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Interest in rock-bottom mortgages skyrocketed in the days following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) cash rate cut, according to Finder.com.au.
Finder.com.au said, following the drop to an unprecedented low of 1.25%, borrowers are acting swiftly to take advantage of low-rate loans. Traffic to <a id="LPlnk461607" href="https://finder.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc5e9bce699fa1d71a67cf499&amp;id=ab42718692&amp;e=58cd8ffd03" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">home loan deals</a> on Finder jumped by 654% in less than 48 hours since the RBA announced the cash rate cut.
Furthermore, interest in variable rates on Finder grew by 564%, while there’s been a 369% spike in those looking to refinance. Graham Cooke, insights manager at Finder, said the uptick shows Aussies are becoming increasingly savvy with their finances. “This historically low rate will open lots of eyes to just how good the current offers are – and that’s the case for variable and fixed rates, alike.
So far, <a href="/expert-insights/finance/what-are-lenders-doing-following-the-june-rba-rate-cut-ratecity">22 lenders have cut rates</a> following the RBA’s decision and all indications are that more lenders will follow suit in the coming weeks. Home loan discounts following rate cut
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/6/Finder%20rate%20cuts.JPG" alt="">
While the Big Four all announced a rate discount the day of the RBA's decision, only two – CBA and NAB – will pass on the cut in full.  Many lenders had already reduced their rates in anticipation of the rate drop. 
According to Finder.com.au, in May, 49 lenders reduced rates on 778 different home loan products
Cooke said, "we know the RBA cut the rate in part to help stabilise falling property prices, but many experts are predicting another cut this year, if not two." “Rates have never been this low. If your current home loan has a ‘4’ or a ‘5’ in front of it, you could be getting a much better deal,” he concluded.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/6/Finder%20big%204.JPG" alt="">
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Web searches on rock-bottom home loan rates skyrocketed after RBA rate cut: Finder.com.au

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CWP Renewables and Partners Group are pioneering Australia’s first, large-scale, public, community investment into a utility-scale wind farm. 
The Sapphire Wind Farm Community Co-investment allows investment in the Sapphire Wind Farm in the New England district.
At 270MW it is the largest wind farm in New South Wales. The energy generated by the Sapphire Wind Farm is enough to power around 115,000 homes and to displace 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
DomaCom, who has partnered with developers CWP Renewables and Partners Group, are closing applications for the co-investment initiative of Sapphire Wind Farm in rural New South Wales at the end of the month.
The Sapphire Wind Farm, in Kingsland is an Australian first for its community co-investment.
Initially the opportunity, closing June 30 was only made available for those in the local community, however building on the success of the campaign, the developers extended the initiative to all residents from NSW and the ACT.
Over $7.4 million of pledges were made by community members interested in investing throughout 2017/2018.
DomaCom's <a href="https://domacom.com.au/" target="_blank">fractional property platform</a> allows small investors alongside institutional investors.
The platform allows multiple investors to aggregate their investments into an asset, typically a real estate asset, but now also renewable energy projects.
Andrew Dickson at CWP Renewables, the company behind constructing the wind farm, said DomaCom is a great fit for the community co-investment initiative.
"Their online platform makes it very easy for people to establish and manage their investment," Dickson said, adding that after testing the community's interest late last year, he was surprised with the level of interest."
The project is projected to have a return of 6% which Andrew said, "represents a good investment... better than the bank."
A minimum investment of $1,250 is required (maximum investment of $200,000).
The latest fund raising seeks $3 million of pledges.
Ross Laidlaw from DomaCom said, "the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Fund is a clear demonstration of the vision of DomaCom taking large institutional assets and breaking them down into fractional components to allow retail investors to obtain exposure to an asset class not previously available.”
Construction of the wind farm began in January, and the final turbine was installed in October. 
100MW of the wind farm's capacity has been contracted to the ACT government, as part of the Territory’s 100 per cent renewable target for 2020.
Another 50MW of the project’s capacity was contracted to renewable energy retailer Flow Power, which has now sealed a deal with the Sydney Opera House.
Under that deal, the Opera House will buy 16 gigawatt hours of wind and solar output a year from both Sapphire and the Bomen solar farm, also located in NSW.
For more information on DomaCom <a href="https://domacom.com.au/" target="_blank">click here.</a>
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DomaCom Sapphire Wind Farm co-investment opportunity closes this month

