<html><body><div title="Page 1">
Rental yields on houses in Australia's two biggest cities of Sydney and Melbourne are down to record low levels, increasing the risks for property investors and ultimately, residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), according to new report by Moody's Investors Service.
Low rental yields have increased net costs in servicing a housing investment relative to incomes, making investment properties less affordable, says Moody's in its just-released report on Australian RMBS titled, Record Low Rental Yields Increase Risks for Residential Property Investors. 
Net costs refer to investment loans costs less rental income.
Nearly half of the investor loan mortgages backing Australian RMBS were originated in Sydney and Melbourne. Housing investment loans account for 32% of the mortgages backing Australian RMBS. 
"Deteriorating affordability increases the risks for Australian residential property investors and therefore for residential mortgage-backed securities backed by loans on investment properties," said JP Truijens, assistant vice-president at Moody's.
"The deteriorating affordability of servicing investment properties makes residential property investors more vulnerable to risks such as loss of income, interest rate increases, vacancies or rent reductions, and therefore increases their probability of default." 
According to the report, deteriorating affordability also reduces investors' flexibility around refinancing or restructuring their mortgage loan terms, giving them less options should they experience hardship.
On average, the net annual cost of servicing an investment in a median-priced three-bedroom house in Sydney funded with an 80% loan- to-value (LTV) mortgage was $41,300 as of 31 December 2015, up 78% from three years earlier. In Melbourne, the cost was $26,674, up 63% from three years earlier.
Investors in Sydney houses require 39.6% of net household income to service their investment properties, while Melbourne house investors require 26.5%, both record highs. 
For investments in median-priced two bedroom apartments in Sydney, the average net annual servicing cost was $16,270 as of end-2015, up 70% from three years earlier. In Melbourne, the cost was $15,147, up 35% from three years earlier. 4
Investors in Sydney apartments require 16.7% of net household income to service their property investments - the highest in a decade - while Melbourne apartment investors require 15.5%, a record high. 
<a href="/images/2016/04/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-11%20at%208.09.44%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<div title="Page 2">
<div title="Page 3">
<img src="/images/2016/04/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-11%20at%208.09.44%20PM.png" alt="">
</div>
<a href="/images/2016/04/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-11%20at%208.11.59%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-11%20at%208.11.59%20PM.png" alt="">
The fall in rental yields has increased the level of 'cashflow' losses suffered by residential property investors over the past three years and made them dependent on greater levels of house price appreciation to cover their losses.
</div>
A greater dependency on price appreciation makes residential property investing, and in turn, investment loans more risky.
Moody's says the performance of residential property investment loans will deteriorate through 2016 and 2017. Investment loans taken in 2014 and 2015 - at the peak of the recent house price cycle - will be behind this deterioration, it adds.
The credit rating agency also does not expect any major improvement in the cost of servicing property investment loans in the near term.
The negative impact of low rental yields and the deteriorating affordability of servicing property investments will be most evident in RMBS issued in 2016 and 2017.
Australian RMBS portfolios are typically made up of loans that are one to two years seasoned and so the bulk of the 2014 and 2015 investor loans to be securitised will be found in 2016 and 2017 vintage RMBS.
 
</div></body></html>

prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Record-low rental yields in Sydney, Melbourne increase default risk for investors: Moody's report

