<p data-end="256" data-start="0"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.</p>

<p data-end="446" data-start="258">The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.</p>

<p data-end="645" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="448">Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.</p>

<p>The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.</p>

<p>The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”</p>

<p data-end="626" data-start="350">Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.</p>

<p data-end="928" data-start="628">“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”</p>

<p data-end="1147" data-start="930">Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.</p>

<p data-end="1510" data-start="1149">“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”</p>

<p data-end="1510" data-start="1149"><img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.</p>

<p>Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.</p>

<p>The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.</p>

<p>The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.</p>

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" dir="auto">
<p data-end="305" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.</p>
</section>


Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

<p style="text-align:start">The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.</p>

<p>The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.</p>

<p>Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.</p>

<p>The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.</p>

<p>As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.</p>

<p><img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" /></p>

<p>The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.</p>

<p>An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.</p>

<p>The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.</p>

<p>Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.</p>

<p>“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.</p>

<p>“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.</p>

<p>“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.</p>

<p>“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”</p>


Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

<p>Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.</p>

<p>A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.</p>

<p>Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.</p>

<p>“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.</p>

<p>Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.</p>

<p>“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.</p>

<p>The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.</p>

<p>It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.</p>

<p>The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.</p>

<p>One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.</p>

<p>Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.</p>

<p>The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.</p>

<p>Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.</p>

<p>Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.</p>

<p>Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.</p>

<p>“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”</p>

<p>Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.</p>

<p>Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.</p>

<p>Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.</p>


400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

<p>Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.</p>

<p>The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.</p>

<p>Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" /></p>

<p>“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.</p>

<p>The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”</p>

<p>The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" /></p>

<p>The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.</p>

<p>According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.</p>

<p>“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.</p>

<p>A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.</p>

<p>Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" /></p>

<p>All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.</p>

<p>The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.</p>


Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

<p>Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.</p>

<p>The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.</p>

<p>Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" /></p>

<p>Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.</p>

<p>The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.</p>

<p>"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.</p>

<p>The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.</p>

<p>The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" /></p>

<p>Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.</p>

<p>Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.</p>


First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

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


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

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

<p>The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.</p>

<p>While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.</p>

<p>It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.</p>

<p>Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.</p>

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="252" data-start="225">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong data-end="413" data-start="389">Stamp Duty Benefits:</strong> Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.</p>

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Benefits</strong>: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.</p>

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="920" data-start="893">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong data-end="1162" data-start="1135">Stamp Duty Concessions:</strong> Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.</p>

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Concessions:</strong> Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.</p>

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="1617" data-start="1590">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.</p>

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Relief:</strong> Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.</p>

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant</strong>: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Exemption</strong>: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.</p>

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Exemption</strong>: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).</p>

<p><em>Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.</em></p>


Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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


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

Staff Writer

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

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


alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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


Ellen Walker

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

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


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

<html><body>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">It's pretty much a given that if you are developing property, then you will encounter problems.</span></p>
<p>Over time, I've learnt how to deal with these fun little things that crop up. They used to stress me out and ruin my day, I found myself naturally wanting to jump into action to solve the problem as quickly as possible.</p>
<p>But I've learnt over time to sit with it.</p>
<p>Mulling the problem over from different angles allows other options to come up. This process doesn't need too much time, but sometime it needs a different perspective.</p>
<p>One problem-solving technique you should master as a property developer  is changing perspectives to redefine the problem.</p>
<p>Here's an example.</p>
<p>We received our builder's quote on a multi unit development project and it came in a bit higher than we estimated.</p>
<p>Our client had requested some specific detail in the exterior design that had an impact on the cost that posed risk of over capitalising.</p>
<p>Rather than do the obvious which would be to pare back the design and remove the expensive items, I sat with the issue for a day. We were looking at it from two clear perspectives; cost and design. But were there other perspectives to consider? Yes.</p>
<p>Another perspective I looked at was yield or return. Was the design items going to impact on the end use? Who was the end user?</p>
<p>In this case, it was a tenant because our client was building to hold and lease. One of our goals was to optimise the rental return. Would the upgrade bring in more rent? To be honest, no. The upgrade may make the dwelling a little more appealing but the bottom line was it wouldn't increase the yield.</p>
<p>Another important perspective for Property Bloom was to make our client happy. Whilst our job is to ensure the most efficient outcome, we also want our clients to feel they've participated in the process, if that is important to them - it may not be to some clients but it is to others.</p>
<p> Our solution was to look at other areas of the development that we could save costs on. We were able to simplify the roof design without any considerable difference in appearance and no difference in function. So the cost savings in the roof trusses and materials allowed us to spend on the upgrades our client really wanted.</p>
<p>Our solution to the problem didn't compromise the project but in fact, enhanced it.</p>
<p>A little perspective can go a long way. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Jo Chivers is chief executive officer of property development project managers <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/about" target="_blank">Property Bloom</a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

