top of page

Search Results

90 results found with an empty search

  • Australian Property Buying Guide: 3 Mortgage Options to Choose the Best Plan for You

    Introduction In recent years, many people have begun to pay attention to the real estate market in Australia and have entered the market to buy properties. Unless buyers can purchase properties with cash, applying for a mortgage is almost a must for everyone buying a property in Australia. Therefore, obtaining a mortgage for property purchase in Australia is one of the largest financial decisions for many people, involving amounts that may exceed the wealth accumulated by many people in their lifetime. Choosing a suitable property mortgage method in Australia is a common concern for many buyers and must be handled with caution. Most Hong Kong people have limited understanding of the mortgage methods in Australia, often missing out on investment opportunities. This article will explore in detail three mortgage methods for Hong Kong people buying properties in Australia: applying for a mortgage loan from local Australian banks, applying for Australian property loans through Hong Kong banks, and cashing out existing properties in Hong Kong; and analyse the advantages and disadvantages of each mortgage method, helping readers better understand this method of property purchase financing. What is a mortgage? What is the definition of a mortgage? Loans can be divided into unsecured loans and secured loans. A mortgage is a type of secured loan, where the borrower borrows money from a loan institution using the property as collateral. Homebuyers can apply for a mortgage loan from a bank or other loan institution, using the property as collateral. Mortgage loans are typically calculated based on a certain interest rate and term, and borrowers are required to pay a certain amount of repayment to the loan institution every month. If the borrower fails to repay the loan on time, the loan institution has the right to sell the collateral (i.e., the property) to repay the loan. Method 1: Applying for a Mortgage Loan from Local Australian Banks Citizens, Permanent Residents (PR), and Temporary Residents (TR) with certain visas or specific income groups can choose to apply for a mortgage from local Australian banks using either Australian or Hong Kong income. As long as the income is stable, the loan-to-value ratio is generally around 70% to 80%, and for citizens, PR, and first-time home buyers, it can even be up to 95%*. Mortgage schemes offered by local Australian banks are more mature than those of other banks or institutions, with relatively lower interest rates, making them more affordable. If you are not a citizen or PR, some local Australian banks may accept applications from certain categories of temporary residents (TR). You can apply to Australian banks based on your income proof (different visa requirements for Australian income or Hong Kong income). The documents required include the visa duration, job category, and income proof: if you are an employee, most banks require three months of bank statements to prove your income; if you are self-employed, the required documents will be different, with most banks requiring over two years and an accountant's financial statement (annual report) to prove the company's income over the past two years. *The specific loan-to-value ratio depends on your financial situation and the specific mortgage bank. Borrowers need to apply for "mortgage pre-approval" to confirm their approximate affordability. There are two types of pre-approval. The first type is a quick assessment by the system, with results available in a few hours. The other type is a complete assessment, which includes a credit check and may also require you to discuss your financial situation with a mortgage broker to ensure a matching mortgage amount. When applying for "mortgage pre-approval," every banker and broker may require different documents. Most of them require proof of your income and personal debt to ensure your eligibility for a mortgage. 1.Process of Applying for Mortgage Loans from Australian Banks When applying for a mortgage, you should maintain good financial records for at least the past 6 months. Prepare a down payment. Contact a mortgage broker to inquire about the mortgage plans offered by different financial institutions. Prepare the documents for applying for pre-approval of the mortgage. Familiarize yourself with the property price you can afford, applicable interest rates, and the estimated monthly repayment amount. Pre-approval generally lasts for 30-90 days. It can be extended once after expiration, and if it expires again, you will need to reapply. Once you have obtained pre-approval, you can start looking for properties. After finding a suitable property, sign the contract and formally apply for the mortgage loan from the bank. After the loan is approved, a representative lawyer will handle matters such as transfer and registration of the property to complete the transaction. 2.Interest Rates and Suitable Buyer Types for Mortgage Loans from Australian Banks The four major banks in Australia hold 75% of the mortgage customers in the market, winning with product diversity and extensive service networks. The four major banks offer a range of mortgage plans that can be combined with other financial products and services (bank accounts, credit cards). The specific loan-to-value ratio for buying a property in Australia depends on the financial institution or bank you choose for your loan product. Generally, the maximum loan-to-value ratio can be 70-80%*. The Alison team recommends consulting your mortgage broker for the specific loan amount. Investors buying property in Australia through a mortgage can also enjoy various types of repayment methods and interest rates. These include fixed interest rates, variable interest rates, principal and interest repayment, or interest-only repayment. "Principal and interest repayment" is the choice of most people, repaying the loan within 25 or 30 years, with each monthly payment including principal (Capital) and interest (Interest). If you need to significantly increase your cash flow, you can choose Australia's unique "interest-only repayment" method. The interest rate for "Owner-occupier Loan" will be lower than that for "Investment loan," and the application conditions will be more lenient because investors are considered higher-risk borrowers by banks. However, one major advantage of Investment Loan is the tax benefits: mortgage interest can be used as a tax deduction, so investors tend to choose the "interest-only repayment" repayment structure. In addition, some Australian institutions' mortgage products have hedging account functions. If you have excess funds, depositing them into a hedging account can directly offset the interest on the loan, indirectly reducing the cost of the loan. Method 2: Applying for Australian Property Loans through Hong Kong Banks This method is suitable for individuals holding Temporary Residency (TR) visas and overseas Hong Kong residents. Some banks in Hong Kong also provide mortgage services for Australian properties, and the required documents for applying for cross-border loans are similar to those for applying through local Australian banks. 1.Which Hong Kong banks can provide overseas property mortgages? The following Hong Kong banks offer property mortgages in Australia: HSBC: HSBC offers global banking services with branches worldwide, providing both floating and fixed rate mortgages. Borrowers can choose between interest-only or principal and interest repayments (up to 3-5 years). The loan-to-value ratio is around 60%, and specific details can be found on the official website: https://internationalservices.hsbc.com/zh-hk/buy-property-abroad/ OCBC Wing Hang: This bank provides mortgages for residential properties intended for investment purposes. The entire loan application process is completed in Hong Kong, without the need to refer to overseas branches, saving considerable time. Please refer to the official website for details: https://www.ocbc.com.hk/personal-banking/zh/index.html 2.Groups Suitable for Obtaining Overseas Property Mortgages through Hong Kong Banks Hong Kong banks accept individuals with Temporary Residency (TR) and Overseas Buyers status, and they can provide mortgages based on Hong Kong income. Property prices in Hong Kong have been consistently high, while Australian property prices have been steadily increasing in recent years. Rental yields are also favorable. If you plan to reside in Hong Kong but intend to buy investment properties in Australia for rental income, or if you have immigration plans and have obtained Permanent Residency (PR) but already have intentions to invest, you can consider obtaining overseas property mortgages through Hong Kong banks, subject to your financial capability. 3.Considerations for Overseas Property Mortgages through Hong Kong Banks If you plan to apply for overseas property mortgages through Hong Kong banks, you should be aware that Hong Kong banks are regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). All overseas property mortgages approved by local banks require applicants to pass the Debt Servicing Ratio (DSR) and stress tests based on their monthly income and repayment capacity. The bank will also check the credit records, and the mortgage loan will be recorded in the Mortgage Count record. If you choose to settle the loan directly in the local currency, you will need to make repayments in foreign currency in the future. Exchange rates in some countries are relatively volatile, and changes in exchange rates will affect your monthly repayments. Method Three: Cash Out Refinance on Existing Properties in Hong Kong "Cash out refinance," as one type of property mortgage, is essentially reapplying for a mortgage from the same bank for a property that has already been mortgaged, in order to extract more funds. This practice typically occurs when property values appreciate, resulting in an increase in the loanable amount, allowing homeowners to cash out the excess loan amount. Investors may consider cashing out by refinancing their existing properties in Hong Kong and investing in Australian real estate. Rental income can help offset repayments, and significant returns can be earned when the Australian property market rises. The interest on your Hong Kong loan can be offset when declaring Australian income tax, yielding multiple benefits. 1.Pros and Cons of Cash Out Refinance on Hong Kong Properties For overseas investors with properties in Hong Kong, the option to refinance and extract equity for purchasing overseas properties can be appealing. Given Hong Kong's currently low interest rates, compared to higher mortgage rates overseas, refinancing in Hong Kong to fund overseas property purchases can be financially advantageous. This approach allows flexibility in the use of the cash and typically offers lower interest rates. However, it requires owning property in Hong Kong and the amount that can be cashed out is subject to property valuation and outstanding loan restrictions. *https://www.moneysmart.hk/zh-hk/mortgage/hibor-vs-prime-rate-ms,for specific mortgage interest rates, please refer to individual banks. 2.Summary of Three Methods Conclusion The above are the three most common methods of obtaining mortgage loans for buying property in Australia. It is recommended that investors choose the most suitable mortgage method based on their own circumstances. With the steady development of property prices in Australia, purchasing property overseas has become an increasingly common and high-return investment method for Hong Kong residents. Choosing the right mortgage method can greatly enhance the effectiveness of your investment. We strongly recommend consulting with a professional financial advisor for an initial assessment of your financial situation regarding mortgage applications. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact the Alison team for a customised mortgage solution. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • 2023 Guide to Buying Property in Australia for International Students

