Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Joel Robinson

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

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

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

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

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

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

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

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

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;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<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>

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.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

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

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.

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.

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.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: 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.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: 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.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: 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.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: 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.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: 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.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

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.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

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.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

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;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

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.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

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.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

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.

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;

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.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: 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.

Cost Savings: 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.

Environmental Impact: 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.

Improved Comfort: 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.

Market Value and Desirability: 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.

Compliance with Building Codes: 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.

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?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

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.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

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.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

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.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

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.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

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.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

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.

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.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<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>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

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.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

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.

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!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<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>

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.

Ellen Walker

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

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

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.

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.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"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.

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.

“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.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“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.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“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.”

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

<html><body>
A Lalor four bedroom house has been listed by mortgagees with an indicative selling price ranging between $650,000 to $680,000.
The Victorian home was listed by Alen Hewson and Michael Assaad from Iconek Estate Agents.
The auction has been scheduled for June 17.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-lalor-128356478" target="_blank">Situated at 5 Flanagan Street</a>, Lalor, a Melbourne suburb, the house comes with four bedrooms, open plan lounge &amp; meals area and central kitchen with stone bench tops.
Other features include double garage with drive-thru access to rear, ducted heating, established front and low maintenance rear yard.
Nestled on a 453 square metre block, it is located within close proximity to schools, transport, shopping centres and easy access to ring road.
The suburb's median house price sits on $639,000, according to CoreLogic. 
 
 
 
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Lalor four bedroom house listed by mortgagee

<html><body>
Sydney is nearing the point of the property cycle where after years as a sellers' market, it's becoming a buyers' market.
The shift to the buyer's favour comes because there's plenty of stock for sale, accompanied by a flailing auction success rate, and vendors prepared to drop their prices to secure their sale. Last month Sydney property values sat in negative annual growth territory, according to CoreLogic, albeit down 3.4% after around 75% growth since 2012.
Cooley Auctions' auctioneer Damien Cooley recently suggested a healthy auction market, where both sellers and buyers had equal bargaining positions, was between 50% and 60%.
That's where the market currently sits.
Cooley suggests it becomes a buyers' markets should clearance rates become less than 50%.
Buyers certainly are acting like the tide has turned.
It is not that buying has frozen due to any fears, just that home buyers have turned tough in their negotiations.
They are having to lower their buying expectations since they are discovering the banks won't lend everything they yearn for.
Sellers who engage inexperienced agents who've never dealt with a weakened market will be especially exposed as a buyers market puts sellers in an especially vulnerable position if they need to sell because they have already bought elsewhere.
It is not a time for sales' gimmicks, just realism.
It is a time for strong marketing so there's the increased prospect of the property being seen by the reduced numbers of active buyers, plus those potentials who have basically tuned out through months, or maybe years, of missing out.
There's also those passive buyers who don't consider themselves in the market, but could be tempted by what they see on offer.
It's likely fewer listings during the winter hibernation will slow the downward price momentum, but setting the right asking price is crucial for vendors who want to sell before spring volumes pickup.
Overall there's 26,000 offerings across Sydney - around 26% more stock than this time last year - which means buyers have more choice.
There were 22,000 listings at the start of last spring.
Discounting on asking prices is normal, however in an emerging slowing or falling market, the mismatch between asking and paid prices is likely to be at its highest, possibly due to pride or naivety.
CoreLogic currently puts the required discount before sale at 6.2% for private treaty listings that are taking around 40 days. In March it was at a 5.6% discount and 31 days, and in March last year it was a 4.1% after just 27 days on market. 
Little wonder buyers reckon the market is finally trending their way, so wise vendors might move to marginally underprice the market to get ahead of the emerging curve.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph. 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Sydney market is changing from sellers' market to buyers' market 

<html><body>
A Bule Mountain four bedroom house has been recently sold for $525,105 by the mortgagee.
It was sold by Richardson &amp; Wrench.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-wentworth+falls-127491490" target="_blank">Situated at 181 Tableland Road</a>, Wentworth Falls, the house comes with four bedrooms, open plan lounge/dining/kitchen and single lock up garage. 
Positioned on an 892 square metre block, it also features timber floors, fully fenced rear yard and large timber deck.
It was last traded for $340,000 in 2008.
The suburb's median house price sits on $625,000, according to CoreLogic. 
</body></html>

