Show 35 - Buyers waiting for bargains could miss out. 

 

Lower fixed rates are attracting record numbers of borrowers to lock in their home loan. New figures from Australian Bureau of Statistics show there were almost 6,000 fixed home loans taken out in December 2011, which is almost 12% of all home loans financed. We haven’t seen that proportion of fixed home loans since June 2008. What signals are the banks sending? Damian Smith from Rate City explains.

Real estate is all about position. position, position - but sometimes when you are selling there are some things you are stuck with and can’t fix. Sticking you head in the sand won’t help so we have some suggestions for you and one of them certainly is not to hide it or ignore that it is there.

The signs continue to emerge that buyer activity is increasing. Stock levels in January fell significantly according to Louis Christopher so buyers waiting for bigger and better bargains could be in for a shock. More on that today in the show.

We answer a question from a listener that asks about tenants rights if the agent wants to do an inspection when they are away on holidays. All the proper procedures and notice periods were followed apparently, but because the tenant was away, they were not aware that the agent was going to be coming. Should the agent have conducted the inspection? We will find out in the show today.

 

Show 34 - Bargains under $450K – cash positive! 

 

Following the Reserve Bank‘s decision to keep the cash rate at 4.25% at its board meeting last week, there’s speculation that lenders could lift their interest rates on home loans before the next meeting. Are they just softening us up or testing the water? Will it be worth increasing interest rates on home loans for lenders? How will the market cope and what can you do about it? All those questions answered today with Damian Smith from Rate City.

We go on the hunt for properties around Australia that you can buy for under $450,000 that are cash flow positive. It is possible and with the help of several buyers agents we tell you about them this week.

Jeff is a concerned tenant and feels his privacy has been breached by his agent. He is mad about it! We talk to him and Shannon Davis from Image Property Management helps sort it out.

Nhan Nguyen has a unique guarantee he makes to investors. You can’t lose as he explains this week.

 

Show 33 - get yourself 'market ready. 

 

Damian Smith from Rate City will give us the evidence that indicates we could be turning the corner and he has some great advice about how to capitalize on the situation.

Rob Balanda from MBA Lawyers looks at the legal aspects and has some tips on turning the tables in your favour.

If you are a first time investor you’ll want to make note of what Shannon Davis has to say about getting into the market right now. Shannon is from Image Property Management.

We continue the first time buyer/investor theme with Andrew Winter – the star of Lifestyle Channel’s Selling Houses Australia program. Andrew has so many great experiences from hosting the series and shares some with us today.

Carolyn Boyd has an update for us on the new rules that apply to high rise windows and the danger posed to young children who tragically fall and die or are seriously injured.

 

Show 32 - Real estate prices likely to grow. 

 

Chris Brazel – renowned Feng Shui, numerology and colour expert joins us to talk about the property market in 2012 and how colours can make a difference.

Damian Smith lays out some evidence that we may have reached a point in the market where prices will grow.

Should the owner of a property be able to store items under a rented property? That is the question posed by a listener. Shannon Davis from Image Property answers that questions and outlines the problems that could emerge from that situation.

Vacancy rates and buyer confidence still point to it being a buyers market but the level of business being done in WA is encouraging according to Louis Christopher.

Things might be looking better for the property market in Australia right now but what will happen if things don’t go well overseas? Michael Yardney has some advice for wise investors.

 

Show 31 - We find the property bargains. 

 

We open the show with an excellent look at why we are seeing more first home buyers returning to the market.  It’s a great sign and we look at the impact of this on the market with Damian Smith from Rate City.

While general forecasts for Australian house prices remain lukewarm, experts maintain that there are still opportunities for investors - many still waiting to be found. We tell you about them in the show.

Trent from Cairns sent an email about his investment property.  We answer it today.

How frustrating is it to list your property for sale and then not be able to tell potential buyers about your property in a way that might generate offers.  There is now a website that allows you to do that and its FREE.

We go Hotspotting with Terry Ryder and not only do we hear about his latest hotspot but we take you there as well and talk to an agent about what is available.

 

Show 30 - Government property subsidy schemes are ‘fizzers’.

 

The latest debacle by the Queensland State Government – ‘The $140M Building Grant’, due to end on 31st January, has been extended to the end of April 2012. The take up has been less that 25% of that predicted by the Government. This is further evidence that Government’s should not try to stimulate the property market. We look at why it hasn’t worked and make some suggestions about what Government’s could do instead.

 

Our Market Update comes from John Edwards of Residex who says ‘2012 is looking better than 2011’. He thinks we may have reached the bottom and he gives the figures to support that view.

 

We look at the US market and the opportunities; Terry Ryder gives another Hot Spot prediction, and Shannon Davis from Image Property Management gives a warning to tenants about not telling the agent what is happening in the property.

 

Show 29 - More distressed sales signal opportunities – but beware!

 

As the market continues to tighten we are hearing about more distressed sales. Property owners feeling the tightening economy, the pressure on the household income and in their desire to beat the bank – so to speak – decide to sell and rent.

 

We have some advice for buyers who may be sensing some good opportunities and we highlight some of the mistakes they are making and consequently putting themselves and their financial future at risk.

