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Stephen Alun Ball, a director of BSB Metro Pty Ltd, has been convicted of fraud over the falsification of a home warranty insurance (HWI) certificate. Last month he was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment to be served by way of Intensive Correction Order.
His brother and co-director Bryan Ball was convicted of operating without a licence and fined $3,000 with a total penalty of $7,348.
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said Stephen Ball stood to secure a financial advantage of more than to $570,000 for his business by falsifying a HWI certificate.
At the time of the offence, companies were required to supply HWI for all contracts exceeding $12,000. This threshold has since been raised to $20,000.
“Companies failing to provide proper insurance continue to expose home owners to significant potential consumer detriment,” the Commissioner said.
The court heard that in July 2010, a couple signed a contract with BSB Metro Pty Ltd to complete renovation works on their Illawong home to the value of $574,000. 
In August 2010, Stephen Ball falsified a HWI certificate after the company’s eligibility lapsed.
On 17 May 2011, the company’s building licence lapsed and was not renewed. The company continued renovating the home without a licence until November 2011. Heedlessly, Bryan Ball, the nominated supervisor, let the company continue work on the home.
In 2012 the couple claimed on what they believed was a genuine HWI policy. They were subsequently told there was in fact no record of a policy for works completed on their home.
In court Bryan Ball alleged it was his brother who took care of the administrative side of the business. He pled not guilty to the charge of completing unlicensed building work. The court did not accept this defence.
Mr Stowe said despite Fair Trading advising the company in May 2011 of the need to renew its licence, Stephen and Bryan Ball continued their unlicensed operations.
“This verdict serves as a reminder to all directors they have a duty to ensure the company’s contractor licence remains current,” he said.
“The case against Bryan Ball is an excellent example of the excuse of ‘relying on a co-director’ not being accepted by the court.”
The homeowner said the work of the NSW Fair Trading investigator was crucial to achieving the results against Stephen Ball and Bryan Ball.
Mr Stowe encouraged the public to check trade licences at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.
Consumers can check if a builder has given them a valid certificate of insurance by checking the certificate register at <a href="https://www.hbcf.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank">www.hbcf.nsw.gov.au</a>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Ball brothers caught in NSW Fair Trading home warranty insurance crackdown

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It was almost six months ago that a WA mining town home auction shocked the nation.
The ABC reported on a Port Hedland February auction where the fibro cottage was passed in at auction for $360,000 unsold.
Its highest offer reflecting 2006 price levels.
Immediately after the auction came its declared $600,000 asking price, then $590,000 in March.
It had last traded four years ago for $1.3 million, and before that at $870,000 in 2009 and at $350,000 nine years ago in 2006. 
This month it had yet another asking price reduction - down from $470,000 to<a href="https://www.janfordrealestate.com.au/1928630/" target="_blank"> $435,000</a>. 
The three bedroom, one bathroom 1960s house sits in the heart of the Western Australian mining town. It is within the business and commercial district, opposite developments and not far from the boat ramp, Marapikarrinya Park, and fishing wharf.
<img src="/images/2015/06/17/700_headland.jpg" alt="" style="line-height: 1.3em;">
Real estate agent Barry Walsh at Jan Ford Real Estate told the ABC the top February bid was a sign the mining boom's construction phase had tapered off.
Negotiations continue for the sale of the cottage with 145 square space on its 600 square metre block.
It was initially listed for private treaty sale in June 2013 at $1.42 million.
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Port Hedland asking prices fall further

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Century 21 Armstrong-Smith secured the recent sale of 11/27 Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay at auction. 
The vendors purchased the property for $615,000 three years ago as a shell and completely renovated to make it <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/11-27-billyard-avenue-elizabeth-bay/Property-Details-buy-residential-8947954" target="_blank">a 75 square metre two bedroom plus study apartment</a>. It is in a 1930s block of 11 apartments.
They had over 240 people inspect the property during the campaign with about 20 contracts issued to potential buyers.
Around 12 registered to bid at the auction. 
The bidding opened at $900,000 and the reserve of $980,000 was soon surpassed with a $1.3 million selling price.
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Elizabeth Bay price doubles after renovation

