<html><body>
The recent trend across the regional markets of Australia has seen a clear improvement in the performance of housing across the major centres adjacent to Sydney and Melbourne, as well as rising values in many of the coastal lifestyle markets, according to the latest CoreLogic home value index for October.
Conversely, the report found drought-affected areas have seen a drop in demand for housing with values falling sharply across many of the rural sub-regions associated with crops and grazing.
Mr Lawless said focusing on housing market conditions across the broad value-based cohorts highlights that the market recovery is being led by the most expensive quarter of the market, although values are also rising across the more affordable strata as well, just not as rapidly.”
"Across the combined capital cities, values within the top quartile were up 5.3% over the three months ending October 2019, while the broad middle of the market was up 2.6% and the lower quartile was up 0.7%."
“These ‘macro’ figures are influenced by stronger housing market conditions in Sydney and Melbourne where housing values are inherently higher, however the trends are reflected at a sub-regional level as well,” Mr Lawless said.
Over the three months ending October 2019, the fastest appreciation in capital city home values has been across the top quartile of Melbourne and Sydney where values were 7.1% and 5.9% higher.
The next best performing sectors were also in Sydney and Melbourne, with the broad ‘middle’ of the market recording a 4.6% rise in Sydney and 4.5% rise in Melbourne.
The lower quartile of Sydney and Melbourne dwelling values were the sectors that recorded the third largest rise over the past three months, up 3.2% across Sydney’s lower quartile and 3.8% higher across Melbourne’s lower quartile.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sydney and Melbourne property markets take top three spots in recovery: CoreLogic

<html><body>
There has been a 1.2% rise in national dwelling values over the month, the fourth straight month of rising values, according to the CoreLogic Home Value Index results for October.
The October result was the largest month-on-month gain in the national index since May 2015. The recent gains come after a broad-based decline in housing values, with the national index declining 8.4% between October 2017 and June 2019.
CoreLogic noted that the positive October result takes national dwelling values 2.9% off their June 2019 floor, however values remain 5.7% below their peak, highlighting that despite the recent gains, home values are at a similar level to where they were three years ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/11/1/CL%20Index%20Results%20OCT.JPG" alt="">
 
The strongest growth conditions continue to be centered in Melbourne and Sydney, however dwelling values trended higher across most of the capital cities.
Dwelling values were up across every capital city apart from Perth over the month, and over the past three months, the only capitals where values fell were Perth (-1.7%) and Darwin (-1.2%).
According to CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless, the stronger rebound in Melbourne and Sydney can be attributed to a blend of factors; tighter labour market conditions and stronger population growth relative to the other capitals, coupled with the stimulatory effect of the lowest mortgage rates since the 1950’s, and improved access to credit.
He said Stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers purchasing under specific price points have added additional stimulus to housing demand.
Melbourne housing values have recovered 6.0% since moving through a trough in May 2019, while Sydney values are up 5.3% since the recent May low. 
CoreLogic's October report said, "the downwards trend in Perth and Darwin home values has continued, however both markets are showing an improvement in the trend rate of decline."
"Both cities have seen dwelling values consistently trending lower since mid-2014, with Darwin down a cumulative 31% and Perth values 22% lower."
"Perth is now recording the lowest median house value of any capital city ($451,800) and Darwin house values are a close second with a median of $468,300."
"Unsurprisingly, the Northern Territory and Western Australia are also showing the highest proportion of first home buyer activity, with first time buyers not weighed down by negative equity and with the ability to take advantage of very affordable housing in these regions," it concluded.
</body></html>

Fourth month of property price growth, up 2.9% since June lows: CoreLogic

<html><body>
A Curra, Queenland mortgagee home on 5 acres has sold for $330,000.
The sale marks the second consecutive loss on the property since it sold for $380,000 in 2010.
It last sold for $375,000 in 2014.
Peter Olsson of the Professionals marketed the property.
SItuated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-acreage+semi-rural-qld-curra-131849254" target="_blank">189 Cliff Jones Road</a>, the house on the property is a three bedroom, two bathroom affair.
Built in 1987, it is located 15 minutes north of Gympie.
The home sold at auction following an unsuccessful 2017 campaign when the vendors sought $450,000 for the property.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><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/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a home in <a href="/news">Curra</a> is $327,500 according to CoreLogic.
</body></html>

