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;

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.

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;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

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.

“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.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into.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.”

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.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

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.

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.

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.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“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;

“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.”

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.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<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">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<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">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

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

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;

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.

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.

<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" />

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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

<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" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

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.

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.

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

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.

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;

“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.

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.

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.

<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" />

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.

“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.

“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.”

<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" />

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.

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.

<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" />

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.

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.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

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.

&nbsp;

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

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.

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.

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.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"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.

"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."

<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" />

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.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"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.

"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."

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.

<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" />

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.

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.

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.

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

Article summary

<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" />
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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

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.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"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."

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

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

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

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

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.

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;

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.

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.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<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" />

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

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.

<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" />

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.<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" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

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;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

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

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The average discount rate of properties in Melbourne has jumped nearly a full percentage point in one month, according to Australian Property Monitors.
The average discount in Melbourne in May was 7.3%, up from 6.4% in April.
In Canberra discount rates have dropped from 4.9% in April to 3.9% in May.
Changes in other cities were less dramatic with Perth the next biggest change, falling from 4.9% to 4.5%.
And for days on market, Adelaide was the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/no-slowing-in-canberra-house-and-unit-sales-speed-apm-heat-chart-apmnews/2013052961778" target="_blank">only capital city to show any significant improvement in April selling times</a>.
<img alt="heatchartmay30twothumb" src="/images/stories/2013/05/heatchartmay30twothumb.jpg" width="470" height="653">
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Level of vendor discounting jumps in Melbourne: APM heat chart

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A composite of both private sector and ABS housing data points to a "modest slowdown" in housing market growth, says Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan. 
His comments follow the latest data from RP Data-Rismark showing a surprise <a target="_blank" href="/news">1.2% correction in dwelling values over May</a> despite Sydney auction clearance rates heading for their highest monthly result since April 2002. 
“The latest monthly data on Australia's housing market is a little tricky to reconcile with auction clearance rates hitting new highs in Sydney and recovering solidly in Melbourne, and a range of other market metrics pointing to continued recovery but a notable decline in prices through April-May,” says Hassan.
However, he points out that even in the two major capital cities, auction activity should only really be read as a "partial measure  as they account for about 15% of turnover in Sydney and 20% in Melbourne and tends to cover a different stock of properties compared to private sales".
To account for the volatility in monthly housing market measures, Westpac track six month annualised growth rates “for confirmation of shifts, keeping half an eye on three month growth rates near turning points”. 
It also favours using a composite of the four data providers – RP Data- Rismark, Australian Property Monitors (APM), ABS and Residex - to “strip out some of the measurement 'noise'”.
“On this basis there has been a modest slowdown from a 3.5% annual pace over the second half of last year to around 2% currently," says Hassan.
But, he adds, if the April-May weakness extends into June and is confirmed by other measures, that could be a more “pronounced slowing”.
 “Interpretation-wise, there are a few things that may account for the 'wedge' between the strong auction indicators and soft price growth – it may be that sellers are accepting lower prices in order to get sales or it may be that there is more pronounced weakness outside of the 14-20% of sales that go via auction. 
“That said, the divergence is not normally that large. 
“On balance we would tend to favour the auction data for now but will as it stands the price data is showing no indication of following earlier high clearance rate periods into double-digit price growth territory,” he says.
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April and May composite data points to "modest" slowdown in housing market: Westpac’s Matthew Hassan

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Investors should get their foot on the property ladder now while interest rates are low and heading lower and as the property market heats up, says Yellow Brick Road founder Mark Bouris.
“I think right now and for the next five years property in the major cities will become the hottest investment class you can possibly think of,” Bouris said in an interview on Channel Nine’s Saturday breakfast show.
Bouris expects the RBA to cut interest rates even further – below 2.5% - with borrowers getting bank mortgage rates at historical lows of between 4% and 4.5%.
“What [these low interest rates do] is reposition house prices upwards,” Bouris says.
“From now until about five years’ time house prices will go up quite a lot and it’s a good time to take the opportunity to invest in real estate.”
Bouris says you don't want to be entering the property market in five years’ time when you are paying the top price.
According to Bouris, property investing is a “cycle game”.
“You need to get in while the rates are coming down and make sure you are not paying the top price.
“Everything in business or investments  is all about your entry price or purchase price,” he says.
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Property the “hottest investment class” for the next five years: Mark Bouris

