<p>The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.</p>

<p>For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.</p>

<p>Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.</p>

<p>It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.</p>

<p>Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]</p>

<p>Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.</p>

<p>"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.</p>

<p>"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.</p>

<p>"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.</p>

<p>"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]</p>

<p>While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.</p>

<p>The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.</p>

<p>One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.</p>

<p>The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.</p>

<p>Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.</p>

<p>The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.</p>

<p>Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.</p>

<p>Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.</p>

<p>There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]</p>

<p>Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.</p>

<p>While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.</p>

<p>Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.</p>

<p>"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.</p>

<p>"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]</p>

<p>Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.</p>

<p>For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.</p>


Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]</p>

<p>Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.</p>

<p>"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]</p>

<p>A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]</p>


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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."</p>

<p>Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.</p>

<p>"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.</p>

<p>"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.</p>

<p>"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>


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

<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>


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>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

<html><body>
<p>A home in Douglas near Townsville has been listed by the mortgagee in possession.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-douglas-126600350" target="_blank">Lord Howe Promenade home</a> on 1910 sqm, has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a swimming pool.</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/2017/10/13/Mort1.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;"></p>
<p>The master suite looks out to a nature setting and features an ensuite.</p>
<p>On the ground level there's a home office and an open plan living area with built-in bar.</p>
<p>Explore Property agent Annette Rowlings has set a $1.49 million asking price.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.16px;"> </span></p>
</body></html>

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Douglas, Townsville house with home cinema and pool listed by mortgagee

<html><body>
<p>The latest Millers Point auctions saw seven terrace properties selling under the hammer for a combined $18,741,000.</p>
<p>To date, McGrath has sold 136 properties with a total value of over $415 million, as part of the Millers Point sales program.</p>
<p>Commenting on the continued 100% success rate, McGrath agent Lorraine Crawford said it was a very successful night with competitive bidding across all seven properties.</p>
<p>There were 28 registered parties placing 432 bids on the night.</p>
<p>The sales included:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/apartment/nsw/sydney-cbd/the-rocks/352262" target="_blank">52 Gloucester Street</a>, The Rocks, NSW</p>
<p>$2,000,000</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/2017/10/12/52%20Gloucester.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/sydney-cbd/millers-point/356664" target="_blank">5 Windmill Street</a>, Millers Point, NSW</p>
<p>$2,400,000</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/2017/10/12/5%20Wind.jpg" alt=""> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/sydney-cbd/millers-point/356671" target="_blank">63 Kent Street</a>, Millers Point, NSW</p>
<p>$2,530,000</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/2017/10/12/Kent5.jpg" alt=""> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/sydney-cbd/millers-point/331234" target="_blank">85 Lower Fort Street</a>, Millers Point, NSW</p>
<p>$2,570,000 </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/2017/10/12/85%20Lower%20Fort.jpg" alt=""> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/sydney-cbd/millers-point/326256" target="_blank">75 Windmill Street</a>, Millers Point, NSW</p>
<p>$2,680,000</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/2017/10/12/75%20Wing.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/sydney-cbd/millers-point/356667" target="_blank">30 Kent Street</a>, Millers Point, NSW</p>
<p>$3,000,000</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/2017/10/12/Kent.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/sydney-cbd/millers-point/356670" target="_blank">26 Argyle Place</a>, Millers Point, NSW</p>
<p>$3,561,000</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/2017/10/12/26%20Argyle.jpg" alt=""></p>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Millers Point terraces sold for $18.7 million total