Curra, Queensland mortgagee acreage home sold for $45,000 loss

<html><body>
A Thornlie, West Australia mortgagee home has sold for $310,000.
The house last sold for $455,000 in 2014.
Roger Golos of the Professionals marketed the property.
SItuated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-thornlie-131737330" target="_blank">4 Lorenzo Street</a>, the abode is comprised of three bedrooms and one bathroom.
Set on 816 sqm, the 1968 built home sold for less than it did in 2010 when it transacted for $373,000.
The property was listed for two years, starting in 2017 when it sought $429,000 before being taken off the market and relisted as a mortgagee sale.
In this latest campaign when offered as a mortgagee sale, the home had an asking price of $339,000.
The house was listed as a rental in 2014 seeking $480/pw.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><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/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/administrator/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;layout=edit&amp;id=105990#metadata" data-toggle="tab"> </a>
The median price for a home in <a href="/news">Thornlie, WA</a> is $364,000 according to CoreLogic.
</body></html>

Thornlie, WA mortgagee home sold for $145,000 loss

<html><body>
Sydney’s top weekend result was on the lower North Shore at Cremorne where $7.32 million was paid for a four bedroom contemporary home.
Set just above Primrose Park, its vendors Cate and Torod Holst had commissioned Goran Stojanovic of X.PACE Design Group to build the home in 2013.
With filtered views of Willoughby Bay, it sold through Di Jones Lower North Shore who had given a $6 million guide.
The five-bedroom home at <a href="https://www.dijones.com.au/property/house-nsw-cremorne-8p10047/" target="_blank">118 Young St, Cremorne</a> (above) sold $770,000 above reserve to a Chinese-Australian family who postponed a flight to China to be at the auction.
The weekend focus was on the Sydney market with Melbourne's spring racing carnival cutting the volume of auction listings.
Sydney achieved a preliminary clearance rate of 79 per cent across 832 auctions listed, according to CoreLogic figures.
<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/2019/11/4/CoreLogic%20Nov%204.jpg" alt="">
On Saturday there were 672 auctions with 510 results and 404 being sold, with the ensuing 79 percent success rate, the first time below 80 percent since late September.
However the boss of research at SQM Louis Christopher said the fact that the clearance rate hadn't fallen far in a seasonal trend meant Sydney could see dwelling prices match their peak of two years ago by the middle of 2020.
The prediction to the Australian Financial Review was based on clearance rates in the late spring selling season typically falling to the low 60 per cent or high 50 per cent range by November, according to Mr Christopher. In the downturn last year they had fallen into the 40 per cent range.
"This indicates that the market is still strong in Sydney and prices were still rising," Mr Christopher said.
CoreLogic noted the weekend saw 41 percent fewer homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities with the auction activity significantly lower across Melbourne amid the Spring Racing Carnival. 
There were 1,535 capital city homes auctioned, lower than the 2,622 last week and similar to the 1,541 auctions held over the same week one year ago. 
The lower week-on-week activity returned a preliminary auction clearance rate of 73 percent which was lower than last week’s preliminary figure of 75 percent across the higher volumes, which later revised down to 72 percent at final figures.
The dearest house sale in Melbourne was $1.876 million was paid for <a href="https://buxton.com.au/property/139994/39-ray-drive-balwyn-north-vic-3104/" target="_blank">39 Ray Drive Balwyn North</a> (below), according to the REIV.
<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/2019/11/4/39%20Ray%20Drive%20Balwyn%20North.jpg" alt="">
The marketing by Buxton stressed the four bedroom, two bathroom house was in the school zone.
The price guidance had been $1.4 million to $1.5 million.
There was also a 1470 sqm development site at <a href="https://www.llcre.com.au/listing/21310516-6-8-lisbon-street-glen-waverley-vic-3150/" target="_blank">6-8 Lisbon Street, Glen Waverley</a> which fetched $4.98 million.
It was mid-range on the estimate of $4.8 million to $5.2 million given pre-auction by Andy Lou at LLC Real Estate.
There had been a $4.3 million opening bid.
It is likely to become a family home.
Ray White Craigieburn agent Daniel Diamantopoulos sold <a href="https://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39R+6hBQZ7yXMt0Z3VIjNMZGbNY6Z1VkwENXL7gb+DHwWVHGvJAygAogt0PKDf9ueSc=&amp;rh=ff00547abe318663c9132e332043927de369f945" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">14 Medway Rd, Craigieburn</a> (below) for $560,000 with four active bidders pushing the price to $40,000 over reserve.
<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/2019/11/4/14%20Medway%20Road%20Craigieburn.jpg" alt="">
The vendors has been in the home for 45 years.
"It was also great to see a first home buyer out-muscle a builder and a developer," Diamantopoulos said.
<div title="Page 1">
<div>
There were 254 Melbourne homes taken to auction.
</div>
<div>
The lower volume saw the preliminary clearance rate fall, with 73 percent of homes selling after last week’s final auction clearance rate of 75 percent.
Across the smaller auction markets, Canberra was the best performing with a 74 percent  success rate as volumes doubled across the city. 
Adelaide followed with 64 percent of auctions returning a successful result.
The nation's cheapest sale was in Adelaide.
It was a $180,000 sale of a three bedroom house at Elizabeth Downs.
It represented a loss on its last sale in 2009 at $229,000.
The vacated <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://raywhitecraigmore.com.au/properties/residential-for-sale/sa/elizabeth-downs-5113/house/2198231" target="_blank">20 St Leonard Cr, Elizabeth Downs</a> offering was under mortgagee instructions.
"It is in need of fresh paint, up-grading and T.L.C so bring your paint brush, overalls and new ideas," the Ray White agent Dominic Cirillo said.
He also suggested it was an opportunity for property developers, looking to sub-divide &amp; build two or three new dwellings on the 880 sqm holding.
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Sydney not slowing down, prices could match peak by 2020: SQM's Louis Christopher

