FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT INCREASES AND INTEREST RATE DROPS MAKE FOR A CHANGING MARKET!

With the financial woes in recent weeks affecting world economies, Australia’s federal Labour govt and RBA have decided to stimulate spending in the property sector by introducing increases in the First Home Owner Grant as well as a long-awaited interest rate drop of 1%.  With more rate drops to follow being anticipated, it certainly marks a change in the market, and we are experiencing this even now with increasing enquiries for both homes and investment properties here in Sydney.

In particular, first home buyers now have a limited window of opportunity until June 2009 to purchase taking advantage of the increases, and we believe it may well prop up the lower end of the Sydney market (sub $500,000 priced properties), resulting in higher demand for real estate in this price bracket.

If you lack the time or energy to conduct a thorough search yourself, or simply want to get maximum property for your dollar, then give us a call here at House Search to see how we can help.  We’ve assisted several first home buyers in the Sydney market achieve outstanding results and look forward to helping you in your quest!

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker

Director
House Search Australia

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FHOG BOOST

With recent federal changes including a doubling of the FHOG to a generous $14000 for established housing and $21000 for new, there may never be a better time to buy your first home.

Until June 2009 eligible purchasers have the opportunity to both take advantage of the increase and reap the benefits of a depressed market in many parts of Australia.

For further information check out the NSW OSR site to see if you qualify.

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

The country’s most populated city’s property market continues to move sluggishly along, recording median housing growth for the June 2007-June 2008 year at just 1.1%

With Sydney’s median price still the country’s highest at $542,488 (Source: APM) affordability remains an issue, particularly for those buyers who want to live closer to the city or popular beachside suburbs.  However, many middle ring and outer ring suburbs continue to provide value for money for both first home buyers and upgraders, especially those with good transport links or close to business districts.

Parramatta and surrounds, for example, present many current opportunities for those wanting to get into their first homes or apartments at reasonable prices. With median house prices still under the $500,000 mark suburbs such as Winston Hills, Toongabbie, Wentworthville, Pendle Hill, Seven Hills and Northmead represent excellent first home buyer value. (Source:Residex)

With Parramatta now known as Sydney’s primary “regional city” and plans afoot to further beautify and change the suburb, the Parramatta Twentyfive25 strategic plan sets out in more detail the direction for this expanding western suburb of Sydney.

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Useful Links and Snippets

For those avid readers, check out the Property Special in this month’s Smart Investor magazine (Nov issue)

Have a read of some of my property tips in the KEYS TO SUCCESS article and learn how to minimize costs overall, when you’re looking to buy investment property.

Wonder where all the private sellers place their ads?

Then check out sites like the following for some listings, as well as regional and rural property:

www.domain.com.au
www.owner.com.au
www.diysell.com.au

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Suburb Spotlight on Turramurra

Approximately 20km from the CBD, Turramurra lies in the leafy North Shore area of Sydney and is close to many amenities, including popular private schools and tranport (rail).

Some facts about Turramurra:

• Approx size 6km sq
• Population just under 11,000
• Predominantly families in the area
• Predominant age group 40-49yrs
• Over 82% owner occupied housing
• Current median house price $1,012,500
• Current median unit price $553,500

(Source: RPData/Residex)

ARE YOU AN EMOTIONAL HOME BUYER?

When it comes to buying our homes, most of us believe that we’re not going to fall into the “emotional” basket and possibly overpay for the home of our dreams. We can remain cool, calm, collected and within our budget. Right?

Wrong!

Buying a home can be a huge emotional decision as it’s often the largest financial commitment we’ll ever make. It’s difficult to remain logical and objective when you fall in love and become blinded to a home’s faults, over your overwhelming desire to make it your own.

Buyers remorse is all too common a syndrome with those buyers who haven’t done their research or inspected enough properties. This can also extend to the negotiating table, where the “walk away” price gets forgotten in a sea of excitement and desire.

