Property, finance & economy
I’ve been writing about property, personal investment and related issues for many years. I’ve written/ghostwritten hundreds of articles and blogs covering topics such as finding the right loan, buying your first home, renovating to add value, what to look for in an investment property, how to avoid common investment mistakes, portfolio structuring, maximising capital growth, and the effect of economic cycles on interest rate movements.
I’ve written about the social aspects of property, financial and economic issues. I also ghostwrite a regular blog for the real estate ratings website and ASX-listed company ratemyagent.com.au.
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“Re-engineering Victoria’s future”
Venture magazine
January 2014
“When it comes to natural disasters, it’s fair to say that earthquakes don’t figure strongly in our
nation’s psyche. One can’t help wondering, then, how a boy from Blackburn High became interested in earthquake
engineering, and turned it into a successful career … “
Read the full article here.
“Sole survivors”
Making Connections magazine
RMIT University, 13 September 2012
I was asked to contribute to RMIT’s annual magazine for the third year running. This is the first of two articles about the issues facing low income Australians.
“Financial disadvantage and social marginalisation are daily realities for many Australians—locking them out of opportunities others take for granted … “
Read the full article here.
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“Making the numbers work”
Making Connections magazine
RMIT University, 13 September 2012
“Many low-income Australians lack knowledge and confidence about managing money. This makes it harder to break out of the cycle of disadvantage and build a positive future … ”
Read the full article here.
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“Reconnecting with customer demand”
Making Connections magazine
RMIT University, 13 September 2012
“Evolving attitudes are changing the way residential customers use electricity – driving concentrated consumption bursts and contributing to rising infrastructure costs … “
Read the full article here.
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“How to add a deck”
Australian Property Investor magazine, January 2012 issue
“The advent of summer prompts many a property owner to wonder how they can make the most of their outdoor space—and a deck can be a great way to do just that …”
Read the full article here.
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“How to restore floorboards”
Australian Property Investor magazine, November 2011 issue
“Properly sanded and finished floorboards can add character and aesthetic appeal to your home or investment property. Just be prepared to spend a little time and a lot of elbow grease …”
Read the full article here.
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“Renting and investing: a twist on the Great Australian Dream”
Australian Property Investor magazine, September 2011 issue
“For some, renting where they want to live and investing elsewhere is becoming a more attractive option than the traditional strategy of buying a home first … affordability issues and lifestyle changes mean that for many young Aussies, the traditional ‘home first, investment second’ model of property ownership simply doesn’t fit …”
Read the full article here.
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“How to paint”
Australian Property Investor magazine, July 2011 issue
“Whether you’re building, extending or renovating, high quality paintwork can make a sizeable difference to your property’s appearance and value. Here, we step you through the fundamentals … “
Read the full article here.
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“Cleaning up our act”
Making Cities Work magazine
(RMIT University insert in the Australian Financial Review, 9 June 2011)
“With land at a premium in Australia’s largest cities, the last 10 to 15 years have seen an upsurge in the conversion of former industrial sites to residential use. [Given that many industrial sites are contaminated and require remediation before they can be approved for housing] you’d think it would be relatively straightforward to find out whether and how a site is contaminated, and who’s responsible for remediation. Not so …”
Read the full article here (scroll to page 11).
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“How to plaster walls and ceilings”
Australian Property Investor magazine, June 2011 issue
“Plastering is one of the most common ways to create a surface for decorating internal walls and ceilings. With time, patience and a steady hand, you can achieve professional results. If you’re ready to get plastered (so to speak) then let’s get to it! …“
Read the full article here.
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“How to fit a door”
Australian Property Investor magazine, May 2011 digital issue
“We open and close them dozens of times a day, but few property owners take much notice of doors until the time comes to build or renovate. Here’s how to choose, prepare and hang a door to withstand years of frequent use …”
Read the full article here.
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“How to remove an internal wall” (two-part article)
Australian Property Investor magazine, April 2011 printed and digital issues
“Australia is a land with plenty of light and space, but the same can’t be said for many of our homes. While recent decades have seen a growing trend towards casual entertaining and indoor-outdoor living … the layout of older homes doesn’t always marry well with our contemporary lifestyle …”
Read the full article here.
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“How to strip and hang wallpaper”
Australian Property Investor magazine, February 2011 issue
“If you’re like me, the thought of wallpaper conjures up images of stodgy (and sometimes dodgy!) patterns from the fifties, sixties and seventies. But these days, your choices in wallpaper are limited only by your imagination …”
Read the full article here.
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“How to fix a leaking roof”
(First in a new ‘how-to’ series)
Australian Property Investor magazine, January 2011 issue
“When you talk about keeping a roof over your head, you usually mean paying the mortgage. But if the roof on your home or investment property begins leaking, the phrase can take on a whole new meaning …”
Read the full article here.
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“The China syndrome”
Ideas Without Borders magazine (RMIT University insert in the Australian Financial Review, 3 June 2010)
“Thanks to China’s astonishing economic growth rate and the subsequent export opportunities for its trading partners, Asia-Pacific rim countries fared reasonably well during the global financial crisis …”
Read the full article here (scroll to p. 22).
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Fiona Marsden: freelance writer/editor 