The market’s booming in Sydney. Crazy prices being paid. It’s likely to pull up at some point. (At time of writing, the “snap” COVID lockdown may do it!) Sydney tends to peak earlier in the...

I had this note from a subscriber the other day,   “Hi Catherine. I read the last few monthly reports again. I wonder if the lockdowns and Covid act as a key part of the cycle.  Here is what I was...

If there’s one thing that affects the real estate cycle more so than anything else, it’s new forms of transportation.  For example, in the lead up to the 1950s downturn, the development of the motor...

On 22 February 1790, James Ruse — a convict from England — was granted 30 acres of private land by Governor Arthur Phillip. The gift was recorded as No.1 on the Land Grants register and now sits in the...

‘Never before have such fortunes been made overnight by so many people,’ said American journalist and statesman Edwin LeFevre in his narrative of the ‘Roaring 1920s’. It was the...

Aaron Russo is a name you probably don’t know. He never went beyond secondary school, but died a millionaire producing movies including Trading Places, Wise Guys, and The Rose. Russo was also a...

Frydenberg has just thrown rocket fuel under the Aussie real estate market. Another 10,000 first home buyers will now be able to build a new home with no more than a 5 per cent deposit. Something that benefits no...

Email came through from Donald this week, alerting me to last week’s Media Watch – aptly titled “The Housing Game.” The episode leads with “Up? Down? Flat? Don’t believe the media...

I was sent this article today from a subscriber interested to know what effect – if any - it may have on the cycle.    The article reveals plans by the NSW government to overhaul planning rules in...

Your complete guide to investing in real estate. This is your chance to sign up to 13-part crash course in all aspects of investing in the current post-pandemic market climate. Whatever current market conditions are,...

Imagine you could see — with clarity — what will happen in the Australian housing, stock and commodity markets over the next few years… You’d know exactly the right time to buy a house,...

A Buyer’s Market Last year a previous client of mind called me for some advice. I’ll call her Claire. I had assisted Claire to purchase a small single level unit some years ago in Reservoir, Melbourne,...

(Due to a temporary site technicality, See catherinecashmore.wordpress.com for picture of the index.) As many know, I'm President of Prosper Australia.  One of Prosper Australia's executive members is Bryan...

A man walks into a real estate agency.  He’s new to the country and its policies. He tells the realtor he wants to buy a plot of land for his factory. He gives the agent an idea of his budget, and land...

In 2014 I wrote this blog post predicting a period of financial instability in 2019 based on the skyscraper index. It coincides nicely with the completion of ‘the tallest’ residential tower in the...

By Catherine Cashmore, with Phil Anderson View the article here .  

    A Theoretical Overview of the Real Estate Cycle Real estate cycles have been with us for 300 years. Such cycles have repeated in times of inflation or deflation, high interest rates or low interest...

By Phil Anderson For over 25 years I’ve studied economics and markets. And I can say categorically that the Western economies exhibit an 18 year real estate cycle. Generally this averages out as 14 years up and...

Introduction......................................................................................... 1 The Corruption of Economics............................................................. 2 The Big Money in...

The Global Force Behind Australian Property’s ‘Hotspots’ How Select Landlords Are Cashing in On Soaring Rents… View the full article here or read on below (Written for Cycles Trends &...

(Printed in Escapologist - Port Phillip Publishing) By - Catherine Cashmore Have you tried or considered buying a property recently? There’s a little more to it than property spruikers and mortgage brokers have...

Phil Anderson (Catherine Cashmore)  Written for Cycles Trends & Forecasts A reality not just a dream’, I reported on the UK government’s budget that was handed down back in November 2017. You can...

By  Catherine Cashmore There have been four housing affordability inquiries since the early 2000s. The “First Home Ownership” inquiry by the Productivity Commission (2004). The Senate Select...

The Corruption of Economics Why Most Are Blind to What They Need to See By Catherine Cashmore  (Contributing editor - Cycles Trends & Forecasts ) In the 1880’s Judge James G. Maguire of the Superior...

The fact that Australia has an affordability crisis is not in dispute. Rather, government inaction for more than a decade must be questioned. Since the early 2000s, there have been three Senate Inquiries to tackle...

By - Catherine Cashmore “The home, built in 1857, had been unoccupied for years” said the report of a dilapidated Victorian-era mansion in Sydney’s Balmain East. Situated in an exclusive residential...

By Catherine Cashmore (Written for Property Observer - September 2014) The only explanation offered to Australia’s low-income residents over the past few weeks, expected to take on a colossal amount of private...

