IRONMAN Cairns: road closures, changed traffic conditions across the week
The 11th annual IRONMAN Cairns is just around the corner, with more than 3,500 athletes expected to compete across the weekend’s events. Most of the action will be on Sunday, 12 June, but there are already some changed traffic conditions. Barricades and construction of marquees and event structures has also commenced along the Cairns Esplanade and in the Pier carpark. Importantly,...
Reserve Bank of Australia lifts the official cash rate by half a percentage
Australia’s official cash rate has climbed by 0.5 per cent (or 50 basis points), following today’s meeting of the Reserve Bank board. The hike has exceeded forecasts by each of the big four banks, which had predicted a rate rise of 0.4 per cent or less. It is the single biggest rate rise since February 2000. The official cash rate now sits at 0.85 per cent. If passed on in full ...
Returned Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch reveals his plans for the next three years
The re-elected LNP Member for the Far North Queensland seat of Leichhardt says he's got plenty of goals to achieve over the next three years, before he retires at the 2025 election. Despite a slight swing against him, MP Warren Entsch retained the seat with 52.81 per cent of the vote after preferences, as counting of postal votes continues. Apart from one term, Mr Entsch has been Leichh...
Heat starting to leave Regional Australia, but home values still on the rise
Red hot Regional Australia property markets are showing signs of slowing, despite outpacing capital cities due to chronically low listings and sustained buyer demand. CoreLogic’s latest Regional Market Update shows the growth rate across Australia’s 25 largest non-capital city regions has slowed from a peak of 6.6% in April 2021 to 4.7% in the three months to April 2022. Red ho...
Cairns Marine Precinct expansion a step closer following funding announcement
The Palaszczuk Government has committed $150-million in funding to increase the capacity of the Cairns Marine Precinct, matching a federal election promise from ALP candidate for Leichhardt Elida Faith. However, incumbent MP Warren Entsch has accused Labor of playing politics, claiming he hasn’t been provided any proposal or costings, nor has he seen evidence of a masterplan. Acco...
LNP housing pitches may help some households overcome the deposit hurdle, but neglects housing equality
On the weekend, the Liberal party announced two new policies around housing and superannuation in the lead up to next week’s election. The first was lowering the age threshold for those who could access downsizing contributions to superannuation. The second was a ‘Super Home Buyer Scheme’, which would allow Australians to borrow up to 40% of superannuation to purchase the...
Construction costs rising at the fastest annual pace since 2005
CoreLogic’s Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) for Q4 2021 showed that despite an easing in the quarterly rate of growth, national construction costs increased 7.3% over the 2021 calendar year, the highest annual growth rate since March 2005. Following a 3.8% surge in national residential construction costs over the three months to September 2021 , quarterly construct...
Renting during COVID-19: what tenants and property managers/owners need to know
To help the Queensland rental sector navigate tenancies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) has answered some common questions about inspections, repairs, cleaning and shared facilities. Inspections and repairs Queensland Public Health directives and guidelines must be followed during all inspections, including when conducting an open house...
Residents south of Cairns rattled as region records its largest earthquake in decades
Main points An earthquake measuring 3.9 magnitude was recorded just after midday The epicentre was in the Coral Sea, just over 50 kilometres off Yarrabah Residents in and around Innisfail were most impacted by shaking buildings but no damage has been reported An earthquake measuring 3.9 magnitude has shaken homes and people, particularly south of Cairns. The quake was measured in ...
International tourists to be welcomed back to Australia in a fortnight
Main points Australia's border will open to international tourists on 21 February Only visitors who have received two doses of an approved vaccine will be allowed in The first markets for Cairns will include Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Singapore Australia will reopen its international borders to all visitors who are fully vaccinated from February 21. Prime Minister Scot...
