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

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of living landscapes.

"We've always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren't there," Hameister says.

"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.

"The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn't been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

What does it really mean for a building to be 'green'?

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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

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

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A preliminary auction clearance rate of 78.0% was recorded across the combined capital cities this week having increased from 77.3% last week. There were 1,777 auction results reported this week with a total of 2,205 scheduled auctions showing that auction volumes have remained virtually unchanged when compared to the previous week (2,268). In comparison, over the same week last year 66.6% of the 1,991 homes taken to auction sold.
<a href="/images/2015/06/29/shana1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="/images/2015/06/29/shana1.jpg" alt="" width="820" height="620">
The preliminary auction clearance rate across Melbourne was 78.5% this week, down from the previous weeks final result of 79.3% and stronger than at the same time last year (68.3%). So far this year, Melbourne’s weekly auction clearance rate has been, on average, 10.6 per cent higher than over the comparable week one year ago. Across Melbourne’s individual sub-regions, the strongest preliminary clearance rate this week was across the North East region at 85.8%, followed closely by the Inner East region where the preliminary clearance rate was 85%.
 
<img src="/images/2015/06/29/20150628-Melbourne.jpg" alt="" width="796" height="539">
There were 887 Sydney homes taken to auction this week and a preliminary clearance rate of 83.5% across 747 results. Over the previous week, the final auction clearance rate was 82.4% with 862 auctions held across the city. At the same time last year, 71.1% of the 861 homes taken to auction recorded a successful result. This week, the strongest sub-region performance across Sydney’s sub-regions was the Ryde region, with 90.6% of the reported results clearing at auction.
<img src="/images/2015/06/29/20150628-Sydney.jpg" alt="" width="811" height="556">
Brisbane’s preliminary clearance rate was 51.1% this week, compared to 52.2% last week and 42.2% at the same time last year. Across Brisbane, a total of 140 auctions were held this week which is higher than last week (128), but lower than at the same time last year (153).
<img src="/images/2015/06/29/20150628-Brisbane.jpg" alt="" width="801" height="539">
 
Adelaide hosted 81 auctions this week and across the 48 reported results, CoreLogic RP Data’s preliminary auction clearance rate is 70.8%. Last week, Adelaide’s clearance rate was 63.5% across 83 auctions in the city, while at the same time last year 62.7% of the 79 homes taken to auction were sold.
<img src="/images/2015/06/29/20150628-Adelaide.jpg" alt="" width="844" height="566">
For Perth, the number of homes taken to auction this week was 29, less than last week (47) and last year (39). Meanwhile, Perth’s clearance rate of 57.1% this week was higher than last week (38.9%) and last year (50.0%.
Across Canberra 72 homes were taken to auction this week and the preliminary clearance rate across 32 auctions was 81.3 per cent.
There were 22 auctions across Tasmania this week, with 10 successful results out of the 20 reported.
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National auction clearance rate rises: CoreLogic RP Data's Shana Miller

