Latest News
03-Mar-2011
Reserve Bank Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.75 per cent
At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.75 per cent.
The global economy is continuing its expansion, led by very strong growth in the Asian region. Commodity prices have risen further over recent months, pushing up measures of consumer price inflation in many countries. A number of countries have been moving to tighten their monetary policy settings. Overall, though, financial conditions for the global economy remain accommodative.
Australia's terms of trade are at their highest level since the early 1950s and national income is growing strongly. Private investment is picking up, mainly in the resources sector, in response to high levels of commodity prices. In the household sector thus far, in contrast, there continues to be caution in spending and borrowing, and a higher rate of saving out of current income. The effects of the natural disasters over the summer have reduced output, but production levels should recover over the months ahead, and there will be a mild boost to demand from the rebuilding efforts as they get under way.
23-Feb-2011
PROPERTY prices are easing across the country and there are great bargains to be had in 2011
FOR those eager to get into the property market, it appears that after years of seemingly unstoppable housing growth 2011 could be the year to secure a slice of the Great Australian Dream.
Last year the housing market was still one of the strongest in the world with growth tracking at five per cent annually.
But in 2011 analysts are predicting this will wind back - great for those waiting on the sidelines to buy, less so for those hoping the music would never stop.
Last month there were near across-the-board price falls in the capital cities, with the number of listings rising and auction clearance rates plummeting.
23-Feb-2011
RENTS are set to rise a solid 7 per cent this year, a boost for Property Investor's
During the last three months of 2010, rents in Australian capital cities increased by 1.4 per cent; they rose 4.2 per cent during the year.
Rents in regional markets did not change during the quarter, rising just 2.9 per cent throughout the year.
Melbourne's median weekly advertised rental rate for houses was recorded at $360 a week; for units it was $350.
Rental rates increased by 2.9 per cent for houses in Melbourne during the final quarter of 2010 - beating the national average and taking the annual growth figure to 2.9 per cent.
15-Feb-2011
Rental market tight due to Cyclone Yasi
Fears are mounting rents will rise as a result of the desperate search for temporary homes.
Tenants with rental subsidies from insurance companies are able to pay top dollar while others are forced to move away from schools, work and their communities while they wait for homes to be repaired.
While January is traditionally a busy month for rental properties throughout Brisbane, it has been made more difficult with flood-affected families now also in the market.
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