Most Valuable Suburbs Named 16 September 09   WHEN buying a new home location is everything. And now there's research to prove it. The St George Bank national property hotspots report has identified the top 24 suburbs around Australia likely to provide the strongest value for home buyers.
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Property Market Returns to Form 7 September 09   Queensland's residential property market has shown its staying power over the June quarter with increasing sales and median house price growth in many areas.
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