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Australian housing finance approvals firmed in December, with the monthly volume of new home loans to owner-occupiers hitting a six-year high, according to latest ABS data, indicating that the pipeline of new home building was likely to remain strong during early 2016.
The number of owner-occupier loans for new homes rose by 1.8 percent in December, with a growth of 12.4 percent in loans for newly-constructed homes. 
Compared with a year earlier, total owner-occupier loans for the construction and purchase of new dwellings are 5.3 percent higher.
The ABS data showed 58,552 home loans were approved in December, up 2.6% from November, with the value of new home loans taken by property buyers rising 0.8% to $33.5 billion. 
“December’s new home lending figures are the best we’ve seen since November 2009, when a major government stimulus was underway,” noted Housing Industry Association senior economist Shane Garrett.
Mortgage Choice chief executive officer John Flavell said the last time more than 58,500 home loans were approved in one month was back in January 2008, and was a testament to the strength of the property market.
“The data shows that all parts of the market improved over the month of December. The number of dwelling commitments approved for the construction of new dwellings was up 1.8%, while the number of loans written for the purchase of new dwellings and the purchase of established dwellings was up by 12.4% and 2.1% respectively,” he said.
The number of first home buyer commitments as a percentage of total owner occupied housing finance commitments rose to 15.1% in December 2015, off an 11-year low of 14.9% in November 2015.
A rise in the proportion of first-time home buyers in the market in December as well as a jump in home loans being taken out by owner occupiers could indicate housing is becoming more affordable given softer conditions in property markets, said Amanda Watt, the head of banking business act.
“Reflecting greater home loan affordability, the average loan size for first home buyers dropped $6,400 to $348,100 between November and December while the average loan size for all owner occupied housing commitments fell $8,500 to $377,600. This drop in loan size has coincided with a slowing in property markets in most capital cities as indicated by falling auction clearance rates and, in some cases, falling median house prices," said Watt.  
The value of home loans taken by investors rose 0.6% to $11.6 billion, stabilising from a 19% drop between April and October but still down 13.6% on a yearly basis, noted Matthew Hassan in a post on Westpac’s website. 
Changes in lending criteria and borrowing rates for investor loans is indirectly boosting owner-occupier activity – although the bulk of the initial ‘switching’ effect seemed to come through between June and September, he added.
“So money continues to pour into property and much of it has recently come from owner occupiers following stricter prudential regulations on home loans given to investors. The data also reveals the staggering size of Australia's home loan industry. In December 2015, the value of outstanding home loans funded by banks and other authorised deposit-taking institutions totalled a record $1.46 trillion, made up of $931 billion in home loans to owner occupiers and another $528 billion to investors,” said Watt.
But while it was pleasing to see a spike in both the value and number of home loans written over the month of December, Mortgage Choice’s Flavell said the sudden surge in activity wasn’t altogether surprising.
“At Mortgage Choice, we know from our own data that December is a traditionally hot month in terms of home loan settlements, as Australians are keen to finalise their property plans before the New Year commences,” he said.
Moving forward, Flavell said he was confident that the property market would remain robust over the coming months.
During December 2015, the number of new home loans increased, in annual terms, most strongly in the Northern Territory (+29.3 percent), followed by New South Wales (+21.7 percent) and Victoria (+12.3 percent). New home lending volumes also rose in Queensland by4.0 percent, Lending volumes fell in Tasmania (-29.6 percent), Western Australia (-19.8 percent) and the Australian Capital Territory (-0.5 percent).
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Owner-occupier lending reaches six-year high as ABS December data robust

