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These are the 12 steps to take to research a home before you buy

Buying a property is a huge financial and emotional commitment. Before you take the plunge, follow these steps (and check out a few powerful free tools) from mortgage and home loan brokers, Hunter Galloway.

National

People

The four biggest auction mistakes

Don't make these rookie auction mistakes, says Apollo Auctions auctioneer Justin Nickerson.

Victoria (Vic.)

Featured Property

La Maison de la Plage: Portsea cliffside chateau

Boasting panoramic views over Weeroona Bay, this historic home brings the French Mediterranean to coastal Victoria. For sale by Ilze Moran and Samantha Moffatt of RT Edgar Portsea.

National

The Economy

This is what the banking royal commission means for buyers

Property analysts warned the banking royal commission could make it even harder for would-be homebuyers to get a loan. In the wake of the report, it appears buyers will still have to jump through hoops to get a home loan, but the process appears unlikely to get harder.

Western Australia (WA)Perth

The Economy

Approval paves the way for more diverse housing in City of Fremantle

The housing industry has welcomed the McGowan Government's decision to approve the City of Fremantle’s amendments to its Local Planning Scheme to enable greater housing choice.

Queensland (Qld)

Construction

Regional building approvals the "lowest on record"

Master Builders have forecast a "grim" year ahead for regional Queensland after the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal building approvals have dropped again.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Featured Property

Bespoke Scotland Island waterfront enclave

Just a short boat ride from the amenities of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this deep-water property offers an entertaining family home or the ultimate weekend getaway. For sale via Kevin Packham of Belle Property Mona Vale.

Northern Territory (NT)

The Economy

"Solid spike" in enquiries after announcement of Northern Territory's new homebuyer scheme

First-home buyers are set to cash in big with the Northern Territory's new homeownership package, with agents reporting an increase in enquiries.

National

The Economy

Housing finance tumbles again, building industry calls for government to act

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show a dramatic drop in new housing loans.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

The Economy

Childless couples snapping up properties in highly sought-after school zones , as agents report "backlog" of buyers

Couples are lining up to buy property in some of Brisbane's most highly sought-after school catchment zones - before they even have kids.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/leasing/childcare-with-chef-yoga-and-barista-comes-to-a-cbd-tower-near-you-20160322-gno662

Childcare, with chef, yoga and barista, comes to a CBD tower near you

The sound of little feet will soon be mingling with the more intense tread of bankers as new childcare centres prepare to open at premium towers in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/commonwealth-bank-rules-out-house-hunting-downturn/news-story/d3103ebba1b406893ee995cd725feaf7

Commonwealth Bank rules out house hunting downturn

Commonwealth Bank is counting on home buying to continue strongly throughout the year even as research reveals buyers’ expectations of price have run ahead of the market.

The Australian

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/chinese-buyers-pace-vancouver-home-sales-20160323-gnpxvq

Chinese buyers pace Vancouver home sales

Buyers from China comprised about one-third of purchases of Vancouver's hot housing market in 2015, according to "back of the envelope calculations" by National Bank of Canada.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/16/iranians-to-splash-up-to-8b-on-overseas-property-study.html

Iranians to splash up to $8B on overseas property: Study

Wealthy Iranians, companies and state-backed buyers will spend up to £6 billion ($8.5 billion) on overseas real estate over the next five-to-10 years following the lifting of international sanctions, a report said on Wednesday.

CNBC

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/australian-pastoral-group-selling-rural-property-gems-including-deltroit-station-20160323-gnpdzc

Australian Pastoral Group selling rural property gems including Deltroit Station

The Australian Pastoral Group, run by former Macquarie Group agricultural boss Alan hayes is selling its three main rural properties worth more than $70 million as it seeks to cash in on heightened transaction activity in the sector.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.afr.com/news/economy/rba-governor-glenn-stevens-cheers-cooling-sydney-property-market-20160322-gnofdj

RBA governor Glenn Stevens cheers cooling Sydney property market

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens has cheered signs that house price growth in Sydney and Melbourne have cooled thanks to a "timely" regulatory crackdown on lending standards.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.domain.com.au/news/sunset-clawback-developer-ash-samadi-goes-into-liquidation-20160322-gnoefi/

‘Sunset clawback’ developer Ash Samadi goes into liquidation

A multi-million-dollar property developer who made up to 50% more on off-the-plan apartment sales by cancelling contracts and reselling the units, has gone into liquidation days before he was due to face his original purchasers in court.

Domain

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/john-mcgrath-spends-430000-in-share-buy-back-20160321-gnnya6

John McGrath spends $430,000 buying discounted McGrath stock

McGrath Estate Agents founder and chief executive John McGrath has spent $430,000 buying shares in the listed real estate group, whose stock has taken a hammering since floating in December.

The Australian Financial Review