<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.</p>

<p>"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]</p>


Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]</p>


The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=350986]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>From July, those restrictions disappear.</p>

<p>Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>


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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370648]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370647]</p>

<p>The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=372541]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.</p>

<p>Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=351535]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134800]</p>


Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<p><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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p><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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=262183]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=364995]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135247]</p>


Capital Corporation to cater to Upper North Shore downsizers by creating walkable community at The Residences at Wahroonga Estate

<p>Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.</p>

<p>From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

<p>The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.</p>

<p>The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).</p>

<p>Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.</p>

<p>Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.</p>

<p>The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.</p>

<p>There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.</p>

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

<p>To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

<p>While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.</p>

<p>The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.</p>


Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

<p>The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.</p>

<p>While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.</p>

<p>It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.</p>

<p>Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.</p>

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="252" data-start="225">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong data-end="413" data-start="389">Stamp Duty Benefits:</strong> Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.</p>

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Benefits</strong>: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.</p>

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="920" data-start="893">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong data-end="1162" data-start="1135">Stamp Duty Concessions:</strong> Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.</p>

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Concessions:</strong> Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.</p>

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="1617" data-start="1590">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.</p>

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Relief:</strong> Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.</p>

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant</strong>: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Exemption</strong>: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.</p>

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Exemption</strong>: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).</p>

<p><em>Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.</em></p>


Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

<p>In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.</p>

<p>Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.</p>

<p>Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.</p>

<p>A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.</p>

<p>NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.</p>

<p>As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.</p>

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

<p>NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.</p>

<p>The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.</p>

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

<p>NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.</p>

<p>The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.</p>

<p>The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.</p>

<p>The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.</p>

<p>Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.</p>

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

<p><strong>Energy Efficiency:</strong> Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.</p>

<p><strong>Cost Savings:</strong> Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.</p>

<p><strong>Environmental Impact:</strong> Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.</p>

<p><strong>Improved Comfort: </strong>Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.</p>

<p><strong>Market Value and Desirability:</strong> Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.</p>

<p><strong>Compliance with Building Codes:</strong> NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.</p>


The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

<p>Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.</p>

<p>Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.</p>

<p>Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.</p>

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

<p>Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]</p>

<p>The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.</p>

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

<p>One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]</p>

<p>The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.</p>

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

<p>Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]</p>

<p>The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.</p>

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

<p>Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]</p>

<p>Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.</p>

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

<p>One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.</p>

<p>The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.</p>


alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

<p style="line-height: 1.38;">When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.</p>

<p style="line-height: 1.38;">Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.</p>

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

<p>Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.</p>

<p>It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.</p>

<p style="line-height: 1.38;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe></p>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

<p>In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.</p>

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

<p>Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.</p>

<p>You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!</p>

<p>Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:</p>

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

<p style="line-height:1.38">Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.</p>


Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

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


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

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<div style="text-align: left;" align="center">Property NSW, acting for F&amp;C Services, have announced the sale of the last four government-owned properties on High Street.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Millers Point properties, opposite Barangaroo, and each containing four two-bedroom apartments, were sold at auction by McGrath Estate Agents yesterday.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The sales included:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>- 2-4A High Street (above) sold for $5.5 million</div>
<div> </div>
<div>- 6-8A High Street sold for $5.56 million</div>
<div> </div>
<div>- 14-16A High Street sold for $5.42 million</div>
<div> </div>
<div>- 34-36A High Street sold for $5.446 million.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A total of 184 Government sales have occurred in Millers Point since 2014.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It’s anticipated the sales program will be finalised by the end of 2018 with the sale of the remaining seven properties.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Proceeds from the Millers Point sales program have delivered over $591 million for investment in new social housing developments in NSW.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As of May 2018, a total of 977 units have been completed and 255 units are currently under construction as a result of the Millers Point sales.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Developments are occurring in areas of identified need for social housing, including the Bankstown, Canterbury, Liverpool and Fairfield areas and the Sutherland and Wollongong areas.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>New social housing is also under construction in Coffs Harbour and the Hawkesbury area in North Richmond. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) endorsed by the NSW Heritage Council are included in contracts for sale for all heritage listed properties.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>These contracts ensure new property owners are fully informed of their responsibilities when purchasing a heritage listed property.</div>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Four High Street NSW government-owned properties sold at Millers Point

