Moving to Australia? Free advice session 07th Dec

Plan ahead by moving overseas with the experts!

Moving to Australia is not without its ups and downs. To make sure you stay ahead of the game, it pays to be well informed. Everyone wants to start their new life down under with as much money as possible and there are a number of things you can do to ensure you make the most of your funds. Key topics always discussed on the forum include moving your possessions and transferring your money into your new Australian bank account.

Our sister site, Poms in Oz is hosting Live Chat sessions with leading experts in banking, currency exchange, international removals, pet shipping and removals insurance. These sessions will take place on the 07th December 2011 from 7pm-9pm (UK Time).

National Australia Bank, Moneycorp, PSS International Removals, PetAir UK and Insure Your Move will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your move.

To participate, follow this link – Chat with Industry Experts, then, once the chat software has loaded, tick the ‘Guest’ option at the top of the chat window, then choose a username and click ‘Login’ and enter the ‘Moneycorp, NAB, PSS, PetAir UK or Insure Your Move’ chat rooms.

National Australia Bank
Rebecca Joils will talk about the Australian Banking system providing you with some insights as to what is different between the UK and Australia. She will also talk about how straight forward it is to open an Australian Bank account before you leave home and some of the services you should consider.

Moneycorp
Whether you are moving to Australia, or living there already, Jonathan Griffith will bring you the latest updates on the Aussie dollar and provide insight into the key factors influencing market movements. Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating and transferring your funds at the right time, via the right channel, can make a big difference to the amount of money you actually end up with.

PSS International Removals
One of the key ingredients when you are moving overseas is the planning of your removal. Liam Witham will be on hand to offer advice and answer any questions you may have regarding the packing and shipping of your household effects, including what items you can ship to Australia, Australian Customs procedures and AQIS. Whether you are importing household effects or just a vehicle, it is never too early to start researching or to start the process.

PetAir UK
PetAir UK is a unique pet travel service run by specialised vets for ultimate peace of mind. We will transport your pets safely and comfortably – worldwide.
No matter what the journey, we will remove the stress of complicated pet travel arrangements and ensure the best possible service to our clients and their much-loved companions is one of our highest priorities.
We operate a ‘one of the family’ policy, where all animals are treated with the same respect and care as our own pets. We know how much it means to you that your beloved pet arrives safely and by using PetAir UK you can assure yourself you are providing the very best care for your pet.
We offer truly comprehensive packages which provide absolute continuity from start to finish. Every client is allocated one of our personal veterinary consultants who will oversee every step of the process.
From complex documentation and import permit applications through to last minute flight changes, nothing is a problem for our competent and dedicated team.

Insure Your Move
Insure Your Move provide some of the most competitive insurance rates for removals to Australia and New Zealand. The Policy is underwritten by the Royal & Sun Alliance plc and the coverage afforded is second to none.
If you want to know more about the actual cover or why it is important to take out insurance then please feel free to ask John who has over 15 years experience in the moving industry working with both removers and multi-national corporate clients.

Join us for a chat with removals and shipping experts

Plan ahead by moving overseas with the experts!

Moving overseas is not without its ups and downs. To make sure you stay ahead of the game, it pays to be well informed. Everyone wants to start their new life down under with as much money as possible and there are a number of things you can do to ensure you make the most of your funds. Key topics always discussed on the forum include moving your possessions and transferring your money into your new Australian bank account.

Our sister site, Poms in Oz is hosting Live Chat sessions with leading experts in banking, currency exchange, international removals and tax. These sessions will take place on 22nd March 2011 from 8pm-10pm (UK Time). National Australia Bank, Moneycorp, PSS International Removals and Iron Chef Imports (other companies tbc) will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your move.

To take part, use this link – Chat with Industry Experts

Once the chat software has loaded, tick the ‘Guest’ option at the top of the chat window, then choose a username and click ‘Login’, you’ll then be able to enter the ‘Moneycorp, NAB, PSS or IronChef’ chat rooms.

National Australia Bank

Rebecca Joils will talk about the Australian Banking system providing you with some insights as to what is different between the UK and Australia. She will also talk about how straight forward it is to open an Australian Bank account before you leave home and some of the services you should consider.

Moneycorp

Whether you are moving to Australia, or living there already, John Kinghorn will bring you the latest updates on the Aussie dollar and provide insight into the key factors influencing market movements. Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating and transferring your funds at the right time, via the right channel, can make a big difference to the amount of money you actually end up with.

PSS International Removals

One of the key ingredients when you are moving overseas is the planning of your removal. Liam Witham will be on hand to offer advice and answer any questions you may have regarding the packing and shipping of your household effects, including what items you can ship to Australia, Australian Customs procedures and AQIS. Whether you are importing household effects or just a vehicle, it is never too early to start researching or to start the process.

