News
John McGrath – Two benefits of using a mortgage broker that you don’t know about
05 September 2022According to John McGrath, Chief Executive Officer of McGrath Estate Agents, more homeowners are reviewing their loans to make sure they’re getting the best deal.
Read MoreMcGrath expands its prominence in Northern NSW real estate market with a new office merger in Lennox Head
McGrath Northern Rivers Group today announced a key strategic merger designed to further expand the presence and firepower of the agency within the region.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Melbourne market rebounding but buyers have time
The Melbourne market is rebounding in 2023 but at a slower pace than the other major East Coast capitals. This is giving buyers more time to take advantage of last year’s price correction.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Sydney leads the national market recovery
Sydney is leading the national property market rebound, with home values resuming their long term growth pattern following a relatively short and sharp market correction.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Biggest migration surge in history impacting the market
We are definitely seeing the impact of increased migration and a return of foreign investors in the property market this Spring season.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Investors increasingly looking to the regions
It’s one of the most fundamental shifts in the Australian psyche in recent history: city slickers who’d never seriously considered making the move to a regional area before suddenly had their eyes opened to the idea en masse.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – More Women Buying Real Estate
The Australian property market continues to demonstrate strength and resilience this Spring season. We are seeing very solid results and consistently high auction clearance rates week after week.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Finding your forever home
We are finally starting to see the costs of building a home ease, which is great news for Australians wanting to build their ‘forever home’.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Market will strengthen in 2024
Last week we released the 2024 McGrath Report, which reveals four key trends across the East Coast as well as what’s happening in the major metro property markets of NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Why home values are likely to keep rising from here
There are many supportive factors pushing home values higher this Spring season across many areas of Australia. Property is showing exceptional resilience, even with higher interest rates at play.
Read MoreJohn McGrath - Strong auction clearance rates prove Spring market strength
We’re now seeing the highest number of properties going to auction this year, as more new listings flow onto the market this Spring.
Read MoreJohn McGrath - What to do with your home loan now that rates are on hold.
The Reserve Bank has kept interest rates on hold for three consecutive months, leading many economists and analysts to speculate that the rate-hiking cycle is near its end.
Read MoreJohn McGrath - 6 Negotiating tips for buyers
Many buyers are uncomfortable with the process of negotiation. While the vendor has their agent to negotiate for them, buyers are at their own mercy (unless they use a buyer’s agent, though that is not the norm).
Read MoreThe Block 2023: Selling a home from a reality TV show
After winning three out of the four previous series they’ve been on, the team from McGrath’s St Kilda office is excited to be back for the 2023 series of The Block. While filming took place in a regional area last year, this year it’s back in their neighbourhood, with five 1950s-era houses in Charming Street, Hampton East being transformed for the show.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Working with agents & what to ask before making an offer
Although agents are working for the vendors, the good ones understand that they need to build relationships with buyers in order to bring the deal together.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – What to look for at Opens this Spring
If you’re heading out into the market this Spring, you’re going to see a lot of homes for sale. Very soon, it will become hard to remember the best and worst features of each one.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Spring market outlook
A seasonal boost to listing numbers will provide welcome relief for buyers in today’s competitive market.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Why quality marketing is worth it
The busy Spring season is upon us and there are many homeowners getting ready to sell.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – How today’s environment is impacting buyers, sellers and tenants
There’s something of a perfect storm in property today, with a significant supply/demand imbalance affecting everyone in the marketplace -- Buyers, Sellers and Tenants.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Why Australia has a housing undersupply
Australia has a vast land size and a relatively small population compared to other major Western economies, yet we have had a significant housing undersupply for many years.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – How to deal with FOMO as a buyer
Over the past three months, home values have risen in all 15 of the capital city and regional markets of Australia bar Darwin and regional Victoria, according to the latest CoreLogic data.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – EOFY market wrap & what’s in store for FY24
The market correction we experienced during FY23 was both short and sharp, with Australian home values returning to growth much earlier than expected despite continually increasing interest rates.