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<div>
<div>
<div>
<p>Sekisui House have secured approvals for Westin Coolum, the first five-star resort developed on the Sunshine Coast in more than three decades.</p>
<p>The Sunshine Coast Council has signed off on the seven-storey Westin Coolum Spa and Resort after alterations to the Yaroomba Beach proposal.</p>
<p>The 220-room Westin hotel, along with the larger resort comprising 148 serviced apartments, 753 residential apartments, 98 two- to three-storey homes and a 2,770sq m retail village will be on a .the 19-hectare site.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<source srcset="https://media.theurbandeveloper.com/assets/images/73aa6f53-e8d4-496e-8fb5-b972359f3920/73aa6f53-e8d4-496e-8fb5-b972359f3920-960.webp" sizes="(min-width: 721px) 960px" type="image/webp"></source><div>Architecture firm Hassell was appointed to undertake <a href="https://www.yaroombabeach.com.au" target="_blank">the masterplan</a> (pictured below) with the first stage delivering the hotel and the public components.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/6/27/Westin%20Coolum%20Hotel%203.JPG" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The 6-star Green Star rating project comes with a 2021 likely completion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“We’re honored to be working with Starwood Hotels &amp; Resorts to bring the Westin brand and its unique approach to well-being to Australia’s Sunshine Coast,” said Toru Abe, CEO &amp; Managing Director, Sekisui House Australia.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Our vision is to provide visitors to this popular family holiday destination with a relaxing, five-star wellness retreat and the Westin brand is an ideal fit for both the location and the development.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/6/27/Westin%20Coolum%20Hotel%202.JPG" alt=""></div>
<div>
<br>The Westin Coolum Resort &amp; Spa will be a five minute drive north of the Sunshine Coast Airport, which offers direct flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, and which has just received State government approval for the addition of a new international runway to be completed by 2020.</div>
</div>
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Sekisui secure approvals for Westin Coolum

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<p>A two bedroom house in Western Australia's Ferndale has been listed by mortgagees. <br><br>It is priced at $260,000 having been under offer two months ago without proceeding to exchange.</p>
<p>It was listed by Roger Golos at Professionals Property Plus Real Estate.</p>
<p>It last sold at $405,000 in 2014.  </p>
<p>The <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/4b-dampiera-way-ferndale-4060668/" target="_blank">4b Dampiera Way, Ferndale</a> house is a two bedroom, one bathroom duplex half on a big spacious block.<br><br>It has a freeform living area with the roomy kitchen adjacent.</p>
<p>The kitchen features stainless steel appliances including a gas cooker, canopy range hood, dishwasher and an abundance of bench and cupboard space including overheads.<br><br>The laundry is fitted out with a bench and cupboards and the good sized rear yard has a patio.<br><br>The suburb's median house price sits on $411,000  according to CoreLogic.</p>
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$260,000 Ferndale house listed by mortgagee

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<p>A unit by the coast in regional Queensland has been recently sold for $57,000 by Derran Corke from Ray White Gladstone. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><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=""></p>
<p>It comes with two bedrooms, combined lounge/living, and carport to the rear of the complex. </p>
<p>The bathroom needs renovating with room to improve.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Valuers HTW noted 2017 was the most positive seen our market perform in nearly five years.</p>
<p>"Most property sectors have now bottomed out and stabilised and we have even seen some evidence of an increase in values," it noted recently.</p>
<p>It suggested sales activity has been strong with buyers very aware of the great affordability the region represents.</p>
<p>"Affordability is currently the driving force for the Gladstone region market. </p>
<div class="column">
<p>"Good quality existing stock is attracting multiple offers and significantly reduced days on the market." </p>
</div>
<div class="column">
<p>This has also led to an increase in new construction activity.</p>
<p>The valuers noted owners and upgraders are opting to build their forever home due to record low land values. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
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$57,000 West Gladstone unit sale shows little price growth