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The Australian property markets find themselves in an unprecedented quandary with record low cash rates that have driven investment property prices in Sydney and Melbourne to record levels. The problem as I see it is that it is highly unlikely that such dizzy heights can be maintained, so that said one can assume that prices should start plateauing. 
The problem with that scenario is that given the present market conditions this is highly unlikely as property investors are only interested in Sydney and Melbourne real estate.
The owner occupier property market is much slower with stock levels at all-time lows which can be attributed to the fact that businesses are no longer paying cash bonuses preferring to reward staff with shares. What this has done is take billions of dollars from the owner occupier property markets which explains in principle why the owner occupier markets are so slow.
Nobody can really explain why property investors are only interested in Melbourne and Sydney especially when Australia is experiencing an unprecedented population explosion. This becomes even more confusing when we hear that Australia’s east coast is the destination expected to feel the full brunt of this population explosion.
This year I have been in dialogue with Richardson &amp; Wrench Projects where I have attended some information seminars to learn more about this fascinating investor market. The problem with real estate agents is that our knowledge is always contained within a particular postcode, hence a reluctance to look outside our comfort zone which is the very same mindset as property investors.
So the first question I wanted to know was where are the next best areas to invest outside Sydney and Melbourne, that are more much affordable with strong capital growth, excellent rental returns and with strong depreciation allowances. My question was answered immediately with two areas – Newcastle and Brisbane – well, that makes sense as they are both on the east coast with strong population forecasts.
With that in mind it was off to Brisbane to have a look around and see just why Brisbane is considered the next area to chase property investor returns. The first thing you notice is their road infrastructure is superior to Sydney’s with nowhere near the traffic congestion. Just like what we are now seeing with NSW where government is now on a record infrastructure spend, although in NSW we keep adding a new lane to infrastructure that was only constructed ten years ago. The government has allocated a further 120 billion dollars for infrastructure over the next three decades.
A new international airport and the big star attraction is the new Las Vegas style $4.000 billion casino – in many instances the South Bank area (which is the area I liked the most) reminded me of what’s happening at Barangaroo on Sydney Harbor. Although at a fraction of the price.
One of the most interesting points that really resonated with me was that the Richardson &amp; Wrench Projects team told me that they actually reject 90 per cent of projects that fail their strict criteria – which was evidenced in their project investment reports which are about sixty pages of research data. Investors in Sydney and Melbourne usually get a one or two page report if they are lucky which always have the usual disclaimers.
So what happens to the ninety per cent of developments that were rejected was my next question? Well, they lure those unsuspecting property investors and stitch them up which explains why property investors stick to the areas that sit well within their comfort zones – even though they know they are paying top dollar.
Australians love investing in property which explains why so much is written about bubbles, crashes and fear factor frenzies. So if you are contemplating stepping out of your comfort zone and looking for an investment area to watch closely we would recommend Brisbane – it’s a very interesting exercise especially for those who insist that you only invest in Sydney and Melbourne. I am the first to admit that this week’s visit to Brisbane has completely changed my property investment train of thought.
It’s important to note that Australia is changing (so must our perceptions) with the latest Bureau of Statistics projections now have Melbourne as Australia’s biggest growing city. Melbourne is tracking to become the country’s biggest city in 2056 and has also overtaken Western Australia to now be Australia’s fastest growing state.
MOSMAN – 2088
• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 74
• Number of houses on the market last week – 46
• Number of houses on the market this week – 43
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 57
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 43
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 39
CREMORNE – 2090
Number of houses on the market this time last year – 11
• Number of houses on the market last week – 6
• Number of houses on the market this week – 4
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year –11
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 8
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 12
NEUTRAL BAY – 2089
* Number of houses on the market this time last year – 3
• Number of houses on the market last week – 2
•Number of houses on the market this week – 2
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year– 42
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 30
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 39
ROBERT SIMEON is a director of <a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM" rel="nofollow">Richardson Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay</a> and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985.  He has also been writing real estate blog <a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News" rel="nofollow">Virtual Realty News</a> since 2000.
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Searching for the next investor hot spots? Robert Simeon

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reiwa.com’s latest preliminary data shows Perth's residential vacancy rate has risen to 4.9 per cent in the past three months to May as the number of properties for lease increased.  This is the highest vacancy rate in six years, after it reached 4.8 per cent in the September quarter of 2009.  There are now 8,147 homes available for tenants, up by almost 600 over the last month. 
Top Suburbs - Available Rentals
Perth 236
East Perth 225
Baldivis 176
Scarborough 167
REIWA President David Airey said the slowdown in Western Australia’s population growth rate had created the oversupply, along with a significant newly constructed dwellings coming to completion.  “The competition among property owners is having an effect on price, with the metropolitan median rent dropping by five dollars on the March quarter to $425 per week, which represents a cut of $25 on the same time last year,” Mr Airey said.  Perth’s median rent peaked at $475 per week in the middle of 2013, but has since fallen by $50, or around 10 per cent, across the board.  “The long term equilibrium for Perth’s vacancy rate is three per cent, so the current situation means there is over 50 per cent more properties on the market than is usual,” Mr Airey said. 
The City of Belmont saw the biggest individual drop, with its local rental median falling from $450 per week to $425 per week between April and May. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Perth's highest residential landlord vacancy rate since 2009

