Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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

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

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Currently in Perth there is strong demand for homes under $450,000. There is also an undersupply of stock across the board with about 3,000 properties fewer than normal. Consequently, there is quick turnover with well priced, well located property and the number of days on market can be as low as two or three weeks. In many areas home buyers need to act quickly to secure a property but there is no need for panic.
The real estate market regularly swings between seller and buyer markets in response to  economic and population conditions. A more relaxed market will likely return in the near future, particularly given the number of apartments and townhouses currently under construction and due for release this year.
Curiously enough, a seller’s market can actually work in favour of buyers if they are organised and mentally ready to secure a quick deal. When properties are selling quickly many people who have held back from marketing their homes can be motivated into acting.
Even though the stock of properties available for sale is lower than usual there is greater turnover. This in turn presents opportunities for buyers who are fully prepared.
A seller’s market can also work to the advantage of a buyer who has an existing property to sell. Normally this situation is not very attractive to sellers as they’d rather not wait for you to sell your home before buying theirs. Yet in a fast market a seller can consider that scenario with greater confidence even if other unconditional offers are on the table.
Being fully prepared to buy a property is the key to succeeding in a seller’s market. This means organising your finances and, most importantly, knowing exactly what it is that you want to buy.
Timing is critical for a buyer in a seller’s market. Once you have determined your budget, type of property and preferred locations you should work to a plan. Confine your home-open inspections only to properties that meet your specific requirements.  It can also help to talk to some agents about properties that may not yet have come onto market but which might interest you.
You might also consider hiring a buyers’ agent to help you with your search, especially if you don’t have a lot of time for home-hunting or lack confidence in a competitive market.
When you do find the right property it’s important to convey to the seller that you are a committed buyer. A low offer is less likely to be considered, so be prepared to make a reasonable offer with a little ‘wiggle room.’
Finally, a bigger deposit will convey to the seller that you are genuine and have confidence in securing the finance to seal the deal.
David Airey is president of the <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/home/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Real Estate Institute of Western Australia.</a>
<a href="https://reiwa.com.au/home/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"></a>This article was originally published on <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/Faq/Pages/Feature.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">reiwa.com</a>.
                      
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Buying strategically in a fast moving market

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Australian CBD office markets are entering into a hiatus period this year, with supply levels forecast to hit their lowest point in 13 years.
Despite strong supply in Melbourne and Sydney, Knight Frank's latest Australian CBD Research showed that stock levels across the nation's capital cities slumped 29% to 463,000 square metres of new and refurbished stock in 2013. That compared to 649,000 square metres in 2012.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/25/chart_of_tghe_week_feb_25_one.png" width="470" height="297" alt="chart_of_tghe_week_feb_25_one">
Source: Knight Frank
Supply levels are expected to shrink further this year, with the global real estate firm forecasting supply to come in at only 241,000 square metres - a figure it says would be the lowest level of gross supply additions since 2001 when nearly 200,000 square metres was completed.
"Following relatively strong completion activity over the past two years, this hiatus in new construction completions over the next 12 months comes at a welcome time for the markets, especially those with an overhang of backfill and sub-lease space waiting to be absorbed," said Knight Frank national director of research, Matt Whitby.
This year, he said, the only major high profile additions to stock would occur in Melbourne, with 150 Collins Street (Westpac committed) and 720 Bourke Street (Medibank committed) slated for completion. A handful of smaller new builds and refurbishments would also be completed in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide, he added.
However, Knight Frank is projecting a rebound of supply in 2015. It is tipping completions to total about 562,000 square metres and includes projects that commenced without tenant pre-commitments such as 180 Ann Street, Brisbane (Daisho) and 20 Martin Place, Sydney (Pembroke).
"Notwithstanding this, Brisbane and Canberra will be devoid of any major supply until late 2015," said Mr Whitby.
He also made a point of saying that while new supply additions were expected to be relatively lower, backfill space would continue to be a major factor this year and increasingly so during 2015.
Another key theme cited in the report was last year's unprecedented level of site sales occurring in and adjacent to the CBD markets, mostly in Melbourne and Sydney. That demand, said Mr Whitby, was driven predominately by Asian developers, as the "highest and best use" of sites was, and continues to be, slanted towards residential rather than commercial use.
"This trend will see an increasing amount of commercial stock withdrawn due to residential and hotel conversions, alongside a large number of obsolete stocks being refurbished and modernised in an effort to attract tenants."
He described that as a "real game changer for markets", especially in Sydney and Melbourne over 2014/15, "as the net supply figures (i.e. after withdrawals) will be significantly lower than the headline numbers, which will help cushion the market in the face of a soft leasing market."
<a href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
      
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kjiminez-eaYKfU7qd2

Australian CBD office supply forecast to hit 13 year low

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Australia’s surge in tourism is driving demand for hotels in gateway cities and we see no sign of this momentum easing off in 2014, particularly with demand far outstripping available supply.

Savills research recorded approximately $2 billion of hotel assets transacting in 2013, up on the five year average of $1.3 billion.  

The rising demand, especially from foreign investors, for core hotel assets in gateway cities has never been stronger, with Sydney and Melbourne, followed closely by Brisbane, being the most sought after by Asian investors.  