Wentworth Falls four bedroom house sold by mortgagee

<html><body>
Gladstone's housing market is starting to recover, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White (HTW).
They say the prestige market sector in Gladstone is very thinly traded.
At the end of 2018 Herron Todd White said the landscape of the Gladstone property market has changed dramatically in five short years.
During the boom, the market was dominated by investors trying to cash in on the hype that surrounded Gladstone, it advised.
"Value levels and rents were the highest Gladstone had ever seen, vacancy rates were essentially 0%, motels were running at 150% occupancy," the report said.
"Fast forward five years and the property market could not be more different!"
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/5/14/HTW_MAY_CLOCK_HOUSES.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<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/2018/5/14/HTW_MAY_CLOCK_HOUSES.jpg" alt="">
HTW suggest you would be hard pressed to find a property owner who has not suffered some sort of loss in the past few years.
"On the other hand, the buyer’s market we currently find ourselves in has attracted many different types of home owners to the market," it said.
"The affordability of property in Gladstone has turned us from one of the most expensive places to live in the state to one of the cheapest.
"Value levels have not been this low for nearly two decades.
"We have seen a large contingent of first home owners enter the market."
First home buyers appear more active in the sub $400,000 market for both existing and newly constructed homes, however if purchasing existing homes they are generally looking to buy at a lower price point, it said.
Herron Todd White consider that the prestige sector starts at around the $700,000 mark.
There has been only one sale above this mark in the past six months—a dwelling in an established area of New Auckland <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-new+auckland-125486558" target="_blank">sold for $720,000 in January</a> (top and below).
<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/gladstone2.jpg" alt="">
The five bedroom home has three bathrooms and a swimming pool.
Prior to this, there were several large rural residential properties that sold in 2016 for above $850,000.
The last million dollar plus home sold in Gladstone in 2015.
Just like the rest of the market, the prestige sector has seen sharp declines in value over the past several years. Most buyers in this sector are locals who are upgrading.
Rents in the area are also low, according to Investar, the property investment insights company.
Half-way through last year Investar pegged the median rent price at West Gladstone at <a href="https://propertyobserver.com.au/finding/residential-investment/suburb-spotlights/73296-ytc-july-2017-west-gladstone-units-rentable-for-130-per-week-investar" target="_blank">$130 a week, the cheapest in Queensland.</a>
Analysis from CoreLogic's head of research Cameron Kusher found Gladstone prices had well and truly bottomed over the last few years.
He found that with 578 sales over the 12 month period from May 2016 saw 578 sales at a median price of $323,875 in Gladstone.
Those sales volumes are 68 percent lower than their July 2007 peak, while median prices are 32 percent low than their September 2012 peak.
 
 
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Gladstone's housing market in recovery

<html><body>
<div class="wp-caption">An $182,000 sale in Brisbane's Ipswich region was the nation's cheapest weekend auction result.</div>
<div class="wp-caption"> </div>
<div class="wp-caption">It last sold at $199,000 in 2013.</div>
<div class="wp-caption"> </div>
<div class="wp-caption">The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-brassall-128100166" target="_blank">5 Melbourne Street, Brassall offering</a> was three bedrooms on stilts on an 810 sqm block.</div>
"It's big, ugly and neglected but very recoverable and could be a real steal," was the marketing pitch.
The Raine &amp; Horne agent had notified interested parties that council planning indicates that some flood water did come onto a portion of the block in 2011 - about ankle deep at the lowest point of the block. 
Council records indicated that the flood water was 5.2 meters below the eaves of the home which had sold at $199,000 in 2013.
The official land value was recently put at $125,000.
 
</body></html>

Ipswich house sale at a loss

<html><body>
Sydney's northern suburbs were their strongest markets at the weekend, with the inner south and inner west also performing well.
Sydney could only manage another average 62 percent clearance rate, as the national rate waned to 61 percent.
There were 2,245 homes taken to auction across the capitals, down from 2,311 auctions.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/5/14/cap-May14.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<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/2018/5/14/cap-May14.jpg" alt="">
 
When clearing the 70 percent mark over the summer months, it was Sydney's eastern suburbs and northern beaches which were selling over 80 percent of their stock at the weekend auctions.
Both have dipped since the clouds have come, but bounced back to a near 80 percent clearance rate. 
Click here to enlarge.
<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/2018/5/14/SUB-REGIONS.jpg" alt="">
North Sydney and Hornsby secured a strong 83 percent clearance rate, selling 77 of their 96 auctions.
One of Hornsby's priciest sales was a charming cottage which rose nearly $500,000 since it last traded for $730,000 in 2010.
<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/2018/5/14/HORNS.jpg" alt="">
The three bedroom Palmerston Road home fetched $1.21 million after having a guide of $1.2 million.
It has modern Hampton-inspired updates since it sold last.
 