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The Eagle Ridge Golf Course, at 215 Browns Road, Boneo at the entrance to the Mornington Peninsula has been listed for sale.
The 45 hectare property is set about one hour from Melbourne. Two holes in one were scored just last month.
Eagle Ridge Golf Course began as the smaller Carlogie Golf Course until March 1988 when an additional parcel of land was purchased, earthworks commenced and a new Kevin Hartley designed championship course was opened in 1989.
Kevin Hartley was the Australian amateur golf champion of 1958 and runner up to Bruce Devlin in the 1959 Australian Amateur.
He captained the Victorian state team thirteen times, was the leading amateur at three Australian Opens and represented Australia many times, including winning the 1966 Eisenhower Cup team in Mexico.
Hartley based his design vision on Eagle Ridge becoming “the Royal Melbourne of the Mornington Peninsula”.
<div title="Page 1">The ownership of Eagle Ridge transferred to the Russo family in 1995 and, in 1999 Pacific Coast Design was commissioned to design a master plan for course improvements and the new clubhouse opened in 2000. The late Nick Russo was passionate about the business ensuring construction of the functions venue.</div>
Under the management of the golf course superintendent Scott Balloch, the course master plan was completed about 10 years ago.
In 2007 Eagle Ridge closed for a summer to change all fairways to Santa-Ana couch – a more drought tolerant grass with a 45% reduction in water consumption since re-opening.
<div><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CETLYqfW8AAYWS6.jpg" alt="Embedded image permalink" width="640" height="640"></div>
<a href="https://cbre.realcommercial.com.au/property-hotel+leisure-vic-boneo-501537999" target="_blank">CBRE</a> has the listing.
 
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Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Boneo listed for sale on Mornington Peninsula

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The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released demographic data for the December 2014 quarter yesterday. The data highlighted a continuing slowdown in the rate of national population growth, with the quarterly increase now lower than slump in population growth recorded during the GFC. In particular the mining states and territories are recording the biggest slowdown in population growth fueled by a slowdown in both interstate and overseas migration.
<a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-13.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-13.jpg" alt="">
 
The data showed that throughout 2014 Australia added another 330,202 persons.  Although this is still a relatively high rate of population growth, it is the lowest annual increase in population since the population increased by 327,637 persons over the 12 months to September 2011.  Over the final quarter of the year the national population increased by 64,010 persons which was its lowest quarterly increase since June 2006 (52,834).
<a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-23.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-23.jpg" alt="">
 
At a national level population growth is comprised of overseas migration (arrivals minus departures) and natural increase (births minus deaths), any interstate migration is neutral at a national level.  Over the past year, the country experienced a natural increase of 146,067 persons and net overseas migration of 184,135 persons.  The rate of annual natural increase is at its lowest level since December 2006 (139,793) and annual net overseas migration is at its lowest level since June 2011 (180,372).  On a quarterly basis, natural increase was recorded at 36,517 persons (its lowest level since December 2006) and net overseas migration was recorded at 46,034 persons (its lowest level since June 2011).
<a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-33.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-33.jpg" alt="">
With the national population increasing by 330,202 persons over the past year, the majority of population growth has taken place in the largest states.  NSW (31.2%) and Vic (30.7%) accounted for a combined 61.9% of national population growth.  If you add Qld (19.4%) and WA (12.1%) the four largest states accounted for 93.5% of national population growth over the year.
As far as the rate of population growth goes, for the first time since September 2006 WA is no longer the state with the most rapid rate of population growth with Vic taking over the mantle. Vic’s population increased by 1.8% over the year followed by: WA (1.6%), NSW and Qld (both 1.4%), ACT (1.1%), SA (0.9%), NT (0.4%) and Tas (0.3%).  Qld, WA and NT in particular are seeing the impact of the mining downturn with fewer workers required in these states as the pipeline of major infrastructure projects winds down translating into slower population growth. Two years ago these states were recording annual population growth of 2.0% in Qld, 3.7% in WA and 2.8% in NT.
<a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-42.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-42.jpg" alt="">
Net overseas migration has been slowing at a national level and as the above chart shows, all states are experiencing a fall in net overseas migration.  The full brunt of the slowdown in net overseas migration is once again being felt by the resource states.  Annual net overseas migration is -30.9% lower in Qld, -47.6% lower in WA and -56.0% lower in NT.  All other states except for NSW (+1.9%) and ACT (+4.1%) have recorded a fall in net overseas migration over the year, but nowhere near the extent of the mining states and territories.  The declines in these states were recorded at -4.2% in Vic, -9.0% in SA and -2.9% in Tas.  The data also highlights that overseas migrants have a clear preference to settle in the larger states.  Over the past year, 37.9% of net migration occurred in NSW with a further 30.4% in Vic, 13.2% in Qld and 10.3% in WA.
<a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-53.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-53.jpg" alt="">
 
