Compare your bank rates in this article from property observer.

“‘CBA is the latest lender to announce an increase in its variable mortgage rates independently of the RBA, pushing up its residential variable home loan by 0.1 percentage points per year to 7.41% per annum from February 20 following Bendigo Bank lifting rates by 0.15% earlier in the day to 7.4%% effective February 21.

The decision follows ANZ and Westpac pushing up their interest rates by 0.06% and 0.1% and Bank of Queensland committing to keep its rates unchanged until at least the outcome of the next RBA meeting.

Here’s a rundown of the standard variable rates on offer from Australian banks, starting with the cheapest:

6.94%

The standard variable bank rate that Heritage Bank is currently charging its customers.

7.20%

The standard variable bank rate that BankWest is currently charging its customers.

7.22%

The standard variable bank rate that ING Direct is currently charging its customers

7.24%

The standard variable bank rate that HSBC is currently charging its customers.

7.30%

The standard variable bank rate that Bank of Melbourne/St.George is currently charging its customers.

7.31%

The standard variable rate that NAB will charge its customers from February 20 after lifting rates by 0.09%.

7.33%

The standard variable bank rate that Suncorp is currently charging its customers.

7.36%

The new standard variable bank rate ANZ will charge its customers from February 17 after lifting rates by 0.06%.

7.36%

The standard variable bank rate Bank of Queensland will charge its customers until at least the next RBA meeting on March 6, the bank has pledged.

7.41%

The new standard variable bank rate the Commonwealth Bank will charge its customers from February 20 after lifting rates by 0.1%.

7.45%

The new standard variable bank rate Bendigo and Adelaide Bank will charge its customers from February 21 after lifting rates by 0.15%.

7.46%

The new standard variable bank rate Westpac will charge its customers from February 20 after lifting rates by 0.1%.

*All rates as announced on February 13.

Article above By Larry Schlesinger
Monday, 13 February 2012

Franklin Real Estate does not provide financial advice, this is for your interest & information only and please check your own financial sources when making decisions regarding borrowing.

Full article on Property Observer newsletter. http://www. propertyobserver.com.au /mortgages/standard-variable-mortgage-guide-as-commbank-and-bendigo-lift-rates?utm_source=Property+Observer+List&utm_campaign=a9542a5a89-February_14_20127_4_2011&utm_medium=email

14 February 2012

“Owning your own house, regardless of its location, is still the best way to accumulate wealth over the long term, according to McGrath Real Estate boss John McGrath.

Blogging on switzer.com.au, McGrath points to December 2011 data from the ABS about household wealth, which shows “the rising value of people’s homes, or their net equity in their homes, represents the largest proportion of their household wealth at 41%”.

“Next in line is superannuation, then other property holdings such as residential investments,” he says.

“The ABS figures show that average household net worth in 2009-10 was 14% higher than in 2005-06 and 30% higher than in 2003-04.”

McGrath says another statistic to emerge from the ABS data is that when you look at increased household wealth over the past six years, “the family home accounts for a third of that increased wealth in both metropolitan and regional areas”.

“This is really encouraging especially for young buyers in coastal or country communities where property is far more affordable, yet its importance for growing wealth creation is just as high as it is for city dwellers in more expensive markets,” he says.

According to McGrath there are “exceptional opportunities in the market right now if you’re intending to buy and hold long term”.

McGrath also notes the increasing numbers of investors interested in property at the moment as seen in figures from mortgage broker AFG, which show an average of 36% of all new loans went to investors each month in 2011.

“If you can afford to get involved in property at a young age, I would really encourage it. Over the long term, it is a very safe and stable asset class that will become your most valuable financial investment for the future.

“Yes, it is also the most expensive asset class and does make up the highest proportion of household debt. But we get a lot of help with the capital gains exemption on family homes and negative gearing on investments. Not to mention the availability of finance and the first home owner’s grant for younger buyers,” he says.

Besides good buying opportunities, McGrath says interest rates are heading down and there are also some “attractive fixed loans available right now”.

