Economy

Heritage Bank chief executive Peter Lock has explained why potential reforms for the mutual sector would allow the group to raise capital and invest in its digital platforms.

CoreLogic’s head of research Tim Lawless has warned that the NSW government’s decision to scrap stamp duty for first home buyers could have an inflationary impact on house prices.

Fresh figures from CoreLogic and Equifax have revealed that average application LVRs in regional housing markets are exhibiting high levels of variation across mining and coastal towns.

The possibility that global markets could plunge into a recession in the next five years is “around 70 per cent”, according to Pimco.

Greater Hobart offers the most affordable options for first home buyers hoping to live close to a CBD, while units are most affordable in Greater Adelaide, a new report has revealed.

Australians are increasingly becoming bearish towards real estate, with fresh figures revealing a significant decline in buyer sentiment as prices cool.

The state government has announced a raft of measures to improve housing affordability including scrapping stamp duty for first home buyers and taxing foreign investors.

The Australian Bankers’ Association says the government was “forced to make concessions to the bank levy” after meeting with the big four banks.

The prudential regulator has stressed that house prices are not its concern as it seeks to contain “heightened risks” in mortgage lending.

A new report has recommended ‘broad-based land taxes’ replace stamp duties, arguing that policies which limit mobility impede the efficient functioning of labour markets.