At a national level net interstate migration has no impact however, it does have a significant impact across individual states.  Over the 12 months to December 2014, there were 335,256 interstate movements across the Australian states.  Historically Qld has attracted as high number of interstate migrants however; net interstate migration to the state has slowed sharply over recent years.  Across the states, Vic now attracts the most net interstate migrants (9,336) followed by Qld (5,598) and these are the only two states that have recorded a net gain in interstate migration over the year.  Vic’s net gain from interstate migration is a record high while migration to Qld is at its lowest level on record.  The net outflow of residents from the remaining states was recorded at: -5,572 persons in NSW, -2,744 in SA, -400 in WA, -1,278 in Tas, -3,392 in NT and -1,548 in ACT.  Despite the net outflow, the net number of residents leaving NSW is at a record low.  On the other hand the loss of residents from WA is the largest since September 2003 and the outflow from NT is the largest on record.
In terms of natural increase the states with the largest overall populations also have the greatest natural increase.  There has been a sharp decline in natural increase in NSW over the past few years while natural increase is trending higher in WA.  The state-by-state shares of natural increase are: 26.5% in NSW, 24.8% in Vic, 23.5% in Qld, 4.9% in SA, 14.8% in WA, 1.0% in Tas, 2.0% in NT and 2.6% in ACT.
The demographic data highlights challenges for the Australian economy and individual states. Gross domestic product has been slowing and is much lower on a per capita basis. With population growth slowing and set to slow further in coming quarters (as foreshadowed in the monthly overseas arrivals and departures data) this poses a challenge for the national economy.  The resource states in particular are being impacted as they are attracting fewer migrants from both interstate and overseas. Conversely, NSW and Vic (which are a proxy for Sydney and Melbourne) are the places that both domestic and international migrants want to head to. 
This in turn fuels demand for housing, creates the need for more jobs and requires more spending on infrastructure. To-date it doesn’t look as if the sharp rises in home values in Sydney and to a lesser degree Melbourne over recent years is stopping migrants heading to these areas. You would have to think that at some point this will change but no one has a crystal ball to know exactly when that inflection point will occur. Particularly given how low the cost of debt currently is with interest rates so low, furthermore rental pressures are easing given already high new housing construction and a record high pipeline of approvals to potentially follow.
Cameron Kusher is RP Data’s senior research analyst. Follow Cameron on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/cmkusher" target="_blank">here</a>. 
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Australia’s rate of population growth continues to slow: Cameron Kusher

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This week I met with a lovely couple wanting to understand more about property developing and if it was the right strategy for them. They asked a simple but very good question which is relevant for anyone looking to take their first steps into property development. 
They wanted to know what the main risks were in developing property.
I think most people understand there can be risks associated with any investment whether it be buying shares (to me the volatility of the share market is scary), even putting your money in the bank in some countries (particularly Greece!) can be risky. In Australia, our banking system is very stable but the return on cash term deposits is hardly worth the effort right now.
Investing and/or developing property can be risky if you don't do adequate research. Even if you do, there are still some environmental factors that cannot be controlled like weather and governments. 
Firstly, it's important you chose a good location and a good property. Ask yourself "can I add further value to this property?"
By adding value I mean through renovating the existing dwelling and/or developing the land. At Property Bloom we always look for houses with 'good bones'. Large homes that have a minimum of three bedrooms and areas that may be converted to extra bedrooms. Adding a bedroom is the number one way of adding value to a house. We like homes with nice features that you can enhance through renovation, it's amazing what we've found hidden away after starting a renovation - some beautiful, ornate ceilings or fire places that have been covered over by previous owners. 
Location is most important as you need to be within close proximity of community services such as schools, transport, shopping and sporting facilities.
The development sites or bare land we look for needs to be in high demand areas and must be subdividable - this is the number one rule if you want to create equity or value. Getting two or more properties from one is key when developing property.
We love master planned estates that have been thoughtfully designed to meet resident's needs. These estates can be are valued higher by owner occupiers and tenants than the older, established areas that have less facilities.
When you develop property, you need to be aware of outside forces that may pose risk for your project.  They may include: 
·     Change in the economic environment such as a new government or rising Interest rates.
·     Increasing costs in materials and labour, like when the carbon tax was implemented. This led to higher construction costs at the time.
·     Changing council requirements; new Local Environment Plans being gazetted, state or federal law changes and land being rezoned.
·     Reliability and financial security of your  contractors and builders, there is nothing worse than a builder going into liquidation half way through a   development project.
·     A change in the property cycle may see the end values and rents change during the development period.
·     Weather and environmental issues holding up the construction progress.
·     Unexpected costs e.g. hitting rock on site, in adequate provisional allowances and builder's contract exclusions or unfair terms.
·     Disputes with builders and tradespeople leading to an extended construction period.
Using an experienced project manager for your first development will minimise some of these risks but it's still very important for all property developers to do as much due diligence on the location, property, council requirements and contractors/builders they will be relying on to ensure a successful property development. 
What makes me sleep well at night is knowing we have amazing builders. We've used them for many years and they are happy to share their financial situation with us. They are flexible and good communicators and so we have built a strong relationship and trading terms with them. 
This coupled with our experience in choosing relatively safe development sites and locations for our clients means nasty surprises are minimised and we have a very good idea of how the project will finish up. Our job is to de-risk a development as much as possible and to teach our clients along the way so that they can feel more confident embarking on their next property development.
 Jo Chivers is Chief Executive Officer of property development project managers <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/about" target="_blank">Property Bloom</a>.
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The main risks associated with property development: Jo Chivers