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Whose super did better than everyone else’s?
There was an average super return of 9.8% for the 2014-15 financial year, as calculated by Chant West.
They ranked the top-performing fund as Queensland’s public sector scheme QSuper, the second-biggest super fund in the country.
It returned 12.3% for its members.
Second placed was MTAA Super, the industry fund for the motor trades returning 11.7% for its members.
While most super funds took a beating in the GFC, Chant West director Warren Chant said the damage has been more than repaired.
“Since the GFC low point at the end of February 2009, growth funds have now delivered an impressive 88 per cent, putting them 37% above their pre-GFC high of October 2007,” he told TheNew Daily.
The full list of the top 10 is below, made up overwhelmingly of industry funds, with just one public sector fund and two retail funds making the list.
Overall, not-for-profit funds – which include industry, public sector and corporate funds (such as Telstra or Qantas) – returned on average 10.2%.
Retail funds, which are generally owned by banks on a for-profit basis, returned 9.6% on average.
The top 10 super funds for 2014/15
1. QSuper – 12.3%
2. MTAA – 11.7%
3. Statewide Super – 11.5%
4. AMP Future Directions – 11.5%
5. VicSuper – 11.1%
6. UniSuper – 11%
7. HOSTPLUS – 11%
8. Intrust Super – 10.9%
9. MLC Horizon – 10.9%
10. AustralianSuper – 10.9%
 
The top 10 super funds 2005-2015
1. REST Industry Super – 7.7%
2. Telstra Super – 7.6%
3. Commonwealth Bank Group Super – 7.4%
4. CareSuper – 7.4%
5. AustralianSuper – 7.3%
6. Catholic Super – 7.2%
7. Cbus – 7.2%
8. QSuper – 7.2%
9. UniSuper – 7.2%
10. HOSTPLUS – 7.1%
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CBUS sits in 7th place on past decade top 10 super funds

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CoreLogic RP Data's most recent quarterly Pain &amp; Gain report - which provides a comprehensive list of where profits from properties were made over the March 2015 quarter - noted that 30.7% of all homes resold for more than double their previous purchase price.
Across those homes which sold at a profit, the total value of this profit was recorded at $13.8 billion with the average gross profit recorded at $230,633.
Although the proportion of loss-making resales rose, the figure has been fairly steady over the past 12 months with the total value of the loss-making resales over the quarter recorded at $417 million, with an average loss of $69,468. 
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Average $230,633 profit for March quarter sales: CoreLogic RP Data

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The ANZ Asian analyst Martin Whetton does not believe the pricking of the sharemarket bubble in China will seriously affect Chinese buying of Australian apartments and dwellings when asked by Business Spectator's Robert Gottliebsen. 
RG: Do you think that the Asian investors and the Chinese investors will keep pumping money in to our apartments?
MW: Well yeah, probably they will. I guess, if you look at the perspective of the size of how much money there is in China and, as I said before, about 20 per cent of the household wealth is tied up in property and equities. If more of the household wealth was tied up in property outside of the country, if they were to say we don’t want to own Chinese property anymore, we don’t want to own Chinese equities, and they had that liquidity themselves, I guess a relatively liquid asset like Australian property would be something that is still appealing to them. It’s still a market that’s going up for them at the moment and with the size of the Chinese population, I think there probably still would be some encouragement for that to happen.
At the same time, I guess you could argue if they ran out of money, which I don’t think is a hugely strong argument at this point, but if they were to run out of money, then there would be a slowing down of the natural number of people coming in from China to buy in the property market. I think the pace of that would slow naturally anyway, not through any discouragement from the state governments, at least on the east coast, who are swimming in the revenues of property turnover, but probably for the moment I would say you’re still going to get some buoyancy from China.
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ANZ's Martin Whetton sees no halt by China in Australian property acquisitions

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The REIV report the median number of days on market increased in June to 36 days from a revised 34 days in the previous month.
<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Days%20on%20Market/DOM%20June%202015%20image.ashx" target="_blank"></a>
<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Days%20on%20Market/DOM%20June%202015%20image.ashx" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Days%20on%20Market/DOM%20June%202015%20image.ashx" target="_blank"> </a>
 <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Days%20on%20Market/DOM%20June%202015%20image.ashx"><img src="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Days%20on%20Market/DOM%20June%202015%20image.ashx?h=354&amp;w=600&amp;as=1" alt="" width="600" height="354"></a>
 
Source <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Days-on-Market" target="_blank">REIV</a>
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Slower residential private treaty sales as Melbourne endures winter months

