Australia’s borrowers took advantage of lower interest rates in 2021 to refinance their homes in record numbers, new research shows. Analysis released by PEXA Insights* this month found that 363,978 property refinances were recorded in 2021 nationwide, up 28% from…
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Whether it comes from rain, floods or leaking pipes, water inside the home can cause widespread damage to walls and ceilings. Once you have removed and replaced any soggy plaster and insulation, fixed leaks, cleaned gutters and allowed everything to…
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After so many months of La Niña weather, Australians are being warned that mosquitoes are causing havoc. Apart from ensuring your home has screens on windows, doors, vents and other entrances, there are other ways to keep the critters at…
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Building a home using shipping containers might seem a good idea for the environment, but those long, narrow shapes do not exactly provide the easiest building materials. A house designed by Swedish architect Måns Tham on the outskirts of Stockholm…
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Approvals to renovate or build new homes continue to seesaw, according to data released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The latest figures show that the total number of dwellings approved fell 27.9% in seasonally adjusted terms…
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Homeowners hoping to renovate or build are being warned this week of a shortage in availability of skilled tradesfolk – because they’re all flat out with more work than they can handle. The latest HIA Trades Report shows that the…
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Owners of short-term rental accommodation in NSW have been put on notice that new regulations take effect next month. A spokesman for the Real Estate Industry of NSW (REINSW) said that the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is…
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As the world looks for ways to build homes that can withstand floods, cyclones and other natural disasters, one company has been leading the way. For the past 50 years, US-based design company Deltec Homes has been developing – and…
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Have you fallen for the world’s new favourite game, Wordle? Turns out, Australians are among its greatest fans. According to data published this week by Word Tips, the number one Wordle city on the planet – that is, where players…
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Furniture giant IKEA has taken on a micro-apartment in Japan as a way of demonstrating how its furniture can be used to optimise space. Measuring just 10-square-meters, the apartment is furnished with multi-functional pieces including storage systems and a one-seater…
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