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 A million lopped off the asking price, years on the market – vendors just can't seem to shift these homes.
These are the 10 most heavily discounted homes in the country, according to <a href="https://www.sqmresearch.com.au/" target="_blank">SQM Research</a>.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-ranelagh-113279035" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">2 Louisa Street, Ranelagh, Tasmania</a>
 <img src="/images/2014/12/04/discounted%20list.jpg" alt="">
Buyers aren't biting, despite Clifton's historic heritage. The circa 1865 home on a corner plot has been on the market for 615 days, and in that time its asking price has halved. Originally listed at $2 million, vendors are now seeking offers at $995,000.
Before a series of transactions from 2000, the property was passed down through a single family.
The property, with a 25 bed main residence and two separate cottages, was once used as a farming enterprise, and at other times as a bed and breakfast.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi+rural-qld-rochedale-114981059" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">948 Priestdale Street, Rochedale, Queensland</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/04/2.jpg" alt="">
One of many rural or regional properties on the top 10 list, this 4.99 hectare property has also had a million dollar price chop. Its initial price guidance was $2.8 million, and it is now listed at $1.65 million (a 41% drop).
The 20 paddock property has been on the market for 412 days. It has multiple sheds and barns, and a three bedroom main house.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-wattle+grove-116035107" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">78 Walters Road, Wattle Grove, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/11/26/1.jpg" alt="">
This Wattle Grove property was until this week the most discounted home in Australia, with its asking price down 40% from $1.15 million to $685,000. It's been on the market for 285 days. T
he property has 10 acres, set over two titles. It holds a three bedroom, two bathroom house and a separate two bedroom cottage.
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/property/for-sale/rural/nsw/leppington/?adid=2011255071" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">61 Woolgen Park Road, Leppington, New South Wales</a>
<img src="/images/2014/11/26/2.jpg" alt=""> 
A 5.24 acre block running parallel to Camden Valley Why has been discounted by 39%. Around five months ago, it was listed for $1.55 million. Now, the vendors are asking for $950,000. Its currently rented for $300 per week by a horse owner.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-wa-carabooda-200627671" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">292 Carabooda Road, Carabooda, Western Australia</a>
<img src="/images/2014/10/1/1.jpg" alt="">
Taking out the joint title for most heavily discounted home in Western Australia is a 7.1 hectare farm. The property's asking price has dropped from $1.65 million to $1,032,000 – a 37% drop.
The property has a three bedroom cottage, a double garage and water supplied by an on-property bore. It's been listed for 467 days.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/28a-malsbury-street-bicton/Property-Details-buy-residential-7962768" target="_blank"></a>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/28a-malsbury-street-bicton/Property-Details-buy-residential-7962768" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">28a Malsbury Street, Bicton, Western Australia</a> 
<img src="/images/2014/11/26/image3.jpg" alt="">
This two bedroom, one strata unit has also had a 37% price cut. The house has been on the market for a little over a year. At first, it was listed at $1.5 million. Now, vendors are asking for $950,000.
The vacant property is currently listed for rent at $480 per week. If tenanted and sold at its current advertised price, it would return a 2.6% yield.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-battery+point-108230936" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">1/23 Albuera Street, Battery Point, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/07/09/6.jpg" alt="">
This schoolhouse conversion apartment is on the market for $1.4 million, down 36% from its initial listing price of $2.2 million. The luxury ground floor apartment has three double bedrooms, polished timber floors and pressed metal ceilings.
It's been on the market for more than three years.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/2-wellington-street-richmond/Property-Details-buy-residential-6093682" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">2 Wellington Street, Richmond, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/07/09/2.jpg" alt="">
Another historic Tasmanian estate, Mill House, can't seem to attract buyers. Originally given a $2.8 million price guide, it's now on the market for $1.8 million.
The estate, with a four bedroom, four bathroom main house and a self contained cottage, has been listed for 428 days. The vendors will consider selling the adjoining plot.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-carabooda-114289451" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-nine.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">219 Bernard Road North, Carabooda, Western Australia</a>
<img src="/images/2014/10/1/2.jpg" alt="">
The rural property at 219 Bernard Road North shares a selling agent with 292 Carabooda Road and, unfortunately, the same difficulty finding a buyer. It's on the market for $2,727,000 after it was listed for $3.5 million.
The 15 hectare farm set over two lots has been on the market for 467 days. It includes a brick and tile home and farm sheds on one plot, and a "home in disrepair" on another.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-strathalbyn-107584093" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-ten.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">21 Cotton Court, Strathalbyn, South Australia</a> 
<img src="/images/2014/04/30/strathalbyn.jpg">
This discount-list veteran has been on the market for 1,204 days – just over three years and three months. The Strathalbyn home was first put on the market with a $498,000 price guide. Now, it's listed at $325,000.
The owners purchased the three bedroom, one bathroom c1900 house on 1,229 square metres for $118,000 in 1955.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Prices slashed: The 10 biggest property discounts in Australia

