Published 21 November 2023 One of the big life decisions most of us face at some point is whether it’s better to buy or rent property. Rarely have there been so many fast moving parts to consider when making this decision… interest rates have risen at the fastest pace ever, rentals are growing at…
Published 14 November 2023 Strengthening property prices have confounded most expert predictions thus far in 2023 with demand/supply dynamics more than offsetting the negative impacts of higher interest rates. The big question now is: what’s next? There’s one statistic, savvy Aussie property investors are particularly focused on for a guide as to what’s coming…
Published 17 October 2023 Buying land or a land and house package in Australia is exciting, but there is paperwork and due diligence involved before you can pop the champagne to celebrate. If you’re buying, it can be such a relief to find a solution that works for you, and you may feel tempted…
Published 5 October 2023 Nestled in the heart of the Hawkesbury region, Oakville exudes a unique blend of tranquillity and promise, and is a suburb poised for a new chapter in its storied history. Let’s take a closer look at what makes Oakville an enticing prospect for those seeking a vibrant community to call…
Published 20 September 2023 If you have been following the Australian property market over recent years, you will know there have been a lot of price fluctuations and mixed messages. Despite what some headlines may say (and they all seem to say different things), our view is that right now will be one of…
Published 12 September 2023 Nestled within the heart of North-West Sydney, Grantham Farm is a suburb carefully curated to embrace the serenity of nature while being within arm’s reach of modern conveniences. With a heritage dating back to a land grant, it seamlessly marries the past with the present. This region not only offers…
Published 6 September 2023 It’s well-known that the pandemic triggered an inflation event in Australia and many other parts of the world. Demand for many goods and services increased, and petrol production slowed down, which put pressure on costs across the board. One of the worst affected industries was construction, which saw prices rise…
Published 23 August 2023 A great place to call home in Greater Western Sydney There’s plenty to like about Claremont Meadows – a friendly community in the heart of the thriving Greater Western Sydney region. With lots to offer families and investors, it’s perfectly positioned to take advantage of suburban conveniences but just…
Updated 14 August 2023 Published 28 June 2022 Norwest – A suburb with a promising future Norwest already has a lot going for it and plenty more to look forward to for residents and homebuyers alike. Fairly new to the scene, it wasn’t until 2018 that Norwest was recognised as a separate suburb…
Updated 11 August 2023 Published 31 October 2022 In what was once the far outskirts of Sydney, Marsden Park has undergone a remarkable transformation. Originally an agricultural region, it has now evolved into a thriving suburb characterised by its strong sense of community and a significant number of families raising children. Today, Marsden Park…
Published 25 July 2023 For many property investors, listening to the outcome of the RBA’s monthly meetings has become a horror show. When the market expected the RBA to pause its rate rising, they delivered their twelfth interest rate rise, now they have paused rates, but the rhetoric is suggesting there may be another…
Published 18 July, 2023 While most investors gain exposure to residential property through direct ownership of one or more investment properties, an emerging asset class is worth being aware of – residential real estate funds. In recent years, a number of managers of unlisted residential real estate funds have popped up across the market.…
Published 12 July, 2023 Saving for the deposit to buy a home is a long term endeavour for most property buyers. With property prices trending upwards over the long term it can sometimes feel like those goal posts are constantly getting further away. It’s time to bring those saving goals back within reach. Here…
Published 5 July, 2023 Determining to work with an accountant or not is one of those decisions which is rarely discussed but can make a significant difference to how much tax you end up paying (amongst other things). In our opinion, there are seven compelling benefits of working with a trusted accountant: 1.…
Published 14 Dec, 2022 Updated 28 June, 2023 A lot of decision making goes into buying a newly-built home. There are multiple facades, materials and colour schemes to choose from, but before all that, there’s one big question to ask – do you want to buy vacant land and build yourself, or purchase a…
Published 27 April, 2022 Updated 22 June, 2023 When it comes to tax it’s always best to plan ahead and take some time at the start of the Financial Year to meet with your adviser and determine the strategy for the year. That said, there is still time now as the end of the…
Published 16 June, 2023 Many people start their investment journey with a specific product in mind and work towards acquiring that product. This approach often ignores the other factors critical in determining the right investment choice. Successful investing is less about the revenue itself, and more about how the investment works with your strategic…
Published 6 June, 2023 Property experts will say the best time to buy is when it’s the time is right for you. Having said that, there are several indicators in today’s market pointing towards now being a great time to purchase a property. If you are in the position to buy then there’s…
Published 30 May, 2023 We all have a vision of our dream home, but unless you have a windfall or are fortunate enough to earn a very high salary, this type of home can feel out of reach. The problem is the cost, firstly of the deposit and secondly the mortgage repayments. However, there…
Published 25 May, 2023 Box Hill is not just any suburb, it is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by families and investors alike. Within 42 km of Sydney’s CBD, it offers the best of both worlds: a peaceful and green environment within easy reach of the city. Discover the rich history…
Published 17 May, 2023 Rouse Hill is one of 27 suburbs in The Hills and has proven popular with buyers from all walks of life thanks to its choice of housing options, local amenities, and bang for your buck. Positioned to the north-west of Sydney’s CBD and Parramatta, Rouse Hill has history, modern conveniences,…