Cairns Festival to bring ten days of colour and energy to the city
The count down to the Cairns Festival is on, with plenty of events pushing full steam ahead for the annual celebration this August and September. INTRODUCING… opens the festival on Friday 27 August, with Jaguar Jonze headlining the Festival Stage on the Esplanade alongside local artist Amber Farnan. The Grand Parade takes place the next night, Saturday 28 August, where the ...
Smoke alarm changes for rental properties
SMOKE alarm requirements are changing for all rental properties and landlords and tenants are encouraged to start taking steps to ensure their properties comply. Smoke alarm requirements are changing for all rental properties and landlords and tenants are encouraged to start taking steps to ensure their properties comply. The new requirements to be in place by January 1, 2022 for all rentals ...
Boat Ramp Tender Opens
TENDERS for the new $17 million Yorkeys Knob Boat Ramp have been released, with Transport and Main Roads (TMR) set to award construction contracts in coming months. Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the tender meant shovels were closer to getting into the ground for Cairns boaties after years of planning and consultation. “With all the necessary approvals now secured, we&rsquo...
How to negotiate the purchase price when buying a house
Part art, part science, negotiation is a tricky business. Come in too low and you’re left out of the conversation; too high, and you find yourself caged in, with no way to escape. So, how do you work out an offer that’s just right? Here’s our guide to negotiating a purchase price. 1. Look at recent comparable sales The first step towards a successful negotia...
7 tax tips for real estate investors at EOFY
With a range of tax incentives still available on investment properties, the end of a financial year can be a rewarding time for property investors. We give you our top tips for 30 June. 1) Prepay your interest Your lender may let you pay the interest on your investment property home loan in advance, especially if you have a fixed rate loan. That means you can push next financi...
What home owners should consider when planning to relocate
You’ve reached that point where your property needs have changed. Maybe you want more space, different features or a whole new lifestyle. Relocating could be the answer. But how will this impact you financially? And what do you need to consider when relocating within the same area, as opposed to moving further afield? Moving close to home Selling one property to buy another creat...
Cairns Crisis Housing Solution
LAST week, Cairns Local News reported on the growing rental accommodation crisis here in Cairns. Vanessa Glennon and her son had struggled to find suitable accommodation, unsuccessfully applying for dozens of properties, before securing a suitable property after couch surfing for a number of weeks and also paying the full rent for her new tenancy upfront. This story is not unusual in the tight...
Cairns Eco Fiesta
After a year’s hiatus, the Cairns Ecofiesta is back and in a new home at the lush Munro Martin Parklands. Hosted by Cairns Regional Council, it’s a event where the community comes together in the name of sustainability to share ideas, expertise, skills and enthusiasm. The kid-friendly festival includes roaming performances, interactive workshops and all the latest green-tech and s...
Growth in regional rents is almost 3 times that of capital cities
CoreLogic has released its Quarterly Regional Report, which revealed the annual growth rate of combined regional dwelling values (13%) was more than twice that of the capital cities (6.4%) in the 12 months to April. Remarkably, rent values across the combined regional markets have outpaced capital city rents even more - regional rent values increased almost three times as much as the capital c...
Saving a deposit still the biggest hurdle for renters wanting to buy
In a new series called Generation Rent, realestate.com.au rent specialist Emily Hutchinson debunks some of the common myths associated with renting. There are multiple factors that deter renters from buying a home, such as being tied to a mortgage with less freedom to move around. However, saving up a deposit remains the greatest hurdle for renters looking to buy, according to ...
What to consider before downsizing to an apartment
The children have moved out to start families of their own, the garden is growing wild and costing a fortune to maintain, and you’re spending more time cleaning the pool than swimming in it. A new home better suited to a more relaxed lifestyle could be the answer. “The reason most people downsize is they find their house too big in terms of upkeep,” says Melb...
The biggest things to avoid when renovating
So you’ve just bought a fixer-upper and can’t wait to get in there, gut the place and create your dream space? You’re not alone. More than half of Australians buying their first home intend to renovate it within a year, a new survey shows, with one in five planning to renovate immediately after buying. But that DIY dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you’re...