jochivers-wq5Bp59R5a

Solving a property development problem using perspective: Jo Chivers

<html><body>
<p class="Body">The overwhelming weight of expert commentary has rubbished Macquarie Bank’s forecast of major price decline in the next 12 months.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p class="Body">Some media has presented Macquarie’s simplistic analysis, based on Australian as a single property market with a very specific price prediction, as the gospel according to irrefutable economists. But most coverage has been a counter-attack from credible commentators presenting more considered and realistic views of next year’s markets.</p>
<p>Aussie Home Loans chief John Symond said "there's buckley's chance of a price correction." As Property Observer reported on 22 October, Symond told a Sydney investment conference that Sydney's market was nearing its peak, <a href="/news/sydneys-booming-residential-property-market-was-nearing-peak-john-symond">with “steam coming out of the market and sanity coming in”</a>, and predicted a more flat market – but no across-the-board decreases.</p>
<p>And he observed, quite correctly, that there would be differences from one area to the next. "Hot areas will still see a 7-9% gain, in other areas you might see 3-4% and in some other areas a 5% drop," he said. "You have to do your homework."<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p class="Body">Yes, indeed. That is a far more reasoned assessment of the near future than Macquarie’s prediction of a blanket 7.5% decline, apparently everywhere.</p>
<p class="Body">Louis Christopher of SQM Research has predicted house price growth in 2016 but at a slower pace than recent years. As an experienced analyst, he knows better than to make a generalised forecast that covers the whole nation as a single market. He has different forecasts for each city and includes three different forecast scenarios in each case, dependent on key events including economic growth, interest rates and the value of the Australian dollar.</p>
<p>In the latest edition of <em>Housing Boom and Bust Report</em> from SQM Research, he predicted Sydney prices will rise between 4% and 9% next year. Melbourne is forecast to overtake Sydney and be the best-performing capital city in 2016 with a rise of between 8% and 13%.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>Christopher said the market overall is unlikely to see price decline for a number of reasons, including the Australian dollar, which is tipped to stay at current low levels or fall further, providing a buffer to the economy and the housing market.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>Raine &amp; Horne executive chairman Angus Raine believes the Macquarie prediction is difficult to substantiate given the current performance of major property markets. He said the level of demand for property and the depth to the market do not indicate a major correction.</p>
<p>Veronica Morgan, the principal of <em>Good Deeds Property Buyers</em> based in Sydney’s inner west, quite rightly criticised the bank for broadcasting the prediction without considering markets on a micro scale.</p>
<p>“It really annoys me when bank PR people get hold of some economic data and suddenly an impending drop in the property market is front-page news,” she said. “Why can I say that this latest prediction will not come true? Because there is really no such thing as an Australian property market. Look at any national property data and you will see that no two capital cities perform in the same way.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>“And then there are regional markets that all have their own cycles to consider. So how can anybody make a claim that the entire country is over-priced or ready for a fall? Even within Sydney there are dozens, probably hundreds, of micro markets."</p>
<p>Business commentator Peter Switzer said the bank forecast "bordered on being stupid", while Andrew Wilson, the senior economist at Domain's Australian Property Monitors, said it was “unbelievably unlikely”.</p>
<p>Wilson noted that, in the past decade, there had not been any national annual drops of more than 5%. “Even in periods where we had prices falling, such as during 2008 when it was the global financial crisis, the national house price fell by just under 4%,” Wilson said.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>Stockland chief Mark Steinert expects house prices to continue to rise next year. His forecast is 3% to 5%.</p>
<p>"There has been quite a lot of talk going on for quite a long time now about the imminent downturn in housing, but no one has mentioned that it hasn't actually eventuated," Steinert told a Property Council lunch in Melbourne.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>"The reality is the economy in Australia is growing at a moderate level of around 2.5%. We have a low Australian dollar, continued population growth (albeit at a slower rate) and metro housing markets that are generally under-supplied. These are not the pre-conditions for some sort of general correction in housing."</p>
<p>There have numerous other commentators on the issue and the general theme is that there will be price growth in 2016 - but, in the case of Sydney especially, the rate of growth will be less.</p>
<p class="Body">An alternative view has come from accident-prone Shane Oliver, AMP Capital’s chief economist, who is predicting price decline but not until 2017.</p>
<p class="Body">Oliver has probably the worst track record of any economist in predicting real estate events. I could fill several pages with examples, but basically he believes housing is “over-valued” and has been predicting a significant correction for most of the past 10 years.</p>
<p class="Body"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">He clearly is one of those, not unlike another failed forecaster Steve Keen, who believes that if you keep making the same prediction year after year, you’ll eventually get it right.</span></p>
<p class="Body">So Shameless Shane was out there in the media again recently expounding his bubble theories, with claims of over-valuation of housing and predictions that property prices would fall “between 5% and 10%” - which might happen “around 2017”.</p>
<p class="Body"> </p>
<p class="Body"><em>Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></em></p>
</body></html>

terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Experts rubbish Macquarie Bank's price decline forecast: Terry Ryder