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Hobart houses are spending the longest time on the market - an average of 77 days - and are being discounted the most at an average of -12.2%, according to RP Data.
Hobart units are also being discounted the most around the nation at an average of -9.6% and an average of 103 days on the market, according to the week ending June 2 report. 
Melbourne comes in second with an average house discount of -8.7% and an average of 47 days on the market.
Adelaide units are the second most discounted at an average of -6.2% and an average of 76 days on the market.
<img alt="rpdatatimeonmarketjune3one" src="/images/stories/2013/06/rpdatatimeonmarketjune3one.gif" width="470" height="319">
<img alt="rpdatatimeonmarketjune3two" src="/images/stories/2013/06/rpdatatimeonmarketjune3two.gif" width="470" height="420">
<img alt="rpdatatimeonmarketjune3three" src="/images/stories/2013/06/rpdatatimeonmarketjune3three.gif" width="470" height="425">
‘Time on market’ (TOM) is simply the average number of days between when a property is first listed for sale and the contract date.
The rate of vendor discounting is the average percentage difference between the original listing price and the final selling price.
The statistics are calculated across results received by rpdata over the past week and include properties transacted over the past four weeks.
The data is based on private treaty sales only and records without a valid sale price have been excluded from the vendor discount analysis. The analysis also excludes results where there are less than 10 observations.
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Hobart spends the most time on market and discounts the most: RP Data

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So now we are officially told that Australia’s resources boom is over. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has just revealed that capital expenditure in mining peaked in mid-2012 then went into negative growth over the following six months culminating in a plunge in the March quarter of 2013 – which wiped $1.5 billion from Australia’s quarterly output.
This then turns the full attention to Australia’s non-resources sector which is not really performing all that well either. Australia’s federal government has been living in an economy nothing short of being off with the pixies given Australia’s fiscal policy is “up the creek without a paddle”.
So it will be the responsibility of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to start cutting the cash rate, starting this month, to bring the Australian dollar down to incentivise the non-mining industry. The other problem the RBA is facing will be controlling the beast from within – the real estate industry – given Sydney keeps posting auction clearance of 75%-plus. Historically, when clearance rates hit 80% our property markets are in boom mode.
Although this time around I see a totally different outcome given we are still in the hangover of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) – so households will be more content with locking in the lowest possible mortgage rates. In Sydney we are seeing under-supply not oversupply. This scenario could very well change after the federal election on September 14 – should there be a change of government given property markets historically perform better under a Liberal government. A point the RBA will be most mindful of – the burning question now is just how low will the RBA drop the cash rate?
Australia’s GDP only increased by just 4% in the last five years which is somewhat scary given the resources industry investment last year comprised 60% of Australia’s GDP. The good news is that recent Top 100 Australian CEOs surveys welcome a Liberal government which is a positive sign for our economy. The negative is that the incoming government (like the RBA) will face the mother of all tasks finding a happy medium within the Australian economy.
