CAROL Reid knows all about the uncertain dream of home ownership. Through much of the past year the would-be first home buyer watched her dream appear to fade through a veil of tightening bank credit and rising prices.

AUSTRALIA'S largest mortgage broker says buyers are rapidly deserting the housing market as interest rates creep up, after its sales last month plunged to a five-year low.

As a parent of three 20-year-olds, I am not surprised to read that children are staying at home longer than ever, but question whether the incentive is to save for their first home ("More first-home buyers rely on parents' help", December 26-27). Anecdotal evidence suggests the motive is not to..read more

The lack of choice available to first-home buyers is dismaying ("Crying poor? Count your rooms and houses, and think again", December 16).

AUSTRALIAN house prices are likely to boom for at least three years following a record month for auctions and sales of nearly $1 billion yesterday, according to a leading economic forecaster.