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Sales data over the 12 months to March 2015 shows that there have been more homes sold across the combined capital cities for less than $200,000 than there have been homes sold for more than $1 million. As you would expect there is a growing proportion of sales in excess of $1 million in Sydney and Melbourne while homes selling for less than $200,000 are almost exclusively found in Hobart and Adelaide.
Over the 12 months to March 2015, a record low 6.1% of capital city home sales were below $200,000 and 31.8%sold for between $200,000 and $400,000, the lowest proportion since the 12 months to October 2001. While we are seeing a decline in sales at the lower price points, predictably more expensive sales are increasing.  Over the 12 months to March 2015, 10.0% of all homes sold across the combined capital cities sold for more than $1 million, a record high. As we will discover the proportion of homes selling in excess of $1 million is substantially higher within cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
Sydney
<a href="/images/2015/06/25/chart-1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/25/chart-1.jpg" alt="">
Over the 12 months to March 2015, a record low 8.9% of Sydney houses sold for less than $400,000 compared to a record high 34.0% of houses selling above $1 million.  The remaining 59.2% occurred between $400,000 and $1 million.  For the unit market, a record low 18.6% of sales were below $400,000 whilst there was a record high 71.1% between $400,000 and 1 million and a record 10.3% above $1 million.  The impact of a surge in home values over the past year is being felt at the lower end of the market with a sharp drop in sales below $400,000 for both houses and units over the past year.
Melbourne
<a href="/images/2015/06/25/chart-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/25/chart-2.jpg" alt="">
24.5% of Melbourne houses and 36.9% of Melbourne units sold for less than $400,000 over the 12 months to March 2015.  In comparison, 16.5% of houses and 5.1% of units sold for more than $1 million.  For houses, the proportion of sales below $400,000 was at a record low while it was just shy of a record low for units.  Conversely, both houses and units logged a record high proportion of sales over $1 million.  Like Sydney, the impact of the value rises over recent years is being felt most at the lower-end of the housing market with a sharp decline in sales below $400,000.  This is highlighted both by the table above which shows a sharp drop in sales below $400,000 over the past 20 years.  Unlike Sydney, finding more affordable housing options is relatively easier in Melbourne with almost 1 in 4 houses and more than a third of units selling for less than $400,000.
Brisbane
<a href="/images/2015/06/25/chart-3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/25/chart-3.jpg" alt="">
Across all sales, 30.6% of houses and 52.5% of units transacted in Brisbane over the year to March 2015 sold for less than $400,000.  The proportion of houses sold for less than $400,000 was at a record low while the proportion for units was lower in the middle of last year.  House sales in excess of $1 million were at a record high 5.9% over the past year while the 2.3% of unit sales over $1 million is still a way off the record high 3.1% in early 2011.  Brisbane has seen fairly moderate value growth over recent years however, we are still seeing an erosion in sales at the lower end of the market, albeit the deterioration is moderate compared to Sydney and Melbourne.  10 years ago, almost three quarters of houses and more than 4 out of every 5 unit sales was below $400,000, as the above table shows there has been a marked shift over the past decade to fewer lower priced sales.  Relative to Sydney and Melbourne properties selling for less than $400,000 are much more common across Brisbane.
Adelaide
<a href="/images/2015/06/25/chart-4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/25/chart-4.jpg" alt="">
 