<html><body>
Chinese investment in Australia returned to positive growth in 2015, with commercial real estate making up for the drop in investment in the mining sector, says a new report by KPMG Australia and the University of Sydney.
The return of the mega deal, with seven investments of $500 million or more during the year, helped propel the total value of investment to US$11.1 billion ($15.09 billion), a 32.9 percent increase on the previous year in US$ terms (or a 59.5 percent increase in AU$).
This was the second highest inflow year for new Chinese investment into Australia, behind the previous peak driven by mining sector investment in 2008, says the latest Demystifying Chinese Investment in Australia, analysing Chinese outbound direct investment into Australia in 2015. 
On an international stage, Australia maintained its position as the second largest recipient of aggregated Chinese direct investment between 2005 and 2015, behind the United States, attracting a cumulative US$78.7 billion during the period.
In Australia, commercial real estate remained dominant for the second year in a row, accounting for 45 percent of the total deal volume. Commercial real estate investment grew to $6.85 billion from $4.37 billion in 2014. NSW attracted 94 percent of this investment, with investors focusing more on long-term development projects.
China Investment Corporation’s $2.45 billion purchase of Investa Office Portfolio was the major deal of the year in this sector.
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-11%20at%2010.29.04%20AM.png" alt="" width="471" height="370">
This year’s report also includes new research analysing the sentiment and attitudes of Chinese investors towards the Australian market.
“Following two years of moderately declining Chinese investment, the resurgence of interest and the diversification by Chinese companies in 2015 is a strong endorsement of the attractiveness of Australia’s economy. Alongside continued interest in the NSW and Victorian commercial real estate sectors, there has been activity and major deals in renewables, agribusiness, and for the first time, healthcare,” said report co-author, Doug Ferguson, head of KPMG Australia’s Asia and International Markets.
Professor Hans Hendrischke, Professor of Chinese Business &amp; Management at the University of Sydney Business School commented, “Our research has also shown that, for Chinese companies looking to expand internationally, Australia is seen as a strong first port of call."
The year also saw a lowering of the Foreign Investment Review Board limits for mandatory approval for agricultural land acquisition and the rejection of an application from a Chinese investor to purchase S Kidman &amp; Co – illustrating the sensitive and very public debate over investment in this sector. Nonetheless, Chinese investors are expected to remain strongly interested in Australian agribusiness.
Chinese investment in Australian infrastructure sector continued during the year, with the major deal being the 99-year lease of the Darwin Port to the Landbridge Group for $506 million. The outlook continues to look positive, with Chinese companies attracted to the strong local pipeline of opportunities offering relatively safe returns and a longer term investment horizon for co-operation.
Overall, Chinese investors remain bullish on Australia, with 65 percent saying their 3 year outlook is positive, and 55 percent planning to increase their Australian holdings in 2016.
 
</body></html>

Commercial real estate tops Chinese investment in Australia in 2015: report

<html><body>
The fringe property market of Canberra has undergone significant development within the past 24 months, say valuation firm Herron Todd White in their April 2016 property clock. 
The once greenfield sites on the fringes of the city are now being developed into well planned and flourishing suburbs providing opportunity for owner-occupiers, investors and government housing alike.
The Gungahlin district near the ACT and NSW border is considered a fringe location by many locals due to its relatively new development and up until 2010 consisted of only five suburbs which were developed in the mid 1990s. Gungahlin is now a thriving area with half a dozen new suburbs emerging in the past five years.
<a href="/images/2016/04/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-11%20at%209.35.44%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-11%20at%209.35.44%20AM.png" alt="">
One of the newest suburbs to be developed is Moncrieff which is still under construction. Local demand for vacant land in Moncrieff was so high that 77 residential blocks were sold within three minutes and many potential purchasers missed out. The average price of a vacant land in Moncrieff was $280,000. Naturally one of the factors causing such high demand in the fringe areas is the high prices being achieved in areas closer to the CBD.
In the past 24 months, we have seen a massive hike in prices for older stock within the Inner north and inner south precincts. For example, buyers have been purchasing older dated homes for $700,000 plus and then knocking them down in order to build a more modern custom-designed home, which essentially means they are paying $700,000 just for land.
For entry-level buyers it is hard to compete in these areas therefore they have ventured to areas such as Gungahlin which allows them to buy vacant blocks and build their dream homes at a much more affordable price. Gungahlin is tipped for strong growth in the next decade with the first stage of the light rail designed to cater to the Gungahlin region and due to be complete by 2020. With transport being a key factor in the success of a fringe area the long-term expectations for Gungahlin are strong in relation to other fringe areas in Canberra.
Property Observer found a few examples of recent sales in Canberra's fringes:
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/700_canberra.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="334">
1. A two-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-act-gungahlin-120611081">24/80 Gozzard Street Gungahlin ACT 2912</a> (above) sold for $331,000
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/main-1.jpg" alt="" width="656" height="492">
2. A three-bedroom villa at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-act-gungahlin-121991866" target="_blank">78 Mary Gillespie Gungahlin ACT 2912</a> (above) sold for $522,000 recently.
Across Canberra 69 auctions were held this week with a 64 percent sales success including the $1,515,000 sale of the former bolthole of the former Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey.
Over the three months to December 2015, 7.6 percent of Canberra homes re-sold at a loss compared to 11.2 percent over the previous quarter and 10.9 percent a year earlier, according to the latest Pain &amp; Gain report from Core Logic RP Data.
The median price for a house in Forrest is $2,150,000, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
</body></html>