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A four bedroom, two bathroom Upper Coomera mortgagee house has been sold after an unsuccessful April auction.
The home which came with an asking price of $320,000 transacted for slightly less, just $318,000.
Glenn Batten of First National marketed the house.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-upper+coomera-130723514" target="_blank">5 Moran Drive</a> the listing noted, "the property is being sold "as is" and it requires building and rectification work."
Set on 700 sqm, the abode features a double lockup garage as well as a covered outdoor entertaining area and deck.
The property was sold in late May.
<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="/developments/upper-coomera-qld-4209">Upper Coomera</a> is $488,750 according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as 1.7%.
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Four bedroom Upper Coomera, Queensland mortgagee house sold

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The good news for homeowners and investors has continued with the Reserve Bank cutting the official cash rate by 25 basis points to a historic low of 1.25%.
This decision follows hot on the heels of APRA calling on lenders to scrap the 7% mortgage interest rate test and the Federal Election result that has ensured that property tax benefits such as negative gearing and the 50% capital gains tax discount are maintained. 
Many of the offices I have spoken to or visited over the last two weeks are reporting their phones started ringing again on the Monday morning after the election.
This result underlines once again that consumers don’t like uncertainty.
The decision by the central bank today will have a similar result on buyer confidence and throw in the Federal Government’s new First Home Loan Deposit Scheme announced during the Federal Election campaign, and the short to medium term outlook for Australian property markets is much stronger than even a month ago.  
However, to achieve the intended impact of the easing, it’s imperative every lender passes the 25-basis point cut on to borrowers in full.
The RBA’s move will help affordability for first home buyers.
The caveat is that the banks must come to the party and pass this rate cut on in full.
First home buyers have all the power in the market right now. They have all the support from the government, the central bank, the lenders, and there are plenty of incentives aimed at first timers seeking to buy off the plan property.
However, the trouble is empty nesters don’t have the incentives to move, which is hindering the housing plans of upgraders and first-time buyers. 
We need governments to look at ways to provide last-time buyer incentives to help encourage the empty nesters to downsize. 
Tax incentives have been proven to work for first-time buyers. Now is the time to try to encourage empty nesters to move through tax incentives.
ANGUS RAINE is the Executive Chairman of Raine &amp; Horne
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Rate cuts help affordability, but governments need to consider last-home buyer incentives: Angus Raine

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CoreLogic’s national hedonic rental index held put in May and was up 0.4% over the past twelve months, according to their latest Home Value Index results.
According to the May Index, Darwin and Sydney's rental markets remain the largest drag on national rental growth, with rental rates falling 5.2% and 2.9% respectively over the past twelve months.
Hobart rents are rising the fastest amongst all the capital cities, up 4.9% over the past twelve months.
The result of strong demand coupled with low rental supply.
Although CoreLogic's head of research Tim Lawless described rental markets as "generally sluggish," gross rental yields are continuing to recover from their recent record lows.
Nationally, the gross rental yield is recorded at 4.13%, the highest gross yield since May 2015, but still 14 basis points below the decade average of 4.27%.
The May Index noted, "each of the capital cities and broad regional rental markets, apart from Regional Tasmania and Regional Northern Territory, have recorded either a steady or higher gross yield profile relative to the same time a year ago; a reflection of the change in rental rates being greater than the change in dwelling values."
Click <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/CoreLogic%20Yields.JPG" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/4/CoreLogic%20Yields.JPG" alt="">
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Investors enjoying national rental yield at 4 year high: CoreLogic

