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A unit by the coast in regional Queensland has been recently sold for $57,000 by Derran Corke from Ray White Gladstone. 
The two-bedder at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-qld-west+gladstone-127535546">1/21 Charles St</a>, West Gladstone ranked the cheapest residential sale across Queensland for the week.
Back in 1989 the same unit sold for $54,959, and in 1992 it was sold again for $50,000 according to data from CoreLogic.
<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/2018/5/25/gladstone%202.jpg" alt="">
It comes with two bedrooms, combined lounge/living, and carport to the rear of the complex. 
The bathroom needs renovating with room to improve.
The unit block was built in the '70s, and although it is showing its age it has all the essentials, is close to KFC, Aldi and Gladstone West State School.
The real estate market has had a tough couple of years in Gladstone, with high vacancy rates (though they are <a href="https://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/gladstone-rental-vacancy-rates-at-lowest-point-in-/3394084/" target="_blank">on their way down</a>) and falling prices.
In the suburb of South Gladstone median house prices have dropped by 29.7 per cent over the last three years, and in West Gladstone the drop has been even harder at 42.9 per cent.
Valuers HTW noted 2017 was the most positive seen our market perform in nearly five years.
"Most property sectors have now bottomed out and stabilised and we have even seen some evidence of an increase in values," it noted recently.
It suggested sales activity has been strong with buyers very aware of the great affordability the region represents.
"Affordability is currently the driving force for the Gladstone region market. 
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"Good quality existing stock is attracting multiple offers and significantly reduced days on the market." 
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This has also led to an increase in new construction activity.
The valuers noted owners and upgraders are opting to build their forever home due to record low land values. 
Mortgagee in possession sales appear to comprise about 30% of all sales and while the number of repossessions has not declined, most stock appears to sell in a reasonable time frame providing they are priced appropriately. 
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

$57,000 West Gladstone unit sale shows little price growth

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The Reserve Bank of Australia won't lift rates until 2020, according to Macquarie Securities.
At least not while there is "a small but growing risk" that the central bank will be unable to tighten policy in this cycle, Macquarie says.
Ric Deverell and Justin Fabo joined many other economists of the opinion that it's going to take more time until the RBA begin's lifting rates from their current historic low of 1.5 per cent.
"The economy is gradually improving, supported by above-trend global growth," the economists wrote in a note to clients. "It's just not improving fast enough."
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Falling property prices and uncertainty around the outlook for housing construction activity and credit growth "also give the RBA reason to sit pat".
A much faster than anticipated drop in unemployment and a lift in the terms of trade increase the chance of a rate rise coming earlier than expected, the economists wrote.
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But equally, "the chances of a later rate hike, or no rate hike, would rise if China's deleveraging or domestic housing market developments become disorderly, or if by 2020 the US economy slows much faster than we expect".
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Macquarie's change of view comes as a result of expectations that "ample spare capacity in the economy will linger", and "continue being a key factor keeping a lid on wages growth".
Achieving average CPI inflation approaching 2.5 per cent "is highly unlikely" without average annual wages growing at a pace of 3-3.5 per cent, the economists estimate.
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"It appears likely that it won't be until 2020 that Australia's unemployment rate will firmly have a '4' in front of it," they stated.
This "persistent spare capacity will continue being a key factor keeping a lid on wages growth".
 
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RBA holding interest rates till at least 2020: Macquarie Securities

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In Richmond 10 auctions took place this Saturday and eight resulted in a sale.
A house at 10 Vesper Street sold through Biggin &amp; Scott after offers from three bidders.
Auctioneer Russell Cambridge sold the home for $1.348 million having declaring it on the market at $1.3 million.
It last changed hands for $39,000 in 1980.
Another Richmond house at 247 Coppin Street fetched $220,000 higher than its reserve on Saturday. It was the suburb's highest price on the weekend.
<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/2018/6/25/247%20Coppin%20Street.jpg" alt="">
It fetched $2.42 million after three bidders pushed the bidding on the tired Victorian (pictured above) through Hocking Stuart Richmond.
It was set on a 405sq m site opposite Barkly Gardens.
The next priciest was passed in at $1.8 million at 20 Neptune Street.
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Richmond's 80% success rate at auction last Saturday

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Teska Carson is still marketing a prime, mixed-use, investment at Oakleigh in Melbourne’s south-east.
Located at 40-42 Atherton Road within Oakleigh’s retail and commercial precinct, the property comprises an 829 square metre building.
It incorporates a double fronted, 278 square metre shop and three brand new apartments over two levels, each with balconies and two car spaces.
The Commercial 1 zoned, 424 square metre site, which is located in a precinct that includes Woolworths, Coles, Liquorland, all major banks, and Chemist Warehouse, has 10.5 metres frontage to tree-lined Atherton Street.
The retail component is currently leased to ANZ Bank on a ten year term at circa $133,705 per annum.
The three apartments, including one with three bedrooms and study, one with three bedrooms and one with two bedrooms, will be offered with vacant possession but with a 12 month rental guarantee bringing the total return to $235,105.
Teska Carson’s George Takis and Michael Taylor are offering the property for the first time in 20 years.
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Oakleigh investment with ANZ lease for sale

