Market Movement

After the roller-coaster of 2008, property experts see good fortune for new players as long as they have stable employment, writes Frances Thompson.

Travel Agent

Starting out

Flurry Hits The First-home Buyers' Market

POTENTIAL Hunter buyers are already taking advantage of the boost to the first-home buyers' grant, judging by agent reports and PRD Nationwide Newcastle's midweek auction, which scored six sales out of seven properties auctioned.

Defence Denies Misconduct By Investigated Official Doubts Linger Over $5m In Contracts

TWO federal departments are divided over whether a top Defence official - on paid leave for 18 months while under investigation for alleged misconduct - has also worked as a migration agent. Gillian Marks

Tenant Demand Keeps Leasing Market On Boil

IN A week of bad news for property trusts, the latest employment figures provided some optimism for the leasing market.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It

Sacrificing all your salary from employment will reduce taxable income, writes George Cochrane.

Ask Noel

We bought our home in 2004 for $145,000 and have used it as our primary residence since then; an estate agent has valued the property at $240,000. We're about to relocate. We have thought about keeping our first home as a rental property but are not sure how capital gains tax will apply to our situation. Are we best to sell the property and cash in on the gain we have made or keep the property as an investment, as it is in a growth area and will most likely continue to appreciate in value?

No Fun In Show Day For Bosses

THE Newcastle Show Day debate continues to simmer; a Hamilton real estate agent said it was a drag on small business.

Helping To Launch Young Careers To Giddy New Heights

TEACHER, plumber, doctor, painter, firefighter, social worker, engineer, secretary, real estate agent the choices are daunting.

Estate Flush With Recycle Ideas

Water saving is a hot selling point, Katherine Townsend finds. LYNDHURST Marriott Waters Western Port Highway $129,000-$160,000 (land only) Private sale Agent Oliver Hume Real Estate, 9669 5999 Melway 128 K8

Rural Feel To Urban Blocks

There's a new rush for Ballarat, writes Katherine Townsend. GLEN PARK VIA BALLARAT Coorabin Springs Road $120,000-$200,000 Private sale Agent Cosgrave Real Estate, 5333 1144 Melway 609 A11

Putting Property On Poll

HUNTER MPs will be asked to back real estate agent calls for the State Government to drop land tax on residential real estate and give stamp duty relief to over 65s ahead of the March election.

Official: We're In A Rural Recession

AUSTRALIA is in the grip of a "rural recession", while employment is rising so fast in the cities that interest rates may have to be lifted next month.

Innovative Fundraising Recognised

COMBINING Australia's national dish with one of the country's favourite sporting pursuits has paid handsome dividends for Corrimal real estate agent Phil Murray, who in four years has raised more than $50,000 for the NSW Cancer Council.

Tap The X Factor

WHEN Michelle Clayton launched her business, Agent X, she was well aware of the power of marketing.

Growth Centre

Business is on track for this agent after a move to North Ryde, writes Kate Farrelly.

New Industrial Park Tipped To Boost Jobs

AN industrial estate to be launched today at Tomago is expected to become a major employment generator in the region.

Forgers Prey On Students, Agent Says

Lachu Thevar, a migration agent, says he has dealt with as many as 20 foreign students holding fake employment documents over the past two years.

Envoy Exit Leaves Fumbling In Dark

Each time the Australian and Israeli governments refuse to shed light on the dismissal from these shores of the Israeli diplomat Amir Lati, the question list lengthens. Was he a spy? Did he breach Australian security? Was he a participant in passport fraud? Did he recruit Australians to furnish Israel with confidential information? If so, which individuals and which agencies were compromised? Or was Mr Lati ordered to leave because of mysterious "personal aspects of his employment in Canberra", ...

A Whistle Carefully Blown

The agent who broke ranks over Iraq tells a cautionary tale for young would-be spies. Axis of Deceit By Andrew Wilkie Black Inc, 288pp, $29.95