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National property prices will rise by at least 5 per cent next year, according to Macquarie Securities.
Macquarie said in every Australian house price cycle since 1989, price growth followed within seven months after the monthly annualised price decline bottomed.
It has however forecast that prices are likely to fall another 1 or 2 per cent in coming months, then Macquarie expects prices to stop falling over the next few months.
It says likely lower interest rates, easier lending standards and a more settled post-election environment “should see national house prices rise by at least 5 per cent by the end of 2020”.
Movements of as much as 10 per cent in Sydney and Melbourne “wouldn’t surprise us”, it says.
The Government’s first home buyer deposit scheme should also provide “some modest support”, Macquarie says.
Another factor is the relative shortage of fresh home listings in recent months as ellers have kept properties off the market amid the downturn.
Lower borrowing interest rates are likely to be the most powerful factor, Macquarie suggest.
“We assume the RBA cuts by 50 basis points in coming months and most of that is passed through to actual mortgage rates,” Macquarie says.
Macquarie says support for house price growth from APRA’s rule change will be dampened by the fact that most borrowers don’t borrow the maximum loan amount available to them.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority wrote to lenders last month, saying that instead of the 7 per cent floor (which is 7.25 per cent in practice), they would be permitted to set their own minimum interest rate floor for use in assessments.
“Nevertheless, we are conscious that housing process are determined at the margin and the effect of APRA’s changes on the marginal borrower shouldn’t be underestimated.”
The decline from the mid-2017 peak to the trough looks like being 10 per cent nationally, with Sydney’s peak to trough fall to be around 15 to 20 per cent and Melbourne’s close to 15 per cent.
If the peak-to-trough fall is 10 per cent it will be the biggest housing market fall in 40 years, it noted.
Macquarie has lowered home loan interest rates in recent months, despite the cash rate then remaining on hold.
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Macquarie tips property prices to rise 5 percent in 2020

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Home loan lenders have continued to cut rates following the RBA rate cut announcement on Tuesday.
The <a href="/expert-insights/finance/who-cut-their-interest-rates-following-the-rbas-move">big four banks all cut within a few hours</a> following the decision for the RBA to cut rates to 1.25%, the lowest in history and the first time they've moved since August 2016.
ING, Bank of Queensland, Virgin Money, Qudos Bank and Newcastle Permanent have moved their variable interest rates since the last RateCity.com.au update yesterday.
ING, the nation’s fifth largest home loan lender chose to pass the full 0.25 per cent cut on to their variable rate customers, effective 25 June 2019
BOQ is only passing 0.15 per cent on to their most popular product, the Clear Path variable rate package, while all other variable rate loans will be cut by the full 0.25 per cent.
Virgin Money is passing on 0.22 per cent to their variable rate customer.
Popular banks still yet to announce their intentions include BankWest, Bendigo Bank, Adelaide Bank, ME Bank, HSBC and AMP.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/6/RateCity%20New%20Rates.JPG" alt="">
The first to cut was Athena, a small Sydney-based non-bank lender who only entered the market this year. They cut their rates by the full 25 basis points within 15 minutes of the RBA decision.
The online lender announced a new headline variable rate for owner-occupiers at 3.34 percent.
The <a href="/expert-insights/finance/anz-first-to-pass-on-part-of-june-2019-rba-rate-cut">first big four bank to cut was the ANZ</a>, just nine minutes after the RBA's announcement, however they've been outed by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg because they only cut 18 basis points, as opposed to the 25 basis points the RBA cut by.
“I think the ANZ has let down its customers,” Frydenberg said.
Commonwealth Bank were next, <a href="/news/cba-announce-full-rate-cut-after-june-rba-meeting">announcing their 25 basis point cut</a> at around 3.30pm. 
Effective from June 25, CBA's standard variable rate will drop by 0.25%.
NAB joined CBA with <a href="/expert-insights/finance/nab-joins-cba-in-full-0-25-rate-cut-to-historic-lows">a full 25 basis point cut</a> for their standard variable rate which will be the lowest rate they have offered in four decades.
Westpac were the last to cut, <a href="/expert-insights/finance/westpac-to-cut-by-0-2-but-more-for-io-borrowers">only passing on a 20 basis point cut</a>.
TERM DEPOSITS
We saw a huge flurry of cuts to term deposits in the lead up to Tuesday’s RBA rate announcement, as banks moved to price the expected cut in. Over 50 banks have cut term deposit rates in the past two months.
This week, the term deposit rate cuts continue to come in, particularly from Westpac and ANZ. A stocktake of the big 4 banks below:
<ul type="disc">
<li>ANZ – ANZ has cut almost 20 term deposit rates and has hiked just a couple since Tuesday. The biggest cut on our database is 0.60 per cent;</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Westpac – Westpac has also changed a range of term deposit rates since the beginning of the week, cutting by up to 0.50 per cent and increasing one by 0.25 per cent. Westpac’s at-call deposits remain under review;</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li>CBA – no change to date;</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li>NAB – no change to date.</li>
</ul>
RateCity.com.au’s research director Sally Tindall said Tuesday’s rate announcement was like rubbing salt into a wound for savers.
“It’s been a tough slog for savers over the last three years, and while a range of factors influence deposit rates, we’re expecting them to sink even further," Tindall said.
“It is especially frustrating to see ANZ and Westpac hold back part of a home loan rate cut with one hand and slash some of their deposit rates with the other.
“It does still pay to shop around. Right now, you can find term deposit and savings rates that offer up to around 3 per cent, however, these rates are unlikely to last for long,” she said.
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What are lenders doing following the June RBA rate cut? RateCity

