Days into the Rio 2016 Olympic Games it seems only fitting to discuss the likelihood of Brisbane or South Queensland hosting the 2028 games. Surely there are only benefits for Brisbane to be seen on such a global pedestal? But seems there is more to it than building a global village and creating a fancy website. Here we explore what a possible 2028 games might mean for our state – the good and the bad.

There has been talk of late about whether Queensland is likely to put in a bid for the 2028 games. According to a recent 9news.com.au report, Brisbane remains in the race to host the 2028 Olympic Games, following a favourable 12-month study into the merits of a potential bid.

The July 28 article claims:

“A preliminary report released today indicated southeast Queensland has the capability to bid for and host the event… the region's mayors have endorsed the report's findings and will decide within weeks whether to begin a full feasibility study to examine the costs and benefits of putting in a bid”. 

A bid will only be made if it is shown that hosting the event will deliver value and benefits to southeast Queensland. Also, what infrastructure is required to host the 2028 games, and what long-term benefits will be gained from this infrastructure?

So far the pre-feasibility report, compiled over the past year, identified the need for a new 60,000-seat stadium and faster rail links between Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

“It is about the long-term benefit of infrastructure,” Brisbane Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk said.

"It's about the long-term tourism and investment opportunities that these type of events bring as well as out of that the long-term employment opportunities."

While it would be a fabulous opportunity for Brisbane to have its name in lights, I guess the real question is whether southeast Queensland or Brisbane will really win from hosting the games.

Do the Olympics actually bring such economic benefits? There are many articles that post opinions for yes and no to this question. While we would love nothing more than to see this fabulous city gain in more ways than one from hosting the 2028 Olympics, let us play devil’s advocate for one minute…

Just take a look at this article published on theconversation.com – it clearly feels that the Olympics does not bring economic growth to the cities that invest their time and resources into hosting the games – such as Sydney in 2000.

Additionally, this article makes a reference to the fact that some cities often end up spending more than 100 per cent their original set budget; putting terrible strain on the host city before the games have even begun. With all the fabulous infrastructural plans we have in place at the moment, Brisbane’s future is already very bright… do we need the Olympics? Will it create jobs and mass influx to our tourism and economy or just create financial strain? - These are all questions that need to be considered.

I guess it all comes down that full feasibility study, which will undoubtedly work out if the pros outweigh the cons. But that alone is not a cheap exercise. If southeast Queensland wish to proceed with the full feasibility study into the merits of hosting the games, this is expected to cost between $2 million and $2.5 million - that works out to approximately 70 cents per person in southeast Queensland.

The decision to proceed with the 12-month long full feasibility study has the support of some majors, it is yet decided as to whether the potential bid would be labelled as a Brisbane or Southeast Queensland one.

Whatever the city decided, they have until January 2018 to express their interest in bidding for the 2028 games, with full bids closing by the end of 2019.

What do you think? Do you think Brisbane should go for gold and apply to host the 2028 Olympic Games or pass the baton to the next person in this competitive global relay?

Olympics aside… winning is winning! Whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest and you want to come out on top with your property, make sure you speak to the professional team at HSBP.

To arrange a personal consultation, call us on 0419 782 133 – and go for gold!

We might be smack bang in the middle of winter at the moment, but do not let that fool you as the city of Brisbane is on the cusp of some of the hottest infrastructure projects this side of the equator, and sparking a strong interest with investors far and wide in the meanwhile.

Let us take a look at six of Brisbane’s biggest development projects currently in the pipeline:

1.  Queen’s Wharf ($3 million)
2.  Roma Street Entertainment Centre ($2 billion) 
3.  Howard Smith Wharf  ($100 million) 
4.  New Airport Runway and Hotels ($1.35 billion) 
5.  M1 Upgrade ($168 million +) 
6.  Cross River Rail ($5.45 billion) 

From better rail and motorways to an increase in local tourism; each one of these major projects promises to keep Brisbane on its toes over the coming years. While providing additional employment opportunities during the building and construction stages, it is the long-term growth that will truly see Brisbane’s economy flourish – especially when it comes to property!

As expected, each development comes with its own list of benefits to the Brisbane CBD, therefore, over the coming months, we will be bringing you a series of articles that takes an in-depth look into each of these projects - highlighting the advantages that each brings to Brisbane and its investors.

But wait… that is not all! This week the RBA announced a further cut to the official cash rate; making it now 1.5 per cent – the lowest in history! While experts were predicting the cut (including us) it is still great news that it is finally here as it is expected to provide additional stimulus for the economy. Plus, it may give the property market a boost while Australians take advantage of the (yet again) record low interest rates and competitive offers available on the market.

While these all-new low interest rates offer a positive opportunity for Australians right now, when it comes to long-term opportunities, Brisbane clearly has a bright future ahead; definitely setting the pace for the rest of the country and proving that it is an Australian city that needs to be on every investors’ radar over the coming years.

If you are looking for experts in the Brisbane property market, look no further. When it comes to sourcing the right investment property, the team at HSBP are here for you. To find out more about current, and future, investment opportunities here in Brisbane, contact us on 0419 782 133.

Seems that the Australian dream of buying a home is becoming harder and harder with the latest survey, released by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, indicating up to a 10.8 per cent decline in home ownership between 2001 and 2014.

 Results from the Housing, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey showed that there was a slight decline (of just 2.2 per cent) in home ownership among persons aged 55 and over.

 However, the biggest drop was seen with Australians under 55; with the most apparent change being a 10.8 per cent decline among those aged 35 to 44 - the largest decline of all!