<html><body>
<p>This weekend 1,140 auctions are anticipated across Melbourne, while next weekend a mere 1,000 auctions are tipped, according to the REIV.</p>
<p>However, both weekends are set to be smashed on the pre-Derby Day weekend of 28/29 October when 1,610 auctions are scheduled. That level is very close to the 2015 record weekend.</p>
<p>On Derby Day, just days before the 2017 Melbourne Cup weekend, it will be the calm after the storm - in Melbourne, agents have just the 180 auctions.</p>
<p>This week, CoreLogic is tracking just over 2,300 auctions across the combined capital cities, which is similar to last week when 2,318 auctions were held, but lower than this time last year, when 2,443 homes were taken to auction. </p>
<p>Across the two largest auction markets, Sydney and Melbourne, volumes are similar this week when compared to last week.</p>
<p>Melbourne is expecting 1,122 auctions to be held this week, compared to 1,119 last week, while Sydney is set to see 850 homes go up for auction, up from 818 last week.</p>
<p>Over the same week last year, Melbourne held 1,182 auctions, while there were 913 auctions in Sydney. </p>
<p>Melbourne is host to the busiest individual suburbs for auctions, with 18 auctions in Reservoir, followed by Epping (17) and Glen Waverley (16).</p>
<p>Bentleigh East, Richmond and St Kilda each have 15 auctions scheduled this week, according to CoreLogic.</p>
<p>Looking at the smaller auction markets, volumes will fall slightly in some cities. Adelaide has 84 auctions scheduled this week, down from 107 last week, while Canberra is set to hold 58 auctions, compared to 78 last week. </p>
<p>There are 151 auctions scheduled in Brisbane this week, similar to the 153 held last week across the city.</p>
<p>Perth is expecting 37 auctions this week, compared to 35 last week, while Tasmania is likely to see fewer auctions with 4 homes currently scheduled for auction, down from eight last week. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/12/CorelogicAuctionsWeek.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/12/CorelogicAuctionsWeek.png" alt=""></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/12/CorelogicAuctionsFinal.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/12/CorelogicAuctionsFinal.png" alt=""></p>
<h2>Summary of Last Week’s results </h2>
<p>The final clearance rate across the combined capital cities continues to soften, with last week recording a final clearance rate of 64.4%, down from 66.3% over the previous week, making it the lowest clearance rate since January 2016.</p>
<p>There were 2,318 homes taken to auction last week, similar to this time last year (2,290), while over the previous week, just 969 auctions were held due to the public holiday long weekend in most states, along with the AFL and NRL Grand Finals. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/12/CorelogicAuctions.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p> <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/12/CorelogicAuctions.png" alt=""></p>
<p>Clearance rates across Melbourne and Sydney fell week-on-week, with Sydney recording a clearance rate of 61.3% across 818 auctions, down from 64.9% across 607 auctions the previous week, and lower than this time last year, when 79.8% of the 816 auctions were successful.</p>
<p>The last time Sydney has seen a clearance rate this low was late 2015/early 2016.</p>
<p>Melbourne recorded a clearance rate of 70.3% across 1,119 auctions last week, down from 87.0% across just 122 auctions the previous week, and 78.4% across 1,114 over the same week last year. </p>
<p>While clearance rates fell across the capital cities week-on-week, auctions volumes increased across all of the capital cities. </p>
<p>Looking at the non-capital city regions, the Hunter region was the most successful in terms of clearance rates with 76.9% of the 33 auctions recording a successful result, closely followed by Geelong, where a clearance rate of 76.7% was recorded across 54 auctions. </p>
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Melbourne racing toward 1600-plus Super Saturday as auction clearance rates softening