If it’s good enough for the seller to have a representative on their side, guiding, supporting and striving to obtain the best outcome and price possible, then why shouldn’t you be on equal footing?
Hiring a buyers agent not only puts you ahead of the pack, but it ensures you get the right property at the right price. A supportive advocate on your side, representing your interests 100%, can make a huge difference, both financially and emotionally to your home purchase.

Call us today if you want to learn more and we look forward to being of service to you in the near future!

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker
Director
House Search Australia

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Which agent?

What questions should you ask a selling agent before hiring them to sell your property?

It’s a question many sellers don’t know the answers to and end up being disappointed when the agent of choice fails to deliver on what was promised in terms of price & service.

If you want the very best agent for the job, ask them our essential 20 QUESTIONS to see if they measure up. Simply contact our office or send us an email request and we’ll send you a copy.

Engaging a great agent can make all the difference between a mediocre and an outstanding result.

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

With the RBA finally dropping official interest rates by 0.25% for the first time in almost 7 years, there appears some relief for home buyers and sellers. Whilst sentiment for a strong recovery is still low, analysts and experts predict further rate drops before the end of 2008 and an uneven road ahead in this article.

It’s not only home owners and renters who have had to tighten their belts in recent months. Some lenders are increasingly having to change lending practices and criteria to accomodate the overseas credit crunch impact, making easy home loans a thing of the past. Read more here.

A recent survey of 31 firms, including the major banks, by the API (Aust Property Institute) found that Sydney residential property came out on top as the most popular choice, as the location with the most growth potential on Australia’s east coast.
Naturally, here at House Search we’re biased as we believe in Sydney as a great investment spot, but it makes for an interesting read nonetheless.

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Useful Links and Snippets

Moving areas and don’t know where to begin looking for schools?

This Australian site is a great resource for those looking at all the alternatives: govt, private or otherwise. Check it out today

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Suburb Spotlight on Hornsby

Approximately 25km from the CBD, Hornsby lies in the northern region of Sydney, a older well established suburb with a CBD and major shopping centre at it’s hub.

It’s well serviced by rail and is made up of a mixture of housing, including older houses and newer unit developments.

Some facts about Hornsby:

• Approx size 8km sq
• Population just under 20,000
• Predominantly families in the area
• Predominant age group 30-39yrs
• Over 54% owner occupied housing
• Current median house price $601,000
• Current median unit price $357,000

(Source: RPData/Residex))

ARE YOU A FENCE SITTER?

Don’t follow the herd! With high interest rates and doom and gloom dominating the media when it comes to property news, it’s all too easy to sit on the fence with everyone else, waiting for a more positive outlook.

The trouble with this strategy is that when all the fence sitters jump off at the same time, prices can be pushed up substantially, as demand for current supply increases.

Here at House Search, being in the marketplace every day, we’re seeing some amazing results in terms of prices, in some cases down some 15% from 2003 prices.  With sellers dropping their prices again and again and again there’s real opportunity out there for those looking to buy either home or investment properties.

With little or no competition on some great properties, now represents an excellent time to pick up a bargain.  Along with rising rental yields, conditions are more favourable than previous years for investors, whilst home buyers reap the obvious benefits of buying in a down market.

If you feel it’s all too time consuming, however, or haven’t got the necessary time to research and negotiate thoroughly then give us a call instead to see how we can help.

We look forward to being of service with your next purchase!

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker

Director
House Search Australia

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Which Property Manager?

What questions should you ask a property manager before hiring them to look after your investment property?

It’s a subject many  investors don’t broach but instead end up using the PM of the agency they bought through, even though they may not the “right” person for the job.

If you want the best out of your PM ask them my essential 12 QUESTIONS to see if they measure up.  Simply become a member on www.invested.com.au (it’s free) and look under Articles to read SELECTING AN EFFECTIVE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGER

Make sure your investment is protected by an outstanding property manager.

