February
Portsea clifftop home – with minimal land – sells for $19 million
The latest sale on the prized real estate strip comes at a time when buyers count land tax payments into what they can – and can’t – pay.
January
Victoria loses 20,000 rental properties in 18 months
Investors selling in the short term is not likely to impact rents, but a longer-term reduction in the state’s available stock could.
Why some Londoners pay more to park than their neighbours
A string of UK local authorities have begun imposing emissions-based parking schemes in the name of net zero, but critics say they’re just to raise revenue.
December 2024
So, you want to retire to Tuscany?
The idea of moving to Italy is alluring for retirees – la dolce vita, the food, the wine, the beauty, the prices. Just check these practicalities first.
November 2024
Mirvac taps stamp duty exemptions to sell luxury Melbourne apartments
News of the sales – and strong demand for a Sydney development with no tax break – raise questions about who should benefit from stamp duty cuts.
Meet the Australians making money from US real estate
As the dust of the American presidential election settles, a weaker currency and falling prices make luxury property attractive for wealthy foreigners.
October 2024
We’re more nuanced on negative gearing than five years ago
Disadvantages for investors – and gains for aspiring owners – would be more modest than many expect, if Australia’s property tax regime changed.
Ireland hits wealthy with ‘mansion tax’
The introduction of a third band of stamp duty is expected to raise €80 million a year.
September 2024
Raising property taxes would reduce home prices but increase rents
Curtailing negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount would slightly reduce home prices, but put upward pressure on rents, housing economists say.
Political factors won’t divert RBA from its inflation goal
Readers’ letters on the Reserve Bank’s policy goals; Victoria’s short-term rental tax; bypassing university; Qantas service; and gas in the energy transition.
Unit owners hold tight as growth slows and transaction costs rise
Hold periods for units have blown out above the decade average as owners delay selling.
August 2024
Investing in property for yield has never looked so unattractive
Rather than dealing a fatal blow by ending negative gearing on property, governments are bringing about death by a thousand cuts.
July 2024
Why Melbourne could beat other cities in the next housing upturn
Melbourne’s prolonged downturn is priming the city for a strong rebound when interest rates fall, experts say.
The investor survival kit for property taxes
Property investors, particularly in Victoria and NSW, face what seems to be an ever-increasing regime of extra costs and charges. Here are some tips to stay the course.
Foreign land buyers take class action against Victorian surcharge
It’s the latest step in a debate between those who argue taxation based on nationality is discriminatory and state governments that say it’s about revenue.
June 2024
Fights over pay rises challenge a bold prediction in NSW budget
A $10.7 billion windfall from soaring property taxes will pay for more public servants but won’t stop NSW posting deficits for nine straight years and risking its AAA credit rating.
SA removes stamp duty for first home buyers on all new builds
The pre-budget announcement is a concession that soaring house prices have sabotaged the effectiveness of last year’s more modest exemption.
May 2024
Imported tradies need to live somewhere too
To fix the housing shortage the government needs to train many more building industry workers at home as well as fast-tracking visas for foreign tradies, builders say.
Why would anyone want to invest in Melbourne’s housing market?
Some experts are predicting Melbourne’s housing market to bounce back strongly in the next two years, but others warn about getting in too early.
Victoria adds $700m to home buyer scheme – and calls time on it
There were minimal housing policies in the Victorian budget, but the state government is hopeful of a pick-up in sales next year to boost its finances.