<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

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>

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Ellen Walker

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

For most Australians, buying an apartment is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make

The location, floorplan and price are often the first considerations, but in recent years another question has become increasingly important: who is actually delivering the project?

A series of high-profile builder collapses, construction delays and defect concerns have fundamentally changed how many Victorians approach buying off the plan. The collapse of Porter Davis in 2023, which reportedly left around 1,700 homes unfinished, became one of the most visible examples of the risks that can emerge when a construction company fails. <a href="https://www.equifax.com.au/sites/default/files/lpassets/pdf/Final-Business-Market-Pulse-June-Sector-Deep-Dive-Report-2.pdf">Similar challenges across the broader construction sector</a> have left buyers asking more questions before signing a contract.

As Victoria continues encouraging higher-density housing to address supply shortages, transparency is becoming just as important as location or price.

One tool increasingly entering the conversation is the <a href="https://icirt.com/">Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT)</a>, an independent assessment framework designed to help buyers better understand the developer or builder behind a project. Originally developed by Equifax in consultation with government and industry as part of NSW's Construct NSW reforms, the system has since expanded nationally.

<h2 data-end="1519" data-section-id="7nmx3" data-start="1492">What is an iCIRT rating?</h2>

Most Australians are familiar with independent ratings in everyday life.

We compare ANCAP safety ratings before buying a car. We look at Health Star Ratings in supermarkets. Banks rely on credit assessments when lending money.

Until recently, however, there has been very little independent information available to help apartment buyers assess the business responsible for delivering a residential project.

That gap is what iCIRT was designed to address.

Builders, developers and other construction professionals with an iCIRT rating have demonstrated high-trust characteristics through an independent, evidence-based assessment across six criteria: Character, Capability, Conduct, Capacity, Capital and Counterparties. This involves a rigorous review of financial health, past project track record, and ethical conduct. Crucially, an iCIRT rating could help provide property buyers with confidence that they are working with a professional who has demonstrated the capability, capacity, and willingness to return and rectify issues.

<img alt="iCIRT" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dcbb59af-3d5a-43aa-b28e-a66e55a83568" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Announcement.png?VersionId=6OD8r.v.oucEF01BWxR85urzoD9seQ9e" />

Importantly, iCIRT is not a recommendation to purchase a particular property, nor is it a traditional credit rating. It is an independent assessment framework designed to provide objective information about a construction business using a <a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Methodology-Issue1-May-2021.pdf">published methodology</a>.

The system has been widely adopted in New South Wales, where more than one-third of medium and large residential builders and developers now hold an iCIRT rating, representing over two-thirds of the state's residential building market by value as of 2025/26.

<h2 data-end="3126" data-section-id="h6ohtj" data-start="3084">Why buyers are doing more due diligence</h2>

For many buyers, particularly those purchasing off the plan, the biggest risk isn't whether they'll like the kitchen finishes.

It's whether the project will be delivered on time, to the expected quality, and by a company capable of completing the development.

<a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/iCIRT%202025%20Consumer%20Survey%20Report%20v05.pdf">Consumer research commissioned by iCIRT</a> found more than half of respondents believed current protections do not adequately safeguard buyers from builder insolvencies or defective projects. Other research found 88 per cent of prospective buyers would seek independent ratings or due diligence before purchasing, while 90 per cent said trust in construction professionals is essential.

That doesn't mean buyers should rely on a single rating alone.

Independent legal advice, understanding the contract, and seeking financial advice all remain important parts of the due diligence process.

However, an independent assessment can provide another source of information alongside those traditional checks.

<h2 data-end="4138" data-section-id="pquzxc" data-start="4094">Trust is becoming a competitive advantage</h2>

The conversation isn't only changing for buyers.

Developers are also recognising that trust has become an increasingly important part of the sales process.

