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Buyers agent Melissa Opie says landlords should not have to offer incentives to rent their property unless they are trying to rent an off-the-plan apartment.
Landlords should be maintaining their property properly to keep it in demand by tenants who are getting increasingly fussy, Opie says.
“Ultimately they need to maintain their assets so they attract a higher quality tenant and that tenant will be prepared to pay a higher rental amount per week. If they don’t maintain they won’t maximise,” Opie says.
She says more and more investors, especially self-managed super fund investors want to buy 'set and forget' properties. Although the vacancy rate in Melbourne remains low purchasers like these are increasing the standard of homes tenants expect.
“As rents have risen, as they will continue to, tenants will go for the better quality property. They need a bit of a wow factor. Everybody has an ego and it doesn’t mean it has to be the Taj Mahal and have gold taps, it just needs to have been maintained so tenants can have a sense of pride.”
She recommends landlords complete regular cosmetic changes in their property to keep up with trends.
Opie also encourages people to build the cost of a gardener into the rent of a property. This means the property is maintained, increasing its value as a possible collateral for future purchases and it’s a cost that investors can claim on tax so they don’t have to charge tenants dollar for dollar.
Opie rebuked suggestions that landlords might offer gimmicks like shopping vouchers to prospective tenants, saying that with a decent property management agency they shouldn’t have to.
One of the few situations where landlords might have to use incentives to attract renters is when they are trying to rent a recently completed off-the-plan apartment.
Investors who bought off-the-plan often settle at the time and there could be as many as 70% of abodes in the same development hitting the rental market at the same time.
“That can be tough,” Opie says.
Options like one week’s free rent may entice renters in newer developments. Other options like a free pay TV subscription may help in certain demographics but it’s not something Opie says should be necessary.
Most of all she says the property needs to be marketed properly.
“You can’t sell a secret so they have be marketed correctly,” Opie says.
“It really needs good photographs and proper floor plans so tenants can visualise where they’re putting all their things.”
Image of Taj Mahal by Christian Haugen, courtesy of Flickr.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Gimmicks unnecessary to rent Melbourne properties despite fussier tenants: Melissa Opie

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Moving into a new house can be stressful even for beloved pets.
For those who love to pamper their pets, perhaps to soothe their transition into a new house, we have found some of the best options for doggie doors that money can buy.
For those with industrial tastes or for those with a penchant for the French revolution, veterinary outfitters Therian can supply a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kennelsolutions.com.au">guillotine-style door</a> (pictured below). The industrial chic might appeal to dog-owners wanting to run their home like a zoo.
<img alt="dogsmay3one" height="492" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/05/dogsmay3one.jpg">
Those not quite ready to commit to cutting a hole in their wall or doors for their pooch can buy a door that slots into a sliding door (pictured below). Animalistic provide just such a <a href="https://www.temporarypetdoor.com.au/" target="_blank">solution</a> in a choice of seven colours.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/05/dogsmay3two.jpg" width="400" height="389" alt="dogsmay3two">
Or they can mount a pet-sensor on their sliding doors and have them slide open automatically when Fido starts pawing at the door.
<img alt="dogsmay3three" height="200" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/05/dogsmay3three.jpg">
There are other options for selective dog doors such as the electromagnetic offerings from Dog Mate.
<img alt="dogsmay3four" height="264" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/05/dogsmay3four.jpg">
While pet doors allow Spot in and out of the house, they can allow access to other dogs or fauna who aren’t quite so friendly. To stop this some pet doors now have microchip sensors in them to allow access to only Spot. Sureflap <a href="https://www.sureflap.com.au/products/details/17-microchip-pet-door" target="_blank">sells a door flap</a> which can recognise 32 different microchips.
People with glass windows need not worry as plenty of manufacturers offer glass solutions. Transcat offer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.luckypet.com.au/transcat-dog-and-cat-door-large">one solution</a> for smaller dogs like the hound-dog pictured. But many glaziers offer custom solutions to let Buster through the glass door.
<img alt="dogsmay3five" height="363" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/05/dogsmay3five.jpg">
But be careful. Dogs grow up faster than you might think and more importantly faster than they might think. Make sure you keep the door big enough or the following might happen:
<img alt="dogsmay3six" height="312" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/05/dogsmay3six.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://i.imgur.com/p4eHP.jpg">Source: reddit.com</a>
<img alt="dogsmay3seven" height="445" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/05/dogsmay3seven.jpg"> 
<a target="_blank" href="https://i.imgur.com/jTEvI.jpg">Photo by TwentySeventh</a>
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Dog lovers show no bounds in latest dog flap gadgetry: six hi-tech dog flaps for your pooch

