The Reserve Bank met on 7 March and decided to leave official rates on hold at 1.5%.

Debt markets currently believe it is unlikely that the RBA will increase rates this calendar year. With the first statistics on home values for the year coming in, in this newsletter I take a look at trends in dwelling values for 2017. For those feeling the pinch of anxiety, I also deliver some tips on how to create a sanctuary of Zen-like calm in your home.

Does your mortgage still meet your needs? Interest rates will inevitably rise – should you consider moving to a fixed rate now?

I can answer both these questions and more. 

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 City growth trend reaches new high

Capital city dwelling values rose a further 1.4% in February, with Sydney continuing as the overall capital gains leader.

The monthly CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value Index reported Canberra (+3.2%) and Sydney (+2.6%) led the strong capital gain over February, with Melbourne (+1.5%) and Hobart (+1.0%) also returning significant increases.     

However, values dropped across Darwin (-4.3%), Perth (-2.4%) and Brisbane (-0.4%) during the same time period.

February’s results mark a new high point in the current growth cycle, with capital city dwellings increasing in value by a huge 11.7% since February 2016.

The latest CoreLogic results take the current housing growth cycle into its 58th month.  Since capital city dwelling values began to rise in June 2012, they have increased by a cumulative 47.3%, ranging from a 74.9% capital gain in Sydney, to Perth’s net rise of 6.0%.

Sydney, and to a lesser extent, Melbourne, have remained at the top of the capital gain tables over the past two cycles.  Since the beginning of 2009, Sydney dwelling values have more than doubled, rising by 104.5% while Melbourne values are 87.7% higher.

The next best performing capital city over the same period was Canberra, where dwelling values have risen by a comparatively modest 37.4%.

This is great news for homeowners but a challenge for first homebuyers and low income families, signalling that housing affordability will continue to decrease across the country.

Considering a move? Find out how much you can spend the easy way – let me crunch the numbers for you.

Feeling anxious? Redesigning your bedroom can help.

Stress and anxiety are commonplace in our fast paced world – leading to dry mouth, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure and sleep problems.

But if you’re feeling the pinch, combating anxiety might be as simple as redesigning your bedroom into a Zen-like sanctuary.

More than any other room in your home, your bedroom should be a place you can lie back, relax and forget about the worries of the day.

Here’s how to ensure yours exudes tranquillity and calm:    

1. Keep lighting soft. How bright your lights are can directly affect your mood. Too stark and it can make you feel uneasy, headachy and chaotic. Choose soft, soothing lighting with low wattage to set the tone of your bedroom as super serene.

2. Pick a soothing hue. Don’t opt for primary colours in the bedroom, but do choose a shade that gives you joy. Pastel versions of your favourite colour work well to make your feel at peace and anxiety-free.

3. Keep it cosy. There’s nothing worse than a lumpy, uncomfortable bed to crawl into at the end of a hard day. Getting a bad night’s sleep due to discomfort always drags into the next day, causing unnecessary anxiety and irritability, so nix that for good with a premium mattress, fluffy pillows, and a soft blanket.

4. White noise. If your bedroom is on a busy street (or your partner snores), try listening to a soothing waterfall, crickets or ocean waves instead. There are plenty of great white noise apps to lull you to sleep and they put paid to the anxious thoughts that often run through your head just before sleep.

5. Ban clutter. Clutter equals chaos! Having a mess on the ground or too many trinkets on top of your dresser won’t do you any favours and it certainly won’t cure any looming anxieties. Instead, focus on keeping your bedroom space clear and simple to encourage calming vibes when you retreat to bed.

6. Aromatherapy. Invest in an electric oil burner and add a few drops of lavender or clary sage to it just before bed to ward off anxiety. You could also dab a little lavender oil on your pillow or put a bunch of fresh flowers on your nightstand to lift your spirits and bring you added peace.

It’s a great idea to speak to me first when you’re planning a major renovation. Let’s talk refinancing and how to choose an option that works well for your needs.