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
A plan to provide homeless people with overnight beds and shelter in car parks might sound like a good idea but it does little to solve their problem in the long term.
There are other proven ways we can help those sleeping rough to break out of the homelessness cycle. And Australia certainly has the wealth to back such schemes.
That’s why it’s important to treat homeless and roofless people as more than charity cases.
A bed for the night
The charity <a href="https://beddown.org.au/" target="_blank">Beddown</a> started a two-week trial with Secure Parking to invite people sleeping rough to spend the night on inflatable mattresses <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/car-parks-transformed-into-pop-up-accommodation-for-homeless-people-20190927-p52vgt" target="_blank">in a car park in Brisbane’s CBD</a>. It hopes to run similar trials in Melbourne and Sydney.
The mattresses-in-car-parks idea adds to similar charitable models in Australia that include <a href="https://orangesky.org.au/" target="_blank">mobile laundries and showers</a> for people who are homeless, as well as <a href="https://www.sleepbus.org/" target="_blank">buses fitted out with beds</a>.
These charitable endeavours receive almost unanimous <a href="https://www.kidsnews.com.au/humanities/beddown-trial-provides-sweet-dreams-and-a-good-nights-sleep-for-people-experiencing-homelessness/news-story/c1b2924ff9af53125257dc3a4fc036a3" target="_blank">positive attention</a> <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/qld/brisbane-carpark-turned-into-pop-up-shelter-for-the-homeless-is-changing-lives-already-c-502732" target="_blank">from the media</a>.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-24/young-australians-of-the-year-offer-advice-to-2017-nominees/8208554" target="_blank">Some of the creators</a> of these charities even receive prestigious national awards.
How to really end homelessness
Instead of pop-up beds in car parks and mobile laundries and showers, which all start with the best of intentions, as a society we can and should immediately end homelessness for people sleeping rough.
This is not utopian nor is it unrealistic. We have <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/676318" target="_blank" title="Exiting Unsheltered Homelessness and Sustaining Housing: A Human Agency Perspective">rigorous evidence</a>, based on research with programs in Australia’s capital and regional cities, that demonstrate <a href="https://www.sacredheartmission.org/docman/publications/26-publications-sustaining-exits-from-long-term-homelessness-48-month-evaluation-2015/file" target="_blank">we can permanently end homelessness</a> for people on the streets and those who have experienced chronic homelessness.
The evidence even shows how we can end homelessness for <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/hsc.12835" target="_blank" title="Evidence for an integrated healthcare and psychosocial multidisciplinary model to address rough sleeping">people who are sleeping rough</a>.
The results show between 80% and 90% of people who are supported to exit rough sleeping through <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/policy/ahuri-briefs/what-is-the-housing-first-model" target="_blank">Housing First programs</a> sustain their housing for at least 12 months.
Three things are critical.
The first is assertive street outreach that systematically works to identify and support people to get off the streets. Some models consist of clinicians working in street outreach teams to help overcome the health barriers to people exiting the streets.
Second is the accessibility and availability of long-term and affordable housing. People need to access housing as a tenant, not as a client of a conditional program. The availability of housing is essential to ensure assertive outreach is able to offer people what they need.
Third is a flexible model of integrated social support and health care for people after they are housed. The ongoing support needs to be driven by the tenant, not mandated, and available for as long as required.
Action saves money
When we do not change our systems and practices to enable people sleeping rough to access housing, we waste money responding to the consequences of our failed policy decisions.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/supportive-housing-is-cheaper-than-chronic-homelessness-67539" target="_blank">Australian research</a> using government administrative data showed an average annual saving to government services of A$13,100 per person for ending their homelessness with permanent supportive housing.
When people are housed they use less criminal justice and health services than when living on the streets.
Given the evidence and technical knowledge we have for ending homelessness, it is important to consider whether charity models such as Beddown and others that offer temporary solutions run the risk of adverse unintended consequences.
The uncritical praise and celebration these endeavours attract can let governments off the hook for their responsibility to provide affordable housing to homeless people.
These <a href="https://www.feantsaresearch.org/download/think-piece-12032277176126500690.pdf" target="_blank" title="Charity and Justice: A Reflection on New Forms of Homelessness Provision in Australia">charitable measures can distract from work</a> to permanently end homelessness and they normalise homelessness as a social fact.
Furthermore, <a href="https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/Housing/PartnershipInitiatives/DignityFirstFund/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">some of these models</a> receive direct government funding.
When reflecting on mattresses in car parks for people who are homeless, we need to ask ourselves, can we do better? The evidence shows we can.
A lucky country for some
The Australian government proudly proclaims our <a href="https://www.austrade.gov.au/International/Invest/Resources/Benchmark-Report" target="_blank">28 years of uninterrupted economic growth</a> as a record for developed nations.
<a href="https://www.credit-suisse.com/about-us-news/en/articles/news-and-expertise/global-wealth-report-2018-us-and-china-in-the-lead-201810" target="_blank">Credit Suisse says</a> Australians have the highest median average wealth per adult in the world, ahead of Switzerland.
So we clearly have both the wealth and technical knowledge to end homelessness, particularly for the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/2049.0" target="_blank">estimated 8,200 people</a> the Australian Bureau of Statistics identified as sleeping rough on the 2016 Census night.
Providing mattresses in car parks may make volunteers and the public feel good, but we have to recognise that people who are homeless access this resource as charity recipients, who may feel inferior, especially when they cannot reciprocate.
If we don’t provide enough access to housing, one of the consequences is that people who are homeless become dependent on the goodwill of volunteers who provide bedding and washing facilities.
Rough sleepers need to be seen as people who require housing to enable them to control the conditions of their lives. Charities and their motivated volunteers are well positioned to innovate and push governments to do what they have otherwise been unwilling to do: create housing for all Australians.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/125235/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
Cameron Parsell, Associate Professor, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland.
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/beds-in-car-parks-dont-solve-australias-rough-sleeping-problem-125235" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

