Never fear, gadgets are here!
The latest in high-tech security devices

Homes are becoming more and more-high tech – from lighting to music to security you can control with your iPad, to high-tech gadgets that make life a little easier, more comfortable and a lot safer. The connected homes you see in the movies are becoming a reality. In this e-newsletter issue, we take a look at some of the latest home security gadgets on the market today.

With a variety of high-tech home security gadgets to choose from, protecting your home from intruders is increasingly easy and inexpensive. And with a little research and planning, you can come up with an effective home security system to fit any budget.

Head of Policing at the University of Western Sydney (UWS), Dr Michael Kennedy, says a high-tech home security system is one of the best deterrents. “Home security systems deter criminals from attempting to rob your home. When they see you have a security device they usually move onto another dwelling,” says Dr Kennedy.

Here are some of the hottest high-tech gadgets you can get right now to move you one step closer to a wired and secure home.

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The flow on effect

Rate cuts push house prices higher

AAP and Lisa Llewellyn

Capital city house values are on the up, with interest rate cuts from May and June continuing to kick in, according to the latest RP Data Rismark Home Values Index. 

Values rose two per cent in the September quarter, the biggest quarterly jump in two years. The Home Values Index revealed that house prices rose 1.4 per cent in September – the largest monthly increase since March 2010.

On a quarterly basis, house prices in Australia’s eight capital cities rose two per cent. Leading the way was Adelaide, with rises of 2.4 per cent, followed by Perth (1.6 per cent), Sydney (1.5 per cent), Melbourne (1.4 per cent) and Brisbane (1.1 per cent). Conversely, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra all reported falls – by 0.2 per cent, two per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively.

The result suggests that the weakness in the housing market from earlier in the year has since dissipated. 

According to RP Data research director Tim Lawless, improvements in the market since mid-year were linked to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s cash rate cuts in May and June.

“It’s no coincidence that housing market conditions bottomed out at the end of May, after the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points,” Lawless said. “A further cut of 25 basis points in June and the anticipation of further rate cuts in the pipeline appear to have instilled renewed confidence in the housing market, which has driven the growth in home values.”

CommSec economist Savanth Sebastian said he believed house prices would continue to rise. 

“Not only has there been a modest pick-up in activity across the sector, but rental vacancy rates remain low,' he said.

“In fact, total returns on residential property were up a healthy 3.1 per cent in the year to September despite the significant weakness in other asset classes like shares.

“While builders will continue to compete hard for available work, home owners are likely to see the value of their homes rise over the year.”

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Using energy efficient solutions for a greener way of life

Rising power bills, the carbon tax and ongoing debate about climate change make the thought of creating a sustainable home seem quite daunting, as householders look at ways to save. But it’s easy to start off small to create a sustainable and greener way of life.

Energy efficiency is about doing more with less – and Australians are certainly becoming increasingly aware of the many tools (small and large) that are now available.

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Investment properties: not just for the rich and famous

According to the Australian Taxation Office, one in seven Australians owns an investment property. A common perception is that you need to be rich to own an investment property, but in fact more than two thirds of all investment properties held by Australians are done so by people earning less than $80,000 a year! [source: ATO April 2011]

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Win the ultimate 'His and Hers' prize pack!*

Go in the draw to win the ultimate 'his and hers' prize pack! Get behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar or relax with a pamper package*. You will win both experiences, but we'll let you decide who takes which prize! Enter

Grounded in style with nature at your feet

Floor coverings are more than just a finish. Connecting your home’s four walls, flooring can build character, create function and provide finesse. Here we take a look at on-trend options that offer sustainability and style in flooring for your abode. Read more

How the Eurozone crisis affects interest rates

What difference does the Eurozone crisis make to the hip pocket of Australians? We explore the impacts of Europe’s debt woes on interest rates for Australian homeowners.
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