 Over the 12 months to March 2015 45.3% of Adelaide houses and 65.9% of units sold for less than $400,000.  The proportion of houses and units sold for less than $400,000 was at a record low over the past 12 months however, lower priced housing stock is much more readily available than across all other mainland capital cities.  While sales at a lower price point are falling, a record high 4.7% of houses sold for more than $1 million over the past year.  For units, 2.6% of all sales were over $1 million which was lower than the 3.5% recorded in mid-2008.  Value growth across Adelaide has been limited since the financial crisis, nevertheless the proportion of homes selling for less than $400,000 has continued to decline.  Adelaide offers much more affordable housing options than all other mainland capital cities.
Perth
<a href="/images/2015/06/25/chart-5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/25/chart-5.jpg" alt="">
15.1% of Perth houses and 37.7% of Perth units sold for less than $400,000 over the 12 months to March 2015.  In comparison, 10.8% of Perth houses and 4.2% of units sold for more than $1 million over the past year.  The proportion of houses and units selling for below $400,000 is above the record-low of 14.7% and 36.9% respectively both of which occurred over the past year.  The climb in more affordable sales over recent months is likely to be reflective of the fact that value growth has hit a stand-still in Perth over the past 12 months. Furthermore, new supply of homes is at close to record highs across the city currently.  Perth has recorded one of the strongest capital growth rates over the past decade and as a result there has been a substantial decline in the proportion of homes selling for less than $400,000.  This is highlighted by the fact that 10 years ago 81.7% of Perth houses and 88.0% of units sold for less than $400,000. In fact, Perth currently has fewer house sales below $400,000 than all capital cities except for Sydney and Canberra.
Hobart
<img src="/images/2015/06/25/chart-6.jpg" alt="">
 
Hobart is the nation’s most affordable capital city and also sees an overwhelmingly larger proportion of lower priced house and unit sales.  Over the 12 months to March 2015, 61.4% of Hobart houses and 82.0% of units sold for less than $400,000.  Hobart is the only capital city in which a majority of houses have sold for less than $400,000 over the past year.  Subsequently, relatively few homes sell for over $1 million with just 1.5% of all house sales and 1.7% of unit sales over that price point.  Hobart’s housing market has seen very little growth in home values over the past 10 years yet there has still been a fairly substantial decline in house sales below $400,000 while unit sales below $400,000 have seen little change.    10 years ago, 86.9% of all house sales were less than $400,000 and 88.5% of unit sales sat within that price point.
Darwin
<img src="/images/2015/06/25/chart-7.jpg" alt="">
Darwin has recorded the strongest value growth of all capital cities over the past decade; as a result it has shifted from being one of the most affordable capital cities to now being one of the most expensive.  Over the 12 months to March 2015, 20.8% of houses and 28.8% of units sold for less than $400,000.  Alternatively, 6.3% of houses and 4.8% of units in the city sold for more than $1 million.  The proportion of houses selling for less than $400,000 has started to trend higher over recent months as values have fallen while unit sales below $400,000 are at a record low.  The proportion of sales above $1 million is below its record high for houses and units with the record high coming for houses over the past year and in late 2010 for units.  With value growth in Darwin the strongest of all capital cities over the past decade, the decline in the availability of more affordable housing is clear.  Around 1 in 5 house sales nowadays are below $400,000 compared to 9 out of 10 a decade ago.  For units, just over 1 in 4 sales nowadays are below $400,000 compared to more than 9 in 10 a decade ago.
Canberra
<img src="/images/2015/06/25/chart-8.jpg" alt="">
 
Over the 12 months to March 2015, 7.8% of Canberra houses and 42.3% of Canberra units sold for less than $400,000.  On the other hand, 5.9% of house sales and 2.4% of unit sales were for more than $1 million over the year. The proportion of houses selling for less than $400,000 is currently at a record low while unit sales below $400,000 reached their low point throughout the past year at 39.7%.  The number of houses selling over $1 million is below its peak of 6.2% a couple of months earlier, as are unit sales at this price point.  Although home value growth in Canberra has been moderate over the past 5 years, there’s been a fairly substantial fall in sales below $400,000 over that time.  5 years ago, 23.2% of Canberra houses and 56.7% of units were sold for less than $400,000.
The data shows that whether you look at interest rates, household incomes or any other factor that can influence affordability; we have seen a sharp decline in homes selling at a lower price point in over the past decade.  Of course, even a home priced at $400,000 won’t be cheap enough for some potential home buyers.  It is to be expected that the cost of housing rises over time however, there are social issues surrounding the sharp decline in lower priced homes.  The result is that more people have to choose to rent or alternatively they have to move away from our capital cities or to smaller capital cities.  Of course, finding employment in smaller capital cities and regional markets can be more difficult.
Anecdotally we are also hearing that in markets such as Sydney and Melbourne first time buyers are purchasing investment properties rather than owner occupied properties for their first home.  We also hear that a number are purchasing investment properties outside of these two cities where you can seemingly get better value for money.  Of course, in most markets outside of Sydney and Melbourne the economies are currently weaker and capital growth has been much more moderate.
Housing affordability is a very individualistic issue however; the data contained here shows that housing at a lower price is becoming much harder to come by, particularly in our larger capital cities.
Cameron Kusher is RP Data’s senior research analyst. Follow Cameron on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/cmkusher" target="_blank">here</a>. 
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1 in 10 capital city home sales over $1 million: Cameron Kusher