 Here is a breakdown of the decline figures in home ownership from 2002 to 2014:

1.     10.8 per cent of persons aged 35–44 (63.2 per cent in 2002 to 52.4 per cent in 2014)

2.     9.5 per cent of persons aged 25–34 (38.7 per cent in 2002 to 29.2 per cent in 2014)

3.     8.2 per cent of persons aged 45–54 (75.6 per cent in 2002 to 67.4 per cent in 2014)

4.     2.2 per cent of persons aged 55 – 64 (75.1 per cent in 2002 to 72.9 per cent in 2014)

Seems there was very little change in home ownership among those aged 65 and over.

 All in all, the survey demonstrated that just half of Australian adults own their own home. It also highlighted that couples over 65 are among the wealthiest households in Australia.

 For some (especially first home buyers) these figures are probably not the most favourable. However, for investors it’s a very different story.

 With less Australians purchasing property it can only mean that the number of renters must surely be on the up, and staying there? Additionally, with the wealthiest households proving to be over 65 it makes sense that as we are getting older (and wealthier) we should be putting any extra funds behind a solid investment - such as property? 

 So maybe the Australian dream is not lost after all? Perhaps we just need to shift our perception? Is it possible that ‘living the Australian Dream’ nowadays consists of owning an investment property (or two or three) and a solid retirement plan, rather than trying to maintain a family home on a big block?

 Whether you are an investor on the hunt for that next lucrative property or a first home buyer trying to break into today’s increasingly tough property market, we would love to help. When it comes to advising on property, the team at HSBP are here for you.

 For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us on 0419 782 133.

When the official cash rates started to drop a few years ago, no one would have imagined that they would still be this low several years down the track. However, they are! Which is great for investors, home owners and first-home buyers alike. But the best news of all is that the cash rate is showing very little sign of increasing anytime soon. Bring on the investments we say. 

It seemed there were no surprises when the Reserve Bank of Australia recently decided to leave the official cash rate on hold again, leaving it at a record low 1.75 percent. Yet, a recent statement by Governor, Glenn Stevens, which accompanied the RBA’s decision to leave interest rates on hold, has managed to spark the attention of many industry players. 

 But what has really got everyone’s attention is the change to the closing paragraph -

 “Taking account of the available information, the Board judged that holding monetary policy steady would be prudent at this meeting. Over the period ahead, further information should allow the Board to refine its assessment of the outlook for growth and inflation and to make any adjustment to the stance of policy that may be appropriate.”

In a recent Property Observer article by Shane Oliver’s, he writes, “More importantly, changes to the closing paragraph in the RBA’s Statement have arguably softened its neutral bias and opened the door to another easing.” 

We couldn’t agree more! Which brings us to point three:

And, well… since a rate hike is most unlikely, the “adjustment” that the RBA is referring to is presumably another possible interest rate cut. Is it not? 

With this in mind, it does seem inevitable that the RBA will cut rates again later this year, just as everyone is predicting, including Shane Oliver. Yet, by just how much is anybody’s guess. That being said, most industry experts are suggesting that we can expect to allow for two more 0.25 percent rate cuts this year; the first being in August 2016.

When it comes to finding Brisbane properties that are ripe for the picking, there is no one better than Hannah and the team at HSBP. Call today on 0419 782 133 to find out how we can help take your property portfolio to the next level. 

Wow! What a couple of weeks we have had… first there was Brexit, then the RBA’s recent decision to leave interest rates on hold. And even, for a while there, Australia’s future was up in arms with the Government undecided. But, thankfully that is all in the past.

 This week property experts around the country rejoiced as it was announced that the Liberal Party had won the 2016 Australian election. Now, any uncertainty surrounding the property industry is now behind us, as we look forward to bigger and better times ahead.

 Let us help to paint the picture by what we mean exactly when we say better times ahead… and how each of these latest events is likely to have a hand in paving a stronger economy for Australia.

 Liberal Party

Welcome back stability. When news broke that the Liberal Party had officially been sworn in, it was a massive day for property investors, actually a big day for the nation in general. This news signified the beginning of a new era for Australia. With Labor now officially out of the limelight, so too are the policies and everything they had built their campaign around. For the real estate community in particular this spells the end to any talk of changes to Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax - now meaning investors can move forward with great confidence.

 Low rates

Just three days after the federal election failed to deliver a decisive result, the Reserve Bank’s decided to keep interest rates at a record low 1.75%. According to industry experts the economy can expect more good news over the coming months, with two further cuts predicted; one later this year and another again in March.

 REA Group Chief EconomistNerida Conisbee says the RBA decision was widely expected, but there may be another cut to come.

“A rate reduction is possible next month, however that will depend on the June quarter inflation figures,” she says.

 Brexit

Britain’s recent decision has created a lot of uncertainty in the European Union, and in Britain. On the upside, it now means Australia looks even more attractive in comparison to Europe and thus opens the potential for an entire new breed of international property investors. In addition, share market volatility is likely too, therefore we may see a flight to property because of this as people moving their investment strategy from stocks to bricks and mortar. Both big ticks for Australia’s property investment market.

 So in summary…

 As we welcome the Liberal Party back into power, we also welcome a new era of stability for our nation. Furthermore, with Europe and Britain showing increased uncertainty in recent times, it is great to know that here in Australia the future looks vastly different.

 Proving (once again) that our safe and secure economic landscape is just what the doctor ordered for investors here in Australia, and even around the globe.

 In fact, Australian investors can be proud to call Australia home as they put the past in the past and push forward with confidence to plan their next big move in the property world. To help you pave the way for a strong investment future, contact the team at HSBP on 0419 782 133.