    In 2023, Australia's borders will be fully opened and a large number of international students will flock to the country. As a result, the already present difficulty of renting houses will become a big problem. Therefore, many parents will choose to buy a house in Australia for their children to live in. So, can international students buy property in Australia? What problems need attention? Can overseas students buy property in Australia? Yes. And it’s not only international students who can buy property in Australia, in fact, anyone can. There will be some restrictions due to different identities. For example, if you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you can usually only buy new buildings, not second-hand buildings. In addition, foreign students are required to accept the purchase review of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) when buying a house. Can international students get loans? International students generally need to be over 18 years old to buy a property in Australia, and there is no strict age limit for others. However, younger international students who do not have enough income may face considerable obstacles if they need to apply for a mortgage. Especially considering the very limited income of full-time students. In particular, international students only have 24 legal working hours per week in Australia. However, regardless of the identity of the foreign student taking the loan, proof of income is required, and they will be required to show proof of the ability to deposit continuously for more than 3 months. The mortgage repayment period is generally 30 years. Therefore, international students must prepare sufficient funds to buy a property and seek financing advice from a loan manager. Can international students buy a property in Australia in joint names (with their parents or other people)? In Australia, there are two main ways to buy joint real estate with more than one person: Joint Tenancy: When buying a house in Australia in joint names, unless the buyer makes a special statement, the house purchase contract will generally be signed as a joint ownership. All house buyers jointly own the property; that is, the risks, rights and benefits of the house are shared by all joint names. In addition, co-ownership can save a lot of trouble in terms of inheritance, and it also reduces a lot of legal procedures. If one of the parties dies, the original rights under his name will automatically revert to the other surviving party. However, from the point of view of handling mortgages, the mortgage ratio of international students is limited, which may reduce the mortgage amount. Tenancy in Common: Buyers can also choose to freely distribute the ownership of the property under the name of each buyer in proportion. In addition, the co-signer can resell or donate the share under his own name to others without the consent of other owners. If one party dies, the deceased can transfer the percentage (%) he holds to the designated beneficiary through the will. For more information about foreign students buying property in Australia, please refer to my previous article: Whose name should I write when buying a property with a child studying in Australia? | Can foreign students buy a house? What should I pay attention to when studying in Australia? For more information on preparations for studying in Australia (click on the article to jump to the page) visit: https://www.investwithalison.com/post/children-studying-in-australia-is-buying-a-property-in-australia-for-international-students-okay For more information on how to buy a house with a mortgage in Australia, please watch my video: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • Mortgage Methods and Mortgage Ratios for Buying Australian Properties in 2023

    Applying for a mortgage is something that almost everyone who buys a house in Australia has to go through, because few people want to buy a house in full cash (except, of course, the very wealthy). This is mainly because using a mortgage as leverage allows you to borrow future cash flow income to purchase your desired property. Since investment in real estate in Australia is very stable and considerable, from an economic point of view, buying a property in Australia with a mortgage is also a good deal. Even if the investor's bank deposit is enough to pay most of the house payment or even the full amount, considering taxation, cash flow and other factors, most people usually hope to complete their Australian real estate investment by applying for a mortgage. Can overseas people take out a mortgage in Australia? Yes - not only Hong Kong people, but any overseas people can apply for mortgages when buying a property in Australia. At present, there are 3 ways to explain the mortgage when overseas people buy Australian properties: Apply for a mortgage directly from a financial institution in Australia Since 2016, major banks in Australia have successively stopped lending to overseas people, but this does not mean that investors cannot apply for mortgages in Australia. In contrast, there are many regulated lenders in Australia that can provide loans to non-residents (overseas income). Like banks, these institutions are regulated by the Australian government, and investor’s loan applications also need to be evaluated and approved. Some institutions have loan managers to guide them through the entire process until the transaction is completed. You can apply for a mortgage from a local overseas bank in Australia At present, many overseas banks based in Australia can handle mortgages for overseas people (such as HSBC Hong Kong etc). Moreover, the interest rates of these banks are almost equivalent to those of Australian local banks, but the requirements for customer’s funds will be relatively high. For specific requirements, please consult with the staff of each bank. You can apply for a mortgage in Hong Kong to buy an Australian property As the future trend of property prices in Hong Kong is not optimistic, there is little chance of upward movement. In order to get more returns, many people will choose to cash out the property they live in and buy property in Australia instead. The rent collected can help supplement the supply. In addition to saving money, you can earn considerable returns when property prices in Australia rise in the future. What is the mortgage ratio for buying a house in Australia? The specific Australia mortgage ratio for buying a property here depends on the specific financial products of the lending financial institution or bank chosen by the investor. The highest possible mortgage ratio is 70-80%. Investors who buy property in Australia with a mortgage can also enjoy various types of repayment methods and interest rates (including: fixed interest rate, floating interest rate, principal, and interest repayment or only interest repayment but not principal repayment, etc). Australia’s unique "interest only repayment not principal" mortgage repayment method has greatly enhanced investor’s cash flow. In addition, the mortgage products of some institutions in Australia have an offset account function. If you have excess funds, you can directly offset the interest on the loan by depositing it in the offset account, reducing the cost of the loan in disguise. Simplified process of Australian property mortgage application 1. Select a mortgage product: Select suitable lending institutions and products according to your own situation and loan purpose. 2. Submit supporting materials: According to the bank's list of required documents, submit the application form and various supporting materials. Each bank or financial institution requires customers to provide different Australian property mortgage application materials, so customers need to figure out what materials need to be submitted, which can effectively avoid submitting unnecessary materials, thereby improving the efficiency of mortgage approval. Here are some common Australian property mortgage application materials: A identity document Usually a driver's licence or passport will suffice Overseas customers need to provide ID card B income situation Full-time or part-time employment income: One or two recent pay stubs Rental income: Lease contract or rent statement Self-employed persons: 2 years of tax returns and Notice of Assessment C Assets Bank balance certificate D Liabilities Statements of all recent mortgages All recent credit card statements Recent other loan statements 3. Transfer: Complete the transfer preparation and complete the Australian property mortgage settlement on the day of real estate delivery. For more knowledge about buying property loans in Australia, please watch my video: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • 2023 Australian Property Buying Guide: Costs, Procedures & Precautions