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Allens has advised ASX-listed Mirvac Group (Mirvac) on its fully underwritten institutional placement to raise A$750 million.
They also offered counsel on a non-underwritten security purchase plan to raise up to A$75 million. 
Combined they make up one of the largest equity raisings in Australia this year.
The Mirvac equity raising follows a series of equity raisings by real estate groups.
"We're seeing several real estate groups move to capitalise on strong equity market conditions to embark on acquisitions or raise funds for future opportunities," said Partner Julian Donnan, who led the Allens team alongside Partner Kate Towey.
"Mirvac is one of Allens' long-standing clients and we were pleased to advise them on this landmark capital raising that will strategically position it for future growth," Kate said.
Approximately A$2.1 billion of capital has been raised by Australian Retail Estate Investment Trusts in 2019. Allens has acted on a number of these transactions, including:
- Acting for the underwriters on Dexus' A$900 million fully underwritten institutional placement; - Acting for Charter Hall Education Trust on its A$120 million fully underwritten institutional placement and follow on unit purchase plan; and - Acting for the underwriters on VIVA Energy REIT's A$100 million fully underwritten institutional placement.
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Allens advises Mirvac on $750m equity raising

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Highgate, the historic Clayfield home, has been listed for sale for a July 6 auction.
Designed by Richard Gailey, the 1920's Spanish mission residence at <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/clayfield/2120478/" target="_blank">117 Adelaide Street E, Clayfield </a>has been tightly held for the past four decades. 
It was once owned by Elizabeth Hart, a pioneering female in Brisbane law circles.
Hart worked at Flower and Hart Solicitors, one of Brisbane's oldest and largest legal firms. 
Set on 1,710 sqm, Highgate has six bedrooms, formal and informal dining and lounge rooms, a freestanding office and a billiard room.
<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/2019/6/4/clayfield%202.jpg" alt="">
Under a terracotta tile roof, Highgate still has a number of original features, including a working fireplace, lead lighting, french doors, hardwood floors, decorative horse-hair plaster ceilings, and hand-cut crystal chandeliers.
In the grounds is a saltwater swimming pool.
Christine Rudolph and Matt Lancashire of Ray White New Farm has the listing. 
<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/2019/6/4/clayfield%203.jpg" alt="">
 
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Highgate, Clayfield's historic 1920s Spanish mission home, set for auction

