Joint ventures can be a good way to fast-track your portfolio, but they can also be risky.

So how can you mitigate the risks of dealing with joint venture partners? In this article, originally published in Your Investment Property magazine, Helen Collier-Kogtevs, director of Real Wealth Australia, explains...

The REIV June quarter median prices show moderate growth in the Melbourne housing market over the last quarter. The median house price increased by 4.9% from $430,000 to $451,000.

While this is good news, I know it's not the end of the bad news. We still have some challenging times ahead in property. But I also know that times of uncertainty in any market, and particularly property markets, also create opportunities.

Read on to find out more...

The doom and gloom talk about mortgage rates and mortgage stress is overdone for the Australian market, at least for the reasons it has been quoted for.

Let me start with some simple ways to predict the movement of interest rates and property prices for a market economy like ours...

 

When most Australians are asked about ‘the X factor’ they think the question is about a science fiction TV show.

 

However, ‘the X factor’ is also talked about in the less glittery world of economic forecasting.

 

Economists refer to ‘the X factor’ when an unforeseen event or situation blows all their carefully laid forecasts away. Like the subprime crisis did last year.

 

Would you like to know what the X factor is going to be for our property markets in 2008?  Well read on……

 

 

In our continuing series on commercial property, originally published in Australian Property Investor magazine, we look at how landlords can entice tenants with incentives.

Leasing out commercial premises can be a challenge in a slower market, as can attracting the right tenant. That's where leasing incentives come into play and can make all the difference...

A recent survey in The Economist Magazine suggested that Australia has the most over valued residential property in the world. Once again they predict a property crash in Australia, as do a number of commentators

This makes for scary reading and I understand why many home owners and investors are nervous, but a property crash is not on the cards for Australia.

Read on to find out why...

The Federal Budget's implications for property will largely be determined by its impact on the Reserve Bank's interest rate approach. The consensus view of commentators is that the actual Budget didn't match the prior tough rhetoric and rates are now more likely to go up or stay put for longer than go down in 2008.

For more on how the Budget will impact on our property markets, read the full story from Greville Pabst, director of WBP Property...

While real estate agents will tell you the most important factor in choosing a good property is "location, location, location" this isn't really true. There is a lot more to finding a good investment property.

Here, Michael shares his "golden rules" to find that winning property investment...

This timely article by CEO of WBP Property, Greville Pabst, explores how the turbulent times the US economy is struggling with at the moment will impact on property here at home.

Read on to find out what it all means...

With ever increasing media attention focused on our national property markets, it's difficult to sort through all the information and statistics bombarding us every day. Whether it be on the TV, in the papers or on the radio, everyone wants to tell us how poorly property is faring. But what's the real story?

In this article Jack Henderson examines the real deal with auction clearance rates and the difference between how they're reported compared to what the statistics actually mean for our property markets…