December 2023 Newsletter
HEY NEIGHBOUR!
This will be our last newsletter of the year before we break up for Christmas. It has been a wonderful, busy year, filled with lots of support from various customers and parts of the community, which is why we exist! In a time when the world has plenty to be sad about some of us found little things to enjoy – like Carlton breaking the finals drought!!
The year has been dominated by war, AI and more AI, getting over COVID, rising inflation and interest rates, changes in governments here and internationally, this time of the year is always one for reflection, lots of cheer and time to be with our families and friends for those of us that can.
Ahead of the holiday season, we want to wish you all the best. We know it's been a very tough year for so many people so we will keep everyone in our thoughts as we celebrate with our loved ones.
We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful customers, tradies, partners and of course, our wonderful team! Thank you all and have a very happy safe Christmas holiday. Season's Greetings and a very happy, healthy prosperous 2024!
Please note that we will be closed only on the public holidays but operating with a skeleton staff.
Thank you,
Carmela
MARKET INSIGHTS
We strive to stay up to date on the latest market trends. Here are a few articles we think are worth reading.
- This Christmas will be an interesting time for the RBA. However, this article shows there may be some wiggle room for home buyers: RBA finds 5pc of mortgage borrowers spend more than they earn, but not worried about default risks - ABC News
- Rental prices keep rising and it is getting harder for people. Although, at least we're not in Sydney: How Sydney's lack of housing supply makes it so much more expensive to live in than Melbourne - ABC News
- From the AFR: The supply dynamic might help soften the property market: Property prices: High rates will keep demand in check, but the housing market will weaken as more homes come up for sale, economists say (afr.com)
- CoreLogic's research shows that the 'heat has come out of the housing market as values across Melbourne dip and Sydney slows". Heat comes out of the housing market as values across Melbourne dip and Sydney slows | CoreLogic Australia
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Beyond residential, this article is suggesting that 2024 is going to be a hard grind, despite what happens to interest rates. Real estate 2024: get ready for the hard grind (afr.com)
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
What's new in your neighbourhood? These are a few recent updates that are happening in some of our local communities.
- Visit MPavillion which is now open until March 2024. There's always something fantastic they have on. Whether it's Pilates in the Park or arts and crafts, be sure to check it out: Program | MPavilion
- With the weather heating up, why not go for one of Melbourne's great walks: The Best Walks Near Melbourne (broadsheet.com.au)
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Get lost at the Docklands Christmas Maze which is a free event and very family friendly: Docklands Christmas Maze - What's On Melbourne
- There's plenty of events in December worth checking out. Here is a list of the free ones: What's free in Melbourne this month - What's On Melbourne
CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION
Here are a few things that members of our team have stumbled across over the month. Whether thought-provoking, interesting or entertaining, we want to share them with you.
- Google launches Gemini. More about AI...Google has launched Gemini which it claims outperforms ChatGPT: Google unveils its latest artificial intelligence model Gemini, claiming it largely outperforms OpenAI's ChatGPT - ABC News
- Lion escapes and is caught taking naps after 'work': Lion sleeps it off after Saturday stroll through Italian town | Reuters
- An interesting read on Food and how we eat, and what we need to produce to continue feeding the world's growing population: Changing the food system to help change the future - Financial Times - Partner Content by The Nature Conservancy (ft.com)
