Digital Finance Analytics (DFA) Blog
"Intelligent Insight"
From The Conversation. Now that Australia’s two major political parties (and the Greens) have decided that robbing banks is legitimate public policy, we return our focus to how the Australian economy is actually functioning. ABS data released Monday showed that investor housing loans rose slightly, up 0.8% on the previous month. The really interesting figures … Continue reading “Dismal wages growth makes a joke of budget forecasts”
From The Conversation. Australia’s capital cities are getting more and more units, that are largely concentrated and come with a hefty price tag, a new report shows. And while these areas also have lots of jobs, the high price for houses means many on low incomes won’t be able to access that employment. Between 2006 … Continue reading “Data confirms houses near jobs are too expensive”
From The Conversation. Renters are already the weak party at the negotiating table because they cannot ignore their need for a place to live. But a new series of apps that pit renter against renter will only further tip the balance of power in favour of landlords, making it even harder to get a house. … Continue reading “Why rent bidding apps will make the rental market even more unaffordable”
The latest edition of our weekly digest is published today. In the week the big banks copped it in the budget, and investor borrowing momentum is predicted to slow, we look at events over the past seven days. Watch the video, or read the transcript. We start with the main announcements in the Budget. First … Continue reading “The Property Imperative Weekly 12th May 2017”
From The New Daily. The government’s plans to allow first home buyers to salary sacrifice up to $30,000 into superannuation accounts looks set to do little to make houses more affordable. “Under this plan, most first home savers will be able to accelerate their savings by at least 30 per cent,” Treasurer Scott Morrison said … Continue reading “Super saver accounts fail to impress”
From Ten Eyewitness News When it comes to paying off the Mortgage, it’s a slippery slope that could see the entire house of cards come tumbling down. New figures released by the Australian National University have found that one in five Aussies are constantly struggling to pay their mortgage, while others have admitted to falling … Continue reading “Record numbers of home owners approaching Mortgage stress”
Could the budget impose an interbank levy on the big four tonight? There is certainly speculation in the media it might raise $6bn over 4 years. That would be enough to lift mortgage rates again. The weakish results in the past week, (NIM under pressure) and the threat of such a levy explains why major … Continue reading “Will The Budget Hit The Banks?”
From The Conversation. Encouraging senior Australians to downsize their homes is one of the more popular ideas to make housing more affordable. The trouble is, incentives for downsizing would hit the budget, but make little difference to housing affordability. It sounds good: new incentives would encourage seniors to move to housing that better suits their … Continue reading “Why older Australians don’t downsize and the limits to what the government can do about it”
Suncorp has announced an exclusive new offer for first home buyers to “help them realise their property ownership dreams”. Suncorp’s Home Package Plus Special Offer for First Home Buyers allows customers to choose from a Standard Variable rate or a 5 Year Fixed rate of 3.99% p.a. on new lending of $150,000 or more. The … Continue reading “Suncorp Targets First Time Buyers”
I had the chance to discuss our latest mortgage stress research with Jon Faine on ABC Radio Melbourne today. The ABC also did an on-line segment based on the interview: Almost 52,000 Australian households are at risk of defaulting on their mortgages in the next 12 months and a quarter of home owners are under … Continue reading “Mortgage Stress On The Radio”