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

With Sydneysiders still suffering the highest median price of any capital city in Australia, it’s the opinion of many property forecasters that well located units currently represent the best value for money in terms of yield and affordability.  Residex’s John Edwards is particularly upbeat about them in his latest newsletter along with his opinions on other state markets.

With upcoming generations preferring to rent rather than buy, units may well become the first and only choice for many younger home owners seeking longer term security with housing.

With the Sydney rental crisis a hot topic in recent news, the REINSW’s call to the state government to reduce current taxes on stamp duty and land tax appears to have fallen on deaf ears again.  However, at least the Iemma govt has admitted that a rental crisis exists.  Read more here…

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Useful Links and Snippets

Want to know more about your legal rights when it comes to property?

Then check out this highly useful NSW site for those tricky questions.  It’s a free resource and may assist in guiding you to the right department or person for your specific enquiry.

www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au

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What’s in a title?
Company? Community? Strata?
If you’ve often wondered about the differences between them Jimmy Thomson explains it in simple english here

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Suburb Spotlight - Winston Hills

Approximately 33km from the CBD, Winston Hills lies in the northwest region of  Sydney, in Sydney’s Hills District.

It’s serviced by bus transport to both the CBD and nearby Parramatta, and is made up mainly of freestanding family homes.

Some facts about Winston Hills:

• Approx size 4km sq
• Population just under 12,000
• Predominantly families in the area
• Predominant age group 30-39yrs
• Over 87% owner occupied housing
• Current median house price $509,000

(Source: RPData)

DID YOU KNOW?

That approximately 7 out of every 10 buyers in a capital city suburb buy locally when they move house? This goes to show you that we’re creatures of comfort and familiarity when it comes to relocating.

If, however, you’re planning to move out of the old neighbourhood and into somewhere completely new, consider short term renting until you’re ready to definitely buy, as it can be an expensive mistake if you find the area wasn’t quite what you ideally wanted.

This also provides you with opportunity and time to research and buy into a new area, without undue pressure.  Admittedly, moving twice isn’t something that many of us enjoy but so many home sellers end up selling for less than what they wanted under pressure because they’ve purchased first and can’t afford the financial implications.

Far better to be in the drivers seat when it comes to purchasing what is often the biggest financial commitment you’ll ever make.

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker

Director
House Search Australia

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Are pools worth it?

I was recently interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald in this article about pools and their value pertaining to property.  If you’re seriously considering building, buying or investing a home with a pool attached, you may want to read this article first.  They really can be blue heaven or hell!

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

With the Melbourne median price snapping on Sydney’s heels, forecasters such as APM believe that Melbourne may well catch up and take over as our country’s most expensive capital city by 2009.  Read the full article here for more of the story.

The Minister for Fair Trading, Linda Burney, announced last month that 11 Sydney real estate agencies were being fined, and two more reprimanded, for allegedly quoting “misleadingly low prices to potential home buyers at auctions”. Three were fined $2200 and the rest were fined $1100.

Underquoting in real estate has been under investigation by the Department of Fair Trading for some months now as complaints have come in from the purchasing public.  Full story in this article.

RPData, Australia’s leading real estate data information provider, report that, across Australia, the number of listings for 2008 is above average and now currently stands at 129,000 listings.  This is compared to 108,000 this time last year.  It is their belief that this indicates clearly that Australia is in the midst of a buyers market.

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Useful Links and Snippets

INVESTSMART

Fairfax Digital’s site, powered by both Domain and Australian Property Monitors, Investsmart, is a free resource for those interested in finding out current capital growth rates, median housing prices and rental yields, as well as suburb overviews.

Easy to use, great for the basics; especially if investing.
Check it out today at www.investsmart.com.au/property

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Property investors contribute 23% of the 7.5 million residential dwellings in the current Australian property market.

Public housing, by contrast, only provides 6%

Without private property investors, over 20% of Australians who currently rent would have nowhere to live.

