<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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<p>The slowdown in house price growth that emerged through 2017/18 is expected to continue into the 2019 financial year, according to leading industry analyst and economic forecaster, BIS Oxford Economics.</p>
<p>BIS believe house prices in Melbourne will tread water through to 2020/21, rising below the pace of inflation.</p>
<p>They suggest that one of the biggest factors in the lack of median house price growth is the new supply which is continuing to rise.</p>
<p>They are forecasting just a one percent per year increase in the median house price, before an emerging downturn in new dwelling construction results in the city’s deficiency starting to trend upwards by 2020/21, which in turn will see a modest pick up in price growth.</p>
<p>A six percent growth in the median house price in the three years to June 2021 is what BIS are forecasting.</p>
<p>The median house price soared 65 percent over the five years to June 2017, with a further growth of two percent in the six months to December 2017, before a 0.2 percent drop in the first half of 2018.</p>
<p>Population growth and new dwelling supply have been cited as the biggest drivers in the median increase.</p>
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<p>Investors drove the strength of the market in Melbourne, although not to the same extent as in Sydney.</p>
<p>Loans to owner occupiers in Victoria were also at record levels in the year to March 2018, which has helped to offset the weakening investor demand. Consequently, the house prices in Melbourne have held up better in 2017/18 compared to the decline in Sydney.</p>
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<p>Sydney’s median house price is forecast to still be lower that its June 2017 peak by 2021.</p>
<p>The weaker investor demand is coinciding with rising supply and an erosion of the city’s dwelling deficiency, which has alleviated pressure on prices.</p>
<p>Although the market is expected to remain in undersupply, the drop in investor demand is expected to override the undersupply of dwellings, which in turn is forecast to result in modest price declines.</p>
<p>Angie Zigomanis, BIS Oxford Economics senior manager, said more downside is forecast for Sydney.</p>
<p>“In New South Wales and Victoria in particular, where the strength of investor demand has been a key driver of the Sydney and Melbourne residential markets respectively, the decline in investor activity has impacted price growth,” said Zigomanis.</p>
<p>“More downside is forecast for Sydney as it has had a much greater dependence on investors through the most recent upturn.”</p>
<p>“Similarly, greater downside is expected in the unit market, which is more reliant on the investor market to drive sales and price growth.</p>
<p>"Without the same level of investors and without the same growth in new supply, the detached housing market should hold up better compared to units.”</p>
<p>BIS suggests Brisbane is expected to see the greatest upside to house prices over the next few years due to Queensland's net interstate migration increasing.</p>
<p>Price rises are expected to be modest over the next two years, however BIS see a price growth acceleration in 2021.</p>
<p>Perth and Darwin have bottomed out, and any recovery in prices will be a slow grind.</p>
<p>Excess stock, low population growth and weak economic and employment growth are the biggest drivers, suggests BIS.</p>
<p>They find a similar story in Adelaide, with a subdued economic environment and limited population growth also having a dampening effect on prices.</p>
<p>Hobart and Canberra are expected to continue their strong growth in 2018/19.</p>
<p>The lack of supply in Hobart is continuing to drive their price growth upwards.</p>
<p>Price growth in Canberra began to slow in 2017/18, but BIS expects that, due to the relatively high incomes in the capital, there will be further house price growth over the next two years.</p>
<p>Both markets are expected to decelerate through to 2020/21 as new dwelling supply rises and affordability becomes more strained.</p>
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<p>Zigomanis says that with the banks tightening the screws on investors, the increased restrictions on their borrowing capacity have reduced the likelihood of investors bidding up prices.</p>
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<p>This has caused all markets, with the exception of Hobart, to record a slowdown in price growth performance over 2017/18.</p>
<p>Notably, after experiencing strong gains since 2012/13, house price growth is on track to have recorded a negative number in Sydney and Melbourne through the year.</p>
<p>Both these markets benefited most from booming investor demand, and the tightening credit conditions are now having an impact.</p>
<p>However, the prospect for a major correction will be mitigated by low interest rates and a relatively stable, albeit subdued, economic environment.</p>
<p>Very strong population growth nationally is also underpinning occupancy, which in turn should help investors generate rental income, albeit perhaps at a discounted rate in some cities.</p>
<p>This will prevent excessive forced sales coming to the market to drive down prices.</p>
<p>“Supply is running at record levels, having risen above 200,000 dwelling completions per annum in 2015/16, and expected to stay above this level through to 2018/19,” said Zigomanis.</p>