<a style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #003d7d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/australia-the-worlds-happiest-nation-oecd-20130528-2n87z" title="Australia the world’s happiest nation: OECD ">Australia the world’s happiest nation: OECD </a>based on income, jobs, housing and health, despite signs of a slowing economy. Australia has now held the top spot for the last three years. The elephant within the economy will be what happens with employment although this can be seen as a positive as businesses have re-calibrated following the GFC to see them embarking on new strategies.
Again not much change in the volumes which still remain down when compared to this time last year. We expect this to pretty well remain the case until August when vendors start engaging the property markets based on the upcoming election hype.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/06/simeonjune3one.gif" width="470" height="333" alt="simeonjune3one">
Source: Australian Property Monitors
<h4>MOSMAN – 2088</h4>
• Number of houses on the market this time 2012 – 97 • Number of houses on the market last week – 83 • Number of houses on the market this week – 85 • Number of apartments on the market this time 2012 – 101 • Number of apartments on the market last week – 67 • Number of apartments on the market this week – 64
<h4>CREMORNE – 2090</h4>
• Number of houses on the market this time 2012 – 15 • Number of houses on the market last week – 8 • Number of houses on the market this week – 8 • Number of apartments on the market this time 2012 – 36 • Number of apartments on the market last week – 19 • Number of apartments on the market this week – 15
<h4>NEUTRAL BAY – 2089</h4>
• Number of houses on the market this time 2012 – 18 • Number of houses on the market last week – 9 • Number of houses on the market this week – 11 • Number of apartments on the market this time 2012 – 56 • Number of apartments on the market last week – 28 • Number of apartments on the market this week – 34
From an economic viewpoint it was pleasing to read Alan Kohler write on Business Spectator – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.businessspectator.com.au/comment/310641" title="How Abbott would raise Hilmer from the dead ">How Abbott would raise Hilmer from the dead </a>– “The Coalition is planning to resurrect National Competition Policy if elected in September, including paying state governments to privatise. It’s also looking at ways to encourage infrastructure spending by providing Commonwealth guarantees and attracting investment from super funds, and is also considering keeping accelerated depreciation for business development.”
It is no secret that Australia needs a major infrastructure injection to get the non-mining industries back on the front foot. For this to happen we could very well see Australia’s cash rate fall to as low as 2%.
The next few months will be fascinating although we can expect to see businesses having a greater say to the Liberal government which will be in contrast to unions telling the Labor government how to run the economy. Based on polling it is quite apparent that Australians much prefer the former.
Robert Simeon is a director of <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" title="RWM">Richardson  Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay </a>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. He has also been writing real estate blog <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" title="Virtual Realty News">Virtual Realty News</a> since 2000. The RWM real estate model has sold in excess of $1 billion in database sales globally.
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RBA will have to cut cash rate to support non-mining industries: Robert Simeon

