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]

Joel Robinson

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

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

A proposal to redevelop one of North Sydney's ageing commercial buildings has taken another step forward, with plans for a 38-storey mixed-use tower adding momentum to the long-awaited transformation of the Alfred Street precinct.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority-led State Significant Development pathway, the proposal for 271-273 Alfred Street would replace an underutilised commercial building with 95 apartments, ground-floor retail, commercial space and affordable housing. The proposal was submitted by&nbsp;Tara Shore Pty Ltd, acting for the John Taylor Family Trust.

While the project will deliver much-needed housing on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, it also represents another piece of a broader precinct that has spent years in planning limbo.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e1ce1b4-38df-48ab-992f-386814d86308" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20podium.png?VersionId=sC_h6w.A9VEoB98qsqowPlIoz__sBZBt" />

Despite its proximity to both North Sydney Station and the Victoria Cross Metro, redevelopment of Alfred Street has progressed slowly over the past decade as broader planning controls, zoning and building heights remained unresolved. The introduction of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway has provided a new avenue for projects to progress, allowing rezoning and development assessment to occur concurrently and unlocking sites that have long been earmarked for renewal.

Designed by Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder, the proposal seeks to do more than replace an ageing office building. The architects have positioned the project as the first stage of a wider public domain vision that would improve pedestrian connectivity and create a more cohesive mixed-use precinct as neighbouring sites are redeveloped over time.

The proposal includes a widened Alfred Street setback, new street trees, landscaping and outdoor seating, along with a landscaped through-site pedestrian link connecting Alfred Street with Little Alfred Street. The connection is intended to become the first section of a future east-west pedestrian network extending across the precinct.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ea39ac3-46ad-4562-b4a0-b862e91c2dda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20site.png?VersionId=K7umCd21KpetEFuVfsPlnJKhUOsmTTdV" />

The mixed-use tower would comprise retail space at ground level, commercial uses on level two and apartments from level three upwards.

In total, the development would deliver 95 apartments, including nine one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, 56 three-bedroom and two four-bedroom residences. Twenty-one apartments, representing 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area, would be secured as affordable housing and managed by a registered community housing provider for at least 15 years.

Nine basement levels would provide 133 resident car spaces, seven motorcycle spaces and 111 bicycle spaces.

According to the Architecture and Urban Design Report, the public domain strategy is designed to transform what is currently an inward-facing commercial edge into a more active and connected pedestrian environment, creating a stronger relationship between the commercial core and surrounding residential neighbourhoods.

Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder has also prepared a broader public domain framework spanning neighbouring properties between 263 and 283 Alfred Street, arguing that a coordinated approach to redevelopment will deliver better public spaces, improved tower separation and a more connected streetscape as the precinct evolves.

The proposal comes at a time where North Sydney is slated for future residential growth. Commercial developer FiveX has residential plans for the neighbouring site at 275 Alfred Street. They've proposed a 39-storey mixed-use tower with 184 apartments, while Freecity was recently approved for nearly 300 apartments across a 51-storey building on Walker Street.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-freecity-gets-green-light-for-mixed-use-apartment-and-hotel-tower-in-north-sydney">First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-plans-39-storey-residential-tower-in-booming-north-sydney">First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney</a>

&nbsp;

Alfred Street the latest North Sydney pocket to be transformed by residential development

Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

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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As an in commercial property, you need to fully appreciate where your profits actually come from.
In most cases, the key lies with your tenants, who provide you a steady stream of income.
So finding reliable tenants is crucial, which means understanding their needs and providing them with a suitable premises.
Therefore, it is essential that you continually anticipate exactly what your tenants are expecting.
And because good tenants are a vital part of the profit equation, you need to look for ways to inexpensively improve the value of your property by adapting it — with a simple upgrade, or perhaps a change of use — in order to attract better tenants going forward.
In any event, your net income from commercial property will generally be two to three times that for a residential property.
Lease terms are equally important
You'll find a good lease usually provides for rental increases at least in line with inflation. It may well also include conditions that limit rental falls, in times of an economic downturn.
The lease will usually include provision for regular rental reviews based upon market conditions.
The length of the lease may well vary — with smaller premises often attracting shorter lease periods, but probably at least three years.
For larger office buildings, a typical rent period might be for five to 10 years, with an option to renew for a further period. For large or purpose-built Industrial properties, the lease period may be 10 years — with an option to renew for a further 10 years.
The other main source of your profit is capital growth.
This may not always be as high as from residential property — because the supply and demand equation is different. Nonetheless, good opportunities are certainly present themselves — if you know what you're looking for.
Bottom line: Just as certain suburbs can go in and out of fashion with home owners, so commercial properties in a particular area can enjoy very strong demand.
For shops, that would be in a high-growth area. Whereas improved transportation facilities tend to boost the value of offices and warehouses — because of the easier access.
Next week, will run through some short-term investment strategies you may care to explore.
Chris Lang is an advisor to commercial property investors and gives keynote speeches and regular seminars on the best way to invest in commercial property. He maintains a blog, <a target="_blank" title="Chris Lang's blog" href="https://his-best.biz/">his-best.biz</a>, which he updates regularly about the best way to get the most out of your commercial property investment.
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How to profit from commercial property investment