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GUEST OBSERVER
Not since 1998 have banks charged a higher rate for investment property loan as compared to owner-occupiers. You may have seen the news that ANZ have decided to slug heaps of their mortgage clients. Independent of any RBA movement, they are increasing the standard variable rate by 0.27% for investment home loans.
Unfortunately, CBA today announced the same thing. The interest rate for existing variable investment CBA home loans will rise by 0.27% from August 10th. 
The stance of iChoice is that these tactics are opportunistic, and ANZ &amp; CBA clients should think again. 
The APRA directive is for investment lending growth to be limited by 10%. So the unpublished interest rate discounts offered to us high-end brokers will be stronger for those taking a loan against their home. We have accepted this, in fact since some banks are much more flexible than others (some not discounting at all) the importance of a knowledgeable broker is becoming more apparent.
So why are ANZ &amp; CBA slugging EXISTING clients, if the APRA directive related only to growth? These questions should be asked. The beauty of some banks is that their home loans, whether for a home or an investment, is actually the same product, so they wont have the ability to pinpoint the investors to discriminately slug them. maybe check your statement and see if the name of your product includes the word ’investment’.
So will this intervention in market forces negatively affect the run of the property market? Will cashed-up foreigners be laughing as local investors get further priced out? What we do know immediately, is that CBA clients with an Investment Home Loan will be fuming as they watch the news tonight, like ANZ customers were last night!
iChoice will be emailing our client base with facilities at ANZ and CBA this weekend with our recommendation for next steps.
Off-the plan buyers know that some banks lend against the valuation at completion (not the LOWER of purchase price and valuation like the nasty banks). I say this because I have heard of many people getting slugged with thousands of dollars of LMI because they just don’t know (do they know that us mortgage advisors are free??). 
Also, Westpac for a limited time are lending 85% with no LMI, for purchases OR refinances but applications must be in by the end of August.
As usual, Citibank have an 85% no-LMI as their standard, and great fixed rates too.
As an acclaimed Flame broker, I can often lend 90% with no LMI to doctors, pharmacists, dentists, vets, accountants, barristers and solicitors.
Jason Khoury is principal, iChoice Mortgage Brokers and can be contacted <a href="mailto:jason=ichoice.com.au@mercurymail.connective.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>. 
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ANZ and CBA slug their property investor customers: Jason Khoury