    1. Selected property: Do your homework well so that you know the city, region, and type of property you want to buy. Once you have selected the property you want, you can start the process of buying a house in Australia. 2. Pay the deposit: To buy a house in Australia, you need to pay $2,000-$10,000 as a deposit within the time specified in the contract (usually 5-7 working days). This deposit can be paid to the developer's trust account, or it can be deposited into the buyer's own account and then issued a guarantee by his bank. 3. Apply for Overseas Residents Buying Permit (FIRB): If the buyer is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, he or she needs to submit a home purchase application to Australia's Overseas Investment Review Board (FIRB). 4. Sign the contract: The agent/developer provides the purchase contract to the lawyer representing the potential Australian property owner. Buyers sign the contract after consulting their own attorney and fully understanding the contract. At the same time, the developer also needs to sign the house purchase contract, and provide the house buyer with a contract signed by both parties, and the house purchase contract will take effect. 5. First payment: The down payment for an apartment or townhouse is usually 10% of the contract price. The down payment for house and land packages is usually 10% of the land price plus 5% of the building price. 6. Applying for a mortgage: For buyers of existing homes, they can apply for pre-approval for mortgages from banks or loan intermediaries before signing a home purchase contract. Or, after signing the contract, start preparing materials to apply for a mortgage. For off-plan buyers, it is recommended to start handling mortgage matters 3-6 months before the estimated delivery time of the property. 7. Delivery inspection: Before closing, the buyer will need to make an appointment with the real estate agent for a final inspection. If a problem is found, the buyer's lawyer and the seller's lawyer or the developer can be notified to negotiate and solve the problem. 8. Delivery balance: On the day of delivery, the buyer needs to pay the full final payment, which also includes stamp duty, and third-party fees (such as government, water bureau, property company, etc). Overseas people also need to pay additional surcharges. After completing the final purchase process, congratulations! You have become an Australian property owner. You can join us in the "Australian Property Owners Exchange Zone" on Facebook to gain more knowledge about Australian property management, and it is also convenient to communicate with other Australian property owners. In fact, after successfully buying a house in Australia, there are still many problems to be dealt with (such as housing rental, management and maintenance, and annual tax declarations, etc). Choosing a suitable Australian real estate agency to help the owner manage it can avoid a lot of troubles and make sure the house gets the maximum benefit. For more information about buying property in Australia, please watch my video: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • Australia's Property Buying Guide: Buying Property in Gold Coast

    The Australian Gold Coast is one of Australia's most famous tourist destinations and the fastest growing city in Australia, with spectacular beaches including Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Coolangatta and more. Ideal for water sports, swimming, sunbathing and surfing, it attracts tens of millions of tourists from all over the world every year. In addition to the magnificent landscape, the Gold Coast has a warm and pleasant climate, making it suitable for tourism all year round. Therefore, there seems to be no low and high season - every day is the ideal time to visit. This also makes the real estate on the Gold Coast a very valuable investment, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign buyers. The advantages of buying a house on the Gold Coast The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most thriving tourist destinations and a very active property market. Here are some of the best features of the Gold Coast property market: Rising house prices: House prices on the Gold Coast are not low and are growing very well each year, especially in the waterfront area and in the bustling areas of the city centre. This is due to factors such as the region’s tourism and strategic location. Growing demand: The population of the Gold Coast is growing year on year, especially for retirees, foreign investors and immigrants. This has led to a continuous increase in demand in the real estate market and has also brought opportunities for real estate investors. High rental yields: The Gold Coast has relatively high rental yields due to factors like the boom in tourism and population growth. This also attracts more investors who want to buy real estate. Diverse property options: The Gold Coast's property market is very diverse, with luxury beachfront apartments, villas, upscale residences, commercial properties and more. Investors can choose the right type of property according to their budget and investment objectives. Where is the best place to buy a house on the Gold Coast? The Gold Coast is a linear city from north to south, divided into four main areas: Waterfront: North This area is made up of the Gold Coast's most famous beaches. Popular suburbs include Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach, as well as the coast's CBD Southport. This area is a major centre for tourism, holiday accommodation and nightlife, with the highest number of high- and medium-density condominium-type properties, and is the area with a high return on investment on the Gold Coast. Seaside: South This area stretches south from the famous Burleigh Heads to the QLD/NSW border in Coolangatta. Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta have patches of high-density apartment buildings, but there are also townhouses scattered throughout the area. Relatively speaking, the South Beach area of the Gold Coast has a smaller supply of properties, more zoning restrictions, and a higher investment value for buying a property. Inland: North This is the largest area on the Gold Coast, housing most of the city's traditional suburban housing and boasting the new Gold Coast Hospital Precinct, as well as Griffith University and various theme parks. With plenty of areas with good investment potential, it’s suitable for investors on a budget. Inland: South The main residential areas in the Gold Coast’s south are Robina and Varsity Lakes, which generally have larger residential and block sizes. Some properties in the southern region have the potential for long-term appreciation, but the short-term return on investment of buying a property on the Gold Coast will not be particularly high. Is it expensive to buy property on the Gold Coast? At present, buying a property on the Gold Coast is not as expensive when compared to other cities, but it is not cheap either. In 2021, Australia's last housing price boom, the Gold Coast created a miracle of Australian property market growth - in one quarter, property prices in some suburbs of the Gold Coast rose by between 50 and nearly 60%! Compared with other parts of the country, the market for real estate on the Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia's housing price appreciation, and the number of buyers is also very large. According to the latest data from CoreLogic, a total of 5,896 properties were sold on the Gold Coast in 2021 for more than $1 million. What is the driving force for the growth of property prices on the Gold Coast? 1. Policy support: Benefiting from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, the Gold Coast will invest $20.9 billion in infrastructure, including: promoting the revival of Southport CBD ($5 billion), Gold Coast health and knowledge district investment ($5 billion), Olympic rail infrastructure upgrades ($2.20 billion), and the Gold Coast Light Rail Phase 3 expansion ($1 billion). It can be said that large-scale infrastructure construction will have a positive impact on the size of the Gold Coast property market and the status of investment in buying properties in the area. 2. Population growth: Queensland now has the largest influx of interstate migrants of all Australian states. The Gold Coast has been one of Queensland's fastest-growing regions, growing its population from 500,000 to more than 600,000 over the past decade. The local government expects the population to reach 1 million by 2041, which will constitute a large-scale demand for property purchases. 3. Insufficient supply: Not matching the large population, the supply of property on the Gold Coast has been very tight. For the influx of immigrants, at least 6,500 new homes per year will be needed to keep pace with population growth if the Gold Coast population reaches 1 million in 2041 as expected. However, the government's land grants have become more stringent, drastically reducing the supply of land. Land on the Gold Coast is extremely limited, and there is less and less available for developers to build on. According to the CoreLogic report, properties on the Gold Coast are among the fastest selling in Australia. 4. High rent: The Gold Coast is one of the world's top tourist destinations, with around 12.5 million tourists coming to the region each year for their holidays. With such a large number of tourists, the number of local hotels and short-term rentals is far from satisfying the demand. The shortage of housing has made the Gold Coast home to one of the highest rents in Australia. For the majority of investors, the Gold Coast is currently an area worth buying in quickly, and the future appreciation space will be relatively large. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • Australia's Property Buying Guide: Buying Property in Adelaide