<html><body>
<p><span>On CoreLogic-RP Data's Index, prices in Melbourne and Sydney have accelerated over the past quarter to an astonishing pace, though this index probably lags.</span><br><br><span>Prices are reported as up for the year, quarter...and even the day...for all capital cities in the index.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/12/RPD%20Sea%20of%20GReen.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/08/12/RPD%20Sea%20of%20GReen.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

A new high for Australian home values: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>I <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">was left eating humble pie this week following comments I made in an interview that appeared in the </span><em style="line-height: 1.3em;">Australian Financial Review</em><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> pertaining to the federal government’s announcement that another six homes had been identified as being acquired illegally and a further 462 sales under investigation. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">My response was “It’s nothing more than a PR stunt and a distraction. It’s been done for feel-good cuddles” – how wrong was I.</span></p>
<p>Later that day, I received an email from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) boss heading up this investigation which (politely) outlined the detail of their inquiry which clearly identified the magnitude of this investigation which earnestly commenced in May this year. Owners of property bought illegally must voluntarily contact the ATO prior to 1 November 2015 to receive an amnesty of not being prosecuted.</p>
<p>Now once and for all, we will find out exactly what’s been happening as I have been saying for quite some time that this is rife within the real estate industry. It will be fascinating to see what recommendations are made and then implemented. I have been a strong proponent of tax file numbers being provided to the ATO on the exchange of contracts for every residential sale. It will also be interesting to see if the 100% selling ratio for all new developments is brought back to 50% as it was in 2008? Opening up our property markets to international exposure has certainly led to rapid price growth from Asian property investors.</p>
<p>Australia had a record number of 1.7 million international tourists visit last year which included a 21% surge from China.</p>
<p>This inquiry is timely given the number of recent global warnings of money laundering in real estate where Sydney and Melbourne have been suggested as hot spots. Residential property in Australia is the single largest and most valuable asset class worth an estimated $5.7 trillion. Sydney now ranks third in the world for luxury residential annual price growth according to Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Index. Sydney’s 12.5% growth now sits just behind Miami on 13.9% and Vancouver on 15% annual price growth. The report also identified that “a year ago eight cities recorded double – digit annual price growth. This quarter only four cities fell within this bracket.”</p>
<p>China’s shock devaluation significantly raises the risk that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will be forced to cut the cash rate further which is a worst case scenario for the RBA. More particularly when this week Deputy Governor Philip Lowe said “Given the position of household balance sheets, it is unlikely to be in our long – term interest for a consumption boom to be financed by a pick –up in household borrowing.”</p>
<p>“Ever-rising house prices, relative to our incomes, do increase risks in the economy and are unlikely to make us better off as a nation. Rising housing prices are best matched by rising incomes.”</p>
<p>Then of course we will have to wait to see how many divestment orders are issued by the ATO where hopefully the owners won’t be allowed to “flip” which was the case when Villa del Mare was issued with the first divestment order a few months back.</p>
<p>Another interesting aspect will be closely watching the Sydney and Melbourne clearance rates now that it is very clear the role that the ATO is playing with their pursuit of illegal purchases given that I am not the only one who thought this was all political shirt-fronting.</p>
<h5>MOSMAN – 2088</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 63</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 48</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this week – 47</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 55</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 41</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 40</p>
<h5>CREMORNE – 2090</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 7</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 3</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this week – 2</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 14</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 30</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 18</p>
<h5>NEUTRAL BAY – 2089</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 4</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 2</p>
<p>•Number of houses on the market this week – 2</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year– 36</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 26</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 25</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><span>ROBERT SIMEON</span> is a director of </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM" rel="nofollow">Richardson Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay</a> </em><em>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. <br>He has also been writing real estate blog </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News" rel="nofollow">Virtual Realty News</a> </em><em>since 2000. </em></p>
</body></html>