Canberra's fringe suburbs seeing spike in home prices: HTW

<html><body>
Broken Hill tops CoreLogic RP Data's latest list for top NSW investor rental yields.
Median Gross Yield
<table class="table">
<thead><tr>
<th>Suburb</th>
<th>Median Rent</th>
<th>Gross Yield</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Broken Hill</td>
<td>$230</td>
<td>10.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cobar</td>
<td>$280</td>
<td>9.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuross Head</td>
<td>$580</td>
<td>8.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>West Wyalong</td>
<td>$240</td>
<td>8.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malua Bay</td>
<td>$700</td>
<td>8.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Condobolin</td>
<td>$238</td>
<td>8.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Darlington Point</td>
<td>$228</td>
<td>7.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wellington</td>
<td>$210</td>
<td>7.8%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Property Observer profiles Broken Hill in NSW from a rental perspective.
The median sale price of a house in Broken Hill was $118,000, compared with a national average of $485,000. 
The median price change over one year was 10.50 percent.
While Median Rent was $230pw against a national average of $395, the median gross yield was 10.1 percent. 
Property Observer went looking for dwellings around the median price up for rent or rented and came up with these: 
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-11%20at%208.43.05%20AM.png" alt="" width="830" height="537"> 
1. A furnished three-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/10-king-street-broken-hill-nsw/property-details-rent-residential-9844026" target="_blank">10 King Street</a> (above) is up for rent for $250 pw, at a rental yield of about 13 percent. This property sold for $99,000 in June 2015.
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/hill2.jpg" alt="" width="574" height="381">
 
2. A two-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/49-bonanza-street-broken-hill-nsw/property-details-rent-residential-9844025" target="_blank">49 Bonanza Street</a> (above) has a rental of $240 pw. This one sold way back in 2004 for $55,000, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/hill3.jpg" alt="" width="575" height="349">
3. A three-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/628-argent-street-broken-hill-nsw/property-details-rent-residential-9844024" target="_blank">628 Argent Street</a> (above) matches the median rental of $230 pw, and yields 13.3 percent. This one last traded for $90,000 in 2014.
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/hill4.jpg" alt="" width="578" height="379">
 
4. A three-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/38-cummins-street-broken-hill-nsw/property-details-rent-residential-9835311" target="_blank">38 Cummins Street</a> (above) is also available for $230 pw. The last sale price for the property was $142,000 back in 2005.
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/hill5.jpg" alt="" width="563" height="342">
 
5. Another three-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/627-chapple-lane-broken-hill-nsw/property-details-rent-residential-9810772" target="_blank">627 Chapple Lane</a> (above) is available for $220 pw. This last traded price for this property was $35,500 in 2003, CoreLogic RP Data shows.
 
</body></html>

Broken Hill tops property rental yields at 10 percent

<html><body>
A pair of office towers across the road from Redfern train station has planning approval to be redesigned for new apartments. 
An application to redesign and reconfigure the existing towers for residential and commercial uses at 1 Lawson Square Redfern was approved in 2014.
The modification, approved by the Department of Planning and Environment, will change the plans to allow for:
* a reduction in the width of both towers
* changes to the internal layouts of each floor of both towers
* six additional residential apartments to the original approval, an increase from 156 to 162 apartments
* amending the proposed design and materials for the external facades of the buildings to include concrete, marble, glazing and metal balustrades
A department spokesperson said the modification application was publicly available on its website and referred to the City of Sydney Council between December 2015 and January 2016.
“Key issues raised during consultation include privacy for nearby residences, size and adequacy of the revised apartments, the new façade design and proposed materials,” a spokesperson said.
“To address the issue of privacy for neighbouring properties the Department has requested south-facing windows to be treated with privacy screens and has included a new condition requiring all window sills in Tower 1 to be 1.7 metres in height.
“In addition to the reconfigured layout which will produce apartments of an acceptable size, the Department has requested larger balconies.
</body></html>