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Queenslanders buying or building a new home worth less than $600,000 have just one more week to take advantage of the Queensland government’s $10,000 building boost grant.

Ahead of the April 30 deadline, there has been no announcement from the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/queensland-government-to-extend-building-boost-until-april/2012011253029">Newman government about a second extension of the building boost</a>.

The deferred September 11 Queensland budget is expected to provide details of new home building incentives.

The building boost scheme kicked on August 1 last year with the aim of “igniting” new home construction in the state following the January 2010 floods.

The Bligh government had set aside $140 million for the scheme, but it has enjoyed a poor take-up with just 1,200 applications lodged as of December, equating to $12 million in handouts.

It was due to end on January 31 before being extended for a further three months on January 13.

Those buying or building a new home or buying off the plan must have entered into a contract by April 30 to receive the grant. 

Completed application forms are only required by September 1, 2012.

The building boost is one of a number of state and territory home buying and building incentives that will be phased out over the coming months and years.

<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/resources/government-property-grants-and-stamp-duty-concessions-the-expiry-dates-you-need-to-know/2012041054208">Four schemes are set to expire on June 30 and another two on July 1</a>, among them the Victorian government’s $13,000 first home bonus and its $6,500 regional relocation grant.
 
 
 
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Queenslanders have one week left to secure $10,000 building boost 

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Paperwork has been prepared for the sale of Eiger Chalet, consisting of 66 bedrooms and a 100-room restaurant at Perisher in the NSW ski fields, at a post-auction $2.2 million sale price.
<img src="/images/stories/eiger.jpg">
The new owner will reportedly be Lincoln Pike, a doctor who has worked at Casey Station in Antarctica, as well as the Perisher medical centre.
It will be the first time the ski lodge, along with its White Spider restaurant in Perisher, has been sold since its construction by its original owners and builders, the Fischer family. Established in 1961, Eiger Chalet sits 100 metres from the Perisher chairlifts and 250 metres from the Perisher ski tube terminal.
<img src="/images/stories/eiger2.jpg">
The property's lease with the National Parks and Wildlife Service runs until 2025, with the potential of a 30-year extension to 2055. It was briefly listed for sale back in 1989 with $3.5 million hopes.
It was auctioned by Ray White Hotels Australia agent Andrew Jolliffe. More than $2.5 million had been tipped for the 2,000-square-metre leasehold offering, given the recent sale of the nearby 70-bedroom St Moritz for $3.2 million.
<img src="/images/stories/eiger3.jpg">
The ski lodge is the subject of a recent commemorative book, Eiger Chalet Fifty Years: 1961-2011 by Gil Boehm.
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 Fischer family sells Eiger Chalet at Perisher after five decades of ownership: Title Tattle

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The amount of rental stock available in each capital city has changed little in the past month, according to SQM Research. 
The vacancy rate has remained fairy static across all eight capitals, with the amount of stock available to rent increasing slightly in Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart and decreasing slightly in the other capitals. 
SQM Research director Louis Christopher says Perth's very low vacancy rate is concerning.
"Perth is now an area of major concern, with vacancies now sitting at an incredibly low 0.5%," Christopher says.
"This is consistent with evidence from other researchers reporting rapidly rising rents."
However, Christopher says the Hobart market is also problematic, but for the opposite reason.
“Hobart, on the other hand, is beginning to show signs of the opposite extreme, with vacancies doubling since this time last year and many localities recording vacancy rates above 4%. We are also seeing rising stock levels in this area, which in contrast to other capital cities which seem to suffer from one or the other, reveals that Hobart is being hit with an oversupply issue from both sides.”
 
