<p style="text-align:left; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px">“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.</p>

<p>“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”</p>

<p>Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px">“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.</p>

<p>“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”</p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:16px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px">Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:left; margin-top:5px; margin-bottom:8px"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#1f4e79"><b>Fast Facts: What the reform means</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Proven at scale:&nbsp;</b>Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>10 years of cover:&nbsp;</b>Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;</b>Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Part of a national shift:&nbsp;</b>The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;</b>Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Cost-competitive:&nbsp;</b>At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Market position:&nbsp;</b>Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-ligatures:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:initial"><span style="text-decoration-style:initial"><span style="text-decoration-color:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):</b>&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Consumer-first:</b>&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Cost advantage:</b>&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000"><span role="presentation" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span style="line-height:16.8667px"><b>Market leader:&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>


Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

<p>Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.</p>

<p>The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.</p>

<p>The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.</p>

<p>Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.</p>

<p>The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" /></p>

<p>The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.</p>

<p>McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.</p>

<p>McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.</p>


McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

<p>A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.</p>

<p>The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.</p>

<p>The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.</p>

<p>The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" /></p>

<p>Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.</p>

<p>“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.</p>

<p>“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" /></p>

<p>Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.</p>

<p>The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" /></p>

<p>Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.</p>

<p>Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.</p>

<p>A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.</p>

<p>Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

<p>South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.</p>

<p>The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.</p>

<p>The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.</p>

<p>TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.</p>

<p>"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.</p>

<p>"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.</p>

<p>"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."</p>

<p><img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" /></p>

<p>The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.</p>

<p>Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.</p>

<p>"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.</p>

<p>"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."</p>

<p>The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" /></p>

<p>Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.</p>

<p>The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.</p>

<p>The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.</p>


TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

<p data-end="309" data-start="290"><strong data-end="309" data-start="290">Article summary</strong></p>

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
<p data-end="896" data-section-id="ojaazg" data-start="792">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.</p>

<p data-end="1358" data-start="1137">The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.</p>

<p data-end="1358" data-start="1137">[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]</p>

<p data-end="1577" data-start="1360">Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.</p>

<p data-end="1781" data-start="1579">The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.</p>

<p data-end="1977" data-start="1783">The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.</p>

<p data-end="1977" data-start="1783">[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]</p>

<p data-end="2314" data-start="1979">One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.</p>

<p data-end="2423" data-start="2316">Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.</p>

<p data-end="2519" data-start="2425">"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.</p>

<p data-end="2688" data-start="2521">"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."</p>

<p data-end="2688" data-start="2521">[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]</p>

<p data-end="2840" data-start="2690">Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.</p>

<p data-end="2900" data-start="2842">"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.</p>

<p data-end="3105" data-start="2902">"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."</p>

<p data-end="3300" data-start="3107">Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.</p>

<p data-end="3300" data-start="3107">[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]</p>


Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

<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>Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.</p>

<p>They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.</p>

<p>They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.</p>

<p>Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.</p>

<p><img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" /></p>

<p>Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor</p>

<p>Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.</p>

<p><img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" /></p>

<p>Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>​</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.</p>

<p>With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.</p>


Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

<html><body>
<p>A Queen Anne-style residence in Hawthorn is on the market with $4 million plus hopes.</p>
<p>The five-bedroom home at 27 Kinkora Road Hawthorn boasts art nouveau features restored by master craftsman Derek Marvelley.</p>
<p>The c1907 residence includes original formal rooms and recently renovated living areas.</p>
<p>Boasting bay windows, polished timber floors and an arched hallway, the 1,393-square-metre property also includes an outdoor entertaining area and pool.</p>
<p>IT industry figured Carmelo Zampaglione and his wife, Gina, have owned the Queen Anne residence for 15 years.</p>
<p>The couple bought the property from former footballer Barry Richardson in 1998 for $1.15 million.</p>
<p>The property is due to go under the hammer on August 24 through <a href="https://www.27kinkoraroadhawthorn.com/" target="_blank">James Tostevin of Marshall White.</a></p>
<p>The most expensive sale in the street was for an Italianate mansion at 39 Kinkora Road, which sold at auction in 2007 for $5.205 million.</p>
<p>The median house price in <a href="/news">Hawthorn</a> is $1,222,500, a 2.7% change in five years, according to RP Data.</p>
<p>{qtube vid:=F3BJ1Ry__Ik}</p>
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Queen Anne-style Hawthorn house with $4 million plus hopes