<img alt="mirvac" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1c11c691-e8cd-46c3-88fd-6c8d614e8357" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mirvac.png?VersionId=ZqDqNL36WJOOCmNMmmO93Q2GTrFOBomz" />Mirvac is a 5 Gold Star iCIRT rated developer, the highest possible rating a developer can get: Harbourside by Mirvac

Five years ago, purchasers typically asked about floorplans, finishes and settlement dates.

Today, sales teams are increasingly being asked about the developer's experience, financial stability, previous projects and construction partners.

For companies with strong governance and established delivery records, an independent iCIRT rating provides another way to demonstrate those credentials before buyers even visit a display suite.

According to Equifax, the assessment can also help businesses drive sales and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/icirt-rating-helps-scion-secure-high-value-projects">secure high-value projects</a>, as well as identify operational improvements and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/mirvac-reinforces-brand-trust-and-quality-independent-icirt-rating">attract top talent</a>.

<h2 data-end="4962" data-section-id="1j54ng5" data-start="4912">Beyond buyers: lenders are paying attention too</h2>

The influence of independent construction ratings is also extending beyond consumers.

According to Stamford Capital's Real Estate Debt Capital Markets Survey, an increasing number of lenders now incorporate iCIRT ratings into their due diligence processes when assessing residential development finance applications.

The survey found lender adoption has continued to rise, with many respondents saying independent assessments provide additional insight into governance, counterparties and delivery capability beyond traditional financial analysis. Some lenders also reported declining funding applications where businesses had poor or no ratings.

As construction costs remain elevated and access to development finance becomes more selective, demonstrating credibility is becoming increasingly valuable.

<h2 data-end="5801" data-section-id="1qazuxs" data-start="5772">What it means for Victoria</h2>

Victoria's apartment market is entering a new phase.

The state is seeking to accelerate higher-density housing while simultaneously introducing reforms aimed at improving confidence in residential construction.

For buyers, that means there are more tools available than ever before to research the businesses behind a project.

For developers, it signals that transparency is becoming another point of differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

Buyers are asking more questions than ever before and increasingly expecting independent information, not just marketing material, before making one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives.

<img alt="iCIRT" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="958e1497-8151-4689-aadc-baf59f6e6122" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/iCIRT-Infographic-Assessment-Process-Final.png?VersionId=7KyVcwSo4vCLXBYBdq382e3Si.R.9PWQ" />

<hr data-end="6469" data-start="6466" />
The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal, financial, legal or tax advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice.

This article contains links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. Equifax Australia does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of external sites.

Copyright © 2026 Equifax Australia Information Services and Solutions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Buying off-the-plan in Melbourne? How independent iCIRT ratings are set to change Victorian property

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In what appears to be one of Lazzcorp Property Group’s first moves in a decade back into South Yarra, 8 Murphy Street  will see 33 luxury residences hit the market later this month.
With a grand opening scheduled for the 21st June, two and three bedroom apartments will be for sale from $913,500 in the boutique block. Another four penthouses, in addition to these 33 dwellings, will be within the development.
Appearing to have more recently focused on larger projects in <a href="/news">Malvern East</a>, Lazzcorp Property Group are the brains behind smaller projects in South Yarra including 12 apartments at 34 Darling Street, which they completed in April 2002, and five townhouses at 35 Cromwell Road, which completed in 2003.
This new development, dubbed <a href="https://www.eightmurphy.com.au/" target="_blank">Eight Murphy</a>, offers balconies or terraces, and high quality furnishings and finishes. With a team including Carr Designs and Urban Design Architects, and marketed by Castran Gilbert, they’re looking for upmarket attention.
Council documents indicate that it is a five storey building, and that car and bicycle spaces for visitor use are included.
According to RP Data the block sold for $3,500,000 in November 2012, with settlement occurring in February 2013, and had previously been a boarding house.
Currently the <a href="/news">median price in South Yarra for units is $550,000</a>, according to RP Data, with median asking rent at $595 per week.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Lazzcorp Property Group to launch South Yarra apartments

