In the news this week, home values lift again; cash rate on hold; who is doing the housework; and how to deter rats and mice
A big mistake that many home buyers make is procrastinating when they’ve found a property that ticks most if not all their needs. They labour too long in making a decision and miss the property that they've been waiting months, sometimes years, to find...
Australian property values reached new heights in March, reversing a recent downward trend, according to CoreLogic’s latest national Home Value Index.
Values increased 0.4 per cent over the month, the second consecutive month of growth in the national index, following a short three-month decline where values dipped 0.5 per cent.
Women are still doing most of the work within the home and family, according to the latest report from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey.
In fact, it seems that Australian men are not doing any more housework than they were 20 years ago, while women are spending almost two hours more in paid or unpaid work than men throughout a typical week.
Interest rates will remain on hold for now, following a decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board this week to keep the official cash rate at 4.1 per cent.
There has been good news on inflation, but the board noted that unpredictable tariff movements from the US are impacting confidence globally. Despite the uncertain outlook, economists are now anticipating lower rates when the board meets again in late May.
Domestic mice and rats make fun pets, but their feral relatives are common household pests. While both mice and rats can survive outside in garbage or wood piles, drains and even under the ground, they often move inside seeking shelter in the cold winter months.
If you’re planning a few changes to your home with a view to selling it soon, experts suggest that the most effective renovation is one which creates more space, such as knocking out a wall to open up living areas, extending out the back, adding garden courtyards etc.
Spa baths, pools and trend-specific changes like industrial pendant lighting, on the other hand, tend to have less impact because tastes vary among potential buyers.
With all the chaos happening in the world right now, maybe it’s time to find a big boat to escape in? It could also be why news media is talking about the real-life Noah’s Ark home listed for sale recently in New Zealand.
Already perched high on a hill above Christchurch, the building was originally built as a function centre but is being marketed as having great potential as a ‘stunning and unique family home’. At least, there’d be plenty of room for pets. Image: Sothebys NZ