 
<img src="/images/stories/10738.gif">
The amount of stock available to rent in Melbourne in March 2012, according to SQM Research. This represents a vacancy rate of 2.9% and is up from the 8,763 properties available to rent in March 2011.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/8198.gif">
The amount of stock available to rent in Sydney in March 2012, according to SQM Research. This represents a vacancy rate of 1.5% and is up from the 6,454 properties available to rent in March 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/4205.gif">
The amount of stock available to rent in Brisbane in March 2012, according to SQM Research. This represents a vacancy rate of 1.5% and is up from the 4,289 properties available to rent in March 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2365.gif">
The amount of stock available to rent in Adelaide in March 2012, according to SQM Research. This represents a vacancy rate of 1.4% and is up from the 1,689 properties available to rent in March 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/936.gif">
The amount of stock available to rent in Perth in March 2012, according to SQM Research. This represents a vacancy rate of 0.5% and is down from the 1,462 properties available to rent in March 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/678.gif">
The amount of stock available to rent in Hobart in March 2012, according to SQM Research. This represents a vacancy rate of 2.4% and is up from the 328 properties available to rent in March 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/346.gif">
The amount of stock available to rent in Canberra in March 2012, according to SQM Research. This represents a vacancy rate of 0.8% and is up from the 257 properties available to rent in March 2011.
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/142.gif">
The amount of stock available to rent in Darwin in March 2012, according to SQM Research. This represents a vacancy rate of 0.6% and is down from the 470 properties available to rent in March 2011.
 
 
 
 
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How much stock is available to rent in your capital city: A state-by-state analysis: SQM Research

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With so much talk about today's ABS inflation data and the potential ramifications this will have for the RBA's rates decision at its May board meeting, I thought I would pull together my own "cheat sheet".  In brief, this guide combines the March quarter "core" inflation numbers with the inflation measured over the preceding three quarters to give a March 2012 year-on-year result. The RBA has become increasingly wary of historical revisions to the ABS's underlying inflation data (known as the "trimmed mean" and "weighted median"), and it is likely to place significant emphasis on the broader results over the last six and 12 months.  By way of background, the RBA has worked hard to prepare the public and financial markets for a cut in May subject to the outcome of the March price data. Predicting a cut if inflation prints low is easy. The much more difficult challenge was anticipating the RBA's decision to hold rates steady in February, March, and April, which caught some experts unawares.  Of the 22 economists polled by Bloomberg (I have also added in the ALP's Stephen Koukoulas), none are predicting an especially high core ("trimmed mean") inflation print: the maximum quarterly estimate is 0.7% from Credit Suisse, JP Morgan, and Nomura (see first chart below). At least seven economists are expecting a relatively low core inflation number of 0.5%. Given the currency appreciation, declining import prices, weak producer prices, and various surveys pointing to benign retail prices, it's possible that inflation is assessed to be even lower than 0.5%.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/april231.gif"><img src="/images/stories/april231thumb.gif"></a>
Of course, the flipside of this coin would be an upside surprise. Nobody is projecting inflation breaching the top of the RBA's target 2% to 3% per annum band in the March quarter. A positive "surprise" would be anything greater than 0.7%. It is also interesting to observe that the economists' year-on-year expectations are all universally anodyne. Only two houses (Credit Suisse and Nomura) are predicting that the 12 monthly result with hit the mid-point of the RBA's target band at 2.5%, which is where the RBA believes inflation currently stands. Every other forecaster has a year-on-year number below the mid-point of the target band, which opens the door to RBA rate cuts. A curve-ball here are substantial revisions to the third- and fourth-quarter data from last year, which could mean that even with a soft first-quarter number year-on-year inflation stays at or above the mid-point of the RBA's band.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/april232.gif"><img src="/images/stories/april232thumb.gif"></a>
 The question is then what all of this means for what the RBA (or, more precisely, its board) decide to do in May. I've taken the RBA's latest estimates of core inflation in Australia over 2011 and combined these with a range of hypothetical outcomes in March. I've then offered up my own opinion of what the RBA might do – subject to global events, revisions to past data, and changes to bank lending rates – in the far right-hand-side column.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/april233.gif"><img src="/images/stories/april233thumb.gif"></a>
Christopher Joye is a leading financial economist and a director of <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au/savings/index.cfm">Yellow Brick Road Funds Management</a> and Rismark. The above article is not investment advice.
 