By - Catherine Cashmore "Bill, how high can you make it so that it won't fall down?" reportedly asked financier John J. Raskob, as he pulled out a thick pencil from his drawer, and held it up to William F. Lamb , the...

Land, Governance, and Finance – “Our Distrust is Very Expensive." By: Catherine Cashmore In June 2013, as the Senate voted unanimously to hold an inquiry into the corporate watchdog ASIC. Chairman, Greg...

Nick Xenophon “ Home affordability: a Super idea ” – Really? By Catherine Cashmore Nick Xenophon (along with other groups, such as the REIA ,) is advocating a policy that will be responsible for...

What Did The Recent Grattan Review “Mapping Australia’s Economy” Really Reveal? By Catherine Cashmore “Too many workers live too far away to fulfil our cities’ economic potential”...

By - Catherine Cashmore Five years on since the US recession ‘officially’ ended in June 2009, urban land prices are rising, the pattern of history is repeating, and this time, the players on the...

By:  Catherine Cashmore (Short article written for  Property Observer  – covering items made in detail else where on this blog.) I was contacted twice last week to comment on news stories that...

Capitalism, Democracy and Land By  Catherine Cashmore Protests that continue to erupt across the country against the Federal budget consist of two sectors. Those who are disadvantaged through cuts to government...

The Budget – The Consequence Last week, Joe Hockey stood up in front of Parliament and on behalf of the Abbott administration, announced; ''The age of entitlement is over. It has to be replaced, not with the...

Economic Nonsense - ICAC investigations - And The Inevitable Consequence For A Future Generation Of Renters And Homebuyers.   As we approach the Federal budget, once again we have to endure another round of...

Our Interrelated Property Cycles - easy ‘windfall’ gains – but, what’s the Consequence? Take a cursory look through the international press and reports on housing related matters, and it could...

A Look At The Market Through Foreign Eyes I had the good fortune to meet two investors from Dallas Texas last week - visiting in part, to survey the Australian real estate terrain and in return, provide a unique...

Legally Underquoting?  How Agents Get Away With It  Anyone in who has searched though one of the online real estate websites recently, will understand the frustration experienced when price quotes are...

People Power and Housing – Centre, Left, and Right. The protests that washed across major cities and towns a few days ago, covered a wide variety of issues, yet underlying them all is dissatisfaction with both...

“The Marginal Buyer Of Sydney And Melbourne Real Estate Has Changed” Investment bank ‘ Credit Suisse ’ couldn’t have coined it better when they asserted; "The marginal buyer of Sydney...

The Tale of One Auction – and its impact on the ‘Welfare State’ A few weeks ago, I attended an auction in a popular suburb of Melbourne’s inner east The home was an attractive four-bedroom...

Inequality and economic growth… To a limited extent inequality and the ‘rich/poor’ gap is tolerated within society because economists have historically seen it as a necessary platform to stimulate...

The Question the Government must agree to, before the Senate Enquiry into Housing Affordability can commence. As the deadline for the senate enquiry into housing affordability approaches, some notable submissions...

I’m know I’m not alone in feeling an immense amount of frustration at the circular debate amongst commentators in the mainstream media, that surrounds our first homebuyer demographic, and the question of...

Debating the ‘housing shortage’….. Do we have housing shortage? It’s a well spruiked ‘fact’ that Australia has a ‘housing shortage.’  I frame the word in italics...

Another senate enquiry into housing affordability – but what’s happened since the last? In the final hours of Federal Parliament for 2013, Labor Senator Jan McLucas succeeded in establishing an enquiry by...

Two articles which caught my attention last week were Chris Vedelago’s excellent piece on Melbourne’s outer suburban estates where buyers who previously committed to a ‘house and land’...

The Realities of a Tough Housing Market Terrain It’s not been the easiest of times for the local high-street real estate agency over the past two years.  Following a long period during which healthy...

Housing – apparently the only item than can be both affordable and unaffordable at the same time…. The latest affordability index by the Adelaide Bank and Real Estate Institute of Australia has once...

Since I started writing about housing policy and citing the growing concerns many are having with the rising price of accommodation, it’s been somewhat heartening to see a greater array of individuals...

Christmas has come early to Melbourne this year – the Baillieu Government have opened up a Melbourne sack of goodies and granted the promise of a ‘new’ suburb in the wilderness of Werribee...

How Australia's changing demographics are affecting the property market for investors   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 29 November 2011     The demographics of our cities are changing at a dramatic...

  Property Taxation and Housing affordability . There’s been a lot of debate around property taxation in Australia - significantly negative gearing, which allows an investor to use the short fall between...