<html><body>
<p>Sydney has replaced London as the most expensive place to study for international students outside the US, with a monthly cost of $4,700, says a recent Savills report.</p>
<p>The strengthening Aussie dollar pushed Sydney higher than London to fourth position globally among the 20 cities examined.</p>
<p>London was dragged down by a weaker sterling, according to Savills annual World Student Housing cost of living, accommodation and tuition rankings.</p>
<p>It now costs $4,600 a month to be an international student in London.</p>
<p>Savills World Research, using data by Student.com, calculated that living and studying costs in London have dropped as fluctuations in the value of sterling has made the city cheaper for international students. </p>
<p>Boston, New York and San Francisco have retained their positions as the world’s top three most expensive cities for international students, each costing in excess of $5,500 a month, 20% more than the next dearest city. </p>
<p>Australia remains the third most popular country for international students, as the overseas student population continues to increase in both universities and other education sectors, said a recent Savills report.</p>
<p><em><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/12/SavillsStudent1.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></em></p>
<p> <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/12/SavillsStudent1.png" alt=""></p>
<p>Mainland European cities, however, stand apart for their affordability and are well positioned to attract cost-conscious globally mobile students, according to Savills.</p>
<p>Prague, Berlin, Vienna and Warsaw are the cheapest cities in which to study, on par with Shanghai. Tuition costs in these cities are minimal, accommodation costs are half the average of the 20 cities examined, while quality is improving thanks to an increase in purpose-built student housing.</p>
<p>The rapid growth in international student numbers has underpinned demand for high quality student housing across the globe, but the type of product they want varies by region. </p>
<p>Data from Student.com shows that students from the Middle East and China typically take the longest tenancies, 90% and 87% respectively for a full academic year, which may increase accommodation costs for students from these regions, while those from the US and Asia Pacific (including Australia) are most likely to rent for shorter periods. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/12/SavillsStudent2.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/12/SavillsStudent2.png" alt=""></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/12/SavillsStudent3.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/12/SavillsStudent3.png" alt=""></p>
<p>When it comes to room type preferences, there is relative uniformity across the globe. Students from the Middle East are slightly more likely to rent an entire property or studio, however, echoing their typically larger average budgets.</p>
<p>“The optimum ratio for student housing varies not only by country, but by town or city. Many universities supply their own accommodation, but lack the funds or expertise to upgrade this to modern standards,” said Marcus Roberts, director in the residential capital markets team at Savills.</p>
<p>Roberts added that this opens up opportunities for JVs and partnering arrangements with private sector operators to deliver housing that ticks the boxes with students, particularly in the under-served middle tier between lower-quality university stock and more expensive premium products.</p>
<p>Luke Nolan, founder and CEO of Student.com, said students will always opt for at least some level of privacy, especially for the space in which they sleep and the feedback is that being close to campus is the number one priority.</p>
<p>The most popular social spaces revolve around fitness, entertainment and study.</p>
<p>"Students expect more and the industry caters to student requirements, which drives an upward pressure on rents – especially since most mature markets still don’t have enough student housing," Nolan said.</p>
<p>"Honestly, in the end, the winning factor is the community and not specs, so if you want to invest in anything, invest in the student experience."</p>
</body></html>

Sydney more expensive than London for international students: Savills

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<p>Adelaide recorded a marginal quarterly decline in house prices, down by 0.3% to $519,517, according to Domain.</p>
<p>Comparatively, however, the 0.3% drop follows five consecutive months of house price increases and the result is up 4.1% year-on-year.</p>
<p>Adelaide was one of the few capital cities to record an increase in median unit prices over the September quarter, jumping 1.6% to $313,074. The quarterly result is 2.6% higher than the same time last year.</p>
<p><em>Domain quarterly stratified median house prices:</em></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0">
<thead><tr>
<td>
<p>HOUSE</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>SEP 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>JUN 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>SEP 2016</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>QOQ %</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>YOY %</p>
</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Sydney</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$1,167,516</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$1,190,677</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$1,079,309</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-1.9%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>8.2%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Melbourne</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$880,902</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$869,598</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$773,399</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1.3%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>13.9%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Brisbane</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$551,840</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$552,874</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$531,767</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-0.2%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3.8%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Adelaide</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$519,517</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$520,846</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$498,971</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-0.3%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4.1%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Perth</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$554,095</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$561,391</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$567,314</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-1.3%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-2.3%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Canberra</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$723,980</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$693,962</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$655,468</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4.3%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>10.5%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Hobart</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$409,592</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$392,170</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$356,916</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4.4%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>14.8%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Darwin</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$593,329</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$615,670</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$610,510</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-3.6%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-2.8%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>National</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$819,455</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$823,381</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$758,367</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-0.5%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>10.8%</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The median house rental price in Adelaide remained steady at $360 per week over the September quarter, up 2.9% year-on-year.</p>
<p>However, while house rental prices may have remained flat, Adelaide was the only city to record a positive increase in median unit rental prices – increasing 1.7% over the quarter to $295 per week.</p>
<p>"Second only to Hobart, Adelaide has one of the most affordable median house prices of all capital cities, and the most affordable median unit price," said Domain chief economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.</p>
<p>"Despite experiencing a drop in median house price over the quarter, the solid local market provides investors with growing confidence as it continues to deliver resilient results."</p>
</body></html>