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<p>With the property market back on the rise and investors coming back in droves, it is important for first time and seasoned investors to know what to look for in an investment property.</p>
<p><img alt="numberonejuly11" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberonejuly11.jpg" width="30" height="38" style="float: left;">Do your research and know what types of locations are suitable for budget and your strategy. There are some excellent online resources to showing average rental returns, property values and sales history for most areas in Australia.</p>
<p><img alt="numbertwojuly11" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbertwojuly11.jpg" width="30" height="35" style="float: left;"></p>
<p>The best buy is often considered the ‘two plus two dwelling’: two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Despite one-bedroom properties selling and renting quicker, two bedroom dwellings have double the capacity, making rental rises easier to afford.</p>
<p><img alt="numberthreejuly11" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberthreejuly11.jpg" width="30" height="39" style="float: left;"></p>
<p>The money that you put into fixing up a property to attract renters may be your biggest downfall. Be careful if the property is going to take too much of your time and money.</p>
<p><img alt="numberfourjuly11" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfourjuly11.jpg" width="30" height="39" style="float: left;"></p>
<p>The surrounding lifestyle is always important. Spend some time in the area to make sure that you can afford to charge where people will pay a premium. Also look at nearby schools, shopping, transport and employment.</p>
<p><img alt="numberfivejuly11" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfivejuly11.jpg" width="30" height="33" style="float: left;">Speak to as many local agents as possible. Talking to a number of real estate agents in an area can give you an overall picture of the area, help you understand the growth potentials relating to the local economy and what areas potentially to avoid.</p>
<p><img alt="numbersixjuly11" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbersixjuly11.jpg" width="30" height="35" style="float: left;"></p>
<p>However, sometimes the areas they tell you to avoid can still be good to invest in.</p>
<p><img alt="numbersevenjuly11" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbersevenjuly11.jpg" width="30" height="36" style="float: left;"></p>
<p>Your renters are the source of your revenue and while higher rent may be ideal, remember that renters are primarily renters, meaning they will always be looking for lower rates in lifestyle centric areas.</p>
<p><img alt="numbereightjuly11" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbereightjuly11.jpg" width="30" height="32" style="float: left;"></p>
<p>With today’s uncertain economic climate it is important to have a backup plan or even an escape plan with the economy goes array.</p>
<p><i style="font-size: 14px;"><strong> </strong></i></p>
<hr>
<i style="font-size: 14px;"><strong> Robert Projeski </strong>is the founder and managing director of <a href="https://www.amo.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Australian Mortgage Options</a>, winner of over 12 industry awards. He is considered a leading property finance expert in Australia.</i>
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Eight tips for choosing an investment property: Robert Projeski