 

We go hot spotting with Terry Ryder and we look at the new disclosure regime for banks that came into force at the start of 2012. Home loan fact sheets will make it easier for borrowers to compare apples with apples before they apply for a home loan.

 

Also this week we address a situation posed to us in an email from a listener who is having trouble with a letting agent. We seek some advise and explain what you can do if you can’t get any satisfaction from an agent.

 

Show 28 - How to beat the auctioneer.

 

1 – Have we reached the bottom of the cycle?

Reports out this week paint a very optimistic picture for the property market in 2012. But is it real? We check it out and find out also that first home buyers are leading the charge.

 

2 - Agents involved in illegal practice.

Some unethical agents are trying to get tenants to increase the amount of rent paid for a rental property through ‘rent bidding’ or ‘rent auctions’ as they are sometimes called. How can you tell if what an agent is doing is illegal and what can you do? Shannon Davis from Image Property management has the answers.

 

3 - Gold Coast is hotting up.

Terry Ryder explains why he is turning his Hot Spotting focus towards the Gold Coast. Is it all because of the successful bid for the Commonwealth Games. It has been hit hard by a downturn in tourism and the real estate numbers are gloomy. But Terry says ‘look past the numbers’.

 

4 - Watch out for Equity based loans.

Loans that are linked to the amount of equity you have in your property are something to be very cautious about especially in a falling market. We have a horror story about an investor who, even thought his properties were positively geared was faced with having to sell down his portfolio at a loss to satisfy the bank.

 

5 - A view to 2012.

Last week Michael Yardney looked back at 2011. Today he looks forward to 2012. By his own admission it is not something he likes to do but we get him to give us his view about the various market sectors and their prospects for next year.

 

6 - How to beat the auctioneer.

We talk to a buyers agent about how she went toe to toe with an agent and auctioneer to make sure that the buyer of a property was not going to be caught up in a buying frenzy and ultimately pay too much for a property. There are some great negotiation lessons in this story.

Show 27- Are agent checks the best solution to Property ID Fraud?

 

1 – Big bucks from renos made easy.

Renovating an investment property for profit can seem daunting, especially if you have never done it before. Patrick Bright is imminently qualified to tell you how. He tells us about his 4th book in the series of ‘Insider’s Guides’ this time “Renovating for Profit”

 

2 - An experts look back at 2011.

Michael Yardney is a best selling author and one of Australia’s leading experts in the psychology of success and wealth creation through property. He is Australia's most published property author and has probably educated more successful property investors than anyone else in Australia.

 

3 - Tenants jump the queue.

As a tenant how to you get to the top of the queue? In most parts of Australia and New Zealand, tenants are in hot competition to secure a property and it’s not unusual to see large groups at opens. Here are some tips on getting ahead of the crowd.

 

4 - Are agent checks the best solution to Property ID Fraud?

The new requirement from Western Australia for real estate agents to carry out identity checks for people selling properties, as a way of stopping identity theft and having a property sold out from under the legal owner, is a good idea but not the best solution. Rob Balanda from MBA Lawyers has a better solution.

 

5 - A well connected suburb heralds growth.

This week Terri takes us to an inner city Brisbane precinct which has been positively impacted by some major transport infrastructure ($11B worth) making it one of the most connected places in Australia.

 

6 - The RBA’s Christmas gift.

What impact will the recent good news from the RBA have on consumer confidence and will it have a positive impact on house prices? The big 4 banks have signaled that they will pass the benefits to their customers and with no more adjustments for 2 months we might see the market go into a small recovery. We get expert opinions from Louis Christopher from SQM Research and Damian Smith from Rate City.

Show 26- First Home Savers Scheme is a failure.

 

1 – Why hasn’t my property sold?

Leading numbers, colour and Feng Shui expert Chris Brazel returns to answer a question from Margaret who is concerned about the energy around her agent. “Is that why my property isn’t selling?” she asks.

 

2 - Tips for young investors

Carolyn Boyd tells us that some under 20’s are staying at home and buying an investment property. What are some of the considerations and what should you be aware of if you are planning to do this?

 

3 - First Home Savers Scheme is a failure.

The first home saver scheme commenced on October 1, 2008 as part of the Federal Government’s stimulus package in response to the Global Financial Crisis. At the time, it was hoped that the scheme would help 500,000 first-time buyers by 2011. That has not happened – so why has it failed? Damian Smith from Rate City explains.

 

4 - Dangers of overpricing your property.

No agent likes to try to sell an overpriced listing but how do you know if you are setting the figure too high or too low. Too low and you will know quickly but too high and it might not become obvious for some time and probably too late. We have a solution.

 

5 - Who is responsible for cleaning the mould?

A question from Carla in Brisbane about a property she is renting that has mould. Who should be responsible for cleaning it up? Does the owner have a responsibility because it is a potential health risk? Shannon Davis from Image Property Management has the answer. Ask your question here.

 

6 - WA is HOT!

Terry Ryder from Hot Spotting reported from WA last week and he is back there again this week talking about the state in general and why it could be set to boom.