    Adelaide is a city in southern Australia and the capital of South Australia. It’s known for its high livability, low cost of buying property, clean air and beautiful natural landscapes. Adelaide suburbs have a relatively low population density, so they have spacious streets and green spaces with plenty of parks and beaches for residents to relax and entertain. At the same time, Adelaide is also one of Australia's important education centers, home to a number of well-known universities (such as the University of Adelaide and Flinders University). These universities have an excellent reputation in Australia and globally. 1. Get to know Adelaide Adelaide gets more than 2,500 hours of sunshine a year and doesn't have the humid climates of other Australian cities. Adelaide is a city of parks - over 760 hectares of parklands surround the city and North Adelaide. Adelaide is a university town. It has five college campuses within one square mile of the city — nearly 30,000 students from around the world attend these campuses. In 2014, Adelaide was listed by Lonely Planet as one of the 10 best cities to visit. 2. The characteristics of real estate in Adelaide Once ranked as the "capital city with the most affordable housing for people", the threshold for buying property in Adelaide is much lower. The important thing is that Adelaide's real estate prices are very stable and healthy, and the number of people buying and investing in property is also increasing year by year. 1. Relatively low house prices: Adelaide has lower house prices compared to other major cities in Australia, making it easier to buy a property here. This may be due to the city's small population and economic size, as well as the relatively ample supply of property. At present, the total population of Adelaide City is about 1.3 million, and the total population of Greater Adelaide is 1.7 million. 2. Stable house price growth: Despite Adelaide's lower house prices, house price growth is relatively stable. According to a report by Property Data Australia, Adelaide house prices are growing at an annual rate of around 3% to 4%, and buying a property in Adelaide can provide a solid return on investment. 3. Diverse property options: Adelaide's real estate market offers a variety of options, including apartments, townhouses, detached villas, and luxury homes to name a few. Whether owner-occupied or investing in Adelaide, buyers can find a property that suits them. 4. Quality education and healthcare resources: Adelaide is home to a number of well-known universities and high-level healthcare resources, which attracts many students and healthcare practitioners to live, work and buy property. This has also had a positive impact on Adelaide's real estate market. 5. High quality of life: Adelaide is one of Australia's most liveable cities, with a clean environment, good community facilities, beautiful parks and attractions, and numerous cultural and artistic activities. These factors have had a positive impact on Adelaide's real estate market. 3. Is it expensive to buy a property in Adelaide? Adelaide is one of the most affordable of Australia's capital cities. The cost of buying property in Adelaide is relatively low compared to other big cities, but even so, house prices have been rising over the past few years. This is mainly due to factors such as population growth, investment demand and construction costs. According to PropTrack, the median property value in Adelaide was $648,000 at the end of January 2023 (up 7.94% year-on-year). Many other Australian cities fell. The reason why Adelaide is a treasure city with endless potential is mainly because the city's real estate bubble is small or almost none. We have seen a general price correction in the Australian property market under the pressure of rising interest rates in 2022 and 2023, but the property market in Adelaide has recorded one of the smallest price declines in Australia. Among Australia's many cities, Adelaide is undoubtedly low-key compared to a metropolis like Sydney and Melbourne. But buying property in Adelaide is like buying blue chips with fast returns. The degree cannot be compared with the first two, but it is expensive in low risk, stable and long-lasting. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • Australia's Property Buying Guide: Buying Property in Brisbane

    On July 21 2021, Brisbane, Australia, won the right to host the 2032 Olympic Games, becoming the third Australian city to do so (the 1956 Olympics were held in Melbourne, whilst the 2000 Olympics were held in Sydney). For a time, the call to buy a house in Brisbane was high. Brisbane house prices soared 33% in just one year. Did you know that the original median property price in Brisbane, Australia, was only a little more than 500,000 Australian dollars? At the high point of this round of soaring house prices, the median property price in parts of Brisbane actually exceeded 1 million Australian dollars! So what impact will the Olympics economy have on Brisbane's housing market? If you buy a property in Brisbane now, can you still catch this bonus period? Will investors make more money buying a property in Brisbane? After Brisbane won the right to host the Olympic Games, Australian property investment experts said “by the time the 2032 Olympic Games are held, property prices in Brisbane will double, and a large number of buyers are eager to move! In the future, the median property price will rise from A$516,000 to A$1.24 million.” But whether the Olympics have such magical powers, no one can be completely sure. But what is certain is that the next 10 years will be the golden decade of buying property in Brisbane. The Olympics often have an impact on a city's housing prices 1. The Olympic Games usually attract a large number of tourists and media to watch and report. If the timing and location is very attractive, such as during high season and near attractions, then this can lead to higher house prices. 2. In preparation for the Olympic Games, host cities usually invest a lot of money in infrastructure and urban renewal (such as transportation, sports facilities and public services). These investments are likely to increase the attractiveness and quality of living in said cities, which will drive up housing prices. Brisbane has already started a series of infrastructure projects, and the number of people buying property is also expanding. 3. During the Olympic Games, a large number of tourists and Olympic participants need to find accommodation, and hotel rooms may quickly become fully booked. This could lead to an increase in demand for short-term rental housing in the market, pushing up rent. Brisbane is currently in short supply, new housing starts have been affected by the pandemic far less than expected, and buyers are fiercely competitive. 4. The hosting of the Olympic Games may stimulate housing market participant’s expectations for the future development of the host city, which will prompt them to make long-term investments in the city. This could make Brisbane attractive to more buyers and investors, pushing up house prices. At present, we can already see very positive signals, the most significant of which is the increase in population and employment opportunities. The Australian government expects Brisbane's plan to host the Olympics to add 130,000 jobs and bring $7.4 billion in revenue. In the final analysis, international sports activities alone have never been the cause of long-term rise in the property market. The root cause is the huge infrastructure brought about by the hosting of the Olympics and the plan to improve transportation, which is the meat that really makes the property market grow. Where will the biggest infrastructure of the Brisbane Olympics occur? Since the importance of infrastructure is mentioned, we have to analyze ‘future Brisbane’ when it comes to buying a house - which places will have the largest infrastructure relevant to the Olympic Games? When talking about this part, we need to divide the property market into environmental infrastructure and site infrastructure to analyze. 1. Site infrastructure 85% of Brisbane's Olympic venues will use the city’s original sports facilities, which means there will be no significant investment in venue infrastructure. On the contrary, more attention will be paid to improving the transportation system. In terms of site infrastructure, the most notable is the Gabba, located near Brisbane’s city centre. The Queensland Government has announced it will spend more than $1 billion to refurbish the Gabba Cricket Stadium into a 50,000-seat Olympic main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies. There's also Roma Street's new world-class swimming arena, a massive 15,000-seat water sports centre. 2. Environmental infrastructure At present, the Brisbane government has decided to place the Olympic Village in the Hamilton area and will build new premium riverview accommodation for the world’s athletes. Other smaller hostels will also be built on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Kooralbyn. Whether it's Brisbane, the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent to improve environmental infrastructure. The government also plans to spend $5.4 billion on a rail link to the Cross River Rail, which is expected to be completed by 2024. In addition, Brisbane Airport is about to be expanded, with the government planning to spend $1.35 billion on an additional runway, which will see 49 million passengers per year and contribute an estimated additional 50% per year to the economy (around A$100 million). Thirdly, compare with other cities that have hosted the Olympic Games Looking back at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the property market in Sydney rose by 88% in five years. Don't think that it was just the Olympics that made the property market in Sydney explode at that time. In fact, the city was meeting with tax reform at that time. The government had vigorously promoted housing purchase subsidies, including first home grants, which have fueled the property market for a while. At the same time, even Melbourne's property market, which did not host the 2000 Olympics, rose by 95%. In countries other than Australia, the economic impact of the Australian dollar cannot be underestimated. During the London 2012 Olympics, London spent $16 billion to host the Games. In the end, it not only earned back the investment, but also saw a long-term increase in the property market, which has continued to this day. Today, 11 years later, looking back at the real estate near the London Olympic venue, it is up 78%. Compared to the rest of London, it is generally only up 61%. It can be seen that places close to the Olympic site perform better than places that are not close. It is conceivable that investment in carefully selected places near Olympic venues and facilities can expect to have a huge return in the long run. Where should I buy property in Brisbane? How should you choose an area to buy a property in Brisbane at present? I have three tips for everyone: 1. Olympic venue area For example, near the Gabba, which will see $1 billion invested for refurbishment. 2. Near the Olympic Village Hamilton in Brisbane and/or Robina on the Gold Coast are also good choices. 3. Where the transportation system has been improved One of my favorite places is Roma Street. The planned arena will be developed into a central transport hub - keep an eye out for MRT stations and beneficiary areas along the Cross River railway station, as well as the Gold Coast's Phase 4 LRT extension to Gold Coast Airport (where Burleigh Heads will be reached via light rail lines like those at Palm Beach are also worth noting). Mass Transit will be built on the Sunshine Coast in the near future, which may be implemented sooner thanks to the Olympic Games. It is believed this will be beneficial to areas like Maroochydore and Slippy Downs, which will have the role of driving the property market. What are the advantages of buying a house in Brisbane? 1. There are few new houses Brisbane has always had a very low supply of housing, and despite rising rent, there is a severe housing shortage. At present, new homes account for only 2.8% of the total number of houses, and the number of residential approvals has been declining. The declining number of housing approvals means that, in the short-term, the overall housing volume in Greater Queensland and Brisbane will remain in short supply. 2. Investment advantages Relative to Sydney and Melbourne, median property prices in Brisbane, Australia, remain low. And record immigration from other states will continue to drive home price growth. Fortunately in 2022, the impact of Australia's overall house prices entering a correction period due to interest rate hikes, property prices in Brisbane have also returned to a relatively rational state. If you also want to eat the wave of dividends brought by Brisbane as a result of hosting the Olympic Games, you must start decisively. You can also watch the video below to learn more about buying property in Brisbane: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • Australia's Property Buying Guide: Buying Property in Perth