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<p>When earlier this month the interest rate cut by the RBA was announced, both major parties engaged in a rush to comment.</p>
<p>We are now being told on almost every front that rates are now at historically low levels. We then saw the majority of banks also moving fast to pass on the rate cut to their customers and as we know from past experience this is not always the case.</p>
<p>Clearly this indicates that over the past six months the dynamics of the residential property market have shifted.</p>
<p>However in spite of the rate cut induced publicity spree last week, have you noticed that unlike previous elections, at least to-date, there is an absence of any sort of clear-cut housing policy being debated or promoted by either of the big political parties?</p>
<p>Should this be a fact that we should be concerned about?</p>
<p>Back in January one of the points that I suggested would have a key impact on the market in 2013, was the emerging low interest rate environment.</p>
<p>As official interest rates might possibly head to 2% in 2014, the flow impact to the housing market is bound to have a material and possibly dramatic consequence.</p>
<p>For this reason alone there is I think a compelling case to look much more closely at housing policy as we approach election day. And for reasons I will return to, this includes the question of a possible adjustment to the rates and application of the GST.</p>
<p>In looking at the big picture I am not going to attempt in any way to suggest where policy could head, but I am keen to share some key facts as to why housing should not be relegated too far down the list of policy priorities.</p>
<p>The first point to consider is the fact that our population continues to grow while supply remains stubbornly low.</p>
<p>Australia’s annual growth rate currently sits around 1.8% while the world average is a much more modest 1.1%.</p>
<p>As already highlighted, supply is lagging and according to the Urban Taskforce the shortfall is as much as 50% of what is required.</p>
<p>According to the UTF just over 43 homes are being built for every 10,000 people and at 15,000 homes a year that’s half of what we need and looking at population growth they might just be on the numbers.</p>
<p>Faced with this reality at state government policy level we are seeing attempts to release more land, which is having some impact in Melbourne and Sydney and at the same time average lot sizes are being driven down.</p>
<p>But we are seeing strong demand, which in Sydney in particular is seeing new land release snapped up, and land prices continue to rise as estates sell-out.</p>
<p>The pressure on supply is even spilling over into the public housing sector where both NSW and Queensland are applying pressure to their tenants.  </p>
<p>NSW for example is talking about a sort of ‘bedroom tax’, or a surcharge on those with homes with un-used bedrooms. This must be a clear message that housing policy even at the most basic level is under extreme stress.</p>
<p> </p>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<p>So supply is under pressure, as it has been for years, but demand is on the increase.</p>
<p>Across many parts of Sydney for example auction clearance rates are above 70% and in some areas beyond 80%.</p>
<p>The trend is not universal but in the main where clearance rates are low this appears to be mainly in fringe areas and some holiday areas where spring and summer could see the rates go up.</p>
<p>Following upon very low interest rates there are some suggestions that a housing bubble might be building as low rates bring more buyers and investors into the market.</p>
<p>First time buyers are still a little reluctant, but as rents continue to rise, this might soon change if the gap between rents and mortgagee payments continues to grow.</p>
<p>Assuming an average mortgage of $308,000 current weekly repayments could be as low as $412 while renting a similar property would attract a rent of $500 per week.</p>
<p>It also appears that investors are, as you would expect, reacting to lower deposit rates, and soon even lower rates. Three years ago a fixed term deposit rate above 6% was common – not so today.</p>
<p>Investors are active and they have been driving much of the demand for new apartment product, they are also seeing house and apartment price growth. They are also getting good rental yields and good rental growth.</p>
<p>It remains to be seen if more renters become first-home buyers and as a result, potentially further house price rises as these groups compete for available stock as more interest rate cuts encourage both.</p>
<p>Leaving aside the possible hustle and bustle of the market, there is also the reality that population demographics are shifting and here again there is reason to suggest that a policy void is not a good thing.</p>
<p>We have a growing population and with a median age of 36 years, a young population with a mini baby boom and as such, a period of peak demand for housing.</p>
<p>From the last census we also see that median incomes are on the rise and now sit around $87,516 pa, between 2006 and 2011 that’s an increase of 20% but over the period rents have increased by 49%. House prices have gone up 49.2% and apartments 22.1%.</p>
<p>We are also seeing other demographic shifts with 15.9% of households now home to single parents and of those, females account for 82.4% and males 17.6%.</p>
<p>These figures serve to highlight that housing policy needs to keep pace with social change as well.</p>
<p>This highlights the need for better housing policy linked to infrastructure and suggests that the current election has not made a strong enough connection between the two apart from some road announcements.</p>
<p>Simply suggesting that 30-something buyers are simply too fussy is not in any way a real debate.</p>
<p>In Project Agenda there has been frequent comment on an urgent need to better fund infrastructure.  Many of the industry leaders have suggested that a move away from the burden of stamp duty could in part come from a higher rate of GST.</p>
<p>Now even if only on the margins and possibly not until 2016 the GST debate is part of a policy setting that will impact the housing market.</p>
<p>So as we look for housing policy to take its turn in the election spotlight, let’s just remind ourselves that there is now GST applied to existing homes.</p>
<p>But a GST of $45,000 is locked away inside the price for a new $500,000 home and that would increase to $56,250 if the rate went to 12.5% and this policy in fact makes new homes less affordable and possibly is a key factor helping to keep a lid on supply.</p>
<p>I think that for all of these reasons and many more, that the elephant in the room needs to be acknowledged as the election moves forward.</p>
<p><strong style="font-size: 14px;"><em>
<hr>
Peter Chittenden</em></strong><em style="font-size: 14px;"> is managing director for residential of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.colliers.com.au/Colliers%20Corporate/Residential.aspx">Colliers International.</a></em></p>
<p><em style="font-size: 14px;"><br></em></p>
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Housing policy is the elephant in the room this election period: Peter Chittenden

<html><body>
<p>The five key Australian Bureau of Statistics releases that keep property investors well informed:
</p>
<p align="left"><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6416.0" target="_blank">House Price Index</a> – Eight Capital Cities 6416.0 released quarterly.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/5609.0" target="_blank">Housing Finance Australia</a> 5609.0 released monthly.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3101.0" target="_blank">Australian Demographic Statistics </a>3101.0 released quarterly.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/8750.0Dec%202010?OpenDocument" target="_blank">Dwelling Unit Commencements Australia</a> 8750.0 released monthly.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/0" target="_blank">ABS QuickStats</a> – 2011 Census data released every five years.</p>
<p>Source: ABS</p>
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