Redfern office towers to be redesigned into residential apartments

<html><body>
Home buyers continued to take advantage of low interest rates with a greater proportion fixing their home loans in the first three months of the year, according to a report released by ASX-listed Australian Finance Group.
The start of calendar 2016 has seen lending for fixed rate products peak at 17.7 percent of AFG’s total volume for the quarter, according to the company's Mortgage Index.
By comparison, the percentage of those fixing their rates in the first quarter of the 2016 financial year was 11.4 percent. 
“With sections of the money market making the call of a rate cut in the coming months there are some very attractive fixed rates available. With rates being at historical lows the downside risk of fixing is relatively small so many borrowers are choosing to lock in now,” said Mark Hewitt, AFG general manager, Sales and Operations.
“Despite this month’s decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to leave the cash rate on hold at a record low 2% there are also no guarantees lenders won’t make their own moves outside the RBA cycle. Some are talking about increased funding and regulatory costs and locking the low rates in now is a way borrowers can insulate themselves against any out of cycle increases by the banks. This quarter has also seen investor numbers on the rise again, with an increase from 31 percent of AFG’s total volume to 33 percent as lenders return to the investor market having fallen below the growth cap set by the regulator last year.”
AFG’s overall volume was up 5.7 percent on the same quarter in 2015, with Victoria leading the states with an increase of 15.7 percent, followed by SA up 11.3 percent, NSW up 10.5 percent and Queensland recording a rise of 7.6 percent. The resources downturn has hit WA activity with that state recording a drop of 16.7 percent and NT dropping by 28 percent on the same time last year.
“In a positive message for the health of the lending market, the average LVR (loan to value ratio) of 68 percent is the lowest it has been for three years,” said Hewitt.
“This means homebuyers are continuing to borrow within their capabilities.”
</body></html>

Fixed rates for home mortgage in favour: AFG index

<html><body>
Construction company Sekisui House announced that it has received development approval at their $750 million ‘The Hermitage’ in Sydney's Gledswood Hills for a nine-hole Par 3 golf course and driving range, the first of its kind in Australia to be created by golf legend Greg Norman.
The $11 million golf course to Sydney’s south-west is a collaboration between Sekisui House, Greg Norman Golf Course Design and club operator, Wests Campbelltown. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/04/8/700_golf.jpg" alt="" width="563" height="296">
Stretching over 1,365 metres, with an average distance of 152 metres for each hole, the golf course will also include a commercial driving range and practice facilities. 
Construction is expected to start in mid-2016, with a public opening earmarked for early 2018.
Greg Norman Golf Course Design was established in 1987 and is considered a leading signature golf course design firm. It has opened more than 90 courses globally.
“The Hermitage estate is the idyllic location to showcase my unique and wholly sustainable golf course designs while providing award-winning facilities for the residents and the local community. I have a deep-rooted passion for continuing to develop and support the game of golf in Australia,” Norman said in a statement.
Since its launch of The Hermitage in 2012, Sekisui House has sold more than 870 lots.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/04/8/700_norman.jpg" alt="" width="581" height="353">
The Hermitage will feature 35 hectares of open green space and established trees (the equivalent of nearly 80 football pitches), 10 distinct park locations, two golf courses including an 18 and 9 hole golf course set over 120 hectares, a new public primary school accommodating up to 1,000 pupils and the future ‘Gledswood Village’ that will include amenities including groceries, cafes, health care, a country club and restaurants.
The Hermitage is about 55 km from Sydney’s CBD and 35 km from Parramatta. It will have a projected population of over 6,000 people living within 2,000 homes and completion is expected in 2022.
</body></html>

