Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Joel Robinson

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

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

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

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

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

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

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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

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

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GUEST OBSERVATION
The major Australian banks have recently cut fixed mortgage rates below 5%. They have done so without any prompting from the Reserve Bank of Australia, which may actually start raising the policy rate within the next six months, especially if inflation continues to run around the top end of its 2-3% target range.
Why, then, did the Australian banks cut their mortgage rates?
One possible reason lies in an obscure old macroeconomic theory of “secular stagnation” that has been gaining credence recently throughout the financial industry worldwide.
Resurrecting an old theory
In a speech at the International Monetary Fund last November, Larry Summers, Harvard economist and former US Treasury Secretary, resurrected this old theory, originally developed by another Harvard economist, Alvin Hansen, in the late 1930s.
When a consumption-led recovery in the midst of the Great Depression started to falter, Alvin Hansen was inspired by the then nascent Keynesian idea that the economy as a whole could persistently suffer from inadequate demand in the absence of a massive policy intervention.
US population growth had slowed dramatically during the Great Depression and Hansen believed this was a “secular” (that is, long-term, non-policy) source of decline in private investment in new capital infrastructure. According to his very Keynesian theory, this weak investment brought consumption down with it and, like John Maynard Keynes, Hansen did not believe in the ability of wage and price adjustment to restore the economy to full employment in the face of inadequate demand. Instead, he believed that fiscal policy would have to take up the slack, which it did with the onset of World War II.
The baby boom after the war meant that the theory of secular stagnation was largely forgotten. But Larry Summers sees similar forces at work in recent times and he considers secular stagnation as a leading explanation for why the US housing bubble in the 2000s didn’t result in an overheated economy at the time.
One might question the idea that the US economy didn’t overheat prior to the global financial crisis. But real GDP growth and inflation were actually quite moderate by historical standards throughout the 2000s. Summers speculates that this was because economic growth would have been much slower in the absence of a bubble due to secular stagnation.
Global savings glut and the chase for yield
This story is somewhat related to former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s “global savings glut” hypothesis about why interest rates remained so low throughout the 2000s. In Bernanke’s view, there were too many savers, especially from Asia, chasing too few high-return and often risky investments. This “chase for yield” put downward pressure on interest rates and fuelled the US housing bubble.
So what is the prediction of secular stagnation for the future and why might it explain the Australian banks’ recent cuts in mortgage rates?
The basic prediction of the theory is that economies throughout the world will continue to stumble along with anaemic growth and no inflationary pressures for the foreseeable future. At best, there will be more moderate growth from time to time, but it will occur due to periodic financial bubbles triggered by a chase for yield and low interest rates. Faced with slow economic growth and low inflation, central banks will contribute to these bubbles by lowering their policy rates or making large-scale asset purchases (aka “quantitative easing”) when rates hit the zero lower bound.
In cutting their mortgage rates, the Australian banks appear to have bought into the secular stagnation theory and are clearly betting on continued downward pressure on interest rates driven by a global chase for yield.
Is there hope for a less stagnant future?
Can anything to be done about secular stagnation or, perhaps, is its relevance to the current economic situation overstated?
Similar to Alvin Hansen in the 1930s, Larry Summers argues that public investment in infrastructure provides the best way to address inadequate demand. He notes that current low interest rates also mean that the cost of financing public infrastructure investment is unusually low.
Would this fiscal policy approach work? Japan is an obvious place to look at in terms of what might happen in the face of demographic-led stagnation. And the results are not particularly promising. Japan has undertaken massive debt-financed infrastructure spending and this has not exactly produced a booming economy. Of course, unemployment has remained low and deflation, not inflation, has been the greater problem. So perhaps things would have been even worse in the absence of Japan’s massive fiscal interventions.
Meanwhile, it’s not really clear how relevant secular stagnation is for the rest of the world, including Australia. Indeed, in an odd way, the possibility of secular stagnation means that we should at least briefly celebrate when we see Australian inflation running at the top end of its target range.
This is not to say that the RBA should abandon or revise up its inflation target. But higher inflation is an indication that the secular stagnation hypothesis may be incorrect, while the RBA can always raise its policy rate to bring inflation down again in the future. Of course, the Australian banks currently betting on low interest rates won’t be quite as happy if this scenario were to play out.
James Morley is professor of economics and associate dean (research) at <a href="https://www.asb.unsw.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Australian School of Business</a>. He receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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jmorley-2PQc6nmtuL

Why did Australian banks cut their mortgage rates?

