REAL ESTATE REPORT

Banks’ funding pressures questioned
22 Mar 2012 - A new report by Citigroup calls into question claims by the banks that they are not making profits on new mortgages. The study finds the return on equity the banks earn on home loans has almost tripled over the past six years.

Housing recovery still stalling
16 Mar 2012 - At the end of last year a flood of first-home buyers rushed into the property market but talk of a housing recovery now seems premature.

Betting on the property market
09 Mar 2012 - It’s likely overseas and local investors will be able to bet on the direction of Australian home prices in the future. Property investors are now able to check capital city house prices daily thanks to RP Data-Rismark’s world first home value index.

Home ownership almost affordable
01 Mar 2012 - It’s getting better for those trying to buy a home. Housing affordability has improved over the year. The HIA-Commonwealth Bank Housing Affordability Index strengthened 2.2 per cent in the December quarter.

How to sell your house on Twitter
24 Feb 2012 - Real estate agents are standing up and taking notice of how social media expert Kurt Opray attracted 30 per cent more buyers to an auction than usual and sold his house for $135,000 above the reserve price.

Battle for the best mortgage rate
17 Feb 2012 - Which bank has the cheapest standard variable home loan rate? The banks have moved independently of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), lifting rates despite the RBA keeping the official cash rate steady at 4.25 per cent at its last meeting.

RBA impact on property
10 Feb 2012 - The Housing Industry Association says the Reserve Bank's decision to keep interest rates on hold could rattle confidence. But SQM Research Managing Director Louis Christopher says the decision to hold rates is good news.

Capital city house prices slip
02 Feb 2012 - RP Data reports capital city house prices fell by 3.5 per cent last year and the Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows prices fell 4.8 per cent. Despite the discrepancy in the figures, one thing is certain, it was a tough quarter for residential property.

House prices rebound in mixed market
25 Jan 2012 - Is the great Australian dream becoming a myth? This week we speak with Dr Andrew Wilson, senior economist from the Australian Property Monitors, about the latest house price report and if it shows any signs of recovery. Dr Wilson also shares his predictions for the year ahead.

Great price expectations for 2012
20 Jan 2012 - Home sales were down in December but price expectations for 2012 are up. Exposure to the resources sector sends expectations for some cities soaring, while others will remain stable. Fixed home loan demand increases, as does general demand for home loans.