robertsimeon-hRNTwJyXkQ

Federal government property taskforce not for feel-good cuddles: Robert Simeon

<html><body>
<div>There's a theory that hosing down investor demand should have no impact on rents.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>That's because <em>in theory</em> for every property that isn't bought by an investor, an owner-occupier buys instead, and thus  the balance of supply and demand for rental properties remains unchanged. <br><br>In the real world capital city property markets don't work like that. In reality, many are renters either by choice or by circumstance, such as new graduates, transient employees, international or interstate visitors, and other folk who prefer taking a rental close to the city to ownership in the outer suburbs. Many others simply don't have an available deposit saved, so buying is not an option for them. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As such rental growth is to a large extent determined by the growth in demand for rentals - underpinned over time by population growth - and by the relative activity of investors. For example, rents in Australian capital cities (and especially Sydney) boomed in 1986 and again in 2008 both of which were periods when investor buying had crashed in half.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/04/11/A2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/04/11/A2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>For this reason it will be interesting to see what impact APRA's crackdown has on apartment rents in Sydney.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I've rented out several properties in Sydney in recent months, all of them for more than last year. However, the properties in question are in high demand areas such as on the Sydney harbourside, and as such are not likely to be very representative of what is happening in construction pockets like, say, Parramatta or Green Square. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Domain reported last week that as at March 2016 Sydney apartment rents were up by +4.0 per cent of 2016 from one year ago to a record median high of $520/week, with apartment rents now nearly as high as median house rents of $530/week in the harbour city. CoreLogic-RP Data has Sydney apartment rents +3.4 per cent higher than one year ago, and SQM Research records an increase of +5.7 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>To date this may in part simply be due to newer stock coming online, which typically is advertised for rent at higher prices than the older stock it often replaces. And we shouldn't be expecting runaway growth in rents any time soon, since investor activity is still at a historically high level, even after APRA's dampening of the buy-to-let sector.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>While it's still early days, this trend is certainly one to watch. Markets are quite complex beasts when you drill into the detail, with endless subtle balances and counter-balances, and in an expensive capital city such as Sydney with a growing population rental growth is likely to continue to have an inverse relationship to investor activity. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Another trend that is worth watching I looked at here, and that is that inner Sydney vacancy rates have tightened while vacancy rates in secondary and outers areas of Sydney are rising.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A question for today, then: could it be that foreign buyers of apartments are leaving their inner city units vacant?</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FIRB data curve ball</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>In the 1980s Japanese buyers famously  bought heavily into Gold Coast property, but then promptly withdrew funds as the economic outlook soured. As I mused in some detail here, the FIRB data shows that through this cycle there has been an unprecedented surge in Chinese investment in Australian real estate, on a scale never before seen.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/04/11/FIRB4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/04/11/FIRB4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>If you've been following some of my pieces over the years, you'll know that I aim to identify new trends well before you read about them in the wider media, which of course sometimes means being wrong. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the topic of localised apartment oversupply, such as in Sydney's inner south, for example, I was yapping on about this emerging risk way back in 2013, long before it ever became a standard media topic <em>du jour</em>.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In that spirit, here's a possible anti-counter-contrarian view for you: maybe the high-rise building approvals boom won't prove to be such a big a deal after all? There are plenty of risk areas around, for sure, including some already alluded to above, but here are some lines of reasoning to consider:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>-<a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/immigration-alley-oop" target="_blank">i</a>mmigration is rising again - and therefore so is population growth - while the construction boom will soon pass its peak</div>
<div> </div>
<div>-in the most populous capital cities at least, annual population growth never really slowed down anyway: it's still tracking at monumentally strong levels in Greater Sydney (+83,300 in FY2015) and Melbourne (+91,600)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>-the numbers of international students forecast to immigrate into the largest cities is vast - I mean, really vast </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/04/11/A5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/04/11/A5.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>-although the take-up of permanent residency by international students to date has not yet been as strong as had been suggested by earlier forecasts, the cumulative intake over the next five years is expected to be truly enormous.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/04/11/A6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/04/11/A6.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>-the most timely available indicators of education arrivals suggest an unprecedented boom is well underway, with another new record high hit in the month of February.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/04/11/A2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/04/11/A2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>-with about 58 per cent of new construction approvals accounted for by foreign  buyers, especially driven by buyers from the Chinese mainland, many may choose not to rent their apartments out, and as such, might not add to the new supply of rental stock at all.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Absorption?</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Mostly these are familiar points. Certainly both Sydney (35,231) and Melbourne (32,614) have approved a historically high number of attached dwellings over the past year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/04/11/BA3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/04/11/BA3.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, some of these apartments are destined to forever remain in the "approved but not yet commenced" column, approvals are now trending down again, and in the grand scheme of things although there are certainly many cranes on the horizon, these are not outlandish numbers for cities of such a large and expanding population (Greater Sydney will blaze past 5 million in the next few months).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Moreover, the latest FIRB data show that the Chinese appetite for the purchase of new dwellings through this cycle is statistically unique. What if those Chinese buyers opt to rent out the apartments only on a short-stay basis? Or save them for their soon-to-be international student offspring? Or, most likely, simply never bother to ever bring them to market at all?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Suddenly Australia's apparent inner city apartment glut, represented by the green line below, could prove to be yet another doomsday scenario that never eventuates.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/04/11/BA1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/04/11/BA1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>This is mostly conjecture, and it's not necessarily a base case, or even probable. And there are plenty of risks for the new and high-rise apartment markets in particular, as we have known now for some years.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Settlement risks are now considerably higher than they were, with increased deposit requirements. And what if there are legislative changes in China which force sales and repatriation of funds? This may not seem rational or realistic, but then again nobody forecast the scale of the Chinese investment boom in the first place, so who really knows what comes next?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In my opinion, most mainland Chinese investors deliberately invest in Australian and other overseas property markets with no intention of repatriating funds. In many cases, the financial return may not be the only objective, or even the primary objective.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Keep a close eye on asking rents and vacancy rates. If the inner city markets do begin to tighten contrary to expectations, then this may be an indicator that mainland Chinese buyers are electing not to bring their shiny new apartments to the rental market, at the same time as domestic investor activity is being throttled. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>An interesting week of news ahead, commencing this morning with the Housing Finance data for February.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>January had been a weaker month for housing loan approvals, but then January is never a big month for activity, so the February figures will give us a much clearer picture of likely activity levels of 2016.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The market consensus forecast is for a moderate rebound in the number of approvals in the month, which broadly fits with what I've been seeing and hearing, that being a steady increase in home loan activity in aggregate. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>On Thursday, the ABS will release the latest March Labour Force figures, which will be the most important data of the week. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Last month the reported seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 5.8 percent, but there is a fair chance that this volatile monthly reading could revert higher, with analysts expecting a bit of a rebound in both employment and the participation rate (following last month's surprise drop from 65.14 percent to 64.9 percent).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</body></html>