There is a strong play from China in particular, whether private or institutions, who are chasing hotel assets.  They are attracted to investments where they can participate in, or add to, the “Chinese tourism supply chain” – that is, Chinese travel agents at the point of origin; a critical mass of Chinese inbound tourists to the destination; sufficient inbound airline capacity to service the tourists’ needs; with a rational extension being ownership of hotels at the destination to cater for these Chinese tourists.  These hotels can implement culturally-suitable programs at the hotels, from language to rooms to food and beverage.  

Typically, Chinese investors like to feel “safety in numbers” when investing into a foreign jurisdiction.  It is comforting for these investors when significant State Owned Enterprises and other major investors “take the first step” and prove that the investment destination is stable, secure and attractive. Examples include Greenland’s acquisition of the Water Board site for a mixed use scheme incorporating a hotel, Fullshare’s acquisitions in Tropical North Queensland, and Fu Wah’s recent acquisition of the Park Hyatt Melbourne. As more and more transactions occur with Chinese entities, the message will filter back to China and that is when momentum will grow substantially.  We anticipate that the real weight of Chinese money will be felt in the Australian hotel market in 3 – 5 years time. The result will be further tightening of yields and increased competition for available assets.  

New hotel developments in suitable locations with effective and efficient designs are also starting to stack up.  While CBD locations have traditionally struggled to compete against residential and office uses, the recent rise in values, operator positivity regarding market forecasts and an increase in office vacancies for some areas are making hotel conversion and/or development an attractive alternative.  

Outside Australia’s CBD markets, the emergence of modular construction is opening up a wealth of opportunities, with international operators entering into joint ventures with developers to bulk-build portfolios of select service hotels across Australia in undersupplied areas.

There are currently no signs that the investment market is slowing.  Development of new hotels is also picking up and as a result we could see offshore investors acquire hotels on forward commitments as a way to secure assets in a tightly held market.  
Michael Simpson is managing director of Savills Australia &amp; NZ Hotel Investments at <a href="https://www.savills.com.au/" target="_blank">Savills</a>.


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Tourism surge driving demand for Australian hotels

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<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/25/DTZ_logog.jpg" width="200" height="66" alt="DTZ_logog" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
Name: Adam Jones<img style="max-width: 480px; float: right;" src="/images/stories/2014/02/25/jones-feb-25-profile.png" width="125" height="150" alt="jones-feb-25-profile">
Position: Director of CBD office leasing, landlord and institutional investor services

Company: DTZ

Office Location: Melbourne
 
How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the industry since 2000, starting off in retail leasing then a short stint in corporate services and then specialising in CBD leasing.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
Very interesting times in that the Melbourne CBD vacancy rate has declined in the last six months, which should see incentives stabilise or reduce marginally from the levels they were at last year.
Unlike the past five years which has seen numerous developments come on stream which is well above historical averages, only two new developments, namely Medibank’s new headquarters at 720 Bourke Street and Westpac’s new office at 150 Collins Stree,t are due to be completed this year. Landlords by the end of the year should start to see some semblance of rental stability or growth.
Describe the most interesting property you have leased?
717 Bourke Street which was a brand new 38,000 square metre development in Docklands was interesting from the point of view of the technology involved in the design. 500 Collins Street was also unique in that the building was comprehensively upgraded with tenants in situ with sustainability as its cornerstone. It was the first refurbishment project in Australia to receive a five star Green Star design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Remaining positive and patient as some deals can take an extremely long time to finalise. The old cliché about thinking outside the square is also important as Landlords are seeking people who can add value rather than act as a facilitator – you need to be able to provide a point of difference.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy coming up with strategies for landlord’s as to how best to market and differentiate their asset in what is a competitive environment. It is also enjoyable coming up with different methods of identifying who is the best fit for a particular space, particularly doing this before our competitors.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
If I was a landlord I would look to upgrade my end of trip facilities, as all tenants these days have a strong focus on this. I would also look to spec a fitout, particularly if the space is clear and has been sitting vacant for an extended period. From a personal viewpoint a little thing called a mortgage and put some away for school fees for when my kids get older.
Which football team do you support?
Hawthorn. Very passionately. I am looking forward to back to back flags!
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
My Blackberry

How do you use social media?

Twitter for business snapshots/articles and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/adam-jones/7a/888/740" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> to stay across who is moving and who key decision makers within various companies are.
<a href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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In profile: DTZ's director of CBD office leasing, landlord and institutional investor services, Adam Jones

