Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 31 May to 4 June

To compile this list, not only do we consider the week’s most-read stories and the news that matters to you, but we curate it to include stories from our sister brands that also have an impact on the Australian property landscape.

Exclusive: major banks reveal how they’re fixing turnarounds

Following on from concessions that broker-lodged loans take a lot longer to approve than those in the proprietary channel, the big four banks have told The Adviser what they are doing about it.

AFG to invest $15m in neobank

The aggregation group has agreed to invest $15 million in a neobank, leveraging its banking as a service offering and white labelling a personal finance manager app to AFG customers.

86 400 launches direct offering

The neobank has launched its inaugural direct-to-consumer offering, making its Neat and Own home loans available to consumers via their phone, tablet or computer, as well as via brokers.

RBA announces June rate decision

The RBA has revealed its official cash rate decision for June, as Victoria endures a fresh round of the COVID-19 lockdown.

‘Tell the damn truth!’

Agents need to remember that potential buyers and sellers are people, too — and ensure they have the skills to manage expectations accordingly, a leading industry figure has warned.

‘Ludicrous’: Greens’ rental reform attempt blasted

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland has hit back at a parliamentary proposal that would cap rental increases to once every 24 months, scrap “no grounds” evictions, ban rental bidding and restrict lessors’ rights to end tenancies.

Perth’s property market is approaching a new all-time high

While the overall Perth median house sale price in March 2021 failed to eclipse the market’s 2014 peak, parts of the region have reached historic highs.

Downhill from here: Property price growth to drop from 2022

With the worst of the pandemic seemingly behind us, bankers are now predicting 15 per cent price growth for Australia’s housing market this year, before macro-prudential measures dramatically slow growth early next year.

Achieving profitability through property management alone

Here’s how this principal director holds 600 properties on its books — with zero staff turnover in the business and a profit margin of 23 to 26 per cent.

Australia’s most affordable and liveable suburbs revealed

The most affordable and liveable suburbs across four of Australia’s major cities have been revealed.

[Related: Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 24-28 May]