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There is a growing disparity in financial comfort between households described as ‘asset-rich’ and other households, particularly between age groups, according to ME Bank’s latest biannual Household Financial Comfort survey conducted in June.
ME Bank’s consulting economist, Jeff Oughton, noted that the survey sees this distance between the two groups growing due to a rise in property prices.
“Asset-rich households (including self-funded retirees and home owners) have benefited from a sustained rise in global and local equity prices as well as significant gains in residential prices, especially in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth,” said Oughton.
“In contrast, limited household income gains and rising concerns about cash savings among most other households have seen their financial comfort falling,” he said.
Those aged 65 plus saw their financial comfort increase by 9% over the six months to June to the highest number since the survey began, according to the survey, while all other life stage groups fell significantly. In particular, Gen X fell by 4% to its lowest level since the survey commenced.
Looking at households, retirees were the most comfortable. Self-funded retirees' financial comfort was up 8%, while government-funded retirees fell 15%.
All other main household groups’ comfort fell in the six month period.
In total, 54% of households reported being unable to save each month, the highest in three years, with overall financial comfort falling 3%. This is reversing the gains recorded in 2013.
Those breaking even numbered 42%, while 12% were drawing on savings, loans or home equity to get by.
Financial comfort is expected to drop even further over the next 12 months.
“Household income has been negatively impacted by relatively low average wage growth, moderate job gains, rising unemployment and corresponding falls in job security over the period, as well as an anticipated tightening in government income assistance and tax benefits announced in the Federal Budget,” said Oughton.
“About the same proportion of Australians (30%) reported income gains as income falls during 2013/14, compared with the corresponding outcomes of 39% and 28% respectively during the previous financial year.”
In New South Wales and Western Australia, comfort fell by 5%. In Victoria, a 2% drop was seen, while South Australia fell by 6%. Queensland remained unchanged, and Tasmania rose 10%, while the ACT fell by over a third. ME Bank notes that these smaller sample sizes make for more volatile results.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Growing wealth inequality in Australia fuelled by rising property prices: ME Bank

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<div>
The international fashion chain H&amp;M will shortly open its first Sydney store in the revamped Macquarie Centre in North Ryde.
</div>
The Daily Telegraph reports the store is expected to open on 16 October in Sydney's north-western suburbs.
Macquarie Centre will possibly have other global brands including Victoria’s Secret, Uniqlo and Zara, whom are all currently negotiating leases.
David Jones and Myer will be there too, all hoping to capitalise on the forecast that by 2031 Macquarie Business Park will be Australia’s fourth-largest business centre.
Australia's first H&amp;M fashion store<a href="/expert-insights/investing/h-m-set-for-australian-roll-out-as-its-first-local-store-launches-tomorrow"> opened in Melbourne's GPO building</a> in the Bourke Street mall in April.
The chain has about 3,182 stores in 53 countries, opening a further 375 this year.
It took around three years to find the initial outlet sites in Australia, including the distribution warehouse at Eastern Creek in Sydney. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

H&M's first Sydney store set for a 16 October opening at Macquarie Centre, North Ryde