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1976
Under the government’s Foreign Investment Policy (at the time the primary mechanism under which real estate investment was screened), some acquisitions of Australian real estate by foreign interests were examinable. However, acquisitions of residential dwellings for the intended use by expatriate Australians and accepted migrants and transfers of real estate between immediate family members were not examinable.
The Foreign Investment Review Board was established to advise the government on foreign investment proposals.
1978
All acquisitions of real estate by a single foreign interest or associated foreign interests up to a cumulative value of less than $250,000 (since 8 June 1978) did not require approval. Proposals from foreign developers to construct and sell real estate developments (including exclusively to Australians) were subject to a minimum 50% Australian equity participation.
1981
All acquisitions of real estate by a single foreign interest or associated foreign interests up to a cumulative value of less than $350,000 (since 8 June 1978) did not require approval.
1985
All acquisitions of real estate by a single foreign interest or associated foreign interests up to an aggregate value of less than $600,000 (since 8 June 1978) did not require approval. Requirement of 50% Australian equity participation removed for developments that are minor (less than $10 million) or short-term in nature (less than five years to complete).
1987
$600,000 threshold was abolished, with all proposed acquisitions of urban (including residential) real estate by foreign interests requiring approval regardless of size or value.
Advanced-off-the-plan category was introduced with a minimum requirement of four or more dwellings in a development provided that no more 50% of the units in any one project were bought by non-residents and subject to an undertaking by the developer to report all sales six monthly so that compliance with the 50% restriction could be monitored.
1989
Foreign Takeovers Act 1975 renamed Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975. Statutory backing given to the government’s Foreign Investment Policy, with existing restrictions requiring foreign persons to seek approval for the purchase of Australian urban real estate replicated in the Act.
1999
Advanced-off-the-plan certificates: only developers seeking advanced approval to sell up to 50% of a development with ten or more (previously four or more) dwellings to foreign investors could apply for advanced approval.
2008
The requirement for temporary residents to obtain foreign investment approval for real estate purchases was removed.
The 50% rule for the advanced-off-the-plan category was removed and replaced with a new requirement that the developer must market the development domestically and the minimum number of dwellings required in a development was increased to 100.
2010
The requirement that temporary residents need approval for real estate purchases was reinstated.
Source: Foreign investment in residential real estate: Treasury submission to the Inquiry into Foreign Investment in Residential Real Estate
Photo courtesy of Flickr/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

How foreign investment policy for Australian residential real estate has changed since the 1970s