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

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<p>House prices on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have generally moved in tandem with Brisbane.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>However, both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have experienced significantly stronger price growth than Brisbane since 2012.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>"The local economies are also relatively strong, driven by a growing tourism sector, and several large construction projects," noted the report.</p>
<p>"However, a number of projects on the Gold Coast are now complete after a push to have them finished by the Commonwealth Games."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The strong recent price growth relative to Brisbane will also make it less attractive for Brisbane seachangers to move north or south.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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".</p>
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Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast housing market's price growth outstripping Brisbane's: BIS Oxford Economics

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<p>The Townsville market hasn’t recovered since peaking in 2008, with the median house price falling by 13 per cent to June 2017.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The Cairns market has shown more upside, having not experienced the mining boom/bust of Townsville.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The economists temper this by noting that, "price growth has slowed in 2017/18 and is on track to be flat according."</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Cumulative growth of nine per cent is forecast in the three years to June 2021 for Townsville.</p>
<p>Whereas the BIS Oxford economists forecast that the Cairns market will begin running out of steam after steady, albeit moderate, price growth to 2017.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>As a result, only modest growth is forecast for Cairns, totaling four per cent over the three years to June 2021.</p>
<p>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".</p>
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Townsville housing market's downturn stabilises: BIS Oxford Economics

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<p>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.</p>
<p>This was the lowest since the market peaked in 2013/14.</p>
<p>Between June 2014 and June 2018, Perth’s median house price declined by 13 per cent.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“House prices in the Perth market appear to be bottoming out,” said Angie Zigomanis, head of BIS Oxford Economics' residential research unit.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>As well as rising population growth, employment growth looks to have returned in 2017/18 after declines in the prior two years.</p>
<p>Successive years of price declines means that affordability has improved.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>A lower rise of five per cent is expected for the median unit price, or a three per cent real decline (factoring inflation).</p>
<p>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>".</p>
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Perth's decreasing housing prices doggedly slog towards improvement: BIS Oxford Economics

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<p>Many factors have driven this upturn, culminating in growth totaling 35 per cent in a period of 3 years.</p>
<p>Resulting in the estimated median house price of $485,000 at June 2018, according to a report released this week by BIS Oxford Economics.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Vacancy rates are tight and were at a of low 1.4 per cent at December 2017.</p>
<p>Economic conditions have also strengthened, with the lower dollar in this period driving strong growth in export sectors such as tourism and agriculture.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>This equates to flat prices in real terms, i.e. factoring inflation.</p>
<p>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>".</p>
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Hobart housing price growth is unlikely to be as strong as it has been: BIS Oxford Economics

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<p>Canberra’s median house price rose by 27 per cent in the past three years, however it is slowing to an estimated three per cent in 2017/18.</p>
<p>The median house price sits at $700,000 at June 2018.</p>
<p>BIS Oxford Economics released a report this week that estimates that the Canberra market is roughly in balance at June 2018, although a very tight vacancy rate of 0.7 per cent was recorded in March quarter 2018.</p>
<p>This report suggests that part of this tightness is as a result of the removal of around 1,000 asbestos-contaminated houses from the dwelling stock in recent years.</p>
<p>Median house rents have been rising over the past 2–3 years, and unit rental prices are now following.</p>
<p>“In contrast to the low vacancy rate, new dwelling completions have reached a record peak in 2017/18 and this is likely to have been a contributor to the slowdown in house price growth,” said Angie Zigomanis head of BIS Oxford Economics' Residential Research Unit.</p>
<p>“Completions in Canberra also on track to remain elevated and close to record levels in 2018/19.”</p>
<p>Continued high levels of supply are expected to continue to dampen upwards pressure on prices, although with the highest household income of Australia’s capital cities, affordability remains attractive.</p>
<p>The BIS Oxford Economists forecast that this will result in price growth of five per cent in 2018/19, but progressively slowing over the following two years as the recent surge in population reverts to longer term averages.</p>
<p>Canberra’s median house price is forecast to rise by a total 10 per cent in the three years to June 2020, which reflects a rise of three per cent in real terms.</p>
<p>In contrast, the unit sector, where there is more supply coming through, is forecast by this report, to experience price growth of only six per cent, which is actually a two per cent fall factoring for inflation.</p>
<p>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>".</p>
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