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What inflation means for RBA interest rates in May: Christopher Joye

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The number of foreign investment purchases receiving approval more than doubled last year as a result of the government's increased scrutiny of house buying by temporary residents, according to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) annual report.
Some 9,770 approvals were given to property acquisitions during 2010-11 year compared with the 3,897 approvals in 2009-10.
The increase is largely attributable to the reintroduction from April 2010 of the screening of temporary residents purchasing residential real estate.
The changes mean that all temporary residents and foreign non-residents seeking to invest in Australian real estate have been brought within the notification, screening and approval process.
Approved proposed residential investment totalled $41.5 billion in 2010-11, compared with $20 billion in 2009-10, a big jump because of the different approval requirements. More than 80% of the approvals involved property costing less than $1 million.
Chinese buyers dominated the list, with some 5,000 approvals which were mostly residential, along with some agricultural and mining acquisitions. Next on the list was the United Kingdom (1000), followed by Malaysia (896), then Singapore (536), South Africa (347) and India (320).
Across all sectors the United States was the largest source of proposed foreign investment in Australia, but mostly in the services industry and manufacturing.
The mineral exploration and mining development sector remained the largest industry sector by value of approvals, albeit with just 222 approvals.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/firbapril23.jpg" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/firbapril23thumb.jpg"></a>
Victoria’s residential approvals totalled 4,400, with NSW the next busiest sale for approvals at 2,600, then Queensland with 1,270 acquisitions, and WA with 812 acquisitions, South Australia with 432, the ACT's 129 and Tasmania on 44 and the NT with 16 acquisitions.
Real estate purchases made up around a quarter of the total $177 billion invested nationally during the last financial year, with real estate investments worth $41.5 billion approved in 2010-11.
The annual report suggests there might be an overstatement when it comes to off-the-plan approvals as the approved developers may fall short in the likely extent of actual foreign purchases. The value of investment reported against annual program approvals represents the maximum amount foreign persons may acquire under the program.
The report notes the year has been characterised by continued media and community interest in foreign investment, notably in agricultural land and businesses.
“This area has also been the subject of a number of parliamentary inquiries and hearings and proposals for legislative change.
“The board has closely monitored the policy issues in this area,” it notes.
But while a heated debate rages about foreign investors buying farms and agricultural assets, the latest report shows foreigners are actually more likely to be buying houses, off-the-plan units and commercial property.
And in 2010-11, just 43 proposals – and 42 were property proposals – were rejected.
About half the real estate purchases came with conditions which included the time during which development must commence, and also requiring temporary residents to reside in and then sell established dwellings when they cease to reside in them.
The new tightened approval and selling requirements came in April 2010 after television and the print tabloid media, especially reporting on Melbourne’s auction scene, had numerous stories about Australians being outbid by Chinese buyers.
The government tightened foreign investment rules relating to residential property even setting up a little-utilised 1800 hotline for locals to report suspicious property buyers.
The then assistant treasurer Senator Nick Sherry said at the time: “The Rudd government is acting to make sure that investment in Australian real estate by temporary residents and foreign non-residents, is within the law, meets community expectations and doesn’t place pressure on housing availability for Australians.”
Brian Wilson has been appointed as chair of the Foreign Investment Review Board for a five-year period, succeeding John Phillips, who retired after having served 15 years on the board earlier this month.
 
 
 
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Number of foreign investment residential approvals more than doubles as government scrutinises more transactions

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The Soul Penthouse on the Gold Coast – purchased off the plan in late 2006 for $16.85 million – is on the market again as its nears completion and initial settlement.
It is a four-level penthouse with six bedrooms on the 70th floor of the Cavill Avenue building. There’s a private internal Italian glass lift and staircase.
It’s being marketed by Karyn O’Dea of Ray White Robina Varsity, who says there’s nothing like it in Australia.
“From every angle you are greeted with breathtakingly beautiful uninterrupted views of Surfers Paradise’s golden beaches and the Pacific Ocean,” O’Dea, who is advertising the property worldwide, says.
Set 240 metre above Surfers Paradise beach, the penthouse has 1,040 square metres of space.
“The current owner, who is involved in one of the largest equipment hire businesses in Australia, now has a young family so he’s putting it on the market,” O’Dea says, indicating it is more likely suited a bachelor.
“It’s really the world’s best bachelor pad,” she says.
No price guide has yet been given, and the identity of the seller has not been splashed around in the press.
Offers are due mid-June on the penthouse with Ray White. The pictures below show the Soul lower-level facilities.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/april23penthouse2]}
Initially due for completion in 2010, the Juniper Group's Soul development is running behind schedule, with its staggered settlement set to continue until mid-year.
Securing settlements of some of the lower 288 apartments has been a challenge for the developer, given the Gold Coast downturn.
The initial sales of the Soul apartments were undertaken in late 2004, when in a coup of timing some $200 million was secured from 126 sales following its Boxing Day 2004 release.
<img src="/images/stories/soulpenthouse.jpg">
Prices started at $1.05 million, with the penthouse coming with a $16.75 million asking price. By October 2006 some 150 units worth $300 million had been exchanged, including the penthouse.
The penthouse is listed by Ray White in conjunction with John Ashmore from Knobel &amp; Davis Property Services.
Its specifications are:
Level 70 Indoor Living Area: 119m2 Outdoor Living Area: 47m2 Level 71 Indoor Living Area: 205m2 Outdoor Living Area: 164m2 Level 72 Indoor Living Area: 190m2 Outdoor Living Area: 135m2 Level 73 Outdoor Living Area: 180m2 
Penthouse apartment photos are a montage which come with envisaged overlayed interior design impressions
 
