Archive for January, 2008

Rising interest rates, population growth and price increases caused by a shortfall in the supply of new homes are contributing to a 22-year low in affordability. As a result many home buyers are considering medium and higher density housing as more affordable options.

Residential rental vacancy rates have averaged an all-time low of 1.9 percent across Australia for the past two and a half years. As a result of very tight vacancy rates, rents have increased significantly right across Australia.

South East Queenslanders are being urged to continue watching their water use over the holiday period despite widespread rainfall in the region. The combined dam levels are still at around 20 per cent and sadly there has been little real benefit to the dams from the rain that has fallen.

The hottest year on record in Victoria ended with the hottest day for 2007 as temperatures in many parts of Victoria soared above 40 degrees centigrade. Electricity use peaked as the rising temperature forced householders to switch on the air-conditioning. The scorching end to 2007 will confirm it as the hottest year on record in Victoria.