</body></html>

Sydney's northern suburbs strong as chill continues to impact the east

<html><body>
<div class="x_column">
In Melbourne, Australia’s largest auction market, a preliminary auction clearance rate of 61.2 per cent was recorded across 1,090 auctions this week, down from 63.7 per cent across 1,144 auctions last week.
One year ago, the clearance rate was a stronger 75 per cent across 1,098 auctions.
A private weekend auction saw a $9 million Glen Iris sale, a record price for the suburb which has stood at $6.55 million since 2011.
It had been listed with $7 million to $7.7 million price guidance through RT Edgar Mark Wridgway who did the Saturday auction ahead of Monday's scheduled expression of interest closing deadline.
Word of the price leaked out given the attendance of buyers' agents representing some of the six active bidders.
<a id="LPlnk182762" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-glen+iris-128112762" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The 4 Fairview Grove, Glen Iris offering</a> (top) was a Christopher Doyle-built period home, renovated around a decade ago, on its 2000 sqm block with tennis court.
The property last sold 20 years ago at $1,178,000.
“The pre-auction shenanigans and the auction itself was a masterclass in manipulation, momentum and marvel,” one buyers' agent said.
There was also a public Glen Iris weekend auction of the trophy home at <a id="LPlnk80854" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/real-estate/36-howard-street-glen-iris-vic/property-details-buy-residential-11805148/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">36 Howard Street</a>, which was passed in of a $3.3 million vendor bid.
The two storey sandstone residence now comes with a $3.65 million asking price.
Melbourne's highest officially notified result was $4.58 million for <a id="LPlnk937753" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-middle+park-127945682" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">390 Richardson Street, Middle Park</a> (below).
<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/2018/5/14/middle.jpg" alt="">
The double fronted unrenovated four bedroom house had been listed with $4 million to $4.4 million price guidance. 
There was a $4.22 million sale in Brighton when 6 Bagley Street was sold.
There were 767 auctions held in Sydney returning a preliminary auction clearance rate of 62.5 per cent, compared to 63.1 per cent across 797 last week, and 74.5 per cent across 960 auctions one year ago.
Sydney's top sale was <a id="LPlnk375535" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-randwick-128134494" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">30-32 Glebe St, Randwick</a> which fetched $4.5 million pre-auction through BresicWhitney.
At Turramurra there was a pre-auction sale at $4.35 million (below).
<a id="LPlnk39726" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-turramurra-128161110" target="_blank">The custom-designed five bedroom Meadowbank residence</a> was set on a 1138 sqm Boomerang Street block framed by established gardens.
<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/2018/5/14/turra.jpg" alt="">
The Di Jones agent Tim Fraser was initially suggesting it could fetch $3.9 million with the higher price secured after some eight contracts were issued to the 130 plus inspections attendees.
Sydney sales also included $875,000 when a young builder bought a dilapidated Marrickville terrace.
The <a id="LPlnk35800" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-marrickville-128113218" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">14 Middle St, Marrickville offering</a> (below) was under instructions from NSW Trustee and Guardian.
Agents suggested it was probably the cheapest house sold in the inner west for five years.
<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/2018/5/14/marrick.jpg" alt="">
David Diamantopolous of Devine Real Estate told The Sunday Telegraph it was so cheap as he was prevented from offering buyers a price guide due to the government rules surrounding NSW Trustee and Guardian sales.
CoreLogic calculated there were 2,245 homes taken to auction across the capital cities, returning a waning preliminary auction clearance rate of 61 per cent.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/5/14/cap-May14.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<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/2018/5/14/cap-May14.jpg" alt="">
In the prior weekend's results there had been 2,311 auctions with a final clearance rate of 62.1 per cent. 
Over the same week last year, auction volumes were higher with 2,409 homes going under the hammer with the clearance rate at a stronger 72.8 per cent.
CoreLogic's Kevin Brogan noted units outperformed houses with 63.6 per cent of units selling at auction, while 59.8 per cent of houses found buyers.
"Once clearance rates are finalised early next week, its highly likely they will be revised lower, with both Sydney and Melbourne clearance rates potentially falling below the 60% mark," CoreLogic auction analyst Kevin Brogan noted.
</div>
<div class="x_column">
CoreLogic had collated 586 Sydney results with its preliminary 62.5 percent success rate from the past six days.
While Domain's Australian Property Monitors put the weekend clearance rate at 56.4 per cent clearance rate, taken from 333 reported Saturday results. Sydney real estate agents withdrew 89 properties from auction on Saturday and are still to report results for 155 scheduled auctions.
Canberra was again the best performing capital with a 77.1 per cent success rate across its 80 auctions.
Brisbane saw a 50 percent success rate with the top offering, Bengtson, a modernised East Brisbane Queenslander.
But the <a id="LPlnk139657" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-east+brisbane-128147518" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4 Didsbury Street</a> home, built in 1896, was passed in on a $1.65 million vendor bid by Shane Hicks from Place Bulimba. 
The top Brisbane sale was a ninth floor apartment <a id="LPlnk592883" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.domain.com.au/93-23-griffith-street-new-farm-qld-4005-2014303677" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">93/23 Griffith Street, New Farm</a> (below) offered for the first time since new in 1973.
<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/2018/5/14/new-farm.jpg" alt="">
The spacious 200 sqm apartment in Gemini Towers fetched $1.41 million with riverfront views.
<div class="x_wp-caption">An $182,000 sale in Brisbane's Ipswich region was the nation's cheapest result.</div>
<div class="x_wp-caption"> </div>
<div class="x_wp-caption">The <a id="LPlnk459871" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-brassall-128100166" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 Melbourne Street, Brassall offering</a> was three bedrooms on stilts on an 810 sqm block.</div>
"It's big, ugly and neglected but very recoverable and could be a real steal," was the marketing pitch.
The Raine &amp; Horne agent had notified interested parties that council planning indicates that some flood water did come onto a portion of the block in 2011 - about ankle deep at the lowest point of the block. 
Council records indicated that the flood water was 5.2 meters below the eaves of the home which had sold at $199,000 in 2013.
The official land value was recently put at $125,000.
</div>
</body></html>