<p>“Demand has also risen, with population growth expected to exceed 400,000 persons in 2017/18, its highest level since the peak in net overseas migration in 2008/09, although this will still not be sufficient to meet supply.”</p>
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Melbourne house prices forecast to tread water through to 2020/21: BIS

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<p>Melbourne's median house price is set to be largely flat until 2020, while apartment values are likely to decline, according to the latest forecast from BIS Oxford Economics.</p>
<p>BIS have predicted declines in the apartment market, suggesting there are likely to be pockets of oversupply across Melbourne.</p>
<p>They believe unit prices will fall by a total of two percent in the three years to June 2021.</p>
<p>Angie Zigomanis, BIS Oxford Economics senior manager, said the supply is meeting the high population growth.</p>
<p>“Soaring population growth in Victoria is expected to be a key to house prices in Melbourne as investor demand continues to weaken, by supporting owner occupier demand,” said Zigomanis.</p>
<p>“While new dwelling completions are forecast to continue to rise through 2018, as the large pipeline of apartment buildings under construction work their way to completion, supply will be largely met by population growth.”</p>
<p>They have a stronger forecast for the housing market, although expect prices to remain relatively flat.</p>
<p>BIS expect just a one percent per year in the median house price, before an emerging downturn in new dwelling construction results in the city’s deficiency starting to trend upwards by 2020/21, which in turn will see a modest pick up in price growth.</p>
<p>They anticipate a six percent growth in the median house price in the three years to June 2021.</p>
<p>The median house price soared 65 percent over the five years to June 2017, with a further growth of two percent in the six months to December 2017, before a 0.2 percent drop in the first half of 2018.</p>
<p>Population growth and new dwelling supply have been cited as the biggest drivers in the median increase.</p>
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<p>Investors drove the strength of the market in Melbourne, although not to the same extent as in Sydney.</p>
<p>Loans to owner occupiers in Victoria were also at record levels in the year to March 2018, which has helped to offset the weakening investor demand. Consequently, the house prices in Melbourne have held up better in 2017/18 compared to the decline in Sydney.</p>
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BIS see greater weakness in Melbourne apartment market

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<p>The latest release from CoreLogic suggests Sydney's auction clearance rate dropped in to the 40 percent bracket last weekend.</p>
<p>Preliminary statistics suggested they achieved a 55.8 percent clearance rate.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/22/cap-final.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/22/cap-final.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Brisbane also well below its initial results in to the 30s (below).</p>
<p>Adelaide's strong 72 percent clearance rate dropped two brackets in to the high 50s.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/18/cap-june18.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/18/cap-june18.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>It was small spaces that were the headline at last weekends auctions.</p>
<p>A small one bedder at Kirribilli fetched $1.875 million.</p>
<p>This weekend national auction volume numbers are down considerably, while Victoria has the three busiest suburbs.</p>
<p>Clearance rates continue to nosedive and are reaching levels they haven't dropped to since 2012.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/22/CLEARANCE.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></p>
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Sydney clearance rate dropped into the 40s last weekend

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<p>Auction volume numbers are lower this weekend than last, while all the busiest suburbs are in Victoria.</p>
<p>Reservoir tops the list with 17 homes set to go under the hammer, followed by Glen Waverley with 14 and Craigieburn with 13 auctions scheduled.</p>
<p>Last weekend 2,002 auctions were held. This weekend only 1,736 are scheduled.</p>
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<p><span>Melbourne is the busiest city for auctions again this week, with 879 auctions being tracked so far, however volumes are expected to be down slightly on last </span><span>week’s </span><span>final figures which saw 992 auctions held across the city.</span></p>
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<p>The priciest home to be auctioned in Reservoir this weekend is a four bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-reservoir-128486638" target="_blank">34 Dawson Street.</a></p>
<p><span>It has a guide of $1.15 million to $1.25 million.</span></p>
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Lower auction numbers nationally as Reservoir again the busiest suburb

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<p>Sydney's upper North Shore and Hills District has seen a number of strong results over the last 12 months, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White.</p>
<p>"When most people think prestige property their attention is always drawn to the eastern suburbs or lower north shore of Sydney," HTW's latest housing report suggested.</p>