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Studios and one-bedroom apartments in Sydney have the largest proportion of rental tenants, while it’s the least for three-bedroom apartments, a new paper from BIS Shrapnel suggests.
Contributing factors include NSW’s strong population growth, net overseas migration, and a record low net interstate migration outflow. The findings were taken from the BIS Shrapnel report titled 'Apartments in Sydney Suburbs Market Brief'. 
Studio and one bedroom apartments are dominated by rental tenants, who account for 70% of households moving into these apartments over the prior five years. 
For two-bedroom apartments, 57% of movers were tenants, while it was just around 40% for three-bedroom apartments.
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<img src="/images/2016/02/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-12%20at%208.20.13%20AM.png" alt="">
Vacancy rates in both Inner and Middle Sydney have consistently remained below 2%, with occupancy being underpinned by strong population growth over overseas migration, with many migrants’ first accommodation being rental dwellings, says the report. 
Rental growth, however, is a different story. While median unit price growth remained high at 14.9% in 2014/15, rental growth was just 1%. 
Long-term median two-bedroom unit rental growth has lagged the growth in prices, ranging from 4.0% per annum on the Lower North Shore, to 5.3% per annum in the Middle South West.
<a href="/images/2016/02/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-12%20at%208.21.24%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-12%20at%208.21.24%20AM.png" alt="">
The result has been that indicative unit yields in Sydney are now around their previous lows of 2003 to 2005, at 3.7% in June 2015.
<a href="/images/2016/02/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-12%20at%208.18.20%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-12%20at%208.18.20%20AM.png" alt=""> 
This would point to little potential for further growth in unit prices (and eventually the possibility of price declines), as occurred during the mid-2000s.
 
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 Sydney rental growth lags despite strong tenancy: BIS Shrapnel report 

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India was the flavour at this year’s edition of the World Economic Forum, says JLL India’s head Anuj Puri in his JLL blog.
“In the play of global expectations unfolding on a stage staggering with actors who may just be guessing at their lines, India has a very complicated role to play,” he says.
The tone was set on Day 1 of the meet, with the Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saying India’s GDP could potentially grow to 9%, provided the country gets a facilitating global economic environment to operate. 
 “A clear takeaway is that we are the fastest growing amongst the emerging markets – as a consequence, the ‘I’ in BRICS now signifies hope for the world,” he writes.
There was general affirmation that there is no risk of a repeat of ‘2008’; however, there is no ignoring the economic and financial challenges currently in the global ecosystem. There was a lot of rumbling about the inherent risk from China, and the repercussions of a hard landing.
The US market is still a mixed bag – given the general impression that it is back on a growth curve, he says. Then there are geopolitical risks arising from the Middle East which threaten to derail.
On the brighter side, lower oil and commodity prices has been a boon, so to say. “The current low oil prices are good for the seven billion people that our blue planet supports,” he writes.
The IMF estimates that the world economy’s GDP growth is 3.1% in 2015, 3.4% in 2016 and 3.6% in 2017. It’s growth nevertheless.
Among the others, India is the flavour of today and will likely see 7.5% growth, provided its politicians roll out ground-altering reforms at the expected pace, he adds. Russia and Brazil have lost out in the popularity sweepstakes because of their domestic issues.
Puri says there is a consensus that India’s exciting entrepreneurial ecosystem is expanding, leading to more entrepreneurs and tech start-ups, but that India will miss the bus again if it does not harness this entrepreneurial energy.
He dispels rumours of the Great Indian Start-up Boom beginning to lose some of its decibels, saying it is normal churn, even citing Professor Nouriel Roubini of New York University.
Roubini said that if there was any place in the world where he would prefer to gestate a start-up, India comes a close second after Silicon Valley.
Puri also addresses the larger question about the implications of a fourth industrial revolution on emerging markets? Will it bridge the gap between developed and developing countries? Will India’s demographics be able to adapt to increased automation, and how will its manufacturing evolve?
He cites Colin Dyer’s words that technology will make strong and established businesses even stronger, as we embrace the change. We are just at the cusp of the ‘E-evolution’, he says. 
“I hope it’s only for the better, but we hold a massive and unpredictable tiger by its digital tail,” Puri writes.
In the Indian context, all its industries, including the semi-opaque real estate, will mature into more transparent ones with cutting-edge technology.
In imagining India as the world’s next growth engine, Puri draws parallels with the Gauls, immortalized by Goscinny and Uderzo in the Asterix comics. 
“The village druid Getafix had a magic potion which could instantly infuse superhuman strength. The magic potion India needs today is the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. Will this magic fix be served up in the upcoming Union Budget? I certainly hope so.”
Also, the change in the constitution of the Upper House will help the government to implement other important bills too, such as the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill and the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act.
Puri says the overall mood was upbeat, but it could have more to do with “humankind’s undying pursuit of optimism”. 
The first three weeks of 2016 have been a pretty miserable start: the US is slowing down, and the chase to the White House this year may slow them down even more; stock markets are currently overreacting to China, even though we may be headed for a softer landing than expected. But China will need to transition from industrial to services and exports to consumption if it is to reclaim its former glory.
The European Union remains a major area of concern, and JLL’s Christian Ulbrich leaves with a few more furrows to his brow, he writes. The EU definitely has its hands full with the challenges of Brexit and the refugee crisis. George Osborne’s remark that ‘UK wants to be in EU but not run by it’ may be a sign of things to come. 
India, however, remains a bright spot, according to the IMF. It has achieved escape velocity from the BRICs bloc and is off on its own growth trajectory, he concludes.
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The ‘I’ in BRICS implies hope for India's growth potential

