Die with zero: Why you should give it away sooner

Why are you holding on to that investment property to help your kids buy a house one day? This question captures the broader concept raised by the 'Die with Zero' movement, which calls for investors to transfer wealth sooner rather than later. Will Hamilton of Hamilton Wealth Partners joins Associ…

Why fixing your mortgage rate means you will lose money

Banks won't tell you if you're better off with a fixed-rate mortgage. But strong evidence shows most borrowers will lose when they bet against the bank by settling on a three-year fixed rate. With expectations building that RBA rates may rise, fixed rates seem attractive once more, but you need to …

Do I really need that much? The problem with superannuation calculators

ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland is the top cop for consumers in the investment markets - and he wants you to know that those superannuation calculators that suggest you need very large amounts of money to retire can be unreliable.In Kirkland's view, those calculations often tend to be too high.Sure…

The Olympic-sized property opportunity

Anyone who remembers the powerful escalation in prices for the Sydney 2000 games does not need to be convinced that Brisbane is going to be a very good opportunity in the run-up to the 2032 games. So what's the catch? Today we look at the recent history and challenges of the nation's third biggest …

Special Edition - Australia's Top Financial Adviser tells all

Matthew Cassidy of Partners Wealth Group has just taken the top spot in this year's  Barron's Top 150 Advisers List. He offers a unique perspective on what you need to know about advice, and how to deal with an investment market that is clearly at the top of the cycle. Matthew Cassidy of Partners …

Lending limits return as a risk in a red-hot residential market

It had to happen, just as the residential property market is rebounding, there are concerns that regulators may 'remove the punchbowl.' NAB has revived talk of rules that would limit investor lending. Meanwhile, the tax office is threatening to deny tax deductions on holiday homes unless investors …

Private equity - Are you getting the crumbs from the table?

The avalanche of unlisted private funds aimed at retail investors is at full tilt. It's been a seriously profitable activity for endowment funds: So why have they been getting out of late?  It's time to take a hard look at a boom that's raising a lot of questions. Andy Darroch of Independent Wealt…

Nowhere to move: The hidden driver of rising house prices

We tend to discuss the nation's rental crisis in terms of the difficulties faced by young renters: But a one per cent vacancy rate also means anybody selling a home will find it difficult to rent in between selling and buying.This relatively new dynamic in the market also explains why it's Australi…

'Expense Creep': The silent killer of investment dreams

Most active investors are pretty good at making money: After all, if they were no good at it, then they would leave the work to someone else. But what about holding onto it? Does your investment success convert to long-term accumulation? Author Jacqui Clarke joins Associate Editor - Wealth, James …

Why house prices will keep going higher... even without further rate cuts

The focus might be on interest rates, but the outstanding driver for residential prices is the lack of supply: We already know home building is falling behind, but apartment numbers are also being held back because the numbers don't add up for developers.In today's show, a leading developer explain…