Insurance 'game changer' to reduce FNQ premiums
The cost of insuring for cyclones and related flooding will be subsidised by the Federal Government under a new $10-billion reinsurance pool. The move, to come into effect in July 2022, is predicted to reduce insurance premiums for households, strata and businesses across Northern Australia by more than $1.5-billion over the next decade. More than 500,000 properties will be eligible. The Loc...
Bold plan to secure city's water supply
A visionary plan to tap into the Mulgrave River and secure the city’s water supply needs into the next decade has been elevated to top priority status, with Council today elevating the plan as its chief advocacy project. KEY POINTS: Estimated to cost $215 million, it is Council’s number one priority and the single largest project in the 10-year (2021 top 2030) capital works prog...
Cairns’ affordability hotspots: mortgages under $250/week
For sale: A two-bedroom unit at 22 Ward Street, Mooroobool is priced at $190,000. New data shows Cairns has 14 affordability hotspots where mortgage repayments cost less than renting, saving close to $1000 a month in one suburb alone. The exclusive list of affordability hotspots was commissioned by Aussie in conjunction with CoreLogic, based on a 30-year loan with a principal and in...
Masks to be mandatory across Cairns
Member for Cairns Michael Healy is now saying all Queenslanders must carry a mask at all times and wear a mask in indoor spaces, in line with official health advice. "All Queenslanders must carry a mask at all times when they leave home, unless they have a lawful reason not to," Mr Healy said. "You must wear a mask in indoor spaces, such as: • Shopping centres, supermar...
What is rentvesting?
Rentvesting – which sees buyers rent a property where they want to live and buy an investment property in a suburb they can afford – is a growing trend across Australia, challenging traditional thinking about home ownership. Rentvesting is a way forward for people who want to break into the property market, without sacrificing their lifestyle. Ben Kingsley, the CEO ...
Having a home that is both stylish and kid-friendly
There’s nothing quite like the patter of tiny feet, unless those tiny feet are running down the hallway and have just kicked over your favourite and most expensive vase. Can you strike a balance so a home is practical and kid-friendly but also super stylish? For ex-Blockcontestant and Design School founder Jenna Densten, it’s absolutely possible but involve...
Queensland snatches lucrative maritime training program from Tasmania
aunceston's Australian Maritime College has lost a multi-million dollar defence contract for a patrol boat training program it has run for almost 30 years — despite Tasmania's Minister for Defence Industries last year boasting the northern rivals could not match "28 years of action, experience, and expertise in Tasmania". The Pacific Maritime Security Program training — delivered b...
Where you can still buy land around Cairns right now
Where you can still buy land around Cairns right now It’s almost impossible to find a block of land to purchase in Cairns right now, with Government grants and low interest rates leading to a five-fold increase in land sales over the past year. Tropic Now has investigated where you can still snap up a parcel of paradise of your very own. THE BACKGROUND Demand for l...
Wotif crowns Cairns as the 2021 Aussie town of the year!
After finishing as a finalist last year, Cairns has officially been awarded Wotif’s 2021 Aussie town of the year. Now in its fourth year, the awards spotlight deserving destinations around the country for their contribution to local tourism. The Wotif Aussie Town of the Year is chosen from a data index that looks at accommodation quality, affordability and trave...
March interest rate announcement: RBA holds cash rate at record lows, fueling property price surge
Interest rates are set to stay at the same historically low levels, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced at its March meeting on Tuesday, despite the fact they’re further fuelling the “frenzied” housing market. The official interest rate is being held at its record rock bottom 0.1 per cent – a rate expected to continue well into the foreseeable future – in a de...
Five simple ways to modernise a dated kitchen
A modern kitchen is a top priority for many home-owners. If your kitchen is feeling dated after lockdown, a refresh might be in order, but the pain of a full-blown reno can quickly put off anyone. Avoid weeks eating microwave food and relying on a portable cooler by easily updating some key features instead. By focusing on the latest technology, timeless style and functionality, a kitchen reva...