(Bill Zheng, Investors Direct)

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Suburb Spotlight - Ryde

Approximately 12km from the CBD, Ryde lies in the central northern part of metropolitan Sydney.

It’s well serviced by transport, has excellent sporting facilities and is currently undergoing infrastructure upgrades to it’s major shopping precinct.

Some facts about Ryde:

• Approx size 7km sq
• Population just under 21,000
• Predominantly families in the area
• Predominant age group 30-39yrs
• Over 63% owner occupied housing
• Current median house price $695,000

(Source: RPData)

SYDNEY’S BEST SUBURBS!!

The inaugural edition of the “Sydney Morning Herald Good Suburbs Guide” recently reviewed 641 Sydney suburbs, with some surprising results. See entire article link below for more details; Northwest residents will be pleasantly surprised to note that Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill were top picks in the BEST FAMILY category, with Northmead a winner in the BEST VALUE category. Bronte, a beachside Eastern suburb, was voted the overall winner. Not affordable for all, however, with a current median house price of $1,785,000.

NSW investors will be pleased to see the demise of loan stamp duty at the end of this financial year, as the duty gets officially axed July 1 2008. Though a relatively small saving, it’s a step forward in the right direction for encouraging investment in NSW.

Hope this finds all our Australian readers enjoying the delights (and rain!) of our current winter- an opportune time to look for property, when the competition is at home warming themselves in front of the fire!
Warm Regards

Jacque Parker

Director
House Search Australia

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OFFER NOW EXTENDED FOR OUR FREE BUILDING & PEST INSPECTION!

Engage us for a full search Option 1 during the months of June or July and receive a building and pest inspection ABSOLUTELY FREE!!

Valued up to $695 this service is for any property in our search areas of Sydney.

Take advantage of this limited offer by contacting us today.

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

Whilst the petrol crisis continues, the importance of location and proximity to public transport becomes vital for many homeowners and investors here in Sydney. Those away from major train and bus routes suffer most, as the increasing travel costs eat into household incomes, placing strain on both mortgages and rents alike.

Though we have been insulated somewhat from the sharpest fuel increases, due to the strength of our dollar, the issue is still real and unlikely to improve anytime soon.

Property hunters likely to use public transport need to ensure “walking distance” on real estate ads mean just that! Also look out for new and improved bus services such as T-Way and upgraded dedicated bus lanes along the major roadways into the CBD.

On a lighter note, check out the results of the recent SMH Good Suburbs Guide here. More detail can be found in the book, available at bookstores or online www.smhshop.com.au
Sydney really is a wealth of diversity when it comes to our suburbs, from beachside to semi-rural, there’s somewhere for everyone!

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Useful Links

FREE AUSTRALIAN PROPERTY INVESTORS SITE

Enabling investors to make more prudent property investment decisions, the PIAA (Property Investors Association of Australia) site is jam packed full of news, information, articles and resources as well as market reports and guides on the current state of property markets in Australia.

It’s free to subscribe, so take advantage of another free resource, expand your property knowledge and join up today.

www.piaa.asn.au

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Suburb Spotlight - Pymble

A well established leafy suburb of Sydney’s upper North Shore, Pymble is made up largely of older homes on large residential blocks and has the benefit of rail access.

Some facts about Pymble:

• Approx size 7km sq
• Population just under 10,000
• Predominantly families in the area
• Over 87% owner occupied housing
• Current median house price $1,175, 000
• 21km from Sydney CBD

(Source: RPData)

HOME BUYERS PARADISE !

It’s a home buyers paradise in many suburbs of Sydney as more listings with less demand entice those looking for bargains.

APM (Aust Property Monitors) reports that, compared to the same time last year, there are now 29% more listings on the market in NSW (April 24)  Sydney, in particular, has more listings than normal as forced sales mean more stock on the market.

This represents opportunity, for both investors and home buyers, particularly for those counter cyclical purchasers who ignore the media hype and concentrate on the numbers, fundamentals and rising rental yields instead.