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This is my final post looking at what figures from the Rental Bond Board tell as about the make-up and direction of the rental market, in Sydney and across NSW. While supply of rental accommodation has been below population growth trends, the numbers are now catching up and the popularity of investing in residential property has seen a big increase in supply, and this is slowing rental growth.
Rental Growth Slows
The general trend of median rents across the metropolitan area between 2010-11/2013-14 shows that growth in median rents has been slowing. In 2010-11 the increase was 3.1% and in 2011-12 it was 4.3%.
However in 2012-13 the figure fell below 4% to 3.1% and in 2013-14 the increase was 2.9%. Recent figures published by Corelogic RP Data and the ABS both show a slowing in rental growth with Corelogic reporting an increase of only 1.5% over the past 12 months. The ABS CPI rental series notes an increase of 2.1% over the year to March 31. Both these results confirm the trend noted in the Board’s figures.
Supply Increasing
One key factor that is putting downward pressure on rents has been the big jump in supply in NSW over recent years as more investors look to residential property, driven by falling deposit rates and the availability of cheap finance. The number of bonds held by the Board clearly shows the trend, in the following table:
 
Year:              Number of Bonds:          Increase:
2008/09          643,518                        ^8028
2209/10          648,142                        ^4624
2010/11          662,756                        ^14,614
2011/12          680,150                        ^17,394
2012/13          703,158                        ^23,008
2013/14          726,337                        ^23,179
The upward trend has been most notable since 2012/13 with some 46,187 new tenancies added to the NSW rental pool and the trend is sure to have continued into 2014/15.
Invest in Quality
As more stock becomes available, I suggest that investors, just like owner-occupiers should invest in quality and do their research to help ensure that despite more supply, they secure good opportunities in popular rental locations.
I suggest that no matter how strong investment demand is, you can never beat quality and with banks taking a tighter line on investment loans it’s even more important. The key items to keep in mind are by no means new, but it’s sensible non the less to keep them in mind, so I suggest a simple check list, in particular for off-the-plan buyers would include the following items to tick off.
Firstly try to get in early and learn all about the area where you might invest. Understand the quality of the project, if the finishes and fixtures appeal to you personally, then they will also be acceptable to tenants, and if there’s a competitive market this will be an important consideration.
Check that you can secure all of the finance for your investment, and always include the added cost of stamp duty and legal fees, plus take into account the ongoing costs like strata and management fees. Visit the project location, at least a few times, even more important if you’re going to invest outside of your home city. Do your research and gain an understanding of what sort of supply pipeline and tenant demand there might be when your project is complete. These are simple ideas, and I suggest the same even when buying an established property, because as supply continues to increase and we possibly see rents moderate, these factors will help secure tenants.
The trends come from a very big pool of tenants as the Rental Bond Board looks after what might soon be approaching 750,000 tenancy bonds across NSW, and so the figures are a very reliable reflection of the wider rental market.
Given all of the activity across our property market in the last 12 months the Board’s report for 2014-15 will I am sure make very interesting reading.
To read the first part of Peter's two-part post click here.
Peter Chittenden is managing director for residential of Colliers International. He can be contacted <a href="https://www.projectagenda.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Rental trends supply heading upward: Peter Chittenden

