First-home buyers have continued to take advantage of favourable market conditions, with their participation reaching a level that has not been seen for a decade, according to the latest study by NAB. During the October quarter, the first home-buyer segment represented the only growth in lending. In fact, NAB figures show that financing activity from the segment increased by 21%. Andy Kerr, executive for homeownership at NAB, said the data indicates many first-home buyers are

Brisbane These are the opening stanzas from our February Month In Review submission where we set out predictions for 2020: Could this be Brisbane’s year? We’ve been waiting in the wings for about a decade – hoping it’s our time to shine and rocket up the property value charts. We’ve watched Sydney and Melbourne go from strength to strength while our property owners have generally been eking out modest gains at best. Positive moves, to be sure, but not head-turningly stellar.

HomeBuilder provides eligible owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) with a grant to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home. HomeBuilder assists the residential construction sector by encouraging the commencement of new home builds and renovations. On 29 November 2020, the Government announced an extension to the HomeBuilder program to 31 March 2021. Changes to the HomeBuilder program include: A $15,000 grant for building contracts (new builds and