Read MoreMcGrath consolidates its presence in Sydney’s Inner East with new Surry Hills office led by Mark Foy
29 June 2023 – Leading residential real estate group, McGrath Estate Agents, today announced that it will open a new office in Surry Hills on July 1, as it witnesses further gentrification of Sydney’s inner east property precinct with major upgrades to “green” the iconic Crown Street high-street strip.*
Read MoreJohn McGrath – What key amenities are worth
A common question in real estate is how much certain amenities are actually worth.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – How to find the sleeper suburbs
One way to achieve the greatest capital gains in property is to be creative and consider intelligently and thoughtfully about where the new growth corridors might be.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Investor tips for your tax return in FY23
Rental property deductions are one of the three key focus areas for the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for the 2023 financial year (FY23).
Read MoreMcGrath targets Brisbane for growth with a focus on attracting new real estate talent
1 May 2023 – McGrath Estate Agents continues to add to its sales teams across its company owned Brisbane operations (Paddington, New Farm, Bulimba and Wilston) as it strategically focuses on growing its footprint in one of Australia’s most important real estate markets.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – The home ownership choices of the Boomers, Gen X & Millennials
The desire to own our own homes is a cultural aspiration spanning all generations of Australians. But it has shifted a bit in the past few decades.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – The rise of remote investing
More investors are looking to property markets outside their own neighbourhoods and there are a number of factors driving this, including advances in technology and the rise of regional living during the pandemic.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Why Winter is a great time to sell in 2023
One of the biggest myths in real estate is that Winter is a bad time to sell. Actually, the opposite is usually true, and that’s especially the case this year.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – New value for buyers in premium regional markets
There is exciting new value available now for buyers in premium regional lifestyle areas following the market correction.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Foreign buyers are back
Migration to Australia largely ceased during COVID but a new surge is underway. International students are returning to study and more skilled migrants are gaining entry to take the jobs that employers haven’t been able to fill in this extremely tight labour market.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Has beachside living eclipsed metro appeal?
The opportunity for world-class beachside living across our big capital cities and key regional markets is one of the most enduring and unique features of Australia’s prestige property market.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – New help for more first home buyers
As part of this week’s federal budget, the government is expanding the eligibility criteria for the 50,000 places available under the Home Guarantee Scheme.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Suburbs leading the rebound
The rebound in property markets across Australia is continuing, with new CoreLogic data showing 35% of Australian suburbs experienced home price growth in the March quarter.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Always buy quality to achieve the best capital growth
No matter what type of property you’re purchasing – a house or an apartment, a home or an investment, buying quality is the crucial factor for achieving the best capital growth over time.
Read MoreJohn McGrath - Best tips for buying pre-auction and on the day
Australian home values returned to growth in March, and average clearance rates have risen from about 55% in the late Spring season of 2022 to about 65% today.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Price growth strongest in rural markets
Price growth is currently strongest in rural treechange areas across regional Australian markets.
Read MoreMcGrath extends it presence in regional NSW as it earmarks The Riverina for growth
5th April 2023 - Leading residential real estate group, McGrath Estate Agents, has earmarked one of Australia’s most diverse and productive agricultural regions in south-west New South Wales, The Riverina, for future growth.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Changing pandemic trends
The pandemic led to a highly competitive market in which home values soared across all capital cities and most regional areas. It also sparked trends we’d never seen before on that scale, some of which remain relevant today while others are fading away.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Upper-end market performing best
The upper end of the property market is currently performing best, with very slight growth of 0.1% nationally in February and very slight price declines in lower and middle market home values.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Property ownership among women is rising
There has been a slight increase in the number of women homeowners in Australia over the past 12 months.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Why it’s safe to sell in this market
The latest pricing data was surprising to many people, with Sydney home values returning to growth while the rest of the market fell by the smallest margin since interest rates began rising in May 2022.
Read MoreMcGrath targets Strathfield with a new office for metro Sydney
March 2, 2023 - McGrath Strathfield, the newest office to join McGrath Estate Agents in metro Sydney, opened its doors in grand style on Friday night [February 25].
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Today’s market ideal for new investors
I see today’s market as a great buying opportunity for investors. All the key elements are in place.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Buyers more decisive as market stabilises
While the economic climate and impact of further interest rate rises is difficult to predict, I think we are either at or approaching the bottom of this property cycle, and it looks like many buyers agree.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – How to get the rental home you want
Tenants will be relieved to know we’re now seeing a moderation in rent rises after some very steep increases in 2022.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – Price falls moderating as buyers return
Australian home values are still falling, but the decline in January was the smallest monthly drop since June last year, according to CoreLogic research released last week.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – The opportunities in today’s market
As we begin the first week of the Autumn auction season, I see many opportunities in today’s market. In fact, it reminds me a lot of the period immediately after the GFC.