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Teska Carson is marketing a warehouse/showroom property leased to Carpet Call on the Nepean Highway at Bentleigh in Melbourne’s south-eastern bayside suburbs.
The property will be auctioned on June 29 on site at 909 Nepean Highway.
The property comprises a single level, solid brick, 435 square metre facility with rear roller door access and eight designated car spaces within a 46 space car park.
It is located on a very well established showroom strip with Autobarn.
Bob Jane T-Marts, Forty Winks, Beacon Lighting, Kennards Hire and Hungry Jacks among others, the property is commercial 2 zoned.
The property will be sold subject to a three year lease from April 2017 to Carpet Call at $122,620 per annum net.
According to marketing agents, Teska Carson’s Luke Bisset and Michael Ludski, the high profile location is exposed to approximately 60,000 passing cars per day, making it an ideal position for showroom businesses.   
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Carpet Call, Bentleigh premises listed for sale

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The Block has opened a pop up store opposite the St Kilda location for series 14 at 79 Fitzroy Street.
The shop opened with a party, attended by a host of ex-contestants, including Elyse (below, last year’s winner).
The Fitzroy Street premises will eventually be the Pride Centre where the council have spent $13 million to buy the former Monroe’s Restaurant site with plans to turn it, and the carpark next door, into the Pride Centre, based on San Francisco’s LGBT Community Centre.
The premises previously sold in 1978 at $365,000.
<img src="https://www.theblockshop.com.au/images/blog/The_Blockshop-184.jpg" alt="">
The Block Shop operators are Emma Garland and Sarah Armstrong, the partner of the television show producer, Julian Cress.
The shop launch was filmed as part of this year’s show.
The space had been a restaurant with a disco ball hanging from the ceiling.
The Block Shop Pop Up will service the contestants working across the road at The Gatwick.
It’s also open to the general public.
Having the shop open opposite The Gatwick is helping to regenerate a once tired and run-down stretch of street.
“Lots of neighbours come in, and they are in shock,” the store manager says. “They say, ‘We are so happy you’re around.’
“Hopefully we can give the street a bit of life back - they’ve asked us to stick around for as long as we can, which is nice.”
It’s been set up to service this year’s contestants, providing them with stylish homeware and interior options during filming.
The contestants are under no obligations to use anything in our shop.
Sharing the Block Shop space is Nood Co, the concrete homewares company set up by ex-contestant Matt Di Costa (of ‘Matt and Kim’ fame, The Block Sky High).
His gorgeous concrete sinks were featured in Ronnie and Georgia’s perfect-score guest bathroom last year.
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The Block opens pop up store opposite The Gatwick 

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House prices on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have generally moved in tandem with Brisbane.
The same drivers of population growth present in the capital are present in these regions, primarily net interstate migration inflows and, to a lesser extent, overseas migration, according to the latest report from BIS Oxford Economics.
However, both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have experienced significantly stronger price growth than Brisbane since 2012.
The economists noted that, "These markets experienced a larger post-mining boom downturn", this caused a slump in new dwelling construction in these markets creating significant under-supply, with vacancy rates of 1.1 per cent and 1.0 per cent recorded in each of these markets respectively in March quarter 2018.
However, after average median house price growth of 6.3 per cent per annum in the five years to June 2017 in Brisbane, price growth has now slowed to an estimated two per cent in 2017/18 based on economic data.
In contrast on the Sunshine Coast, median house price growth has averaged 5.4 per cent per annum, although the upturn has continued with an estimated seven per cent rise in 2017/18.
"The local economies are also relatively strong, driven by a growing tourism sector, and several large construction projects," noted the report.
"However, a number of projects on the Gold Coast are now complete after a push to have them finished by the Commonwealth Games."
Similarly, the next round of projects on the Sunshine Coast are not as large as recent work, such as the expansion of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
The economists suggested that, in addition to these other factors supply has been rising in both markets and this will alleviate some of the price pressures in place.
The strong recent price growth relative to Brisbane will also make it less attractive for Brisbane seachangers to move north or south.
The report forecasts that, these factors are expected to slow price growth to a total six per cent in both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast over the three years to June 2021.
For a look at our take on the BIS Oxford Economics report for the national market check out, "Melbourne house prices forecast to tread water through to 2020/21".
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Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast housing market's price growth outstripping Brisbane's: BIS Oxford Economics

