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More Australians are now opting to live alone, pushing up demand for one-bedroom and studio apartments.
Census 2011 data shows there are now 1,888 million lone-person households, 148,000 more than there were in the 2006 census.
The census data also shows there are also 50,000 more one-bedroom apartments than there were in 2006, with numbers rising from 317,000 to 363,000.
Proportionally, one-bedroom apartments account for 4.7% of all property types, compared with 4.4% in 2006.
According to the  government’s State of Australian Cities 2011 report, demand for studio apartments and one-bedroom units looks set to increase as the proportion of people living alone continues to rise.
The proportion of lone households is forecast to grow from 24% to 28% by 2031, according to ABS estimates.
<img src="/images/stories/loners.gif">
Source: ABS
By 2031 there will be more than 3.2 million lone households in Australia, an increase of 1.4 million from the 1.9 million lone households measured in the 2006 census. 
The increase in the number of lone-person households will be highest in the largest capitals, Sydney and Melbourne, but the rate of growth will be equally as high in Perth and Brisbane. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/sydney-cbd-s-10-cheapest-studio-apartments-starting-from-%24255000/2012073155743" target="_blank">Property Observer has found the 10 cheapest studio apartments for sale in Sydney CBD, starting from $225,000.</a>
According to the 2006 census, the gender ratio (number of men to 100 women) in lone-person households was 79.4. 
The gender gap is expected to widen further to 77.4 in 2030 due to life expectancy being higher for women than men.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Demand for studio and one-bedroom units to increase as Australians go it alone

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First-home buyers in NSW thinking of buying a new home will be eagerly awaiting October 1, when up to $35,240 will be available to them in the form of government handouts.
In Victoria, first-home buyers will get an extra 10% cut from their stamp duty bill from the start of 2013.
However, first-home buyers in the Northern Territory only have until October 1 to receive up to $17,000 in territory government handouts.
Here are the key dates and details you need to know:
 