<p>They said that while the wider market has begun to cool, there are still cashed up buyers hunting for prime real estate.</p>
<p>A Dural home fetched $8.8 million last year, a record for the area.</p>
<p>The property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-dural-124185582" target="_blank">654 Old Northern Road</a> (above) has eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.</p>
<p>It sits in over two hectares of landscaped grounds featuring a swimming pool, tennis court and district views. </p>
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<p>HTW did cite the difficulty to sell property at that price, with it taking over a year to sell.</p>
<p>They said the length of the marketing campaign was not unusual for homes of this calibre.</p>
<p>"It highlights the difficulties in selling property at this price point, because if you have circa $9 million to spend in this area you are able to purchase an older home, knock down and rebuild your home to your preferred design and specifications," the report said.</p>
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<p>"The prestige market can be a little fickle at times due to the limited stock available of high calibre property and the length of time taken finding the right buyer at the right time."</p>
<p>Herron Todd White said they find that the biggest home in the suburb is not always the best.</p>
<p>"What appeals to the north shore market may not appeal to the acreage market," they said.</p>
<p>"Transactions at this level of the market are often dependant on personal preferences, what appeals to one buyer at this end of the market, may not appeal to the next.</p>
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<p>There are always exceptions to the rule, an example includes a property in Wahroonga selling for $7,800,000 in October 2017 after only 11 days on the market.</p>
<p>"This highlights that if a property ticks all of the boxes for the area then they have the ability to get snapped up quite quickly," HTW said.</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/2018/5/15/3%20stuart%20st.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The renovated family home (below) with pool and tennis court sits on half an acre of landscaped grounds.</p>
<p>The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-wahroonga-126632698" target="_blank">3 Stuart Street</a> has with five bedrooms, open plan living and casual meals, separate banquet-sized formal dining, and multiple alfresco areas.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Strength in the prestige market north of Sydney 

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<p>The property developing Deague family have spent $86 million on a 70 hectare house and land site near Craigieburn.</p>
<p>They have the intention to build a $750 million estate.</p>
<p>It's a rare house and land purchase for the Deague family, more well-known for their apartment, hotel and mixed-use developments.</p>
<p>Last year the Deague's paid nearly $25 million for a commercial development site in South Melbourne.</p>
<p>That's set for a $150 million, seven level Rothe Lowman-designed office project next to its existing business park.</p>
<p>The Deague family claims a property development tradition in the state that dates back to 1859.</p>
<p>Deague Group chief executive Will Deague told the AFR they saw better opportunities in the house and land market but the family is still committed to the apartment and mixed-use development space.</p>
<p data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-7770372_137="6369" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-7770372_137="900">"The returns [in apartments] aren't there and so the demand has softened," Deague said.</p>
<p>"With migration into Australia, and especially the northern corridor of Melbourne at record levels, we will continue to look for further opportunities in this space," he said.</p>
<p>William Deague recently spent $12.2 million on a 1930s Toorak home and quickly got the work demolishing the landmark home.</p>
<p>The Deague family launched Whitehorse Towers in Box Hill late last year and saw over 500 apartment sales in two days.</p>
<p>The towers were billed as the tallest residential towers outside of the CBD. </p>
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<h3 class="story__headline"><a id="LPlnk853596" class="OWAAutoLink" href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/residential/vic/apartment-returns-falter-deague-family-buys-into-land-instead-20180613-h11bem"> </a></h3>
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<h1 class="story__headline"><a id="LPlnk328857" class="OWAAutoLink" href="http://www.afr.com/personal-finance/borrowers-face-twofold-increase-in-property-deposits-as-lenders-tighten-terms-20180613-h11cwy"> </a></h1>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Deague family plan $750 million estate outside Melbourne

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<p>Dwelling values across Brisbane look to have seen the worst of their declines, suggests CoreLogic-Moody’s Analytics Australia Home Value Index Forecast.</p>
<p>House price values performed steadily last year across Greater Brisbane, with average gains of between three and four percent.</p>
<p>They are expected to continue to remain steady over 2018 and 2019, with small gains of around two to three percent.</p>
<p>The much publicised apartment oversupply affected apartment values last year, with most areas recording three to four percent losses.</p>