Property Groundhog Day looks set to continue, but there could be tumult ahead: By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 22 November 2011     I don’t think many will be upset to see the end of this year. ...

RP Data’s  Rent vs Buy  report flew into my email box this week, and already bold claims are being made across the internet and in print media that it’s currently cheaper to buy in 388 suburbs...

Can lessons from German culture assist in changing the environment for Australia’s rental population….? Land.  Since history began, it has remained an integral part of the most valuable asset...

It’s now overwhelmingly clear the government is pinning its hopes on dwelling investment to fuel solid growth into 2014.  The declines in house prices since the peak of the boom in 2010 have obsessed...

The complexities of urban zoning by State governments, who openly advocate affordable housing initiatives, yet in truth are doing quite the reverse. The debate about house prices rises or falling, and what is, or...

A high-rise property bubble looms: Catherine Cashmore   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 01 November 2011     The world’s population ticked over 7 billion this weekend. Australia hosts only around...

Why first home buyers are not buying, and ways to solve it. The latest ABS data has indicated the percentage of first homebuyers active in the market has once again fallen, from 14.7% in July, to 13.7% in August....

Low rates good news? Whilst a drop in interest rates is promoted widely as being ‘good news for the housing market,’ with Wayne Swan bouncing around as if he’s a personal ‘Jiminy...

A selling agent is not there to work in a buyer's best interest   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 25 October 2011     This week we witnessed a high-profile agent get slapped across the wrist for...

A few thoughts on Negative Gearing – the contradictory policy which benefits investors whilst negatively impacting renters. It’s hard to believe we need to consistently go over the impact a concentration...

Who are we building homes for? Private local and offshore investors, or low income workers? Melbourne’s growing pains.. I’ve written extensively regarding the various issues that adversely affect our home...

Property in prestigious school zones always in demand for both investors and owner-occupiers   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 11 October 2011     An article in Melbourne’s  Herald Sun...

Regulation and Speculation in Australia’s Housing Market Despite, the recent gains in dwelling values being fragmented across the States, it’s always interesting to chart the reaction when making the...

First-home buyers are priced out of the market, and something must be done   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 04 October 2011     Single first-home buyers have a battle on their hands if they want to...

Apartment or House – the old debate, with a slightly different ‘take.’ I often get asked the question from investors - ‘which is better – an apartment or house?,’  Of course...

A housing bubble or the potential for one? Why not call it as it is Australia..... I wrote a few weeks ago about housing bubbles and the misconceptions commonly related to the term.  A bubble is typically an...

Like thousands of others, I’m an avid watcher of the UK top rating program, ‘Grand Designs.’ The projects inspire such a passionate drive for the progress of new and inventive property development,...

Emotional Economics. Now that we’ve established that the ‘Spring’ selling season has not immediately transformed the housing market from its winter of discontent, and the barrage of ‘Spring...

If a vendor won't meet the market, the property will not sell   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 20 September 2011     There was a very interesting article by Chris Vedelago in  The Age  on...

Being ‘in the zone.’ For all the complaints about our current Government, Julia Gillard has always been a passionate advocate for education reform.  Although the recent Gonski review into school...

Australia is blinkered when it comes to property Australia has a completely blindsided view when it comes to property, and never more so than in those sectors that profit from it directly. The fool hardly assumption...

Property is a long-term game   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 13 September 2011     Statistics are beginning to show an increase in the number of property investors taking advantage of what has widely...

Today’s minority is tomorrow majority. Last week, Terry Ryder once again stressed the argument against issues of affordability, citing anyone seeing a ‘crisis in affordability, needs to ‘get back to...

Buyers are picky, but well-priced, well-located homes are in great demand   By Catherine Cashmore Wednesday, 07 September 2011     Spring is here, and it’s a buyer’s market isn’t...

Well – is it any surprise?  Over and over again we see a drop in new homes sales.  The most recent HIA data shows new ‘house’ sales dropped 5.5 per cent in July (barring Queensland) and...

Auctions – In the current atmosphere, what effect are they having on buyer psychology? There’s no denying that Melbourne is the ‘auction capital’ of Australia – at time of writing - year...

What kind of future are ‘home buyers’ facing? On the one hand – increasing the ability of prospective home owners to get a foot hold in the market is admirable. After all, home ownership in...

The very real crisis of ageing and gender homelessness set to swamp all previous expectations, discussions and plans When discussing issues of housing affordability, the conversation is often weighted toward our...

Eight lessons to learn from The Block's lacklustre auction   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 23 August 2011     Surprised by  The Block  result at the weekend? Well, don’t be. This is...