The five key ABS stats to monitor for property investors

<html><body>
<p>There are 32 regions in Australia where the property market is either at the bottom of the market or at the start of a recovery, according to Herron Todd White.</p>
<p>With 11 appearances, Queensland has the most locations on the list.</p>
<table width="400" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="127">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col width="234">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col width="39">
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="127" height="20"><strong>Region</strong></td>
<td width="234"><strong>State of market</strong></td>
<td width="39"><strong>State</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Albury (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Albury (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Central Coast (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Central Coast (u)</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Coffs Harbour (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Coffs Harbour (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Dubbo (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Echuca (u)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Griffith (h)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Griffith (u)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Newcastle (h)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Newcastle (u)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Tweed Coast (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Tweed Coast (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Wollongong (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Wollongong (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Brisbane (h)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Brisbane (u)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Bundaberg (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Bundaberg (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Cairns (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Cairns (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Hervey Bay (h)</td>
<td>Start of recovery - bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Hervey Bay (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Ipswich (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Ipswich (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mackay (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mackay (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Rockhampton (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Rockhampton (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Sunshine Coast (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Sunshine Coast (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Toowoomba (h)</td>
<td>Start of recovery - bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Toowoomba (u)</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Townsville (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Townsville (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Whitsunday (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Whitsunday (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>QLD</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adelaide (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adelaide (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adelaide hills (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adelaide hills (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Barossa Valley (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Barossa Valley (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Iron Triangle (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Iron Triangle (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mount Gambier (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mount Gambier (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Riverland (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Riverland (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>SA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Ballarat (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Ballarat (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Gippsland (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Gippsland (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Latrobe Valley (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Latrobe Valley (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Melbourne (h)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Melbourne (u)</td>
<td>Start of recovery - bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mildura (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mildura (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Shepparton (h)</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Shepparton (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Wodonga (h)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Wodonga (u)</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>VIC</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Southwest WA (h)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>WA</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Southwest WA (u)</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>WA</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Source: HTW</body></html>

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Queensland tops list of 32 recovering or bottomed out property markets: Herron Todd White