Iron Chef Imports

Iron Chef Imports is a small, Australian-based business that specialises in arranging transportation of vehicles from anywhere in the world to any port in Australia. For a fixed brokerage fee, we can help arrange your vehicle’s import approval paperwork, shipping, customs clearance and registration in Australia. Aside from our fee, all other costs are invoiced to you directly – no hidden markups! We’re also happy to advise you if it’s worth bringing your car over before you start (that part’s free!).

Chat with PSS International about Removals and Shipping

Plan ahead by moving overseas with the experts!

Moving to Australia is not without its ups and downs. To make sure you stay ahead of the game, it pays to be well informed. Everyone wants to start their new life down under with as much money as possible and there are a number of things you can do to ensure you make the most of your funds. Key topics always discussed on the forum include moving your possessions and transferring your money into your new Australian bank account.

Our sister site, Poms in Oz is hosting Live Chat sessions with leading experts in banking, currency exchange and international removals. These sessions will take place on 15 September 2010 from 12pm-2pm and 8pm-10pm (UK Time). National Australia Bank, Moneycorp and PSS International Removals will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your move.

To take part, use this link – Chat with Industry Experts

Once the chat software has loaded, tick the ‘Guest’ option at the top of the chat window, then choose a username and enter the ‘Moneycorp, NAB or PSS’ chat rooms.

National Australia Bank

Rebecca Joils will talk about the Australian Banking system providing you with some insights as to what is different between the UK and Australia. She will also talk about how straight forward it is to open an Australian Bank account before you leave home and some of the services you should consider.

Moneycorp

Whether you are moving to Australia, or living there already, Jonathan Griffith and John Kinghorn will bring you the latest updates on the Aussie dollar and provide insight into the key factors influencing market movements. Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating and transferring your funds at the right time, via the right channel, can make a big difference to the amount of money you actually end up with.

PSS International Removals

One of the key ingredients when you are moving overseas is the planning of your removal. Liam Witham and John Moynes will be on hand to offer advice and answer any questions you may have regarding the packing and shipping of your household effects, including what items you can ship to Australia, Australian Customs procedures and AQIS. Whether you are importing household effects or just a vehicle, it is never too early to start researching or to start the process.

Australian Housing recovery stalls

Hopes for a recovery in the housing sector have been dashed by fresh data showing new home sales were flat in July.

The volume of new home sales increased 0.1 per cent in July, following a 0.5 per cent increase in June, the Housing Industry Association said today.

“Housing finance figures point to an emerging recovery in trade-up buyer and investor numbers, but looking beyond first time buyer related activity we’re not as yet at a point where we can talk of a broad based recovery in private new home demand,” HIA chief economist Harley Dale said in a statement.

States showed a wide variation in results with house sales dropping 4.4 per cent in Victoria, 11.6 per cent in South Australia and 3.1 per cent in Western Australia.

In NSW they increased 9.8 per cent and vaulted 10.2 per cent in Queensland. “Throw into the mix approvals processes that are bogging down the recovery and a slow start to the Social Housing Initiative and we are looking at a moderate rather than strong lift in building starts through the second half of 2009,” he said.

The Federal Government had hoped that the First Home Buyers grant, along with record low interest rates, would jumpstart the housing industry and provide a catalyst for the economy in coming months.

The First Home Buyers grant boost is set to reduce to $14,000 from $21,000 by the end of September. The Reserve Bank is widely expected to begin raising interest rates from its current level of 3 per cent, possibly as early as October.

“In a change of forecast, we have dragged forward the expected timing of the RBA’s first rate hike to October, from February,” said JP Morgan economist Stephen Walters in a statement.

However, in the wake of more evidence that Australia’s economy “apparently has skated through the financial crisis without sustaining much damage, the case for an earlier tightening has become irresistible,” he said.

Australian house prices defy the economic downturn

Median Australian house prices appear to have defied the downturn.

Predictions of a dire downturn of Australian house prices seem to have been shaken for the time being, as most residential markets ended the 12 months to the end of June in positive territory.

Although the outlook for residential property in 2010, in the post-first-home-owners-boost payment period, is uncertain, figures from Residex show few markets posted big falls in the past financial year.

Perth was the worst performing market of the period, with a 5.76 per cent fall in the median value, to $475,500. The dip followed a couple of exceptional years of growth and a 10-year average of healthy, 12.41 per cent annual gains.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Darwin, which powered on regardless of the economic downturn, achieving 14.81 per cent median house price growth, to a median house price of $477,000.

Sydney’s median house price sits at $577,500, after the harbour city posted marginal 0.79 per cent growth during the year.