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The Chinese developer JQZ has reportedly paid $50 million plus for ­Woollahra Council's former depot in Waterloo.
<a href="https://jqz.com.au" target="_blank">JQZ</a>, which also emerged last year as the $47 million development site buyer at nearby 904 Bourke Street, was previously known as the Tong Group which was founded in 2005.
The 1.4 hectare holding at 52-54 O’Dea Avenue is located within walking distance of Green Square railway station.
<img src="/images/2014/08/05/1.jpg" alt="">
The site is zoned for mixed-use of up to about 18 storeys with one tower, plus four x eight storey buildings.
JQZ has more than 1,000 apartments under way across Sydney having developed ­apartments in Burwood, Parra­matta, Homebush, Harris Park and Rockdale.
The Bay at Meadowbank is another project.
It has also recently marketed 250 apartments in its Parramatta Road, Homebush project, Grand Central, Homebush, which is a development site with 430 apartments scheduled for completion by 2016. Grand Central development will comprise two buildings, a 7-storey and 13-storey.
JQZ paid $30 million for the 10,000 square metre site at 6-18 Parramatta Road, which is its 10th Sydney project.
JLL had the council offering, the Australian Financial Review report said.
The local paper has advised that council received the first of four payments, a $5.6 million deposit, from Chinese developer JQZ as part of a deferred two-year sale.
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JQZ secures Woollahra Council's Waterloo depot

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Investors will be looking to listed property companies’ results and outlook statements for indications of whether the market for residential real estate has deteriorated in light of weakening consumer confidence.
Dalton Nicol Reid portfolio manager Scott Bender said investors were expecting the residential property sector to continue to be reasonably buoyant, but not as strong as in the first quarter of 2014.
“The market is going to be focused on the commentary on the outlook. Contracts on hand will be strong but we’re interested in enquiry and conversion rates and whether they have seen an impact from the softer consumer,” Bender told Property Observer.
“Residential will still be quite strong but there will be a focus on whether [property companies] see softening in those leading indicators following the federal budget.”
Stockland Property Group, which reports to the market on 18 August, will be one to watch given the size of its residential book, said Bender, who manages Dalton Nicol Reid’s property trust portfolio.
Mirvac Group’s results would give an indication of the outlook for medium density residential developments, particularly given the group’s exposure to the NSW market. Bender said NSW property had been selling well for Mirvac and he expected that trend to continue. Mirvac reports on 21 August.
Bender expects further merger and acquisition activity in the coming months as companies are able to access low cost debt and equity and it is becoming more difficult to increase revenue.
“Given there’s cheap equity and cheap debt [merger and acquisition activity] is going to be on the radar but whether companies are going to get something cheap enough to make the numbers work will be the tricky part,” he said.
Land developer Australand is the target of a takeover bid by Singapore-based Frasers Centrepoint. Australand’s directors have recommended shareholders accept Frasers’ off-market takeover bid of $4.48 cash per Australand security. Earlier in the year, Stockland made an unsuccessful play for the group.
Australand reported on 21 July that it had made a $131.5 million net profit after tax for the half year results to 30 June, up 49% on the prior corresponding period.
It reiterated earlier guidance that earnings for the full 2014 year were likely to be up 20-25% on 2013, and earnings per share would grow by 10-15% from 2014 to 2016, assuming the residential market remained strong. However, the company noted that Frasers would review its structure and operations if the takeover proceeded, so guidance may change. 
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zfielding-GvX3Uq9KTa