Sydney unit rents rise to record high? Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<div><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">It looks as though 2016 is shaping up to be a year within which the residential construction boom, which has mostly served the demands of foreign investors, begins to tail off.</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>We should never read too much into the results of one month, of course, but reflecting trends that have already been reported by Housing Industry Association (HIA) finance for the purchase of new dwellings fell by more than 15 percent in February.</div>
<p><a href="/images/2016/04/13/A5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/04/13/A5.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>Although it is not yet much reflected in the rolling annual data below, finance for the construction of new dwellings also ticked back by -1.9 per cent in February.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It may or may not be too early to call the peak on finance for dwelling construction after a very solid run through this cycle, but market releases suggest that building approvals are now on a downslope, and construction will probably follow suit in time too.</div>
<p><a href="/images/2016/04/13/A11.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br><img src="/images/2016/04/13/A11.jpg" alt=""></p>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Market shifting away from investors</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Figures showed investor lending steadying at around a seasonally adjusted $11.9 billion, which is still a historically high figure, but some way down from the August 2015 peak.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A quick glance at the chart for loans outstanding shows how banks and lenders have shifted their focus in favour of home loans, a direct response to APRA's regulatory intervention.</div>
<p><a href="/images/2016/04/13/A6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/04/13/A6.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
<div>We know that there remain blurred lines between investor and home loans, but the February data shows that overall the balance has tilted back in favour of owner-occupier finance ($21 billion) over investment housing finance ($11.9 billion).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall, 2016 looks likely to be a steadier year for property markets, as investors are limited in their borrowing capacity.<br><br>It's worth remembering that owner-occupiers represent a greater share of the market, and as such have the potential to push prices up in the areas in which they are buying (think middle-ring suburbs, catchments for good schools, good transport links, appealing shopping and lifestyle locations).<br><br>Investors should now begin to account for about one third of the market, which is much more in line with historical averages.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With returns from fixed interest accounts so low and mortgage repayments much lower than they were, many in the home ownership sector will look to improve the value of their own homes, or look to acquire renovation projects.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Indeed major renovations activity is now at long last trending up in all three of the most populous states, with Sydney leading the way by a margin. Renovation activity is presently less popular in Melbourne, with considerably more modern housing available following a strong decade of construction and dwelling supply.</div>
<p><a href="/images/2016/04/13/A10.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/04/13/A10.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">First homebuyers subdued</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>While 2016 looks set to be the year of the homebuyer, much of the activity is being driven by refinancing and existing home-owning folk looking to trade up or down, rather than by new market entrants.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Even if the ABS data is not quite complete or accurate, it seems fair to surmise that the share of dwellings financed by first homebuyers is tracking some way below the long run averages.</div>
<div class="separator"><a href="/images/2016/04/13/A9.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/04/13/A9.jpg" alt=""></div>
<p><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong><br><br></p>
<div>2016 therefore seems likely to be a year wherein markets are increasingly moved by homebuyers ahead of investors.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It is worth reiterating here that in part due to high transaction costs, whether bought as a home or a pure investment, property works best as a long term play.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The internet and financial media is largely - though, of course, not absolutely - a fusion of noise, short-termism, misinformation and guesswork when it comes to property market commentary. You only need to look back to 2012 for some classic examples of that.<br><br>In my opinion there is very little value in comparing returns with the share market over a one or two year timeframe. Each asset class has its merits and place in a portfolio, but generally speaking property needs at least a ten year time horizon in order to justify the transaction costs. <br><br>The data yesterday confirmed that home loan activity levels - although not necessarily aggregate mortgage values - are rising solidly in Queensland, and this is readily visible in some of the family-friendly middle ring suburbs of Brisbane. Investor hubs are considerably patchier, and many of the resources regions are an absolute disaster zone. <br><br>A final point of interest for today is that markets had increasingly been lining up bets for an interest rate cut as soon as May, though I personally didn't like the odds of that happening. <br><br>I don't spend hours deliberating over monetary policy wording, but clearly the Reserve Bank (RBA) noted in its most recent decision release that "continued low inflation would allow scope for easier policy, should that be appropriate...".<br><br>There are probably three things that would need to be in place for an interest rate cut, being a cooling of property investor lending (tentative tick), confirmation that hiring is weakening, and evidently confirmation of continued low inflation. <br><br>The Labour Force figures for March are due out on Thursday, and the market consensus sees a fairly moderate result as likely, with some clear risks to the unemployment rate reading, while the March inflation data is due out towards the end of the month.<br><br>There's a bit of water to flow under the bridge between now and then, but a nice bump in key commodity prices overnight and an incredibly strong result from NAB's Business Survey really don't point towards a rate cut at this stage. <br><br>A cracking NAB survey showed a surge in business conditions at their highest level in fully eight years since 2008, and while the employment gauge jumped to a five year high. Business conditions are now showing a reading of +12, absolutely miles above the long run average of +5, and capacity utilisation has improved strongly (I do note here, though, that the outlook for mining remains dire). <br><br>The RBA has arguably been a reluctant cutter through this cycle, so I reckon that rules out a May cut. In fact, interest rates could be on hold for as far as the eye can see. <br><br>As ever, happy to be proven wrong on that, though.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</body></html>