    In 2023, Australia ushered in a big increase in migration, with former senior immigration officials expecting Australia's annual net migration population to reach 300,000. In addition, the international student population has also ushered in a big growth, especially in February 2023 (with the new Chinese mainland policy seeing tens of thousands of international students returned to Macau). Under the combination of multiple factors, Australia's rental market has shown unprecedented prosperity. It is said that Australia's major cities have fallen into a rental famine. It is generally believed that Melbourne and Sydney are the most difficult cities to rent in because they have always been Australia's largest population-wise and they see the most frequent housing transactions of the international metropolis. But what I never expected is that the hottest city in the entire Australian rental market is actually - Perth. According to SQM Research, Perth's home vacancy rate has fallen to an all-time low of 0.4% in January 2023. In 2023, Australia ushered in a big increase in migration, with former senior immigration officials expecting Australia's annual net migration population to reach 300,000. In addition, the international student population has also ushered in a big growth, especially in February 2023 (with the new Chinese mainland policy seeing tens of thousands of international students returned to Macau). Under the combination of multiple factors, Australia's rental market has shown unprecedented prosperity. It is said that Australia's major cities have fallen into a rental famine. It is generally believed that Melbourne and Sydney are the most difficult cities to rent in because they have always been Australia's largest population-wise and they see the most frequent housing transactions of the international metropolis. But what I never expected is that the hottest city in the entire Australian rental market is actually - Perth. According to SQM Research, Perth's home vacancy rate has fallen to an all-time low of 0.4% in January 2023. Over the past year, while the Australian property market has generally come under a lot of pressure, Perth has become Australia's best-performing capital city thanks to strong economic momentum and population growth. Foreigners buying property in Perth, Australia, has also become the first choice for overseas people. It can be said that in this round of adjustment cycle for Australian house prices, Perth not only withstood the pressure of repeated interest rate hikes and maintained a steady rise in house prices, but it also unexpectedly reaped the highest rent increase in Australia! So what exactly are the advantages of buying property in Perth? Is it still a good time to buy a property in Perth, Australia? First, the economy is developing strongly Since May 2022, the RBA has raised interest rates nine times in a row. Although rising interest rates have triggered predictions of a 10 to 20% decline in property prices across Australia, many areas have not been greatly affected, with some even bucking the market and house prices have risen. This is the case in Perth, where Australia's house price correction has bucked the trend with a small but significant growth trend. Economic indicators are an important factor in measuring whether an area is worth investing in. It's the same with foreigners buying property in Perth, Australia. Perth's economy is driven by a number of industries and factors, the most important of which are mining and the extraction of natural resources, (particularly iron ore and natural gas). In addition, Perth has a number of other important industries - such as agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, tourism and technology - which have boosted investors' confidence in buying property in Perth. Perth is also one of Australia's education hubs, attracting a large number of international students to study. At the beginning of 2023, many international students chose to buy a house in Perth outright because of the difficulty of renting a house there coupled with the high rent. This has further pushed up property prices in Perth. The reason why I emphasize the importance of economic development for a city is because of the close relationship between economic stability and tenants. During boom times, people are generally more likely to tolerate high rents and rising rents because their incomes are relatively high. In times of economic downturn, tenants often cannot afford high and rising rents because their income may suffer. Perth's per capita income is currently the first in Australia, and the burden of renting and buying property is also small. In addition, economic stability also affects the employment and financial situation of tenants. If the economy is unstable, businesses may lay off employees or reduce hiring, resulting in job losses or reduced income for tenants. This will make it impossible for tenants to pay rent, putting financial pressure on landlords. Therefore, maintaining economic stability is very important for both tenants and landlords, as it can provide employment and stable income for tenants, and stable rental income for landlords. In Perth's economically stable environment, tenants can pay rent more easily, landlords can more easily maintain properties and investors can make more money by buying a property. In general, Perth's economic power sources are very diverse, which helps to improve the city's economic resilience, and the risk after investing in Perth is relatively small. Second, the vacancy rate is low and rents are soaring According to statistics from February 2023, rent in Perth has risen by 17.9% over the past 12 months and will continue to rise as competition from rental mayors intensifies. The affordability of the Perth market, combined with strong rental yields, now makes it particularly attractive to the investor market. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average salary in Perth is $1,937 per week. This is one of the highest for cities in Australia. High incomes make property prices in Perth relatively more affordable. Third, housing prices are low and affordable Due to the rapid rise in rent, which has put great pressure on renters, more and more people are choosing to buy property in Perth, Australia, and take out their own mortgages rather than handing over a similar amount of money to the landlord every month. In fact, house prices in Perth are much lower than in other capital cities, especially Melbourne and Sydney. According to SQM Researchstatisticsfrom February 2023, the entry threshold for a Sydneyhouseis very high (reaching1.07million Australian dollars). A house in Perth costs on average$813,000 - half as much. The entry threshold for a Sydneyapartmentis $740,000, whilst a Perthapartmentcostsjust $420,000. A big advantage of having a low entry threshold is that if you only have enough money to buy one property in a more expensive city, a low entry threshold elsewhere means that you can buy two properties, or even three. Plus, your rental income will increase a lot every week. I know a lot of savvy investors who will abandon a city like Sydney with a high price of property and instead buy 2 or 3 properties in Perth for a higher return, as well as lock in more room for home appreciation. All in all, Perth is a fast-growing city with a rapidly growing population, a lot of government investment, and a favor for overseas investors, all of which make Perth's property market a potential investment opportunity. Of course, there are risks associated with any investment, and investors need to make decisions on buying property in Perth based on a full understanding of market conditions. You can also watch the video below to learn more about buying property in Perth: Alison’s Story 生於香港,移居澳洲,一生與房產結緣。 隨著飛機緩緩降落墨爾本機場的跑道上,我的人生和事業也隨即換上了另一條跑道,由一名香港地產代理搖身變成澳洲地產銷售顧問,並成功考獲澳洲律師資格,放下了港人對投資買樓的思維,換上了澳洲人的房產投資視角。 在律師樓工作的日子,身邊都是擁有高學歷的專業人士,即使工資水平甚高,是社會上精英,然而他們的生活卻是終日營營役役,手停口停,難以買樓致富。 我不想他朝一日失去工作能令家庭承受巨大壓力,我花盡時間及努力鑽研財務及房產投資知識,希望盡早實現財務自由,同時讓艱苦工作多年的父母過好日子。 透過這個頻道,我會跟大家分享投資澳洲房產的知識及經驗,一起踏上財務自由之路。 Alison老師成立 investwithalison.com 這個網站的初衷是希望透過這個平台提供中立的澳洲房產資訊,協助投資者建立最合適的投資策略。 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • 2023 Australian Skilled Migration Latest Policy Interpretation

