I often see people getting out and about attending open homes and speak to many who tell me they are spending several hours each week searching on real estate websites when they haven’t done the basic preparation. If you’re one of them then here are a couple of tips to point you in the right direction...

Next week on the 1st of July, the new NSW Home Builders Bonus comes into play which is sure to attract plenty of attention. In a move designed to stimulate the building market, vacant land with a price tag of less than $400,000 as well as off the plan property up to a value of $600,000 will be stamp duty exempt. There is also a specific incentive for the seniors market where a new home can be stamp duty exempt with a value of up to $600,000. Of course you will need to read the fine print for all conditions.

But will this approach actually result in more stock coming onto the market than was going to anyway or will it simply create an inflationary bubble in this sector of the market similar to that created by the First Home Buyers Grant and the changes to the FIRB rules. If it follows the path of the FHBG and the FIRB approach then watch the prices rise!...

Why do people purchase properties at their limit and often beyond their means? These properties often come with more bedrooms and bathrooms than they really need. Before you put yourself and your family under extreme financial stress take a step back and evaluate the big picture to determine what’s really important.

If you fall into the materialistic trap or as the old saying goes "trying to keep up with the Jones's" it can be very hard to dig yourself out of the financial hole that’s created. Sure it’s manageable for the first few years but after a while you may start to find yourself struggling to meet the bill payments on a regular basis adding extra and unnecessary pressure to your family and relationships...

Do you know who you’re competing against when buying a home or investment property after the Federal Government announced even more changes to the foreign investment rules on April 24?

What impact has the foreign investment rules had on our real estate market over the past 16 months and what impact will the new changes have going forward? How has it affected supply and prices and what’s likely to happen in the near future...

There’s been plenty of discussion in recent months about the increase of foreign buyers pushing up Australian real estate prices in established areas after the Federal Government relaxed the regulations last year.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that relaxing the FIRB laws was always going to increase demand and apply pressure on prices to rise for the limited stock that is available already. After realising the consequences of its decision the Federal Government has announced more changes – some reverting back to the previous policy position while others are new...

We’re seen most financial institutions tighten up their lending criteria since the global financial crisis and considering what happened around the world on the money markets in the last 12 months it’s hardly surprising.

Recently, Westpac announced that first home buyers would need to meet a loan-to-valuation ratio of 87% instead of the previous 92%...

The countdown to Christmas has begun and the pressure is on to organise the gifts, the lunchtime feast and holidays away. While it’s important to have fun and enjoy the break, don’t get too carried away and blow your budget – particularly if you’re saving a deposit for a home or investment property...

The Reserve Bank announced another rate rise of 25 basis points this week with official interest rates now at 3.5%. There seems to be wide spread agreement that rates will continue to rise over the next year or two until more ‘normal’ levels are reached.

It’s important to keep this information in perspective and not panic. Let’s remember that the interest rate levels that we’ve enjoyed this year were deliberately set at record low levels designed to stimulate the economy. They were never going to remain at these levels for the long term...

Prospective home buyers often get so excited about buying their own piece of paradise that they forget about evaluating the future. They base their home loan on their current financial circumstances and don’t take into account their future plans...