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Opinion

Kim Macdonald

Shelter CEO Kath Snell at site of new development in Court Place Subiaco.

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Back to the future in Subi as social housing nothing to fear

Plans for WA’s biggest social and affordable housing development in Subi East are nothing to fear. Some say it will be the next Browlie Towers, but in reality, it is like going back to the future.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Gavin Hegney and Damian Collins Illustration.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
When will Perth’s property boom finally be over?

Week after week, I find myself asking, how long will this property madness last? Two experts provide their view on the matter.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

You can’t eat bricks, so how do you actually get ahead in a property boom?

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
How do you get ahead in a property boom?

You can’t eat bricks, so how do you actually get ahead in a property boom?

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Three years of age. A tutor. Maths. Those words don’t seem to belong together. But it’s happening amid a growing divide between rich and poor.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
Tutors hired for 3yos amid growing split between rich, poor

Three years of age. A tutor. Maths. Those words don’t seem to belong together. But it’s happening amid a growing divide between rich and poor.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

‘The Victorian Government has shown how higher land tax for investors can help to put a lid on property prices,’ writes Kim Macdonald.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
Landlords must pay more to stop runaway property prices

I’m a property investor and I want people like me to be taxed more. Yes, you did actually read that right.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

The wealth effect happens when people feel like they are rich because the value of their assets — usually housing — have risen, encouraging them to loosen the purse strings.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
Perth homeowners guilty of the ‘wealth effect’

The wealth effect happens when people feel like they are rich because the value of their assets - usually housing - have risen, encouraging them to loosen the purse strings.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Domestic Violence and Phones Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Your old mobile gathering dust could save a life

Here’s something you can do today, in the 16 days DV awareness campaign, to help save a life.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Metropolitan Area Footprint Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
It’s time for Perth to ignore the NIMBYs and grow up

Unless we rein in the urban sprawl, WA will be left with endless suburbia and little green space, so we need to support train station high rise in Perth and 24 storey towers in Rockingham.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

‘If nothing changes, housing is on track to be twice as unaffordable when today’s primary school children start house-hunting,’ writes Kim Macdonald.

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
The Great Australian Dream is doomed unless changes are made

If nothing changes, housing is on track to be twice as unaffordable when today’s primary school children start house-hunting.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Wait Awhile WA Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Pubs win over NIMBYs proves WA is the Wait Awhile State

The Waikiki Tavern saga sums up WA in all its frustrating glory, highlighting many of the good and bad features of our fair State.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Bridgetown's main street

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Young homebuyers hitting a dead-end on country road

Inland WA is full of charming towns, but house shortages stop metro homebuyers venturing outside of Perth.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Climate Change and Cost of Housing Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
Climate risk is eroding the value of West Aussie homes

If you can’t stand the heat, improve your kitchen’s energy efficiency.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

A ‘coffee rave’ in Perth. These are DJ sessions at coffee shops during the day instead of at clubs at night, to cater for a young crowd that apparently isn’t so into the club scene

opinion
opinion
KIM MACDONALD
opinion
The simple reason why Gen Z aren’t boozing

Life is different for this generation of sober-curious online addicts, the sons and daughters of millennials and gen X nightclubbers who used to spend half their weekends drunk or hungover.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

For and Arm and a Leg....and a Kidney Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
There’ll be winners and losers under the Home Guarantee

The Home Guarantee, which kicks in Wednesday, is already driving prices up. But what do you expect when you add a demand side stimulus into a supply-wide crisis?

Kim Macdonald

Stamp Duty Exemptions for Downsizers Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Downsides to downsizing: System treats seniors with contempt

Axe stamp duty for downsizers, and leave their swap meet income alone.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Real Estate Lotto Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Property heartbreak sends people to psychologist couch

If you’re haunted by the spectre of missed capital gains, you’re far from alone.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

The big dreaded property frenzy of recent years has returned just in time for spring - at least in some patches of Perth, writes Kim MacDonald.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
Perth’s property frenzy is back and here to stay

It’s official - we are in the tightest property market for at least a decade.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

locked in to Councils Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Why council and community are two different things

Postcode pride has a price, don’t let attachment to your suburb get in the way of cutting council waste.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Artificial Intelligence and Real Estate Illustration: Don Lindsay

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Rise of AI flags concerns about being left on the streets

The rise of AI has raised alarm bells over the thought of rapidly advancing technology taking not just people’s jobs, but their homes as well.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Housing should be a must-have for all, not a luxury only for the rich or lucky, writes Kim Macdonald.

opinion
opinion
KIM MACDONALD
opinion
The great Aussie dream of buying a house is a human right

Housing should be a must-have for all, not a luxury only for the rich or lucky.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

Neighbours of the building formerly known as Fraser Suites in East Perth are protesting the State Government's plans to turn it into social housing.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
NIMBYs fear not: Fraser Suites plan won’t tank unit prices

I’m not sure of the legality of removing amenities that were priced into the cost of apartments next to Fraser Suites. But it certainly does not pass the pub test.

Kim Macdonald

Fraser Suites will be turned into social and affordable housing

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Luxe skyscraper is good bang for our social housing buck

The State Government is finally putting a bit of grunt and commercial nous into addressing the housing crisis.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald

“We need to remember why it is so important to make sure boys reach out in times of trouble.” says Kim Macdonald.

Kim MacdonaldThe scientific reason why boys should talk and cry too

Tears and talking have been scientifically proven to help make you feel better. Boys and men need to do it too.

Kim Macdonald

With commissions worth 2 to 2.5 per cent in Perth and 3 per cent regionally, agents have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the property boom.

opinion
opinion
Kim Macdonald
opinion
Time to reassess real estate agents fees amid the boom

Real estate agents are making almost twice as much per home as they did five years ago. Perhaps it’s time to reassess the pay structure.

Kim Macdonald

Kim Macdonald