“Right now, fixed rates are very competitive and this has attracted a surge in fixed rate deals. People have also been concerned about cost-of-living pressures and economic events overseas, so they’ve sought the security of a fully fixed or part-fixed loan,” he says.

Buying activity from McGrath’s mortgage broking arm Oxygen Home Loans reveals that most customers are opting for a split loan with a portion of their loans on the variable rate.

Whether you choose a fixed, variable or part fixed/part variable loan, McGrath says borrowers should seek loans that have the following these features:

• Your lender must allow you to make repayments at any time without penalty.
• Your lender should also offer multiple methods of repayment to suit your lifestyle.
• You should also have the flexibility to make your regular periodic repayments either weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
• Ensure you have a redraw facility in case something happens and you suddenly need extra cash for an emergency. …”

Full article here By Larry Schlesinger

http:// www. propertyobserver.com.au/residential/owning-a-home-still-the-best-way-to-generate-wealth-john-mcgrath/2012021353133

Rural residential homes available Goulburn, Southern Tablelands, Southern Highlands, Braidwood areas, here:

http://www.franklinrealestate.com.au/

Canberra tops a list of 50 hot spots identified by an expert panel for magazine Smart Property Investment.

They said the city’s high incomes and a scarcity of land would underpin strong growth in property prices.

The panel also highlighted 18 suburbs and towns in NSW including Muswellbrook, Bathurst, Penrith, Blacktown, Neutral Bay and Goulburn - making that state dominant.

Resource towns in Queensland and Western Australia were strongly represented, particularly the boom regions of Surat and Bowen Basin and the Pilbara.

There were also six areas in South Australia and four in Victoria.

The magazine’s editor, Phillip Tarrant, said the investment hot-spots were chosen based on their population growth, demand for housing, income level, employment, vacancy rates, previous capital growth and current gross rental yields.

He said while capital growth on investment properties was no longer guaranteed, it was still achievable if buyers did their homework.

“If you pick your suburbs and areas carefully, capital cities can offer a good, safe investment,” he said in a statement on Monday.

“However, for investors chasing more lucrative returns, strong, diverse regional centres are proving a very popular choice with the experts.”

By Australian Associated Press Article here in Todays Sydney Morning Herald 01 Feb 2012 http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/act-tops-property-hot-spots-20120116-1q3b9.html

http://www.franklinrealestate.com.au/

Register your house move here:

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Find your new home here in rural NSW! smile   http://www.franklinrealestate.com.au/property-search/

Reflecting the declining fortunes of their respective markets, Victoria has just four suburbs in the top 50 and the ACT just one – the capital Canberra.

Other areas to shine in the survey include western Sydney, which received a high level of recommendations for suburbs including Blacktown, Goulburn, Liverpool, Seven Hills and Penrith

The City of Onkaparinga, south of the Adelaide CBD, comprised three out of the six predicted hotspots for South Australia with Hackham,  Aldinga Beach and Seaford all selected.

Suburbs were picked based on population growth, demand for housing, income levels, employment, vacancy rates, previous capital growth and current gross rental yields”.

By Larry Schlesinger
Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Full article listed here: http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/warrnambool-emerges-but-queensland-s-gladstone-still-darling-of-investment-experts/2012011653050?utm_source=Property+Observer+List&utm_campaign=3577c7f013-January_17_20127_4_2011&utm_medium=email

Franklin Real Estate – The Country Specialist in the Goulburn region

http://www.franklinrealestate.com.au/property-search/

Demand from out-of-town investors and local buyers has been generating strong sales in the region, and is slowly driving up the median price, local real estate agents have said.

Both Angella Storrier Real Estate and First National Real Estate – two of Goulburn’s biggest residential sellers – stayed open between the Christmas Eve and New Year period to keep up with sales demand from investors and owner/occupiers alike.

Mrs Storrier and First National principal Barry McEntee said there was demand for properties “right across the board,” from one-bedroom units up to three and four bedroom houses and small acreages.

“We’ve just been inundated. We’ve put on two more staff to keep up with the demand,” Mrs Storrier said.

“Our location here is still a huge thing (for buyers), and getting out of Sydney and getting something affordable is very attractive,” she said.

