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“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into.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

<html><body>
The housing market will strengthen further - probably from 2014 - with gains of between 5% and 7% tipped by Australian Property Monitors’ (APM) chief economist Andrew Wilson.
However, Wilson is sticking with his recent 2013 forecast made at the start of the year of a 3% to 5% rise in house prices over 2013.
“I still think that’s the case, 5% to 7% is the next increment but I don’t think we will see that this year,” he told The Australian Financial Review.
RP Data-Rismark has dwelling values across the eight capital cities up 2.3% for the first four months of the year.
ABS preliminary figures for the March quarter recorded just a 0.1% gain in its capital city house price index - for detached houses only.
Wilson bases his higher post-2013 forecast on historical trends, where lower interest rates driving up house prices, but with a small time lag.
He also made the interesting observation that a rise in interest rates could have spurred on a “boost” in house prices in growing markets like Sydney, Perth and Darwin.
A rise in interest rates, he says, spurs on some people to act over fears rates will rise again.
Wilson wrote in the February APM housing market report that Australia’s housing markets started 2013 “encouragingly with solid indications of rising buyer activity and increased confidence from sellers”.
“The revival of Australia’s housing markets in 2012 has been confirmed as leading indicators such as auction clearance rates point to a market heating up.
“Australia’s housing markets are off and running in 2013, building on the buyer momentum generated through 2012 but now translating to more generalised and comprehensive market outcomes,” he said.
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

House prices could rise up to 7% in 2014: APM’s Andrew Wilson

<html><body>
The metamorphosed Butterfly House, on Military Road, Dover Heights, didn't sell when auction this week through BHR Estate Agents Edgecliff.
There was a $5.825 million top bid when it was offered through Daniel Baran and Reece Coleman who were initially expecting above $6.5 million for the house.  There were two registered bidders.
Daniel Baran last sold in late 2010 for $5.05 million.
Its been fully renovated since purchase.
Its now being marketed as one of Sydney’s most extraordinarily unique and beautiful homes - on the market after receiving the final finishing touches.
<img alt="butterflymarch14one1" src="/images/stories/2013/03/butterflymarch14one1.jpg" width="470" height="506">
"More than a decade after the well-known Dover Heights residence broke new ground with its curved walls and glass structure, the home is complete with the most advanced home automation, a world-class cinema and fittings that give this property international qualities rarely seen in this country," Baran says.
Spread over six split levels, the location has views over both the ocean and harbour.
Five bedrooms are in the eastern wing while the living areas take full advantage of vistas towards the Opera House, city skyline and Bridge.
The residence’s north facing aspect allows light to flow throughout the home, along with the natural ventilation system.
<img alt="butterflymarch14two2" src="/images/stories/2013/03/butterflymarch14two2.jpg" width="470" height="313">
It was 1996 when the architect Ed Lippmann received a request to create a home with “no straight lines” - one he did not believe was serious but the client was a firm believer in feng shui, Chinese laws governing how spatial arrangement affects energy flow.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Butterfly House at Dover Heights fails to find wings at auction

<html><body>
Sydney corporate law firm Gilbert and Tobin have signed a memorandum of understanding with Lend Lease to take 9,500 square metres of space in International Towers Sydney at Barangaroo South.
It will take the four stories above Westpac, in the second of three towers at the development.
Lend Lease says the memorandum shows the confidence banking, financial services and legal organisations have in the development.
The understanding now means more than 80% of tower two’s space is leased.
It is the first legal tenant to enter the $6 billion development.
Westpac and KPMG were named in June last year as the first confirmed tenants in the foreshore development. Lend Lease will also will taking up space.
The latest leasing agreement means Lend Lease can continue on with the third tower as financial backers required pre-leasing to hit 85% before undertaking further rental negotiations on the third tower.
The Australian Financial Review reports that the leasing deal is worth up to $9 million per year.
</body></html>

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Sydney law firm Gilbert and Tobin to move to Barangaroo South