<p>But there's good news on the horizon for apartment values, with a sharp increase predicted in 2019, some areas even seeing increases of nearly seven percent. </p>
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<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/bris-price-falls.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/bris-price-falls.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/21/bris-price-falls.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p>After a lull in 2012, house prices in Greater Brisbane have seen strong gains as a result of strong local economies, partly tied to strong activity in finance, retail, construction and other sectors.</p>
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<p>In Brisbane-South, comprising Carindale, Holland Park and Sunnybank, house values have risen 40 percent since mid 2012.</p>
<p>Incomes per capita have risen a much smaller 6.7 percent over the period.</p>
<p>The number of houses approved for building reached 5,468 in mid 2016, more than double its 2010 to 2012 average, although approvals have since nearly halved.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/bris-approvals.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/bris-approvals.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The effects of higher supply of houses and muted income growth mean that home values in Brisbane south are forecast to decline 1.5% in 2018, followed by a 1.2% recovery in 2019.</p>
<p>Overall, apartment values across Greater Brisbane are expected to recover 0.8% in 2018.</p>
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<p>The second housing area comprises more ‘lifestyle’ areas, including Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay, and Cairns.</p>
<p>Areas here are expected to perform better over the forecast period, as income growth remains robust and the degree of supply increase is not as great as in areas of Brisbane.</p>
<p>Housing markets in Queensland outside of Brisbane have also not seen the degree of price growth over the past few years. </p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/rest-of-qld.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/rest-of-qld.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The Sunshine Coast’s housing market has seen its value increase 32% since a slump in 2012.</p>
<p>Housing values are forecast to rise 5.7% in 2018, and close to 2% in 2019. The relatively stable housing market is a result of low unemployment (at 4.4% it is well below the national and state averages) and good income growth.</p>
<p>Building approvals across the Sunshine Coast have risen over the past two years, but at 5,000 annually they remain within historical averages and well below their rate in prior cycles 2002 and 1995. Similarly, home values in the Gold Coast are forecast to rise nearly 4% in 2018 and 6% in 2019.</p>
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<p>The third housing market region in Queensland is in commodity-producing areas. These include Central Queensland, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, and Darling Downs-Maranoa.</p>
<p>Housing markets here have seen significant value declines over the past few years partly as a result of the end of the mining boom.</p>
<p>In Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, house values have declined 32% since June 2012. The reduction in mining investment pushed up unemployment to 9% by 2015 and reduced incomes, which per capita have fallen about 16% since 2010.</p>
<p>Slower population growth has also reduced a source of demand, although this is also working to reduce unemployment.</p>
<p>Further declines in house values are expected before a recovery. </p>
<p>Sydney's biggest drops are predicted to be in Ryde and the inner city and south areas, while in Melbourne it's the inner south values that are going to take a hit.</p>
<p>Nationally there's set to be a cool, but no crash.</p>
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Brisbane's property values have seen off the worst with price falls: Moody's Analytics

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<p>House values in Melbourne's inner south are set for the biggest price drop over the next two years, according to Moody's Analytics CoreLogic's Hedonic House Value Index.</p>
<p>The latest figures suggest the area will see a 2.5 percent house price value drop, followed by a 5.5 percent decrease in 2019.</p>
<p>House values in the inner south area fell in April for the first time since the end of 2012.</p>
<p>Housing supply has ramped up significantly in recent years and remains elevated by historical standards, with a strong pipeline of completions ahead.</p>
<p>This correction in the housing demand/supply balance is likely to see home values in Melbourne’s inner suburbs continue to decline, CoreLogic suggest. </p>
<p>The weakness is expected to be most acute in the inner south, where home values are projected to fall until mid-2020.</p>
<p>Similarly, apartment prices in the Inner South are projected to start falling from mid-2018, before firming by mid-2019.</p>
<p>For Melbourne-Inner and the Inner East, home values are expected to fall until the first half of 2019, after which a modest recovery is likely to take hold.</p>
<p>Apartment prices there are expected to hold up relatively well, with the price gains likely to continue.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/vic-home-value.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/vic-home-value.jpg" alt=""></p>