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Property investors should not be too alarmed at the <a href="/news">1.2% fall in capital city house prices recorded over May</a> by RP Data- Rismark, suggests economist Christopher Joye.
Weekly auction clearance rates suggest the housing market remains “in very good shape” writes Joye in The Australian Financial Review today.
He says the latest decline may be the result of people “questioning the outlook” following the May 7 rate cut – as happened a year ago, when consumer confidence “barely budged” and house prices fell 1.1% despite a surprise double (50 basis points) rate cut on May 2.
“It took until June and July for house prices and consumer confidence to belatedly respond,” writes Joye.
Joye says it would be a “real surprise” if house prices and mortgage lending did not rise in the coming months spurred on by low mortgage rates below 5%.
His comments suggest the RBA won’t response to the latest housing market data with a rate cut given the recent weakness in the Australian dollar give it a “more accommodative policy stance than it originally planned”.
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Housing market still in “very good shape” despite “sizeable” May fall: Christopher Joye

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Perth was the only mainland capital city to buck a "broad-based" 1.2% decline in capital city dwelling values in May, the latest RP Data- Rismark monthly index shows.
This follows a 0.5% fall in April with RP Data-Rismark recording an eight capital city median value of $491,000 for May.
Capital city dwelling values are now just 1.1% higher over the first five months of 2013 and 2.9% higher compared to May last year, when the market bottomed out following a a 7.4% peak-to-trough fall.
Melbourne stood out as being one of the weakest performers with values down 2.1% over May and 1.9% over the quarter to a median of $512,500.
Adelaide dwelling values fell 2.3% to $380,000, Sydney dwelling values fell 1% to $580,000 and Brisbane dwelling values fell 0.9% to $425,000.
In contrast, Perth dwelling values lifted 1% over May to a median of $500,000 with the gain restricted to detached houses, which lifted 1.1% over May to a median of $519,000 with Perth unit values falling 0.4% to $423,250.
Perth house values are up 6.9% over the past 12 months while unit values have fallen 0.5% over the same period.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/06/rpdataindexjune3one.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2013/06/rpdataindexjune3onethumb.gif"></a>
Among the smaller capital city markets, Darwin experienced a notable correction, with its dwelling values down 3.5% to $487,500 while Canberra dwelling values fell 1.3% to $512,250.
Dwelling values declined despite key housing market metrics such as auction clearance rates, vendor discounting, time-on-market and transaction volumes performing well with a drop in consumer confidence and weak mortgage growth factors in receding property values.
According to Rismark CEO Ben Skilbeck there are one of two means by which these metrics improve: “either buyers increase their offer price in order to meet vendor expectations or, alternatively, vendors reduce their expectations in order to meet buyer offers”.
“The first is usually associated with a rising market, while the second relates to a flat or declining market.
“If credit growth is anaemic and consumer confidence is weak, both of which is currently the case, it’s a good indication that strength in auction clearance rates, and other associated metrics, may largely be driven by vendors reducing their initial expectations in order to meet buyer offers.
“Given the weak housing markets of 2011 and 2012 were followed by a very robust 2013 first quarter, we may well be seeing some natural market volatility associated with vendors acquiescing and taking the opportunity to sell,” he says.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/price-growth-didn-t-emerge-amid-stellar-sydney-autumn-auction-results-and-speedy-private-treaty-sales/2013053061705" target="_blank">The same point </a> - that a stellar autumn auction season and speedy private treaty sales did not translate into price growth - was made on Property Observer last week.
Combined with these metrics, the May 7 RBA rate cut to 2.75% - passed on in full by nearly all lenders – also failed to drive up property values.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/06/rpdatachartjune3onethumb.gif" width="470" height="173" alt="rpdatachartjune3onethumb">
RP Data national research director Tim Lawless notes that the fall in dwelling values over the month of May and for the quarter was “broad-based with all capital cities apart from Perth and Hobart (up 2.2% over May to $321,000) recording a fall in values over the month, and with half of the capital cities recording a fall in values over the quarter”.
Despite its correction in May, Darwin remains the strongest performing housing market since the market bottomed out in May last year with values up 10.1%
It also has the highest gross rental yields for both houses (6.2%) and units (6.3%).
Melbourne is the weakest rental market with houses offering a gross rental yield of 3.7% and Melbourne units at 4.6%.
Lawless says the weak May result comes on the back of a substantial fall in consumer confidence over both April and May which can partly be attributed to a growing level of uncertainty about domestic economic conditions and possibly a sour reaction by consumers to the Federal Budget announcements in mid-May.
“The RP Data-Rismark daily index tracked higher from late April through to the 10th of May, and then went into a consistent decline over the remainder of the month.
“How much of this downwards pressure can be attributed to the lower confidence reading is anyone’s guess, but the correlation of housing market conditions with consumer confidence is a strong one.
“If we see confidence levels remain in the doldrums, there is likely to be a similar dampening effect on the housing market,” he says.
RP Data’s combined capital city index is stock weighted, meaning that larger cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have a larger impact on the aggregated results.
“With Melbourne dwelling values down by 2.1% over the month and 1.9% over the last three months, the pull-down effect on the aggregated index has been substantial,” says Lawless.
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Perth bucks 1.2% "broad-based" property market decline in May: RP Data-Rismark