Interest rates explained: Five common home loan questions answered
Whether you’re looking to buy your first home or your tenth home, interest rates will play a big part in your decision-making process. Back in the 1990s, borrowers were paying as much as 17 per cent interest. Fast-forward to 2000, and the average interest rate was a little over 8 per cent – a lot better than 17 per cent, but still nearly twice the 2020 average of around 4.5 per cen...
When to call your insurer if your home has been hit by severe weather event
Heavy rain and flash flooding brought on by La Nina are in stark contrast to the devastating bushfires that ravaged Australia this time last year. As weather patterns continue to intensify leading to natural disasters unfolding on our doorstep, the importance of having a plan to protect you and your property has been brought home. Despite even the most meticulous planning, ther...
Increased buyer demand, not a shortage of property listings, behind tight market
New figures have revealed there’s no significant shortage of property listings in Australia’s capital cities, despite many real estate and buyer agents claiming a lack of stock in some capital cities is contributing to fast-rising prices. Instead, it’s the sheer number of buyers in the market right now – thanks to historic low interest rates – that...
21 Simple Ways to Update Your Home in 2021
There’s something about the flip of a calendar page that makes us want to reinvent ourselves – and our homes. And having spent more time indoors this past year, fittingly we’ve turned our attention inwards – to transform where we live. We asked the experts – interior designers, stylists, architects, real estate agents and more – how to make easy home u...
Region Rides a Wave of Sales Fuelled by Government Stimulus and Low Interest Rates
CAIRNS real estate has reached territory rarely seen in the past decade as the region rides a wave of sales fuelled by government stimulus and low interest rates. The National Property Clock, released through Todd Herron White, shows Cairns has emerged as a Rising Market along with Gladstone, Mackay, Emerald and the Gold Coast. Herron Todd White Researcher Rick Carr attributed the rocketing m...
Tropic's 11 things to do this wet season
Our wet season has an unmerited reputation of being suffocatingly hot and inescapable. But we here at Tropic tend to disagree. Summer is the best time to experience all the drama and delight of our incredible environment, is it not? Here are eleven things you'll want to do in Cairns this wet season. 1. Rediscover the Great Barrier Reef There’...
Public art proposals sought for Cairns Esplanade
Artists from around Australia are being invited to create public art pieces for Cairns city. Expressions of interest are now open for two public art pieces on the Esplanade and a third smaller piece on Shield Street. Proposals of “any kind of art” are welcome including murals and sculptures, which “add to the vibrancy of the dining precinct (and) encourage ...
7 Steps to Declutter Your Home
For many Australians 2020 has been a year to forget. As we get ready to embrace (a hopefully much better) 2021, now is the perfect time to clear the slate by decluttering and organising the home. Getting organised has a huge number of benefits. Not only does it make life a little easier, but studies show that looking at an organised, clean space brings a sense of calm and clarity. ...
Five predictions for the property market in 2021
The year 2020 has been an uncertain time for the Australian property market. Despite predictions of large price falls early in the coronavirus recession, the property sector has come through the crisis in remarkably good shape. Property prices increased across the country during the pandemic and while supply is still low in most capital cities, buyer demand on realestate.com.au is...
Housing markets build momentum through the end of 2020, pointing to a strong start to 2021
Australia’s housing market finished the year on a strong footing with CoreLogic’s national home value index rising a further 1.0% in December; the third consecutive month-on-month rise following a -2.1% drop in dwelling values between April and September. Australian home values finished the year 3.0% higher with regional housing values rising by 6.9%, a rate of capital gain t...
4 Things Not To Do When Selling Your Home
Selling a home is a tricky business. And it’s also something of a national pastime, which means that everyone has an opinion on it. But no matter how strongly your family or friends believe in a certain way of doing things, you shouldn’t take their advice at the expense of your agent’s. With that in mind, here are four things not to do when selling your home. 1. Don’t...