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Pet-friendly rental properties can command a higher rent for landlords, according to LJ Hooker.
A one bedroom property with an asking rent of $465 a week could only be worth $420 if listed as not pet-friendly.
LJ Hooker property manager Gabby Thomson says this can add $2,340 more in rent annually.
She says pet friendliness is also a great marketing headline to use when trying to find new tenants, either in houses or apartments.
Pet friendly rental properties are easily highlighted as there is a pet friendly tick box on both domain.com.au and realestate.com.au.
Pet-owning tenants also tend to stay longer.
“No-one wants to give away their pet,” Thomson says.
“And pet friendly landlords who recognise this will attract many more tenants, longer term ones and also enjoy a higher rental return.”
Some pet friendly properties available in Victoria include <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-richmond-410322323">78 Gardner Street Richmond</a>. It’s a four bedroom house marketed at $450 a week through Shanae Ratcliffe from Biggin &amp; Scott.
A four bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-brighton-410235175">2 Cowper Street Brighton</a> is listed for rent at $600 per week through Simon Fung from R T Edgar.
A two bedroom terrace in Port Melbourne at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-port+melbourne-406930696">247 Princes Street</a> is listed at $685 per week by Divina Jamon from Ray White.
The one-bedroom <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-docklands-410316647">apartment 1152</a> at New Quay Promanade in Docklands is listed for rent at $470 per week.
Unit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/Apartment-Unit-Flat/VIC/Fitzroy-North/?adid=8309822">13 at 4 Bik Lane in Fitzroy North</a> is listed for rent at $410 a week.
Unit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/Apartment-Unit-Flat/VIC/Carnegie/?adid=8218726">1 at 11 Poplar Grove</a> is listed for rent at $440 a week.
And unit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/Apartment-Unit-Flat/VIC/Docklands/?adid=8227168">1209 at 8 Marmion Place</a> in Docklands is listed for rent at $490 to $550 a week.
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Terriers and terraces: Melbourne pet friendly properties attracting dog loving renters

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Chinese buyers have returned to the Hunter Valley vineyard market after more than 18 months.
Fu Yip International Group, run by Chengye Xiao and Jiemei Xiao, last spent $1.7 million last month on Honeytree Estate, at Pokolbin.
It was marketed by Cain Beckett from Jurd’s Real Estate. Beckett has been the negotiating agent on many winery sales to Chinese investors since 2011.
<img alt="1" src="/images/stories/2013/05/honeytreemay2/1.jpg" width="470" height="250">
The 12.6 hectare property was sold by Robyn and Henk Strengers, from the Netherlands, who bought the property for $848,000 from Toronto businessman Kevin Leary in 1997.
Leary bought the property from a group of five Sydney families who used it as a weekend getaway.
The property has a two-bedroom and two-bathroom homestead, a cellar door, a separate guest cottage and views to the Brokenback Range.
<img alt="2" src="/images/stories/2013/05/honeytreemay2/2.jpg" width="470" height="281">
It was first planted in 1970 by the French born Sydney artist Maurice Schlesinger who planted one acre of Clairette. It now produces Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Clairette.
Henk, a former accountant, says the vineyard is one of the only Clairette producers in the region. The region is better known for its Shiraz and Semillion.
The vineyard reportedly takes its name from a honey tree which once grew on the property and was a landmark in the area.
The Strengers bought the property for a lifestyle change but at the time said the decision was also an investment one.
"We wanted to invest in something that was going to show a return ... that was quite important," Robyn told Fairfax in 1997.
Beckett says every winery sale over $1.5 million in the Hunter region over the last few years has been to Chinese buyers.
Most inquiries in the vineyard market come from buyers looking to buy for immigration purposes with strong looming potential from significant investor visa applicants.
Beckett says a lot tend to go to Chinese buyers with wine interests back in China, be they distributers, hotel owners or wine producers.
After a surge of Chinese buyers in 2011, the number of sales dropped off in 2012 with buyers having difficulty getting funds out of China. But Beckett says this problem seems to have passed with sales starting back up again.
Beckett says there are another five sales currently in negotiation with multiple bidders on many of them.
 
