Wednesday, 07 March 2012 Staff Reporter Sydney recorded the largest monthly increase in residential listings in February across the major cities, according to new data by SQM Research. According to the latest stock on market report, residential listings remained steady last month with a national total of 368,123, while Sydney recorded a 10.5 per cent rise coming to a total of 31,833 properties. This figure represents a difference of only 387 listings since January 2012. After Continue Reading »

Hours after ANZ announced it would raise its rates independently of the Reserve Bank, Westpac followed suit. On Friday, ANZ raised the interest on its standard variable rate by 0.06 per cent, marking the first independent move since the lender announced its split with the Central bank's pricing in December. According to a statement from the bank, intense pressure on margins forced the bank to raise its rates out of cycle with the RBA. And the story was much the same for Westpac. Hours Continue Reading »

Published: February 5, 2012 3:03 PM By POLYANA DA COSTA Scripps Howard News For those planning to get a mortgage this year, 2012 will bring good and bad news. Mortgage rates will likely stay low, mortgage experts say. Still, borrowers may have to pay more for mortgages this year. That's because even if mortgage rates remain near Continue Reading »