Moving Tip #2 – Pianos – symphony or cacaphony?

There are plenty of piano-moving horror stories, precious pianos getting jammed in tight spots, being damaged beyond repair. Consider your back and the poor piano: think about leaving the move in the hands of the professionals.

For piano teacher Heather Hobbs, moving home involves an additional stress – the transporting of her two pianos, which are not only the tools of her trade but also her precious art objects. But so far, so good. Continue reading Moving Tip #2 – Pianos – symphony or cacaphony?

Desperate tactics used to secure rentals

Increased competition among Australian renters has led to extreme tactics being used to secure accommodation.

A new Consumer Insights Report by realestate.com.au has unearthed some alarming findings among renters, who are going to extreme lengths to secure a home due to a lack of quality rental accommodation on the market. Continue reading Desperate tactics used to secure rentals

Moving Tip #1: Insurance covering possessions in transit

Advice from Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA) providing information about the insurance cover offered by its members when you’re moving home.

AFRA Executive Director, Viv Hanley says, “Many Australians are under the impression that their property is covered by their home and contents insurance policy when they are moving, or that the removalist’s own insurance should cover any damage. This is not the case in each instance. Continue reading Moving Tip #1: Insurance covering possessions in transit

Carbon tax on housing

Now we know the starting price on carbon – $23 – a clearer picture is starting to form as to its impact on the property industry. Will it have a negative impact? That all depends on who you talk to.

The Housing Industry Association – a body that represents builders and the makers and suppliers of building products – remains opposed to a carbon pricing plan, arguing it will add $5000 to $6000 to the cost of a new house and land package – taking into account everything from the price of developing the land to fitting a kitchen cupboard handle. Continue reading Carbon tax on housing

Carbon tax may trigger rate hikes ahead of its July 2012 introduction

THE risk that the carbon tax will trigger interest rate rises is, in the words of at least one economist yesterday, “a foreseeable risk”.

Economists yesterday broadly agreed with the Government’s forecast that the tax would lead to a 0.7 per cent boost to inflation – low enough to allow the RBA to “look through” the rise when considering future interest rates. Continue reading Carbon tax may trigger rate hikes ahead of its July 2012 introduction

Gen Ys will lead housing revival

The Australian housing market has a bright future, and Gen Ys will be the ones to lead it there, a social demographer has claimed.

In spite of growing pessimism surrounding the economy, KPMG partner Bernard Salt has told Australian BrokerNews he expects economic conditions to pick up within the next few years. Salt claimed much of the economic pessimism in the housing market is merely reverberations from the GFC. Continue reading Gen Ys will lead housing revival

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