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Queensland real estates no longer have to disclose their commissions, as of Monday.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/neiljenman/status/539677619445182465" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/12/03/tweet-dec-3-one.jpg" alt=""></a>
The changes deregulating agent fees have been largely eclipsed by the other big change in Queensland real estate legislation – the <a href="/news/qld/price-guide-ban-now-in-place-for-queensland-auctions">ban of auction price guides</a>.
While the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, who helped push through the changes, acknowledge some real estate agents will probably increase their charges, consumer advocate <a href="https://twitter.com/neiljenman" target="_blank">Neil Jenman</a> urges Queenslanders to question their agents' fees.
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Tweet of the day: Neil Jenman on Queensland real estate deregulation

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Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, chief executive and managing director of ASX listed developer Mirvac, took out the Private &amp; Corporate Award at the Telstra Australian Business Women's Awards.
But she wasn't the only housing sector boss to win at the awards. The other was Andrea Galloway, the chief executive of Evolve Housing, a community housing provider which has provided accommodation for 9,500 people who have experienced homelessness or housing stress.
Galloway received a joint award for Business Innovation. The award recognized Evolve Housing's "Journey Home" program, which supports the progression from social housing to supported home ownership via affordable housing and private rentals.
The program aims to help provide stability for communities, improving health and employment outcomes through the provision of secure housing.
"In leading a community housing provider and operating within a sector of uncertainty, one of my key roles is to constantly seek to elevate the needs and issues around homelessness and housing stress and the obstacles faced by not-for-profits in addressing these needs," said Galloway.
In her acceptance speech, she noted that over 105,000 Australians, including 16,000 children do not have a home.
"I passionately believe that everyone has a right to a home," she said.
She told the audience at the awards she had left home at the age of 16 due to personal circumstances and raised the systemic failures contributing to homelessness.
"The current system does not do enough to change the lives of people it does serve. We need an innovative system that provides people with a safety net when they need it.
"We need to give them a pathway to independence in cases where that is a realistic goal.
"This cannot be delivered by government alone, and requires strong partnerships to deliver outcomes around housing affordability, across the entire spectrum, whether it's relating to disability, social, affordable, or even shared equity arrangements."
Lloyd-Hurwitz has been the chief executive of Mirvac, where she is spearheading a growth strategy, since 2012. This year, Mirvac expects to release 2,700 apartments onto the market.
In her acceptance speech, Lloyd-Hurwitz likened careers to spiders' webs, rather than ladders: "Everybody here's got a different journey. You can go up it, round it, through it – down and up again. And there's plenty of room from others on the spider web, as opposed to the ladder."
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Two very different housing chiefs win at 2014 Telstra Australian Business Women's Awards