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Here’s the most remarkable statistic to emerge from the residential real estate industry this year: 32% of people think there’s a bubble.
The remarkable thing is that so few believe in the bubble BS. Media has been running bubble stories daily. Recently a new B word has taken up headline space: bloodbath, now a popular word to describe predictions from the lunatic fringe who subscribe to bubble theories.
But, according to an Investor Insight Survey, 55% of respondents said there was no property bubble and 13% were unsure.
Media, being the strange twisted animal that it is, chose to highlight the 32% who do apparently believe there’s a bubble, with the inference that this number is significantly high. My reaction was quite the opposite: that it’s amazingly low, given that media constantly tells us that one exists.
Among the many unworthy things that Nazi propaganda guy Joseph Goebbels gave to the world was the notion that “if you tell a lie big enough, and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to accept it as the truth”.
That principle, if that’s the right word, is alive and thriving in Australian media today. Most of what consumers believe to be true about real estate – the affordability crisis, the chronic housing shortage crisis, the bubble, the Great Australian Dream is dead, etc – are lies that have been repeated so often that many people accept them as truth.
This week the Australian Bureau of Statistics published its Residential Property Price Indexes, which are the latest figures to demonstrate the lie in the boom/bubble/bloodbath nonsense much beloved by tabloid media.
Sydney’s price index is up 13% and the next best is Melbourne’s 4.7% annual rise. Brisbane has managed 3.9%, Canberra 3%, Adelaide 2.5% and Hobart 1.9%. The price indexes for both Perth and Darwin have fallen slightly. The weighted average rise for the eight cities is 6.9%, but seven of the eight cities are well below that average.
I’ve scrutinised these figures, and similar data from other sources, from lots of different angles and directions. I’ve turned them upside down. I’ve looked at them in a mirror. I’ve examined them through a magnifying glass. And I cannot find a national property boom there. And without a boom, there is no bubble. And without a bubble, there is no prospect of a bloodbath.
Few media outlets reported the ABS figures, as they don’t fit with the pre-conceived story line of runaway markets, blistering price surges and world-shatter<a name="_GoBack" href=""></a>ing bubbles. Goebbels also gave us the idea, much utilised by journalists today, that you never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
The latest “bloodbath” forecast has come from a couple of attention-seeking conspiracy-theory twits who have put in a submission to yet another parliamentary inquiry in an attempt to drum up a bit of publicity for their consulting business.
They’ve predicted a bloodbath. Naturally media had a field day with it. If someone is silly enough to predict a market crash, journalists will be delighted to recycle it as news, regardless of how outlandish it is or how often the forecasters have been wrong in the past.
I’ve added this to the very large list of people who have predicted bloodbaths, bubbles bursting and markets collapsing in Australian real estate over the past 15 years.
I have a heightened awareness of such predictions because I recently conducted a research exercise for a client on the predictions newspapers and other media outlets have made about real estate prices since the start of the century.
Over 15 years there has been a constant barrage of articles making doomsday predictions about the housing market. Subsequent outcomes have proved them all wrong. Not one has been correct.
I recently published a Top 20 list of worst predictions about property prices. For example, in January 2012 visiting US spruiker Jordan Wirsz, seeking to drum up some free publicity, predicted a bloodbath in which house values would fall 60% in 2013. He forecast land values would fall 90%. 
Not surprisingly, this did not happen. There is no precedent, not in Australia nor in any other nation on planet Earth, for such a calamitous decline in values. The actual outcome? Capital city prices, on average, rose 9% in 2013 and 8% in 2014, with most of that growth occurring in Sydney.
But Wirsz’s ludicrous prediction, which should not have been published by any credible media organisation, was just one of numerous doomsday forecasts made over the past 15 years, and all of them have been proven false. They have come from US spruikers, Australian economists and the lunatic fringe brigade of anti-real estate campaigners.
But if Wirsz lobs in Australia again next month and predicts our property values will fall 100% - in other words, every property will be worth zero - newspapers around the nation will publish it, television will rush to do interviews and politicians will call for a parliamentary inquiry.
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> 
Terry was recently joined by Property Observer editor at large Jonathan Chancellor for a webinar on why research is the key to successful property investing in 2015. You can download slides and audio from the webinar here.
 
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Without a boom, there is no bubble: Terry Ryder

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Core Reality has taken out a 135 square metre lease on a five year term in the six-storey Argus Building in Melbourne's CBD.
Located on the corner of La Trobe and Elizabeth Streets, the heritage listed property has 12 metre high ceilings and exceptional ground-floor exposure.
Savills Australia Retail Executive, Jock Thomson, brokered the deal with colleague Michael Di Carlo.
The Beaux-Arts inspired designing was used by The Argus newspaper from 1926 to 1957.
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