Empower Blog Buyers Market

2016 Predictions on the Australian Property Market

As we finished off 2015 and inevitably start with 2016, it is always common to think about what might happened in the year to come. This time on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne, Ben Kingsley was asked to provide some of his 2016 Predictions for the Australian Property Market. Whilst we are not psychic in any way, Ben does have a thorough understanding on h...

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What Causes Auction Property Sales Results to Fly Past the Quoted Range? It is the Agents’ Fault?

Buyers get very frustrated by auction results exceeding quote ranges; and justifiably so. Interested buyers invest emotional energy, precious time, and in many cases, valuable dollars when they shortlist and pursue a suitable property. Building inspections, solicitor’s review fees and travel costs can make a property pre-purchase adventure quite ...

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Is the week before Christmas a good time to buy property?

If you happen to find a property you like in December, you can be savvy and secure it in the weeks leading up to Christmas because as the buyer you generally hold all the negotiating cards at this time.  Once December rolls around, the buying competition becomes thinner as most are thinking more about Christmas day approaching and the related work...

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Fifty Shades of Underquoting

There are different levels of underquoting but when will it be considered unacceptable? As the media keeps reminding us, we find ourselves in the midst of a Buyer's market.  There are many aspects of this current market which also remind us of the current status; from lower than average auction clearance rates to reducing interest rates.  On...

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What makes a Buyer’s Market become a Seller’s market?

Without doubt, the defining aspect of 2011 for us was the rapid swing of the Melbourne Seller's market to a Buyer's market. To explain this, cast your mind back to 2009 when, after the full impact of the GFC first hit Australia, our government and RBA instigated some immediate moves to aid buoyancy in our market. We had one-off stimulus cheques ...

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‘Tis the Season to be Jolly!

Typically over winter, prospective sellers brace themselves for a spring sale and hold their property back from the market until spring starts up. For a buyer, this can feel as though the property supply in winter is very slow and available houses to inspect are limited. All of a sudden, September and October hit and there are multiple suitable pro...

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Investors – Start your engines…

There is always a positive to any negative.  Talk of a housing market bubble, higher interest rates, softening demand for property, worsening affordability and value decreases are all playing on the psychology of those looking to get into the property market. It is fair to report that in most markets across the capitals that we are certainly in...

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Property Supply Adding to Cooling Melbourne Market

Supply and demand are the primary forces in an ’open’ marketplace that determine the value of a good/service. This is fundamental economics. The property market is no different. Earlier this year we saw property values move higher on increased demand. Demand that has since softened as interest rate increases have pushed out some buyers due t...

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Negotiation Tactics in a ‘Sellers’ Market – Part Two

3. Establish recent sales to justify your offer Recent sales of comparative properties can help in getting the estate agent to help support your price offer, but you must compare apples with apples, don’t compare weatherboard with Brick or vastly different land size blocks etc.   4.  Start with a long term settlement When you put your...

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