Residential construction boom tapering off: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>The standout feature of Domain’s Top 10 prestige beach suburbs list is the remarkably poor performance on capital growth.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The best of them wouldn’t make the Top 10 list for capital growth rates in Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Sydney or Brisbane – nor the Top 25 list of best performers in regional Australia. </span></p>
<p>One of the so-called Top 10, Noosa, has recorded zero growth over 10 years. This helps to confirm our ranking of Noosa as Australia’s biggest real estate lemon.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The Domain list of Top 10 prestige beach suburbs continues a grand tradition of Australian media publishing real estate lists that are pointless, inaccurate or farcical.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">It says something about the mediocre performance of these apparently prestigious beachside locations that one of the Top 10 has recorded no growth at all over the past decade. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">It’s the antithesis of investment, which is meant to be about achieving growth. The only thing of value to owners in many of these ritzy locations is the ego trip. Beyond that, they’re crying all the way to the bank.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">These locations, which include Brighton in Melbourne, Bronte in Sydney and Cottesloe in Perth, have all the qualities that many people imagine would make them out-performers on capital growth: great beaches, quality restaurants, wonderful amenities and top quality homes. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Many investors would rue their inability to afford to buy there and grow their wealth. But they need not concern themselves: there’s better capital growth in the middle market areas and the downmarket suburbs, which dominate the Top 10 growth lists in most of our major cities.</span></p>
<p>Remember that old real estate adage about property doubling in value every 10 years, which means a growth rate averaging better than 7% per year? It’s generally untrue. The best performers achieve it, but most properties do not. And certainly none of the Top 10 prestige beach suburbs have done so.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The No.1 ranked prestige beach suburb for capital growth, which apparently is Brighton in Melbourne, has managed growth averaging just 6.7% per year.</span></p>
<p>No.2 Portsea, also in Melbourne, recorded growth averaging only 5.55% per year. This is not a stellar performance, although the people who put together the list apparently thought it was.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Byron Bay, which according to Domain Group senior economist Andrew Wilson is “an exceptional market”, has averaged a mediocre 5.4% per year - a growth rate at which it would take over 13 years for values to double.</span></p>
<p>The bottom half the Top 10 list is made up of suburbs with growth rates that don’t even match inflation. </p>
<p>Main Beach on the Gold Coast has a growth rate of a little over 1% per year. Palm Beach in Sydney, where the median price is $2.7 million, has managed less than 1% per year.</p>
<p>To put these growth rates into perspective, the best suburbs in Darwin, Perth and Melbourne all have growth rates above 10% per year. The best in Sydney are above 9% per year.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">And, outside the capital cities, the Top 25 regional centres all have growth rates of 10% per year or better, with the top four achieving 15%-plus. </span></p>
<p>If you’d bought the typical Palm Beach property 10 years ago, you would have paid around $2.46 million and managed capital gains of around $220,000 a decade later. In real terms, you lost money.</p>
<p>If you’d spent that $2.46 million in the best-performing suburbs in Perth, Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne (you could have bought multiple properties in multiple cities for that sum), your capital gain would have been $4.2 million.</p>
<p>Which would you rather have: the prestige - or $4.2 million?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><em>Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></em> </span></p>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

Poor capital growth performance for beach retreats: Terry Ryder

<html><body>
<div>Sydney median house prices were up by 1% in October to be up by 21% over the year to $1,058,500.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney median unit prices were also up by 1% in the month to be up by 15% over the eyar to $684,500.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There has also been moderate growth over the past year for Brisbane houses (4%) and units (3%).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Interestingly Melbourne has now picked upp the pace, with house prices in the Victorian capital recording growth of 7% in the last quarter alone to be 11% higher over the year. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the other hand, some moderate declines were recorded in other cities and regions. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/12/1/Table_1_October_Statistics_Summary.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/12/1/Table_1_October_Statistics_Summary.jpg" alt="" width="781" height="579"></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>In other news, there was a very strong result recorded for the Reserve Bank's Financial Aggregates.</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</body></html>