December was the busiest month of the year at First National for sales, the first time this holiday month has topped the list in seven years of trading.

Mr McEntee puts part of the demand down to the fact that stamp duty concession for first home buyers expired on December 31, and the subsequent rush to snap up properties before the expiry date.

“We actually opened between Christmas and New Year, which is not something we’ve done in the past, but we felt the demand was there,” Mr McEntee said.

Mrs Storrier said the mix of buyers was roughly one third Sydney, one third Canberra and one third local, while Mr McEntee felt the amount of Canberra buyers was starting to drop off.

“There’s been less Canberra buyers late last year in my opinion. The Canberra market has softened a bit of late, so people who were forced to consider Goulburn in the past are now looking within Canberra.”

“In 2010, about 25pc of buyers were from Canberra, but now it’s more like 10-15pc,” he said.

As for what’s driving the strong sales market, it all came down to affordability, Mr McEntee said.

“The big thing about Goulburn is that it’s so affordable. We were still selling houses at the end of last year from $200,000 right up to the $700,000 mark.”

Mrs Storrier said that demand was starting to outstrip supply, and there was a need for more stock, particularly at the lower, $200,000-$350,000 end of the market.

The Goulburn property market has also been singled out by respected real estate analyst and owner of www.hotspotting.com.au Terry Ryder, who included Goulburn in his most recent national top 10 ‘cheapies with prospects’ report.

The only other NSW locations to make the top 10 were Dubbo, Broken Hill and the region surrounding Gunnedah. This all boded well for another strong year in 2012, Mr McEntee said.

“It’s been a very strong 2011 and there’s no indication that will slow down in 2012.

“And on the back of that you’ve got guys like Terry Ryder backing the Goulburn market as well. It all helps,” he said.

http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/news/local/news/general/selling-point/2416496.aspx?storypage=0

Article written by David Butler at Goulburn Post newspaper (link above)

For rural properties, small and large acres, with or without homes see our range CLICK HERE:

http://www.franklinrealestate.com.au/property-search/

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Worth noting in the Property Observer is this comment, ” a new report covering the 60,000 properties in the Sutherland Shire south of Sydney, which shows that property values in the shire have risen by 12% over the past three years”. (Property Observer)

This article in December issue of Property Observer is also promising:

Housing markets will recover in most capitals in 2012

By Jonathan Chancellor

The 2011 pessimism in most housing markets across the country will be replaced by return to growth in 2012, according to Australian Property Monitors, with Brisbane, Perth and Darwin tipped as the likely best performers.

Its October quarter national median house price was off by 1.6% – and down 4.2% over the year.

But going out on a limb against the prevailing more of the same sentiment, APM senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson forecasts next year will provide brighter, but mixed outcomes for housing markets.

Some capital cities are set to revive strongly while others will remain flat, he says.

Much of his forecast is based on the mining boom assisting the continued prospect of strong economic growth in Australia.

“Australia’s economic fundamentals are strong, and are well positioned to weather any downturn in international markets.

“This, coupled with renewed buyer confidence, will be the key to driving prices growth in the new year,” Wilson says.

“Nationally, median house prices should recover to rise by 3 to 5 per cent through 2012,” he forecasts.

Darwin, Perth and Brisbane have the best prospects for price growth, while Sydney and Canberra are also expected to achieve reasonable growth in the year, he says.

Capital City Forecast growth – Median House Prices 2012

National 3% to 5%

Sydney 3% to 5%

Melbourne 0% to 3%

Brisbane 5% to 10%

Adelaide 0% to 3%

Perth 5% to 10%

Hobart 0% to 3%

Darwin 5% to 10%

Canberra 3% to 5%

“Demand for housing will intensify in 2012, particularly in Sydney, Canberra and Perth, which will see housing markets re-energised albeit at different levels,” Wilson says.

If you are ready for a tree change or a rural investment property…

Goulburn, NSW has been depicted as a ‘hot spot’ by various sources including Margaret Lomas on Your Money Your Call, Sky Business TV Channel.

http://www.franklinrealestate.com.au/property-search/

Click the above link for thumbnail pictures and descriptions of country farms in the Goulburn region.

