REIA welcomes budget boost to small business | The Real Estate Conversation

REIA welcomes budget boost to small business | The Real Estate Conversation.

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NT Government Must Re-Think Housing Affordability Across the Territory

The reserve bank of Australia has taken a national perspective on the economy by taking the brave step of cutting the interest rate once more.  This decision was taken despite the strong rise in Sydney property prices.   Trends in other cities and Australian towns are varied.

Interest rates are at incredible lows but as well as the Reserve Bank making adjustment,  the NT Government must consider what adjustments it can make to help home owners into their first home and to stimulate competition in business to make home ownership more affordable overall.

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 3.50 per cent.

Growth in the world economy picked up in the early months of 2012, having slowed in the second half of 2011. But more recent indicators continue to suggest weakening in Europe and a slower pace of growth in China. Conditions in other parts of Asia have recovered from the effects of last year’s natural disasters, but the ongoing trend is unclear and could be dampened by the effects of slower growth outside the region. The United States continues to grow at a modest pace. Commodity prices have declined, which is helping to reduce inflation and providing scope for some countries to ease macroeconomic policies. Australia’s terms of trade have peaked, though they remain historically high.

Financial markets have initially responded positively to signs of further progress towards longer-term sustainability in European financial affairs, but Europe will remain a potential source of adverse shocks for some time. While capital markets remain open to corporations and well-rated banks, low appetite for risk has seen long-term interest rates faced by highly rated sovereigns, including Australia, decline to exceptionally low levels. Share markets have remained volatile.

In Australia, recent data suggest that the economy continued to grow in the first part of 2012, at a pace somewhat stronger than had been earlier indicated. Labour market conditions also firmed a little, notwithstanding job shedding in some industries; the rate of unemployment remains low.

There have been no changes to the Bank’s outlook for inflation. Over the coming one to two years, and abstracting from the effects of the carbon price, inflation is expected to be consistent with the target. Maintaining low inflation over the longer term will, however, require growth in domestic costs to slow as the effects of the earlier exchange rate appreciation wane.

Interest rates for borrowers have declined, to be a little below their medium-term averages. Business credit has increased more strongly in recent months, though credit growth remains modest overall. The housing market remains subdued. The exchange rate has been volatile recently, but overall remains high.

As a result of the sequence of earlier decisions, there has been a material easing in monetary policy over the past six months. At today’s meeting, the Board judged that, with inflation expected to be consistent with the target and growth close to trend, but with a more subdued international outlook than was the case a few months ago, the stance of monetary policy remained appropriate.

Save years & $$

How would you like a savings account with an interest rate 60 basis points (or more) above the best savings accounts on the market, that is not only delivered tax-free, but could also help to clear your mortgage years early?
It might come as a surprise, but when it comes to finding a great savings rate, your home loan could be the answer. That’s because for savers, a mortgage offset account can offer a good, tax-free return with a rate that’s hard to beat.

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.75 per cent.

Conditions in global financial markets have been very unsettled over recent weeks, as participants have confronted uncertainty about both the resolution of sovereign debt problems and the prospects for economic growth in Europe and the United States. As a result, the outlook for the global economy is less clear than it was earlier in the year. Some temporary impediments that had contributed to a slowing in growth in some countries over recent months, such as the supply-chain disruptions from the Japanese earthquake and the dampening effects of rising commodity prices, are lessening. But the uncertainty and financial volatility is reducing confidence and may result in more cautious behaviour by firms and households in major countries. A number of forecasters have scaled back their global growth estimates over the past couple of months.

Current Sharemarket Carnage Good News for Home Loan Borrowers

COMMONWEALTH Bank of Australia has cut interest rates on its fixed rate home loans by up to 60 basis points.

Australia’s largest lender said the fixed rates for its one to five year products will now range from 6.59 per cent to 6.99 per cent, a cut of between 0.25 per cent and 0.6 per cent.

“Many customers want certainty with their home loan repayments and we are pleased to take a lead and offer customers that peace of mind,” executive of retail banking services Ross McEwan said.

WESTPAC Banking Corporation has cut the interest rate on its three-year fixed rate home loan by 20 basis points.

Westpac today said the three-year fixed rate for its Premier Advantage package had been cut from 6.99 per cent to 6.79 per cent.

The bank’s move came as rival Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) today cut interest rates on its fixed rate home loans by up to 60 basis points.

CBA said the fixed rates for its one to five year products would now range from 6.59 per cent to 6.99 per cent, a cut of between 0.25 per cent and 0.6 per cent.

Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.75 per cent.

The global economy is continuing its expansion, but the pace of growth slowed in the June quarter. The supply-chain disruptions from the Japanese earthquake and the dampening effects of high commodity prices on income and spending in major countries both contributed to the slowing. It is still not clear how persistent this slower growth will be. The supply-chain disruptions are now gradually abating and commodity prices have softened of late, though they generally remain high. In China most indications suggest only a mild slowdown so far.

Take 10 years off your mortgage?

WOULD you like to shave 10 years off your mortgage? How much interest could this save you?
It’s not rocket science, it’s simply a matter of making more repayments more often and making sure you’ve got the best mortgage for your situation. Of the millions of homeowners, only some are getting out from under mortgage payments years, sometimes decades, before their neighbours.
How?
They make an effort to pay off their mortgage early.
The average home loan is now about $300,000, but living mortgage-free is not a pipe dream.
You may only need to find an extra $200-$500 every month so that you can exceed your mortgage payments. While many think they can’t afford that, you’d be amazed at how much money you can save on a monthly basis.

Industry Lashes out at Carbon Tax

The Federal Government’s carbon tax plan has been slammed by industry commentators, with the package being labelled “painful”.
Yesterday the Gillard Government unveiled its carbon price and compensation package on national television.
But Real Estate Institute of Australia acting president Pamela Bennett said the package “forgot home buyers”.

Reserve Bank holds Rates

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.75 per cent.
The global economy is continuing its expansion, led by very strong growth in the Asian region, though the recent disaster in Japan is having a major impact on Japanese production, and significant effects on production of some manufactured products further afield.