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GUEST OBSERVATION
People’s quality of life, their health and their comfort can suffer when living in poor-quality housing. It can also impose high ongoing costs of maintenance, repairs, heating and cooling. And these problems are more likely to affect low-income households, as <a href="http://www.shelternsw.org.au/uploads/1/2/1/3/121320015/poor_quality_housing_report_2019.pdf" target="_blank">our report</a> for Shelter NSW shows. In it, we review the evidence on housing quality problems and consider ways to resolve these, especially for low-income households.
There is extensive evidence of the impacts of poor-quality housing on <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27712557" target="_blank">physical health</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1257572/" target="_blank">mental wellbeing</a> and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10942447" target="_blank">comfort</a>. For example, poor design and maintenance can lead to the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1398-9995.1998.tb03859.x" target="_blank">build-up of mould</a>.
These negative impacts vary by income groups and tenure. From the recently completed <a href="https://dataverse.ada.edu.au/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=doi:10.26193/RDMRD3" target="_blank">Australian Housing Conditions Dataset</a> we know, for example, that renters on very low incomes (the bottom fifth of households for gross income, about $20,000 a year) are most likely to have unmet repair needs. They also have a harder time staying comfortable during winter and summer, as the table below shows.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/276912/original/file-20190529-181266-12d6trt.PNG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/276912/original/file-20190529-181266-12d6trt.PNG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
<a class="source" href="https://dataverse.ada.edu.au/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=doi:10.26193/RDMRD3" target="_blank">Source: Australian Housing Conditions Dataset</a>, Author provided
What are the reasons for poor-quality housing?
There are several underlying reasons for substandard housing.
Properties may enter the rental market after years in owner-occupation with no formal checks on their state of repair.
Another problem is some private renters do not assert – <a href="https://rentingfair.org.au/need-to-know" target="_blank">or feel unable to assert</a> – their legal right to habitable premises in a reasonable state of repair and upkeep. This is often because of the insecurity of their leases and lack of affordable alternative housing.
Another issue is “split incentives” – landlords decline to upgrade properties because they would not receive any benefit themselves.
There are also problems in public housing. Disinvestment by governments has both reduced the supply of housing and caused a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/148" target="_blank">backlog of maintenance for much of the remaining stock of dwellings</a>.
Housing quality is covered by myriad regulatory regimes. Lately, governments have been focused on questions of <a href="https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/" target="_blank">how best to regulate construction of new buildings</a>. Less attention is given to the ongoing use of existing buildings.
Recent state and national reviews have highlighted problems in the certification of building design and construction, and in the public agencies that oversee the certifiers. Some state governments have begun to respond. The New South Wales government, for instance, is moving to consolidate the regulation of construction practitioners under a new <a href="/news/nsw-government-to-appoint-building-commissioner-following-industry-reform-report">building commissioner</a>.
We spoke to a range of housing sector stakeholders and the theme from the recent reviews that most struck a chord was inadequate policy governance. There was no comprehensive overview or oversight of the issues of housing quality. As a result, some important issues escape policymakers’ attention.
Many stakeholders indicated that the current focus on problems in new buildings is an example of this. Although that’s plainly an issue in need of attention, other problems in existing buildings and more fundamental solutions are being overlooked – such as increasing social and affordable housing supply.
So what are the solutions?
<ul>
<li>Empowering tenants and regulators</li>
</ul>
One way in which the quality of existing housing is regulated is through tenancy laws. This will become more important as rental housing becomes an <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673037.2017.1301400" target="_blank">increasingly common option, particularly for the long term</a>.
Recently, some state governments have amended tenancy laws to specify <a href="https://www.cbos.tas.gov.au/topics/housing/renting/beginning-tenancy/minimum-standards" target="_blank">“minimum standards” for rental housing</a>. Our research participants supported these moves, but said security of tenure also had to be improved to protect renters when they assert their rights. The onus of legal enforcement could also be shifted from tenants to regulators.
<ul>
<li>Mandating improvements to overcome the split incentive problem</li>
</ul>
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://apo.org.au/node/178481" target="_blank">split incentive problem for housing quality</a> means some landlords are reluctant to pay for upgrades – such as insulation or other energy-efficient features – where tenants are the beneficiaries. As a result, renters, especially those on low incomes, are likely to be <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/159" target="_blank">living in housing of lower standards or quality</a>.
A potential solution is for governments to take the minimum standards approach and legislate energy efficiency and other improvements as mandatory. This is <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-private-rented-property-minimum-standard-landlord-guidance-documents" target="_blank">already commonplace overseas</a>.
One of our workshop participants observed that “energy poverty” was another way of framing the policy issue that had proved compelling in overseas jurisdictions. While this framing had not had the same impact in Australia, <a href="https://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/EEC-Survey-online-FINAL-.pdf" target="_blank">this may be changing</a>.
<ul>
<li>Improving transparency of housing standards</li>
</ul>
Social housing providers have a role in leading by example. Increased investment in social housing could contribute to improved quality across the housing system.
To this end, social housing landlords – particularly state and territory public housing authorities – need to be more accountable to tenants and the general public. Transparent reporting on property conditions, maintenance and tenant satisfaction, led by the social housing sector, can and should be rolled out as standard practice across the sector.
To do this, however, <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-to-reboot-affordable-housing-funding-not-scrap-it-72861" target="_blank">enough funding must be provided</a> to reverse <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/17/national-obscenity-australias-story-of-housing-boom-and-homelessness" target="_blank">decades-long underfunding</a> in the sector.
Collectively, these options can deliver more equitable housing outcomes, not only to low-income households but to all. The challenge lies in having the political and industry will to act on them.
Edgar Liu, Senior Research Fellow at City Futures Research Centre, UNSW
Chris Martin, Research Fellow, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW
Hazel Easthope, Associate Professor, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW
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/chilly-house-mouldy-rooms-heres-how-to-improve-low-income-renters-access-to-decent-housing-116749" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Chilly house? Mouldy rooms? Here’s how to improve low-income renters’ access to decent housing

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Staff reporter

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