The Reserve Bank today decided to hold interest rates at the historic low of 0.75%. The decision to hold interest rates after the October cut was largely expected given a minimal improvement in unemployment and a minor uptick in inflation. RBA governor Philip Lowe said "The low level of interest rates, recent tax cuts, ongoing spending on infrastructure, the upswing in housing prices in some …
Bidding at auction? Don’t make these mistakes.
By now I'm sure you've started to hear the media reporting that house prices are on the rise. For the past quarter, Melbourne house prices jumped 4.1 per cent, with houses regaining almost half of the price falls that occurred during the recent downturn. For those of us immersed in all things real estate, out and about week in week out (and weekends!), we've seen the Melbourne market turning …
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RBA drop rates to 0.75% to tackle unemployment
The Reserve Bank has dropped its official cash rate below 1% for the first time as it battles rising unemployment and stimulate a slowing economy. This is the RBA's third cut since June and comes after data showed the unemployment rate has increased to 5.3%, from 4.9% at the start of the 2019. The big banks passed on around 80% of the 50 basis points of cuts in June and July, but are …
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Rates on hold for September
The RBA has kept the official interest rate on hold at its historic low of 1.0%. This comes after the RBA cut interest rates in June and July this year. Before that, the cash rate had sat at 1.5% for the better almost 3 years. RBA governor Philip Lowe said “Economic growth in Australia over the first half of this year has been lower than earlier expected, with household consumption weighed …
RBA looks to government for other ways to stimulate the economy
As predicted the Reserve Bank of Australia has maintained it's record low interest rate of 1%, with no change at this month's board meeting. The pause in cutting will allow time for RBA governor Philip Lowe time to see how the previous cuts will impact the economy. "It is reasonable to expect that an extended period of low interest rates will be required in Australia to make progress in …
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What could you do with $133,505?
Real Estate. It's a funny business. You have at your disposal experts you can call on to help you on the journey and save you money. We're talking big money, not small change you can find down the back of your couch. Yet it is probably still one of the few industries where people feel they can have a crack at it themselves (or call on Uncle Bob) and do a better job. If your toilet backs up, are …
Are buyers back?
A few weeks on from the federal election and with an interest rate cut thrown in for good measure, it seems that there is some confidence returning to the Melbourne real estate market. Agents I've been speaking to have said that they're seeing more hands going up at auction, with clearance rates lifting and some properties performing well. It's still a case by case basis, regarding which suburb …
Rate cut brings interest rates to a new low
The RBA has just announced it's second rate cut in a row, bringing the cash rate down to a historic low of 1 per cent. Last month RBA governor Philip Lowe hinted at another rate cut, commented that it was "unrealistic to expect that lowering interest rates by quarter of a percentage point will materially shift the path we look to be on". Indicating that a further cut was required in order to …
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RBA cuts interest rates to record low
The Reserve Bank has cut its official interest rate from 1.5% to a historic low of 1.25%. This was a widely expected result and is the first change in the RBA's policy setting since August 2016. The RBA governor Philip Lowe suggested an upcoming rate cut in last month's speech. All 43 economists surveyed by Refinitiv had pencilled in a rate cut this month, while 80% of them also expect a …
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What a difference an election makes
It really does feel like the real estate market has given a collective sigh of relief, with the coalition retaining power. Irrespective of your political views, the uncertainly surrounding the impact of Labor's policies on negative gearing and capital gains tax were causing nervousness in the real estate market. This was being reflected in prices continuing to remain sluggish or even fall …
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