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Research by RP Data comparing the level of property ownership between owner occupiers and investors at a suburb level in Melbourne reveals some clear and interesting trends.
The results show that ownership for investment purposes in the Melbourne detached housing market is strongest in the growth suburbs. In many of the cities growing outer suburbs investor ownership accounts for more than three in every 10 properties.
When ranked by level of ownership by investors, the top three suburbs are <a href="/news">Point Cook</a> which has 41.9% of all houses owned by investors, followed by <a href="/news">Tarneit</a> with 40.9% and <a href="/news">Truganina</a> at 39.8%.
In each case, median rents are below the Melbourne average of $444 per week and yields are in excess of the metropolitan average of 3.3%.
In Point Cook the median advertised rent is $380 per week and the indicative gross yield is 4.3%. In Tarneit the weekly rent is $315, the yield is 4.4% and in Truganina the rent is $320 per week and the yield is 4.7%. Clearly investors in these areas are motivated by the yield.
Only time will tell how these suburbs will fare from a capital gains perspective as they are still experiencing a high rate supply with many new properties being built and sold. Coupled with this is the short length of ownership making it difficult to draw strong conclusions on capital gains into the future.
At the other end of the spectrum are the areas with the lowest proportion of investor ownership and highest level of owner occupiers. RP Data’s research shows that less than one in 20 houses in the suburbs of <a href="/news">Narre Warren North</a>, <a href="/news">Wonga Park</a>, <a href="/news">Launching Place</a>, <a href="/news">Park Orchards</a> and <a href="/news">Montrose</a> are owned by investors. Like many other suburbs with a very low level of investor activity, these places tend to be in the outer eastern or north eastern suburbs.
In the unit segment of the market, the suburbs with the highest levels of investor ownership are often those with significant and large developments with suburbs such as <a href="/news">Travancore</a>, <a href="/news">Kingsville</a>, <a href="/news">Carlton</a>, <a href="/news">Elwood</a>, <a href="/news">Notting Hill</a>, <a href="/news">Hawthorn</a> and <a href="/news">Melbourne</a> topping the list. Each of these areas has more than seven in 10 units owned by an investor.
If you are looking at this data with a view to investing in residential property it is important to appreciate that just because investor concentration is high in these areas it does not mean these are the areas likely to deliver the best return on an investment. When making investment decisions, great care and attention to detail such as using the correct research is imperative.
There are 922 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 868 for the same time last year.
Auction volumes remain high despite the season.
Based on settled sales in the first quarter of this year, the suburbs with the highest number of house sales were mainly in the growth areas, suburbs with a high supply of new homes, such as <a href="/news">Pakenham</a> with 185 sales, <a href="/news">Berwick</a> with 139 sales and <a href="/news">Frankston</a> with 134 sales. Whilst not a growth suburb, <a href="/news">Glen Waverley</a> was fourth at 117; largely the result of it being a large suburb.
We also saw a contraction in the average time on market for houses sold at private sale from 39 to 35 days. This was coupled with a rise in vendor discounting to – 5.6% from -5.5% over the previous week.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 8 June: 62.4%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 15 June: 922</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 8 June: 35 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 8 June: -5.6% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 1.1% higher in month ending 8 June (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Investor activity high in growth suburbs: RP Data's Melbourne weekend auction preview

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GUEST OBSERVATION
It is often <a href="https://theconversation.com/factcheck-does-building-hospitals-schools-and-airports-cost-more-in-australia-than-in-the-us-16540" target="_blank">argued</a> that Australia’s construction sector productivity is lower than most other developed countries, such as the US.
While there are many factors involved, Australia’s overall productivity growth is declining, something that is not economically sustainable.
A 2010 Australian government-funded <a href="https://www.acilallen.com.au/cms_files/acgbuildingsproductivity2010.pdf">report</a> concluded that accelerating the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the building sector could improve productivity by between 6 to 9%. It also found that concerted government support for the use of BIM by architects, engineers, builders, contractors, owners and facility managers involved in a building’s life cycle would increase BIM adoption in 2025 by 6 to 16% and produce an economic benefit equivalent to A$5 billion added to Australia’s GDP.
More recently the Productivity Commission, in its draft <a href="/news">report</a> on public infrastructure, recommended government clients look to BIM to help lower bid costs, and require tender designs to be submitted using BIM to reduce overall costs.
What is BIM?
Building Information Modelling has a wide range of definitions depending on its application, but one <a href="https://www.canbim.com/about-canbim-0/faq-1">agreed</a> definition is: "a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition."
<img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/50213/width668/zpsnqtf2-1401858403.jpg" alt="">
A Building Information Model linking 3D with the project schedule leads to 4D. 5D consists of 4D together with cost modelling. More dimensions such as facility management, safety and environmental impacts can be added to create nD. Xiangyu Wang
BIM offers a shared platform where people can collaborate with each other horizontally and vertically along the different stages of the project lifecycle. It allows all members of a construction team to generate the characteristics and functionalities of their building, plant or road network virtually, so as to pinpoint errors before they happen on the real construction site.
The construction process at some level can be regarded as an information flow process. This is especially true for mega-construction, such as hospitals, highways, and LNG facilities.
In Australia, there has been successful use of BIM for <a href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/new-royal-adelaide-hospital-will-help-to-build-south-australias-future/story-fni6uo1m-1226828337517">hospitals</a>, tunnels, highways, airports, petrochemical plants, and office and residential buildings. But there is an identified industry need for BIM guidelines and case studies in the infrastructure sector in Australia, and these are currently being developed by the Australasian Joint Research Centre on BIM.
BIM has the potential to become more innovative and powerful by being integrated with other technologies such as RFID, barcode, laser scanning, augmented and virtual reality, energy and structural analysis tools, GIS/GPS, and mobile and cloud computing, Big Data analysis, and so on.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
How is BIM being used in Australia?
Australia is a laggard in terms of using BIM in the building and infrastructure sector, but we are catching up quickly. For oil and gas, we are leaders, as the oil and gas sector adopted 3D engineering and modelling decades ago, and has been continually improving its understanding and use of BIM over time.
A good example is Project Echo.
Initiated by Woodside Energy, Project Echo is a collaboration between Curtin University, Woodside and about 20 other partners representing government, clients, contractors, consultants and technology providers, with the aim of enhancing technology-enabled productivity for the entire (LNG) industry.
Through the research and innovation, it is envisaged a productivity improvement of 30% is very achievable. While Project Echo is focused on the energy sector, the research will also provide flow-on benefits to mining and infrastructure construction.
<img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/50204/width237/f5fzyx5v-1401857603.jpg" alt="">
Woodside Smart Tag. Xiangyu Wang
One example of how Project Echo is making an impact right now is the Woodside Smart Tag project. The new Smart Tag is not just an ordinary RFID tag, but a tag that can be integrated with other technologies including augmented and virtual reality technologies, allowing a user to communicate with equipment for the first time. The technology displays a 3D model of the component and where it fits in the construction path.
It also allows the user to locate any item, obtain background information about that item, how to assemble it, inspect it, or if necessary order a new item on the spot. This is break-through technology, because by interacting with an intelligent tag the user can communicate with each component. Each component can speak for itself, so to speak, thereby creating a smart work site.
Xiangyu Wang is professor, Woodside Chair at Curtin University.
Xiangyu Wang received funding from Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant (2013-2016): "Transforming liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant construction productivity through mobile computing technologies." Chief Investigators: Xiangyu Wang, Kok Lay Teo, Ryan Loxton, Martijn Truijens, awarded amount $500,000.
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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jake-cSmGT7VXVf