<html><body>
<p>Kitchenware chain King of Knives, which has operated for 25 years and counts 60 locations across Australia and New Zealand, has been placed in administration.</p>
<p>While the reasons behind the insolvency remain unclear, the retail industry remains under intense pressure. The sector is one of the biggest sources of administration and insolvency appointments – and the kitchenware market is heating up.</p>
<p>King of Knives was placed in administration on August 15, with BRI Ferrier appointed. Administrators Andrew Cummins and Antony Resnick were contacted, but no reply was available prior to publication.</p>
<p>King of Knives, which continues to trade, was also contacted, but no reply was available.</p>
<p>The chain has an extensive history. Founded by retail veteran Ron Baskin in 1987, the business grew steadily and was sold to the ASX-listed RCG in 2004, which also owns and operates the successful Athlete’s Foot.</p>
<p>However, in 2007 RCG sold off the King of Knives chain for $4.5 million – discounted from the original price – back to a consortium led by the Baskin family. In a statement at the time, RCG head Ivan Hammerschlag said the business “absorbed a disproportionate amount of management time for insufficient upside”.</p>
<p>In the company’s report for the year ending June 2003, RCG said King of Knives had $22 million in revenue.</p>
<p>Baskin has an extensive amount of retail experience, and has been involved in several businesses including Sunglass World and Speciality Fashion Group.</p>
<p>The King of Knives chain is divided into separate entities, including the franchising group, which houses 14 locations. The business also operates stores under the Chef King brand, and has locations in New Zealand, which were significantly affected by the Christchurch earthquake in 2011.</p>
<p>A creditor’s meeting will take place on August 22.</p>
<p>While there is little information regarding the collapse, competition within the kitchenware market has increased over the past few years due to several factors, including the growth of online sales.</p>
<p>The popularity of cooking shows including <em>Masterchef</em>and <em>My Kitchen Rules</em> has led to a resurgence among kitchenware sales – according to IBISWorld, revenue has grown 0.8% each year across 2008-13, although growth increased after 2010.</p>
<p> </p>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<p>King of Knives Store Locations:</p>
<div style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline; color: #646257; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="head">
<div class="store" style="border: medium; width: 340px; margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px; font-size: 12px; color: #646257; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KING OF KNIVES BELCONNEN
<div>Shop 145, Westfield Belconnen</div>
<div></div>
<div>Belconnen 2617 ACT</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES WODEN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop G107,</div>
<div>Westfield</div>
<div>Woden Phillip 2606</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">CHEF KING CHATSWOOD CHASE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop B007 Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre</div>
<div>345 Victoria Avenue</div>
<div>Chatswood 2067 NSW</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">CHEF KING RHODES</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 61, Rhodes Waterside 1 Rider Boulevarde, Rhodes NSW 2138</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">CHEF KING SUPACENTA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop T16, Homemakers SupaCenta Moore Park Todman Ave, Kensington NSW 2033</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES BLACKTOWN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1018 Westpoint Shopping Centre 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown NSW 2148PO Box 8405 Blacktown NSW 2148</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES BONDI</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1043 Westfield Bondi Shopping Centre 500 Oxford St Bondi Junction NSW 2022</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CASTLE HILL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 314, Castle Towers Shopping Centre Castle Street, Castle Hill NSW 2154</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CHARLESTOWN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop G8035, Charlestown Square Shopping Centre</div>
<div>048/30 Pearson Street</div>
<div>Charlestown 2290 NSW</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES ERINA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 91A, Erina Fair Shopping Centre</div>
<div>620-658 Terrigal Drive</div>
<div>Erina 2250 NSW</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES HORNSBY</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1026, Westfield HornsbyHornsby NSW 2077</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES KOTARA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1-32, Garden City Shopping Centre, Cnr Park Avenue &amp; Northcott Drive, Kotara NSW 2289</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MIRANDA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1031A, Westfield Miranda, The KingswayPO Box 115, Miranda NSW 2228</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES PENRITH</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 48B, Penrith PlazaHenry Street, Penrith NSW 2750</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES QVB</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 8, LGF QVB 455 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES SHELLHARBOUR</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 31A, Stockland ShellharbourLake Entrance Rd, Shellharbour NSW 2529 PO Box 288 Stockland Shopping Centre Shellharbour NSW 2529</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES TUGGERAH</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2047, Westfield Shopping Town, Wyong Road, Tuggerah NSW 2259</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES WARRINGAH MALL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 218, Warringah MallBrookvale NSW 2100</div>
</div>
KING OF KNIVES DARWIN
<div>Shop 7, Casuarina Shopping SquareCasuarina NT 0810</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CAIRNS - EARLVILLE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 82 Stockland Shopping Centre</div>
<div>537 Mulgrave Road</div>
<div>Earlville, Cairns 4870 QUEENSLAND</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CAIRNS CENTRAL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 60, Cairns Central Shopping Centre Cairns QLD 4870</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CARINDALE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2006, Carindale Shopping Centre Carindale QLD 4152</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CHERMSIDE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 180A, Westfield Chermside Chermside QLD 4032</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES GARDEN CITYBRISBANE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2127A, Garden City Shopping Centre Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES INDOOROOPILLY</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 3083, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre Indooroopilly QLD 4068</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MACKAY</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 16, Caneland Shoppingtown Mangrove Road, Mackay QLD 4740</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MYER BRISBANE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 78, Myer Centre Queen Street Mall, Brisbane QLD 4000</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES NOOSA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop T1066 Noosa Civic Eenie Creek Road Noosaville QLD 4566</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES PACIFIC FAIR</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 17, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre PO Box 517, Pacific Fair QLD 4218</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES ROBINA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop No 2006, Level 2 North Mall</div>
<div>Robina Town Centre, 176 Robina Drive</div>
<div>Robina 4226 QLD</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES ROCKHAMPTON</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 95, Stockland Rockhampton Rockhampton QLD 4701</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES TOOWOOMBA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 112, Grand Central, Cnr Margaret &amp; Dent Sts PO Box 6588, Toowoomba West QLD 4350</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES TOWNSVILLE DOMAIN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 15, Building I, Domain Central, 103-141 Duckworth Street</div>
<div></div>
<div>Garbutt 4814 QLD</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES TOWNSVILLE STOCKLAND</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 139, Stockland Townsville 310-330 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale QLD 4814</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">MAROOCHYDORE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 111A, Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore Road</div>
<div></div>
<div>Maroochydore 4558 QLD</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CITY CROSS ADELAIDE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop T45, City Cross Arcade</div>
<div>32 Grenfell St Rundle Mall</div>
<div>Adelaide 5000 SA</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MARION</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2012, Westfield Marion</div>
<div>297 Diagonal Road</div>
<div>Oaklands Park 5046 SA</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES WESTLAKES</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop T253A, Westlakes Mall</div>
<div></div>
<div>Westlakes SA 5021</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CHADSTONE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 255 Chadstone Shopping Centre</div>
<div></div>
<div>Chadstone 3148 Victoria</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES EASTLANDS</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop L69, Eastland Shopping CentreRingwood VIC 3134</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES FOUNTAIN GATE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2095, 352 Princes Highway</div>
<div></div>
<div>Narre Warren 3805 VIC</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES FRANKSTON</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 187, Bayside North Shopping Centre Frankston VIC 3199</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES HIGHPOINT (Trading as Chef King)</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop L02.2058, Highpoint 120-200 Rosamond Road</div>
<div></div>
<div>Maribyrnong 3032 VIC</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MELBOURNE CENTRAL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop GD 020 Melbourne Central211 Latrobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES NORTHLAND</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop W001A, Northland Shopping Centre 2-50 Murray Road, East Preston VIC 3072</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES SOUTHLAND</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 3053, Westfield SouthlandNepean Highway, Cheltenham VIC 3192</div>
</div>
<div class="storelist" style="color: #646257; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<div id="state2" class="storelist">
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">CHEF KING HARBOUR TOWN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop A29, Harbourtown 840 Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES BOORAGOON</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 19, Garden City Shopping Centre 125 Riseley St, Booragoon WA 6154</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CAROUSEL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1082, Westfield Carousel Albany Highway, Cannington WA 6107</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES KARRINYUP</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop G60A, Karrinyup Shopping Centre Karrinyup Road, Karrinyup WA 6018</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MORLEY</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1056, Centro Galleria Collier Road, Morley Perth WA 6062</div>
</div>
<div class="store" style="border: medium; width: 340px; margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px;">KING OF KNIVES WHITFORD
<div class="description">
<p>Shop 118 Westfield Whitford Cnr Marmion &amp; Whitfords Ave Hillarys WA 6025</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #646257; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" class="description">
<div></div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.</em></p>
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pmcstafford-pr9eMARWoN