3.05.23 While most parents do their best to teach their kids about healthy eating, exercise and other very valuable lessons, financial literacy is often overlooked. So what can you do to start teaching your kids about investing? The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. The following tips…
1.05.23 First Home Buyer Choice may be the shortest-running property scheme laid out by a state government, but there’s still time to take advantage of the initiative. Announced in November 2022 and introduced on January 16, the program (which gives eligible first-time buyers the choice between paying stamp duty upfront or an annual…
28.04.23 Chinese property investors were approved by the Federal Investment Review Board (FIRB) to buy $1.6 billion worth of Australian property in the second half of calendar 2022. They represented by far the largest source of international buyers in the period. The feedback from the market suggests these Chinese investors have been making their…
18.04.23 Here are two 2022 data points you don’t often witness in property markets… Australian property values fell 5.3% on average during the year while average rentals increased 14.6%. It doesn’t stop there. Both these trends are continuing into the first quarter of 2023, and most forecasters expect them to continue for at least…
06.04.23 There’s more to successful property investing than just buying real estate. As many successful property investors will testify, a lot of their success is due to their psychology. So what is the psychology of successful property investors? What sets them apart from the rest? Prepare to win In essence, successful property investors…
04.04.23 After the RBA’s ten straight interest rate rises, property investors would be forgiven for thinking RBA Governor Philip Lowe has a vendetta against them. It’s been an unusually rapid rate rising cycle by the Australian central bank. However, acknowledging how painful it’s been doesn’t help property investors who are now living with much…
30.03.23 If you have never been scammed or found yourself the victim of a data breach, it’s likely you have known someone who has had this unpleasant experience. In Australia in 2022, it was reported that Australians lost a collective $474 million to scams. Hackers and criminals got away with fraudulent investments, identity…
24.03.23 Many of us have met successful property investors who’ve talked about how tapping into their equity was the main reason they were able to grow their property portfolio. It sounds great, but how exactly do you tap into your equity to fund another property purchase? The first step is to calculate the…
23.03.23 In the lead up to an election, each major party makes plenty of promises. Property ownership, housing affordability, and personal finances are always front and centre of the debate, and this year’s NSW State election is no different. After a boom in property values, rising interest rates and cost of living increases, it’s…
16.03.23 It’s been well broadcast across the media that 2022 was a challenging year for Australian property investors. According to CoreLogic, Australian housing prices fell by 5.3% in 2022, the first year of negative annual returns since 2018. Not surprisingly, many investors are asking themselves if now is a good time to buy an…
14.03.23 Landen is proud to announce that it has recently been certified carbon neutral by Climate Active. Carbon neutrality is all about having a net-zero carbon footprint—meaning you have balanced out the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the environment by offsetting it with renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar. It can…
8.03.23 Australia has an excellent system that requires employers to pay their staff superannuation, so they have money to access in retirement. These funds grow throughout your working life, but if you top them up yourself, you’ll find you can either retire earlier or live more comfortably when you step away from work. …
06.03.23 Superannuation was introduced in Australia in the 1990s as a way of helping the population to achieve a more comfortable retirement. Back then, the mandatory contribution rate for employers was three per cent. Now, it is 10.5 per cent and on its way to being 12 per cent by 2027. Over the years,…
03.03.23 With Australian inflation running at 7.8% (December 2022), many investors are focused on investing in assets that are positioned to generate attractive returns if inflation remains high looking forward. Residential property is generally regarded as one of those assets. However, the outlook for residential property is complicated by rising interest rates which are…
28.02.23 You may have a deposit saved and be prepared to start house hunting with a particular budget in mind, but before you start looking for your dream home (or your starter home), you need to understand home loan serviceability and how it will affect your loan application. What is home loan…
20.02.23 One of the investment decisions most Australian investors face is whether to invest in a retail investment fund. With this in mind, we discuss below what retail funds are and the benefits of investing in one. What are retail funds? A retail fund is an investment fund for individual investors who are…
09.02.23 Australia’s immigration inflow has long been an important property market driver as net immigration represents a large portion of the country’s population growth. The pandemic changed that between March 2020 and November 2021 with an estimated 473,000 immigrants not arriving as planned. That’s a substantial impact. However, the situation has reversed since Australia’s…
07.02.23 Trying to predict where interest rates are headed over time can be overwhelming. Even economic experts aren’t always on the same page when it comes to predicting how much the official rate will rise, when it will fall or if it will stay the same. But what we do know is that the…
03.02.23 In times of economic uncertainty, many savvy investors turn to investment types that offer a sense of security. Fixed-income investments are a particularly attractive option for long-term, or ‘mum and dad’ investors looking to diversify and offset riskier assets. Depending on your financial goals and timeframe, fixed-income investments can offer many potential benefits…