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NAME: Robert da Silva<img src="/images/2014/12/03/Robert-da-Silva-profile.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
POSITION: Head of research, fixed income and alternatives
COMPANY: SQM Research
OFFICE LOCATION: Level 1, 9 Castlereagh Street Sydney
<ul>
<li>How long have you been in the industry?</li>
</ul>
I have been in the funds management industry since 1984, so 30 years.
<ul>
<li>What's happening in the area you specialise in?</li>
</ul>
Fixed income is my current focus - the challenge in that area for funds is how to protect the downside from interest rate rises (when they eventually come) and maintaining income distributions at reasonable levels in a low interest rate environment.
<ul>
<li>Describe the most interesting commercial property you have worked on?</li>
</ul>
I haven't had a direct involvement in commercial property.
<ul>
<li>What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?</li>
</ul>
Extensive knowledge of the markets, keeping up to date on economic and market developments, attention to detail, an ability to communicate well and interact with clients/ fund managers.
<ul>
<li>What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?</li>
</ul>
Meeting and interacting with the best fund managers in the business, across a wide range of markets, asset classes and investment styles.
<ul>
<li>Where would you invest a spare $750,000?</li>
</ul>
Mainly in defensive assets, cash, absolute return fixed income, defensive alternatives that have some downside mitigation and a smattering of the riskier elements small cap stocks and emerging markets equities. Would keep an eye on commodities as well.
<ul>
<li>Which football team do you support?</li>
</ul>
South Sydney Rabbitohs
<ul>
<li>What's your favourite app or techno gadget?</li>
</ul>
The usual suspects from Apple - iPhone, iPad, iPod.
<ul>
<li>How do you use social media?</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/rob-da-silva/21/598/149" target="_blank">LinkedIn </a>for professional reasons, outside of that not really much of a user (yet).
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In profile: SQM Research's head of research, fixed income and alternatives, Robert da Silva

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The Lubelso range of homes are architecturally designed turnkey projects, fully built and fit out by Canny Group.
This year, the group has delivered the first home in the <a href="https://www.lubelso.com.au/" target="_blank">Lubelso</a> range for under $1 million, Lubelso Hawthorn. The home is based on the Malvern Lubelso home, which in 2013 was named the HIA Australian Project Home of the Year.
Property Observer visited the Lubelso Hawthorn concept home to speak to Canny Group managing director Damian Canny, design practice manager Michael Stelluto and interior designer Miffy English.
{qtube vid:=5I_zeCWJWIo}
Canny Group deliver the fully finished home – all the way down to the clothes line, intercom, integrated fridge and alarm systems – for $990,000.
The contemporary home has an expansive open plan living and dining area, a home office and powder room downstairs, with the master bedroom and smaller bedrooms on the upper level. With a neutral Scandinavian-inspired palette, the house doesn't impose a particular strong interior aesthetic on the client – important for pre-designed homes intended for a range of buyers.
The home's family-friendly appeal is evident in the details, like its arrival area, full height cabinetry and clean finishes.
According to Canny, the Group introduced the product to this year to meet demand amid low interest rates and strong activity in the housing market.
"In 2012 we identified a market gap for architecturally designed luxury homes in the sub-$1m bracket, so we refined our existing award-winning home model in Malvern to produce a home with the same exterior look, smart design and luxurious elements, to fit a slightly smaller standard block," said Canny.
The house now fits on a 13.5 metre wide block. Canny also offers pre-designed extensions and integrated pools for an additional cost.
The fully integrated pre-designed Lubelso product may suit those those who don't have the time or resources to manage a custom architectural design and construction process.
"For many people it can be a daunting process to contemplate a full design and build. There will always be a market for individual custom designed homes, but pre-designed homes that offer this same quality but with improved value and delivery timeframes are becoming an attractive alternative option – Lubelso makes this process easy," Canny said.
This year, Canny Group launched its in-house architecture practice, Canny Architecture, led by Stelluto. He said the move expanded the construction and development company's existing design services.
"Establishing a formal, registered architecture practice within the business takes this to the next level and strengthens our commitment to a fully integrated offering," said Stelluto.
According to Canny Group, having an internal architecture practice allows the Group to deliver projects within shorter time frames, tighter budgets and greater certainty for the client.
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Video: Property Observer visits Canny's Lubelso Hawthorn home