<img alt="8" src="/images/stories/2013/05/honeytreemay2/8.jpg" width="470" height="294">
Beckett says Chinese buyers of vineyards tend to run them as successful Australian businesses.
“The majority of purchasers try and operate a successful Australian business that has an export arm. The export arm is obviously the strongest but they see a strong need to operate a successful business here that operate as a show piece,” Beckett says.
“They have their investors come here and their friends and business partners come out and see the property. But there are others that have completely closed sales channels are.”
Fu Yip International Group will run the estate in conjuction with Australian wine company Molly’s Cradle.
In August 2011 the Capercaillie vineyard sold to buyers from China. It had been listed at $1.89 million by Alan Jurd and Cain Beckett from Jurd’s Real Estate.
And in September 2011 the Golden Grape Estate winery sold for $2.8 million to businessman Genghua Lin.
And in July 2011 a Chinese investor spent about $2.7 million on Windsor’s Edge.
And in August 2011 Brycefield estate sold for $2.8 million.
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Chinese winery investors return to Hunter Valley after 18-month hiatus

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The number of personal bankruptcies in Victoria fell 6.6% from 2010-11 to 2011-12, according to new data from the federal government’s Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia.
ITSA’s personal insolvency activity by postcode report found the number of bankruptcies in Greater Melbourne fell 4.3% from 3,165 to 3,029 while the rest of Victoria fell 11.4%, from 1,472 to 1,304.
Despite the overall downwards trend, many postcodes increased the number of bankruptcies over the period.
Cranbourne and surrounding suburbs still top the list suburbs with the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/cranbourne-tops-victorian-bankruptcies-in-last-financial-year/2013050160900?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news" target="_blank">most number of personal bankruptcies</a> after increasing 10.2% to 108 bankruptcies.
Frankston and Karingal still come in second despite dropping 3.4% to 84 bankruptcies.
Ballarat and surrounding suburbs have replaced Hoppers Crossing to take in third place. Ballarat and surrounding suburbs had 60 bankruptcies over the period, up 13.2%.
The list was first published last year.
Inspector-General in bankruptcy, Veronique Ingram, says the information facilitates informed decision making.
“We received an overwhelmingly positive response on the usefulness of this information, so we will produce this publication annually. We have listened to the community and enhanced the publication this year,” Ingram says.
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<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col>
<col width="509">
<col>
<col span="2" width="64">
<col>
<col width="67">
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="5" width="768" height="20">Bankruptcies (Parts IV and XI)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20">Postcode</td>
<td>Suburbs/localities</td>
<td>2011-2012</td>
<td>2010-2011</td>
<td>% Change</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3977</a></td>
<td>
Cannons Creek/Cranbourne/Devon Meadows
/Junction Village/Sandhurst/Skye
</td>
<td>108</td>
<td>98</td>
<td>10.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3199</a></td>
<td>Frankston/Karingal</td>
<td>84</td>
<td>87</td>
<td>-3.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="61"><a href="/news">3350</a></td>
<td width="509">
Alfredton/Bakery Hill/Ballarat/Black Hill/Brown Hill/Canadian/Eureka/Golden Point/Invermay Park/Lake Wendouree/Mount Clear/Mount Helen/
Mount Pleasant/Nerrina/Newington/Redan/Soldiers Hill/Sovereign Hill
</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>13.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3690</a></td>
<td>Wodonga</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>50</td>
<td>16.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3175</a></td>
<td>Bangholme/Dandenong/Dunearn</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>31.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3500</a></td>
<td>Mildura/Paringi</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>5.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3810</a></td>
<td>Pakenham/Rythdale</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>3.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3029</a></td>
<td>Hoppers Crossing/Tarneit/Truganina</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>-23.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3630</a></td>
<td>
Branditt/Caniambo/Colliver/Dunkirk/
Shepparton
</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>45</td>
<td>13.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3805</a></td>
<td>Fountain Gate/Narre Warren</td>
<td>47</td>
<td>56</td>
<td>-16.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3337</a></td>
<td>Kurunjang/Melton/Toolern Vale</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3030</a></td>
<td>Cocoroc/Derrimut/Point Cook/Quandong/Werribee</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>57</td>
<td>-26.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3550</a></td>
<td>Bendigo/Diamond Hill/Flora Hill/Ironbark/Kennington/Long Gully/Quarry Hill/Sandhurst East/Spring Gully/Strathdale/Tysons Reef/White Hills</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>-2.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3806</a></td>
<td>Berwick/Harkaway</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>48</td>
<td>-12.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3023</a></td>
<td>Burnside/Cairnlea/Caroline Springs/Deer Park/Ravenhall</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>13.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3136</a></td>
<td>Croydon</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>-2.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3037</a></td>
<td>Delahey/Hillside/Sydenham/Taylors Hill</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>8.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3073</a></td>
<td>Keon Park/Reservoir</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>-14.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3064</a></td>
<td>
Craigieburn/Donnybrook/Kalkallo/Mickleham/
Roxburgh Park
</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>-32.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="20"><a href="/news">3201</a></td>
<td>Carrum Downs</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
 