What is BIM and is it the future of construction?

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The International Monetary Fund’s Global Housing Watch has found that Australia ranks highly on a number of their calculations.
There were 19 countries recorded with drops in prices, with the biggest decrease seen in India with a -9.1% drop year on year.
Here are the countries that recorded an increase in value, and how they ranked. {plotalot id="17"} Source: OECD and IMF calculations
In the IMF’s other calculations, Australia sits within the top five (with Belgium, Norway, New Zealand and Canada just ahead) in terms of house prices being above rents, as well as scoring in the top three (with Canada and Belgium taking out top spots) as continuing to be “out of reach of household incomes”).
Deputy managing director for the IMF, Min Zhu, noted that house prices are inching up in <a href="https://blog-imfdirect.imf.org/" target="_blank">the IMF blog</a>.
"But is this a cause for much cheer?  Or are we watching the same movie again? Recall how after a decade-long boom, house prices started to fall in 2006, first in the United States and then elsewhere, contributing to the 2008-9 global financial crisis. In fact, our research indicates that boom-bust patterns in house prices preceded more than two-thirds of the recent 50 systemic banking crises," Zhu wrote.
He explained that theory asserts house prices, rents and incomes should move "in tandem over the long run", and that if these factors do not the people switch between buying and renting to eventually bring them into alignment.
"Similarly, in the long run, the price of houses cannot stray too far from people’s ability to afford them––that is, from their income. The ratios of house prices to rents and incomes are thus often used as an initial check on whether house prices are out of line with economic fundamentals," he said.
For Australia, he goes on to say that the ratios remain above the historical average.
<a href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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IMF's Min Zhu: Are we "watching the same movie again" with house price rises preceding a crisis?