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Has the ‘new retail’ arrived? Has e-commerce merged with bricks-and-mortar retail? It’s February 2014, and a wonderful time to be alive and relishing the collaborative technologies that have evolved from the internet and the world wide web.
Affordable cloud solutions level the playing field
Cloud technology and open source technology has enabled smaller business to compete with mammoth enterprises. These cloud and open source technologies have allowed smaller businesses with cash restraints to leverage more powerful technologies without the costs of development from the ground up. No need for internal virtual private networks (VPNs) and internal IT infrastructures including servers, modems, computer hardware.
Compare the landscape to February 2009, when <a target="_blank" href="https://internetretailing.com.au/">InternetRetailing.com.au</a> launched and things were very different. Magento, an online department store shopping cart platform that is available as a free open source solution via its community edition and options for paid enterprise support, was a fledgling start-up barely a year old. For those in the know, it was originally called Bento, and a clumsy beast in its early iteration, and virtually unknown.
There were other options such as OS Commerce; however, they were not feature rich. Integration of warehousing and inventory control was also a luxury of the privileged, who could afford the cost of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and the added cost of cross-platform data integration.
Move forward to 2014 and Magento is a thriving platform enabling many of Australia's smaller, as well as enterprise, websites. <a target="_blank" href="https://costumes.com.au/">Costumes.com.au</a> and Harvey Norman come to mind.
ERP systems have also become more affordable, with Australian developed systems such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.qdos.com.au/">Qdos</a> offering accounting, full inventory control and warehousing fully hosted in Australia and integrated to Magento (and other web sites) via an application programming interface (API). At a slightly higher price, Netsuite provides a similar offering out of the USA.
As these cloud-based solutions are effectively service providers, they have dented business growth of the traditional server-based ERP systems by offering their product as a monthly subscription fee. Other less sophisticated accounting packages that offer basic inventory control such as Xero, Saasu and MYOB and cloud-based linking platforms such as Saaslink and <a target="_blank" href="https://onesaas.com.au/">Onesaas.com.au</a> allow small business to link various cloud components together to patch together a kind of enterprise system at a budget unheard of in the past.
But, despite all these wonderful technological wonders, how are things in the world of retail faring at the moment?
Consumer good glut
In my work as an e-commerce optimisation, integration and change management consultant, I have noticed that commoditised businesses, i.e. businesses such as online department stores are finding it a lot tougher to stay relevant in a market where vicious price competition on appliances and mass produced consumer goods is resulting in a lot of excess unsold stock. Online retailers are unable to turn this stock over even at reduced prices; after all, how many juicers can each household own?
The glut of consumer goods available for sale is also partly related to the slowdown in first home buyers amongst other things. At the end of 2013, Euromonitor produced a research paper indicating that whitegoods brands Dishlex and Simpson, generally strong sellers to first home buyers, are struggling to find customers as the number of first time home buyers on a budget has dried up.
Interestingly, brands such as Bosch and Miele are seeing increases in sales of whitegoods as older, cheaper equipment in homes is starting to age and fail. Completely contra to this, higher quality European brand household appliances such as toasters, juicers, kettles are losing market share to cheaper no name brand or lower quality Chinese made and branded toasters, kettles, etc. Finished off in flashy stainless steel, there is a deluge of cheap imports online and in stores across the country.
Omni-channel makes its presence felt
In my opinion, things are changing in favour of established bricks-and-mortar businesses. The game has changed for those retailers that have invested in cross-channel technology and offer:
<ul>
<li>
online ordering and pick-up in store (click and collect);
</li>
<li>
accept returns of online purchases in store;
</li>
<li>
provide great customer service; and
</li>
<li>
a full 360 degree marketing approach with the intent of achieving omni-channel or near omni-channel relevance.
</li>
</ul>
In 2010 businesses such as <a target="_blank" href="https://dealsdirect.com.au/">DealsDirect.com.au</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://oo.com.au/">oo.com.au</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://catchoftheday.com.au/">catchoftheday.com.au</a> began to disrupt retailing. They were the darlings of the investor community and the public loved the disruption.
<a target="_blank" href="https://dealsdirect.com.au/">Dealsdirect.com.au</a> has recently listed on the ASX and I would assume is on an acquisition trail to add members to its database to keep investor confidence up.<a href="https://oo.com.au/">Oo.com.au</a> was bought out by GraysOnline and although active has not made any noise. <a target="_blank" href="https://catchoftheday.com.au/">Catchoftheday.com.au</a> has quietly bid farewell to its C level management team, and bought back some of its shares from the consortium of investors that originally ploughed $80 million into the Catch group.
Return of the big players, but niche still thrives
Are these subtle signs the halcyon days are over for these dynamic upstarts as the national giants get comfortable with the technology and take over dominance of the overall retail space?
Big W, Officeworks, and Dick Smith come to mind here. Converse to this, discussions recently with the owners of niche online businesses <a target="_blank" href="https://tinyme.com.au/">tinyme.com.au</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://adorebeauty.com.au/">adorebeauty.com.au</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://costumes.com.au/">costumes.com.au</a> at a dinner hosted by Reed Exhibitions recently pointed out that their niche businesses are faring very well at the moment.
It seems the old rule of thumb of niche focus is evident here.
Paul Greenberg, CEO of the National Online Retailers Association (NORA), has been vocal for some time that there is no such thing as online versus offline retail, rather a multitude of channels which have been enhanced by the introduction of online retail as just another channel. Greenberg refers to this as "the new retail".
My comments are purely a collection of observations. Since 2005, every observation and prediction I have made relating to online retailing has come to fruition. Let's see in 12 months’ time (almost 60 months in internet time) if I am still correct.
Mark Freidin is an experienced chief operating officer, e-commerce pioneer and consultant to fast-growing firms with his company <a target="_blank" href="https://www.internetretailing.com.au/">internetretailing.com.au</a>.
This article first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.SmartCompany.com.au">SmartCompany.</a> 
            
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What is the ‘new retail’ and is it finally here?