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The Townsville market hasn’t recovered since peaking in 2008, with the median house price falling by 13 per cent to June 2017.
Vacancy rates in Townsville remain relatively high, at 3.8 per cent in March quarter 2018, although are well down from a peak of 7.1 per cent eighteen months earlier, according to a report released this week by BIS Oxford Economics.
Reflecting this improvement, it appears that the downturn has stabilised, with the median house price on track to rise by two per cent in 2017/18.
The Cairns market has shown more upside, having not experienced the mining boom/bust of Townsville.
Vacancy rates have remained in the 2–3 per cent range since 2012, with a total 21 per cent growth in the median house price coming through over 2012 to 2017 the report stated.
The economists temper this by noting that, "price growth has slowed in 2017/18 and is on track to be flat according."
"In real terms, Townsville’s estimated median house price at June 2018 is 30 per cent below its December 2017 peak in real terms, suggesting there would be little more downside."
The local unemployment rate has improved, although this appears to be on the back of lower participation rates, rather than higher, meaning that "hidden unemployment" could become problematic.
Population growth is weak and as such, minimal price growth is expected over 2018/19 and 2019/20, before some signs of an upturn emerge by 2020/21 with vacancy rates tightening, and some economic recovery coming through as rising tourist arrivals underpin the upgrade of existing tourism infrastructure the economists suggested.
Cumulative growth of nine per cent is forecast in the three years to June 2021 for Townsville.
Whereas the BIS Oxford economists forecast that the Cairns market will begin running out of steam after steady, albeit moderate, price growth to 2017.
Population growth remains slow and, apart from growth in tourism, there remain few other drivers in the local economy that can help employment growth and push through price rises.
As a result, only modest growth is forecast for Cairns, totaling four per cent over the three years to June 2021.
For a look at our take on the BIS Oxford Economics report for the national market check out, "Melbourne house prices forecast to tread water through to 2020/21".
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Townsville housing market's downturn stabilises: BIS Oxford Economics

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A one per cent decline over the year in Perth’s median house price leaving it at an estimated $520,000 this June, according to a report released this week from BIS Oxford Economics.
This was the lowest since the market peaked in 2013/14.
Between June 2014 and June 2018, Perth’s median house price declined by 13 per cent.
The report notes that , in real terms the Perth median house price is 24 per cent below its peak in March 2007, which highlights the extent of the weakness in the Perth market over the past decade.
“House prices in the Perth market appear to be bottoming out,” said Angie Zigomanis, head of BIS Oxford Economics' residential research unit.
“The rate of price decline has slowed, net overseas migration inflows have returned to growth, while the interstate migration outflow has peaked and is now improving.”
Perth’s vacancy rate peaked at 7.1 per cent in June quarter 2017 and remains high at 5.1 per cent in March quarter 2018, well above the generally accepted balanced market rate of around three per cent.
According to the BIS oxford economists, rental prices have also collapsed with the median three-bedroom house rent, and median two-bedroom unit rent falling by 31 per cent and 29 per cent respectively, from their 2013 peaks.
As well as rising population growth, employment growth looks to have returned in 2017/18 after declines in the prior two years.
Successive years of price declines means that affordability has improved.
Nevertheless the report suggests that despite these positives, any recovery in the Perth market will be a long, slow, grind as the city has to work through a significant oversupply as well as a modest economic recovery.
As a result, minimal growth is forecast in 2018/19 and 2019/20, before some stronger growth emerges toward the end of the forecast period in 2020/21, with total growth in the median house price of ten per cent forecast in the three years to June 2021, or just keeping up with inflation.
A lower rise of five per cent is expected for the median unit price, or a three per cent real decline (factoring inflation).
For a look at our take on the BIS Oxford Economics report for the national market check out, "<a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbourne-house-prices-forecast-to-tread-water-through-to-2020-21-bis">Melbourne house prices forecast to tread water through to 2020/21</a>".
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Perth's decreasing housing prices doggedly slog towards improvement: BIS Oxford Economics

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Many factors have driven this upturn, culminating in growth totaling 35 per cent in a period of 3 years.
Resulting in the estimated median house price of $485,000 at June 2018, according to a report released this week by BIS Oxford Economics.
Population growth has accelerated as net interstate migration outflows became net inflows, with Hobart gaining the lion’s share of this reversal the economists found.
Vacancy rates are tight and were at a of low 1.4 per cent at December 2017.
Economic conditions have also strengthened, with the lower dollar in this period driving strong growth in export sectors such as tourism and agriculture.
“In previous periods of net interstate migration inflows, the population movement has come from the demographic of people over 50 looking to downsize and experience a ‘tree change’,” noted Angie Zigomanis head of BIS Oxford Economics' residential research unit.
“However, the current migration inflows largely comprise younger adults and families with children, suggesting people moving for Hobart’s affordability or expats coming back to raise a family.”
With Hobart still having lowest median house price of the state capitals, this suggests that prices remain affordable, although price growth is unlikely to be as strong as it has been, suggests this report.
This report forecasts that, the median house price in Hobart will rise by five per cent in 2018/19, although it will slow in subsequent years as rising supply begins to take some of the pressure off prices.
Total growth of eight per cent is forecast in the three yeas to June 2021, with a similar rise forecast for units given the overall tightness in the market.
This equates to flat prices in real terms, i.e. factoring inflation.
For a look at our take on the BIS Oxford Economics report for the national market check out, "<a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbourne-house-prices-forecast-to-tread-water-through-to-2020-21-bis">Melbourne house prices forecast to tread water through to 2020/21</a>".
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Hobart housing price growth is unlikely to be as strong as it has been: BIS Oxford Economics

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.

The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.

"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=350986]

The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.

The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.

New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.

While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.

The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.

The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]

The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.

Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.

From July, those restrictions disappear.

Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.

Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.

Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.

"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.

"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.

"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."

Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.

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

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

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

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