Hastily called private auction triggered $9 million Glen Iris sale

<html><body>
A Dallas home in the North if Melbourne has been sold by mortgagees for $564,000.
It was sold by Hanifi Ozkoca from Professionals on May 7.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-dallas-128070190" target="_blank">Situated at 8 Corinella Crescent</a>, Dallas, the three bedroom house home comes with three bedrooms, 'L' shaped lounge and dining room, and bright modern kitchen. 
Set on a 668 sqm block, it is near Dallas Shopping Center, Ilim College, Hume Valley School, and Coolaroo Rail Station. 
It was last traded for $400,000 in 2010.
The suburb's median house price sits on $434,500, according to CoreLogic. 
 
</body></html>

Dallas three bedroom house sold by mortgagee 

<html><body>
A Templestowe Lower three bedroom apartment has been sold for $480,500 by mortgagees.
The north-west Melbourne house was sold by Tehran Mashayekh and Danial Reza Ali from Ray White on May 5.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-templestowe+lower-127993002" target="_blank">The 7/231 High Street apartment</a> comes with three bedrooms, modern living, and private balcony.
It also features double-glazed windows, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, and double car garage. 
The suburb’s median unit price sits on $850,000, according to CoreLogic.
</body></html>

Templestowe Lower three bedroom apartment sold by mortgagee

<html><body>
Barangaroo South has been named Australia’s development of the year at a national property awards ceremony held last night.
Lendlease took home the RLB Australian Development of the Year prize at the Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards. At the awards, 137 finalists competed for national recognition in 20 categories.
Considered Sydney’s largest urban renewal project, will house 23,000 office workers, 2,000 residents, a six-star hotel and 80-plus cafés, bars, restaurants and retail outlets across more than half a million square metres of space upon its expected 2023 completion.
Barangaroo South took also won the WSP Award for Best Sustainable Development – New Buildings, the Liberty Steel Award for Best Mixed Use Development, and the Eagle Lighting Australia Award for Best Workplace Project.
“Barangaroo South is a truly iconic international project which has recalibrated the way Australians think about precinct-scale urban renewal,” says the Property Council’s Chief Executive, Ken Morrison.
“Lendlease has combined iconic buildings designed by acclaimed architects with world-leading sustainability initiatives that have transformed entire supply chains and challenged large tenants to embrace green business practices.”
“Barangaroo South also throws down the gauntlet to governments around Australia by showing when density is done right, it delivers.”
Other winners included:
<ul>
<li>Mirvac's EY Centre was presented with the SAS International Award for Best Office Development;</li>
<li>Quantity surveying firm Slattery took home the PwC Award for Diversity for companies with less than 250 employees;</li>
<li>Cushman &amp; Wakefield won the the Moulis Legal Award for Diversity for companies with more than 250 employees;</li>
<li>Rebecca Fitzgerald, a senior mechanical engineer with WSP, was awarded the du Chateau Chun Award for Future Leader of the Year. </li>
<li>The S4B Studio Award for Best Heritage Development was taken out by the Old Clare Hotel in the Sydney suburb of Chippendale. </li>
<li>The Equiem Award for Best Project Innovation was presented to Project REDDA, an end-to-end real estate due diligence solution that automatically detects key risks in leases.</li>
<li>The Tonsley Innovation District in South Australia was presented with the KONE Award for Best Development Innovation for cultivating high-value manufacturing, leading-edge research and emerging industries.</li>
</ul>
 
</body></html>

Latest Buying Insights

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

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Buying Insights

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

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News