    Australia is one of the most livable countries in the world; not only rich in natural resources and cultural heritage, but also politically stable, good social order, high level of education... It can be said that when we mention Australia, we have equated it with "high quality of life". Therefore, tens of thousands of people come from all over the world every year to find ways to immigrate to Australia. Australia itself is also a large immigration country, and it is already one of the few countries in the world that still enjoys the dividends of population growth. Among the many immigration methods, "skilled migration" to Australia has always been a very popular type of visa for high-level talent. It’s also a set of visa categories established by the Australian government to introduce overseas senior technical personnel with high education, excellent English ability and rich technical work experience to alleviate the lack of professional and technical talent in the Australian workforce. Australia is one of the most livable countries in the world; not only rich in natural resources and cultural heritage, but also politically stable, good social order, high level of education... It can be said that when we mention Australia, we have equated it with "high quality of life". Therefore, tens of thousands of people come from all over the world every year to find ways to immigrate to Australia. Australia itself is also a large immigration country, and it is already one of the few countries in the world that still enjoys the dividends of population growth. Among the many immigration methods, "skilled migration" to Australia has always been a very popular type of visa for high-level talent. It’s also a set of visa categories established by the Australian government to introduce overseas senior technical personnel with high education, excellent English ability and rich technical work experience to alleviate the lack of professional and technical talent in the Australian workforce. 2023 Australian Skilled Migration Category There are many types of skilled migration visas in Australia, so we must first determine which visa is the most suitable for us and the most beneficial for our migration. Skilled Independent Visa This is a permanent residence category introduced in Australia for applicants with specific vocational skills and experience. This skilled migration visa allows the applicant to work and reside in Australia and enjoy the same benefits as Australian citizens. Skilled Nomination Visa The skilled nomination visa requires the applicant to obtain a sponsorship from an Australian state or territory before applying for a visa with the Australian Department of Immigration. Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) This category allows people living and working in designated remote areas of Australia on a qualifying visa to live and work in Australia permanently. Skilled Work Regional(Provisional) visa This is a category of skilled migration in Australia established by the Department of Immigration to attract skilled migrants to work and live in remote areas of Australia. Applicants in this category need to meet certain technical and vocational requirements and be sponsored by the state government of a remote region of Australia. 2023 Australian Skilled Migration Conditions Skilled Independent Visa The benefit of the 189 Independent Skilled Migration visa is that no state nomination is required, so the applicant can live and work anywhere in Australia. The visa is suitable for "applicants who can achieve a high score in the EOI score of the letter of intent" and the applicant's Australian skilled migration occupation must be on the MLTSSL occupation list. Under 45 years of age (applicants can still apply for a visa if they have only turned 45 years of age after submitting the EOI and receiving the invitation; If the applicant is submitting the EOI and is at least 45 years old before receiving the invitation, the applicant cannot proceed with the visa application) An EOI invitation is required (after submitting the EOI, the applicant will be ranked with other interested applicants and may be invited to apply for a visa) The occupation is in the list of technical occupations Successfully pass the skills assessment Both the main and secondary applicants are required to meet all health requirements Ability to score 65 points or above (an indicative score will be awarded when an applicant submits an expression of interest in SkillSelect). If the applicant does not receive 65 points, they will not be invited to apply for this visa Meet the English proficiency requirement: equivalent to IELTS 4 6 levels There is no record of visa cancellation or previous applications being rejected 2. Skilled Nomination Visa For "people who may not be able to score high enough and do not mind having a restriction on their area of residence" and whose Australian skilled migration occupation must be on the STSOL list. Applicants must obtain a nomination letter from the Australian State Government before applying. Under 45 years of age (applicants can still apply for a visa if they have only turned 45 years of age after submitting the EOI and receiving the invitation; If the applicant is submitting the EOI and is at least 45 years old before receiving the invitation, the applicant cannot proceed with the visa application) An EOI invitation is required (after submitting the EOI, the applicant will be ranked with other interested applicants and may be invited to apply for a visa) Ability to score 65 points or above (an indicative score will be awarded when an applicant submits an expression of interest in SkillSelect). If the applicant does not score 65 points, they will not be invited to apply for this visa IELTS 6 or above Applicants must meet state or territory nomination requirements Successfully pass the skills assessment Occupations are on the list of skilled occupations (each state and region has its own list of occupations) 3. Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) Hold an eligible visa: At the time of application, the applicant must have an eligible visa such as a subclass 491 or subclass 494 visa. They must have held this visa for at least 3 years prior to applying Taxable income reaches the minimum income threshold: The minimum income threshold must be reached within at least 3 income years Both the main and secondary applicants are required to meet all health requirements There is no record of visa cancellation or previous applications being rejected 4. Skilled Work Regional(Provisional) visa This visa is suitable for applicants who cannot meet the basic score requirement for EOI scoring and do not mind living and working in remote Australia. Under 45 years of age An EOI invitation is required (after submitting the EOI, the applicant will be ranked with other interested applicants and may be invited to apply for a visa) An English proficiency level of IELTS score of 6 or above is required The "EOI" score is at least 65 points The occupation is in the list of technical occupations Successfully pass the skills assessment There is no record of visa cancellation or previous applications being rejected Occupations are on the list of skilled occupations (each state and region has its own list of occupations) *This policy is subject to change from time to time; the specific information is subject to the official website of the Australian Government: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ Australia, which has recovered rapidly after the pandemic, has begun a war for talent. I hope to see more and more friends who can achieve their wishes and successfully immigrate here via a skilled migration visa. Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • Interpretation of Australian Immigration Policy: The latest requirements and categories of Hong Kong