Home buyers have more reason to celebrate as more stock to choose from usually means increased room for negotiation.

Interest rates may be uncomfortably high for some, leading to sellers having no option but to add to the increasing listings, but this part of the cycle may well be the time to take action and buy in Australia’s most internationally recognised and growing capital city.

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker

Director
House Search Australia

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

With recent clients in the beautiful Hills District of Sydney, this month’s news focuses on this popular expanding North West region.

As Rouse Hill Regional Town Centre recently opened Stage 2 of it’s enormous user friendly new shopping centre, residential building continues to grow in the surrounds.

Whilst new houses proliferate, there’s also value to be had in investing in the usually larger blocks of established residential areas, which are home to infrastructure already in place and closer to existing transport links.

If the State govt’s recent announcement about installation of a light rail goes ahead, however, then this region of Sydney will be even better placed to enjoy the benefits of faster travel times to the CBD

For the full link to the new North West Metro project see here

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Suburb Spotlight - Beecroft

A well established leafy suburb of Sydney’s northern districts, Beecroft is made up largely of older homes on large residential blocks and has the benefit of rail access.

Some facts about Beecroft:

• Size approx 5km square
• Predominant age group of 10-19yrs
• Predominantly couples with children
• Predominantly professional workers
• Over 87% owner occupied housing
• Current median price $895 000 for houses.
• 27km from Sydney CBD

(Source: RPData)

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Useful Links

EXCLUSIVE RENTAL SITE - LOOKING FOR A SYDNEY RENTAL?

Then check out this new site, which caters exclusively for rentals, unlike other sites, who advertise rentals as a second service.

rent.com.au is only new but already is making inroads into the world of rental advertising by allowing both agencies and private landlords to advertise for very reasonable fees.  If you’re a member of InvestEd you’re entitled to a further 25% off private rentals.

Have a look today and enjoy the benefits of cheaper advertising for your rental property!

As Winter approaches it’s time to do all those maintenance jobs around the house that we’ve been putting off, before it gets too cold! Gardening, repainting, washer replacements, window cleaning, gutter clean outs… the list goes on!

Ensuring your home is adequately heated is also important, and with a plethora of choice, it pays to shop around for products. Whether or not you use electricity, gas or other more environmentally-friendly methods to keep your home warm (heavy curtains, insulation, doorstops, rugs) home buyers will be checking for such features, so don’t leave your buyers out in the cold, if selling!

Of many homes that I’ve inspected recently, it’s amazing what a difference indoor temperature can make to the “vibe” of a property. Buyers will complain about a home being “cold and clinical” or too “stuffy” so it’s important to get it right. If in doubt, ask a friend or relative to walk through your house as a buyer would, and see how they feel. It can make a substantial difference.

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker

Director

House Search Australia

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

With APM (Australian Property Monitors) predicting Australian capital city rents, especially Sydney, to rise as much as 50% over the next four years, it’s grim news for renters and first home buyers alike.
Recent interest rate rise hikes and increasing unaffordability means that many would-be first home buyers continue to rent in an increasingly competitive market. Rental line ups at properties are commonplace now, with many rental agencies holding opens rather than individual appointments.

Tenants are advised to lock in current rents on long leases (12mths rather than 6mths) and be prepared when inspecting potential properties. Have all paperwork ready, references included, and consider sharing with friends or housemates to lighten the load.

For the APM article click here

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Suburb Spotlight on Kenthurst

Home to both residential housing and acreage properties, this quiet semi-rural suburb is home to horse lovers and artists alike and boasts some beautiful real estate.

Some facts about Kenthurst:

• Size approx 46km square
• Predominant age group of 10-19yrs
• Predominantly couples with children
• Over 85% owner occupied housing
• Current median price $.15m for houses. Majority of these are on acreage.
• Population has increased 10% since 2001
• Approx 39km from Sydney’s CBD

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Useful Links

FREE PROPERTY DATA

With property data becoming more readily avaible to consumers consider this latest offering that provides recent street and postcode sales information FREE of charge.