October 1 
NSW
$15,000 available under First-Home Owner Grant (New Home) scheme 
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/benefits/first_home/">new first-home owner grant scheme kicks</a> in offering $15,000 to first-home owners who purchase or build a new home valued at up to $650,000 up until December 31, 2013, reducing to $10,000 from January 1, 2014.
First-home buyers have the potential to earn up to $35,240 when combined with the existing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/benefits/first_home/first_home_new_home/">First Home—New Home</a> scheme, which provides exemptions on transfer duty on new homes valued up to $550,000 (a maximum exemption of $20,240) and concessions on transfer duty for new homes valued between $550,000 and $650,000.
From October 1, first-home owners buying an existing property will not receive any financial assistance from the state government.
For non-first-home buyers, a grant of $5,000 is currently available for new homes purchases, whether off the plan or newly built under the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/benefits/grant_scheme/">NSW New Home Grant Scheme</a>. It applies for homes up to a value of $650,000 and to buyers of vacant land that is intended to be the site of a new home valued up to $450,000.
October 1 
Tasmania
Changes to stamp duty rates and thresholds
From this date <a href="https://www.sro.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/SROWebsite.nsf/v-all/380146A04610A996CA25758B000686E0?OpenDocument&amp;menuitem=Property%20Buyers">r</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.sro.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/SROWebsite.nsf/v-all/380146A04610A996CA25758B000686E0?OpenDocument&amp;menuitem=Property%20Buyers">evised stamp duty rates and thresholds kick in</a>. The top marginal tax threshold rate on stamp duty will be increased from 4% to 4.5%, kicking in at $725,000, up from the current $225,000. The current top marginal tax rate is $6 550 plus $4 for every $100, or part, by which the dutiable value exceeds $225 000. The new top marginal tax rate is $27,810 plus $4.50 for every $100, or part, by which the dutiable value exceeds $725 000. The lowest band, where only $20 is payable remains at $1,300 but all the other bands have been widened while the duty payable rates for these bands have also changed. Middle-class Tasmanians will be hardest hit, with duty on a property valued at $375,000 almost doubling from $7,150 to $12,935.
The current and new rates can be<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sro.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/SROWebsite.nsf/v-all/380146A04610A996CA25758B000686E0?OpenDocument&amp;menuitem=Property%20Buyers"> found here</a>.
The Tasmanian government also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sro.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/SROWebsite.nsf/v-all/Property%20Transfer%20Duty%20Calculator?OpenDocument&amp;menuitem=Property%20Transfer%20Duties">provides a calculator </a>to work out how much stamp duty is payable before and after October 1.
December 31
Northern Territory
Cut-off date for $10,000 BuildBonus
This is the last day for Northern Territorians to take advantage of already twice-extended <a href="https://www.nt.gov.au/ntt/revenue/home_assist/buildbonus.shtml">$10,000 BuildBonus</a>.  The scheme provides a $10,000 grant to home buyers and investors, including companies and trustees, that sign a contract to purchase or build a new home (including signing a contract for a house-and-land package), purchase a new unit (including off the plan) or commence construction of a new home as an owner builder, between May 3, 2011 and December 31, 2012 inclusive.
The BuildBonus is not means tested but the value of a new unit or new home or the total construction cost of a new home (including the value of the land on which it is built) is capped at $600 000. The BuildBonus is available to first-home buyers, in addition to the first-home owners' grant. This means that eligible first-home buyers will receive grants of up to $17 000. In addition, buyers purchasing a new unit or land to build a new house may also be <a href="https://www.nt.gov.au/ntt/revenue/calculators.shtml" target="_blank">eligible for stamp duty home incentive schemes</a> of up to $26,730 (the duty owned on the first $540,000 value of a property) and no land tax.
January 1, 2013
Victoria
Increased stamp duty discount for first-home buyers
From the start of the new year, Victorian first-home buyers who qualify for the $7,000 first-home owner grant (FHOG) will <a href="https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/SRO/sronav.nsf/childdocs/-434C7502A60F23E4CA2575A100442158-E11C62FEDA1CD76ACA2575D60028321F-BE036AC37C8DE365CA2579F4001C7B64?open">also be eligible for a 30% reduction in their stamp duty</a> bill with the stamp duty reduction increasing from 20% to 30% for home valued up to $600,000. This is the first part of a phased increase to stamp duty discounts, which will rise to 50% with two further 10% discount increases on January 1, 2014 and September 1, 2014.  The raising of the stamp duty discounts follows the ending of the $13,000 first home bonus on June 30. For details of the stamp duty savings for first-home buyers, <a href="https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/sro/SROnav.nsf/LinkView/C88211C9E07486F0CA2578B70001025018E490D796850F8ECA2575C1008187C7">click here</a>.
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State by state government housing handouts: The new dates you need to know

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Twenty six out of the 27 economists polled by Bloomberg today expect the Reserve Bank to leave the cash rate unchanged at 3.5% at its monetary policy meeting on Tuesday (August 7).
Only Stephen ‘The Kouk’ Koukoulas – former economic advisor to Julia Gillard and soon to be Business Spectator columnist – expects the RBA to cut the cash rate to 3.25% next week.
Koukoulas heads up macroeconomic advisory firm Market Economics and his economic commentary on Business Spectator, now owned by News Limited, is highly anticipated given his leanings.
Not only is Koukoulas forecasting a rate cut next week, he is also anticipating at least two more 25 basis point rate cuts before the end of the year, taking the cash rate down to 2.75%.
A frequent tweeter using the handle @TheKouk, he acknowledged today that interest rate markets are pricing in just a 20% chance of a rate cut in August.
The median forecast among economists surveyed by Bloomberg is for just one more 25 basis point rate cut this year.
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Stephen ‘The Kouk’ Koukoulas a lonely voice as economists almost unanimous on RBA cash rate hold next week