    Australia has always been one of the most popular countries for Hong Kong citizens to immigrate to for studying. The Australian government launched a convenient immigration policy that grants Hong Kong citizens a five-year visa, which not only increases immigration quotas but also reduces the difficulty of immigration for a large number of Hong Kong people. So, let’s look at the characteristics and conditions of the Australian five-year visa plan that many Hong Kong citizens are interested in. First, what is the “Hong Kong people’s five-year visa”? The “five-year visa” is not the name of this Visa but rather a nickname used to refer to the characteristics of the Visa. In its earliest form, this was an Australian government policy launched by Hong Kong expats in Australia. On July 9, 2020, Australia officially extended the residence rights of graduates holding Hong Kong passports and temporary work visas for 5 years. Australia then improved this policy in order to provide more convenient immigration channels for Hong Kong people for a long time. After the 5-year temporary Visa, Hong Kong citizens only need to meet the “adjustment qualification conditions” to apply for an “existing technology category permanent visa”. Policies have expanded from Hong Kong passport holders to Hong Kong people holding a British National Overseas Passport (BNO). Because the Visa is usually 5 years, it is collectively referred to as the “Hong Kong five-year visa”. Who can apply for a “Hong Kong Five-Year Visa”? 1. Hong Kong students currently studying in Australia or going to study in Australia in the future will be eligible to obtain a five-year graduate visa in Australia after completing higher education courses (including universities and TAFE courses). 2. When the holder of the Hong Kong passport applies for a 482 visa, if their job is included in the Occupational Skill Lists through the Labour Market Testing, they will be qualified to obtain a five-year Australian visa. 3. At present, Hong Kong citizens who have held a 482/457 visa will automatically have the validity period of this extended for five years from July 9, 2020. 4. Hong Kong citizens who have been approved or are about to be approved for 5-year residence visas will obtain Australian permanent residence status after the 5-year expiration (see the following specific requirements). 5. For Hong Kong citizens studying in remote areas and choosing to live and work locally, the time limit for obtaining permanent visa visas will be shortened from five years to three years. What conditions must you meet for the “Hong Kong people’s five-year visa” after the expiration? According to the new bill by the Australian government, under the current 189 and 191 technical immigration permanent residence visas, the Hong Kong category (Hong Kong STREAM) has been added, providing permanent residence for Hong Kong citizens. In other words, under the new policy, Hong Kong citizens who hold a graduation visa can live in Australia for 3 to 4 years, meet the “Common Criteria),” skip the score requirements of technical immigrants, and directly immigrate. The difficulty is greatly reduced compared to the previous technical immigration policy, also known as the “lowest cost” approach to Australia. Overall, if Hong Kong citizens want to get permanent residence through 189 and 191 technology immigrants in Australia, they must meet the following requirements: 1. 189 Independent Technical Immigration Visa (Hong Kong Category) Requirements: The applicant must hold a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or BNO passport; The master applicant must hold an effective temporary visa (SC 457/482 /485 visa), and the Visa is valid for July 8, 2025, or five years; Hold this valid Visa for at least 4 years; Before the application, they have lived in Australia for at least 4 years; The main and vice applicants must meet all health requirements. 2. 191 Remote Technology Immigration Visa (Hong Kong Category) Requirements: The applicant must hold a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or BNO passport; The Lord’s application must hold an effective temporary visa (SC 457/482/485 visa), meet the requirements of living, working or studying in designated remote areas, and hold this valid Visa for 3 years; Before the application, if they have lived in remote areas in Australia for at least 3 years; There is no need to meet the requirements of the 3-year income threshold before applying for this Hong Kong category; The main and vice applicants must meet all health requirements. Compared to other 189 and 191 visa applicants, applicants holding Hong Kong or BNO passports do not have other scoring requirements such as occupational assessment and language. In addition, children will still be regarded as family members, including for the SC 457/482 /485 visa, until they are over 23 years old (as long as they continue to live in the family home of the main applicant). Applicants can still apply for people to immigrate together without age restrictions. Since 2018, applications for a temporary graduate visa in Hong Kong have increased sharply. From 2021-22 to May 2022, it reached 1,600 applications (three times greater than in 2018-19). Before the protests, there were only around 500 applicants from Hong Kong. At the same time, since the launch of the 485 visa, the number of Hong Kong applicants who have finally obtained a temporary graduate visa has also increased. It reached its highest level in the fiscal year 2021-22. At least 767 Hong Kong applicants were successful during this period of getting a visa. According to the 2020-21 immigration plan of the Ministry of the Interior, 4,300 of the 160,000 people who received permanent residence visas in that year had Hong Kong citizenship. Due to the surge in the number of Hong Kong citizens who have obtained permanent visas, Hong Kong has become the eighth largest source of immigrants who obtain permanent residence status and has entered the top ten for the first time in six years. A new measure that took effect on July 7 last year means that when the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport and BNO holders apply for a temporary or permanent technical immigration visa in Australia, they will get a case of waiting for “Approval of the highest priority“. Measures are suitable for all temporary or permanent technical immigration visa categories, including employer guarantee, state government guarantee, and independent immigration applications. Is it easy for Hong Kong people to be approved for five years? When Hong Kong and BNO passport holders apply for a temporary or permanent technical immigration visa in Australia, they will receive the “highest priority order” for the waiting case. In fact, since the launch of the 485 visa, the number of Hong Kong applicants who have finally obtained a temporary graduate visa has increased, reaching the highest level in the fiscal year 2021-22. According to the 2020-21 immigration plan of the Ministry of the Interior, 4,300 of the 160,000 people who received permanent residence visas in that year had Hong Kong citizenship. In addition, from 2021-22 to May 2022, the application for temporary graduates of Hong Kong people also increased sharply, reaching 1,600 applications. Last year, due to the surge in the number of Hong Kong citizens who obtained permanent visas, Hong Kong became the eighth largest source of immigrants who obtained permanent residence. This policy changes from time to time, and specific information can be found on the official website of the Australian government: 189 Independent Technical Immigration Visa (Hong Kong Category): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-disa/visa-listing/skilled-dependent-189/hong- kong 191 Remote areas of technical immigration visas (Hong Kong category): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-disa/visa-listing/skilled- regional-191/hong- kong You can also watch the video below to learn more about buying property in Australia: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • Advantages of Australian Property Investment Compared to UK, US, and Canada

    For most investors who want to buy property in Australia, their purposes include planning for immigration, creating income, realising capital growth, and planning for retirement. However, achieving success is not easy, especially when investing in Australia’s properties to pursue stability and long-term returns. If you invest in Australian real estate in a way that is unrealistic in the Australian real estate market and select the wrong properties, you will not achieve the expected results. So, what are the advantages of investing in Australian properties? Population high growth rate The characteristics of the Australian real estate are mature and stable, and the legal system is sound. It is a market with long-term rising house prices. Although there will be rising house prices, if you choose some good properties and hold them for a long time, you can achieve stability and get high investment returns. We judge whether a country or a city’s house prices are worth investing in based on whether the population increases. Australia is a major immigrant country, especially the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. A large number of immigrants flow in each year; international students and tourists, whose arrival constantly stimulates the demand for property trading in Australia. In contrast, the real estate market in Hong Kong or the Mainland has been greatly affected by policy. In recent years, the outflow of residents has intensified, and the prospects of the property market have not been clear. With the “drive” of capital chase, funds will flow to the real estate markets with significant growth potential. Therefore, more and more people are “showing their skills” in the global real estate market. As an immigrant country, the threshold in Australia is far lower than in other countries, and the superior natural environment has attracted many overseas talent to move there and immigrate. The Australian Bureau of Statistics expects the population to increase by 40% from 2016 to 2041, from 24.2 million to 34 million, and the number of households will increase by 3.4 million. Australia issues about 200,000 immigration quotas each year. It is estimated that by 2031, Australian housing demand will be higher than 663,000. Although the Australian population is reduced under the influence of the recent pandemic, it is estimated to reach 31.8 million by 2040. Since 2005, the vacancy rate of Australian real estate leasing is generally only about 2%, and some places are even as low as 1%. Among them, the vacancy period is very short. In addition, the Australian population has continued to increase, and leasing demand is rising. The Australian real estate market is more stable for investors, with more room for growth than in other countries. Stable real estate market Many buyers will worry about whether there is a sound legal system to protect them when choosing to buy homes overseas. After all, overseas property investment in Australia is not cheap. The overall transparency of Australian real estate is the third best in the world, second only to Britain and the United States. Both local and overseas buyers enjoy unified prices with high transparency. The Australian real estate market has stabilised and is healthy. In the past three decades, Australian properties have obtained an average of 7% yearly return on investment. This is closely related to the Australian government’s real estate control, so local Australian property can always be in short supply. For example, if the Australian government feels that the population inflows in a certain area in recent years, more approved house construction permits will be needed to increase the number of properties in this area. If the Australian government feels that the population flow in a certain area is slowing down, it will reduce the approval of new properties accordingly. This can ensure that the houses in the region are in short supply correspondingly to ensure the stability of real estate buyers in Australia. It is easy to make overseas property investments in Australia Compared with many other countries, making property investment in Australia particularly easy. The transparency of Australian real estate rules and regulations is simple and allows anyone to buy Australian properties easily. In addition to the easy investment, managing properties in Australia is also very simple. Most property management companies in Australia can assist overseas investors with all matters relating to the property. These property management companies in Australia are supervised. Due to competition between each other, most Australian property management companies will provide professional services at reasonable costs. Foreigners can also have permanent business rights, with no inheritance tax In Australia, foreigners invest in specific types of real estate. Australia also welcomes foreigners to have permanent business real estate and enjoy owning the same real estate as locals. In addition, foreign investors have no price restrictions, which is not the case in many other countries. For example, in Vietnam, foreigners can only have leased property. In Thailand, foreigners have no right to purchase real estate. And in Malaysia, foreigners can only buy real estate priced at RM$1 million. As for inheritance tax, in Britain it is up to 40%. In the United States, if you die your heirs will also be charged 18% to 40% of the heritage tax. As for Canada, there is no heritage tax on the surface. Though if a person with a lot of assets dies, there will be a lot of taxes and fees to pay. Under Canadian law, a death is deemed the same as a sale. It means that the assets under the name of the person who died are liquidated, and the value-added part of all assets must be reported. Hong Kong’s high property prices make it difficult for young people to get on the property ladder. They may try investing in the Australian real estate market to enjoy sound legal protection and high rental return. The property price in Australia is much lower than that in Hong Kong. If you want to know how to choose different property types when buying a property in Australia, please see this video of mine: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