Residex market update: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p><span>The days of double-digit rental yields in Australia are gone. And it’s hard to see those times returning any day soon.</span></p>
<p><span>Up until about three years ago, Australians who were comfortable with risk, or perhaps oblivious to it, were buying in mining towns and resources-related regional centres, and commonly achieving initial gross rental returns of 10%, sometimes more.</span></p>
<p><span>But the same places are now likely to offer little better than 5%. Even though prices have fallen a lot in devastated mining centres, rents have fallen even more. Median rental yields, according to Domain, are now 4.8% in Newman, 5.8% in Port Hedland, 4.3% in Emerald and 3.1% in Moranbah.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span>So where do you turn, now, for a better-than-average rental yield?</span></p>
<p><span>The best on offer that I can find are in Cairns in North Queensland. The median rental yields for apartments are generally 7% and above, more because prices tend to be low rather than because rents are high.</span></p>
<p><span>According to Domain figures, the median return for Cairns North, where over 200 apartments have sold in the past 12 months at a median price of $237,000, is 7.5%.</span></p>
<p><span>In downmarket Manoora, where 90 units have sold at a median price of $167,000, the median rental yield is 7.9%. And in Woree (median price $148,000), the median rental yield is 8.0%. That means a small unit selling for $150,000 and renting for $230 a week.</span></p>
<p><span>Houses around Cairns generally provide rental yields in the 5.5% to 6.0% range.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span>It’s worth considering because Cairns presents a solid market at the moment - boosted by an improving economy, strong tourism and major spending on infrastructure. Some suburbs have recorded double-digit growth in median prices in the past 12 months.</span></p>
<p><span>The bottom line is that those Cairns yields are as you good as you will realistically find across Australia. There is nowhere I know about that offers double-digit yields anymore. And I mean genuine rental returns, not computer-generated statistical glitches.</span></p>
<p><span>If you read enough newspapers, magazines and online news services, you’re going to see lots of lists claiming that returns well above 10%, sometimes above 20%, are available.</span></p>
<p><span>Don’t believe these stories. They are statistical aberrations and credible median organisations wouldn’t publish them.</span></p>
<p><span>One of these lists published recently claimed there’s a place in Queensland where you can get rental yields of - wait for it - 58%. That’s so obviously absurd that it's amazing anyone published it, but print it they did.</span></p>
<p><span>Just pause for a moment and consider what’s being suggested here. A rental yield of 58%, apart from being an obvious error, means a property selling for $300,000 would fetch rent of $174,000 a year or $3,346 per week.</span></p>
<p><span>When I first saw it in an online real estate magazine, I thought it might be a typographical error.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span>But no, I clicked on the town credited with this remarkable real estate achievement and there, sure enough, was a presentation of figures which showed how they arrived at this.</span></p>
<p><span>The town credited with a 58% median rental yield was Beaudesert, south of Brisbane and west of the Gold Coast.</span></p>
<p><span>Apparently, you can buy units in Beaudesert for $22,500. Yes, apartments for less than the price of a Jeep. And given that the median weekly rent for these remarkably cheap dwellings is $253 per week, rental yields are indeed 58.47% - according to the computer, at least, proving once again the validity of the old adage about “garbage in, garbage out”.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span>Obviously someone has made a mistake. You can’t buy units for $22,500 in Beaudesert - or anywhere else in Australia. And, equally obviously, typical yields in the town are not 58.47%.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span>But wouldn’t you think someone would take steps to correct these startling errors? Because they’re common. Mistakes of this kind are appearing weekly, if not daily, in real estate media.</span></p>
<p><span>In October I wrote about claims from the same source that you could commonly achieve 30% yields in Mission Beach – and other instances where it has been claimed that prices in tiny towns have risen 40-50% in 12 months.</span></p>
<p><span>The latest presentation of the top five locations in each state with the highest yields was a litany of these types of mistakes. It’s claimed there’s a location in NSW where typical yields are 28%, a tiny town in South Australia where you can commonly achieve 16% and a coastal hamlet in Tasmania where 15% returns are common.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span>Many of the locations listed as having outstanding rental yields are basket-case markets with vacancies above 20%.</span></p>
<p><span>Others are coastal towns where high rents are achieved in peak holiday times and the computer assumes those peak rents are achieved 52 weeks of the year (when, in reality, the properties are vacant for much of the year), hence the ridiculously high yield figure.</span></p>
<p><span>If you choose to believe these figures, you’ll welcome to head off to Beaudesert, Mission Beach or wherever and see if you can find a property where the rental yield is even as high as 6%.</span></p>
<p><span><em>Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>For your free </span><em>Property Observer</em><span> eBook from RAMS, <em>12 tips for first-time buyers</em>, </span><span>covering</span><span> </span><span>everything</span><span> you need to know when it comes to purchasing property, click here.</span></p>
</body></html>

