Research

A discounting war between landlords is in full swing to secure tenants amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The rental vacancy rate fell in May, with the number of vacant properties decreasing in most capital cities. The decline partially offset the big rise in the vacancy rate in April. More domestic tourism has likely shift many rentals from the long-term rental market back to the short-term market.

With the RBA unlikely to intervene in coming months following the big changes in March, Australia’s economic recovery is now in the hands of the federal and state governments.

Melbourne's clearance rate bounced by 20 percentage points from the historic low hit in April to reach 49 per cent in May; marginally below March's 50 per cent. Clearance rates remain significantly below the 69.8 per cent result in February.

Sydney's auction clearance rate bounced by 23 percentage points from the 15-year low hit in April to reach 59 per cent in May. The result is higher than the same month the year prior by 8.7 percentage points.

First-home buyers around Australia have been keen to take advantage of stamp duty exemptions. But it actually makes little financial sense to limit yourself to the threshold. Here's why.

There is little evidence to suggest an increase in urgent or distressed selling across Australia's capital cities.

Property prices and rents are linked – when rents are expected to be lower in the future, the current value of property also falls. But there are other factors at play.

Amid the height of the coronavirus pandemic, more property listings across Australia had their asking prices revised downwards.

Low interest rates and discount loans are supporting households and businesses through the recession. But it’s no certainty that there will be a smooth recovery as a second wave that would require another shutdown is still a possibility.