John McGrath

John McGrath: Use New Equity to Buy

rescusubeditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Freelance) — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Before the GFC, most Australians were living the high life with debt-laden credit cards and highly leveraged investments. As the mining boom spread an extraordinary level of wealth amongst the masses, more people were indulging in expensive cars, bigger houses and all the finer things in life.

Then it all changed. The GFC happened and our attitude to debt essentially did a 360 overnight.

By John McGrath

John McGrath: Café Lifestyle Popular Among Buyers

rescusubeditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Freelance) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The property choices Australians make are increasingly driven by lifestyle. For example, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, it is not uncommon to see a premium being paid for properties that are a short walk to the beach versus those that are a few suburbs away from the water.

By John McGrath

First Home Buyers: Why Now is the Time to Buy

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

It’s such a shame to see first home buying slump to such low levels in NSW and QLD since the scrapping of the $7,000 grants for established properties last October. As you know, these grants were replaced by incentives for purchasing new or off-the-plan in an effort to generate activity in the housing construction sector.

By John McGrath

John McGrath: Brisbane and Gold Coast Market Overview and Suburb Picks

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:07:56 +0000

Last week I gave you an overview of the major trends in NSW, the ACT and Regional NSW markets following the release of our 2013 Autumn McGrath Report. This week, we’re focusing on Brisbane and the Gold Coast and I’ll also give you my suburb picks for future price growth.

By John McGrath.

John McGrath: NSW and ACT Market Overview and Suburb Picks

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:37:02 +0000

Last week I gave you the highlights of our newly-released Autumn 2013 McGrath Report. We went over the macro factors affecting the market - including a stabilising global economy, China, improving business and consumer confidence, falling mortgage rates and low unemployment and inflation.

Over the next couple of weeks, I thought we’d drill down into the local trends in NSW, ACT and QLD and I’ll also give you my tips on the best suburbs to buy in for future capital growth and why.

By John McGrath.

John McGrath: East Coast Market Turn Around

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

We’ve just released our Autumn 2013 McGrath Report in which I give my perspective on the macro factors affecting our property market as well as local trends in several key east coast city and regional markets, including my suburb picks for future growth.

By John McGrath.

John McGrath on the Difference Between Repairs, Maintenance

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +0000

It’s a common question among new property investors: “What’s the difference between repairs, maintenance and improvements?” This is important stuff to know if you’re going to invest in property because it affects your tax deductibility and hence your cash flow.

John McGrath on Buyers’ Main Regrets and How to Avoid Them

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Buying in the wrong area and not shopping around enough for the right property are the two main regrets of Australian buyers, according to a new survey. However, these mistakes are entirely avoidable if you do your research properly.

John McGrath on Setting the Reserve

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:48:31 +0000

The reserve price is usually set on auction day or the day before. The figure is confidential between you, the agent and the auctioneer. You set the reserve in consultation with your agent, so take the time to go over your comparable sales data and all the market feedback you've received at inspections. A good reserve should be an acceptable walk-away price for you and appear achievable based on market feedback.

John McGrath on How To Set the Rent

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:35:24 +0000

About 35% of buyers in Australia’s marketplace today are investors. Some will be seasoned investors buying a second, third or fourth asset while others will be first-timers with inevitable questions, such as how do you set the rent?

John McGrath on Rising Rent Prices

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:45:28 +0000

John McGrath has the rent verdict for 2013: A recent Rental Report from Australian Property Monitors paints a very positive picture for landlords and aspiring investors, particularly in Sydney, Darwin and Perth.

John McGrath On: State of the Market

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:39:12 +0000

I’m expecting a more buoyant market in both Sydney and Brisbane in 2013, especially with the latest official interest rate cut taking rates to the historical low benchmark of 3%. This is the same interest rate as during the GFC and many in the financial markets predict more to come next year.

Interest rates have a profound effect on property markets, although the impact of a collective 1.25% cut in official rates this year has been tempered by the banks not passing them on in full.

John McGrath On: How To Set The Rent

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:17:34 +0000

Difference between repairs, maintenance and improvements

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 10:54:50 +0000

It’s a common question among new property investors: “What’s the difference between repairs, maintenance and improvements?”

This is important stuff to know if you’re going to invest in property because it affects your tax deductibility and hence your cash flow.

Many landlords forget about the new tap or roof repair that they can claim a tax benefit for because their primary focus is on rental returns and capital gains. But it’s the smaller things that can add up to a big tax advantage if you document every item. So the first thing to do is understand the difference between them.

John McGrath: Property Market Trends Report Part 2

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:10:19 +0000

Last week I told you about our first Sydney McGrath Report , designed to arm you with the crucial statistics and market analysis you need to make informed decisions this Spring. We went over where the Sydney market is now, where we’re headed next and my predictions for price growth.

As promised, this week I’ll let you in on the most dominant new trends we’re noticing across the city. I’ll also tell you about some of the most popular urban villages surrounding the CBD and some fast facts that you might find interesting. So let’s kick off with the new trends.

John McGrath: Property Market Trends Report

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:09:45 +0000

We’ve just released our first Sydney McGrath Report designed to arm owners, buyers, sellers and investors with the crucial statistics and market analysis you need to make informed decisions this Spring. I look at when the Sydney recovery will begin and why. Read on to learn more about where we are now and where we’re headed next.

By John McGrath

John McGrath on: House or Apartment?

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:41:26 +0000

People often ask me, ‘What’s the better investment – a house or an apartment?’ The correct answer depends on your lifestyle and your budget.

by John McGrath

John McGrath's How-to Invest: Buy with owner occupiers in mind

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 23:43:22 +0000

One of my guiding rules for property investors: buy what owner occupiers want to buy. Yes that’s right, buy what owner occupiers want to buy. Here’s why. In Australia, almost 7 in 10 homes* are owner occupied. Therefore, owner occupiers create the lion’s share of demand for residential property. So if you invest in a property that owner occupiers want to buy, it’s going to appreciate faster than a B-grade property marketed to investors.

John McGrath: Short term sacrifice, long term gain: first home buying

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:00:00 +0000

It’s not uncommon to hear property owners and investors lament: “I wish I’d started younger”, and there’s a message in this for young Australians who have not yet ventured into real estate. The fact is, the greatest source of wealth for most Australians is their home. As I reported last week, the country’s biggest mortgage broker, AFG tells us first home buyers are back in the market where activity increased to 17.3% in July. But in reality, this is not a big number. It’s my feeling that many young buyers are letting a golden opportunity pass them by in the 2012 market.

John McGrath’s Spring 2012 Real Estate Market Review Part 2

rescueditor@recu.com.au (Rescu Team) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:58:31 +0000

Following on from his Spring 2012 Real Estate Market Review, Property Expert, John McGrath shares his top Sydney metro and regional picks for the best opportunities to buy, as well as insight into the current regional market…