Read MoreMcGrath Estate Agents today opened a new office in Beecroft
30th January 2023 – McGrath Estate Agents today opened a new office in Beecroft, to further consolidate its presence in this important market of Sydney’s northwest corridor, servicing the affluent family focused areas of Beecroft, Cheltenham, Cherrybrook and Pennant Hills.
Read MoreJohn McGrath – The most resilient markets of 2022
Despite eight interest rate rises worth a collective 3%, plus inflation significantly eating into household budgets, house prices in some Australian suburbs still grew in value last year.
Read More5 Ways to Respond to Rising Interest Rates
As you know, interest rates are rising. 3 times in 3 months, with more almost certain to follow. As a result, home loan rates will also rise. So what should you do in response? Here are five suggestions:
Read MoreTop Six Factors That Will Influence Property Prices in 2022
Will prices continue to rise, or will we see a market correction and potential price drop soon? It's probably the most asked property question at the moment, apart from when interest rates will rise again. One could even argue it is the million-dollar question, especially as Sydney and Melbourne's median house..
Read MoreFive Ways to Reduce Your Mortgage
Over the last few months, there has been much speculation over whether interest rates will rise sooner than 2024. We have covered the very topic here, and also way back in July. Despite the RBA being reasonably confident it won't lift rates until 2024, economists are tipping a rate rise sooner...
Read MoreTIME TO FIX YOUR HOME LOAN
Despite assurances from the RBA that they have no immediate plans to raise interest rates, the combination of massive increases in property prices, higher serviceability buffers, and rising bond yields has many lenders ready to increase interest rates regardless. In some cases, they already have...
Read MoreHousing Demand still High. What you can do to get ahead of the Competition.
According to the latest CoreLogic data, despite ongoing lockdowns across Eastern Australia, property prices went up sharply in the last 12 months despite a sharp fall in the number of properties advertised for sale...
Read MoreNew Serviceability Buffer Could Impact The Amount You Can Borrow
In early October, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) made its long-expected changes to home lending conditions, tightening regulations on banks and lenders in an attempt to dampen Australia's runaway housing market. The rules have changed regarding how banks will assess the serviceability of home loans (referred to as a serviceability buffer). They will now evaluate a borrower's ability....
Read MoreShould You Sell Your Home in Lock Down?
The property market's hot right now, but the lockdown situation is not. It is a seller's market with listings down, but that means buyer demand is still strong, even though inspections are more complex in some places due to lockdowns. CoreLogic's research director Tim Lawless believes that the slight slowing of growth in sales is also down to affordability pressures, with house prices increasing almost 11 times...
Read MoreSurge in Mortgage Activity Creates Competition for your Refinancing Business
Lockdown or not, there has been a flurry of mortgage activity over winter, with the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) reporting all-time highs in some mortgage lending and especially in mortgage refinancing...
Read MoreThe impact of the Pandemic on a new Home Loan Application.
In the previous update, we looked at the impacts of COVID Government financial assistance on existing borrowers and homeowners. In this update we will answer some common questions about how government assistance might impact first home buyers or those getting ready to apply for a loan...
Read MoreThe impact of lockdowns on your Mortgage. Your questions answered.
The Delta strain has most definitely put pressure on wallets. Greater Sydney is in its third month of lock down. All of NSW now finds themselves locked down. Victoria is currently in its sixth lockdown, and most states and territories have also been in and out of various restriction levels. The impacts on many people’s finances have been keenly felt...
Read MoreIs Now a Good Time to Buy Property?
Despite the continued upward surge in property prices and many Australians believing now is not the best time to buy, NAB data released at the beginning of July showed that the appetite for home ownership was still robust. The bank also recorded strong growth in mortgages, with April being the bank's strongest month on record (for mortgages), especially among first home buyers with a fear of missing the boat
Read MoreRates rise predicted sooner rather than later. Time to prepare and be ready.
When the cash rate dropped to 0.1 per cent in November 2020, the real estate market went gangbusters, with house prices experiencing enormous gains. Despite spiralling house prices, the RBA has been hesitant to increase interest rates because it could cost jobs....
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