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Victorian bankruptcies down 6.6% with Cranbourne harbouring the most bankrupts

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The highest earning postcodes in Queensland are dominated  by coal mining towns and affluent Brisbane suburbs. 
A Property Observer review of the Australian Tax Office's taxation statistics report has revealed the ten Queensland postcodes with the highest mean income.
Half of the postcodes featured on the list are towns servicing coal and coal-seam gas mining areas. The rest are wealthy Brisbane suburbs and the postcode covering Royal Brisbane Hospital.
 
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col width="262">
<col width="64">
<col width="145">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20"></td>
<td width="262">Suburbs/Localities</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="145">Mean taxable income ($)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">1</td>
<td>Ascot/Hamilton/Hamilton Central</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4007</a></td>
<td align="right">92,662</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">2</td>
<td>Tieri</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4709</a></td>
<td align="right">86,941</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">3</td>
<td>Muckadilla</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4461</a></td>
<td align="right">85,618</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">4</td>
<td>Royal Brisbane Hospital</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4029</a></td>
<td align="right">81,367</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">5</td>
<td>Moranbah</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4744</a></td>
<td align="right">79,500</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">6</td>
<td>Chandler</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4155</a></td>
<td align="right">78,385</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">7</td>
<td>Bardon</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4065</a></td>
<td align="right">78,283</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">8</td>
<td>Glenden/Suttor</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4743</a></td>
<td align="right">77,255</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">9</td>
<td>Balmoral/Bulimba/Hawthorne</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4171</a></td>
<td align="right">76,921</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">10</td>
<td>Dysart</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">4745</a></td>
<td align="right">76,508</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

Hamilton tops Queensland's highest earning postcodes with list dominated by coal mining towns

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WA's lowest earning postcodes are almost all within 250 kilometres inland from Perth, according to a Property Observer review of the Australian Tax Office's taxation statistics report 2010-2011.
We reveal the 10 post codes in WA with the lowest median income.
 
<table style="width: 470px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col width="456">
<col width="64">
<col width="145">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" width="64"></td>
<td width="456">Suburbs/Localities</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="145">Mean taxable income ($)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">1</td>
<td>Pantapin</td>
<td><a href="/news">6384</a></td>
<td align="right">7,679</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">2</td>
<td>Maya</td>
<td><a href="/news">6614</a></td>
<td align="right">10,956</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">3</td>
<td>Kulja</td>
<td><a href="/news">6470</a></td>
<td align="right">12,084</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">4</td>
<td>Karlgarin</td>
<td><a href="/news">6358</a></td>
<td align="right">22,748</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">5</td>
<td>Duranillin/Moodiarrup</td>
<td><a href="/news">6393</a></td>
<td align="right">26,266</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">6</td>
<td>Buraminya/Cape Arid/Israelite Bay</td>
<td><a href="/news">6452</a></td>
<td align="right">27,645</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">7</td>
<td>Cundeelee/Forrest/Parkeston/Rawlinna/Zanthus</td>
<td><a href="/news">6434</a></td>
<td align="right">27,671</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">8</td>
<td>Hines Hill</td>
<td><a href="/news">6413</a></td>
<td align="right">28,933</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">9</td>
<td>Kukerin/Merilup/North Kukerin/South Kukerin</td>
<td><a href="/news">6352</a></td>
<td align="right">29,404</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="right">10</td>
<td>Canna</td>
<td><a href="/news">6627</a></td>
<td align="right">30,105</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

Pantapin tops WA's lowest earning postcodes with most clustered inland from Perth