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Tax time is approaching and many readers will be digging out their paperwork, putting their finances in order. Why not use this time to give yourself a financial health check? Here are some questions you need to ask yourself:
Home Loans
Have you reviewed your home loan in the past 12 months? There’s a spread between standard variable mortgage rates of around 5-6.2%. That’s a potential repayment difference of around $235 a month on a $300,000 mortgage. Are you getting the features you need and avoiding paying for the features you don’t use? Do you need a credit card or an offset loan? Check you are paying fortnightly – this will pay off your loan faster.
Insurance
Are you appropriately covered? Take a look at your home and contents – what would it cost to replace your belongings if something went wrong? What about life insurance? You want to make sure all your debts are covered and your family has enough to live off in case something happened to you. It’s worth also looking into trauma and/or income protection cover in the event of an illness or accident. If you had to stop working, how would you pay your household bills? If you don’t know what you need, engage an adviser to help you get the best premiums and ensure you’re adequately covered.
Savings
Do you know how much you have in savings? Do you have a plan for it? Cash is valuable and you can’t let it be eaten by inflation. Review the interest rates you are paid and compare it with other products, whether they are savings accounts or term deposits. The comparison sites are excellent for this.
Super
Do you know how much you have in super and how it’s performing? Go to your account and see how much you have, and what it is returning. Also, look closely at what fees are coming out: super funds vary in their overall fees by a factor as large as 2 per cent per year. Even if you go to a fund charging 1 per cent less than your current fund, the difference – over 30 years – adds up to tens of thousands of dollars. Small differences in fund performance produce big results in the long run, so spend some time selecting your investment options. Match volatility to your risk profile and life stage. Have a look at your original goals and assumptions: are they real? Do you really know how much you’ll need to live well in retirement?
Household costs
How much are you paying just to live? Review your telephone packages, your internet, your electricity/gas account and your petrol bill. By simply reviewing these household overheads, most people can save over $100 a month, which could be put to good use on your loan or in your super.
You won’t regret making this a habit. Remember, that a dollar saved is better than a dollar earned – you don’t pay tax on it.
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yellow Brick Road</a>, a financial services company offering home loans, financial planning, accounting and tax, and insurance.
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Give yourself a financial health check as tax time approaches: Mark Bouris

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This week I read with interest Melbourne’s newly released discussion paper, produced by the City of Melbourne, entitled ‘Future Living.’  
Once past the holiday brochure-inspired pictures designed to give the impression that a diverse range of attractive multicultural individuals are happily enjoying life in their rather ‘grand’ looking inner city studio apartments, <a href="https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/BuildingandPlanning/FutureGrowth/Documents/future_living_discussion_paper.pdf" target="_blank">the 'vision' is set forth</a>.  
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle opens with a commendable statement:  
“As Melbourne continues to evolve and attract more residents, good quality homes will be crucial.”  
The phrase ‘good quality’ deserves to be emphasised – as does ‘homes’ – as these are two areas of importance which have arguably been ignored in recent years.  
He goes on:  
“Our aspiration is for an inner city where housing is affordable, well-designed and meets the diverse needs of our residents. New housing must also be well planned and developed in ways that create safe and welcoming neighbourhoods, close to where people work.”  
You’d be hard pushed to argue with the noble intentions stated above.  Despite my many criticisms of Melbourne’s development projects, we remain an enviable ‘walkable’ city in the eyes of those who visit either locally or overseas.  
However, it has been clear for some time that Melbourne is undergoing a growth spurt which threatens exceed what both housing and services are able to comfortably deliver. And in response to an ageing population’s needs, the city is under pressure to provide a broad range of additional services to shelter a forecasted increase in the municipality’s population, from a current 100,000 to an estimated 180,000 by 2031.  
The paper invites discussion and should be applauded for the detail contained within its chapters.  It addresses issues such as minimum sizes for apartments, needed storage space for an average couple or individual (a big issue for apartment dwellers), parking facilities for a resident populous unwilling or unable to give up their vehicles. It also makes mention of critical points I have directed at current high-rise projects in previous columns, principally the difference between designing for investors/student renters, and home buyers.  
In my opinion, this is an important requirement.  For too long, the ‘squeeze as many on the block as possible’ mantra has dominated our skylines.  I doubt Melbourne's Lord Mayor has the time or opportunity to visit many of the completed high-rise blocks created to address the much spruiked housing shortage in which quality is often lacking. For want of a better term, much of it is ‘overpriced rubbish.’  
I've walked through many of the new developments, and from an owner-occupier perspective, unless the purchase is for one of the “luxury” units designed with the professional city worker in mind, the relatively small one and two bedroom apartments featured as “affordable” tend to fall into the investment sector of the market not just because of tight lending restrictions banks impose on first-home buyers for this type of accommodation - rather high owners’ corporation fees set aside to service the lifts and other security features, a lack of natural light, poorly thought out floor plans, and low quality appliances, place the units currently being updated by the rookie renovators on The Block, a far more desirable proposition.
 
