Invest
Work here is (nearly) done, APRA says on lending practices
Property investors can breathe a sigh of relief, with the housing regulator indicating its mission to improve lending standards is nearing an end.

Work here is (nearly) done, APRA says on lending practices
Property investors can breathe a sigh of relief, with the housing regulator indicating its mission to improve lending standards is nearing an end.

Speaking in Sydney on Wednesday, the chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), Wayne Byres, said APRA will need to continue to monitor lending standards, but the “heavy lifting” to improve standards has “largely been done”.
“Our current stance is one in which, having made good progress on a return to sound lending standards, we are happy to remove one of the more prescriptive measures,” he said, referring to the decision to wind-back the investor lending growth benchmark from 1 July 2018.
Mr Byres reiterated the justification behind the April decision, saying, “We think it has now served its purpose.”
“Despite the prominence it has been given, our focus in seeking to reinforce standards and practices has been relatively modest: ensuring that internal policies are followed in practice, and applying what is, in most cases, a healthy dose of common sense,” he continued.
“This has been an orderly adjustment, and we expect it to continue over time.”
The crackdown on investor lending triggered a softening in property investor interest and activity, which various property research agencies have noted as recently as last week.
However, lending standards and practices have improved in recent years, Mr Byres said, arguing that maintaining the quality of practices while building up a sandbank against future risks is the key to riding out any oncoming economic storms.
And – he was unequivocal – there will be storms.
“It has been a long time since a serious economic storm hit the Australian financial system. Maintaining sound practices in good times, and remaining ready for stormy weather, are essential for a resilient banking sector … Of course, none of this will prevent storms from occurring, or provide a guarantee against a crisis,” Mr Byres said.
“But it does at least give us greater comfort that, when a severe economic storm does next hit us, we are better prepared to navigate our way through it.”

Property
RBA’s 30% property growth forecast to materialise in 75% of regions
Experts believe that RBA’s forecasted 30 per cent growth in property prices over the next three years will materialise in 75 per cent of Aussie regions. ...Read more

Property
HomeBuilder applications soar as first-timers enter the market in record numbers
Record numbers of first home buyers are coming into the market assisted by the government’s HomeBuilder stimulus, which is expected to help spur $50 billion in economic activity. ...Read more

Property
Dual Occupancy Homes – Why They Are A Smart Investment In The Current Market
Promoted by Metricon ...Read more

Property
4 factors affecting property market trends in 2021
Following a tough 2020, property investment activity is expected to rebound strong, expanding by 50 per cent in the second half of 2021. ...Read more

Property
House prices tipped to surge 30% on the back of cheap money
According to new documents released from the Reserve Bank of Australia, persistently low interest rates could push up property prices by as much as 30 per cent. ...Read more

Property
Double-digit price growth to stick around as ‘property boom’ arrives
According to leading indicators, Australia’s property boom officially began in November, following several slow months on the back of the COVID crisis, with double-digit price growth already logged ...Read more

Property
How to turn your ‘costly’ lifestyle investment into a money-making asset
Emotionally driven holiday home buyers are being advised to seek maximum rental income and depreciation benefits to make their investments viable. ...Read more

Property
Dutch e-commerce giant VidaXL ramping up Australian operations
Netherlands-based online retailer VidaXL is ramping up its operations in Australia, by launching the build of a brand new 81,000 sq m national distribution centre in Melbourne. ...Read more

Property
RBA’s 30% property growth forecast to materialise in 75% of regions
Experts believe that RBA’s forecasted 30 per cent growth in property prices over the next three years will materialise in 75 per cent of Aussie regions. ...Read more

Property
HomeBuilder applications soar as first-timers enter the market in record numbers
Record numbers of first home buyers are coming into the market assisted by the government’s HomeBuilder stimulus, which is expected to help spur $50 billion in economic activity. ...Read more

Property
Dual Occupancy Homes – Why They Are A Smart Investment In The Current Market
Promoted by Metricon ...Read more

Property
4 factors affecting property market trends in 2021
Following a tough 2020, property investment activity is expected to rebound strong, expanding by 50 per cent in the second half of 2021. ...Read more

Property
House prices tipped to surge 30% on the back of cheap money
According to new documents released from the Reserve Bank of Australia, persistently low interest rates could push up property prices by as much as 30 per cent. ...Read more

Property
Double-digit price growth to stick around as ‘property boom’ arrives
According to leading indicators, Australia’s property boom officially began in November, following several slow months on the back of the COVID crisis, with double-digit price growth already logged ...Read more

Property
How to turn your ‘costly’ lifestyle investment into a money-making asset
Emotionally driven holiday home buyers are being advised to seek maximum rental income and depreciation benefits to make their investments viable. ...Read more

Property
Dutch e-commerce giant VidaXL ramping up Australian operations
Netherlands-based online retailer VidaXL is ramping up its operations in Australia, by launching the build of a brand new 81,000 sq m national distribution centre in Melbourne. ...Read more