Adelaide median house price steady: Domain

<html><body>
<p>After recording strong growth last quarter, Darwin’s median house price dropped by 3.6% over the September quarter, to $593,329, according to Domain.</p>
<p>The result is 2.8% lower than the same time last year.</p>
<p>The median unit price is Darwin also decreased, dropping by 6.8% to $330,354 — 30.5% lower year-on-year.</p>
<p>Domain quarterly stratified median prices:</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0">
<thead><tr>
<td>
<p>HOUSE</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>SEP 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>JUN 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>SEP 2016</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>QOQ %</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>YOY %</p>
</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Sydney</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$1,167,516</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$1,190,677</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$1,079,309</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-1.9%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>8.2%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Melbourne</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$880,902</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$869,598</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$773,399</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1.3%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>13.9%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Brisbane</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$551,840</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$552,874</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$531,767</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-0.2%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3.8%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Adelaide</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$519,517</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$520,846</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$498,971</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-0.3%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4.1%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Perth</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$554,095</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$561,391</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$567,314</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-1.3%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-2.3%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Canberra</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$723,980</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$693,962</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$655,468</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4.3%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>10.5%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Hobart</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$409,592</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$392,170</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$356,916</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4.4%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>14.8%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Darwin</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$593,329</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$615,670</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$610,510</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-3.6%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-2.8%</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>National</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$819,455</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$823,381</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$758,367</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>-0.5%</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>10.8%</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Rental prices for both houses and units in Darwin have remained steady over the quarter, sitting at $520 and $400 per week, respectively.</p>
<p>Both the houses and unit figures remained steady over the last three months, the results do indicate a drop year-on-year – by 5.5% and 5.9% respectively.</p>
<p>"The drop of 30.5% in median unit prices year-on-year is indicative of the oversupply of apartments in the city," said Domain chief economist, Dr Andrew Wilson. </p>
<p>"This same oversupply is highlighted by the annual decrease in median rental prices and is expected to continue until demand and supply are rebalanced.</p>
<p>"Unfortunately, policies that are designed to restrict investor lending, are also impacting those apartment markets where supply is already well ahead of demand."</p>
</body></html>

Darwin house prices dipping again: Domain

<html><body>
<p>A two bedroom Blacktown apartment has sold for $411,000, making it Sydney’s cheapest weekend auction sale.</p>
<p>Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-blacktown-126407666" target="_blank">22/16 Oxford Street</a>, the property occupies a corner position within ‘The Marc’.</p>
<p>Built in 2005, it last sold in 2015 for $420,000. It was offered with a price guidance of $400,000 to $420,000.</p>
<p>It sold at $305,000 in 2005 on its completion.</p>
<p>It features an open plan living area with fresh interior updates and leads to a balcony. It has 67 square metres of internal space.</p>
<p>The kitchen has stone features and stainless steel, while the two bedrooms have built-in mirrored robes and the master an ensuite as well.</p>
<p>Other features includes car space in garage and visitor parking.</p>
<p>Public transport, shops and restaurants are a short walk away.</p>
<p>The property was offered through John Kastellorios of Laing + Simmons.</p>
<p>It had been offered as a $390 a week rental in early 2017, having been a $350 a week rental in 2014.</p>
</body></html>