Knives out for King of Knives as retail chain enters administration

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<p>The Perth property market is at the peak of its property cycle with house sales declining, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.</p>
<p>And unit sales are still increasing but the rental vacancy for units is now steady, compared to a severe shortage for Perth houses.</p>
<p>In Sydney new unit sales are now frequently selling for above their potential resale value, though demand for new units and the volume of unit sales have dropped down slightly.</p>
<p>And there is now a shortage of rental houses compared to demand in Sydney.</p>
<p>In Melbourne, Herron Todd White’s assessment remains the same as last month – it’s at the bottom of the property cycle at the start of recovery, though new units are frequently selling for above their potential resale value.</p>
<em>Click to enlarge</em>
<p><a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/08/htw-aug-21-graph-1-big.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/08/htw-aug-21-graph-1-small.gif"></a></p>
<em>Click to enlarge</em>
<p><a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/08/htw-aug-21-graph-2-big.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/08/htw-aug-21-graph-2-small.gif"></a></p>
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Perth at peak, Melbourne at bottom of property cycle: Herron Todd White

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<p>The jury’s out on whether Australia is entering the ‘mother of all dwelling booms’ as Robert Gottliebsen took note to warn in <em>Business Spectator</em> last week.
</p>
<p>And whilst the construction sector continues to fall short of expectation, the established housing market, most notably in Sydney although also reflected in other states – has moved.</p>
<p>War stories are emerging from buying and selling agents of auctions attended where the prices have exceeded the reserve by 10-20%. </p>
<p>In turn, vendors are reassessing their expectation of value based on neighbouring results – and with more talk of prospected drops to the cash rate, purchasers are shopping lenders to see how far their budget will stretch.</p>
<p>When prices start to rise – in some areas quite dramatically so – there is always heated debate over whether it’s a bubble.  The term itself is somewhat over used perhaps because of the image it invokes.</p>
<p>A bubble gives the impression the market is a flimsy airless balloon which – like a row of standing dominoes – will quite suddenly, irreversibly and dramatically ‘pop’ falling into an endless abyss. </p>
<p>For some commentators – the very fact that this hasn’t yet occurred in Australia is enough to demonstrate the theory incorrect. In other words, you can only define a true bubble whilst viewing the devastating aftermath.</p>
<p>However, a bubble does not have to fall into the definition posed above. They are not always easily deflated, and there are plenty of different particularities between the policies and lending requirements that have played into the house price ‘corrections’ other countries have already experienced post GFC, that differ from those we have in Australia.</p>
<p>Furthermore, in economies highly exposed to the residential sector, where central banks and governments have the ability to manipulate policy and the amount of cheap credit that flows into mortgage lending, it’s possible to ‘prop’ and temporarily prevent falling house prices that would otherwise occur in line with a challenging macro outlook.</p>
<p>In Australia this would include, rising unemployment, lower prospects for wage growth, an aging headwind of retirees lowering the participation rate, and the gradual winding down in the mining sector – to name but a few. </p>
<p>And whilst this will bear relevance in moderating the level of price appreciation long term, there are plenty of ingredients in the pot to ignite the current environment which is causing a range of voices to warn of bubble like conditions in fragmented areas of our established capital city terrains.</p>
<p>The main force behind the buying market is a mix of investors and up-graders, who in turn are boosting the premium housing sector using funds from the sale of lower priced properties to then leverage up, which coupled with lower rates reduces the size of their loan – distorting the forward analysis of the lending data in relation to price growth somewhat.</p>
<p>In contrast demand from first-home buyers has weakened significantly – waxing and waning only on the back of various grants and incentives.</p>
<p>Each are buying for different reasons, and as we know, in this sense, the environment has been nicely manipulated by supply side constraints which keep Australia in a donut like geographical outlook.</p>
<p>However, as <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/robert-gottliebsen-forecasts-mother-of-all-dwelling-booms-driven-by-property-investors/2013081864307?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news" target="_blank">Robert Gottliebsen points out in his column</a>, and <a href="/news">as I mentioned last week</a> – a very low interest rate environment is once such condition that encourages investors to pull back on saving in favour of a spend/borrow mentality.  </p>
<p> </p>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<p>In our property obsessed culture – following years of woeful planning for population growth, most of this pent up demand is being fed into the second hand housing sector.</p>
<p>Price rises are more often than not fuelled by speculation that the next generation will pay double for the second hand house in – how does it go – eight or so years time?</p>
<p>Whilst population growth can push demand, actual house price appreciation more directly stems from a higher proportion of mortgage holders, not necessarily home buyers, shopping within an area of limited supply.</p>
<p>In this respect, the money governments have donated through tax breaks alone to encourage investment into the established residential real estate sector, with policies such as negative gearing which has disproportionately inflated existing property values and created a growing gap between rental yield – rises of which cannot keep pace – is another area of significance which has propped up the prices.</p>
<p>It’s also one of many policy measures that should be addressed if affordability were really an issue of concern for our competing political parties.</p>
And whilst there may be heated debate over the recognition of a bubble, in every instance speculation is a significant driving force in the pace of any said increases – which rings nicely with US economist Robert Shiller’s analysis when in his book “Irrational Exuberance” he defined a bubble as:
<p><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“a situation in which news of price increases spurs investor enthusiasm – spreading by psychological contagion from person to person, in the process amplifying stories that might justify the price increase attracting a larger and larger class of investors, who, despite doubts about the real value of the investment, are drawn to it partly through envy of others’ successes and partly through a gambler’s excitement.”</em></p>