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There were 78 suburbs in Melbourne that had a median house price in excess of a million dollars in June quarter 2015. Of these, 38 suburbs had more than 30 sales in the quarter, according to the REIV.
There were 10 new entrants to this list over the quarter: Heidelberg, Bulleen, Ashwood, Donvale, Doncaster East, Abbotsford, Vermont South, Hughesdale, Templestowe Lower and Blackburn North. 
Another seven suburbs - Portsea, Eaglemont, Caulfield, Murrumbeena, Fairfield, Strathmore and Warrandyte - returned to the list in the three months to June 30.
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<table dir="ltr" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Suburb"]'>Suburb</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jun-15 Median"]'>Jun-15 Median</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TOORAK"]'>TOORAK</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3400000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$3,400,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MIDDLE PARK*"]'>MIDDLE PARK*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2840000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$2,840,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CANTERBURY"]'>CANTERBURY</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2499000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$2,499,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MALVERN"]'>MALVERN</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2345000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$2,345,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CAMBERWELL"]'>CAMBERWELL</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2114000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$2,114,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BALWYN"]'>BALWYN</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2105888]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$2,105,888</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ARMADALE*"]'>ARMADALE*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2053500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$2,053,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HAWTHORN EAST"]'>HAWTHORN EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2040000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$2,040,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BALWYN NORTH"]'>BALWYN NORTH</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2000000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$2,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HAWTHORN"]'>HAWTHORN</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1932500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,932,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CAULFIELD NORTH*"]'>CAULFIELD NORTH*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1927500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,927,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MONT ALBERT*"]'>MONT ALBERT*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1877000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,877,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PORTSEA*"]'>PORTSEA*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1862500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,862,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"KEW"]'>KEW</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1860000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,860,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BRIGHTON"]'>BRIGHTON</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1860000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,860,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"GLEN IRIS"]'>GLEN IRIS</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1842500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,842,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SURREY HILLS"]'>SURREY HILLS</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1800000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"EAGLEMONT*"]'>EAGLEMONT*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1765000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,765,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"KEW EAST*"]'>KEW EAST*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1749500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,749,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ALBERT PARK*"]'>ALBERT PARK*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1710000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,710,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SOUTH YARRA"]'>SOUTH YARRA</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1662500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,662,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BRIGHTON EAST"]'>BRIGHTON EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1600888]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,600,888</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MALVERN EAST"]'>MALVERN EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1599000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,599,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HAMPTON"]'>HAMPTON</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1580000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,580,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ELWOOD*"]'>ELWOOD*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1550000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,550,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CAULFIELD*"]'>CAULFIELD*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1536500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,536,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BOX HILL*"]'>BOX HILL*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1535000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,535,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ELSTERNWICK*"]'>ELSTERNWICK*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1530000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,530,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MCKINNON*"]'>MCKINNON*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1529000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,529,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"IVANHOE EAST*"]'>IVANHOE EAST*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1525000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,525,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ASHBURTON*"]'>ASHBURTON*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1525000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,525,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MONT ALBERT NORTH*"]'>MONT ALBERT NORTH*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1470000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,470,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PORT MELBOURNE"]'>PORT MELBOURNE</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1445000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,445,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BEAUMARIS"]'>BEAUMARIS</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1440000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,440,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SANDRINGHAM*"]'>SANDRINGHAM*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1430000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,430,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BLACK ROCK*"]'>BLACK ROCK*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1387500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,387,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MOUNT WAVERLEY"]'>MOUNT WAVERLEY</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1331500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,331,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PARK ORCHARDS*"]'>PARK ORCHARDS*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1331300]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,331,300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TEMPLESTOWE"]'>TEMPLESTOWE</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1300000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ABERFELDIE*"]'>ABERFELDIE*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1300000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FITZROY*"]'>FITZROY*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1295000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,295,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FITZROY NORTH"]'>FITZROY NORTH</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1282000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,282,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BURWOOD"]'>BURWOOD</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1271000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,271,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CAULFIELD SOUTH"]'>CAULFIELD SOUTH</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1264000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,264,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"GLEN WAVERLEY"]'>GLEN WAVERLEY</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1260000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,260,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ORMOND*"]'>ORMOND*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1258500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,258,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ESSENDON"]'>ESSENDON</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1250000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BENTLEIGH"]'>BENTLEIGH</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1250000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SOUTH MELBOURNE*"]'>SOUTH MELBOURNE*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1250000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ST KILDA*"]'>ST KILDA*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1245000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,245,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CARNEGIE*"]'>CARNEGIE*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1230000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,230,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MURRUMBEENA*"]'>MURRUMBEENA*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1221500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,221,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PRAHRAN"]'>PRAHRAN</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1216000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,216,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BLACKBURN"]'>BLACKBURN</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1215000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,215,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CARLTON*"]'>CARLTON*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1208500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,208,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ST KILDA EAST*"]'>ST KILDA EAST*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1208000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,208,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DONCASTER"]'>DONCASTER</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1185000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,185,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"IVANHOE*"]'>IVANHOE*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1175000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,175,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HEIDELBERG*"]'>HEIDELBERG*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1168000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,168,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BULLEEN"]'>BULLEEN</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1168000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,168,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BOX HILL SOUTH*"]'>BOX HILL SOUTH*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1164750]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,164,750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RICHMOND"]'>RICHMOND</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1162500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,162,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CARLTON NORTH*"]'>CARLTON NORTH*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1160000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,160,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ASHWOOD*"]'>ASHWOOD*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1157500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,157,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FAIRFIELD*"]'>FAIRFIELD*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1147000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,147,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DONVALE"]'>DONVALE</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1140000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,140,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BOX HILL NORTH"]'>BOX HILL NORTH</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1137500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,137,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DONCASTER EAST"]'>DONCASTER EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1101888]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,101,888</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WARRANDYTE*"]'>WARRANDYTE*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1100000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WILLIAMSTOWN"]'>WILLIAMSTOWN</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1076500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,076,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"STRATHMORE*"]'>STRATHMORE*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1074000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,074,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CLIFTON HILL*"]'>CLIFTON HILL*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1055000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,055,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ABBOTSFORD*"]'>ABBOTSFORD*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1043000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,043,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MOONEE PONDS"]'>MOONEE PONDS</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1030000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,030,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"VERMONT SOUTH"]'>VERMONT SOUTH</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1015000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,015,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HUGHESDALE*"]'>HUGHESDALE*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1001000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,001,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TEMPLESTOWE LOWER"]'>TEMPLESTOWE LOWER</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1000500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,000,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BLACKBURN NORTH*"]'>BLACKBURN NORTH*</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1000000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,000,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Source <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Median-Prices/Million-dollar-suburbs" target="_blank">REIV</a>
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
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Blackburn North to Toorak - Melbourne's $1 million dollar plus suburbs: REIV