Sydney's cheapest weekend auction saw price fall at Blacktown to $411,000

<html><body>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Sydney’s median house price decreased by 1.9 per cent to $1,167,516 over the September quarter; the steepest decline in house prices of the state's capital cities.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<span dir="ltr"> It was the first quarterly fall in the local market since December 2015, </span>said Domain chief economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">“The drop in Sydney’s house prices over the September quarter reflects the diminishing impact of the record-low interest rates that have fuelled market recently.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">"While Sydney’s property market has been the star performer nationally – with prices essentially doubling over the last five years –  affordability barriers are now acting to slow down demand and moderate price increases.<br> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">“The significant decrease in investor activity, as well as tightened lending restrictions for residential investors, has had a clear impact on the Sydney market. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">"We saw a similar house price dip in 2015, when similar policies were introduced."</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Despite recording a decline in both house and unit prices, Sydney clearly remains the highest priced of all capitals, well ahead of the next-highest, Melbourne, Dr Andrew Wilson noted.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Sydney unit prices also dropped - by 0.8 per cent over the quarter to $732,321, but despite the decrease, remain 4.5 per cent higher than the same time last year.<br> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Median house rents in the Harbour city remained steady at $550 per week, as did median unit rents. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">While steady over the quarter, the results are up year-on-year by 3.8 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div id="1468469170927-5">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<p class="domain-table-title">Domain quarterly stratified median house prices</p>
<div>
<table class="domain-table">
<thead><tr>
<td>HOUSE</td>
<td>SEP 2017</td>
<td>JUN 2017</td>
<td>SEP 2016</td>
<td>QOQ %</td>
<td>YOY %</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sydney</td>
<td>$1,167,516</td>
<td>$1,190,677</td>
<td>$1,079,309</td>
<td class="negative">-1.9%</td>
<td class="positive">8.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne</td>
<td>$880,902</td>
<td>$869,598</td>
<td>$773,399</td>
<td class="positive">1.3%</td>
<td class="positive">13.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brisbane</td>
<td>$551,840</td>
<td>$552,874</td>
<td>$531,767</td>
<td class="negative">-0.2%</td>
<td class="positive">3.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adelaide</td>
<td>$519,517</td>
<td>$520,846</td>
<td>$498,971</td>
<td class="negative">-0.3%</td>
<td class="positive">4.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Perth</td>
<td>$554,095</td>
<td>$561,391</td>
<td>$567,314</td>
<td class="negative">-1.3%</td>
<td class="negative">-2.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canberra</td>
<td>$723,980</td>
<td>$693,962</td>
<td>$655,468</td>
<td class="positive">4.3%</td>
<td class="positive">10.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hobart</td>
<td>$409,592</td>
<td>$392,170</td>
<td>$356,916</td>
<td class="positive">4.4%</td>
<td class="positive">14.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Darwin</td>
<td>$593,329</td>
<td>$615,670</td>
<td>$610,510</td>
<td class="negative">-3.6%</td>
<td class="negative">-2.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>National</td>
<td>$819,455</td>
<td>$823,381</td>
<td>$758,367</td>
<td class="negative">-0.5%</td>
<td class="positive">10.8%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">The median house price in most capital cities declined over the September quarter, with the national median house price experiencing its sharpest dip in six years, according to the September quarter Domain State of the Market Report - Metro.<br> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">As tighter lending conditions come into play, demand for property in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Darwin decreased over the quarter, with Sydney reporting one of the steepest declines in house prices of the capitals. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Hobart, Canberra, and Melbourne were the only cities to record house price growth over the quarter.<br> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Median unit prices across the country varied over the September quarter, with Hobart and Melbourne experiencing surges in unit price growth, while Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and Darwin recorded declines in unit prices.<br> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<p class="domain-table-title">Quarterly stratified median unit prices</p>
<div>
<table class="domain-table">
<thead><tr>
<td>UNIT</td>
<td>SEP 2017</td>
<td>JUN 2017</td>
<td>SEP 2016</td>
<td>QOQ %</td>
<td>YOY %</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sydney</td>
<td>$732,321</td>
<td>$738,227</td>
<td>$700,656</td>
<td class="negative">-0.8%</td>
<td class="positive">4.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne</td>
<td>$<span>506,334</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>489,472</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>454,644</span>
</td>
<td class="positive">3.4%</td>
<td class="positive">11.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brisbane</td>
<td>$<span>376,685</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>390,407</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>402,712</span>
</td>
<td class="negative">-3.5%</td>
<td class="negative">-6.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adelaide</td>
<td>$<span>313,074</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>308,223</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>305,156</span>
</td>
<td class="positive">1.6%</td>
<td class="positive">2.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Perth</td>
<td>$<span>351,875</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>377,132</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>381,065</span>
</td>
<td class="negative">-6.7%</td>
<td class="negative">-7.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canberra</td>
<td>$<span>427,391</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>419,451</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>429,751</span>
</td>
<td class="positive">1.9%</td>
<td class="negative">-0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hobart</td>
<td>$<span>323,174</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>304,077</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>257,214</span>
</td>
<td class="positive">6.3%</td>
<td class="positive">25.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Darwin</td>
<td>$<span>330,354</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>354,584</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>475,199</span>
</td>
<td class="negative">-6.8%</td>
<td class="negative">-30.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>National</td>
<td>$<span>570,148</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>570,277</span>
</td>
<td>$<span>547,263</span>
</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
<td class="positive">4.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Dr Andrew Wilson, said capital city housing markets generally tracked backward over the September quarter as the lower interest rate driver of recent years dissipated.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">"Actions by policymakers to restrict residential investor activity through tighter lending conditions to that group have also acted to weaken prices growth over the last three months.”</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">For investors, Hobart continues to provide the best gross rental yields for houses with 5.29 per cent recorded over the September quarter. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Sydney and Melbourne continue to record the lowest gross rental yields for houses of all capital cities, sitting at 3.12 per cent and 3.34 per cent respectively.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Canberra is the top performer for gross rental yields for units recording a result of 5.77 per cent over the quarter, closely followed by Darwin and Hobart at 5.65 per cent and 5.53 per cent respectively.<br> </span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span dir="ltr"><br></span></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Sydney house prices suffer deepest September quarter decline: Domain