<p>This mentality is evident when we enter what is so often termed the recovery phase of our market cycle – usually after a period in which home values have declined in real terms.</p>
<p>It’s an interesting turn of phrase, giving the impression to the uninitiated that prices have dropped so low they needed to heal like a sick patient.</p>
<p>However, seeing prices overshoot the mark as greed along with expectation of another boom inevitably takes a force on investor mentality, is a common feature of this part of the cyclic psychology.</p>
<p>The effects are often amplified in areas where auctions sales predominate.  When buyers see properties openly selling above their pre-conceived perception of market value (something that generally doesn’t happen when the sale is conducted via private negotiation) it provides very visible reality that the market’s appreciating and the effects on the mindset act like a kind of contagion.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, the reverse is the case when a larger proportion of properties pass in at auction – leaving buyers with the worrying impression the market’s tanking.</p>
<p>During a competitive auction buyers spend far less time thinking about exceeding budget constraints than they do when – in a rational pre-auction moment, they take time to discuss (usually with their partner) where to draw a sensible limit for the property in question.</p>
<p>In truth, when the market is buoyant and competition evident, buyers don’t bid for the property – they simply bid to win – something I witness weekly.</p>
<p>And of course, whenever rising prices openly occur, stock inevitably reduces.</p>
<p>After all, who wants to sell an asset that’s increasing in value, when the observation prevails that a vendor can get more if they hold and wait for further gains to come?  Especially as additional rate cuts are still widely predicted.</p>
<p> </p>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<p>The other issue which Robert Gottliebsen touches upon is foreign acquisition. The falling Aussie dollar has given Asian property investors an opening to look favourably once again upon dwelling investment in our capital city markets.</p>
<p>As reported in the <em>Australian Financial Review</em> last week, a Sydney property developer sold 90 off-the-plan apartments at the opening of a new tower in Bondi Junction in five hours and whilst a large proportion of funds will be fed into off-the-plan construction, assisting developers in the approval process somewhat, it’s arguable as to how many of these new apartments will actually make it onto the rental market.  </p>
<p>With limited options for investment, real estate acts like a magnate for Chinese buyers – who are not averse to purchasing speculatively whilst leaving apartments sitting empty.</p>
<p>There will be plenty of argument yet to come as to the level of the current boom and its longevity.</p>
<p>But what cannot be argued is the conditions that took values to their 2010 peak following our golden decades of growth, will not be replicated as we enter a very different and challenging macro environment than previously experienced – hence why I hold the opinion that we’ll see shorter durations to the traditional boom and bust market cycle.</p>
<p>Furthermore – whilst rising established house prices may be perceived as positive – particularly for those who want to downsize or tap into the equity – is worth remembering that it’s doing little for the productive areas of our economy such as manufacturing, small business or job creation.</p>
The oft quoted perception that the feel good factor from rising house prices stimulates consumption has been disputed in several studies – the most recent of which can be found <a href="https://www.res.org.uk/details/mediabrief/4743221/BOOSTING-THE-HOUSING-MARKET-IS-NOT-THE-WAY-OUT-OF-A-CRISIS" target="_blank">here</a>.
<p>And whilst those who purchased early in the 2000s have seen their assets boom the consequences have forced a social divide as purchasers priced out are forced into areas where schools, transport and local amenities have not been funded to keep up with the flood of lower and middle income households in search of affordable options.</p>
<p>Rising yields ensure renters find it particularly hard to locate close to work hubs, not to mention the pressure it puts on students battling for a university qualification. Unless we face up to the non-voter friendly challenges that prevent sustainable solutions and reduce unwarranted inflation in the established sector at the expense of construction, nothing will change.</p>
<p>New Zealand – which is experiencing its own property boom principally in Auckland – has released details of plans to moderate mortgage demand through <a href="https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2013/08/rbnz-refines-lvr-cap-but-will-it-work/">‘speed limits’</a> on high loan to value lending.</p>
<p>However, it’s widely acknowledged that without effective polices to enable home building over a wider footprint of land, first-home buyers will suffer inevitable pain, and debate circulates as to whether it will lower prices in the long term or just produce a blip on the radar.</p>
<p>Even if it were possible to effectively implement and audit similar restrictions,  thereby tapering the flow of money into mortgage debt, it won’t necessarily stimulate lending for productive purposes.</p>
<p>Furthermore, although in real terms, values remain below peak, the property market chills at the thought of prices adjusting downward materially – yet not at the bank controlled credit creation process that inflated the huge increase in the first place. Banks create money every time they make a loan, and then decide where the bulk of lending is directed – building up the price of their preferred assets at their own discretion.</p>
<p>It’s not the health of the housing market that needs to be tacked, it’s the disease.</p>
<p>Lastly on interest rates – since November 2011 we’ve been on a downward rate cycle – some of which was only passed on in part by the banks.</p>
<p>Yet it took until mid 2012 for any marginal improvement in median values to emerge (boosted by consumer confidence), and only fairly recently have we seen a significant uptick.</p>
<p>The building industry is not picking up enough pace to compensate for the tapering of construction in the mining cycle and we’re a long way from a point at which the RBA can start raising rates to offset any unwelcome boom in established asset prices.</p>
<p>For the time being, existing owners and investors will continue to fuel demand, and despite loan service affordability costs improving – those looking to enter the housing market will continue to compete with a challenging heated environment.</p>
<p><em style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Catherine Cashmore</b> is a market analyst with extensive experience in all aspects relating to property acquisition.</em></p>
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catherinecashmore-6LXia3pPQj

