Real Estate & Currency Exchange News in Australia from Propertyshowrooms.com

Economists warn dollar likely to stay low

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Australian dollar has staged a sharp fall as the bleak news on the economic front continues...

Aust dollar plummets to 14-month low

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Australian dollar has fallen below 78 US cents - its lowest level in 14 months...

Aussie dollar drops below 80 US cents

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Australian dollar has fallen below 80 US cents for the first time since August last year...

Aust dollar near 1-yr low against greenback

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Australian dollar is trading near a one-year low against the greenback as the Reserve Bank prepares to hand down its decision on interest rates...

Aust dollar drops below 90 US cents

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Australian dollar has fallen below 90 US cents to its lowest level in six months...

Disaffected Britons head to Australia

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Britons who are dissatisfied with life in the UK are increasingly choosing to relocate to Australia, an expert has said.

According to Chintan Mahida of NuBricks.com, issues such as rising living costs at home are prompting many to pack their bags and look overseas.

Australia was highlighted as one of the main hotspot for British expatriates, as it offers a number of lifestyle advantages.

Mr Mahida commented: "Some emigrate to Australia to experience a more laid-back environment, where they can improve their quality of life."

He said that the rising cost of living has led to an increase in the number of people moving out of some of the most expensive areas, such as London.

Mr Mahida added that a general disapproval of current government policy has also contributed to growing levels of migration.

This comes after Conservative Party immigration spokesman Damian Green told the Daily Mail that people are "fleeing" the country because they are unhappy with the prime minister in particular.

Overseas property 'eyed by Britons'

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Increasing numbers of Britons are eyeing up property investment opportunities abroad as they look to indulge in some cheaper, sunnier, stress-free living.

Research conducted by Foreign Currency Direct shows that ten million UK people are looking to buy a property in another country, such as Spain, in the next year and four million of these would like to live in their overseas home permanently.

Some 14 per cent of those looking to purchase abroad were first-time buyers, suggesting that high prices in the UK are encouraging them to look elsewhere.

In addition, 33 per cent of respondents said crime levels at home would prompt them to move abroad for good and 31 per cent said they would do so to escape the gloomy British weather.

"Buying property overseas is still an excellent investment and a great opportunity for a better quality of life," said Peter Ellis, chief executive of Foreign Currency Direct.

Meanwhile currency company Caxton FX says it has seen unprecedented demand from British clients looking to begin a new life down under and buy property in Australia and New Zealand.

Britons Consider Moving to Australia

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Australia is becoming an increasingly popular location among Britons who want to move abroad, according to new statistics.

Figures from currency specialist HiFX showed that country was the subject of almost a quarter of the enquiries it received from would-be expatriates last year.

This placed it ahead of many other popular locations including Canada, Spain, France and the US.

However, HiFX director Mark Bodega said Australia's numerous attractions were not the sole reason for people wanting to leave the UK.

He commented: "A strong pound, rising house prices and good job opportunities abroad tend to be main reasons for Brits to emigrate."

Figures from the firm also showed that during 2007, the overall interest in emigrating to another country was up by 22 per cent on the previous year.

This comes after a poll by insurance firm AXA found that Australia was widely considered to be the world's most desirable retirement destination and also a popular location for real estate investors looking to buy investment property.

Beware of currency fluctuations, investors warned

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Britons who have bought an overseas property and are leaving the UK to live there are being urged to take steps to protect their finances.

In response to statistics from the Office for National Statistics that show over 500 Brits are leaving the country every day, currency specialists HiFX is warning that currency fluctuations could erode a buyer's assets.

According to HiFX, investors should consider securing their currency by locking the rate in a forward contract, which is particularly useful if the property purchase takes two or three months to complete.

Mark Bodega, marketing director for HiFX, said: "The majority of people emigrating from the UK are not millionaires jetting off to a luxury island, but everyday people who are likely to be most affected by banks charging over the odds for currency exchange and losses through currency fluctuation."

He also said that for investors looking to buy a property and move abroad, Australia offers is a world leader when it comes to value for money.

According to latest International Property Rights Index, Australia is in the top ten nations that have the best property protection rules, scoring 8.1 out of ten, just 0.2 behind Norway, which was in first place.