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The issues surrounding liquidity of property investments were highlighted in the credit crisis. Sale of securities was the only source of capital raising as bank lending froze and prospective buyers of property assets could not finance acquisitions.
Property investors who seek a liquid property investment access can purchase listed property securities on the ASX or through a managed fund. Alternatively, investors wanting to invest in property that do not require daily liquidity can gain exposure through the direct purchase of an asset or through purchase of units in unlisted property funds or syndicates.
Liquidity associated with listed property securities can provide a range of benefits to investors. Liquidity gives investors the flexibility to invest or divest from their property investments and invest elsewhere as opportunities arise in other investments. Liquidity assists investors in rebalancing their portfolios.
Return premium – compensation for illiquidity
Direct property is characterised by limited flexibility and liquidity. Investors’ expectations from investments in direct property are that these investments would generate higher returns than listed property to compensate for illiquidity. Investors in direct property typically have longer investment horizons.
An assessment of whether direct property investments generate higher returns to compensate for illiquidity relative to listed property securities, over 28 years to September 30, 2013 has been undertaken.
Chart one below shows growth in returns from an initial investment of $100 made in September 1985 in listed property and direct property.
Chart one – Growth in investment – Listed property vs direct property
<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/17/binesh_feb_17.png" alt="binesh_feb_17" width="470" height="260">
Source: S&amp;P/ASX, PCA/IPD
From Chart one, over a 28 year period to 30 September 2013, from an initial investment of $100, an investment in direct property would have generated a higher return than listed property. Direct property generated 9.9% and listed property generated 8.9% per annum.
Liquidity is valued by the market and can be determined and quantified through turnover, size and transaction costs. Analysis concludes that the required return premium for illiquidity ranges between 0.7% per annum and 1.0% per annum.
Over 28 years to September 30, 2013, a return premium of 1.0% per annum over listed property has been paid to direct property investors for the illiquid characteristics of direct property. Over the long term, direct property investors have adequately compensated for illiquidity.
Current environment
Total returns in the range of 10.0% - 11.0% per annum are expected for listed property over the next twelve months. Comparatively, total returns in the range of 8.5% - 9.5% per annum are expected for direct property over the next twelve months. Therefore a return premium, as a reward for illiquidity, from an investment in direct property is not expected.
Binesh Seetanah is an analyst at <a href="https://atchison.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Atchison Consultants</a>.
          
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Liquidity in property investments - direct v listed

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It’s impossible to escape the reality that our employment market is in a flux. Big name employers like GMH, Toyota, Ford, Alcoa and Qantas are in the spotlight and there have been others over the last six months. Now we have a headline unemployment rate of 6%.
However we are also being told not to worry, in particular by the federal government, more rewarding jobs will be found, or in fact have to be found. We have also seen the participation rate fall as Baby Boomers in particular start to leave the workforce and it appears some may be doing so earlier than expected, with the irony that the current boom in real estate prices might be making it more appealing to ‘cash-out’ and retire early.
But despite what would usually be seen as negative news, many capital city real estate markets remain buoyant. This brings to mind a question – has the market become disengaged from employment data (at least in key markets) on the foundation of low interest rates?
Let’s consider some history
We all appreciate that the unemployment rate is influenced by a range of factors in particular the government’s policy framework for the labour market. Of possibly greater importance currently is the impact of a range of social factors like; working hours, a willingness to move locations, undertake further training or remaining in work at all.
If we look back over history we see that there was a substantial increase in the average unemployment rate from the mid to late 1970s, compared with earlier decades, between the Second World War to the mid-1970s, the unemployment rate fluctuated around a longer-term average of just 2%. This looks a remarkably low figure by comparison to now being at 6%. But there was in fact an even lower point at just 1%. Then in the period from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s, the unemployment rate fluctuated around a longer-term average of 7.5%. There was a high of 10.9% in 1992 – which makes 6% look pretty good!
While unemployment will always move around because of economic, institutional and social factors, these factors can change over time, and they change the structural rate of unemployment.  In 2014, we appear to be more accepting of a 6% rate as more ‘normal’ and not a reflection of short run or cyclical swings in economic activity. If this is the ‘normal’ then we may in reality see real estate markets less influenced by unemployment and more so by interest rates.
History also appears to repeat itself and in the mid-1970s we saw poor macroeconomic policy management, especially in the face of the first oil price shock, a much more rigid labour market and strong union influence, much higher inflation and a sharp increase in real wages relative to productivity. A lot of this sounds familiar as we move from the mineral infrastructure boom and massive period of change for manufacturing, although it is apparent that wage growth is running at less than snails pace.
Today we are looking at a reduction in employment opportunities and rising unemployment as businesses are reacting to the increased cost of labour, and a strong dollar. However, for the big picture impact on real estate markets we also need to take a closer look at interest rates, inflation and the unemployment level.  
Peter Chittenden is managing director for residential of <a href="https://www.colliers.com.au/Colliers%20Corporate/Residential.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colliers International</a>.
           
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How important is unemployment in today’s residential market?