Beds in car parks don’t solve Australia’s rough sleeping problem

<html><body>
Houses that sold for less than their previous purchase price over the June 2019 quarter were typically held by the owner for 5.8 years, according to the latest data from CoreLogic's June quarter Pain &amp; Gain report.
The report found units sold at a loss over the quarter were typically held by their owners for 5.7 years. Conversely, houses sold for a profit had typically been held for 10.0 years and units 8.8 years.
Throughout the combined capital cities, loss-making resales of houses had typically been held for 4.6 years compared to 5.1 years for loss-making resales of units.
Those capital city houses resold for a profit had typically been held for 10.5 years compared to 9.1 years for units.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/10/29/Resales%20HOLD.JPG" alt="">
Houses sold at a loss in Sydney and Melbourne typically had a much shorter hold period than other capital cities. For units sold at a loss, only those in Hobart and Canberra had a median hold period of less than a decade.
In terms of profit-making resales, the median hold periods for houses were longer in Darwin than they were elsewhere and the shortest in Sydney.
For units, Perth and Darwin once again had much longer median hold periods than elsewhere with Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart having the shortest hold periods.
"The trend towards longer holding time in Perth and Darwin for profit–making resales reflects the ongoing weak housing market conditions of the past decade," the report said.
"In regional Australia, houses resold for a loss were typically held for 7.6 years compared to 9.3 years for those sold at a profit.
"For regional unit markets, the average hold period for resales at a loss (9.2 years) was actually longer than for those resold at a profit (7.5 years).
"For houses resold at a loss, the typical hold period was shortest in regional NSW and regional Victoria and longest in regional SA.
"For loss-making unit resales hold periods were shortest in regional NSW and regional Victoria and longest in regional WA.
"For houses reselling at a profit, typical hold periods were much greater than elsewhere in regional areas of SA and Queensland.
"For units selling at a profit, hold periods were longest in regional SA and regional WA."
</body></html>