Days of double-digit rental yields in Australia are gone: Terry Ryder

<html><body>
<p><span>GUEST OBSERVER</span></p>
<p><span>The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released building approvals data for October 2015 earlier today. </span></p>
<p><span>Focusing just on dwelling approvals, although they were slightly lower than the recent record high levels, the overall number of dwellings approved for construction remain extremely high from a historical standpoint.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-1.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-1.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p><span>There were 19,652 dwelling approvals in October which was 3.9% higher over the month and 12.3% higher year-on-year.  If we look at approvals over the past 12 months there has been a record high 233,180 approvals which is 17.3% higher year on year.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-2.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-2.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">In October 2015, there were 9,435 houses and 10,218 units approved for construction nationally.  House approvals are -2.1% lower over the month and -2.3% lower year-on-year.  The more ‘lumpy’ unit approvals have increased by 10.1% over the month and are 30.2% higher year-on-year.  The data highlights the rising prevalence of unit approvals and this is particularly reflected if we look at the annual approvals.  For the first time ever there have been more units approved (117,072) over the past year than houses (116,111).</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-3.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-3.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p><span>With the rising prevalence of unit construction there has also been a record high proportion of high-rise approvals over the past year.  Looking at unit approvals over the past year, 25.5% of approvals were for townhouses, 9.1% were for low-rise (less than four storeys) and 65.4% were for high-rise (four storeys or more).  </span></p>
<p><span>To put the rise in high-rise into context, a year ago 56.5% of unit approvals were high-rise, five years ago the figure was 38.1% and a decade ago high-rise accounted for 36.9% of unit approvals.  Clearly densification and demand for inner city living is driving the rising demand for high-rise units.  </span></p>
<p><span>It’s also important to note that over recent years, Chinese and Indians have overtaken New Zealanders and those from the United Kingdom as our largest sources of migrants.  While New Zealanders and those from the United Kingdom often prefer houses like most Australians, Chinese and Indians are much more accustomed to living in smaller homes and in much higher density environments.  This is another driver of the growing prevalence of high-rise approvals.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-4.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Turning to approvals in the capital cities, there were 17,236 capital city dwelling approvals in October which was 15.9% higher over the month and 16.9% higher year-on-year. There were 6,691 houses and 10,545 units approved for construction over the month.  House approvals fell by -1.8% over the month to be -6.6% lower year-on-year while unit approvals increased 30.8% over the month and were 39.2% higher year-on-year.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-5.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span> <img src="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-5.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p><span>Across the individual capital cities, house approvals generally fell over the month however, they have for the most part been trending higher of late but are lower relative to a year ago.  Over the month there were 1,373 approvals in Sydney, 2,244 in Melbourne, 945 in Brisbane, 1,410 in Perth, 540 in Adelaide, 77 in Hobart, 43 in Darwin and 59 in Canberra.  Year-on-year the changes in approvals have been recorded at -3.8% in Sydney, +2.4% in Melbourne, -6.8% in Brisbane, -23.9% in Perth, +24.4% in Adelaide, +6.9% in Hobart, -30.6% in Darwin and -45.9% in Canberra.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-6.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/12/2/Chart-6.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p>While housing approvals may be showing early signs of slowing across the capital cities, the same can’t be said for unit approvals which in most cities remain at or close to record highs.  Across the capital cities there were 3,630 approvals in Sydney, 3,640 in Melbourne, 1,671 in Brisbane, 677 in Perth, 561 in Adelaide, 6 in Hobart, 215 in Darwin and 145 in Canberra.  The year-on-year changes in approvals have been recorded at +73.7% in Sydney, +32.6% in Melbourne, +37.4% in Brisbane, -10.8% in Perth, +18.4% in Adelaide, -80.6% in Hobart, +83.8% in Darwin and +0.7% in Canberra.</p>
<p>Based on the data it seems that the demand from developers to seek approvals for units, particularly high rise approvals, is continuing to climb.  Countering this is the slowing in detached housing demand.  As mentioned earlier, the biggest sources of migration to Australia are more comfortable with high-rise development and this coupled with the fact it is relatively more affordable than detached houses seems to be driving the demand. </p>
<p>The challenge from here with value growth now slowing is how many of these approvals will be delivered to the market.  We already have concerns surrounding potential settlement risk for projects already under construction given that banks have recently changed lending requirements to investor.  Keep in mind that unit stock is much more likely to be purchased by investors than detached houses.</p>
<p>Although there has been a slight easing of approvals over recent months they remain at near record highs.  Of course population growth is winding down, particularly overseas migration, which should result in an ongoing improvement in housing supply relative to housing demand.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/author/cameron-kusher/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
</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