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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has once again held the overnight cash rate at 2.50%.
The decision to keep the cash rate at its record low was widely anticipated by financial and property experts. The overnight cash rate last changed in August 2013, when it was lowered 25 basis points from 2.75% to 2.50%.
ME Bank general manager, Markets, John Caelli predicted rates would stay unchanged this month.
"We expect the Reserve Bank will hold the cash rate on Tuesday, 2 December 2014," Caelli said before this afternoon's announcement.
"The RBA is unconcerned about inflation, and both unemployment and the dollar remains high.
"The next cash rate change will likely be upwards and occur in the second quarter of 2015," he said.
Michelle Hutchison, head of public relations and Money Expert at comparison website Finder.com.au said the decision comes as no surprise, "as all 37 leading experts in the finder.com.au Reserve Bank Survey were forecasting the cash rate would hold at 2.50%".
The Finder survey's respondents largely predicted interest rates will rise next year.
"The property market is expected to continue rising though 2015, while most of the 37 experts on the panel (64%) are expecting the same number of first home buyers to hit the market. This is concerning because it's the lowest level of first home buyers we've ever seen. 
"In fact, the latest Housing Finance figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) analysed by finder.com.au shows that the proportion of first home buyers hit a new low of 11.98% out of all home loans financed in September 2014. There were 6,339 first home buyer loans financed in September – 1,760 fewer loans financed compared to September 2011 when the cash rate was 4.75% and before it began to fall (from November 2011)," said Hutchison.
According to LJ Hooker chief executive Grant Harrod, the historically low rates mean the property market may keep active over the traditionally slow holiday period.
"It's not only good news for the retail sector before the Christmas spending rush, but will also be welcomed by those who are considering purchasing next year,'' said Harrod.
"Many home owners will be making a New Year's resolution to list their property for sale while it still remains in favour of the sellers, and today's decision will add to their confidence."
This year, LJ Hooker recorded a 11.2% increase in spring home appraisals from spring last year.
"There has been a lot of speculation about when rates will rise and as a result we expect many home owners who have been sitting back watching the market are likely to act in the early part of 2015,'' said Harrod.
"They will want to make the most of this period of stability before it potentially becomes a buyers' market.''
LJ Hooker National Research manager Mathew Tiller said consistent low rates have lead to increases in sales.
"It should be a pretty solid summer and New Year period for the property market with a lot more stock on the market,'' Tiller said. The agency has several auctions scheduled for the weekend prior to Christmas.
"Real estate is as popular as ever so we are expecting to see large numbers at open inspections over the coming months.''
Of today's rate decision, CoreLogic RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher said: "With home value growth continuing to moderate in November and dwelling and work approvals recently slipping, there may be some concern that the housing market alone is not providing enough economic stimulus as the mining and resources investment activity subsides and commodity prices fall. Nevertheless, the RBA has again kept official interest rates on hold this month."
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Reserve Bank announce no rate change for December