Sekisui House gets nod for Australia's first Greg Norman nine-hole course

<html><body>
<div>
The home auction market is picking up after the slight pause for Easter holidays, with 1,677 capital city homes scheduled to go under the hammer this week, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
While Sydney had more auctions than Melbourne over the past two weeks, this week, Melbourne’s auction activity is set to rise, bringing the total number of residential auctions to 730, as opposed to the 624 scheduled for Sydney.
Auction volumes remain relatively steady across the remaining capital cities.
<img src="/images/2016/04/8/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-08%20at%2010.03.30%20AM.png" alt="" width="314" height="196">
Melbourne's 730 auction figure will be well ahead of last weekend’s 482 listings and higher than the 562 auctioned over the same weekend last year, wrote Domain Group’s chief economist Dr Andrew Wilson in his blog. 
Although auction activity is on the rise, overall autumn listings will likely remain below the levels recorded last year over the same period. Falling interest rates a year ago were a catalyst for a surge in housing market activity in Melbourne. 
The west will again clearly host the highest number of auctions this weekend with 126.  The north-east is next highest with 111 followed by the outer east (91), the inner south  (88), the inner city (82), the north (77), the inner east (54) and the south-east with 53 auctions.
Mount Waverley has the highest number of auctions listed this weekend, with 16, followed by Preston with 14, Reservoir and East Bentleigh, each with 13, Pascoe Vale with 10 and a number of suburbs with nine auctions scheduled including Glen Waverley, Essendon, Noble Park and Hawthorn.
The robust Melbourne home auction market resumed last weekend without missing a beat following the Easter holiday break.
Melbourne recorded a clearance rate of 73.8 per cent, which was just below the 74.1 per cent recorded on the pre-Easter weekend a fortnight ago and also below the boom-time 77.5 per cent recorded over the same post-Easter weekend last year.
Last Saturday’s result was just below the average weekend rate of 75.4 per cent recorded over the previous nine Saturdays, with a high of 79.2 per cent and a low of 73.4 per cent reported over that period.
Low interest rates continue to fuel buyer activity in both Melbourne and Sydney's housing markets, said Dr Wilson. This week the Reserve Bank predictably decided to leave official rates on hold over April at the record low two per cent for the 11th consecutive month. 
A near-term cut in rates, however, remains on the cards with continuing mixed reports on the health of the national economy. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data indicates that the recent home building boom has peaked, the trend for retail sales growth is declining, house prices are flat or falling, inflation remains low in an increasingly lifeless economy and the Australian dollar continues to track well above the preferred levels of policymakers.
Sydney auction numbers are down this weekend with the local market straining to regain momentum after the Easter holidays.
This Saturday, just 509 homes are scheduled to go under the hammer. This is below the 539 listed last weekend and also well below the 535 homes auctioned over the same weekend last year, he said.
Sydney auction levels this autumn remain far below those recorded over the same period last year. Falling interest rates a year ago were a catalyst for an unprecedented surge in housing market activity in Sydney, but so far in 2016 they have remained on hold. 
Sydney’s inner west has the highest number of auctions listed this weekend, with 82, followed by the upper north shore (78), the south (74), the city and east (58), the lower north (56), the south-west (34), the west (31), Canterbury Bankstown (28), the northern beaches (27), the north-west (19) and the central coast (17). The Blue Mountains have no auctions scheduled. 
Mosman, with nine auctions, will be the busiest this weekend followed by Ryde, Randwick, Carlingford, Killara and Marrickville, each with seven, and Blacktown with six. There are also several suburbs with five auctions scheduled on Saturday, including Epping, St Ives, Lane Cove North, Strathfield and Bexley.
The Sydney weekend home auction market returned from the Easter holidays in the same robust form it has consistently produced so far this year, notes Dr Wilson.
Sydney reported a clearance rate of 73.7 per cent last weekend, just below the 74.1 per cent recorded on the pre-Easter weekend the fortnight previous and also below the boom-time 86.8 per cent recorded over the same post-Easter weekend last year.
Last Saturday’s result was just below the average weekend rate of 74.5 per cent recorded over the previous nine Saturdays, with a high of 76.9 per cent and a low of 71 per cent reported over that period.
Over the week ending April 3 there were 1,582 capital city auctions with CoreLogic collecting results for 1,434 auctions, accounting for almost 91% of all auctions.
The final clearance rate was recorded at 66.6% which is down from the previous week and the lowest clearance rate in three weeks. The number of auctions increased from just 554 over the previous week. Excluding Sydney and Melbourne, clearance rates rose in Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart but fell elsewhere. Auction volumes were also higher this week across all regions except Tasmania. 
</div>
<div>
<div>
 
