Interest rates on hold: what does it mean for the property market?
It seems that interest rates could stay lower for longer, which is good news for the property market, mortgage holders in particular. But the outlook is less certain for first-home buyers.
Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie was office of the year, D’Leanne Lewis was top income producer, and Laing+Simmons Double Bay was the top income producing office, all achievements celebrated at Laing+Simmons' annual awards night on the weekend.
Auction clearances indicate real estate market could be drifting lower
The auction clearance rate of Australia's capital cities was 74.6 per cent last week, virtually flat with the previous week's result. But Sydney and Melbourne's clearance rates are in a downward trend, says CoreLogic.
The preliminary clearance rate across Australia's five capital cities last week was 76.9 per cent, up from 69.8 per cent the previous week, according to CoreLogic.
Rates on hold, but housing affordability remains 'hotly debated'
The Reserve Bank has left interest rates at historic lows as economic conditions improve, but the property industry says other measures are required to improve housing affordability.
Changing stamp duty the way to improve affordability: Pilkington
In the wake of the government's changes to planning rules, Laing+Simmons managing director and REINSW president-elect Leanne Pilkington has reiterated her view that changing stamp duty is the way to tackle housing affordability.