 
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Gold Coast Soul Penthouse on market as it nears overdue completion

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The Albany and Bloomfield boutique motel, located on Millswyn Street, South Yarra has been sold for about $13 million.
Property Observer understands the buyer intends to entertain plans for its residential future. Its been reportedly sold to Oakton computing chief Paul Holyoake, according to Fairfax Media
<img src="/images/stories/albanyhote.jpg">
The 2,152-square-metre holding with Toorak Road frontage includes the 1890s Bloomfield Hotel, which is part bound by heritage overlay controls. It sold after KordaMentha appointed CBRE's Mark Wizel and Scott Orchard to market the property in conjunction with Kay &amp; Burton's Michael Gibson and Nicole Gleeson. Sally Bloomfield, billed as a social doyenne since the 1980s, was the vendor company director, with Ian Robinson its only shareholder.
In 2010 it was reported by The Weekly Review that the hoteliers Ian Robertson and Sally Bloomfield were changing their lifestyle deciding to pursue hotel interests in Bali.
The site had 81 rooms, restaurant and bar, 24 car bays and roof top pool. It was marketed as having suitable use as a low-density prestige quality development with potential refurbishment of the historic mansion and subdivision. The 1890s mansion was originally owned by a businessman who imported panama hats, according to Robertson, who pioneered the Q-Bars of Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
The Albany and adjacent flats were built during the late 1950s or early 1960s and were owned by the Gishen family, who operated a guesthouse. Robertson has a background in architecture, including retrofitting 1960s hotels in the United States.
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South Yarra’s Albany boutique hotel sells for about $13 million