Cheap investments might be more trouble than you bargained for   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 16 August 2011 As a property investor you face a mine field of advice from financial advisors, sales agents,...

Forget the house – what about the neighbours? There’s an old Jewish proverb which simply states; – “Ask about your neighbours, then buy the house.”  It seems sensible enough...

Low rates infuse a bubbly atmosphere in the established housing market There’s an ongoing discussion between our politicians as to whether low interest rates indicate ‘good’ or ‘bad’...

Tips to minimising your risk in a turbulent market   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 09 August 2011 The financial fallout in America is not going to do anything positive for investor confidence, however the...

Be wary of uncertain house-and-land packages   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 07 August 2012     Readers of  Property Observer  may be well attuned to purchasing property.  I’m...

Why we need a sensible conversation on the future of Australia's housing market. Language is an important tool in the real estate sector and skewing data to either the positive or negative is a well honed skill...

There's more to clearance rates than meets the eye   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 02 August 2011 A lot of emphasis is put on clearance rates each week – particularly in Melbourne and Sydney (the two main...

The property industry’s twisty statistics’ The REIV have released their June quarterly statistics which show a seasonally adjusted 2.4 per cent rise in the median house price with the comment...

A political paradox – Woe unto the one who suggests prices may fall.. Housing affordability has been the name of the game this week.  We’re coming up to a general election and ‘lo and...

Market perfect for investors, not home buyers   By Catherine Cashmore Monday, 18 July 2011 You can analyse as much statistical data as you like, and in many cases twist it to argue any point you want to make,...

You’d be hard pushed to find a first home buyer shopping in our largest capital cities, who had not been ‘outbid’ by an investor over recent times. The ABC has been running an interesting and...

The unglamorous life of a real estate agent   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 10 July 2012     You may have seen various job listings advertising a job in real estate as a sales agent.  They are...

Population density, demand and house prices. As most people are aware Australia’s population has now tipped the 23 Million mark.  Coming originally from the UK, where over 60 Million individuals reside in...

The Block 2012 auction success proves that you cannot predict home buyer interest   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 03 July 2012     You can read all the statistics and analyse as much data as you like,...

Distressed vendors flying under the radar   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 28 June 2011 Are we starting to see more distressed vendors than may have been reported? Australia-wide, the delinquency rate has...

You have to question the pure insanity that surrounds Australian real estate – you have to live here and experience it to truly believe it, because I’d challenge you to find another country where the...

The aging headwind. There has been plenty of subject matter on our aging population and its clear Australia faces challenges ahead. Allowing for a few fluctuations - since 1907 to present day, the fertility rate has...

Musings on a Future plan for our capital city municipalities. This week I read with interest Melbourne’s newly released ‘discussion paper’ produced by the City of Melbourne entitled ‘Future...

Governments must stop meddling in property markets – and negative gearing has to go   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 26 June 2012     Balancing a real estate market is not an easy task.  Too...

We must encourage regional and rural living to house and feed our growing population   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 05 June 2012     This past week, another revolutionist was busy plotting the future...

Obsessive perceptions with Australia’s housing market. Like many others, I was somewhat taken aback by the comments put forward by Margaret Lomas last week in relation to negative gearing – significantly,...

The Rate Cut – good news? Or Bad news? Once again the drop in interest rates has been promoted widely as “good news” for the housing market, with Wayne Swan taking ample credit as he attempts to...

The true purpose behind housing policy. Any regular reader of Property Observer will be well aware of the industry wide aversion to first home owner grants.  Steven Keen was one of the first to highlight their...

Australia’s Housing Market - The uncertainties and Certainties. Balancing a real estate market is not an easy task.  Too much supply and prices fall – too little and they rise and in this...

Negative gearing is unethical   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 24 April 2012   I love reading reports that predict real estate movements.  You’ll hear it trotted out frequently that we’re...

Hidden costs of a Good Education Julia Gillard has always been a passionate advocate for education and although there’s been heated debate over the Gonski reform package, there would be few to disagree that our...

The Downsizing Realities of our Property Market – ‘To where’ do Retirees Move? The idea that demographically we’re moving into a nation of downsizers is somewhat debateable. Certainly...

Australia's obsession with bigger and better property is making it less and less affordable   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 03 April 2012     We’re about to launch into the mid-season compulsion...

There seems to be a perceptible ‘sigh of relief’ across Australia now that spending has started once again.  As Deputy Governor of the RBA, Phil Lowe, pointed out in a recent speech earlier last week...