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Construction is set to start on the $60-million Ilixir apartment tower in Melbourne’s Cheltenham, its developers have announced.
Located at 2 – 6 Railway Road, Cheltenham, the 115-apartment project launched in 2015 is already 80 percent sold, according to its website <a href="https://www.ilixir.com.au" target="_blank">www.ilixir.com.au</a>.
The project is being developed by Oliver Hume Property Funds (formerly known as Synergy) and features one, two and three bedroom apartments starting from $360,000.
Ilixir will have a Lifestyle Manager, a concept borrowed from the latest trend in the US apartment sector that provide a concierge to help residents simplify and streamline daily tasks such as receiving deliveries and signing for parcels, allowing access for trades, coordinating with removalists and scheduling access to the building’s leisure facilities.
“Ilixir is the first Bayside apartment project to offer this unique service,” said Jamie Kay, director of Oliver Hume Apartments. “Beyond the project’s innovative design and fantastic location, the lifestyle manager feature has helped to boost enquiries since launch and appears to be one of the main reasons why the project is already 80% sold.”
Some of Ilixir’s other features include:
- Rooftop podium gardens designed by Chelsea Flower Show-winning architect Wes Fleming that offer wooden decking combined with lush plantings and a furnished lounge with an al fresco dining area for residents 
- A residents-only outdoor cinema 
 - All apartments offer modular open plan living by Doig Interiors including sliding screens that allow a bedroom to expand a living room or to open up the whole apartment for a gathering of friends and family. Each apartment also has a balcony.
The building will rise nine levels above Railway Parade offering views from over the bustling shopping strip below and past world class golf courses to the Bay and beyond.
The tower is close to cafes, restaurants, retail and the Cheltenham train station.
“Cheltenham offers homebuyers a rare mix of price growth potential, casual coastal location and a fully fledged restaurant and café culture on Charman Road,” added Kay.
The project aims for completion by Spring 2017.
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Work starts on $60-million Ilixir apartment project in Melbourne’s Cheltenham

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Renovation costs in New South Wales rose a sharp 8.11% year-on-year, compared to a national increase of only 1.48%, reveals a new report by services marketplace ServiceSeeking.com.au.
The Renovation Consumer Price Index (RCPI) is a quarterly report by serviceseeking.com.au, analysing 52,000 quotes submitted by tradesman on the website. The report compares the cost of renovating in Q2 FY16 versus the prior year.
For the report, the company used an interactive map that plots price changes across 10 popular renovation services in New South Wales year on year.
NSW was the only state to see a price increase in 10 out of 10 popular renovation services, in part because of trades shortage.
“We're now really starting to see the effects of a cooling property market" said CEO Jeremy Levitt. "As homeowners steer away from purchasing new property, they're investing in their existing properties through value-adding renovations which has pushed prices up.”
The average tradesman charges $64.09/hr, making NSW the second most expensive state to renovate a home (and now more expensive than Queensland).
Carpentry and building saw the largest price increases, up 26.26% and 18.48% respectively.
Although there were across-the-board increases, some services didn’t fluctuate much. For example, prices for electrical work increased 1.23% and concreting rose by 3.18%.
<a href="https://www.serviceseeking.com.au" target="_blank">Serviceseeking.com.au</a> has more than 1.96 million jobs listed on its website to date with over 6.8 million quotes compared.
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Home renovations jump 8% in New South Wales: serviceseeking.com report