Old Bywong Gold Town (not far from Goulburn) is opening to the public!
Bring the kids down to Old Bywong Gold Town on Australia Day!

There is whip cracking, Pony carriage rides, The Bywong Town Tour and so much more!

Explore the old deserted village containing a blacksmith work shop, a homestead, old pub and much more.

Enjoy the picnic area and BBQ facilities. BYO or purchase a sausage sizzle.

Try your hand at gold panning and venture up into the mining area where you can visit old Pa Shepherds house!

Browse the interesting nick knacks up at the gift shop and kiosk.

Tours start at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm

Entrance Fees- Adults $15
Children and Concession $12
Family $40

Opening Hours- 9:00 am to 4:00pm

Night Ghost Tours are also available by appointment only.
Ask about our 1 year family pass!!!

Please call Goulburn (02) 4822 8808 for more information and the friendly staff will help you!

Republished from Facebook events/214046575339995/

Two little boys were at play one day when a Fairy suddenly appeared before them and said, “I have been sent to give you New Year presents.”

She handed to each child a package, and in an instant was gone.

Carl and Philip opened the packages and found in them two beautiful books, with pages as pure and white as the snow when it first falls.

Many months passed and the Fairy came again to the boys. “I have brought you each another book?” said she, “and will take the first ones back to Father Time who sent them to you.”

“May I not keep mine a little longer?” asked Philip. “I have hardly thought about it lately. I’d like to paint something on the last leaf that lies open.”

“No,” said the Fairy; “I must take it just as it is.”

“I wish that I could look through mine just once,” said Carl; “I have only seen one page at a time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks fast, and I can never open the book at more than one place each day.”

“You shall look at your book,” said the Fairy, “and Philip, at his.” And she lit for them two little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw the pages as she turned them.

The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that these were the same fair books she had given them a year ago? Where were the clean, white pages, as pure and beautiful as the snow when it first falls? Here was a page with ugly, black spots and scratches upon it; while the very next page showed a lovely little picture. Some pages were decorated with gold and silver and gorgeous colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still others with a rainbow of softest, most delicate brightness. Yet even on the most beautiful of the pages there were ugly blots and scratches.

Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last.

“Who did this?” they asked. “Every page was white and fair as we opened to it; yet now there is not a single blank place in the whole book!”

“Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?” said the Fairy, smiling at the two little boys.

“See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this page when you let the baby have your playthings; and this pretty bird, that looks as if it were singing with all its might, would never have been on this page if you had not tried to be kind and pleasant the other day, instead of quarreling.”

“But what makes this blot?” asked Philip.

“That,” said the Fairy sadly; “that came when you told an untruth one day, and this when you did not mind mamma. All these blots and scratches that look so ugly, both in your book and in Carl’s, were made when you were naughty. Each pretty thing in your books came on its page when you were good.”

“Oh, if we could only have the books again!” said Carl and Philip.

“That cannot be,” said the Fairy. “See! they are dated for this year, and they must now go back into Father Time’s bookcase, but I have brought you each a new one. Perhaps you can make these more beautiful than the others.”

So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left alone, but each held in his hand a new book open at the first page.

And on the back of this book was written in letters of gold, “For the New Year.”

published on Appple 4 The Teacher.com

• What have you achieved this year that you are proud of?

• What have you not achieved this year that you would like to try for again next year?

• What would you like to leave behind in this year?

• Are you happy with the person you were this year, or would you like to make some positive changes for the New Year? If so, what changes would you like to make?

• What are your major goals for 2012?

• What are your smaller goals for 2012?

• How will you break those goals down into easily managed steps?

• Do your new goals line up with your purpose?

While you consider your plans for the New Year, we’d like to share some :

Helpful affirmations

I welcome change.

I am thankful for the opportunity to become better, happier and more fulfilled every day.

I accept the best.

I radiate glowing good health and am filled with abundant energy.

My work is rewarding – I enjoy what I do and I am successful at it.

My relationships are loving and fulfilling.

I express understanding, care and support toward others”.

By Paul Blackburn from his Beyond Success newsletter