As this is my first blog post, I feel I should start by introducing myself briefly and letting you know what you can expect from my blog in the coming weeks and months.
Who am I?
My name is Jamieson Currie and my company, Eliza Property Analysis, provides independent information and analysis on residential property. Specifically, for anyone thinking about selling their home and buying another, we provide extensive financial analysis of their situation, enabling clients to make a well informed decision on the best time to buy/sell.
In addition to this service, we also sponsor the eMortgageCalculator.com.au website. Launching in May, this site provides tips on saving time and money when paying off a mortgage, and will include a very comprehensive mortgage repayment calculator available for download. But enough about me...
The Blog for Owner Occupiers
The focus of this blog will be all things residential property and mortgages. Specifically, the focus will be owner occupiers and the issues faced with mortgages, interest rates, equity as retirement savings, deciding the best time to buy and sell, and other such concerns.
The topics that we will cover in the coming weeks include affordability (what can / should be done), mortgage repayment strategies, and the importance that the timing of a sale or purchase will have on your long term finances.
Residential Property and The Australian Dream
The housing market is consistently making news, often with alarming headlines from the perspective of those paying a mortgage. In the last few years the coverage has included topics such as
• record growth
• GFC could burst the bubble
• Australian housing market fares better than US and Europe
• Supply v Demand
• foreign investment
• ¼ acre blocks v apartment living
• land banking
• green belts
• more price increases
• immigration policy
• first home buyers grants
• interest rates
and as long as people strive for the “Australian dream” the list will go on.
The reality of what Baby Boomers and most of Gen X know as the Australian dream is changing for many Australians, especially for first home buyers. The idea that it is a basic human right for all Australians to be able to own a 3-4 bedroom home on some land in the suburb of their choice is being challenged by the view that economics is a rational dictator of who should buy (or who should rent), when and where, if at all.
I will be discussing all the issues that impact the housing market, many of which will be very high profile in this election year, and I look forward to your comments.