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Games 
While we’re passionate about property we do need to take a break now and then. We relish a bit of fun just as much as the next property nut. True to this spirit we found games with a property spin.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-town-2/id442345455?mt=8" target="_blank">MyTown</a> is a game that turns the real world in a monopoly board. Using the iPhone check-in system you can check-in into properties and decide if you want to buy them. Collect rent as more and more people visit the property. It’s really addictive. You can even make overseas investments as you build your digital empire. Plus it’s free. 
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/real-estate-rumble/id469054082?mt=8" target="_blank">Real Estate Rumble</a> was created as a marketing tool for First National but it’s a fun little game. It’s simple but a good way to kill time waiting for the agent to turn up.
CommBank’s <a href="https://investorville.com.au" target="_blank">Investorville</a> is a real estate investment simulator where potential property investors can get a feel for what the market is like without risking their own money. It takes real world information and brings it into the game to create a realistic investment environment. With each round of the game there are changes to both the market and your personal circumstances that you must take into account. Thankfully the game doesn’t run in real time and the years skip forward in seconds. Good fun and an easy way to get your head around property if you’re a first time investor.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/millionaire-tycoon/id332424440?mt=8" target="_blank">Millionaire Tycoon</a> is a popular game for iPhone users. Inspired by Monopoly this game takes the idea a whole lot further. It’s good fun if you don’t mind the super-kitsch graphics but it does get progressively harder.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tiny-tower/id422667065?mt=8" target="_blank">Tiny Tower</a> is a popular game where you build and manage a city tower. The 8-bit game lets you manage every aspect of your new building as you try and tempt new tenants and balanace the needs of everyone in the building.
Forget Angry Birds, <a href="https://in-deed.net/angry_buyers/" target="_blank">Angry Buyers</a> is essentially the same game but you get to load an estate agent, a property lawyer and a mortgage broker into a canon and fire them at shoddily built houses. Brilliant.
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House hunting
After looking at 16 houses on a home hunt they all start to blend into one another. One starts to forget just what exactly they were looking for and whether that Johnston Street property had two bathrooms, or was one just a toilet? You’re not alone in this frustration and a number of developers have stepped forward with various solutions for this problem.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/home-tracker/id311585587?mt=8" target="_blank">Home Tracker</a> is designed for people looking at multiple properties. It allows you to document each property in detail as you visit it as well as take photos, map properties and E-mail property information. It’s also useful for agents keeping track of multiple new properties. It has a niche and it serves it well. It costs $3.99 through the iTunes app store. 
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crumbtracks/id393477924?mt=8" target="_blank">CrumbTracks</a> is a similar offering to Home Tracker and is a perfect tool for people looking so many homes they lose track of them all. The app allows you to take photos and videos of properties you’re interested in.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/house-hunter/id445304335?mt=8" target="_blank">House Hunter</a> app helps keep track of properties viewed on a house hunt. It allows you to rate homes on various scales then filter them later through various features. Homes are rated for various attributes which you can prioritise based on your requirements and these are displayed on a scorecard. If your needs are so unique that are not included in their 80 options you can add them yourself. This gives you a quantitative data and keeps you true to your original goals in a house search. It comes with camera and GPS support.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/property-checklist/id446041813?mt=8" target="_blank">Property Checklist</a> – This is a similar idea to House Hunter with a somewhat simpler implementation. While it might not have the range of features available it is a little bit more intuitive to use, offering a simple yes/no checkbox system.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/360-panorama/id377342622?mt=8" target="_blank">360 Panorama</a> is an app for taking 360 degree panoramic photos of whatever you choose. This is ideal for agents showing properties to clients or for buyers capturing the whole detail of houses for later viewing. It’s not perfect and you’ll never get the results of a professional photographer but it does a very good job for a small cost of $0.99.
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Interior Design 
You’ve bought that old crumbling warehouse and it’s time to renovate, but what look do you go for? Interior design takes a huge amount of creativity and there are tools out there to help get your creativity flowing.
<a href="https://www.houzz.com/" target="_blank">Houzz</a> – The days of ripping pages out of magazines to make an interior design ideas scrapbook are over. This app has thousands of photos of any aspect of interior design one can imagine. This may sound like a nightmare to navigate but the developers have made it incredibly easy to bring up photos of exactly what you are after. Design ideas are arranged by keywords and categories and allow you to quickly and easily view hundreds of interior design ideas to inspire the design of your own house.
<a href="https://remodelista.com/" target="_blank">Remodelista</a> is a website of design ideas. There is post after post after post of beautiful content to get you thinking aesthetically. There are some really great ideas here, interspersed with a few naff ones.
<a href="https://www.dulux.com.au/colour/mycolour.aspx" target="_blank">Dulux My Colour</a> app – Take a photo of any colour and find out what the Dulux paint code is. If you want to paint your house the exact same shade of beige as North Richmond train station, just take a photo of it with this app and it’ll tell you what tin of paint to get. It works pretty well, depending on the lighting.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/handy-man-diy/id392541102?mt=8" target="_blank">Handy Man DIY</a> – This app makes DIY projects much simpler. It helps you keep track of projects around a property, provides guides on how to do certain ventures and helps you calculate materials and costs for various the projects. It’s a simple interface, it makes perfect sense and it makes DIY projects that much easier.
This <a href="https://dickson.ljhooker.com.au/selling/selling-checklist" target="_blank">guide from LJ Hooker</a> is a great way to get a quick overview to improve the look of your house and maximise selling price. 
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Juwai
Juwai is an international property listing site that caters exclusively to Mandarin speakers. It’s just recently launched and has more than 1 million property listings from more than 80,000 agents and developers in the USA, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan. It also features guides on living and investing in Australia. It’s entirely in Mandarin and prices are displayed in local currency and Chinese Yuan.
Now it’s not the most beautiful website but the <a href="https://www.firb.gov.au/content/default.asp" target="_blank">foreign investment review board site</a> is required reading for foreign investors in Australia. It includes useful information and application forms for foreign investors.
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Know your agencies
It can be difficult to know which agency to go with when you’re looking to sell or rent your property. They all say they offer great deals and have the most experience in an area. It would be nice to be able to hear how other people found agents and perhaps read a couple of reviews.
<a href="https://ratethatagent.com.au" target="_blank">Rate That Agent</a> is a nice idea but it really lacks the user-base to make it a useful resource. The idea is that once you’ve dealt with a real estate agent, you log on to this website and give them a rating out of five plus a short review. These ratings are then used to rate agents and give sellers some sort of advice on which agents are worth their salt. It’s a nice idea but Property Observer struggled to find any reviews for any agents. It’s a catch-22 – to attract more users it needs a larger user-base.