Reporting season may hold key residential market indicators for investors

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I feel some sympathy for the people conducting the Senate inquiry into affordable housing.
Based on the media reports I’ve seen, they’re being served up a motley mixture of propaganda, misinformation and outright lies by organisations pushing their private agendas.
How will they sort the wheat from the chaff, given that most of what they’re being fed is chaff?
The representative bodies of elements of the real estate industry are simply presenting their wish lists on behalf of their members. Each one of them would have us believe that the solution to the problem is to give their members everything they’ve ever wanted.
Apparently first home buyers around the nation will rejoice if real estate agents can be helped to earn more commissions or developers can make more money faster.
Firstly, what is the problem? Or, more pertinently, is there a problem?
The premise of the inquiry is that young adults can’t afford to buy a dwelling. I’m quite certain that’s a false premise. It contradicts all the available evidence.
First home buyers appear to be less active than before. And it has been assumed – incorrectly, I’m quite sure – that this is solely because they can’t afford to buy. No one has considered that there might be another explanation, or several other explanations.
Last Friday I was guest speaker at a business luncheon. I addressed a number of topics under the heading – “Residential Property – the market no one really understands” – and there followed a long discussion of the issues.
The hottest topic was the motivation of young Australians with regards to home ownership. Many of those present – who have adult children and/or work with young adults – observed that most twenty-something Australians have little or no interest in buying real estate.
Affordability is not the issue. They simply have other priorities. I was interested to hear those comments, but not surprised because this has been revealed in several surveys in the past 12 months. Young adults, generally speaking, don’t want to repeat the life path of their parents, which included being married with kids and a mortgage before 30.
They want lifestyle and travel. They’re more inclined to invest in themselves than in real estate. One view expressed at the luncheon was that many would rather start a business than buy property.
There’s another factor. I think there’s more first home buyer activity that the figures show, because most state and territories have changed their grants system. Grants are available now for new homes only. But the research shows that most first timers buy established properties, because they’re considerably cheaper and often better located.
There are first home buyers out there slipping under the radar because they’re not claiming grants.
All of that is an inconvenient truth to builders, developers and real estate agents. They want politicians to believe there’s a crisis and they have to act to fix the perceived problem.
And the solution they’re presenting to the Senate inquiry is: give us what we want and the problem with go away.
The <a href="/expert-insights/investing/five-supply-reforms-that-will-assist-affordability-master-builders-australia">solution presented by Master Builders Australia</a> is to release more land, make approvals easier and faster, and reduce or eliminate infrastructure charges to developers – with penalties for governments that don’t toe the MBA line.
That’s not a solution. That’s the lifetime wish list of builders and developers across the nation.
The attitude of the Real Estate Institute of Australia is particularly interesting, because their statements contradict their own research. The REIA co-publishes a quarterly affordability index that shows that affordability is the best it’s been in over a decade. But it’s telling the Senate inquiry that there’s a big affordability problem and the government must act to fix it.
Either the REIA index is nonsense or their submission to the inquiry is. I’d love to know which they think it is.
The REIA claims there’s a national housing shortfall of 100,000 dwellings. Developer bodies make similar claims. But they don’t justify the claim. They demand that we accept it as fact, without presenting any evidence. I think it is real estate’s greatest myth (and have presented my evidence many times in this column).
So, the <a href="/expert-insights/buying/government-needs-to-stem-exodus-of-first-home-buyers-reia">REIA’s solution to the problem</a> their own index says doesn’t exist is to make lots of changes to ensure more property deals happen: assistance to first home buyers, access to superannuation to make buying property easier, retention of negative gearing for investors, abolition of stamp duties and release of more land.
It’s pure coincidence that all these measures are likely to line the pockets of REIA members around Australia.
At some point in time, developers, agents and other servants of the property industry will have to accept that this generation of young adults will never adopt the priorities of their parents. They have better things to do with their lives.
You can contact Terry via  <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Real estate industry bodies more concerned with lining their own pockets than easing affordability

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Have a look at a home loan comparison website and you’ll see a growing number of variable rate mortgages are now below 5%.
With mortgages this affordable you could refinance out of an old expensive loan and into a low cost one; and it’s also a good opportunity to repay more than you have to – to build up equity more quickly.
But a lot of people are asking if the low rates mean it’s time to buy an investment property?
Firstly, I suggest potential investors separate their thinking between the mortgage interest rates and the investment itself. Long after variable rates have returned to normal levels, you’ll probably still own this investment and it should make financial sense.
The point of an investment property is to harvest the ‘total gross yield’ – that is, you want the property to produce rental income and capital growth. You want enough rental income to help pay the mortgage and meet costs month-to-month, and you want sufficient capital growth so that over time it becomes a more valuable asset.
If you can achieve a 5% per annum rental yield and the average growth in the suburb is 3% per annum, you have an 8% gross yield. But there are many things that can vary this result.
Does the property need renovations? Is it maintenance-intensive? Will you use a property manager? Is it close to amenities such as schools, shops and train stations and likely to be sough-after by tenants? All of these things will affect your yield over the long term, and property is a long-term game.
There’s really no substitute for homework – you must have a clear view about ownership costs.
You also have to think about negative gearing, which is a tax rule that allows you to take any losses on the property and use them to reduce your taxable income, thereby reducing your taxes.
This brings us to the cost of your mortgage. Many people want to buy an investment property simply because they can, but the cost of entry isn’t the end of the discussion.
The investment mortgage has to be repaid from income, while most people are also funding the family home loan from the same income. Even if negative gearing gives you a small tax break, you have to calculate if you could afford to pay the investment property mortgage if the rates moved upwards by, say, 2%, or 3%.
Fixed rate mortgages only give you breathing room for the term of the fixed rate – they don’t make rising interest rates go away.
Low interest rates make it affordable to buy, but you have to know what it costs to own it, which means understanding where interest rate rises will leave you.
And, a final hint: the best property investments are made at purchase. Try to buy a property at a good price, with low maintenance, in a high-demand area, where prices are just starting to pick up. Be patient and do your homework.
If you buy well, you’ll do well.
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of wealth management company <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au" target="_blank">Yellow Brick Road</a>.
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mbouris-tauSvXGAM2

