This Month
- Opinion
- Property market
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.
- Robert Harley
Ireland hits wealthy with ‘mansion tax’
The introduction of a third band of stamp duty is expected to raise €80 million a year.
- Szu Ping Chan
September
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.
- John Kehoe
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.
- Nila Sweeney
August
- Opinion
- Property investment
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.
- Michelle Bowes
July
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.
- Nila Sweeney
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.
- Robert Harley
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.
- Michael Bleby
June
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.
- Updated
- John Kehoe and David Marin-Guzman
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.
- Michael Bleby
May
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.
- Michael Bleby
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.
- Nila Sweeney
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.
- Updated
- Michael Bleby
Victoria has become a poor state: economist Saul Eslake
The southern state’s high dependence on property and population growth has a fallout felt beyond its borders.
- Michael Bleby
April
Developers slam Mornington Peninsula Shire social housing tax
A 3.3 per cent levy on new developments would reduce investment in housing on the Mornington Peninsula, says Rich Lister Sam Tarascio and other developers.
- Larry Schlesinger
Boston eyes commercial tax rise to counter office market dip
The city’s plan would favour home owners while potentially deepening the pain for commercial real estate during a nationwide slump in office demand.
- Brooke Sutherland and Sri Taylor
March
Tax uncertainty keeps build-to-rent investors away, developers say
A lack of clarity about new rules for offshore investors is slowing the development of much-needed housing.
- Michael Bleby
Investors are quitting Melbourne. Here’s where they are headed
Victoria has more than 16 property-related taxes compared to around three in other states and territories.
- Duncan Hughes
Another $12b debt blowout in Victoria sets scene for horror budget
Ratings agency S&P says Victoria could face a daily interest bill of $30 million by 2027 after it was revealed state debt has already grown to $126 billion.
- Gus McCubbing and Patrick Durkin