Are we in a dwelling boom, a rally, bubble or a recovery? Inside our bubble mentality: Catherine Cashmore

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<p>The top 10 most searched terms on realestate.com.au:</p>
<p><img alt="numberonejuly11" height="38" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberonejuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Pool"</p>
<p><img alt="numbertwojuly11" height="35" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbertwojuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Waterfront"</p>
<p><img alt="numberthreejuly11" height="39" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberthreejuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Living + areas"</p>
<p><img alt="numberfourjuly11" height="39" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfourjuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Granny flat"</p>
<p><img alt="numberfivejuly11" height="33" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfivejuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Bedrooms"</p>
<p><img alt="numbersixjuly11" height="35" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbersixjuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Views"</p>
<p><img alt="numbersevenjuly11" height="36" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbersevenjuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Investment"</p>
<p><img alt="numbereightjuly11" height="32" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbereightjuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Duplex"</p>
<p><img alt="numberninejuly11" height="32" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberninejuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Swimming pool"</p>
<p><img alt="numbertenjuly11" height="19" width="30" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbertenjuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>"Shed"</p>
<p><em>Source: REA</em></p>
</body></html>

Australians's top search on the net is for a pool: realestate.com.au

<p>National Australia Bank banker David Fodor and his wife, Natisha, owner of the My Nest Home Styling, secured $1.67 million for&nbsp;their four-bedroom Mont Albert&nbsp;house.</p>

<p>With sheltered 11 metre wide rear decking, it came with&nbsp;formal reception rooms and a modern study.</p>

<p>The Marshall White agent Ross Stryker held initial&nbsp;$1.35 million plus expectations pre-auction for the Californian bungalow.</p>

<p>It was redesigned by Jo McIntyre from Beautiful Home three years ago&nbsp;in the coveted Windsor Park Estate.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.marshallwhite.com.au/5841341/" target="_blank">117 Windsor Crescent</a> house is listed for August 17 auction.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.mynesthomestyling.com.au/index" target="_blank">My Nest Home Styling</a>&nbsp;offers&nbsp;room by room analysis along with&nbsp;several pre-sale property styling packages.</p>


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