MANAFEST
Welcome to MANA’s pulse on the region – where real estate insights meet local expertise.
2025 has roared to life, and we’re bursting with news to share! From our exciting expansion to market trends that could impact your property decisions, this month’s newsletter delivers the insights you need to navigate the evolving real estate landscape.
We’ve moved to Byron Bay
The rumours are true! We’ve answered your calls and established our newest home in the vibrant Byron Bay Arts and Industrial Estate. Nestled among creative entrepreneurs and innovative businesses, we’re thrilled to be part of this dynamic community where you can literally shop, dine, create, and connect all in one incredible location.
Rest assured, our dedication to our Ocean Shores clients remains unwavering – we’re simply extending our reach to help more people find their perfect home or investment opportunity. With our team’s collective century of experience, we’re ready to elevate your real estate journey.
Drop by and experience our new space. We’d love to see you!
Q & A – Ask the expert
With interest rates being a hot election topic, what’s your advice to buyers and sellers in the market – should they act before the election or wait to see its impact on the RBA’s monetary policy?
In the current market, timing your decisions around elections and potential changes in interest rates is crucial. Generally, if you are a buyer or seller in this market, assessing your long-term goals is essential. If you can act now, with certainty in your personal and financial situation, it may be prudent to do so. However, if you prefer clarity on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s post-election monetary policy direction, waiting could allow for more informed decision-making, especially if significant policy shifts are anticipated.
Both major parties have different housing policies and first-home buyer schemes. While these might not directly target the regions’ market, how do you see these policies potentially creating a ripple effect that could influence our local property values?
The housing policies of major parties can indeed have a ripple effect in the market. Even though policies such as first-home buyer schemes do not directly target the high-end segment, they can shift market dynamics by altering demand in other sectors. Increased activity in the mainstream market can influence trends and values across the board, potentially driving up interest in premium properties as overall market momentum increases.
People are watching the debate around negative gearing and capital gains tax. What potential changes should local property investors be preparing for post-election?
Local property investors should be gearing up for potential changes in both negative gearing and capital gains tax. Historically, these are areas of keen interest during elections. If there is an indication of reform, investors should consult with financial advisors to understand impacts on their portfolios, strategise on asset holding periods, and consider restructuring to optimise for any new tax environments.
How are mortgage interest rates impacting buyers and what effect do they have on the demand for homes like mine?
With the first interest rate cut in almost four years, we’re seeing strong buyer confidence, which has been very evident from the last quarter of 2024 and continues into 2025. Leading economists forecast another 2 to 5 interest rate cuts, which would be fantastic news for both sellers and buyers. Regionally, our market is experiencing strong demand for properties priced in the $1.1m to $1.5m range.
What is the average time homes are staying on the market, and how does that compare to previous years?
Regionally, homes stay on market typically 30 – 45 days which is faster than the average in the second and third quarters of 2024. This reflects the ongoing demand and the efficiency of the selling process in today’s market conditions.
*I am not a financial planner, lawyer, or economist. That said, I do have over three decades of experience in this industry, and everything I share is purely my own opinion. I always urge evne to Clearance Certificates – What you need to know
If you’re thinking about selling your property, there’s an important bit of paperwork you shouldn’t overlook – the clearance certificate! If you’re an Australian resident selling property, you’ll need one of these certificates to avoid having a chunk of your sale proceeds withheld.
When properties change hands in Australia, buyers are required to withhold up to 15% of the sale price unless the seller can prove they’re an Australian resident for tax purposes. That proof comes in the form of a clearance certificate from the ATO.
Applying for a clearance certificate is free and straightforward. You don’t need to wait until you’ve signed a contract – you can apply as soon as you’re thinking about selling. Just keep in mind that while most certificates are issued within a few days, some can take up to 28 days to process, so it’s best not to leave it to the last minute!
These certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue (as long as your residency status doesn’t change), giving you plenty of time to finalise your sale. And if you decide not to sell after all, there’s no requirement to use the certificate.
So, save yourself the headache and potential financial hold-up by getting your clearance certificate sorted early in the selling process. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
Find out more here.
Who’s investing big in Australia? The top 10 revealed!
Ever wondered who’s pouring money into our sunny shores? Well, the numbers are in, and Australia is quite the hotspot for international investors, with a whopping $4.7 trillion invested by foreign economies at the end of 2023.
Leading the pack is the United States, which accounts for a hefty 25.1% of all foreign investment in Australia. That’s $1.17 trillion! Not far behind is the United Kingdom with $879 billion (18.9% of the total), showing our historical ties remain financially strong.
Some surprising players in our top 10 include Belgium at number 3 with $379.1 billion (though most of this is through a European clearing house), followed by Japan ($265.2 billion) and Hong Kong ($146.6 billion) rounding out the top five.
Singapore, Luxembourg, Canada, Netherlands, and China complete our top 10 list, with China sitting at number 10 with investments totalling $88 billion (1.9% of the total). Interestingly, both Hong Kong and China have significantly increased their investments over the past decade.
On the global stage, Australia ranks as the 16th highest recipient of direct foreign investment worldwide.