10.01.23 Whether you are a first-time buyer or a savvy investor, 2023 is expected to bring lots of opportunities to the property market. The sooner you start thinking about setting some goals and how you can reach them, the sooner you can be at ease about your financial decisions for the year ahead. Here…
08.01.23 2022 has been a remarkably challenging year for risk asset investors worldwide. It’s the first year in 150 years that US stocks and long-term bonds have decreased in value by over 10%. The same challenging themes have been witnessed in most countries, including Australia. This unusually weak market backdrop is important to bear…
22.12.22 If summer is your favourite season, then it only makes sense you might want to hold onto it for more than just a few months. Colours, textures and clever design techniques can help maintain a sense of summer throughout the year – even when the mercury drops outside. Light and orientation of…
20.12.22 Diets and fitness regimes are the common new year’s resolutions, but sound financial decisions and goals could take you a lot further in 2023. Here are 5 simple initiatives that will build your wealth next year and beyond. 1. Plan Like any new year’s resolution, you need a clear plan for getting…
8.12.22 Property market 2022 was challenging for property investors but it’s drawing to a close, it’s time to consider the factors driving the Australian property market in the year ahead. We discuss below what property investors should expect in 2023. It won’t surprise most investors that the number one factor influencing the 2023…
30.11.22 The Financial Planning Association of Australia’s most recent ‘Money and Life Tracker’ report revealed a surge in the number of Australians intending to seek help from a financial planner. The pandemic has served to accelerate the industry’s demand growth with more investors realising the benefits of engaging a professional financial planner. We discuss…
29.11.22 There are more than half a million Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSF) in Australia, totalling an impressive $822 billion. That’s approximately 25% of all superannuation assets in the country invested under the SMSF umbrella. This shows that Aussies are clearly keen to take greater control of their financial future. One of the main reasons…
18.11.22 Stamp duty is one of the more universally disliked taxes and has been the subject of intense debate for decades. Those against it often suggest a property tax as a more equitable alternative. NSW first home buyers can now make this choice for themselves. The NSW Government has just passed legislation which gives…
28.10.22 Funds management, or asset management, can be explained simply as the task of managing a pool of money on behalf of others with the end goal of maximising any returns. These could be tangible assets (such as equipment and real estate) or intangible assets (like intellectual property). Because the pooled capital is usually…
20.10.22 Having the right tax team behind you is imperative, especially if you want to make the endlessly complex ATO rules and regulations work for you. While the ATO has loads of helpful tips online and call center support to answer your tax questions, they typically give factual information only. Nothing quite compares to…
25.08.22 Why you should review your SMSF’s performance A plan without action is simply wishful thinking! Your SMSF shouldn’t be left up to chance. If the last couple of years have taught us anything it’s that the financial climate is always changing. Sometimes these changes will present new opportunities, other times they might impact…
10.08.22 Without a doubt the most common question mortgage brokers get asked is; ‘How much can I borrow?’ But there is no one-size-fits-all answer. To put it simply, how much you can borrow from a lender is known as ‘borrowing power’. This magic number can depend on multiple factors unique to the borrower and…
31.07.2022 With all the uncertainty currently in the home builder market, it’s never been more important to choose the right company to make your dream house become a reality. At Landen, we work closely with North Homes as our preferred builder for our land and home packages. To make sure that you have a home…
30.06.2022 While the prospect of saving up a home deposit can feel like an unsurmountable task, just like climbing a mountain, you really need to take it one step at a time. It might sound like a cliche, but when it comes to accumulating wealth‑every little bit really does help. If you make the…
17.06.2022 Our experience shows that many people seem to think that superannuation is something that doesn’t need much attention until retirement comes knocking. You may know there is the opportunity to top it up with additional contributions to increase what your employer already chips in. Some people also park one-off payments into it to…
19.05.2022 The 1.1 million Australian mortgage holders who have taken out a home loan over the past 11 years have only seen interest rates head in one direction – until now. In May 2022, the Reserve Bank of Australia put the official cash rate up by 0.25% to 0.35%. With rates now tipped to…
There are a number of developments afoot in Australia’s new home design market thanks to the pandemic. This has led to growing demand for space both inside and outside of the home. This means more people have been buying bigger houses in outer urban suburbs and regional areas, which has in turn led to some…
The arrival of COVID-19 and the subsequent disappearance of the usual level of immigration has laid bare Australia’s housing affordability challenges. Low interest rates are inextricably interconnected with this issue where the RBA remain firm on their decision to hold rates steady at 0.1% until 2024. This historically low interest rate environment has fuelled strong…
The traditional financial advice is that paying down your mortgage is generally a sensible strategy for owner-occupiers and property investor alike. This makes sense for most because it means you are gradually building your equity in your home, which reduces your risk in the face of a rise in interest rates or a change in…
After the strong run in property prices over the past year some property investors may be considering selling property within their portfolio. Here’s our list of what to consider when making this decision: Has the property performed in line with your expectations at the time of purchase? Or has it been better or worse than…