Interest rates are low, but does this mean you should buy an investment property?

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Golf was an utter obsession for me as a teenager, the blistered hands testament to the fact that my mates and I would think nothing of playing 36 or even 54 holes in a day through the school hols.
At my best I was a single figure handicapper, which may sound impressive if you're a high handicapper, but in reality given the endless summers spent out on the course or on the practice range, I probably should have gotten lower. Upon heading off off to uni to study there was far less time to dedicate to the game and I was frustrated to see the junior pros from our club improve and overtake me - golf is a terribly unforgiving sport to those who do not practice. 
The moral of the story is that if you can't be the best at something, then you should just quit and give it up. 
Here are five golfing analogies for investors I picked up from watching the British Open...
<ul>
<li>Discipline</li>
</ul>
My teenage mates and I were always thrilled by watching John "Wild Thing" Daly play golf with his "grip it and rip it" mantra. 
An eccentric anti-establishment character, Daly drove coaches and administrators to distraction with his non-conformist behaviour, and against all the odds won two major championships including the British Open itself at the home of golf, St. Andrews.
As young lads, Daly appealed to our young male egos. He belted the golf ball a proverbial mile with his 'Killer Whale' driver and a bit like us he was rebellious, drank lots of beer and had a terrible haircut.
As a general rule, though, major-winning golfers are not like John Daly. 
Ian Woosnam reportedly enjoyed a pint, and some golfers periodically over-indulge in food or other 19th hole pleasures, but most pro golfers at the peak of their game are relatively fastidious in their discipline and detailed preparation
Routine, preparation, discipline.
Discipline is the first rule of successful investment. 
Take the stylised example of a person aged 25 who earns $50,000 per annum and receives annual pay increases of 3.5% through their working career. 
Thanks to compounding growth, even at only 3.5% annual pay increases their total cumulative gross earnings could be far, far higher than you might intuitively expect.
<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WuK1fnaEnrs/U9Kkn99EGLI/AAAAAAAAOwU/M7QG0nufC5w/s1600/1..jpg">
It's not fashionable to say so, but wages growth has outpaced inflation for years in Australia across all income brackets, and on average folk have <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/fishers-money-illusion" target="_blank">more disposable income</a> than in years gone by. 
It takes a level of commitment and discipline, sure, but the fact of the matter is that most people with a full-time job should be able to save and invest something for the future.
You tend to make some enemies pointing this out, but there's nothing like living in a Third World country for a couple of years to change your perspective and realise just how blessed we are to live in a country of abundant wealth such as Australia. 
The first rule of investing is to establish the discipline to spend less money on junk that we don't need and set aside money to invest.
One of the scariest things about working in professional practice where there are many high income earners is seeing people work for decades yet setting aside nothing for the future (often in Britain, not even a pension contribution).
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<ul>
<li>Sacrifice</li>
</ul>
In a similar vein, the greatest golfers through history have made huge sacrifices to reach the top echelons of the game.
Instead of idolising John Daly or the eccentric genius of Severiano Ballesteros, in hindsight as youngsters we should have been learning from the unstinting work ethic of the single-minded Sir Nick Faldo.
From a very young age Faldo was driven by a "quest for excellence", and dedicated countless thousands of hours to being the finest and most thoroughly prepared player that he could be. 
A golfer of incredible mental fortitude, Faldo took the unthinkable step for an Order of Merit winner of remodeling his swing under the watchful gaze of David Leadbetter in the mid-1980s. 
After enduring several frustrating years in the relative wilderness, the brave step paid dividends and Faldo went on to win no fewer than six major championships, becoming a true golfing great and fulfilling his quest for excellence.
Outstanding results in all spheres almost always require sacrifice and a willingness to go the extra mile. 
<ul>
<li>Patience</li>
</ul>
At the major championships, pro golfers aim to get themselves into contention by keeping the ball in play and making few costly errors, perhaps looking to pick up a few birdies on the par five holes.
As a rule, professionals don't go out on to the course aiming to shoot a 62, instead they focus on playing the percentages, approaching each shot in isolation and playing every situation on its merits.
Golfing legend and eight-time major winner Tom Watson aged 64 incredibly recently shot his age - a round of 64 - by applying precisely this disciplined approach.
If a player is on course to miss the cut towards the end of the second round they may take a few more calculated risks, but generally major championship golf is a percentages game and being too aggressive can backfire.
Golf psychologists therefore tend to use phrases like "control the controllables", "routine, routine, routine" and "beat them with patience". 
I recall the junior golfers at our club frequently annoyed senior members by knocking them out of Matchplay events where points are awarded for winning individual holes, yet were rarely so successful in the Medal tournaments where cumulative strokes are instead recorded.
Being a good investor is more akin to a Medal competition than a Matchplay event...but it often takes an early defeat or two to understand this.
The first time I went to a casino I won £690 and I thought it was brilliant (bad news). The next time we went I lost the lot which was a salutary lesson, and funnily enough I've gambled in casinos very rarely since! It also took me a hefty $50,000 loss on speculative mining shares to realise that there is no need to go down that path again.
Investing should be fundamentally simple for those of a patient temperament and an accumulator's mentality. Why speculate in low quality companies which have never made a profit or buy property in remote mining towns to chase a fast buck? 
Far better to aim to continue accumulating high quality assets such as shares in dividend-paying blue chip companies, index funds or well-located capital city properties, which will continue to deliver returns in perpetuity. 
 <img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZ1-7M0G0Vg/U9KkuMdePYI/AAAAAAAAOwc/EOHQeczwPzY/s1600/2..jpg">
 