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<p>Melbourne's house price growth has slid for 11 consecutive months and fell in April to a 62-month low of 3.1 percent y/y.</p>
<p>The slowdown is most pronounced in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. House values in Melbourne's inner east edged up just 0.3% y/y, a 11⁄2-year low.</p>
<p>Apartment price growth is also cooling. Apartment values in Greater Melbourne were up 5.7% y/y in April, a 15-month low, with the Inner South leading the slowdown.</p>
<p>The downswing has not been confined just to Melbourne’s inner suburbs, with house values across Victoria generally rising at a slower pace.</p>
<p>In Melbourne’s outer suburbs, where house prices recorded stellar double-digit growth through 2017, growth has also decelerated markedly.</p>
<p>Annual house price growth is down at a 38-month low in the North East; a 35-month low in the North West; a 19-month low in the Outer East; a 16-month low in the South East; a 34-month low in the West, and a 20-month low in the Mornington Peninsula.</p>
<p>Geelong is bucking the trend in the rest of Victoria. </p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/rest-of-vic.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/rest-of-vic.jpg" alt=""></p>
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<p>It saw a 10.6 percent house price value increase in 2017, and is set to see those prices soar another 12.3 percent this year and then a further 11.2 percent in 2019.</p>
<p>Ballarat is set to see consistent house price growth, as is the north west region.</p>
<p>Sydney's biggest drops are predicted to be in Ryde and the inner city and south areas while Brisbane has seen off the worst of its price falls.</p>
<p>Nationally there's set to be a cool, but no crash.</p>
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Melbourne's inner south property values to fall the most: Moody's Analytics

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<p><span>Ryde and Sydney's inner city suburbs are set to be the hardest hit in the housing downturn, according to Moody Analytics CoreLogic's Hedonic Home Value Index.</span> </p>
<p><span>After experiencing a 15.6 percent increase in house value in 2017, Ryde has a forecasted median house price drop of 9.2 percent.</span></p>
<p><span>The value drop is expected to carry on in to 2019, with declines of just over three percent predicted.</span></p>
<p><span>Sydney city and inner south suburbs, which have seen house value increases of over 70 percent since 2013, saw nearly the same percentage of house value increase as Ryde last year.</span></p>
<p><span>The house values are expected to drop 8.7 percent this year.</span></p>
<p><span>Unlike Ryde however, the house values in the city and inner south suburbs are expected to rebound in 2019, with a predicted jump back of 7.6 percent.</span></p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/NSW-FORECASTS.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/NSW-FORECASTS.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><span>CoreLogic's latest release suggests the Sydney housing market 'remains in a funk.'</span></p>
<p><span>The dwelling price drop in April was a ninth consecutive month of falls.</span></p>
<p>The prior upward cycle began around 2013, and from there to mid-2017 dwelling values across Greater Sydney increased 70%, according to the CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value Index. Since then, values have declined 4.2%. </p>
<p>The strong dwelling price growth was borne out of the upbeat state of the economy, low unemployment figures, public infrastructure investment and the prevalence of interest-sensitive industries such as hospitality and construction.</p>
<p>Incomes in NSW have grown faster than the national average and underpin some of the recent gains in home values (see below). </p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/chart11.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/chart11.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>However, housing values have grown even faster and thus are overvalued relative to equilibrium value.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/chart12.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/chart12.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>CoreLogic expect house prices across Greater Sydney to fall by 4.7% y/y in 2018, after a 12.8% gain in 2017.</p>
<p>They expect apartments to also slow but not as sharply, with a 0.6% y/y expansion expected in 4 2018, from the 9.8% growth in 2017.</p>
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<p><span>By 2019, the correction is expected to have largely passed, with house and apartment values forecast to increase by 0.9% and 2.2. </span></p>
<p><span>Apartment values in Sydney have not experienced the same degree of growth as houses in recent years, and so are not expected to correct as sharply over 2018. </span></p>
<p><span>Historically, apartment values are less volatile than houses. </span></p>
<p><span>Supply constraints factor heavily in Sydney’s housing market and contributed to the strong runup in prices in prior years. </span></p>
<p><span>A high level of supply has now come on line for apartments in the inner city and surrounding areas as well as dwellings in suburban areas via land releases and removing some development restrictions. This will contribute to the forecast price slowdown in 2018.</span> </p>