Melbourne outclassed its northern neighbour, with gains of 2.69 per cent during the same period. Its median house value is now $492,400.

Brisbane’s fell slightly, by 0.06 per cent, in the 12 months to June 30, to end at $452,500. Like Perth, Brisbane’s fall comes after a period of strength, including 15.2 per cent growth in the 12 months to June 30, 2008.

Canberra’s median house price is $474,000, after gaining 1.36 per cent in the year to June 30; Hobart’s $356,000 after gaining 2.82 per cent.

Melbourne house prices predicted to rise nearly 20% over next 3 years

AUSTRALIAN house prices will rise by nearly 20 per cent over the next three years, buoyed by the “current heat” in the market surrounding first home buyers.

A recent forecast from research house BIS Shrapnel’s Residential Property Prospects report – based on data from the Real Estate Institute, predicts that Melbourne house prices will rise by nearly 20 per cent over the next three years, buoyed by the “current heat” in the market surrounding first home buyers.

Angie Zigomanis said activity in the lower end of the market – buoyed by the boost to the first home owners grant and low interest rates – were generating “green shoots” of recovery.

The report says average house prices in most capital cities will grow by between 11 and 19 per cent over the next three years. In real terms (where prices are adjusted for inflation) the level of percentage growth is about half.

Mr Zigomanis, who said actual prices were more indicative than prices adjusted for inflation, predicts the boost to the first home owners grant combined with low interest rates would kick start further activity in the “upgrading” market.

“If the first home buyers are in the market buying, someone is selling it to them,” he said.

“We’re expecting that increased first home buyers activity to lead through to stronger upgrading demand for people upgrading to their next property,” he said.

Mr Zigomanis said once the (boost to the) first home owners grant expires, and first home buyers drop back out of the market, there’s enough activity in the market so it becomes self-sustaining.

The boost to the first home owners grant will finish at the end of this year.

But the research, based on Real Estate Institute data, said house prices would remain relatively stagnant until unemployment peaked around June 2010.

“Everything’s pointed at people jumping in the market”.

“At the moment we’re dealing with a confidence issue,” he said.

Weak economic growth and rising unemployment meant Australians were hesitant to jump into the market, he said.

The Government forecast in its May Budget that unemployment will rise to 8.5 per cent by mid-2011, leaving one million Australians out of work.

BIS Shrapnel predicts unemployment to peak “somewhere between 7 and 8 per cent” mid next year.

Mr Zigomanis said unemployment would impact house prices “more so from a confidence perspective”.

“Those people who have the means to buy property, and still have a job to buy property, they may be concerned about their employment outlook,” he said.

Melbourne Prediction:

• Median house price $425,000 in June 2009-06-12
• A fall of 6 per cent for the financial year
• Pick up in “upgrader” activity expected
• Nearly 20 per cent increase in prices to 2012

Australian home sales climb to thirteen month high

New home sales rose to their highest level in 13 months in March, as the first-home buyers grant buoyed demand.

Total new home sales rose by 4.2% last month to 8210, accelerating from the 3.9% growth pace in February, according to the Housing Industry Association. The increase marked the third month of gains.

”It is clear that in the first quarter of 2009 the project home building market was buoyed by the First Home Owners Boost for new dwellings together with very low variable mortgage rates,” said HIA Chief Economist Dr Harley Dale in a statement.

”The First-Home Owners Boost for new dwellings is clearly lifting residential building activity and securing jobs within the Australian economy,” he said, calling for an extension of the program past its June 30 cut-off.

Federal Government leaders, including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, have hinted they intend to scale back incentives for first-home buyers, announced as part of the first round of stimulus spending aimed at reversing the economic slump. The current grant rises to as much as $21,000 if the purchase is for a newly built residence.

Among the states, detached home sales jumped 4.1% in March, led by New South Wales, where they increased 15.2%.

”While the rate of growth in sales reflects to an extent the low base from which a recovery is emerging,” the HIA report said, ”there is no doubt that the previously mentioned triple boost from low interest rates, stimulus to first-home buyers, and builder discounts have injected some life into a previously moribund new home building market, especially in Sydney.”

Sales of detached houses also jumped 14.6% in Victoria and 7.3% in Western Australia, the HIA said.

Low interest rates and the first-home owners’ boost are having a targetted effect, spurring house sales but leaving multi-unit sales ”at very weak levels,” the HIA said.

Sales of apartments rose 4.7% in March, following a flat February and four straight months of falls, HIA said.

”This reinforces the fact that while investor enquiries have increased in recent months, actual building activity in the residential investment space is still heading south, a concerning sign for low and lower middle income rental households.”