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An almost 5% drop in residential properties listed for sale online over July, led by big monthly falls in Melbourne and Sydney, may indicate the housing market is close to entering "recovery mode", according to SQM Research.
SQM Research calculated that online residential listings fell by 4.9% in July led by falls in Melbourne (12.6%) and Sydney (8.7%) to reduce to total listings to 368,081.
This means listings are now down 2.4% when compared to 12 months ago when SQM Research recorded 377,213 residential listings as of  July 2011.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/sqm_research.jpg" width="598" height="183" alt="sqm_research">
SQM Research says that seasonally it is expected that stock will decrease during the winter periods.
However, “a decrease of this magnitude could be seen as the first signal that stock is being absorbed quicker than previous months".
“Indeed, if stock continues to decrease in the months ahead, this could be a potential indicator that the housing market is entering into recovery mode,” says SQM Research.
SQM Research director Louis Christopher added that while it is early days, the July decrease in listings "could be an indicator of a turning point in the market".
“We also note that nationally, there is now less stock on market than this time last year. Brisbane, Darwin, Perth and Sydney all have less listings in the market compared with July last year,” he says.
Apart from the weak Hobart market, where residential listings increased by 0.2% over July (Hobart is also the weakest market over the past 12 months with listings up 29%) all other capital cities recorded declines in online listings over the month.
Melbourne experienced the biggest monthly decline with online listings falling from 55,293 to 48,322 over July – but listings are still 4.8% above the 46,087 recorded in July last year.
Sydney listings fell from 32,390 to 29,574 over July to be down a healthy 10.2% on the 32,917 properties listed for sale a year ago.
There were also strong monthly declines in Canberra (-7.3%) with more modest declines in Darwin (-4%), Perth (-3.5%) and Adelaide (-3%).
Darwin has experienced the biggest yearly decrease with online listings down 28.6% decline followed by Perth (-15.5%) and Brisbane (-11.8%)
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Melbourne and Sydney lead 4.9% monthly drop in online residential listings suggesting market may be entering "recovery mode": SQM Research 

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The Reserve Bank will leave the cash rate on hold next week with 75 basis point in cuts passed over the past three months already supporting the interest rate-sensitive sectors of the economy, including housing, according to HSBC Australia economist Paul Bloxham.
However, the RBA is still leaning towards a rate cut sometime in the fourth quarter of the year, he says.
His comments follow the ABS house price indexes for the eight capital cities showing a 0.5% gain over the June quarter and an upwardly revised 0.1% decline in the March quarter.
The following chart prepared by HSBC (with the interest rate inverted) shows how house prices have responded to the reduction in mortgage rates
In addition, retail trade figures also released this week showed that Australian retail turnover rose 1% in June 2012 – better than market forecasts of 0.6% while May figures were also upwardly revised to 0.8%.
Bloxham also believes that the residential construction cycle may have bottomed out.
“After jumping sharply in May, building approvals held onto most of the gains in June, which was an upside surprise.
“While approvals for detached house construction have continued to slide, medium density approvals rose, and it is likely that the residential construction cycle has troughed.
“Housing prices are starting to lift. Finally, retail sales numbers came in strong for the second quarter, which suggests that household consumption will be well supported in the quarter,” he says.
Bloxham also says that the rate cuts in May and June have “accounted” for the easing in global conditions and the RBA is now “ahead of the game.
He adds that despite reports to the contrary (most notably from Deloitte Access Economics), “there is still significant support for growth to come from mining, both in the form of further investment and rising exports”.
“In addition to the policy decision on Tuesday, next week brings the RBA’s August official statement on Friday.
For tips on refinancing and trying to navigate the current mortgage rates riddle, watch Property Observer's recent webinar: <a href="/news">How smart property buyers and investors should approach refinancing in the current environment</a>
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Rate cuts flowing through to housing so no RBA rate cut next week: HSBC’s Paul Bloxham