<html><body>
Confidence about the housing market has surged to its highest level in almost three years, with nearly one in two Australians (49.8%) now expecting house prices to rise over the next quarter, according to the latest Home Finance Index commissioned by the Commonwealth Bank and the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA). 
This is the highest confidence level since the July 2010 survey when 52.2% of those surveyed expected house prices to rise over the following quarter and a substantial rise from the 28.9% who were optimistic in the September 2012 quarter and double the number in March 2012 (25%).
The results of the March 2013 survey, carried out by CoreData, are based on the sentiments of 1,361 home buyers and prospective home buyers. 
A high proportion of March 2013 respondents – 40.4% - expect no changes in house prices over the coming quarter, but just one in ten expect house prices to fall, the lowest percentage expecting a decline in prices since March 2010. 
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2013/05/confidencemay9one.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/05/confidencemay9onethumb.gif"></a>
Source: CoreData
Other findings of the survey also point to greater confidence about the housing market including that 83% of those surveyed who own homes believing now is a good time to buy an investment property compared with 78% in September 2012 and 74% in March 2012.
There was also a surge in the number of respondents who plan to change or upgrade their home. 
More than three-quarters (77.2%) of those respondents who owned a home said they planned to change or upgrade their home compared with less than two-thirds (62.4%) in the September 2012 survey and 67% in March 2012. 
Among prospective first-home buyers, 48.8% of believe now is a good time to buy compared with 42.2% in September 2012 with confidence rising strongly in NSW (from 40% to 50%), South Australia (40.6% to 51.9%) and to a lesser extent in Victoria (39% to 43.8%). 
More than three-quarters of borrowers (76.9%) said they were ahead of their mortgage repayments with only 16.5% saying they were struggling to make payments and 5% admitting to making late payments. Just 1% said they were more than a month behind in their mortgage repayments.
The rising confidence about the housing market came at the same time as people’s financial situations improved combined with a rise in the number of active buyers looking for a home loan over the next year. 
Nearly a third of respondents (30.8%) said their financial situation has improved over the last year – a rise of 14% over March, 2012. 
One in five (18.9%) said they were in the market for a home loan over the next year, up from 12.7% a year ago. 
Mortgage &amp; Finance Association of Australia chief executive officer Phil Naylor says the survey shows that the property market is “definitely recovering, with sentiment of both first home buyers and investors improving dramatically”. 
A similar sentiment is echoed by Kathy Cummings, head of third party banking at the Commonwealth Bank, who says the property market is all about confidence. 
She says the survey confirms that “good times are ahead, especially as interest rates continue to be at historic low levels, creating a situation where mortgage repayments are more affordable than rents in many areas”.
</body></html>

Housing market confidence rises to highest since July 2010: CBA/MFAA index

<html><body>
The last time that money market interest rates were at current levels was 53 years ago. In March 1960 the minimum interest rate applied on loans accepted by authorised dealers on the short term money market was 2.69% with the maximum rate of 3.38% and an implied weighted average rate of 2.70%.
Certainly very low interest rates were common through the 1940s, 1950s and most of the 1960s. For instance in 1952, the 3-month commercial bank deposit rate was just 0.71 per cent and even in 1956 it had lifted to only 1.25%. Housing loan rates held at 5.00% through 1959 and 1960. Trading bank overdraft rates were between 5.00-6.00% in the late 1950s/early 1960s.
All these gems of information are contained in the hardcopy Reserve Bank Statistical Bulletins of the era and the forerunner – the Commonwealth Bank of Australia Statistical Bulletins.
Of course a key reason why interest rates were low was because wages and prices were under control. In the 1958/59 year, wages rose by 2.5%, retail prices rose by 2.6% and the consumer price index rose by 1.9%.
Do these growth rates seem familiar? Wages are growing by 3.4% currently with inflation around 2.5%. Certainly other indicators are a bit different with the economy growing 7% in 1958/59, but slowing to 4.4% in 1959/60. And unemployment was hovering near 1-2% in the late 1950s/early 1960s.
So could a cash rate near 3.0% become the ‘new black’? If inflation sticks near 2.5% and if Aussies continue to apply a conservative approach to taking on debt, a new economic glory period could be ushered in, similar to that which existed in the 1950s.
Craig James is the chief economist at <a href="https://www.comsec.com.au/default.aspx" target="_blank">CommSec</a>.
</body></html>

