Are Things as Bad as Last Time?

People keep asking whether we are going to see the current market collapse — just like it did in 1989.

If you have been following my eBulletins and blog over the past 5 years, you already know that we are approaching the end of the current cycle. But this time, the fundamentals are not quite the same.
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Trying to Make Sense of Things?

There has been much made of the poor US Retail Sales Data for December.

However, the figures were only down 0.4% on November. The most likely explanation being that some early Christmas shopping occurred November; and the increase in gift-card sales will not come through until early in 2008.

Clearly, the Sub-prime issues are having some effect. But, if you follow HS Dent at all — their view is that … “a short, mild recession is indeed likely, and we are arguably already in the middle of it.” (Update: Wednesday 16 January 2008).
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How to Live with a Labor Government!

Will things really change all that much, now that Australia has wall-to-wall Labor governments across the country?

You’d better believe it!
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Keeping your Eye on Building Costs

Every six months, you’ll find Rider Levett Bucknall publish their “Oceania Construction Cost Commentary”. In this posting, you’ll find an extract from their July 2007 publication — which covers both the Australian and New Zealand markets.
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Retail Property Activity Continues

As the government spending and tax cuts add to consumer demand, you’ll see the Australian economy continue to grow strongly.
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When Your Tenants Leave …

Depending upon what your Lease specifies upon termination, the cost to “make good” the property can vary dramatically. Furthermore, the tenancy fit-out (and original condition) of the property can also impact on that cost.
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Family Finances are being Stretched

With house prices solid or rising everywhere except in Sydney, household debt is now almost out of control.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, you saw the highly-geared Business sector collapse as interest rates rose. But now, you’re finding it is households with the high levels of debt.

In 1990, households had (on average) borrowed only 65% of their disposable income. By 2005, that figure had rocketed to 155% of their annual disposable income. And today, it stands at nearly 170%.
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The Retail Dilemma

You would have been reading the reports lately about improved consumer sentiment; and retail sales certainly do seem to be on the improve.

But as you look around Australia; there has also been an incredible amount of new retail space come onto the market.
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If you missed the Property Workshop …

As it turned out, there were quite a few of you who simply couldn’t make it along to the February 24 Property Workshop.

*However, it was all captured for you live on tape.* And we received some very good feedback – confirming just how worthwhile the Workshop proved to be.
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Construction Climate – Australia and NZ

In its Construction Cost Commentary for January 2007, the Rider Hunt offices report tendering activity continues to surge in most Australian cities, Sydney being the only location bucking the trend. In New Zealand, sustained levels of Building Consents and the coming on-line of some major projects indicate continued high levels of activity in 2007.

What I’ve done is to bring you some extracts from that report, And you’ll notice that Brisbane, Perth and Darwin are currently the strongest markets.
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Australia’s Skills Shortage — Relief in Sight

You would have seen a fair amount of publicity about there being a looming skills shortage. And with the Construction industry, it still remains a dominant concern.

However, a recent survey conducted by Davis Langdon suggests there is a “glimmer of hope, with varying degrees of easing recorded across all trades.”
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