 
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Melbourne sees sharp rise in auctions, but Sydney numbers down

<html><body>
Developer Oliver Hume Property Funds said it is crafting a millennial-specific approach to new developments, who will make up 43 percent of buyers over the next three years. 
As a result, Oliver Hume will incorporate a ‘lifestyle manager’ into all new developments, such as Nord in North Melbourne, for millennials looking to spend less time on errands and more time socialising and career networking.
According to the Future Leaders Index 2015, 65 percent of millennials say they feel busy often or all of the time, and 61 percent report having difficulty juggling all the elements in their lives.
The Pew Research Center, an American think tank, defines "adult millennials" as those born between 1981 and 1996. 
The Lifestyle Manager is on-site to simplify tasks such as signing for parcels, online shopping, giving tradespeople access, organising dry-cleaning, assisting to organise social events within the building and recommending activities in the area, such as taking one of the apartment’s electric bikes for a ride.
“Given young professionals are the dominant market in North Melbourne, providing these conveniences and benefits has been a key priority for Nord, as we want our residents to be free to enjoy their lives without excessive errands,” says Oliver Hume Property Funds executive chairman Michael Duster.
Nord will launch its leasing campaign on April 16.
</body></html>

Nord project targets millennials with ‘lifestyle manager’

<html><body>
Rental property website Rent.com.au Limited (ASX: RNT) is raising more than $5.4 million through a rights issue to fund its offline branding campaign, the company said in a release.
Rent.com will issue up to 36,376,607 shares at $0.15 each and it is a fully underwritten, non‐renounceable pro rata offer.
The issue will raise $5,456,491 (before costs) and the company will have a total of $8.5 million cash (after costs) after completion of the issue.
The highlights of the fund raising are:  
* Demand for sub‐underwriting allocation was heavily oversubscribed
* Funds to be used primarily on commencing offline marketing activities
Rent.com founder and managing director Mark Woschnak said he was pleased with the strong demand from institutional and sophisticated investors. 
“We recently announced that March 2016 was one of our strongest months on record, with the strongest new agent registrations since listing and all‐time highs in the number of unique visitors and also non‐agent listings on the site,” Woschnak said.
“We have a strong Board and executive team, robust and scalable technology and are now well capitalised to further accelerate our commercialisation objectives by commencing offline marketing activities to support our recently deployed national sales team.”
Shareholders as at the Record Date of April 13 will be eligible to buy one additional share for every three they hold at the Record Date, with acceptance forms to be returned by April 28, the media release said.
The issue price of $0.15 per share represents an 18% discount to the 10-day Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”).
Jett Capital Advisors Pty Ltd are the lead manager and underwriter of the Offer, with GMP Securities acting as brokers. 
</body></html>

Rent.com.au to raise $5.45 million through rights issue

Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Joel Robinson

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

A local downsizer has splashed $6.5 million on a penthouse in Perifa's Alex &amp; Willow development in Crows Nest. 
&nbsp; 
The purchaser sold their long-held family home in the area before embarking on a six-month search for the right apartment. After inspecting a range of options across the Lower North Shore, the buyer returned to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alex-willow-crows-nest-82-90-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Alex &amp; Willow</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The buyer profile reflects the project’s broader purchaser mix. <a>Alex &amp; Willow</a> has attracted predominantly local downsizers looking to transition from larger homes without compromising on space or quality, alongside a smaller cohort of upsizers and investors drawn to the project’s location and design credentials. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone sale comes as the project, developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">Perifa</a>&nbsp;and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile-made-construction">Versatile Construction</a>, both part of Versatile Group, reaches 60 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=371325] 
&nbsp; 
Eddie Mansour, Managing Partner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/ray-white-projects">Ray White Projects</a>, said the result demonstrates not only a headline price but also depth of demand. 
&nbsp; 
“This is an exceptional outcome and a clear reflection of sustained buyer demand for premium, well-located downsizer product,” Mansour said.