cjames-5S2v74qSNK

A return to the 1950s "glory days" is on the cards: CommSec's Craig James

<html><body>
House prices rising unevenly, mortgage lending trending up among investors and upgraders but not among first-home buyers, building approvals volatile but trending down and the world economy slowing down with the euro zone facing unemployment strife.
The latest edition of the comprehensive RBA chart pack provides an indication of the range of different factors the monetary policy committee had to take into account when deciding to cut the cash rate to a historical low of 2.75%.
Of most interest to investors and homeowners will be the improving housing market picture with house prices trending up fairly strongly though unevenly in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane:
<img alt="rbahousepricesmay9one" height="379" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rbahousepricesmay9one.gif">
However, building approval figures, an indication of future demand for new homes and apartments, remain volatile with an overall downward trend in evidence, particurlarly in the key detached new housing market.
RBA governor Glenn Stevens reported only a “modest firming in dwelling investment” in his post-decision monetary policy statement on Tuesday:
<img alt="rbabuildingapprovalsmay9one" height="379" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rbabuildingapprovalsmay9one.gif">
However, the mortgage market appears to be picking up slowly, but not among the key first-home buyer market where changes to state incentives favouring new homes over existing homes appears to be having a dampening effect:
<img alt="rbaloanapprovalsmay9one" height="377" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rbaloanapprovalsmay9one.gif">
The pick-up in mortgage lending is being driven by low variable mortgage rates and the record low cash rate, though the graph below shows rates are still off their 2009 variable rate lows, a reflection of banks not passing on prior rate cuts in full:
<img src="/images/stories/2013/05/rbavariableratesmay9one.gif" width="470" height="396" alt="rbavariableratesmay9one">
With lenders continuing to cut their fixed-rate offerings to try and lock in more conservatively-minded borrowers, three-year fixed-rates are at historical lows as this graph shows:
<img src="/images/stories/2013/05/rbafixedratesmay9one.gif" width="470" height="392" alt="rbafixedratesmay9one">
The chart pack also shows that global conditions are declining with the world economy set to expand by just 3%, though conditions are better for Australia’s trading partners:
<img alt="rbaworldgdpmay9one" height="433" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rbaworldgdpmay9one.gif">
This graph shows the trend of rising unemployment in the eurozone, but employment conditions improving in the US and to a moderate extent, Japan.
<img alt="rbaunemploymentmay9one" height="383" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rbaunemploymentmay9one.gif">
Lastly, much of the commentary surrounding the decision to cut the cash rate has been about muting the effects of the high Australian dollar on exchange-rate dependent industries like retail, trade and manufacturing.
This graph shows the extent the currency has appreciated against the US dollar, Euro and Japanese Yen in recent years, though now off its peaks against the US dollar and euro:
<img alt="rbaexchangeratesmay9one" height="392" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rbaexchangeratesmay9one.gif">
</body></html>

RBA paints mixed picture of local and global conditions, but with house prices and mortgage lending trending up

<html><body>
A suitor has not emerged for Australand in the month since the property developer closed its data room, the Australian Financial Review has noted in its Street Talk column.
The data room refers to confidential information that is made available to selected interested parties, who may or may not make a bid for the Australand business.
Three weeks ago Australand boss Bob Johnston was talking of a deal being finalised within six weeks.
Australand rejected a $3 billion non-binding bid by GPT for its commercial and industrial property businesses – but not its residential property business - in December last year.
The last word on the bidding process was delivered by Australand chairman Oliver Lim and deputy CEO of Singapore-based CapitaLand, the 60% majority shareholder, on April 22 at the Australand AGM.
Lim noted at the AGM that Australand shares were trading at a signficant discount to their net asset backing making its 60% holding a potentially attractive investment option for a single institutional share trade.
He said "alternatives" to the GPT offer would be explored that may or may not result in a proposal for shareholders.
GPT was expected to make a higher offer for Australand in February after its annual results were published, but has yet to do so, perhaps caught up in resolving its <a target="_blank" href="/news">class action lawsuit with a group of investor</a>, only settled today with a $75 million conditional agreement.
A month before, in January, CapitaLand announced it would undertake a strategic review of its investment in Australand with a possible block sale of its shares one possibility.
The last official word on a better offer for Australand was delivered by GPT chief executive Michael Cameron, who said at the group’s annual results briefing that he wouldn’t be talking about Australand but that GPT was “committed to advancing a proposal that is in the best interests of Australand and GPT securityholders”.
Street Talk speculates that a block trade of CapitaLand’s stake would “test the market’s appetite for listed real estate”.
The Australand share price has been on an upwards trajectory since GPT’s failed December bid rising from around $2.85 to currently trade above $3.64.
</body></html>

Bid trail for Australand goes cold as no fresh GPT offer emerges

<html><body>
Sydney house prices have increased more than any other capital city so far this year, rising 2.9% in the year to date, according to RP Data.
It was closely followed by Melbourne at 2.5% so far this year.
Over the last 12 months Perth has increased the most, at 4.8%, but a drop of 1.8% in the last month has put the year to date growth at 2.8%.
<img alt="rpdatacapitalsmay7one" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rpdatacapitalsmay7one.jpg" width="470" height="257">
<img alt="rpdatacapitalsmay7two" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rpdatacapitalsmay7two.jpg" width="470" height="190">
</body></html>