Though not as detailed as subscription based agent databases such as RPData, it nevertheless provides a great starting point for investors and home buyers and sellers who are curious about sales in their areas.

Check it out at www.onthehouse.com.au

Great relevant site name as well!!

“How do I know I’m not paying too much?”

This is a question commonly asked by our clients and property buyers in general, as it can be a daunting world out there when you go to buy your home or investment property! When most buyers begin looking, they’re overwhelmed and can easily get “sold” on a property and pay too much, regretting it later and suffering from the old “buyers remorse”.

If this sounds like you, and you’d rather engage the services of a professional buyers agent to ensure you don’t overpay and get the best on the market in your price bracket, then call us today to see how we can take a load off and make the process a financial win for you.

With access to the lastest sales and the information required to make a fully informed decision, we can save you not only TIME and undue STRESS but $$$ as well.  Call us today and see how we can help you.

Our results speak for themselves with our 100% client happiness success rate to date.

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker

Director
House Search Australia

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

Despite another recent interest rate rise in what many consider a gloomy market, it’s also a buying opportunity period for savvy investors.

Undervalued Sydney apartments may well be the hottest growth investment for the next few years, according to the latest report released by Australian Property Monitors.  Manager Michael McNamara had this to say:

“Sydney house and unit values have been the laggard of the Australian property market for over 4 years now. With Sydney apartments looking so cheap compared to other capitals (Melbourne,Canberra, Perth and Brisbane apartments are within 15% of Sydney values), and assuming there is a transfer of cash from stocks to other asset classes, we have Sydney apartments as our number one pick for growth over the next few years”

With rents rising, especially in high demand areas, the future looks brighter for growth of well placed investment units here in Sydney.

The full report: APM House Price Series Dec07

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Suburb Spotlight on Bella Vista

Home to many $1million+ homes, this newer suburb in the Baulkham Hill shire of Sydney boasts the world class Norwest business park as well as a sprawling residential area.

Some facts about Bella Vista:

• Size approx 4km square
• Predominant age group of 10-19
• Predominantly families with children
• Over 87% owner occupied housing
• Current median price $1m for houses
• Approx 35km from CBD

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Useful Links

WANTING TO EXPAND YOUR INVESTMENT KNOWLEDGE?

But don’t know where to start?

Need a helping hand or support for FREE on how to further your financial education?

Then InvestEd is the place for you.  An Australian site set up for Australian investors, we provide a discussion forum and jam-packed informative articles about all kinds of financial topics, ranging from property through to shares, funds and cash, and accounting and legal issues.

Whether or not you want to share ideas or simply learn more from fellow Aussie investors, come and join our dynamic community today

Membership is totally FREE so what have you got to lose?

Happy New Year!

With a fresh new year comes change.

Please note our new contact details effective Jan 7 2008. Please update your records accordingly:

PO Box 175
Round Corner NSW 2158
Ph: 02 9654 1429

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker

Director
House Search Australia

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Another happy client…

Shannon from Melbourne had this to recently say about his experiences with House Search:

“I found House Search to be very professional buyers’ agents. I found their advice and experience to be invaluable in helping me to secure a great property at a fantastic price… the cost of using them more than paid for itself with the great negotiating skills they used… Thanks for all your hard work!”

Shannon, Melbourne (purchased in Greenwich)

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

Australia’s largest independent property valuation company, Herron Todd White, recently released their end of 2007 Market Indicators - a comparative analysis of the state of property markets in our capital cities. As a general overview, I find it helpful to see what stage of the property cycle we appear to be in, on a national basis.

Their results:

City            Stage of Property Cycle  
Adelaide        Rising market
Brisbane        Rising market
Canberra        Peak of market
Darwin          Peak of market
Hobart          Peak of market
Melbourne       Peak of market
Perth           Declining market
Sydney          Start of recovery

WIth other factors including a steady rental vacancy trend, strong demand for housing and increasing property sales volumes it appears good news for Sydney investors.