Homes resold at a loss were held 5.75 years on average: CoreLogic Pain & Gain Report

<html><body>
Data shows that investors continue to be more likely to resell their properties at a loss compared to owner occupiers, according to the latest data from CoreLogics Pain &amp; Gain report for the June quarter.
They found that over the second quarter of 2019, 11.3% of properties that were owned by owner occupiers resold at a loss compared to 17.4% of investment properties.
Across each of the major regions, except for regional Victoria and regional Tasmania, a greater share of investors resold their properties at a loss than owner occupiers.
Throughout the combined capital cities, 11.5% of owner occupier properties that were resold over the second quarter of 2019 resold for a loss compared to 18.1% of investor owned properties.
Click to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/10/29/Resales%20OO%20vs%20I.JPG" target="_blank">open in new window</a>:
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/10/29/Resales%20OO%20vs%20I.JPG">
In Melbourne (5.0% vs 13.5%), Brisbane (8.3% vs 24.3%) and Canberra (4.6% vs 21.0%) investors were more than twice as likely to resell a property at a loss than owner occupiers during the quarter.
In most of the remaining capital cities, the differential in share of loss-making resales between owner occupiers and investors was fairly small.
Across the regional areas of the country, investors were more likely to resell a property for a loss (15.8%) than owner occupiers (11.1%).
The gap between owner occupied and investor owned properties reselling at a loss was generally quite small.
"Clearly, any property owner will aim to make a profit from the sale of their property," the report said.
"In a falling market owner occupiers may be more prepared to sell at a loss if they are purchasing their next home at an equivalent or greater discount.
"Conversely, investors, because of taxation rules, would seemingly be more prepared to incur a loss because they (unlike owner occupiers) can offset those loses against future capital gains.
"If home values fall, investors may be more inclined to sell at a loss and offset those losses which in turn could result in more supply becoming available for purchase at a time in which demand for housing remains below average due to recent weak conditions and tighter credit availability however, these trends have started to reverse over recent months."
</body></html>

Investors more likely than owner occupiers to resell property at a loss: CoreLogic Pain & Gain Report

<html><body>
Over the June 2019 quarter, resales of residential properties in Perth created $834.9 million worth of resale profits which accounted for 5.1% of resale profits nationally, according to the latest data from CoreLogic's Pain &amp; Gain Report.
Their findings showed, Perth also created $166.5 million in loss-making resales accounting for 23.0% of all losses nationally.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/10/29/Resales%20PRTH%201.JPG" alt="">
Peppermint Grove had no resales at a loss over the quarter, while Nedlands was the only other region with less than a quarter of resales at a loss.
The highest share of resale losses were in Perth, Belmont and Bayswater.
Greater Perth has continued to see values fall over the quarter and subsequently resale losses have also risen, a trend likely to continue, CoreLogic said.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/10/29/Resales%20PRTH%202.JPG" alt="">
</body></html>

Quarter of Australia's loss-making property resales occurred in Perth: CoreLogic Pain & Gain Report

