Encumberances

The Budget may push investors towards new builds, but once that property becomes second-hand, the next investor may not receive the same tax benefits. That could reduce the resale buyer pool and affect future profit.

Affordable homes and units have been popular with buyers, but Federal Budget changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax may change the market. For Victorian buyers, the question is no longer just whether a property is cheap. It is who will want to buy it from you later.

That backyard studio, converted garage, deck, pergola or small second dwelling may look like a bonus, but if it was built without the right approvals, it may become the buyer’s problem after settlement.

A falling property market does not automatically mean falling council rates. Councils can adjust the rate in the dollar, keep spending, and still collect the revenue they say they need.

Rezoning can increase land value overnight, but it may also trigger Windfall Gains Tax. Here’s what Victorian buyers and sellers need to understand before it becomes an expensive surprise.

Nomination clauses can look simple, but the timing can expose buyers to double duty. Here is what can go wrong and how to structure it properly from the start.

Many Melbourne homeowners are discovering their properties may be under consideration for heritage protection. Here is how heritage overlays work, why they appear in planning certificates, and what buyers and sellers should look for before committing to a property transaction.

If a real estate agent is talking, you are being sold a story. Some are harmless. Some are expensive. This article explains how to recognise sales talk, why urgency is often manufactured, and why only what is written in the contract actually matters.

Victorian houses are full of character, but they can hide serious issues. This guide explains the key things to check when buying a Victorian home, from damp and movement to unapproved renovations, planning controls and long-term repair costs.

House prices do not rise because of capital gains tax. They rise because demand keeps outpacing supply. This article explains why population growth is the real engine behind rising Australian property prices, and why tax settings only affect behaviour at the edges.