News Bulletin
On the way up...
In the news this week, more households, more house sales; mixing finances with friends and family; and the most expensive garage…
New home sales leap in April
Surging new home sales in Victoria pushed up the national sales figures by more than 6 per cent in April, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) announced this week.
Releasing its latest New Home Sales report of Australia's major residential builders, the HIA said that new home building in Victoria had defied higher interest rates thanks to the Victorian Government's first home buyer top-up grant for new dwellings.
4 million more households in 25 years: ABS
The number of households in Australia is projected to increase by up to 4 million over the next 25 years, according to projections released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
This is an increase from 7.8 million households in 2006 to up to 11.8 million in 2031.
Mixing it to cement the dream
Two-thirds of homebuyers are prepared to pool their resources with friends and family in order to raise the deposit, new research has found.
According to the latest First Homeowners Survey released by mortgage broker Mortgage Choice, 66 per cent of respondent buyers pooled their resources with another in some way.
Zero stamp duty - the gauntlet is thrown
The NSW Government has thrown out a challenge to other states with its Budget 2010 announcement this week that people who purchase a new home `off-the-plan' before the start of construction will pay no stamp duty.
Under the $140 million property construction initiative, NSW families and investors can save up $22,490 under the new Home Builder's Bonus program - and first home buyers will receive benefits of up to $29,490.
Lock down at high price
How can the asking price for three lock-up garages be the same as for a five-bedroom detached house currently on the market?
Like it or not, location still reigns supreme in the property market, and even on the coattails of a recession the most decrepit structures are fetching top dollar based on their prime position.
The rundown garage block in London has been placed on the market for just under NZ$2.7M, making it "Britain's most expensive lock-ups", the UK Telegraph reported recently. A few notable neighbours include actor Jude Law, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and singer Gwen Stefani.
We all shine on
We're always keeping our eyes out for innovative, sustainable ways to light up outdoor settings, and High Modern designer pots from Rotoluxe come with glowing reviews.
From small and thin minimalist replicas, to thick-walled bench planters and conventional cup-and-saucer designs, all the waterproof pots are made completely from post-consumer recycled plastics and are translucent inside and out, glowing with LED lights.
You may want to check first that your plants don't mind sleeping with the light on.