<html><body>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">The median house price in Melbourne increased 13.9 per cent year-on-year. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">But the rate of growth in the September quarter was the slowest for Melbourne since the September quarter 2014.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<span dir="ltr">The median house price in Melbourne increased 1.3 per cent over the September quarter to $880,902, the</span> Domain Chief Economist, Dr Andrew Wilson said.</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Median unit prices in Melbourne grew significantly, increasing by 3.4 per cent over the September quarter to a new record high of $506,334. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">"This means that year-on-year, unit prices have now increased by an incredible 11.4 per cent," Dr Wilson said.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">"The results suggest that recent record levels of new apartment development have had a negligible impact on price, with demand continuing to absorb higher levels of supply."<br> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">While the median rental price for houses in Melbourne remained steady over the September quarter, sitting at $420 per week, rental prices are up 5 per cent over the last 12 months.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div id="1468469170927-5">
<div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<p class="domain-table-title">Domain quarterly stratified median house prices</p>
<div>
<table class="domain-table">
<thead><tr>
<td>HOUSE</td>
<td>SEP 2017</td>
<td>JUN 2017</td>
<td>SEP 2016</td>
<td>QOQ %</td>
<td>YOY %</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sydney</td>
<td>$1,167,516</td>
<td>$1,190,677</td>
<td>$1,079,309</td>
<td class="negative">-1.9%</td>
<td class="positive">8.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne</td>
<td>$880,902</td>
<td>$869,598</td>
<td>$773,399</td>
<td class="positive">1.3%</td>
<td class="positive">13.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brisbane</td>
<td>$551,840</td>
<td>$552,874</td>
<td>$531,767</td>
<td class="negative">-0.2%</td>
<td class="positive">3.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adelaide</td>
<td>$519,517</td>
<td>$520,846</td>
<td>$498,971</td>
<td class="negative">-0.3%</td>
<td class="positive">4.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Perth</td>
<td>$554,095</td>
<td>$561,391</td>
<td>$567,314</td>
<td class="negative">-1.3%</td>
<td class="negative">-2.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canberra</td>
<td>$723,980</td>
<td>$693,962</td>
<td>$655,468</td>
<td class="positive">4.3%</td>
<td class="positive">10.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hobart</td>
<td>$409,592</td>
<td>$392,170</td>
<td>$356,916</td>
<td class="positive">4.4%</td>
<td class="positive">14.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Darwin</td>
<td>$593,329</td>
<td>$615,670</td>
<td>$610,510</td>
<td class="negative">-3.6%</td>
<td class="negative">-2.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>National</td>
<td>$819,455</td>
<td>$823,381</td>
<td>$758,367</td>
<td class="negative">-0.5%</td>
<td class="positive">10.8%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Similarly, median unit rents remained steady at $400 per week, up 5.3 per cent year-on-year.<br> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">“This period of growth marks the 20th consecutive quarter of house price growth for Melbourne. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">"While house prices continue to grow at a steady rate, unit demand is soaring.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<span dir="ltr">"The latest growth figures are further indication that demand is significantly ahead of supply," </span>Dr Wilson said.</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">With policies in place to further restrict investors, it’s likely that rental prices will continue to rise, with fewer properties available, he added.</span></div>
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Melbourne unit prices hit record $506,000 median: Domain

