Australian property prices have fallen for the first time in a year, with values dropping 1.9 percent in May on a month-by-month basis. However, while most capital cities recorded a decline in values , prices are still rising in some centres and auction clearance rates remain healthy in key markets. Only time will tell if we are witnessing the start […]
Google are entering the home security market, in an effort to broaden its presence beyond the virtual world and into the modern household. Having already acquired hardware security firm Nest Labs, Google has recently expressed an interest in cloud-based video monitoring service Dropcam. Web-connected household appliances are a growing market throughout the western world, and Google could be among the […]
Everyone wants the best of both worlds, but some things are simply not compatible. Most people have a clear preference for late nights or early mornings, with an individual’s place on the day-night spectrum largely determined by their brain structure. While new research has found evidence of physical differences in the brains of early risers and night owls, academics are […]
With the FIFA World Cup taking place this year, and the 2016 Olympics just around the corner, the nation of Brazil is front and centre on the global psyche. While these two sporting events are helping to focus international attention, they are indicative of much broader changes taking place with the South American giant. The rise of Brazil is both […]
Australian homeowners fared well in this year’s budget, with the housing sector not suffering direct hits like other parts of the economy. While Joe Hockey’s cost cutting measures will be fel t far and wide, the family home will not be included in pension means testing as feared and negative gearing stays intact for now. First-home buyers did suffer a […]
A little heat has evaporated from the Australian housing market, with house price growth dropping nationwide in April results. While positive growth was still recorded in most capital cities, rates of growth were down substantially on previous months. With auction clearance rates and other key data also slowing in the first quarter of 2014, some analysts are forecasting peak market […]