<a href="https://hometruth.com.au/" target="_blank">Home Truth</a> is another real estate agent rating site but it’s more focussed on renters. Again it suffers from the same problems - there is simply a dearth of reviews. Interestingly it does allow users to review rental properties as well. So on the odd chance someone has reviewed a house or an agent before you move in you can get some warning as to what to expect.
<a href="https://www.productreview.com.au" target="_blank">Product Review</a> is a general review site that has a real estate section. Users reviewing agencies as opposed to individual agents which probably makes the website less prone to defamation law suits as well as a less aggressive atmosphere.
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Landlords and property managers
Landlords often wish to manage properties without the help of an agent. This requires keeping check on rent payments, managing multiple properties, recording communications, finding new tenants and possibly even writing your own contracts.  It’s hard work and not necessarily advised but there are sites and apps out there to help.
<a href="https://www.happyinspector.com/" target="_blank">Happy Inspector</a> - This Australian made app is a simple way to do property inspections very quickly. It takes minimal set-up and allows you to run through properties and generate reports with ease. The software allows you to take photos of damage and keep notes on each property as well as track upcoming and previous inspections.
<a href="https://inventory-pro.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank">Inventory Pro</a> is a similar offering that allows you to take inventories of entire apartment blocks if need be. It has a similar feature set but allows you to take videos as well.
<a href="https://rentmonkey.com.au/" target="_blank">Rent Monkey</a> is a website that automatically creates rental agreements from a series of questions. It works for every state in Australia and is exceptionally simple to use. You should really get the documents sighted by a lawyer just to be on the safe side but it does make renting your own place out much easier. The packs they provide come with all the documents required for your state. So long as your needs aren’t too complicated this is a great website. The site also has an in-depth guide for each state on renting your house out with some solid advice.
<a href="https://gumtree.com.au" target="_blank">Gumtree</a> is a global online classified ad website with localised subsites. If you wish to eschew the whole real estate agency system you can list your own rental property. If you’re looking for a cheap rental property it’s worth having a look on Gumtree. It’s also a great tool for finding house-mates. Anyone can list for free so there’s plenty of options – some better than others. They’ve released an app with a strong function-set.
<a href="https://rentpost.com" target="_blank">RentPost</a> is an innovative piece of property management software. It’s a very easy way to keep track of rent payments, tenant history and property issues. The software works on iPads and iPhones so you can keep track of properties as you go. The cheapest license costs US$9 a month and allows you to track up to 10 properties. The online payment system is currently limited to the USA but there are plans to expand internationally in the second half of 2012.
<a href="https://www.rentingsmart.com/" target="_blank">RentingSmart</a> looks like an exceptionally powerful tool geared towards self-managing landlords. RentingSmart will allow automatic rent payments with full integration with BPAY and bank transfers. They tell us it will help connect landlords with tenants and tradesmen, provide leases, keep track of maintenance issues, expense tracking, condition reports and all this will incorporated into an iPhone application. This could be the be all and end all for self-managing landlords.
<a href="https://pocketrent.com/" target="_blank">Pocket Rent</a> has the same idea but with more of a focus on recording communications with tenants. If you’re running multiple properties it can be a helpful tool to keep track of what issues have been raised which tenants.
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Mortgages 
Visiting a mortgage broker office is a thing of the past with this range of mortgage tools. You can compare mortgage offerings from different banks, calculate loan repayments and see what you can afford.
<a href="https://ratecity.com.au" target="_blank">Rate City</a> allows you to compare home-loans. It stacks banks rates up against each other so you can choose the best value. The site also includes comparisons of savings accounts, credit cards and more so you don’t spend all your money before you even take a loan out.
<a href="https://www.infochoice.com.au" target="_blank">Info Choice</a> is have a similar tool that can compare different loan offerings online.
The <a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-tools/mortgage-calculator" target="_blank">ATO has a great tool</a> for calculating how much you can afford to borrow It takes into account your financial situation and possible purchases to give you a realistic amount.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/tapmortgage-australia-mortgage/id402187202?mt=8" target="_blank">tapMortage</a> is a simple app that allows you to calculate mortgage repayments, stamp duty and transfer fees within seconds. It’s perfect for showing clients how much a property will cost them or for working out if a property is within your budget. While not ground-breaking it is a genuinely useful tool. 
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Neighbourhood 
Moving to a new neighbourhood can be an exciting experience but it can take a long time to find out where things are. Where are the good cafes, where are the restaurants, where are the parks, what goes on around here and what’s the arts scene like? There’s no Lonely Planet for <a href="/news">Doncaster East</a> but we do have these multitude of resources to answer these questions.
You should never go to the supermarket on an empty stomach so why should property be any different. You can track down nearby eateries and read reviews to get a solid meal while you’re on the prowl or to work out what’s nearby a possible new home. Having no Thai joint within 2 kilometres could be a deal-breaker.
<a href="https://www.aroundyou.com.au/" target="_blank">Around You</a> is a good website for seeing what sort of events go on in areas. It really thrives with quite suburban suburbs with listings that inner-city publications just seem to miss.
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/views/home?hl=en-AU&amp;gl=au" target="_blank">Google Streetview</a> is great if you can’t make it to the inspection and just want to have a sticky-beak online. Drive through the suburbs and see if it really is as leafy as the listing makes it sounds. It’s already on the iPhone accessible through the Maps application.
<a href="https://www.urbanspoon.com/c/71/Melbourne-restaurants" target="_blank">Urbanspoon.com</a> is one of our favourite websites and apps we’ve used. It makes discovering places to eat incredibly easy. The user reviews are (usually) quite informative and their price guides are quite accurate. Their app is perfect and we love the idea of shaking the phone and being shown a random selection of nearby restaurants.
<a href="https://www.broadsheet.com.au" target="_blank">Broadsheet</a> is a trendy website which covers the food, drinks and arts scene in Sydney and Melbourne. If you need a place to wine and dine someone or simply a place to eat lunch on the road this website is a treasure trove. They even run an app but it’s currently limited to Melbourne.
<a href="https://thethousands.com.au/" target="_blank">The Thousands</a> are one of the main listings in various cities in Australia. They keep tabs of what’s happening in the arts scenes but we’re including it for its food directory. The app is a good resource for hip local eateries. It works in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
<a href="is.http:/itunes.apple.com/au/app/art-guide-australia/id433116687?mt=8&amp;affToken=56102" target="_blank">Art Guide Australia</a> takes your current location and tells you what exhibitions are on around you. Great if you’re moving into an area with lots of galleries or if you want to see how artsy a new neighbourhood.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/wikihood/id317776221?mt=8&amp;affToken=56102" target="_blank">Wikihood</a> takes your current location and draws a bunch of information from Wikipedia to create a little guide. It’s a great way to learn about a new city and see what’s what.
You can also read The A-Z of property apps: Part one.
             