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Therefore it's no surprise to find many are sold off plan to overseas buyers who are never required to set foot on the premises.
And as the paper points out, it's likely we're going to see ‘more of the same,’ as the new growth will be predominantly apartments, which have already accounted for 93% of the builds in the municipality over the past six years.
With any city plan, it's important to get the ingredients right, because one of the reasons vacancy rates are so high in many of the already established buildings in the Docklands or Southbank (as an example,) is due to a significant number of buyers who find the current standard of accommodation, neither desirable, nor affordable. Put simply, our consumer market doesn’t want to buy it – or rent it, and therefore the exercise so far, has failed to fulfil its purpose.  
Design and raising the standards of our inner city developments to ensure they last decades not years – employing good natural light, adequate private outdoor space, quality assured safety standards (something I have addressed previously,) and the ability to live side by side without fear of waking in the middle of the night to hear the next door neighbour’s television ‘insomniac’ watching activities, is very important.  
Various <a href="https://www.nber.org/mtopublic/" target="_blank">social studies</a> have shown, even without a change in financial status, an upgrade in living standards provided primarily through wise and well thought-out development which in principal, shouldn’t increase the capital cost, is enough to improve the health and wellbeing of residents, lowering the propensity for depression and other related illnesses.
And it’s fair to suggest, we’ll be seeing a greater proportion of renters opting for apartment living not only represented by a falling share of first-home buyers who have been termed ‘generation rent,’ but also home owners who are finding work related activities require periods of tenancy as excessive stamp duty charges deter any feasibility of a quick ‘profitable’ move. In other words, we also have a growing demographic of ‘generation invest’ - those who own, whilst renting their principle place of residence.  
However, at present, no matter how many apartments are built, there is no getting away from the fact, that home owners prefer low density – it’s been shown the elderly overwhelmingly downsize into medium density accommodation thereby avoiding high density developments – in fact latest figures show the proportion of elderly residents living in high density housing is on the decline.  Currently 5.6 per cent of our population reside in high density accommodation, however, only a meagre 4.1 per cent of those aged over 65, and there’s nothing to show a change is underway – if anything, the reverse is the case.  
Younger generations in their 20s and 30s have a better propensity towards high density housing and the proportion is increasing; however figures still only peak at around 14% at the age of 27 and the trend across all age groups is marginal, with only 1 in 20 choosing this form of accommodation nationwide (as of 2011.)  
This issue isn’t just a symptom of inner city development.  I’ve written previously about the need to establish quality housing for a larger proportion of buyers who will accept townhouse living, but reject high density developments and it is possible to accommodate an equal number of residents in medium density dwellings without building to the skies as movements such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.policyexchange.org.uk/images/publications/create%20streets.pdf">Create Streets</a> in the UK, and Robert Dalziel - the London-based architect for Rational House, who visited nine cities around the world, including Mexico City, Shanghai and Berlin, to examine how to make high-density living agreeable for a broad demographic of home buyers, has shown in his book – commissioned and published the Royal Institute of British Architects: entitled <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.amazon.com/House-In-The-City-Architecture/dp/1859464521">A House in the City — Home Truths in Urban Architecture.</a>
 