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<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Brisbane unit prices dropped by 3.5 per cent over the September quarter to $376,685. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">"The median unit price is sitting at the lowest in three years, and it’s expected that unit prices will only continue to decrease. ,” said Domain Chief Economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.</div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div>
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<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Median house prices in Brisbane declined marginally over the quarter, dropping by just 0.2 per cent to $551,840. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Dr Wilson noted despite the drop and a relatively subdued year for the local market, house prices are up 3.8 per cent year-on-year.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
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<div id="1468469170927-5">
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<p class="domain-table-title">Domain quarterly stratified median house prices</p>
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<table class="domain-table">
<thead><tr>
<td>HOUSE</td>
<td>SEP 2017</td>
<td>JUN 2017</td>
<td>SEP 2016</td>
<td>QOQ %</td>
<td>YOY %</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sydney</td>
<td>$1,167,516</td>
<td>$1,190,677</td>
<td>$1,079,309</td>
<td class="negative">-1.9%</td>
<td class="positive">8.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne</td>
<td>$880,902</td>
<td>$869,598</td>
<td>$773,399</td>
<td class="positive">1.3%</td>
<td class="positive">13.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brisbane</td>
<td>$551,840</td>
<td>$552,874</td>
<td>$531,767</td>
<td class="negative">-0.2%</td>
<td class="positive">3.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adelaide</td>
<td>$519,517</td>
<td>$520,846</td>
<td>$498,971</td>
<td class="negative">-0.3%</td>
<td class="positive">4.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Perth</td>
<td>$554,095</td>
<td>$561,391</td>
<td>$567,314</td>
<td class="negative">-1.3%</td>
<td class="negative">-2.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canberra</td>
<td>$723,980</td>
<td>$693,962</td>
<td>$655,468</td>
<td class="positive">4.3%</td>
<td class="positive">10.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hobart</td>
<td>$409,592</td>
<td>$392,170</td>
<td>$356,916</td>
<td class="positive">4.4%</td>
<td class="positive">14.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Darwin</td>
<td>$593,329</td>
<td>$615,670</td>
<td>$610,510</td>
<td class="negative">-3.6%</td>
<td class="negative">-2.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>National</td>
<td>$819,455</td>
<td>$823,381</td>
<td>$758,367</td>
<td class="negative">-0.5%</td>
<td class="positive">10.8%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">The median house rental price in Brisbane remained steady at $400 per week both over the September quarter and over the last 12 months. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">Unit rents were also steady over the quarter, sitting at $370 per week. The result is 1.3 per cent lower than the same time last year.<br> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span dir="ltr">“The slight drop in house prices is in line with Brisbane’s subdued housing market over the last 12 months, while the drop in unit prices is evidence that unit supply in the local market has officially outstripped demand,” said Dr Wilson.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" align="left">Unit prices being 6.5 per cent year-on-year was reflective of the record levels of new apartment development, which has pushed supply well ahead of demand, he concluded.</div>
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