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The Tea Gardens Hotel Motel, on the banks of the Myall River, has a new owner.
Hospitality industry veterans Laundy Hotels bought the hotel, reports the Myall Coast Messenger. The deal value was not disclosed.
The <a href="https://mq.com.au/1636938/" target="_blank">172 Myall Street</a> hotel is the only one in Tea Gardens, says the ad by selling agents Gerry Quinlan and John Manenti of MQ and Associates. The hotel is a 2-1/2 hour drive from Sydney.
Built on 3,646 sqm site, the property comes with 15 poker machines and 21 motel units. 
Before the deal, the hotel had the same ownership for 68 years.
The Laundy family have been in the hotel industry for three generations and Arthur Laundy (Jnr) has appointed Steve and Trish Rogers as the new managers of the hotel. The two say they want to make it a showpiece for Tea Gardens, according to the Myall Coast Messenger.
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Tea Gardens Hotel snapped up by Laundy Hotels

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Gladstone Central in Queensland’s Gladstone region, comprising two individual centres, will be offered for sale either individually or in-one-line via an expressions of interest campaign, closing March 17.
JLL’s Jacob Swan and Sam Hatcher are marketing the property, under instructions from Chris MacDonnell of Restructuring Solutions as agent for the mortgagee in possession.
“Gladstone Central is considered to be the premier entertainment precinct in Gladstone with a high performing cinema and national food and beverage operators. The centre provides a diverse tenancy profile with major banking, medical and fitness occupiers complementing the entertainment uses,” said Swan.
Swan said 2015 was a record year for the Queensland retail investment market with transaction activity touching highs, new benchmarks for yields and consistent pricing. 
Spotlight Centre encompasses 8,613 sqm of retail space with two major anchors, Spotlight and Gladstone Cinemas, supported by two mini-majors and 24 specialty tenancies. The centre’s major tenants include the only cinema and Spotlight within the trade area, Suncorp Bank, Bank of QLD, Anytime Fitness and Medibank Private.
The NightOwl Centre is a convenience store with 3,965 sqm of retail floor area across one mini-major, 20 specialties and one ATM. The centre’s position as the main food and beverage centre within the region is underpinned by its representation of major brands including Dominos, The Cheesecake Shop, The Coffee Club, NightOwl, Subway and Gloria Jeans.
The centres serve a significant area, with the total trade area population estimated at around 55,500 in 2015, including 35,090 and 9,690 residents in the main trade area and primary trade area respectively. The total trade area population is projected to reach over 75,000 by 2026.
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Queensland’s Gladstone Central on the market as demand for regional retail assets grows

