In property news this week, interest rates rise, values lift, building approvals fall; and some ideas for buffering against financial stress
Yes there are some negatives to showing your cards early in a negotiation that you need to consider. Firstly you will be breaking the golden rule of being the first to name a price and secondly you run the risk of your pre-auction offer (if rejected as they often are) becoming the benchmark of the vendors expectations e.g. "the reserve"...
Australian home values rose by 0.8 per cent in January, according to Cotality’s Home Value Index, a subtle acceleration from the 0.6 per cent increase recorded in December.
The latest data shows that while every capital city and region recorded an increase in home values through the month, the start of the year returned a mixed result.
To borrowers’ dismay, the Reserve Bank of Australia this week decided to lift the official cash rate, taking it to 3.85 per cent.
The move is the first rise in over two years, since November 2023, following no change in 2024 and three cuts in 2025. The hike was largely predicted by pundits and the market and follows a surprise uptick in inflation to end the year.
Interest rates might have gone against borrowers this week, but there are plenty of actions that could help countermand the impact. We take a look at some changes you might make both to your home loan and daily life, that might tip the balance back in your favour.
Approvals to build new apartments tumbled in December, cancelling out the rise from the previous month, new figures show.
Data released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that the total number of dwellings approved fell 14.9 per cent in December to 15,542, seasonally adjusted.
Next time you clear out your wardrobe and cull some of the clothes taking up space for too long, you might consider selling them instead.
Working with the ethos that they are offering ‘the easiest, laziest way to give your clothes a new home’, SwapUp acts like an online thrift shop. Pack up any clothes that are still in good condition, drop them off with Aus Post for shipping and sit back and wait for the remuneration. Easy, lazy, way to go.
When planning a renovation, or even just some maintenance work on your home, it is handy to have an idea of the likely costs involved.
Archicentre’s 2026 Cost Guide provides the latest costing information on a broad range of projects, assisting home owners and buyers to map out strategies. It is available for free download from the Archicentre website.