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Last week the former Commonwealth Bank CEO Ralph Norris went out on an apparently shaky limb with his brave statement that a budget surplus is "an almost mindless commitment". But he should be applauded for his strong belief. It is that same strength of conviction that will hold a branch firmly to a tree of thought and ensure that millions of Australians can safely join him on it. 
The analogy that comes to mind in relation to the federal government is that of the captain of the ill-fated Titanic who ignored all warnings of the danger of hidden icebergs along the route and even put on speed, until the ship inevitably hit one and disappeared below the icy water. 
There is a fundamental flaw in the government’s plan to achieve a budget surplus. It is simply that while on the journey toward that final destination, it runs the risk of demoralising the entire population through spending cuts. 
The policy of “give with one hand and take away with the other” is a recipe for disaster, and the inevitable nemesis will be a crushing defeat at the next general election. 
When people lose hope in the future they lose their spirit and their drive to move forward. They languish and procrastinate while hoping to hear any good news at all that will signal them to optimism. The Aussie spirit has always been based on hard work, enthusiasm and a determination to succeed. The final objective of all of us is to own our own home, but the current property market has almost stalled. 
In a worthy attempt to “to ease the pain of the market” Tim McKibbin, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW),<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/tax/pay-as-you-go-stamp-duty-scheme-needed-for-first-home-buyers-reinsw/2012041654290" target="_blank"> has proposed pay-as-you-go stamp duty for first-home buyers</a>. This idea and a suggestion of cutting red tape and loosening planning controls are both positive, but it remains to be seen if the NSW government will actually introduce them. 
Let’s face it, we cannot point the finger solely at the GFC or Europe and America’s economic woes. The federal government has to accept a large portion of the blame for our own financial malaise, and they need to do something about it in positive terms that the nation can take as a series of immediate initiatives to stimulate the economy. 
The truth is that the current feeling of pessimism has little to do with unemployment or the closure of factories. Interest rates are lower than they have been for decades. So why is there a feeling of doom and gloom? 
It is about the perception that people have of the economy and the future ahead. We are actually saving more money than we have for years, for the simple reason that we are too scared to spend it. Each of us of course has a different perception of the value of money, so one dollar to me may be worth two to someone else, or vice versa. 
In 1947, Abba Lerner wrote an article entitled “Money as a Creature of the State”, in which he commented that economists had largely abandoned the idea that the value of money was closely linked to gold. He argued that responsibility for avoiding inflation and economic depression lay with the state because of its ability to create or tax money. 
No truer word said.
In last week’s news I was delighted to read a comment by the straight-talking John Symond of Aussie Home Loans who coincidentally supported the suggestion I made in a recent column entitled With pessimism lingering in the property market, the RBA must cut rates in May that the RBA cut the cash rate by 50 basis points next month. He also called for “an injection of good news and an injection of confidence”. 
What the central bank does later on in the year will again depend on inflation figures. The point is that it needs to take bold action now to stimulate the economy and restore vital confidence. 
The following quote reminds me of the onerous responsibility held by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the duty of fair play by the banks to avoid profiteering: 
“A prince, who should enact that a certain proportion of his taxes should be paid in a paper money of a certain kind, might thereby give a certain value to this paper money; even though the term of its final discharge and redemption should depend altogether on the will of the prince.” Adam Smith, Scottish pioneer of political economy (1723-1790) in An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
Tim Mansfield is a 30-year global  veteran in the real estate industry and Founder and CEO of Sydney-based buyers’ agents <a href="https://www.primepropertybuyer.com" target="_blank">PrimePropertyBuyer</a>. You can follow Tim on Twitter by clicking <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/tim_mansfield">here</a>.
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Federal government is largely responsible for current financial malaise

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Australians look at the Reserve Bank’s cash rate announcement on the first Tuesday of each month and make decisions based on it. And the RBA has been charged (mainly) with keeping inflation in the “target” range of 2% to 3%.
However, key parts of this structure have been breaking down into a new order.
Part of this breakdown is the extent to which inflation and growth affect the general economy. That is, if there’s wage inflation in Western Australian mining is there also wage inflation in Victorian manufacturing? Or, if the economy is growing at 3.5%, does that mean all Australians in all industries?
Investment in mining rose by 60% during the year while investment in the non-mining sectors was flat. And while the unemployment rate has remained at around 5.25% for more than six months, in the March quarter there were employment increases in mining, health and public administration while there were declines in manufacturing, retail and accommodation/food.
But the RBA can only react to the averaged numbers, so many householders feel official interest rates have been raised to head off inflation that they have not benefited from.
Perhaps the clearest sign of a structural change lies in how the major banks now react to the Reserve Bank. For 20 years the major banks set their variable rate loans according to where the RBA set the cash rate. But lately, variable rate loans have been moving independent of the Reserve Bank.
The current average margin on variable rate loans in this country is 2.4%, whereas 10 years ago it was around 1.4%. This creates a liquidity problem.
Because the residential mortgage market is so profitable for the banks, they are now concentrating their lending in that market, to the detriment of business lending, which is less secure and more costly to distribute and manage.
This is creating a bulge in our economy: banks are pumping funds into home loans while many business owners can’t get finance.
I don’t advocate regulating the markets, because regulators typically distort before they remedy. But there’s a case for using incentives to alter the structural problems.
A first step could be to foster competition by encouraging our regional banks and foreign banks to compete in mortgage lending.
There are tax incentives that could be used, and there are models where the Australian government could guarantee the small and non-banks, and not the big banks.
It doesn’t matter how we get there, but we do need more competition in lending. Competition will bring down the margins on variable rate mortgages and lure the big banks towards business lending again, where they can charge higher margins.
The market is actually poised to correct itself, but there has to be an incentive.
And what about the broader structural problems in the economy? Don’t blame the Reserve Bank: it only has interest rates to use against a dynamic set of forces that haven’t yet settled into their new shape.
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ybr.com.au/">Yellow Brick Road</a>, a financial services company offering home loans, financial planning, accounting and tax, and insurance. He runs a <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/markbouris" target="_blank">Q&amp;A session on Twitter</a> every Monday afternoon at 4pm for small business owners using the hashtag #bizQandA.
 
 
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