 
 
 
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The A to Z of property apps: Part two

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There’s a lot more to a good retail space than a pretty storefront. The best retailers engage the customer's senses, guide them through the store, and most importantly, keep them there. Here's our list of the world's top five retail spaces.
Livraria Lello and Irmão, Porto, Portugal
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/02/24/por]}
Photos courtesy of <a href="https://blog.paperblanks.com" target="_blank">Paperblanks</a>.
Portugal (let’s face it – the world’s) most beautiful bookstore is the stuff dreams are made of. A kind of Willy Wonka’s factory for books, Lello and Irmão’s neo-gothic interior has a surrealist bent, thanks to its iconic undulating staircase. The store’s incredible details include floor to ceiling arched bookcases, fan vaulting and stained glass windows. The store itself has become a literary influence - rumour has it that Lello and Irmão’s was part of JK Rowling’s inspiration for Hogwarts.
The Livraria Lello and Irmão was designed by Xavier Esteves.
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Longchamp La Maison Unique, SoHo, US
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/02/24/new]}
Photos courtesy of <a href="https://www.heatherwick.com/la-maison-unique/" target="_blank">Heatherwick</a>.
The sculptural stairs in Longchamps SoHo flagship store are so unusual that they’re the subject multiple features in engineering and architectural magazines, while their designer, Thomas Heatherwick, is the subject of a BBC documentary entitled The Ingenious Thomas Heatherwick.
Rubber covered steel ribbons cascade down the stores walls to form the waterfall-like stairs, which are lit from a central skylight. The staircase’s wide and winding path also allows products to be displayed on top and below, while dividing the store. Heatherwick was also clever enough to avoid using a balustrade that would detract from his work, choosing wavy sheets of transparent glass.
Visible from the street, Longchamp’s staircase entices shoppers inside – once they’re there, the structure serves to guide them around the space.
If there’s a better example of unity between form and function in architecture, we’d like to see it.
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Best Products, various cities, US
The next entry on our list is a bit of an anomaly – not only is it actually a series of buildings, but we haven’t (save for one exception) seen what they look like on the inside.
Best Products was a chain of hardware stores across the US that allowed customers to order items off a catalogue in the pre-internet age and then come to a counter at a warehouse to inspect their product before taking it home. As a result, the suburban stores tended towards the dull and rectangular. The owners, who were apparently art aficionados, decided to engage SITE architecture to re-invigorate their buildings between 1971 and 1984. 
The results? A group of witty, engaging and unforgettable buildings, as you’ll see in the pictures and short film below. The website Architcture and Branding also <a target="_blank" href="https://architectureandbranding.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/architecture-branding-the-utilitarian-box-store-and-design-fodder-known-best/">explains the full history of Best store designs</a>.
<img height="293" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-peeling-site.jpg?w=460&amp;h=287" title="Best Peeling SITE">
Best Peeling showroom, 1971 (source: siteenvirodesign.com) 
  <img height="293" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-indeterminate-facade-site.jpg?w=460&amp;h=287" title="Best Indeterminate Facade SITE"> Best Indeterminate Facade showroom, 1974 (source: siteenvirodesign.com)
 <img height="293" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-notch-cl-site.jpg?w=460&amp;h=287" title="Best Notch cl SITE"> Best Notch (closed) showroom, 1975 (source: siteenvirodesign.com) 
  <img height="293" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-notch-op-site.jpg?w=460&amp;h=287" title="Best Notch op SITE"> Best Notch (open) showroom, 1975 (source: siteenvirodesign.com) 
  <img height="310" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-tilt-profile-view.jpg?w=440&amp;h=290" title="Best Tilt profile view"> Best  Tilt showroom, 1976 (source: seventeeneleven.com) 
  <img height="293" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-antisign-site.jpg?w=460&amp;h=287" title="Best AntiSign SITE"> Best AntiSign showroom, 1978 (source: siteenvirodesign.com)
 <img height="293" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-cutler-ridge-site.jpg?w=460&amp;h=287" title="Best Cutler Ridge SITE"> Best Cutler Ridge showroom, 1979 (source: siteenvirodesign.com)
 <img height="293" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-forest-site.jpg?w=460&amp;h=287" title="Best Forest SITE"> Best Forest showroom, 1980 (source: siteenvirodesign.com)
 <img height="293" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-inside-outside-site.jpg?w=460&amp;h=287" title="Best Inside Outside SITE"> Best Inside/Outside showroom, 1984 (source: siteenvirodesign.com)
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline-width: 0px; font-size: 1.167em; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; color: #516064; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; outline-width: 0px; background-color: transparent;" height="176" width="470" src="https://architectureandbranding.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/best-langhorne-pa.jpg?w=460&amp;h=172" title="Best Langhorne PA">
Best Langhorne Pennsylvania showroom (source: VenturiRauchScottBrownArchitect.com)
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Aesop, Adelaide
<img alt="Adelaide-feb-24" height="293" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/02/24/Adelaide-feb-24.jpg"> 
A worthwhile Australian contender, skincare brand <a href="https://www.aesop.com/au/article/aesop-adelaide" target="_parent">Aesop’s Adelaide store</a> somehow makes 7560 brown bottles look stylish. This isn’t the first time Australian architects March Studios have incorporated Aesop’s product packaging in their interiors – the company’s <a target="_blank" href="https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/01/dzn_Aesop-at-Merci-by-March-Studio-3.jpg">Flinders Street store</a>, in Melbourne, features piles of cardboard boxes held to the wall and ceiling with netting, creating a sort of post-apocalyptic urban cave.
The beauty of the Adelaide store is in its simplicity – with the repetition of a single, unadorned object, the otherwise bare store is given new texture, shape, colour and light. We recall the ceiling of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.highsnobiety.com/files/2013/12/undercover-store-hong-kong-renewal-1-960x640.jpg">Tokyo’s UNDERCOVER store</a>, which uses lightbulbs to a similar effect. The Aesop store’s single elegant display unit is a winner too; its height reminds us of hours spent pouring over CDs and LPs in the local record store.
It’s unsurprising that an Aesop store has made our list – the brand seems to be making an effort to showcase the work of some of the most exciting young architecture firms in the world. As Aesop’s founder, Dennis Paphitis said, “there's a direct correlation between interesting, captivating store spaces and customer traffic within a store."
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Ann Demeulemeester, Seoul, Korea
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/02/24/soe]}
Photos courtesy of <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/" target="_blank">De Zeen</a> magazine.
The Seoul store of fashion label Ann Demeulemeester pulls off the contrast between modernity and nature with aplomb. The entirety of the building’s vertical surfaces, save its windows, are covered with densely-packed green foliage. In Seoul’s built up Gangnam district, the building provides a sleek urban oasis.
The building’s simple lines and colour scheme still manage to offer plenty of variance while keeping to its minimalist aesthetic. Inside, the living façade continues, with thick green moss covering the walls along the staircase that leads down to the building’s basement store. Anne Demeulemeester’s ground floor space maximises the greenery, with floor to ceiling windows offering views of foliage.
The Anne Demeuelemeester store, designed by Korea’s Mass Studies, is another on our list that features a wave motif, with a concrete ceiling that subtly rolls and swells across the space. Hopefully, this will put an end to the misconception that minimalist commercial spaces have to be severe.
 