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Bearish economist Steve Keen remains emphatic there is a housing bubble in Australia, but says high debt levels are keeping it from deflating.
Following the release of ABS June house price indices showing a quarterly gain of 0.5% and big revisions to the March figures suggesting no fall, Keen admitted that he had got it wrong on households deleveraging
“…it appears that [house prices rose] because mortgage debt has accelerated. So I guessed wrong” he tweeted on August 1.
Yesterday, Keen adjusted his views on the rate of decline of Australian house prices blogging that Australian house prices declines were now tracking the “slow bleed of Japan, but nowhere near the decline experienced in the USA”.
“By this point—two years after house prices peaked—US prices were down by just over 20%. Instead, Australian prices are down by just over 9%, which is indistinguishable from the Japanese fall of just under 8.9% at the same point in its house price deflation,” Keen blogged.
Then with a heavy dose of irony he went on to note the differences between Australia and the US could be that “There is no Australian house price bubble.”
 But this comment though was preceded by an “irony alert.”
And today he confirmed to Property Observer that he is still very bearish on the housing market.
“I was being ironic: I'm emphatic that there is a debt-driven bubble, and the only reason it hasn't deflated is because debt levels have remained high,” he said.
Keen says this acceleration in debt levels won’t last and he will provide his reasons when he next blogs in the coming weeks – he is currently recovering from knee surgery.
Australian Financial Review columnist Christopher Joye has hit back at Keen's contention that Australian mortgage debt has accelerated <a href="https://christopherjoye.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/who-is-steve-keen-trying-to-fool-charts">in a post on his own blog</a>.
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We still have a housing bubble, but rising debt unexpected – Steve Keen

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The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has issued specific guidance to builders to ensure they correctly identify workers as either employees or contractors, which has implications for tax and super contributions.
The guidelines are included the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses/pathway.aspx?sid=42&amp;pc=001/003/135&amp;alias=employeecontractoressentials">ATO's new 'Employee or contractor' homepage, </a>which was launched this week by tax commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo at this week’s National Small Business Summit in Melbourne.
It includes general advice for all businesses to help determine whether a worker is an employees or a contractor as well as <a href="https://calculators.ato.gov.au/scripts/axos/axos.asp?CONTEXT=&amp;KBS=BC_SOWA.xr4&amp;go=ok">an employer/contractor decision tool for the building and construction industry</a> and a <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses/content.aspx?doc=/content/61646.htm&amp;pc=001/003/135/004/004&amp;mnu=0&amp;mfp=&amp;st=&amp;cy=">detailed guide</a> providing information about the six factors builders need to consider concerning the way their working arrangements are set up.
The guide includes industry-specific information, examples and scenarios.
“We want to make sure businesses are aware of the tax and super implications of the working arrangements they set up. Recent visits to discuss contractor arrangements with businesses show a significant number of them do get it wrong. These mistakes can prove costly for the business," says D'Ascenzo as part of general advice for employers.
"The new employee or contractor homepage offers a comprehensive range of new information which has been developed to help address areas of confusion and highlight common reasons businesses get the employee or contractor decision wrong."
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ATO issues tax guidance for home builders on determining status of workers and warns that many businesses still getting things wrong

