Motoring & Property

Trumped Again

I was out on a multi-day hike when the US election played out. It was glorious to hear nothing but bird song and cicadas and nothing on the debacle of US politics for 5 days deep in the Aussie bush. The stars at night were crazy bright and immense...

Ben Wollen

December 2024

Partner content

Rates on hold for Christmas and New Year

At its final meeting of 2024, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained the cash rate at 4.35 per cent, a move that was aligned with expectations as headline inflation continued to ease. Current indicators suggest a potential cash rate...

Ian Pepper

December 2024

Motoring & Property

Driven: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GSR

Hybrid vehicles are currently a great choice as a happy compromise between driving a car with an internal combustion engine (ICE) or driving an EV. A hybrid vehicle – i.e. one with a traditional fuel source (petrol or diesel) and electric power...

Marcus Craft

December 2024

Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 Toyota HiLux Rogue 48V

This is the new HiLux Rogue with V-Active Technology, which is a combination of a motor generator, 48-volt battery and DC/DC converter aimed at improving performance and fuel efficiency and reducing noise, vibration and harshness levels, compared to...

Marcus Craft

November 2024

Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 Abarth 500e

Can an EV replicate the hot-hatch thrills of the original ICE (internal combustion engine) version on which it’s based? We drive the 2025 Abarth 500e Turismo to see if it’s as much fun as it’s hyped up to be – and to see if it can serve as...

Diary of an EV Driver: Watt about Horsepower

Like today, back in the 1780s there was a change in the way machines were being powered. Then it was from horse power to steam power, for driving pumps to take water out of mines. Young James Watt had trouble convincing industrialists that his steam...

Peter Aubourg

November 2024

Motoring & Property

How to date an architect

No, I don’t mean in a romantic relationship! That’s not to say you shouldn’t date an architect. I mean, many of us make great partners and can show you how to pack a dishwasher like an obsessive-compulsive pro! Jokes aside – how do you find...

Ben Wollen

November 2024

Partner content

Rates on hold again and local market performing well

Interest rates remained on hold again this week following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting on Melbourne Cup Day. Inflation has now dropped to within the target range between 2-3%, however, the RBA are wary of a number of factors. These...

Ian Pepper

November 2024

Spotlight On...

Top 5 time-savers for Christmas entertaining

Brought to you by Raine & Horne Helensburgh

Tracey Seghabi

November 2020

Partner content

5 Factors That Influence Your Home’s Value

Ever wonder what factors influence the value of your home? Here are a few key elements that can have a significant impact: 1. Location: Proximity to beaches, schools, parks, public transport, and amenities. 2. Views: Ocean, Escarpment, Treetop...

Ian Pepper

November 2024

Partner content

Here are 5 Fixes To Make (Or Not To Make) Before Listing Your Home

When it comes to listing your home, there’s no single set of black-and-white rules that apply to every property and every seller. But check out these things to think about as you walk through your home with an agent or stager. 1. PAINT Fix! There’s...

Ian Pepper

October 2024

Partner content

Real Estate Update: Rates on hold – next move down

Interest rates remained on hold again today, June 18, following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting. This is despite other countries cutting their rates recently – Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the European Union have all cut their...

Ian Pepper

June 2024

Motoring & Property

Driven: Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor Performance

The recent official launch of the Polestar 3 means that it’s an ideal time to revisit one of our EV tests from mid-2023: the Polestar 2 long range dual motor Performance. My original review never saw the light of day at the time because of...

Marcus Craft

September 2024

Partner content

6 Ways To Make An Outstanding Impression

1. Store Personal Items – To make sure your house appeals to the largest segment of likely buyers in order to secure the best price, let the buyer picture themselves in your house by safely storing personal items. 2. Minimise Furniture –...

Ian Pepper

September 2024

Motoring & Property

Bulli Pass reopens for night traffic

Bulli Pass has been reopened to night-time road users after six months of natural disaster repair work conducted at three major landslip sites on the mountain. As part of the critical repair program, work is now complete on landslip sites on the...

Marcus Craft

August 2024

Partner content

4 Surprising Home Buyer Turn Offs

Putting your home on the market? Consider these common buyer turn-offs and make sure you’re in good graces with potential buyers. 1. Dirty or crowded homes It can’t be overstated how important it is to de-clutter and clean. Buyers want to look...

Ian Pepper

August 2024

Motoring & Property

Affordable Architecture

I recently re-watched a documentary on one of the world’s most famous and most under the radar architects – Louis Kahn. The doco is called My Architect and it charts Louis Kahn’s son uncovering his father’s life. Nathaniel Kahn was only 12...

Ben Wollen

July 2024

Motoring & Property

Why we invented Uggs

Well, it took some time but I’ve finally got the puffer jacket out. Middle of July and the Antarctic winds have hit dropping the morning temperature in my house down to “uggboots essential in the morning” degrees. Whilst it might be a struggle...

Ben Wollen

August 2024

Partner content

Rate on hold: Promising news for spring

Interest rates remained on hold again today, August 6, following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting. It’s been a volatile month for rate forecasts, only a month ago the market was forecasting a rate rise today. However, with reasonable...

Ian Pepper

August 2024

Partner content

Rates on hold while other world banks cut rates

Ian Pepper

June 2024

Motoring & Property

Is this the new Australian (tiny) dream?

I have a plan. A very small plan, or perhaps more of a tiny dream. To buy a block of land somewhere along the beautiful South Coast and plonk something like a tiny solar home on it such that my family and I can escape the noise of Lawrence Hargrave...

Ben Wollen

June 2024

Motoring & Property

New owners of the Scarborough plan to honour hotel’s history

The new owners of the heritage-listed Scarborough Hotel have big plans for the pub, but we won’t see them do anything on the site until it officially changes hands in July 2025. Glenn Piper, chief executive of Epochal Hotels, bought the landmark...

Marcus Craft

May 2024