  • Choosing Between New and Old Properties in Australia: Stamp Duty Rates for 2023

    Australia's real estate market has sound laws and regulations, high transparency, and protects personal property (which is sacred and inviolable). Such characteristics make wealthy people all over the world regard Australian real estate as an important part of asset allocation. Everyone can buy a property in Australia, and all enjoy freehold property rights (except the capital Canberra). There is no limit to purchase, and you can buy as many houses as you want. But many people are hesitant about whether it is better to buy a first-hand property or a second-hand property. This article mainly makes some comparisons in terms of policies and regulations, so that investors know what to expect. Are first-hand properties in Australia more expensive than second-hand properties? When many people mention buying property in Australia, they will have an inherent impression. That is: first-hand property in Australia is more expensive than second-hand property, so locals like to buy second-hand properties, while foreigners can only buy brand-new properties. This is actually a misconception. First of all, many people don’t know that Australian locals also like to buy first-hand properties, and the Australian government most definitely encourages its own residents to buy first-hand properties. The various state governments of Australia provide an endless stream of first-hand housing subsidies throughout the year. For example, when Australians buy first-hand properties, there will be stamp duty relief, new housing subsidies, construction subsidies, etc. In 2021, some state governments launched the "New Housing Guarantee Scheme", so that many local Australians only need a 5% down payment. Secondly, first-hand property in Australia is not necessarily more expensive than second-hand property. Because the price of the first-hand property market in Australia is transparent, there is not much room for a premium. Second-hand properties in Australia are different, especially when investors are buying auction properties; they are easily influenced by the atmosphere of the scene and make impulsive decisions. Many people will buy second-hand properties at a price far higher than the average market price. Because the premium is too high, even if the Australian property market rises sharply, they will not be able to make money for a long time. Third, this is not to say that Australia's first-hand housing prices are lower. In fact, when we compare the price of first-hand property in Australia with the same type of second-hand property in Australia in the same area, the price of first-hand properties is higher. This is because new houses usually involve newer construction techniques and materials, and the quality is generally better. These factors will inevitably make the price of new houses relatively high. Do foreigners have to buy a first-hand property in Australia? Foreigners can usually only buy first-hand properties in Australia, but there are exceptions depending on the type of visa. Specifically: Pure overseas people can only buy first-hand properties in Australia A pure overseas person refers to a person who does not live in Australia or does not hold an Australian visa. Strictly speaking, it refers to a person who holds a visa for less than 12 months, such as a person who holds an Australian tourist visa, and is also a pure overseas person. Temporary residents may buy a second-hand building for self-occupation Holders of Australian long-term visas (allowing them to stay legally in Australia for more than 12 months) are recognized as temporary residents of Australia and can buy a second-hand house for self-occupancy (that is, the resident must use the property as their main residence in Australia). However, when Australian temporary residents purchase second-hand properties, there are many restrictions: They need to sell it within 3 months of their visa expiration or departure (that is, sell the property within 3 months after the resident stops using the property as his main residence); They all need to apply for FIRB review, and the application fee varies according to the housing price. The application fee for a house within $1 million is $13,200 Australian dollars; and They are not allowed to rent or sublet, otherwise it will be considered a violation of FIRB regulations (that is, the resident shall not rent out the property or any part of it, and at the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the property is vacant and no one lives in it during the property transaction period). The legal difference between overseas people buying first-hand properties and second-hand properties in Australia Generally speaking, first-hand properties and off-plan properties in Australia are sold at a fixed price, whilst second-hand properties are generally sold through bids or auctions. Simply put, the one with the highest price wins. At the same time, if a home buyer submits a FIRB application for an overseas person to buy a house in order to purchase a second-hand building, but fails to buy the second-hand building in the end, the FIRB application fee is non-refundable. If you are buying a second-hand property in Australia via auction, there are certain risks. For example, the current FIRB approval letter will indicate the maximum price limit for purchasing the property. If the final auction price exceeds the FIRB approval letter, you may face additional fees. Therefore, overseas people may need to master more skills and preparations when purchasing second-hand properties. As mentioned above, when overseas people buy second-hand property in Australia, they must be used for self-occupancy purposes and they are not allowed to rent or sublet. At the same time, they must sell the second-hand house 3 months before the visa expires. Not to mention that the selling price when in a hurry may not be ideal. If it catches up with the correction period of Australian house prices, you may face losses. More importantly, if you continue to hold the second-hand house after the visa expires, it will be considered illegal. According to the provisions of the law, if you are investigated, you will face a fine of up to $127,500 Australian dollars or three years in prison, and you may also be fined 25% of the purchase price. 2023 Australian property purchase stamp duty Australia’s property stamp duty rates and regulations may vary across states and territories. But in general, the cost of stamp duty is determined by the taxable value of the property. The lower the value of the property, the lower the level of stamp duty and the less stamp duty the investor needs to pay. To look at it another way, Australian property stamp duty is calculated by applying a sliding scale on the tax; a percentage that gradually increases according to the value of the property. The general rule is that the cheaper the property, the less tax you pay. The following is an overview of stamp duties for home purchases in each state and territory of Australia in 2023: Victoria: For first-time home buyers (Australian citizens and PRs alike), they can enjoy the policy of exempting stamp duty for houses with a purchase price of no more than $600,000 Australian dollars, and a partial reduction for properties in the $600,000 to $750,000 range. For non-first home buyers, stamp duty rates range from 1.5 to 5.5% in 2023 for properties purchased between $250,000 and $12 million. New South Wales: For first-time home buyers to purchase properties below $650,000 Australian dollars, stamp duty is fully exempted. Part of the stamp duty is reduced for some properties in the $650,000-$800,000 Australian dollar range, and stamp duty is partially reduced for vacant land of between $350,000 and $450,000 Australian dollars. At the same time, the NSW government allows first-time home buyers who purchase properties under A$1.5 million to choose to pay stamp duty once or pay land tax once a year. For non-first home buyers, stamp duty rates range from 1.5 to 5.5% in 2023 for properties priced between $140,000 and $40 million. Queensland: For first-time home buyers (Australian citizens and PRs alike), the purchase of a house that does not exceed $550,000 Australian dollars can enjoy a policy of exemption from stamp duty. For non-first home buyers, stamp duty rates range from 1.5 to 5.75% in 2023 for properties purchased between $55,000 and $11 million. Western Australia: For first-time home buyers (Australian citizens and PRs alike), stamp duty is exempted for any residence with a purchase price of no more than $430,000 Australian dollars. For sales between $430,000 and $530,000 Australian dollars, you can enjoy a discount. Stamp duty rates range from 1.9 to 5.15% in 2023 for properties purchased between $80,000 and $30 million. South Australia: Stamp duty rates range from 1.5 to 5.5% in 2023 for properties with a purchase price ranging from A$150,000 to A$50 million. Northern Territory: Before June 30, 2023, if you buy vacant land to build a house or buy a second-hand building, if the value of the house does not exceed $650,000 Australian dollars, and if you live in it for more than 6 months, you can apply for stamp duty relief. It should be noted that the above information is for reference only, and the specific Australian property stamp duty rates and regulations may vary due to annual policy adjustments or regional changes. In addition, overseas people who buy property in Australia usually need to pay additional stamp duty surcharges, and the specific tax rates vary by state. Homebuyers should consult a professional real estate consultant or lawyer before purchasing a property for up-to-date and accurate information and advice. You can also watch the video below to learn more about buying property in Australia: Alison’s Story Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification. When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties. So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life. Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together. Alison Australian real estate information platform The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy. 👉Website: investwithalison.com 👉Email: hello@investwithalison.com 👉Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alisonwongaustralia/

bottom of page