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Apart from a few “pockets of weakness” mortgage delinquency rates have stabilised in Australia, according to lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) provider Genworth following the release of improved quarterly results.
The overall delinquency rate among the portfolio of loans Genworth insures decreased by 2 basis points to 0.52% as the Australian arm reported a profit of $US44 million for the June quarter, reversing a $US21 million loss in the previous quarter.
New delinquencies in the quarter totalled 3,556, up just one from 3,555 in the first quarter, but well down on the 3,983 new delinquencies reported in the second quarter of 2011.
<img alt="deliquencies" height="316" width="321" src="/images/stories/2012/deliquencies.jpg">
Ellie Comerford, CEO of Genworth Australia, said new delinquencies were consistent with first quarter levels.
She said Australian business is on track to achieve its full year goals following a “solid performance” with the insurer benefited from refinancing activity.
Genworth and QBE LMI (formerly PMI) are the two biggest providers of LMI in Australia, which is insurance taken out by lenders to cover losses should a borrower default on their home loan. LMI is generally required to be paid by borrowers who borrow more than 80% of the value of their home.
Genworth has arrangements with around 100 lenders.
Comerford told Property Observer that one of the pockets of weakness remains the Queensland coastal market - despite the delinquency rate improving from 1.13% in the first quarter of the year to 1.05% in the second quarter.
Genworth paid out 128 lender claims on delinquent loans for properties on the Queensland coastal market, slightly down on the 128 paid in the previous quarter.
Comerford blamed the continued weakness on the Queensland coastal market on the high Australian dollar impacting on what is a heavily tourism-dependent region of the country.
The other pocket of weakness was small business owners and the self-employed (borrowers that usually take out higher interest low-doc loans), which she said continued to come under pressure.
Genworth paid 770 LMI claims in the second quarter of the year down on the 852 paid in the previous quarter, but nearly double (393) the number paid in the corresponding period last year.
The average value of claims also increased from $77,000 to $91,000 quarter-on-quarter.
“Paid claims were elevated in second quarter, but we are working with lenders and borrowers and expect reductions in the coming year,” Comerford said.
On a state-by-state basis the highest delinquency rates were recorded in Queensland (0.76%) – though the sunshine state’s delinquency rate improved from 0.8% in the first quarter of 2012 with the lowest delinquency rate in Victoria (0.36%).
The other states where Genworth provides LMI were all in line with the national average.
Genworth also recorded an improvement in the 2007-2008 GFC vintage delinquency rate from 1.25% to 1.17%.
The global Genworth business- including its main US business posted a profit of $US76 million for the second quarter following a loss of $US136 million in 2011. New US delinquencies fell from 17,430 in the first quarter to 16,167 in the second quarter – the fourth straight quarterly decline.
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Pockets of weakness on Queensland coast and among self-employed, but mortgage delinquencies stabilising in Australia: Genworth 

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Following <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/trends/twitter-debate-fires-up-and-old-rivalries-renewed-over-whether-australian-housing-market-has-bottomed-out/2012080155814">yesterday’s Twitter debate on ABS house prices</a>, the university of Western Sydney’s Steve Keen has remained true to his word and posted commentary on whether the Australian housing market has reached its bottom.
Before this quarter’s ABS data came out, Keen noted Australia’s rate of price decline from its peak lay between the US and Japanese experiences; now it is smack in line with the slow bleed of Japanese prices, but nowhere near the decline experienced in the US.
Keen wrote today, just a few hours before heading into hospital for a knee operation, that he expects Australian house prices will fall further.
But he appears to have tempered his views on the extent of a housing price bubble in Australia, albeit with an ironic shot at his bullish opponents.
“So does this increase mean that the trend of falling prices is now over, and house price growth will resume? No, no more than did the slight increase in real prices back in December 2010 (which we are now only aware of courtesy of a revision of ABS data). What it means is that the trend for decelerating mortgage debt has temporarily reversed.”
Keen highlights the differences between Australian and the US:
“So the bottom line is that Australian house prices are falling more slowly than America’s because Australian consumers are deleveraging much more slowly than their US counterparts.”
He says there are several obvious factors that could explain why:
“Australian mortgages are mainly floating rate, so rate cuts by the RBA very rapidly reduce the debt servicing burden. In the US on the other hand, mortgages are fixed rate.
Government efforts to keep the property Aspidistra flying – ranging from the hardy perennials of the Federal First Home Vendor Grant, Negative Gearing, setting Capital Gains Tax at half the Income Tax rate and exempting the family home, to State-based sales tax exemptions and First Home Vendor Schemes – have succeeded to some degree in enticing new entrants; 
and (irony alert).
There is no Australian house price bubble.”
Keen suggests Australians will most likely have to continue putting up with very high debt servicing costs relative to the rest of the world.
<a href="https://www.debtdeflation.com/blogs/2012/08/02/australian-house-prices-update-june-2012/">Click here for Keen’s full analysis.</a>
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House prices to fall further but even Steve Keen ponders the extent of any Australian property bubble

