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Selecting a block of land

When selecting a block of land that will meet your requirements you have three main options.

You might choose a block of land on your own, engage a Builder Broker to help you select a block of land after discussing your design requirements, or select a house and land package through a builder.

Many find it difficult to select a block of land on their own as they aren't familiar with council requirements or how the site conditions may affect the construction of the house.

A common way of selecting a block to alleviate these concerns is through purchasing a house and land package since most of the preliminary work and investigation has already been done for you.

However if you cannot find a suitable house and land package that meets your needs the most flexible option would be to ask a Builder Broker to assist you in finding a suitable block of land which meets your requirements.

Self Managed Super Funds are growing

Self Managed Super Funds (SMSF) are not new however with the disenchantment with managed funds after the GFC investors are now wanting to take back control of their retirement savings.

This has been followed with amendments to existing laws to allow SMSF to borrow to purchase investments properties.

There are already over 450,000 SMSF and this figure is growing at over 2,500 per month according to the ATO. Furthermore the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) reports that as of December 2011, 30.6 percent of super assets were held within SMSF.

With the right expertise and advice what some consider to be a complex and difficult process can be streamlined to ensure that you can receive all the benefits without the headaches.

RBA says housing more affordable

Fears of a property bubble appear to be unfounded according to?Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens.

At a recent presentation Mr Stevens said there is little evidence that a plunge in Australian house prices, like that seen in the US, UK or Spain, is likely.

?Rather than rising out of control Australia's property market is actually becoming more and more affordable

Scaled to measures of income, Australian dwelling prices on a national basis have in fact declined and are now about where they were in 2002.

Home prices in Australia have fallen 5 to 10 per cent from their peak, compared with 15-20 per cent in the UK and 30 per cent in the US, according to the RBA.

Mr Stevens remarked that 'Four or five years ago we supposedly had a housing affordability crisis. Now it seems that the problem some people fear is that of housing becoming even more affordable.'

It appears that in the mindset of doom and gloom which is surrounding the economy consumers are continually looking at the glass as being half empty despite the all evidence pointing to the contrary

realestate.com.au reaches 1 million downloads

After being released in December 2010 the new realestate.com.au app has reached 1 million downloads after just 16 months

With vast percentage of market share for internet real estate listings for South Australia realestate.com.au has continued to expand it stranglehold over market.

Although available on both i-pad, i-phone and Android devices the majority of downloads were used on the i-phone.

Whilst realestate.com.au continues to get the bulk of the internet traffic for home sales it is difficult to imagine any of its competitors having any affect on its market share.

Refinance accounts for 40% of loans

According to a recent finding from Finance Aggregator AFG refinancing currently accounts for 40% for all loan activity. This number is up 29% from 2009. So what accounts for this shift

As a result of market sentiment people are becoming much more cost sensitive and one of the major costs of households is their homeloan.

Now the effects of the GFC has cooled on the finance market the major banks are coming under increasing pressure from their competitors. This competition has created opportunities for borrowers to look elsewhere for better deals.

This change in the market also coincided with the removal of exit fees from the banks which has made it even easier for borrowers to shop around for the best deal.

Another factor being considered by borrowers in this uncertain market is the opportunities presented by falling interest rates. The attractive interest rates being offered by lenders are attracting a lot of activity. Many of the lenders offering the best fixed rates are not the Major banks but other non-bank lenders.

After the way many borrowers have been treated by the bank over the last few years many borrowers are eager to take advantage of every opportunity to take their business elsewhere to get the best deal.