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A waterfront Putney house topped last week's sales, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
The four bedroom, three bathroom full brick home with a saltwater pool sold for $4.25 million.
It was one of five New South Wales homes to make this week's top 10 list, which included one West Australian home, one Queensland house and three Victorians.
The top 10 sales for the week ending Sunday 30 November 2014
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-putney-118531819" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">34 McGowan Street, Putney, NSW</a>
 {qtube vid:=zVxWH1XvWdo}
The Putney house sold through McGrath Estate Agents. It has an absolute waterfront position, situated on a long 1,131 square metre plot running from McGowan Street to Morrison Bay.
The house includes split level living spaces, a games room and a wet bar which opens onto the outdoor pool area at the home's rear. Each of the four bedrooms has its own balcony and water views.
The vendors paid $2.55 million for the home in 2006.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/74-johnston-street-mosman-park/Property-Details-buy-residential-7851170" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">74 Johnston Street, Mosman Park, WA</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/02/2.jpg" alt=""> 
The only West Australian home to make it to this week's top 10 sales list was Norris Ville in Mosman park. Sold through Shellabear's Cottesloe, the house secured $4 million at auction.
The same family has owned the 1,043 square metre plot Norris Ville sits on since the 1800s, when it was part of a dairy farm. A home was built on the north-facing site, two houses from the banks of the Swan River, in 1953.
The house has four bedrooms and one bathroom.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/properties/360131" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">5 Regatta Way, Cabarita, NSW</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/02/3.jpg" alt=""> 
This four bedroom, two bathroom home sold for $3.8 million through Raine &amp; Horne Montano.
Part of the Edgewood on Cabarita Shores complex, the north east facing home is situated on the waterfront. Residents have access to the complex's pool and gymnasium. There are Italian marble floors throughout the living and dining areas.
The sellers purchased the house for $2.13 million in 2010.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/birdwood-avenue-brighton/Property-Details-sold-residential-7801900" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">20 Birdwood Avenue, Brighton, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/02/brighton-dec-2-one.jpg" alt="">
A modest brick home – on an 811 square metre north facing plot – sold for $3.2 million through Nick Johnstone Real Estate Brighton.
According to the listing information, the site is "ideal land to build a luxury home or two townhouses". The house currently returns $52,000 a year, reflecting a yield of 1.6%.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-118379075" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">44 Woolwich Road, Hunters Hill, NSW</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/02/5.jpg" alt="">
This 1930s home sold for $3.15 million through Ward Partners Hunters Hill.
The four bedroom, three bathroom house on 999 square metres has rear views of Lane Cove River. It includes a formal sitting room with a bay window seat, a formal dining room, and a sunroom with French windows. There is also a home office and an under-house cellar.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bellevue+hill-118320891" target="_blank"></a>
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<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bellevue+hill-118320891" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">10a Latimer Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/02/6.jpg" alt="">
A three bedroom house secured $3.08 million through BradfieldCleary Double Bay last week. The deceased estate sale was the first time the home had been sold in 34 years.
The 708 square metre site has a rear north easterly aspect.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/black-street-brighton/Property-Details-sold-residential-7891100" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">68 Black Street, Brighton, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/02/7.jpg" alt="">
The second Brighton house to make this week's top 10 sold for $2.96 million through Nick Johnstone Real Estate Brighton.
The five bedroom, two bathroom house has a "French inspired" design, with timber parquetry, front facing balconies and a foyer. On the lower level, there are both formal and informal open plan living and dining spaces, while the five bedrooms sit upstairs.
The owners purchased the property 10 years ago, for $1.68 million.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-118323439" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">15 Madeline Street, Hunters Hill, NSW</a>
 <img src="/images/2014/12/02/8.jpg" alt="">
Buyers paid $2.96 million for this renovated Hunters Hill Cottage, sold through BresicWhitney Hunters Hill.
The sandstone cottage on 711 square metres has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The open plan living and dining area open through concertina doors to the outdoor dining area.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/21-katoomba-avenue-hawthorne/Property-Details-buy-residential-7849682" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-nine.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">21 Katoomba Avenue, Hawthorne, Qld</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/02/9.jpg" alt="">
This six bedroom, six bathroom Hawthorne house sold for $2.93 million last week. Ray White East Brisbane took the curious step of advising buyers that "over committed vendors must liquidate their stunning home" ahead of its Saturday auction.
The 717 square metre house on a 1,215 square metre plot has multiple internal living spaces, including a home theatre, open plan living and dining area, a library and a sitting room with a wet bar. Outside, there is a 96 square metre living area with a fireplace and outdoor kitchen.
The home's "over committed vendors" paid $1.2 million for the property seven years ago.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-hawthorn-118040143" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-ten.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">15a Hawthorn Glen, Hawthorn, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/02/10.jpg" alt=""> A four bedroom house secured $2,855,000 through Bekdon Richards Hawthorn.
The double storey home sits off Glenferrie road, on Hawthorn's Scotch Hill, near Scotch College.
On the top level, there are four bedrooms, including the master bedroom with walk in robe and spa en suite. There is a "grand entrance hall" downstairs, along with formal and informal living and dining areas. The house also contains a five car garage and workshop, a gymnasium and a music studio or cellar.
The sellers paid $2.3 million for the home three years ago.
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Putney waterfront heads CoreLogic RP Data's top 10 sales of the week