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Barangaroo South developer Lend Lease will work with casino operator Crown Limited to develop a concept plan for an international hotel at its $6 billion Sydney harbour urban regeneration project.
Lend Lease announced that it had signed an “exclusive dealing agreement with Crown Limited to develop a “world class international hotel resort”.
The agreement with Crown follows Lend Lease announcing last month that it had r<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/barangaroo-south-construction-set-to-begin-as-lend-lease-raises-%242-billion/2012070955478">eceived commitments totalling $2 billion from cornerstone investors for the first of two commercial towers</a> at Barangaroo South as well as securing Westpac and KPMG as tenants in these towers.
Lend Lease Group CEO and managing director, Steve McCann says Lend Lease and Crown will now work towards achieving the necessary development approvals from the NSW Government for the hotel and jointly develop the concept plan for the hotel.
Lend Lease is currently in negotiations with the NSW Government to finalise the hotel location.
“Barangaroo South is a major urban regeneration project that provides a unique opportunity to create a world class commercial, residential, entertainment and mixed use destination on Sydney Harbour," says McCann.
“A key part of Lend Lease’s vision for Barangaroo South is to have a high quality international hotel.
“Since being awarded the right to develop Barangaroo South in December 2009, Lend Lease has been approached by a number of leading international hotel operators expressing interest in the hotel.
“We are very pleased to be working exclusively with Crown Limited given their proven expertise in successfully delivering an outstanding hotel product.”
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Lend Lease partners with Crown on proposed Barangaroo South hotel

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Joel Robinson

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

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.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

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.

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“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]

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.

The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.

"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.

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The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.

The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.

New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.

While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.

The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.

The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.

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The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.

Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.

From July, those restrictions disappear.

Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.

Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.

Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.

"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.

"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.

"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."

Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.

15% stamp duty growth. Just 1% off the national housing target. Zero stamp duty for FHBs. Is the ACT the blueprint for the great Australian dream?

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

A rooftop pool and spa overlooking the Brisbane CBD, private dining spaces, expansive landscaped gardens and a residents' lounge are set to crown <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a>, the final residential building within Brisbane's West Village precinct.

The rooftop amenity collection has been designed as an extension of the lifestyle already established throughout West Village, providing residents with a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that capitalise on the building's elevated position above West End.

A swimming pool and heated spa form the centrepiece of the rooftop offering, surrounded by landscaped gardens developed through a collaboration between developer Sekisui House and ASPECT Studios. The design incorporates expansive lawn areas surrounded by English garden-inspired planting.

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Residents will also have access to two barbecue and outdoor dining areas positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane's skyline, neighbouring Mollison Park, and the surrounding inner-city landscape.

For larger gatherings, the rooftop includes a private dining room centred around a substantial stone island bench, complete with a full kitchen and a 10-seat dining table set beneath four-metre-high ceilings. The space has been designed to overlook both the rooftop gardens and the Brisbane CBD skyline.

A separate residents' lounge provides an additional indoor retreat connected to the broader rooftop amenity offering, creating another space for residents to work, relax or entertain guests.

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The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.

Upon arrival, residents will enter through a lobby featuring a bespoke ceiling light installation developed in collaboration between Sekisui House and Alcorn Middleton Architecture. The arrival experience is complemented by private resident mailboxes and carefully considered interior finishes designed to reflect the premium positioning of the building.

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The amenity offering forms part of Callista on Park, the final residential release within the decade-long transformation of the former Peters Ice Cream Factory site into West Village, one of Brisbane's most established mixed-use communities.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, Callista represents the most premium residential offering within the masterplanned precinct.

Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.