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Scott Penn, the part owner and chairman of the Manly Sea Eagles, and wife, Nicola secured $4.28 million for their Manly beachfront apartment.
The sub-penthouse in the Waillea building was bought in 2010 for $4.38 million as a weekender but because they are so busy they haven’t used it very much and have decided to sell it.
The third floor apartment in in the Susan Rothwell-designed block on North Steyne.
It had been <a href="https://www.belleproperty.com/buying/NSW/Northern-Beaches/Manly/Apartment/12P4327-12-133-137-north-steyne--manly-nsw-2095" target="_blank">listed through Belle Property </a><a href="https://www.belleproperty.com/buying/NSW/Northern-Beaches/Manly/Apartment/12P4327-12-133-137-north-steyne--manly-nsw-2095" target="_blank">agent Anthony Calacoci</a>.
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Tide retreats a bit, but Waillea, Manly sub-penthouse sold

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Property entrepreneur Jono Deague and his wife, photographer Ella have snappily sold their contemporary South Yarra residence of seven years.
Set close to the CBD and a few minutes’ walk to Fawkner Park and Royal Botanic Gardens, the property came with $5 million plus hopes<a href="https://www.kayburton.com.au/property/99-millswyn-street-south-yarra" target="_blank"> through Kay &amp; Burton agents Michael Armstrong and Michael Gibson</a>.
The couple undertook a major renovation on the Millswyn Street property when they moved into the Botantic Gardens precinct.
The four bedroom home became a three bedroom, opening up more space throughout the residence which was built on the 415 square metre block which cost around $3 million in late 2006.
It comes with a spa, pool, cellar, gymnasium, and four car underground garage.
Jono (Jonathan) Deague is the executive director at Asia Pacific Group, which owns the Art Series Hotel Group, a collection of boutique hotels that includes the renowned Blackman Hotel on St Kilda Road, Cullen Hotel in Prahran, and Olsen Hotel in South Yarra. Ella is a photographer, working in interior design and architecture.
No price has been revealed though the agency <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://vimeo.com/96670539" target="_blank">declared it as a "bullish" sale</a> where the "good interest" matched up to "where the vendor was pretty accurately."
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Jono Deague snappily sells South Yarra home

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Serra Property Group are offering a free scooter with their one-bedroom apartments. The <a href="https://38highst.com.au/" target="_blank">38 High Street</a> Toowong, Queensland development (pictured above) does not come with car parks.
Bruce Goddard, marketing the properties through Place Projects, notes that buyers don’t need a car.
“There are a multitude of public transport options, with a bus stop just 10 metres away, the Toowong train station 50-metres away and the CityCat located 500 metres away, and being an inner city suburb, situated only a few kilometres from the CBD, it’s very easy to get around,” said Goddard.
The scooters provide an “added convenience” he said, with the developer only recently introducing the incentive. He noted it had been well received so far.
“You don’t need a motorbike licence to operate the scooter, only a car licence, so it appeals to most people, and we’re throwing in not only the scooter, but also a year’s registration and a helmet,” he said.
The remaining property includes half of the scooter-eligible one-bedroom apartments, and half two-bedroom apartments. They range from 51 square metres to 87 square metres and are priced from $378,000 to $795,000.
This isn’t the first time a developer has thought up the scooter enticement.
In a South Yarra development from Spec Property Group, <a href="/news/vic/vespa-offer-to-entice-buyers-to-south-yarra-one-bedroom-apartments">buyers were being offered a Vespa on the one-bedroom apartments</a>. Up to 20 were on offer, however these apartments – without car spaces – did come with scooter spaces.
Those one-bedroom apartments ranged from $339,000 to $445,000, between 39 square metres and 45 square metres.
Notably, Vespas are worth from $4,000 to $9,500, depending on the model.
The Vespa incentive first appeared in Jacksonville Florida, with buyers at the Chelsea Lofts being able to choose between receiving a Vespa, having their homeowner association fees paid for a year or getting a plasma TV.
Another popular buying incentive, this time offered on established properties, was in the form of food. Or, more specifically, ice cream.
A year’s supply was on offer for the <a href="/news/an-ice-cream-auction-incentive-to-entice-prospective-buyers">buyer of a newly renovated Albert Park house</a>.
This same technique was used <a href="/news/nsw/ice-cream-giveaway-with-camperdown-cottage-offering">six months earlier for the sale of a Camperdown cottage</a>.
Here are some examples of incentives previously offered by developers, from <a href="/expert-insights/building/from-10-000-to-50-000-residential-developers-tempt-buyers-with-incentives">covering your mortgage repayments to doubling your deposit</a>.
Developers have also been known to offer <a href="/expert-insights/building/new-cars-10-000-cheques-and-free-home-size-upgrades-six-spring-incentives-from-house-and-land-developers-and-builders">anything from cars, to providing you the property without a deposit</a>.
Property Observer readers were previously of the opinion that offerings in the form of incentives, such as <a href="/news/frequent-flyer-points-might-be-a-gimmick-but-will-off-the-plan-buyers-be-attracted-by-the-incentives">the trend of providing frequent flyer points based on the value of the purchase</a>, would indeed entice buyers. Of those who were polled, 71.4% said 'Yes', buyers would be tempted.
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Developer offers free scooter, but no car park, to encourage off the plan apartment sale