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<ul>
<li>Leverage</li>
</ul>
I'm not sure about you but I can't move my hands particularly fast. Yet when a supreme athlete such as Tiger Woods hits a golf ball, it really stays hit and the clubhead speed generated can top an awesome 120 miles per hour. How so? The reason is due to leverage.
Using the longest club in the bag, the 'one wood' or driver, there are golfers out there who can hit the golf ball extraordinary distances...up to half a kilometre in some cases! As Archimedes said: "give me a lever long enough lever and I shall move the world". 
Whooshka! Of course, in tournament play, one will rarely see a golfer hit a ball in such a manner, due to the necessary lack of control. All golfers use leverage to their advantage, but it must be utilised with a level of restraint and control, and a bit of common sense. 
Leverage is the principle reason that average investors look to investment property - residential real estate is the one asset class which allows them to use the greatest leverage. 
I recall as a nipper my parents selling their house which they'd bought for £4,000 in Sheffield for more than double the amount they had paid for it. They upgraded and later bought a house for £30,000 which they'd negotiated down by £1,500.
Even as a youngster I was struck by three things. Firstly, the sheer size of the numbers involved as compared to my old man's reasonably modest pay cheque.
Secondly, how even for a family where funds were pretty tight - a family of five boys supported on my Dad's probation officer salary - it was possible to build thousands of pounds of equity over time as a property owner.
And thirdly, how each time my parents moved house, prices had moved higher - much higher - and that wasn't only because they were trading up.
That's the combined power of leverage and compound growth at work, which allows sensible homeowners to build up significant equity or net worth over time.
In my case, I intuitively looked to investment property when I was in my 20s because it allowed me to invest with millions of dollars that I could not otherwise have done.
It should go without saying, however, that leverage is a double-edged sword and should only be used sensibly and with a long-term outlook, since while gains can be magnified, so too can losses.
The anti-real estate contingent tend to oscillate interchangeably between two lines of argument: that property has not been a good investment (demonstrably false, if you have invested sensibly) and that property investment is unethical or socially useless.
The fact of the matter is, if you know what you're doing, property can be an outstanding investment as part of a balanced portfolio.
<ul>
<li>Risk Management</li>
</ul>
If you were watching the British Open carefully, you'd have seen the brilliant Rory McIlroy decline to use his driver on the 72nd hole, instead opting to hit a more conservative long iron.
Why would a guy who had been melting it up to 400 yards off the tee across the hard links turf not use his biggest club? Risk management. 
McIlroy had already taken calculated risks earlier in the tournament and now was using less leverage and eliminating risk. It worked a treat and he took out the claret jug as the Open Championship winner.
Successful investing is very much like a 72 hole golf tournament in the the winners must use sound 'course management' to avoid making catastrophic mistakes and manage risk.
Moreover, it generally pays to be a bit more aggressive and invest in what are perceived as riskier growth or ownership when you are younger and have time on your side. 
Later in the game you may elect to deleverage or transition towards income assets, but the key is to get yourself into the happy position of having these choices.
You can visit <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) or Pete's <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blog</a>.
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>' .
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Five golfing analogies for investors