Melbourne real estate in a flux

Recent data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) reveals that residential property in the more affordable Melbourne suburbs are appreciating faster than those in traditionally affluent areas such as Toorak, Canterbury and Camberwell.

The REIV’s quarterly house price figures show that fifteen of Melbourne’s “top 20″ growth suburbs for the first three months of the year had a median price below $500,000.

Real estate industry executives say this is because of falling interest rates and first home buyers’ grants.

Suburbs with the fastest growing prices included Mount Martha, up 16.3 per cent to $500,000, Keysborough, up 12.9 per cent to $390,000, Epping, up 8.1 per cent to $303,000, and Boronia up 6.9 per cent to $355,000.

However, the overall Melbourne median house price fell 3.1 per cent to $410,000.

Prices for the cheapest 25 per cent of houses also fell, down 1.4 per cent, while the most expensive 5 per cent of houses dived 12.9 per cent.

That compares with data yesterday from rival analyst RP Data-Rismark, which is used by the Australian Stock Exchange, and which showed Melbourne houses rose 2.4 per cent to $426,423.

REIV chief executive Enzo Raimondo said the institute collected its data directly, and the results reflected about three-quarters of total sales.

He said the figures showed that while the first home buyers’ boost was clearly working to stimulate activity, it was not dramatically inflating prices, as some industry commentators had suggested.

“Everybody’s saying that the first home owners’ grant is pushing up prices but I think what’s happened is it’s helped activity, not necessarily driven prices up,” he said. “Growth actually slowed in all the parts of the market, whereas last time it was only the top.”

The number of transactions in the first three months of this year was about the same as in the December quarter, at just over 12,000 — even though January is traditionally very quite in real estate because of school holidays.

He said the financial crisis meant people were reluctant to sell their homes and stock levels were extremely low compared with the 2007 real estate boom.

Mr Raimondo said stock levels and transactions could drop further if governments removed their first home owners’ boosts as suggested after June 30.

The Federal Government has doubled its grants to $14,000 for existing homes and tripled them to $21,000 for new homes, while the State Government is offering $3000 for existing homes or $5000 for new homes.

However, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last week suggested the boosts would expire as planned on June 30. Developers are calling for the boosts for new homes to stay, arguing that it is better to direct money towards construction than to owners of existing homes.

But Mr Raimondo said the removal of grants for new and existing homes would mean a drop in economic activity and employment.

“It’s going to affect transaction numbers, it’s going to affect competition, it’s going to affect how many people are going to be employed in real estate after June,” he said.

Australian Housing Market Outlook

John Symond, gives his views on the state of the Australian Residential property market. He discusses the future of the first home owner grant and talks about why the big 4 banks are justified in not passing on the latest interest rate cut in full.

The stress of re-entering the housing market

(By Guest Columnist) Re-entering the housing market can prove to be a disheartening experience, despite the grants.

I’m fuming. After the financial catastrophe of divorce several years ago, I’m trying to get back into the housing market.

I’ve found a beaut little place that I can afford, but I’ve done this once before, so I know that a mortgage is like a marriage in one very real way – decide in haste, repent at leisure.

The problem is I am bidding against young, inexperienced buyers with $14,000 from the federal government’s first-home-buyers grant in their pockets, being hurried and harried into purchases that they cannot truly afford by (some) real estate agents and by the artificial cut-off date for the grant of June 30, this year.

If they don’t get their house before that arbitrary date, the $14,000 vanishes; or $21,000 if they build a new home. Then add the other $5000 or $7000 that most state governments offer first-home buyers, and the $10,000 cash-back deals from some developers.

The fact that these grants have pushed up prices isn’t really on their inexpert minds.

Sure, I got my grant of $7000 back when I bought a place. But I thought it was bad policy then and I think it is bad policy now.

The first-home-owners grant was introduced by the Howard government in 2000, just in case home-price inflation benefit to the people to smooth over the introduction of the GST back the 10 per cent tax dampened demand.

Instead, the grant caused another mad flurry of and entrenched a policy that provides the least it is supposed to help – first-home buyers.
It should be called the home-vendors bonus.

Low interest rates, tax policy and government handouts have pushed home prices to absurd levels in Australia.

But every time market forces threaten to actually drive prices down enough for people like me to afford to get into the market, the government intervenes to prop up prices.

Why? Because most voters have mortgages, and they are used to the value of their homes growing in leaps and bounds – not going backwards.

The reality is the house prices are decided not by the market, but by the value of those votes.

Next Page »

About Me

Kate Williams has extensive experience working in property valuation and property rental in the UK and Australia over a 10 year period. Kate is now the Managing Director of a Melbourne based Relocation company which initially finds short term fully furnished rental accommodation for new arrivals to the city.

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