<html><body>
Over the June 2019 quarter, resales of Darwin properties generated $25.7 million in profits and $15.6 million in losses, according to the latest findings from CoreLogic's Pain &amp; Gain report.
Based on these figures, Darwin generated 0.2% of national profit and 2.1% of the total value of losses.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/10/29/Resales%20HOB%201.JPG" alt="">
Each region of the city has recorded a high proportion of resales at a loss with at least one in two resales over the quarter in Darwin and Palmerston at a loss, while around one in five resales were at a loss in Litchfield.
The share of units resold at a loss recorded a steady rise over the quarter while there was a slight drop in the share of houses resold at a loss.
Click <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/10/29/Resales%20HOB%202.JPG" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/10/29/Resales%20HOB%202.JPG" alt="">
The Pain &amp; Gain report also examined other Australian capital cities like <a href="/news/wa/quarter-of-australias-loss-making-property-resales-occurred-in-perth-corelogic-pain-gain-report">Perth</a> and <a href="/news/tas/hobart-property-resale-losses-remain-low-despite-market-slowdown-corelogic-pain-gain-report">Hobart</a>, as well as trends such as <a href="/expert-insights/investing/investors-more-likely-than-owner-occupiers-to-resell-property-at-a-loss-corelogic-pain-gain-report">investors being more likely to resell property at a loss than owner occupiers</a>.
</body></html>

50% of Darwin resales made a loss: CoreLogic Pain & Gain Report

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Joel Robinson

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

For all its prestige, Roseville hasn't seen many new apartment developments that genuinely cater to the suburb's owner-occupier market.

Most new projects on Sydney's North Shore have focused on increasing supply, but Aqualand Prestige's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/boronia-by-aqualand-roseville-2-4-larkin-street-roseville-nsw-2069">Boronia</a> is taking a different approach.

The 111-apartment project on Larkin Street has been designed around a buyer who already knows the area, whether they're downsizing from a nearby family home, upgrading from an older apartment, or moving into the suburb to be closer to schools and transport.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=372391]

Boronia is the first project from Aqualand Prestige, the boutique residential division of Aqualand, the developer behind projects including AURA in North Sydney and Blue at Lavender Bay. The project is being delivered in partnership with Phoenix Property Investors.

Rather than trying to maximise density, the focus has been on creating apartments that feel much closer to a house. There's a strong weighting towards larger three-bedroom residences, alongside a limited collection of four-bedroom duplex-style sky homes, a product that's rarely delivered in apartment projects on the Upper North Shore.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373694]

Architecture firm Woods Bagot has designed the building to sit within Roseville's established tree canopy rather than dominate it. The building steps down the site with deep balconies, generous setbacks and a material palette of masonry and natural stone that reflects the suburb's established character.

"The forms float among the canopies along the Larkin Street ridge to maximise the outlook across the green sea of the treetops," Woods Bagot Principal Jason Fraser said.

"The architecture is deliberately simple and understated, so that the detail, the craftsmanship and, above all, the landscape can be the hero."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The same approach continues inside.

Interiors by COX take inspiration from the surrounding bushland of Lane Cove National Park, using natural stone, timber and handcrafted finishes throughout the residences. Kitchens feature Gaggenau and Bosch appliances, while the penthouse collection includes upgraded stone finishes and bespoke detailing.

"We wanted the homes to feel like an urban retreat, where the boundary between inside and out simply dissolves," COX Director Brooke Lloyd said.

Landscape architecture by Ground iNK extends that connection outdoors, with mature tree planting, deep soil landscaping and retained established street trees helping the development blend into one of Sydney's leafiest suburbs.

Residents will also have access to landscaped communal gardens, a wellness centre and outdoor spaces designed more as an extension of their own homes than traditional apartment amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373687]

The location is another reason Aqualand Prestige believes Boronia will resonate with buyers.

Roseville Station is around a five-minute walk away, placing Chatswood just one stop down the line, while the Sydney CBD remains within easy commuting distance. The suburb also sits within the NSW Government's Transport Oriented Development precinct, where planning changes are encouraging more housing around existing rail infrastructure.

Despite those planning reforms, opportunities to secure a new apartment in Roseville remain relatively limited, particularly developments aimed at owner-occupiers rather than investors.

Aqualand Prestige Executive Director Wayne Xiong said Boronia was designed for buyers intending to stay for the long term.

"These are homes built for decades of living rather than for the moment," Xiong said.

"Whether buyers are downsizing, raising a family or simply seeking more space, they're choosing the scale and craftsmanship of a fine house in a suburb they love, with the ease and connectivity modern life calls for."

Boronia's two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.79 million, three-bedrooms from $2.49 million, penthouses from $2.85 million, and four-bedroom duplex-style Sky Homes from $4.5 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152095]

Aqualand Prestige launches Boronia to undersupplied Roseville apartment market

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News