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First home buyer grants aren't available for every first time buyer and there are many hoops that need to be jumped through. One of these hoops is buying a property that fits under a certain dollar value threshold.
Here are those cut off points across the country.
For more information as to which properties are eligible for a grant (the majority of offered grants are now for new builds only) you can <a href="/expert-insights/buying/the-national-guide-to-first-home-buyer-grants">see our state-by-state round up here</a>.
For those who aren't first time buyers, here are <a href="/expert-insights/investing/grants-for-non-first-time-buyers-a-state-by-state-guide">the other grants on offer around the country</a>.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Total value of eligible properties (home and land): $750,000 cap
Has applied since 1 September 2013.
Note: The new Over 60s Home Bonus Scheme has a cap of $764,999
NEW SOUTH WALES
At present, the cap for homes is $650,000.
For land, the cap is $450,000.
However, pre-budget announcements have <a href="/expert-insights/building/nsw-first-home-buyers-can-buy-up-to-750-000-under-extended-fhog">confirmed that this will now be increased to $750,000</a>.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
$600,000​ (established homes only)
QUEENSLAND
$750,000
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
$575,000
Note: The housing construction grant has a $450,000 cap.
TASMANIA
No limit.
VICTORIA
$750,000
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
$750,000
Or, if the home is north of the 26th parallel, then $1,000,000 or less.
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First home buyer price thresholds: The cut offs you need to know

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 59.9% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 66.4% last week and 61.4% this time last year.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Capital-city.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3346" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Capital-city-580x436.jpg" alt="RP Data National Auction Comment - Capital City" width="580" height="436"></a>
This is well below the year’s high of 76.2% recorded in late February, however comparatively low volumes this week reduce its value as an indicator to the state of the market.
In the Sydney market a preliminary clearance rate of 65.7% was recorded compared to 73% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Sydney.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3347" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Sydney-580x391.jpg" alt="RP Data auction comment - Sydney" width="580" height="391"></a>
In Melbourne there was a preliminary clearance rate of 61% recorded compared to 65.4% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Melbourne.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3348" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Melbourne-580x386.jpg" alt="RP Data auction comment - Melbourne" width="580" height="386"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 42.9% was recorded compared to 42.5% last week. Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 63% compared to 55.3% last week. In Canberra a clearance rate of 50% was recorded and in Perth there was a clearance rate of 33.3%. In Tasmania four homes sold from 17 auctions.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Brisbane.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3349" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Brisbane-580x386.jpg" alt="RP Data auction comment - Brisbane" width="580" height="386"></a>
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Adelaide.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3350" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140610-Adelaide-580x393.jpg" alt="RP Data auction comment - Adelaide" width="580" height="393"></a>
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