David Johnston Archives - Property Planning Australia

The Royal Commission Recommendation That Will Hurt Consumers – And What You Can Do About It

Feb 13, 2019

The Royal Commission has handed down its recommendations last week and we agree with all recommendations, except one.

We wholeheartedly support increasing the barriers of entry to the mortgage broking profession. We particularly agree with the ‘Best Interests’ duty – requiring mortgage brokers to act within the best interests of their clients (and we’re surprised it’s taken so long!).

What we disagree with, is the recommendation for consumers to pay a fee-for-service to obtain a mortgage. Importantly, this proposed fee will mean that consumers will pay thousands for obtaining a mortgage, regardless of whether they engage a broker or go direct to the bank.

David Johnston, Founder and Managing Director of Property Planning Australia, shares his insights on the unintended consequences a fee-for-service will have on consumers.

Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics! – Melbourne’s Median House Price Increases 1.4 per cent in 2018

Jan 31, 2019

Data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) last week showed that Melbourne house prices have been steady over the last year.
In the 2018 calendar year, the median house price has increased by 1.4% to $826,500 and the unit price increased by 1.8% to $597,000.
How can this be so when every other property data source proclaims that property values have reduced in the last 12 months?

What First-Home Buyers Need To Do To Crack Into The Market In 2019

Jan 18, 2019

The fall in property values in the Sydney and Melbourne markets has opened the door to first-home buyers getting a foot on the property ladder.
However one of the critical components (and therefore challenges) to making a successful property decision as a first time buyer is to select a high quality asset.
David Johnston, Founder and Managing Director of Property Planning Australia, shares his insights in Daniel Butkovich’s article “What first-home buyers need to do to crack into the market in 2019” for Domain.

Melbourne Suburbs Set To Transform In The Next Few Years

Dec 7, 2018

Gentrification is the hot topic on every prospective property investor’s mind. So which are the suburbs in Melbourne to keep an eye on?
David Johnston, Founder and Managing Director of Property Planning Australia, shares his insights on promising suburbs in Kate Stanton’s article “Melbourne suburbs set to transform in the next few years” for Domain.

Should You Buy Or Sell First? Experts Reveal The Best Strategies For Upgraders

Nov 19, 2018

If you’re thinking of taking the next step into a new family home, one of the big questions to consider is whether you should you buy or sell first?
David Johnston, Founder and Managing Director of Property Planning Australia, shares his insights in Daniel Butkovich’s article “Should you buy or sell first? Experts reveal the best strategies for upgraders” for Domain.

More Data Reinforcing The Weak Returns Of New Apartments – Something We Have Been Banging On About For Almost Two Decades

Oct 19, 2018

Apartments are again in the media being highlighted as a poor choice when it comes to property investment and here is yet more data to prove it.
Peter ‘the Property Professor’ Koulizos sheds more light via data based metrics on the importance of picking an asset where the majority of the value is derived from the land, rather than the building for InDaily.