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Property management revenues have been recorded as jumping by 10% since June 2013 for Raine &amp; Horne, with this wing of the business expected to become increasingly prominent as investor numbers climb.
Raine &amp; Horne’s chairman and CEO Angus Raine said that in recognition of the growth in this part of the market, they have employed a business support and development manager, Lauren Kirk, to support their nationwide property management arm.
“When the next batch of figures is released by the ATO, I expect to see a major spike in the property investor numbers, as self-managed super funds and individual investors have dominated residential property in recent times,” said Raine.
Kirk is planning to assist with increasing efficiencies, rent rolls and revenues.
Earlier this week it was announced that Charles Farru-Hill and Robert Lawson had been<a href="/expert-insights/investing/raine-horne-commercial-expands-wa-team"> appointed to lead Raine &amp; Horne Commercial Western Australia's property management arm</a>.
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Property management revenues up 10% for Raine & Horne

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It comes as little surprise that Master Builders Australia’s submission to the Senate Inquiry into affordable housing looks at the ‘supply’ side of the equation.
They say that boosting the national housing supply is the key to increasing affordability, particularly due to the current shortages.
“Reducing the massive shortfall in new housing is the major challenge the nation faces in maintaining home ownership as a realistic aspiration rather than an unaffordable dream,” said Master Builders Australia CEO Wilhelm Harnisch.
“Supply side reforms must include measures to generate appropriate funding for social housing,” he said.
Here are the five points that they have suggested will help with housing affordability:
<ol>
<li>National competition style payments to local councils that improve supply of adequate releasable land (both greenfield and brown field’) and implement more efficient building and planning approvals. 
</li>
<li>Agreed ‘master plans’ to deliver positive housing outcomes that cover urban consolidation and urban and regional infrastructure plans to deliver a housing mix to meet the needs of different demographics. 
</li>
<li>All local councils to develop Land Release Plans which identify  and provide an indicative forward schedule of ‘greenfield’ and ‘brownfield’ land over a rolling 10 year horizon which could be made available for housing development. 
</li>
<li>Make state and territory infrastructure charges subject to a housing affordability assessment to ensure that the supply of adequate housing stock is not being undermined. The Commonwealth should penalise states and territories which impose excessive developer charges should be penalised through a reduction in transfer payments. 
</li>
<li>An online ‘InfoHub’ should be established by the Commonwealth to allow ready comparison local councils and state and territory jurisdictions and the efficiency of their processes, developer charges and progressive land release schedules.</li>
</ol>
Source: Master Builders Australia
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