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Callista will mark the final opportunity to purchase within West Village, where residents have direct access to more than 35 retail, dining, wellness and medical operators including Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Function Well and Goodlife Health Clubs, Metro Arts, and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés.

Located just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct also places residents within walking distance of South Bank, West End's dining scene, riverfront parklands and major public transport connections.

For Sekisui House, which has delivered more than two million homes globally, Callista serves as the concluding piece of the West Village masterplan, bringing together the precinct's heritage character, parkland setting and emphasis on walkability in a final collection of larger-format residences.

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Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/wahroonga-nsw-2076">Wahroonga</a>’s enduring appeal has long been tied to its balance of bushland, established amenity, and access to some of Sydney’s most respected education and healthcare institutions.

Along Fox Valley Road, that combination is becoming increasingly sought after by buyers looking to remain connected to the Upper North Shore lifestyle while prioritising walkability, wellbeing, and convenience.

Developer Capital Corporation's initial vision of a 62-hectare site on Fox Valley Road was that they could create their own walkable community, bordered by&nbsp;more than 25 hectares of bushland and adjoining Coups Creek.

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b84917a1-0d75-49b9-888c-ddf7ebfd6692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/NEW2026_Wahroonga_Walkway.gif?VersionId=Gk3_xi5ssYfalmwuQQ5umQakddceC31j" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences at Wahroonga Estate</a> draws directly on the area’s natural landscape, with walking trails and green corridors linking into sections of Lane Cove National Park. The surrounding network of bushwalks, cycling tracks, and reserves reinforces the suburb’s long-standing reputation as one of Sydney’s most nature-oriented residential pockets, while still maintaining close ties to village retail and transport infrastructure.

The address places residents within minutes of Wahroonga and Turramurra villages, where cafés, local grocers, boutiques, and everyday services support a highly localised lifestyle. Popular nearby venues including The Fox Café and Breeze Valley Café provide easy options for morning coffee or casual dining, while longstanding retailers such as IGA Wahroonga Fresh and Novella Fine Books continue to anchor the area’s village character.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4a950f7-4f05-4370-b360-b106359788e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2026_Wahroonga_Entry_Gates.gif?VersionId=7n5kh9ymu.azYEYDemJkPgiIAfSw44oj" />

Healthcare access remains one of the defining locational advantages of the estate. Sydney Adventist Hospital, known locally as The San, sits directly adjacent and is one of the largest and most respected private hospitals in New South Wales. The hospital precinct incorporates specialist medical services, radiology, physiotherapy, and outpatient care, contributing to growing buyer demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking long-term convenience and peace of mind.

Research commissioned by Capital Corporation found that health and wellbeing considerations are increasingly influencing downsizing decisions, particularly among buyers wanting to remain within familiar neighbourhoods while accessing medical infrastructure more easily.

Education has also historically underpinned demand across Wahroonga and the broader Upper North Shore. The estate sits close to several of Sydney’s leading private and independent schools, including Knox Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Loreto Normanhurst. Co-educational options including Wahroonga Adventist School and Sydney Adventist School further strengthen the area’s appeal to established families looking for long-term schooling pathways within a tightly held catchment.

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Transport connectivity supports the suburb’s liveability without compromising its quieter residential character. Wahroonga and Turramurra train stations provide direct rail access into the Sydney CBD, while the nearby Pacific Highway and M1 motorway strengthen links across the North Shore and broader metropolitan area. At the same time, the heavily treed streetscape and low-density character continue to distinguish the precinct from more urbanised parts of Sydney.

The Residences at Wahroonga Estate forms the first stage of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>’s broader masterplanned vision for the precinct, delivered alongside the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, the development integrates landscaped communal spaces including a pet-friendly Green Spine, resident lounge, BBQ pavilion, and direct bushland access, reinforcing the project’s focus on outdoor connection and community-based living.

Now under construction by Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/dasco-australia">DASCO</a>, The Residences at Wahroonga Estate will deliver a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments priced from $990,000, with completion anticipated in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135247]

Larry Schlesinger

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