Can you really call “price growth” in a housing market that locks a growing percentage of first home buyers out a ‘recovery?’ I wrote a few weeks ago regarding the potential stagnation that is...

There'll be No Housing Recovery, until there’s a Construction Recovery. Last week Michael Yardney re-published his rundown of Australia’s market cycles from the 1980’s onwards.  The...

When did agent price quotes become a state secret? By Catherine Cashmore     I must have missed when price quotes became a state secret because – barring a few exceptions – they used to be...

The Property Chain In comparison to first home buyers – and even owner occupiers, investor activity has been dominant over the previous 12 months which is no surprise - banks are ‘bidding’ for...

When I first arrived in Australia from a relatively small town in the UK, the high-rise developments that were starting to dominate the inner CBD skyline provoked a sense of excitement. The thought of residing in one...

It’s always interesting to see the outrage provoked in the real estate industry by housing affordability reports – whether they come from the Annual Demographica survey or publications in magazines such...

So is Australia’s housing market ‘unaffordable’ or not?? What we really lack in Australia is a realistic vision of how our housing market should appear.  There are too many conflicting voices...

Don't be so quick to buy property   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 31 January 2012     Like many other industry professionals, I’m often accused of “talking up” the market for my own...

Population surges not always a good indication of a solid investment   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 24 January 2012     When considering real estate investment one of the rules you’ll often...

Australia’s Renters Australia has a growing generation of residents who can not only ‘not’ afford to buy, but cannot afford to rent either.  They’re the oft forgotten ‘rental...

Rate cuts and Christmas Presents. The internet’s done some wonderful things for us, Google is now the brain of the universe – any question can be plugged in and answered (albeit with a hefty disclaimer...

High-rise apartment blocks are already a dominant feature of our major capital city skylines.  It’s somewhat inevitable that an increased population will bring with it greater density in inner-city areas...

Be Cautious where you seek advice. The Home Buyer and property Investor show was in Melbourne last week.  It’s one of those events during which so many free tickets are handed out; it makes me wonder if...

Reading between the lines Was it the Greek tragedian Sophocles who said “no enemy is worst than bad advice?” If he’d lived in the 21 st century, he’d no doubt be aiming his words at media...

If you're looking for a housing market recovery, look first for a federal election   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 17 July 2012     Page 1 of 2 There may be some reservation involved when it comes to...

Just as the US after the housing crash, Australia is becoming a nation of renters   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 29 May 2012     It’s been a while since we heard about the “top...

The disappearing Aussie backyard and its emotional, physical and mental toll   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 22 May 2012     It would be easy to outline the physical and emotional effects skyscrapers...

While governments provide rhetoric and reports, thousands are waiting for real housing solutions   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 15 May 2012     If you've been following the budget and numerous...

Unless we address affordability, Australia's property market will hit an iceberg: Catherine Cashmore By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 17 April 2012 There’s an old Jewish proverb, which – as a rough translation – says:...

Negative equity hurting McMansion owners, but most home owners needn’t worry   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 27 March 2012     Over-spending on real estate is a temptation often hard to resist....

Community facilities are necessary to keep home buyers both healthy and happy   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 20 March 2012     Well, was it any surprise? Last week we saw  a report...

Home buyers head for the hills, and the outer suburbs   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 13 March 2012     The government has offered many half-hearted incentives to encourage purchasers to choose...

It's time to get serious about encouraging housing in regional areas   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 28 February 2012     Australia seems to make half-hearted appeals to encourage regional...

Why investors are essential for our property markets   By Catherine Cashmore Wednesday, 22 February 2012   Suggesting we need more investors in the property market is bound to evoke strong emotions from the...

Don't be swayed by superstition By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 14 February 2012     Ever had one of those days when you’re feeling a sensation beyond common understanding? Superstitious uncertain...

Look beyond the headlines to invest wisely in property   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 07 February 2012   It seems that just a couple of months ago we were reading headlines outlining the possibilities of...

Empty homes should house those who need accommodation:   By Catherine Cashmore Monday, 09 January 2012     It's almost impossible to accurately estimate the number of homeless in Australia. According...

Put an end to first-home buyer handouts   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 17 January 2012     There’s no doubt purchasing a property is the single biggest investment most people make. Even when...

It's not cost-effective going green   By Catherine Cashmore Thursday, 22 December 2011 A recent real estate survey conducted by Yahoo!, concerning the aspirations of home ownership among U.S adults found 81% of...

Melbourne auctions offer little more than good street theatre   By Catherine Cashmore Tuesday, 08 November 2011     We’re coming to the end of a year many agents will be pleased to bid...