The hidden costs of building a home: what every family should know
Building a home can come with hidden costs. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about these costs until it’s too late.
Building a home can come with hidden costs. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about these costs until it’s too late.
The economy is still struggling along with flat household spending despite an uptick in retail turnover and income tax cuts beginning to flow.
Unless Australia can significantly lift the pace at which it is building new homes, a nationally-agreed target to solve the housing crisis looks at-risk.
The consumer watchdog has received a cash injection as it examines allegations of land banking and dubious discounts against the major supermarket chains.
After days of discussions over curbing property investors' tax concessions, the government has firmed its stance against the rumours.
banking
budgets and budgeting
commodity markets
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
mining
mortgages
After iron ore prices plunged by more than a third since the start of the year, Chinese stimulus measures spell good news for the Australian budget.
The prime minister has hosed down suggestions Labor will take changes to negative gearing to the election, amid warnings it could hike up rents.
More suburbs than ever have median house or unit prices of more than $1 million, with economists predicting the number will continue to grow.
Despite an increase in government supports, low-income earners would still find themselves in rental stress across most of the country, a report has found.
The head of Australian Centre for Housing Research has responded to new data, suggesting encouraging buyers into a the "overheated" market is unfair to them.
The federal and state governments will build nearly 500 social and affordable homes in Queensland's far north, specifically accommodating older residents.
Queenslanders facing sky-high property prices will have to wait two years for more affordable and social homes to come on the market.
A key housing bill will be pushed back into parliament despite the government, the opposition and the Greens reaching a stalemate in negotiations.
election
housing and urban planning
laws
national elections
national government
parliament
political candidates
The prime minister has threatened a double dissolution over resistance to his government's housing policy but experts don't think this will benefit his party.
The government has failed to pass its housing legislation through the Senate a second time, giving it the first trigger to call a double dissolution election.
Pressure is mounting on the coalition and Greens to pass the government's housing policies with the PM accusing his rivals of blocking moves to fix the problem.
The Property Council argues stamp duty is a major barrier for downsizers, while Victoria's premier did not rule out a one-off exemption to free up family homes.
Australia is targeting 1.2 million new homes by 2029, but a major construction body says only significant reform can overcome a huge shortfall.
The number of Australian renters is set to grow as available homes dwindle and prices soar, prompting calls for the government to come together on solutions.
The head of the federal government's independent housing council says ambitious targets to create new homes should still be made even if they're not met.
A proposed cap on international university students has been torn apart by a federal government advisor, who says it will make no difference to housing supply.
Peak construction bodies have warned that a boost in building approvals in July was not enough to hit the national target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029.
Housing approvals have risen 10 per cent off the back of a surge in new apartments as opposition parties release policies to tackle the housing crisis
Australia's economic forecasts might not be as positive as hoped but there are still signs of strength in the economy, an expert says.
Leveraging Commonwealth payments to states if they fail to tackle housing supply is under consideration.
Waterside suburbs and areas with idyllic lifestyles are unsurprisingly among the tightest-held property markets in the country, new data reveals.
alternative energy
consumers
election
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental politics
housing and urban planning
renewable energy
In the lead-up to the Queensland state election, Solar Citizens wants the major parties to make big commitments to renewable energy.
Older millennials and generation X are among the biggest winners from Australia's real estate boom as profits from sales hit their highest level in 10 years.
The launch of an eye-watering penthouse development targeting ultra-wealthy buyers is a sign of the times in one of Australia's hottest real estate markets.
banking
construction and property
consumers
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
interest rate
money and monetary policy
politics
real estate
unions
The Reserve Bank says it is closely monitoring the housing shortage, but dismisses reports a construction union is to blame for escalating costs.
consumer goods
consumer issue - macro economics
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
house building
housing and urban planning
lifestyle (house and home)
Apartments and houses built in the last decade are more energy efficient and easier to cool or heat, a CSIRO study has revealed.