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The lowest earning postcodes in Queensland are dominated by small inland towns towards the south of the state.
A Property Observer review of the Australian Tax Office's taxation statistics report has revealed the 10 lowest earning suburbs in Queensland.
<table style="width: 470px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col width="332">
<col width="64">
<col width="145">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20"></td>
<td width="332">
Suburbs/Localities
</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="145">Mean taxable income ($)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">1</td>
<td>Limevale</td>
<td><a href="/news">4384</a></td>
<td align="right">11,377</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">2</td>
<td>Claverton/Nardoo Siding</td>
<td><a href="/news">4471</a></td>
<td align="right">17,693</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">3</td>
<td>Cooladdi</td>
<td><a href="/news">4479</a></td>
<td align="right">18,494</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">4</td>
<td>Marshlands/Mondure</td>
<td><a href="/news">4611</a></td>
<td align="right">21,424</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">5</td>
<td>Jackson/Jackson North/Jackson South</td>
<td><a href="/news">4426</a></td>
<td align="right">23,595</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">6</td>
<td>Mungallala/Redford/Tyrconnel</td>
<td><a href="/news">4467</a></td>
<td align="right">24,033</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">7</td>
<td>Guluguba</td>
<td><a href="/news">4418</a></td>
<td align="right">24,171</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">8</td>
<td>Drillham/Drillham South/Glenaubyn</td>
<td><a href="/news">4424</a></td>
<td align="right">24,473</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">9</td>
<td>Glenmorgan/Teelba</td>
<td><a href="/news">4423</a></td>
<td align="right">24,494</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">10</td>
<td>Hivesville/Kawl Kawl/Keysland/Stonelands/Wigton</td>
<td><a href="/news">4612</a></td>
<td align="right">25,013</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

Limevale tops lowest earning postcodes in Queensland with list dominated by inland rural towns

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Affluent Perth suburbs topped the list of the highest earning Perth postcodes, according to a Property Observer review of the Australian Tax Office's taxation statistics report.
The top ten highest earning suburbs is topped by Peppermint Grove and Cottosloe but a few rural mining towns made it onto the list.
 
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col width="456">
<col width="64">
<col width="145">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20"></td>
<td width="456">Suburbs/Localities</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="145">Mean taxable income ($)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">1</td>
<td>Cottesloe/Peppermint Grove</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6011</a></td>
<td align="right">128,252</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">2</td>
<td>Mosman Park</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6012</a></td>
<td align="right">117,397</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">3</td>
<td>Broadway Nedlands/Crawley/Dalkeith/Nedlands</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6009</a></td>
<td align="right">116,819</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">4</td>
<td>City Beach</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6015</a></td>
<td align="right">114,873</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">5</td>
<td>Manmanning</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6465</a></td>
<td align="right">114,191</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">6</td>
<td>Claremont/Claremont North/Karrakatta/Mount Claremont/Swanbourne</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6010</a></td>
<td align="right">98,694</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">7</td>
<td>Pindar</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6631</a></td>
<td align="right">97,342</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">8</td>
<td>Dampier</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6713</a></td>
<td align="right">91,051</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">9</td>
<td>Buntine</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6613</a></td>
<td align="right">87,553</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">10</td>
<td>Daglish/Shenton Park/Subiaco/Subiaco East</td>
<td align="right"><a target="_blank" href="/news">6008</a></td>
<td align="right">85,994</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

At $120,000-plus, Peppermint Grove and Cottosloe top highest earning WA postcodes

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New home sales have bounced back in March after a strong decline in February, according to the Housing Industry Association.
The HIA New Home Sales report shows a 4.2% increase in seasonally adjusted new home sales in March bringing sales figures back to what they were 12 months ago.
<img alt="hiamay1one" height="292" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/hiamay1one.jpg">
There was a strong decline in new home sales in February – a 4% decline for new detached house sales and an 11% decline for sales of multi-units. They both increased by 3.9% and 5.6% respectively.
“A bounce back in March after a disappointing result for February is a good result to see," says HIA Chief Economist, Harley Dale. "It was important we saw a rise, even one that didn't completely eradicate the February decline."
“However, the overall trend of recovery since November last year means sales volumes are now at low rather than record low levels.”
During March detached house sales increased by 16.3% in New South Wales, 7.3% in Victoria, 3.2% in Queensland, and 5.7% in South Australia.
Detached house sales fell by 5.6% in Western Australia following three consecutive rises.
Dale used the results to call for economic reform by the federal government to boost new housing supply.
</body></html>

New home sales increase in March after a drop in February

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Alistair Walsh

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