<html><body>
On Thursday, 26 June, a parliamentary inquiry into housing affordability in Australia began.
In spite of a lack of housing supply in Sydney and Melbourne to keep up with demand, rental yield return for investors is going down. There is a very simple explanation for this and yet it is something the Treasury officials struggled to account for last Thursday.
Onthehouse.com.au has data on rental yields for Sydney houses and units for over 25 years – which are plotted in Graph 1. Graph 2 plots the same data category for Melbourne. Both graphs display rental yields are falling over time.
<a href="/images/2015/07/24/G1_Rental_Yields_Sydney.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/G1_Rental_Yields_Sydney.jpg" alt="">
 
<a href="/images/2015/07/24/G2_Rental_Yields_Melbourne.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/G2_Rental_Yields_Melbourne.jpg" alt=""> 
I believe it is important to clarify why rental yields are falling, so as not to be convinced that it is somehow getting cheaper to rent in Sydney and Melbourne, because it is not.
The explanation is simple: ‘rental yields’ refer to the rental income received on a property as a percentage of what a house is worth.
As a primary school student will tell you – a fraction or percentage becomes smaller if you take the same amount of something from a larger total.
If I take a 10 cm2 area of cake from a 100 cm2 squared cake, I have taken 10% of the cake. To make myself seem less fat, I tell everyone the cake was 200cm2. Suddenly, my piece becomes just 5% of the cake, even though I have still consumed a 10cm2 area of cake. Genius. 
Rents in Sydney and Melbourne are rising. In fact, rent for the median house in Sydney rose 9.54% in the year to May, which is well above the 25 year average of 4.75%. However, the value ofhouses are rising even more rapidly. This means rental yields (measured as a portion of what the house is worth) are technically falling, but the real dollar amount that landlords are receiving in rent is generally going up. 
To get an idea of how real dollar values in rents are moving compared to house values, Graph 3 presents the increase in the index over time in values and rent in Sydney houses and units from 1990.
<a href="/images/2015/07/24/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-24%20at%2011.12.02%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-24%20at%2011.12.02%20AM.png" alt="" width="795" height="604">
An index of 5.36 in Sydney houses, for example, means houses are now 5.36 times what they were worth in 1990, which is the basis data point I’ve used. Graph 4 does the same for Melbourne.
<a href="/images/2015/07/24/graph4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/graph4.jpg" alt="">
It is clear from Graphs 3 and 4 that both dwelling values and rents are moving at a higher-than-average rate. This can be seen from the slope of the Index series.  The important thing to remember about rents is that there is a lag in response to changes in the value of living in Sydney and Melbourne. This is because rents are negotiated (usually) over 6 to 12 month periods, whereas the value of houses and units change almost daily.
According to Onthehouse.com.au, the median rent for a house in Sydney is now $670 per week. While there is not a clear, consistent up-to-date measure of the median household income in Sydney from the ABS, the indexed figure from 2011 indicates that the median Sydney household income is around $1,123. This means that renting the median home in Sydney is over 50% of the median household income. Those below median earnings will struggle further with rents in Sydney.
Thinking about rental incomes in terms of rental yields is important for investors. It is an indication of how much income you could receive to cover things like mortgage repayments and property expenses. However, it is not a term which belongs in a conversation about housing affordability. Unfortunately, the Treasury does not seem to understand what rental yields are, let alone how to use them.
Eliza Owen is the market analyst for Onthehouse.com.au. She can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/eliza-owen/65/4ab/255" target="_blank">here.</a>
</body></html>

Why do rental yields go down as house values go up? Onthehouse's Eliza Owen

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

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Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

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Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

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A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

Jonathan Chancellor

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