Latest News & Insights from APO

THE number of residential building approvals surged in November, but the jump was largely the result of growth in multi-unit dwelling approvals in New South Wales.

THE latest building approvals figures suggest the housing affordability crisis is here to stay, with no relief in sight for renters and first home buyers.

The mining boom is more likely to dictate the value of a property purchase than your home address, writes David Potts.

Brisbane's burgeoning property market is tipped to enjoy similar growth next year, and one of the city's leading property analysts has revealed his hot spot picks for 2008.

Queensland's residential property market has recorded its fourth consecutive quarter of consistently healthy price growth.

AUSTRALIA'S economy will grow solidly on the back of solid household spending, adding to pressure on the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates, a leading economist says.

THE board of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) believes higher interest rates may still be needed to address inflation concerns.

THE Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board considered lifting the official cash rate at its meeting this month, but held off due to increases in money market rates.

HOUSING construction figures out today suggest the residential sector is showing signs of recovery, with analysts optimistic about the year ahead.

ALTHOUGH the Reserve Bank of Australia held off on raising the official cash rate in December, the big banks have warned they might look to raise home loan rates regardless – a move which could push borrowers who are already on the brink of mortgage stress into default.

AUSTRALIA'S rising interest rates are now beginning to take their toll on home loan borrowers, according to the latest market data.

HOME owners are likely to face higher borrowing costs in the new year, either because commercial banks choose to lift their lending rates, or the Reserve Bank does it for them.

The property rental market has been extremely tight for the past year, especially in capital cities. Housing shortages have made it increasingly difficult to get good deals on rent.

OWNING property has always been the great Australian dream. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced homebuyer, you need to ask yourself why you want to buy.

The number of property renters in Australia is rising as homes become less affordable to buy. This is good news if you own an investment property because maintaining a good occupancy rate is crucial to your investment success.

The Gold Coast is riding a massive $66 billion wave of new development, according to research released today.

BUILDING approvals fell 2.8 per cent to 13,553 units in October, seasonally adjusted

INTEREST rates are on a relentless rise and while most analysts predict steady rates this week, many expect another hike by February. And if the central bank doesn't raise rates, the big banks probably will.

INVESTORS are marking time as nationwide demand for properties fell by 7 per cent during the third quarter of 2007.

WORRIES about another interest rate rise have prompted more first home buyers to take out fixed-rate loans, new data shows.

BREAKING into the property market can feel a bit like climbing Mt Everest. House prices and interest rates seem to keep rising faster than it's possible to stash money away for a deposit.

4 steps to Fix your credit rating!

HOUSEHOLDS are less likely to face problems paying their rent or their mortgage than they were six years ago, despite rising rents and interest rates.

RESIDENTIAL real estate industry leaders have welcomed the election of the Rudd government.

With Labor in power federally and in every state, industry leaders expect a new era of co-operation on issues such as infrastructure funding and taxes.

ELDERLY people eroding the equity in their homes via reverse mortgages often have little idea what they are getting themselves into, with some treating the loans like credit cards.

AUSTRALIANS have indulged in a long running love affair with variable rate home loans, but as times get tougher is it time to fix or split?

Plans for the $1 billion Townsville Ocean Terminal moved a step closer today with the release of the Environmental Impact Statement for the project.

IF there is not a housing affordability crisis in now, there certainly will be by 2010 when there will be a shortage of 150,000 homes, a leading economist has warned.

AUSTRALIA could have a shortage of 200,000 homes by 2010, exacerbating the housing affordability problem.

MOST people's first financial priority is to get the mortgage millstone from around their neck, 'pay off the mortgage and worry about retirement later'. But is that the right thing to do?