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Stockland Cairns – a nearly 50,000 square metre shopping centre in Cairns — is up for sale through an International Expressions of Interest (EOI) campaign closing March 31.
The sale is expected to fetch more than $230 million for the Stockland Group, which has appointed JLL’s Simon Rooney for the campaign.
Stockland Cairns, spread over 49,532 sqm, is a triple DDS anchored sub-regional shopping centre comprising a Big W, Target, Harris Scarfe, Coles, Woolworths, BCC six screen cinema complex, in addition to 10 mini majors, 110 specialty tenancies and kiosks.
“Investors continue to see long-term value in the Queensland retail market. Investment into retail assets in Queensland continues to strengthen from year to year. Total transaction activity has risen from $1.4 billion in 2013, to $1.7 billion in 2014 and to a record-high of $2.3 billion in 2015,” said Rooney.
“There have been very few opportunities historically to acquire a 100% interest in a major, high quality retail asset over $200 million in Queensland. We have recorded just three transactions above this threshold in the last 10-years. One of those transactions occurred directly off-market and one was part of a national portfolio.”
He said several institutional retail landlords bought assets in Queensland last year to increase exposure to the state. Blackstone acquired Westfield Strathpine as part of a wider portfolio transaction for $655.5 million, QIC bought Domain Central Homemaker Centre (nearly $130 million) and Hinkler Central ($110 million) and LaSalle Investment Management acquired three retail assets totalling $171 million.
“We expect Stockland Cairns will be highly sought after given the high level of demand for major retail assets in Queensland and the shortage of opportunities to acquire major assets,” said Rooney.
“The resurgence in inbound tourism, which follows the depreciation in the AUD, is supporting the local economies of major tourist regions such as Far North Queensland. Overseas visitor arrivals have increased by over 7% year-on-year, nationally, which supports a positive outlook for retail trading conditions.”
Stockland Cairns benefits from its location at the gateway to the southern growth corridor of the Cairns region, with 247,030 residents within the total trade area, including 168,810 residents in the main trade area.
Several major tenants including Target and Woolworths have renewed their leases to July 2022 and June 2036, respectively, as well as a brand new lease to Harris Scarfe to May 2026.
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/stockland-reports-8-1-percent-increase-in-first-half-underlying-profit">Stockland</a>, Australia's largest diversified real estate investment trust, reported on Wednesday an 8.1 percent rise in first-half underlying profit to $313 million.
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Stockland Cairns comes to market with a price tag of $230 million plus

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The Australian Securities &amp; Investments Commission has banned Angie Skouras for four years from engaging in credit activities and cancelled the Australian credit licence of Global Edge Finance Group Pty Ltd (Global Edge) after an investigation found it had failed to comply with rules. 
In his role as the sole director, manager and key person on the licence of mortgage and finance company Global Edge, Skouras did not ensure the company’s compliance under the credit legislation.
ASIC found that Global Edge failed to:
• Lodge Annual Compliance Certificates for the 2014 and 2015 years;
• Hold current membership with an ASIC approved external dispute resolution scheme; and
• Comply with two adverse determinations made by the Credit and Investments Ombudsman requiring the payment of $197,231 and $129,021 respectively. 
As a result, Skouras was not fit to engage in credit activities, it ruled.
ASIC Commissioner Greg Tanzer said, 'While ASIC expects directors of companies to manage the affairs in strict abeyance with the law, there is a heightened expectation if they provide financial and credit services to consumers. As this case shows, directors who fail to meet those standards will be held to account and face significant consequences.”
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ASIC bans mortgage broker and cancels Global Edge licence

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Nearly $870 million worth of reported industrial property transactions (&gt;$2m) were recorded by Savills in the 12 months to December 2015, down from $913 million in the previous year, and up on the five-year average $651 million.
The hunt continues by investors for prime assets encouraged by the returns that property offers in the current climate, however, well located land is also eagerly sought as developers return to the market.
The highlight of the year was a $1.073 billion purchase of the GIC portfolio by Singapore-based Ascendas. The portfolio included assets from Victoria, New South Wales and Brisbane. There were seven Brisbane properties included in the deal amounting to $317.2 million.
In another unconfirmed deal, Logos Property Group secured 246,000 square metre of land at Heathwood on the Logan Motorway with intention to develop a premium logistics estate.
Overall, industrial sales topped $1 billion in the 12 months to December 2015, however Savills only includes sales over $2 million in their charts and reporting. 
Nevertheless, it is interesting to note strength of the under $2 million purchases at around $161 million for the year which would be mainly small owner occupiers and land sales which says a lot for the confidence of small businesses and underpins future industrial growth.
<a href="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%202.31.55%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Savills reap $870 million in industrial property sales to December 2015

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] 
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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. 
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Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project. 
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“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; 
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“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>

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Prateek Chatterjee

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