“We’re seeing a consistent pattern of local homeowners selling family residences and reinvesting into high-quality apartments that allow them to remain within their community. Alex &amp; Willow has resonated strongly with this group because it offers genuine scale, thoughtful design and immediate proximity to the village.” 
&nbsp; 
The sale reflects a broader and consistent trend of local downsizers actively seeking high-quality, low-maintenance residences close to established village centres. Agents report that demand for this product type has remained resilient, particularly where developments offer a rare combination of scale, design quality and walkable amenity. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project. 
&nbsp; 
“The penthouse sale is a strong endorsement of the quality we have delivered, alongside our partners, and the clear demand from local downsizers for premium, boutique residences in this location,” Perilli said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Most importantly, we’re proud to see the Alex &amp; Willow community beginning to take shape. As we move closer to completion, we’re looking forward to welcoming residents and seeing the project come to life.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=338516] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nettletontribe">Nettleton Tribe</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>, Alex &amp; Willow is a boutique collection of generously sized two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of Crows Nest village.&nbsp;

Completion is slated for early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6680]

Alex & Willow, Crows Nest penthouse sells off the plan for $6.5 million

Fresh from launching the first stage of its Wollongong precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, builder-developer Urban Property Group has unveiled plans for the next phase of the masterplanned community.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway is a State Significant Development Application for a further 657 homes on the prominent gateway site opposite Beaton Park.

The proposal comprises three buildings, including two build-to-sell towers rising 25 and 30 storeys, delivering 391 apartments, alongside a 12-storey co-living building with 266 residences, making it one of the largest co-living proposals currently planned in regional New South Wales.

Of the apartments proposed in the build-to-sell towers, the majority, 310, are two-bedroom dwellings. The balance comprises 44 one-bedroom apartments and 37 three-bedroom residences. Apartment sizes range from around 50 sqm for one-bedroom homes to approximately 90 sqm for three-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19347059-1612-41a0-9c74-b86a657237f8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%2010.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sWXnaCcA.cIC6N8YT1dg5pJ2e1V3Z6z7" />

The submission says the proposal has evolved significantly from its original Housing Delivery Authority application following extensive consultation with the State Design Review Panel and Wollongong City Council.

The final scheme has been designed to align with the emerging vision for the Flinders Street Precinct, an area identified by Council as a future high-density mixed-use neighbourhood capable of accommodating substantial housing growth close to transport, employment and community infrastructure.

According to the design report prepared by COX Architecture, the development aims to "deliver a built outcome consistent with the future character of the Wollongong CBD while responding to the site's unique constraints and opportunities."

"Our vision for the next phase of the site evolution in Wollongong is grounded in three design pillars that guide the design response: place, natural environment and celebration," COX said.

"Inspired by its surroundings and grounded in the stories of place on Wodi Wodi Country, the design proposal acknowledges the established character of its setting while creating a unique and timeless identity that sits harmoniously within it.

"The design proposal responds to its specific site conditions, acknowledging the vegetation, climate, wind conditions and solar access of the site."

The architecture responds directly to the site's position between Wollongong's urban core and its natural landscape setting.

COX identified views towards Mount Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment as defining features of the site, while the upper levels of the towers will also capture expansive views across the city and out to the Pacific Ocean.

The design team has positioned the tallest buildings closer to the rail corridor, where overshadowing impacts can be better managed while establishing a landmark built form on the northern approach into the city.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79580d5b-500c-4ebf-9629-797146a4a694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WbTB1EKSG.KDfsfz0F3wp1QVa2oCMGR5" />

Urban Property Group secured the 11,000 sqm Smith Street site in 2022 and has since progressed plans for the broader Keira Place precinct.

Construction recently commenced on the first stage of Keira Place, which will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.

Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the commencement of construction marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-construction-at-keira-place-in-wollongong-cbd">Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Prateek Chatterjee

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News