From the desk September 2023

For the third month in a row, rates have been left unchanged at 4.10% which while not unexpected, is a massive relief for those finding it tough. Interestingly, a well-respected economist mentioned the last three rate rises were totally unnecessary and the inflation figure would have been where it is now without them. During COVID,…

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From the desk June 2023

The property market is holding currently but I do see an increasing divide between the wealthy and the not so affluent buyer. Tuesday’s rate increase will bite hard and could be the one that tests peoples’ resilience. It will certainly rein in many first home buyers who contemplated relief ahead and investors who thought they…

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From the desk March 2023

Anyone willing to predict the outcome of the property market in the next 6 months is a braver person than I and realistically would be taking a stab in the dark. The consequence of 10 rate rises will not be realised until later in the year. Already there are obvious signs that people are hurting…

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From the desk December 2022

What an extraordinary 12 month period we have endured. Not just property but politics, policy, and the economy. Commencing with the anticipation of the collapse of the real estate market only to see it peak in March. February witnessed the horrific invasion on Ukraine and later the unexpected partial retreat from the Russians (for the…

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From the desk October 2022

This month I am celebrating 34 years in property with 24 of those spent as a buyer’s advocate. If I may be self-indulgent for a moment, I have distributed regular newsletters over that time with forward predictions on where I thought the market was headed with regular accuracy. This coming quarter however is a hard…

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From the desk July 2022

It is fair to say that there has been diverse commentary on the state of the property market. As recently as last month experts predicted prices would fall 5-10% this year and 8% in 2023. Now the consensus is that prices will soften 15% this year and next year with some predicting a recovery of…

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From the desk April 2022

We now have a more equitable supply and demand situation which will calm the dizzy heights of 2021 and create a more balanced property market. Annual appreciation of 20% is naturally unsustainable. Regional areas will continue to grow in popularity for homeowners and investors due to the ability to work from home, less traffic, larger…

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From the desk December 2021

In summarising our market What a journey through an incredibly trying period over the past 18 months. Family heartache, business closures, job losses, and unbearable ongoing isolation. Who could have predicted that the property market would not only survive these conditions but excel in them? No-one. During March – September 2020 the market fell 3%,…

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From the desk April 2021

Why the extraordinary momentum in the property market? No one predicted the strength that has been witnessed not just in Melbourne, but nationally. I did suggest that prices would ease during the pandemic, then claw back 10% over the following 12 months but this recovery has eclipsed all predictions. Much of the hype can be…

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From the desk November 2020

Here we are, only days away from a form of freedom. What a journey. Bearable for some but overwhelmingly difficult for most. Where has this left the economy and the property market? The economy suffered a 7% retraction in the 3 months to June however it is expected to grow in the September quarter shaking…

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From the desk October 2020

Through the mayhem of the first stage 2 restrictions introduced in March, the property market has shown strong resilience and has fortunately resisted succumbing to the confronting negative dialogue from numerous experts highlighted in the media. The four months to July 31 have seen Melbourne’s house prices retract by 3.5%. This was again the highest…

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