Affordability, however, remains a sore point and will continue, as first home buyers find themselves increasingly battling with rising prices across most of Sydney’s inner and middle ring suburbs.

For the full report click here (PDF)

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Useful Links

WANTING A FINANCE ALTERNATIVE IF YOU’RE A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL?

Then give Pascali a call at MEDILEND: a finance company specialising in all avenues of lending, from residential and commercial to leasing and hire purchase, construction and development.

Catering specifically to the healthcare professional, Medilend offers a full range of finance products and services for complex tax and investment structures.

For more information call 1300 633 536 or visit www.medilend.com.au

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Suburb Spotlight - Cherrybrook

Just 28km from Sydney’s CBD this Hornsby shire suburb remains a popular family suburb, home to well known schools, including Cherrybrook Technology High, Tangara and Inala. A relatively young suburb established largely in the 1990’s, Cherrybrook dwellings consist of mainly freestanding housing which accounts for 80% of residences.

Some facts about Cherrybrook:

• Predominant age group of 40-59
• Predominantly families with children
• Over 80% owner occupied housing
• Current median price $670 000 for houses
• Average capital growth over last 10 yrs 8.57% including a very healthy 10.66% last year.

Latest September quarter figures released from Residex show that Perth’s median unit value has now eclipsed Sydney’s ($390 000) to a new high of $391 500. So who says Sydney is overpriced?! We’re cheaper than Perth!

On the homefront, as we gear up for a federal election, though the government would be keen to retain current interest rates, the RBA may well implement another rise, based on Australia’s current strong economic growth and continued low unemployment rate. Housing prices and rents impact directly on the housing component of the CPI, which is due for release Oct 24th by the ABS, and the RBA will no doubt be watching these figures closely before making any decisions.

Warm Regards

Jacque Parker and Theresa McHale

Directors
House Search Australia

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Another very satisfied client…

Andrew from Hornsby had this to say recently about our services:

“House Search provided us with a level of service that went above and beyond our expectations. Jacque and Theresa have a very profound and up-to-date knowledge of the property market and their comments are always incisive, insightful and ‘value-add’. From scoping the search, through to finding a managing agent, their expertise saved us many hours of valuable time, effort and money…”

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Market Update - Sydney Property News

Sydney still appears to be a segmented market, with houses in outer south-western areas continuing to slump whilst large increases are being recorded in the higher socio-economic suburbs.

Overall, however, the indicators and growth statistics show that Sydney is experiencing a gradual recovery phase, as we head towards 2008.

Affordability is really the key issue that limits price growth as first home buyers continue to struggle with the entire home ownership issue. With less home buyers and increasing numbers of tenants, the squeeze for rental demand is set to tighten. With NSW rental laws also currently being overhauled for the first time in 20 years, the enticement will be more investors seeking to enter the market. Fair Trading minister, Linda Burney, comments on the proposed changes in this article.

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COME AND VISIT US AT THE CROWNE PLAZA NORWEST OCT 24

We enthusiastically invite you to pop in to the upcoming Hills Business Expo Oct 24 and visit our stand to say hello!

Once again, House Search are proud to exhibit alongside other outstanding local businesses at this event.

Drop in anytime between 12-7pm and we look forward to meeting you!

For further details, please visit this site

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Suburb Spotlight - Seven Hills

At just over 35km from Sydney’s CBD Seven Hills is a largely owner occupied suburb, with over 72% of the population owning their home, and 22% renting. One of the few suburbs in the Hills District to have rail access, it is well placed to benefit from both M2 and the new M7 access as well.

Some facts about Seven Hills:

• Predominant age group of 35-54
• Predominantly families with children
• Over 72% owner occupied housing
• Current median price $350 000 for houses and $301 000 for units
• Average capital growth over last 10 yrs 9.41% for houses and 6.11% for units

For more information about Seven Hills please visit here