BLOGS

Should you ever prioritise short-term returns?

Regular readers of this blog would be aware of my unwavering commitment to adopting a long-term perspective when it comes to making financial decisions. While I firmly believe in this approach, I also recognise that there are occasions when short-term decision-making can offer advantages. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that such instances are infrequent and …

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Should you sell an underperforming apartment? Part 1

Apartments have underperformed compared to houses for the past 13 to 14 years in Melbourne and Brisbane and the past 6 years in Sydney.   Melbourne has been the weakest market. Over the past 13 years since 2011, the median apartment price in Melbourne has only increased by 2.6% p.a. Interestingly, this matches the inflation rate …

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Why do some locations outperform blue-chip suburbs?

I was motivated to write this blog for two main reasons.   Firstly, I observed several buyers’ agents on social media proudly advertising short-term capital gains. One instance caught my attention, where a buyers’ agent claimed to have purchased a property for a client 18 months ago for $435,000, asserting its current value at $510,000, implying …

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Webinar: Property, tax, borrowing and more.

On 14 February 2024, Stuart Wemyss joined Pete Wargent to discuss a variety of topics including the Stage 3 tax cuts, challenges with borrowing capacity and how to overcome them, property valuation strategies, superannuation investment strategies and much more.

Warning: Share market close to all-time high. What to do…

The stock market has kicked off the year on a positive note, reaching record highs in the US. While this may initially appear promising, it’s essential to consider potential risks that investors need to be mindful of. On the flip side, I identify promising investment opportunities amidst these considerations.  Past performance should guide decision-making   The …

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Investment bonds: what are they and are they worthwhile?

Investment bonds are promoted as tax-efficient investment solutions, particularly if investing on behalf of children. In this blog, I consider the advantages and disadvantages of these bonds and discuss alternative investment options for consideration. In short, we almost never recommend using investment bonds. Here’s why…   What is an investment bond?   An investment bond is a …

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Accelerate home loan repayment: There are only 4 ways

A key financial goal for most people is to eventually repay their home loan. Last year I outlined 3 questions you must ask yourself to determine whether repaying your home loan is your top priority – see here.   The internet is filled with countless ideas on how to repay your home loan faster. However, many …

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2024 Property Outlook: Analysing the impact of inflation, tax cuts and market dynamics

This year, there are many unique factors that could influence the property market. Exploring how these elements might impact property prices is intriguing. Of course, the longer-term outlook is important for investors, as it better aligns with their investment horizon. Short-term market expectations likely hold more relevance for potential vendors. Markets hate uncertainty The dominant …

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Three steps to avoid becoming a banking scam victim

The government projects that scams cost Australians $3.1 billion per year. Given that more of our life is becoming digitalised, especially with banking and financial services, we are more susceptible to scams. It’s critical that you take active steps to protect your money.    Most common scams are… According to the National Anti-Scam Centre, scams …

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