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I’d suggest the construction industry would improve two-fold if we placed the same level of intelligence and innovation in Australia’s future design. However, at present, there’s little hope because it’s far more ‘profitable’ to build apartment blocks or multi-story dwellings, aimed at investors and housed by student renters, than it is to increase the supply of new accommodation for our home-buying demographic. And herein lays the problem.  
Architectural design is something that is often missed in the race to develop.  Too often it’s been claimed that planning departments sit in the pockets of developers who are under pressure to cut all possible corners in an effort to maximise profit.  
It also needs to be understood that whilst a push to increase underling supply is top of mind for city planners, developers are currently having tremendous difficulty financing proposed projects – there has been plenty of suggestion that banks won’t lend for a site, unless there is 100% debt cover – and in certain cases even more.  
In light of this, developers are pressured to pay vastly inflated commissions to achieve the pre-sale targets set out by the banking system – which as we’re all aware, lacks competition and is limited to just four major avenues.  
And therefore, even with a fancy research paper such as Melbourne’s ‘Future Living,’ investigating a ‘wish list’ of ‘wants,’ as far as a developer is concerned, if requirements become inflexible, producing an increase in the capital cost thereby resulting in a stagnation of sales for which they are unable to profit, it will have a roll on effect to supply.  
There are ways to solve the conundrum – but once again, it means thinking outside the square, attacking the system on a number of fronts (easier access to funding being one area of importance), and perhaps taking a clue from international markets which are centuries down the line in terms of inner city innovation.  
For example, as well as the ‘low density’ frameworks I cited above, there is method employed in Argentina in which architects construct apartment buildings funded directly from the ‘clients’ which rather than being a single developer, are a consortium of home buyers/investors who often end up being the eventual occupiers.  The method employs a “Fideicomiso” legal trust and works well in medium density projects on sites in which larger developers often overlook as being unprofitable – allowing smaller architects a leading edge in this field.  
One person at the forefront of the research is <a href="https://www.eliasredstone.com/about/" target="_blank">Elias Redstone</a> – editor-in-chief and co founder of the ‘London Architecture Diary,’ – therefore there is <a href="https://blog.britishcouncil.org/2013/04/26/fideicomiso-uk-argentina-architecture/" target="_blank">plenty of information</a> already available on the popular ‘self build’ model which can potentially help to increase ‘quality’ supply where there is already an existing problem of in-completed projects.  
I said above, in Sydney, where standards are arguably better, the market is under-supplied due to increased capital cost and a stricter enforcement of regulations. In Melbourne, the CBD is over-supplied with an arguable abundance of low grade ‘rubbish’ – therefore planning successfully for a larger population (fulfilling the wish list of future residents) and thereby ensuring developments are sold and remain fully occupied, is not going to happen under the current model of thinking. We need to explore other avenues.
Catherine Cashmore is a market analyst with extensive experience in all aspects relating to property acquisition.
 
 
 
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Melbourne's future plan has admirable goals but new strategies are needed to achieve them: Catherine Cashmore

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Up and coming chefs are lining up for the opportunity to show case their cooking skills in a new concept food hall, with eateries constructed out of old shipping containers.
There are 11 colourfully painted shipping containers in The General Assembly food hall, a refurbished former cargo shed at Melbourne’s South Wharf promenade, across from Docklands.
The project has been developed by Melbourne Convention Centre owners the Plenary Group, with the aim of turning the precinct into an eating and entertainment destination.
Each shipping container is fitted with brand new kitchen equipment specifically designed to accommodate 11 different cuisines alongside communal bars and dining spaces.
Fitzroys agent Mitchell Humphreys who along with colleague James Lockwood has handled the marketing campaign, says the project has attracted more than 70 expressions of interest.
The campaign closes today.
The chosen chefs and entrepreneurs will receive two-year licences to operate their restaurants.
There is no cost involved.
“The Plenary Group is fitting and running the General Assembly at a substantial loss,” Humphreys tells Property Observer.
“The idea is to draw people to the South Wharf Precinct and give young up and coming chefs an opportunity run something at low risk to them.
Humphreys says the food hall should be and running in six to eight weeks.
“Young up-and-coming operators typically don’t have the capital to invest in setting up at a site long-term and completing their own fit-out,” he says.
They also want to remain independent and don’t want to be swallowed by larger corporations.
“We’re giving young, energetic people the chance to come in at no cost to them to serve their own cuisine.
The South Wharf precinct takes in the Melbourne Convention &amp; Exhibition Centre, the Hilton South Wharf and surrounding retail offerings.
It receives over six million visitors throughout the year, as well as having 2,500 on-site workers and tens of thousands within a one kilometre radius.
The Plenary Group is an infrastructure and property development business with operations in the Americas and the Asia Pacific region.
It works on public–private partnership (PPP) projects with its current most noteworthy project being the $1 billion Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre being built by Grocon for the Victorian government.
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