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<p><span>Outside Sydney, the story of the housing markets in rest of the </span>New South Wales is a little different.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/rest-of-nsw-houses.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/rest-of-nsw-houses.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>As potential homebuyers’ incomes have not kept pace with the Sydney housing market, demand for areas outside Sydney has risen, as affordability is better.</p>
<p>This is especially so for areas such as the Central Coast, where house values are forecast to grow 4.3% in 2018, after a 13.4% increase in 2017.</p>
<p>Illawarra and Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas have a similar story. Robust local economic conditions are driving house values in these areas</p>
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<p><span>However, regional areas farther away from Sydney where population growth is slower and supply constraints are reduced, such as New England and North West or Hunter Valley, have lagged. </span></p>
<p><span>House values in New England and North West grew a tamer 1% in 2016 and in 2017 and are forecast to increase 5.5% in 2018 and 4.5% in 2019.</span></p>
<p>Melbourne's biggest drops are predicted to be in the inner south, while Brisbane has seen off the worst of its price falls.</p>
<p>Nationally there's set to be a cool, but no crash.</p>
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Ryde and Inner city Sydney values to be hardest hit: Moody's Analytics 

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<p><span>Recent small monthly falls in the Sydney and Melbourne markets support Moody Analytics' expectation for cooling, rather than a slump, in the near term.</span></p>
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<p><span>Its latest report forecasts Australia’s housing market is expected to cool further over 2018, given the coming stream of apartment supply coupled with continued restrictions on lending from the nation’s financial regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.</span></p>
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<p>It noted several factors are at play, including aggressive regulatory action that has included limits on new bank lending exposure to the local housing market, higher borrowing costs especially for investors who tend to carry higher leverage, and improved enforcement of existing legal limits on foreign ownership have started to bear fruit.</p>
<p>It suggests if the housing market looks to be on a sharper than expected cooling trend that materially threatens the broader economy given the outsize exposure of consumers and lenders to local property, there was "little doubt regulators would step in to try to restore order, at the very least by winding back some regulatory limits."</p>
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<p>The latest Moody's Analytics CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value Index results show a divergent national market.</p>
<p>Declines in the biggest markets, Melbourne and Sydney, pushed down housing values in aggregate in April for a sixth consecutive month.</p>
<p>But markets in Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra and Hobart continue to improve, while markets in Brisbane and Perth were flat.</p>
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<p><span>After a 12.8% rise in 2017, house values across Sydney are forecast to decline nearly 5% in 2018 before a recovery in 2019. </span></p>
<p><span>Apartment values in Sydney are likely to retain their value and gain 0.6% in 2018, thanks in part to healthy demand. </span></p>
<p><span>Houses values in Melbourne are forecast to increase 1.5% in 2018, although some declines are forecast for Inner Melbourne. Melbourne’s apartment market is expected to hold up and gain 4.3% in 2018.</span></p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/CAP%20HOUSES.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></p>
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<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/2018/6/21/CAP%20HOUSES.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><span>House values across Brisbane are forecast to see a mild 1.4% gain in 2018, with strength in West Brisbane and Inner Brisbane offsetting declines in South Brisbane. </span></p>
<p><span>Brisbane’s apartment values are tipped to rise 0.8% this year, driven by recovery in East Brisbane apartment values. Apartments in Inner Brisbane are still expected to see mild declines. </span></p>
<p><span>House values in Perth will see another year of decline, with a 0.5% decline forecast for this year before a 2.2% recovery in 2019, driven by the steadily recovering local economy.</span></p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/CAP%20APARTMENTS.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/6/21/CAP%20APARTMENTS.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Meanwh</span>ile, Adelaide’s housing market will continue its unremarkable run, albeit at a moderating pace.</p>
<p><span>House values in Adelaide are forecast to rise 1.2% in 2018, after a 4.9% gain in 2017. Canberra’s housing market will similarly see a slowdown, with values forecast to rise 4% in 2018 after an 8.7% gain in 2017.</span></p>
<p>Sydney's biggest drops are predicted to be in Ryde and the inner city and south areas.</p>
<p>In Melbourne it's the inner south values that are going to take a hit, while Brisbane has seen off the worst of its price falls.</p>
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