Cairns Rental Property Market Faces Fundamental Shift
Home-sharing website Airbnb is a huge hit with travellers and Cairns landlords. At last count, there were over 300 rooms, homes and apartments listed for rent on Airbnb across the city. For locals and investment property owners renting out to visitors, the returns can be lucrative. But the boom in this new wave of accommodation service is having an unintended but serious consequence for the l...
Open Home Styling Tips
If you’re selling then investing in proper styling is an absolute must for your upcoming open home. Good styling can often mean the difference between a good price and a great price but where do you start and what are some of the biggest styling faux pas? Listen to your agent You’ve shopped around and found the best agent for the job but disregarding their advice is a sure ...
Embrace the Wet Season in the Wet Tropics
The wet season in the Wet Tropics brings a different beauty to the area. For locals, it offers a sense of nostalgia; for visitors, an understanding of why it’s affectionately named “the big wet”. A common misconception of many is that the Daintree Rainforest makes up the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, and while it is probably the hero attraction, it is a small part of n...
Many Aussies are Making a Big Mistake with Home Loans: Here’s How
Many mortgage hunters have an unfounded fear of non-bank lenders and could be dudding themselves out of the best deal. After the Reserve Bank of Australia slashed the cash rate to record lows earlier this month, it was the smaller, little-known outfits Athena, Reduce Home Loans, Homestar Finance, Homeloans.com.au and Pacific Mortgage Group that led the charge in passing on interest rat...
10 Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage In Half the Time
Most mortgages last for 30 years, but how good would it feel to pay it off much sooner? Three personal finance experts shared their top tips on how to halve the time the typical mortgage takes to pay off to enjoy the bliss of more financial freedom. 1. Pay more than the minimum repayments This doesn’t mean you have to double your repayments; but by adding another two-thir...
The hidden costs of buying a home in 2020
Buying a house isn’t just about paying what’s on the property’s price tag. There are some extra costs all buyers should be aware of. So how much are these hidden costs exactly? Perhaps unsurprisingly, it depends on the value of your property and where it’s located. For example, if you want to buy a home in Queensland that’s valued at $500,000, you can reas...
Indoor gardening: 5 steps to growing herbs with limited space
As the weather starts warming up it’s time to start turning our minds to ways we can enjoy our homes once more. Greening up the home is a great way to improve mental health and reduce anxiety levels. But what if you don’t have a lot of space, or even a garden to speak of? Don’t think this means you can’t grow your own food. All you’ll need...
No Nonsense Guide to Moving in a Hurry
It’s nice to use moving checklists that start several months in advance, allowing ample time to write up a list, that can be checked and re-checked. But sometimes life gets in the way, and you need to move quick smart. Moving in a rush can make you stressed if you’re not careful. Picture: Getty If you find yourself in need of moving house in an honest-to-goodne...
Future-proof purchase: How to buy a first home you won’t quickly outgrow
Property is generally considered a long-term investment, but buying a first home that you won’t quickly outgrow can be tricky. The challenge of saving a deposit, the lack of equity in an existing property and borrowing capacities restricted by early-career salaries mean forward-thinking first-home buyers need to balance what they want in a home now with what they’ll need ...
Local contractors on board with Palms Collection ahead of council approval
The visionaries behind the vibrant $300 million Palms Collection masterplan show no sign of slowing down. PPNQ Developments has engaged local contractors to carry out the transformation of the former Paradise Palms golf course at Kewarra Beach. The company’s meeting this morning with long-standing local firms FGF Developments, Trinity Engineering Cons...
Why You Should Visit the Tropics in Summer
From cosy rainforest retreats to once-in-a-lifetime Great Barrier Reef reef events, epic waterfalls to spectacular outback scenery, this is why you should put the green light on your summer holiday. With summer comes beautiful warm rains. These typically run from November to March though patterns will vary from year to year. Yes, the sun still peeks out of the clouds and it doesn&rs...