Sydney house price growth greater than other cities this year: RP Data

<html><body>
Anyone driving down the Chapel Street retail strip last week could have been forgiven for wondering if there was a run on the bank when a large crowd gathered outside the NAB branch.
In fact they'd gathered to attend an auction of the bank's premises.
Fitzroys agent Charles Emmett who alongside colleague David Bourke marketed the two-storey premise at 600 Chapel Street estimates a crowed of around 200 people gathered to watch the property sell under the hammer to a private Melbourne investor for $12.825 million.
<img alt="nabmay9one" height="312" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/nabmay9one.jpg">
“A lot of people were behind the photographer,” he tells Property Observer.
“It was a very big crowd.”
There were close to 160 enquiries registered over the course of the auction campaign and six under-bidders on the day.
Emmett says the price achieved, representing a yield of 4.6%, was above expectations with the building bringing in total income of $591,686 per annum.
The premises have been occupied by NAB since 1951 and last sold for $3.59 million in 1997.
The sale price equates to a compound annual growth rate of around 8%.
The bank occupies the ground floor of the property on five-plus-five year lease currently returning $506,115 per annum plus GST.
The first floor comprises commercial offices and is leased to Jagen Pty Ltd on a four-year deal beginning February 2010, and returning $85,571 per annum plus GST.
Emmett says he has sold quite a few retail premises on prominent retail strips since the start of the year including in the CBD, in Armadale, Camberwell and Prahan.
“There has been a surge in demand for retail investment property,” he says.
“Demand for retail property within close proximity to South Yarra’s high density ‘Forrest Hill’ precinct is at an all-time high as investors seek to leverage their returns off the strong local population growth fuelled by the dozens of new apartment towers in the area,” he adds.
In September last year, a refurbished two-storey retail strip property in Sydney’s Hurstville leased to NAB sold for $9.01 million at auction on  yield of 5.85%.
Also in September last year, a historic Parramatta bank, tenanted by Westpac, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/commercial/historic-parramatta-bank-sells-for-%2471-million/2012090956450">sold for $7.1 million to a Hong Kong-based investor.</a>
A more recent bank branch sale was the premises of an <a target="_blank" href="/news">ANZ bank branch in the Victorian heritage country town of Korumburra</a> in South East Gippsland has sold at auction today for $462,000.
It had pre-auction hopes of around $325,000 with bids starting $300,000.
There were around six bidders and the property sold on a yield of around 5.2%.
</body></html>

NAB branch auction brings the crowds to Chapel Street and sells under the hammer for $12.825 million 

<html><body>
Fast car driving - sleek and modern - public transit - photos waiting - blood and glass - three points of rain - carpet lining - seats reclining
Clever words on smooth tongue talking - shove it brother - just keep walking.
- lyrics to Just Keep Walking, INXS 1980
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.walkscore.com/">Walk Score</a> measures the number of typical consumer destinations within walking distance of a dwelling, with scores ranging from 0 (car dependant) to 100 (most walkable).
Recent overseas studies indicate that properties with above-average levels of walkability command a premium over homes with average levels of walkability.
In the United States, for example, an additional one point increase in a Walk Score is associated with a potential $3,000 increase in property value.
Our recent study of Brisbane also found a very strong correlation between a suburb’s Walk Score and a property’s investment performance.
Housing markets attach a positive value to living within easy walking distance of public transport, shopping, services, schools and quality open space.
Furthermore, an investment property value premium for walkability seems to be higher in more populous urban areas and in those locations with extensive public transit access, suggesting that the value gains associated with walkability are greatest when people have real alternatives to living without needing to use their car for most commutes.
It should be stressed that Walk Score’s measure of walkability captures not just the benefits associated with walking, but with greater accessibility generally.  For example, places with higher Walk Scores tend to have more mixed uses &amp; better transit services, and much of the value measured here may be attributable to those assets.
The average Walk Score for the greater Brisbane area is just 49 out of 100.
<a href="https://matusikmissive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Walkscore-Missive-hyperlink.pdf" target="_blank" title="Walk Score">Our study</a> across 24 Brisbane suburbs found that places with higher walkability achieved higher prices; grew faster in value; attracted higher rents (&amp; rental returns); had fewer vacancies &amp; less properties listed for resale.   Resale listings also sell faster in high Walk Score areas.
Everyone thinks their new development or property is better located than the next.  Tell them all to shove it brother, check out Walk Score and make up your own mind.
P.s. INXS’s debut self-titled album, for mine, was their best.  I am getting nostalgic in my old age and I fondly remember seeing INXS, Dragon (now I am showing my age) and Aussie Crawl on Cronulla Beach in the early 1980s. 30,000 people were rumoured to be there. It was INXS’s first big audience and Michael Hutchence sang with his back to the crowd. Hard to believe these days, hey!
Michael Matusik is the founder of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.matusik.com.au/">Matusik Property Insights</a>, which has helped over 550 new residential projects come to fruition.  Read <a target="_blank" href="https://www.matusikmissive.com.au/">Michael’s Blog</a> or follow him on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/ThinkMatusik?fref=ts">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/michaelmatusik" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or connect via <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmatusik">LinkedIn</a>.
</body></html>

Latest Investing Insights

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

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Investing Insights

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

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News