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Sydney once again outpaced its fellow capital cities, with the highest dwelling price growth for November, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
The New South Wales capital recorded 1% price growth for the month, with a median home price of $705,000 (based on sales settled over the quarter). Overall, capital city home values decreased by <a href="/expert-insights/buying/capital-city-prices-dip-in-november-as-growth-slows">0.3% in November</a>.
Melbourne saw the biggest drop in values over November, with homes prices down 2.6% to a median of $568,500. It seems as though<a href="/expert-insights/buying/sydney-apartments-the-weaker-link-for-late-2014-price-growth-corelogic-rp-data"> Sydney apartments were the weak link for late 2014 price growth</a>.
The November 2014 capital city results – houses:
<ol>
<li>
Sydney Monthly capital growth: 1.1% Year-on-year capital growth: 14.3% Median price: $825,000 
</li>
<li>
Perth Monthly capital growth: 0.9% Year-on-year capital growth: 1.5% Median price: $530,000 
</li>
<li>
Hobart Monthly capital growth: 0.4% Year-on-year capital growth: 5.9% Median price: $335,500 
</li>
<li>
Brisbane Monthly capital growth: 0.3% Year-on-year capital growth: 6.2% Median price: $475,000 
</li>
<li>
Adelaide Monthly capital growth: 0.0% Year-on-year capital growth: 6.6% Median price: $487,500 
</li>
<li>
Canberra Monthly capital growth -0.3% Year-on-year capital growth: -3.4% Median price: $560,500 
</li>
<li>
Darwin Monthly capital growth: -1.5% Year-on-year capital growth: 2.0% Median price: $564,500 
</li>
<li>
Melbourne Monthly capital growth: -2.8% Year-on-year capital growth: 9.0% Median price: $633,000</li>
</ol>
This article continues on the next page. To see the November results for capital city units, click below.
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The November 2014 capital city results – units:
<ol>
<li>
Darwin Monthly capital growth: 2.7% Year-on-year capital growth: -1.3% Median price: $530,000 
</li>
<li>
Brisbane Monthly capital growth: 1.3% Year-on-year capital growth: 4.4% Median price: $380,000 
</li>
<li>
Sydney Monthly capital growth: 0.8% Year-on-year capital growth: 8.7% Median price: $605,000 
</li>
<li>
Perth Monthly capital growth: 0.6% Year-on-year capital growth: 1.3% Median price: $445,000 
</li>
<li>
Melbourne Monthly capital growth: -1.5% Year-on-year capital growth: 3.1% Median price: $475,000 
</li>
<li>
Hobart Monthly capital growth: -2.1% Year-on-year capital growth: -2.1% Median price: $247,000 
</li>
<li>
Adelaide Monthly capital growth: -3.0% Year-on-year capital growth: 1.0% Median price: $336,800 
</li>
<li>
Canberra Monthly capital growth: -2.4% Year-on-year capital growth: -0.6% Median price: $410,800</li>
</ol>
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The monthly capital price growth figures: CoreLogic RP Data

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According to CoreLogic RP Data's November figures, home price growth is slowing.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/cmkusher/status/539223795421421568" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/12/01/tweet-dec-1-one.jpg" alt=""></a>
Australian capital price growth was 8.5% higher in last month than in November 2013. While CoreLogic RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher deemed the year on year growth "healthy", he also noted it was down from the previous peak of 10.5%, recorded in April this year.
Given household annual household income growth has also slowed this year, Kusher is unsurprised at the result.
 
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Tweet of the day: Slowing price growth linked to disposable incomes?

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Police have warned would-be renters in the Lake Macquarie area of scammers copying genuine rental advertisements.
After finding rental listings on legitimate sites, the scammers reportedly copy the information and post it to a community and classifieds site.
Interested renters make contact, but are then told they must pay rent up-front before getting access to the property. The scammers cease contact as soon as the money is handed over.
According to NSW Police, there are a few common warning signs for this type of fraud.
They include landlords who mention money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram or claims the landlord is uncontactable or lives overseas. Scammers may also claim the renters aren't allowed to visit the property before delivering the money, or put the renter under a lot of pressure to pay the money.
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Scam alert: Lake Macquarie renters warned

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Jessie Richardson

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