A case for making your rental property feel like your dream home
There wasn’t really a pivotal “Aha” moment, more a slow dawning that after 20-odd years of living in rental properties, it was time to finally make my temporary house feel like home. And by that, I mean I bought myself a brand-new fridge, despite the fact that it might not fit into the specifics of the forever kitchen I’ll eventually have. I got permission from my real...
Heads up house-hunters: now's the time to buy
It’s now cheaper to buy a property than it is to rent in Cairns. For house hunters – particularly first home buyers – the financial planets have aligned. A combination of factors and market forces is fuelling strong sales activity in the Far North, including low interest rates, upward pressure on rents due to record low vacancy rates and a treasure chest...
How to prepare your house for an open inspection
Inspections are like a first date. You only get one chance to make that first impression. Set your property up for inspection success with these simple tips. 1. Clean up Yes, it’s Captain Obvious, but you’d be surprised. Make sure your whole property is neat and tidy when buyers arrive, including the garden and outside areas. Dust, vacuum, scrub, wash, buff – make all thos...
How to bring your home to life with colour this spring
Looking to revitalise your home this spring? According to experts, all it takes is an inspired palette, pop of colour, and good dose of creativity. “2020 has been life-changing and it’s exciting to start afresh at home,” says designer Sally Satriani. “Using colour in different ways is a simple and transformative way to bring life to any space.” &...
Contract signed for new Catholic school in Palms Collection
A new Catholic school could be the catalyst for Council approval of the Palms Collection masterplan. PPNQ Developments – the master planners behind the $300 million proposal Tropic Now recently reported on – today revealed the Catholic Diocese of Cairns has entered a contract to acquire a small parcel of land on the Kewarra Beach property. The prim...
Investors must do this key step before the October 31 deadline
Depreciation on your rental property is a lucrative deduction you can claim each financial year, say BMT Tax Depreciation. The October 31 deadline is fast approaching, and many investors are scrambling to get their paperwork together in time. If you’re a property investor, one of the most important things to have ready is your tax depreciation schedule. This important step can sav...
Three reasons why COVID-hit home owners should consider selling now
Three reasons why COVID-hit home owners should consider selling now Cameron Kusher 2 Sep 2020 The thought of selling your home because of financial hardship is heartbreaking, and while it’s always preferable to hold property, particularly in the midst of a recession, for some COVID-hit home owners, the decision to sell in the current market conditions could pr...
Tenants compete for rentals in Australia’s regional cities as vacancy rates tighten
Competition over rentals in some of Australia’s regional towns is so fierce that some tenants are offering to pay three months’ rent in advance to secure a property. Others are applying for rentals before they have even had a chance to look through them in person. Eleven regional areas across NSW, Victoria and Queensland recorded rental vacancy rates of less than 1 per cent in Jul...
Cairns 2020 Chinese New Year celebration
Cairns 2020 Chinese New Year celebration ended on 1/02/2020 local time. Led by the local Chinese association, 62 prominent Asian cultures and Chinese businesses in Cairns participated in the grand celebration. The Great Barrier Reef property has also been invited to participate in the event as in previous years and has brought to the locals a zodiac mascot symbolizing luck and wealth. &...
A Big Boost for Cairns Tourism and the Cairns Economy in 2019!
Some 8,000 delegates from Amway will arrive next April for the 2019 Amway China Leadership Seminar which is expected to inject around A$50 million into the regional economy. Signaling a big boost for the local tourism industry, delegates will be able to experience all that the Cairns region has to offer including the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest with their unique wildlife, ...
We have been on the front page of The Cairns Post Realtor marketing a prestige home in Palm Cove as well as showcasing the recent sales we have done for our clients
We make the Impossible Possible! If the other agent can't sell, YES! We can... To get your Dream Price, call Katy Zhou on 0402 026 077