Honourable mention: Maison Martin Margiela, Beijing
Because the only thing better than Thomas Heatherwick's stairs would be a slide.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/24/beijing_feb_24_one.jpg" width="470" height="626" alt="beijing_feb_24_one">
 
 
<a href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
                         
 
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The top five best retail spaces in the world

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Almost two years has passed since the property market kicked in again and commenced another cycle of growth. Looking back at how the market performed over this period, a larger proportion of home sales crept into the higher price brackets.
2013 ended as a strong year for the property market where a healthy increase in house and unit sales coupled with a rise in home values of 9.8% across the combined capital cities was recorded. We saw median selling prices of capital city homes increased by a greater 10.2% over the year, indicating a shift to more expensive properties transacting throughout the year.
<img alt="rp-data-feb-13-one" height="238" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/rp-data-feb-13-one.gif">
An analysis of Australia’s combined capital cities revealed that there is quite a difference in pricing between houses and units where only 27.1% of capital city houses sold for less than $400,000 in 2013 compared to 39.4% of all units.
<img alt="rp-data-feb-13-two" height="244" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/rp-data-feb-13-two.gif">
For the same period, unit sales between $200,000 and $400,000 accounted for the greatest proportion of sales in 2013 at 35.7% while sales ranging from $400,000 to $600,000 accounted for the greatest proportion of house sales at 34.2%. Across the combined capital cities, 12.4% of house sales and 4.6% of unit sales were at or above $1 million.
At a combined capital city level, 27.1% of house sales were at prices below $400,000 compared to 63.8% across the regional markets. Similarly, 74.8% of all regional unit sales were below $400,000 in 2013 compared to 39.4%.
The proportion of home sales with a million dollar price tag or higher was lower in regional markets with just 1.7% of all regional house sales and 2.3% of regional unit sales at a price in excess of $1 million.
<img alt="rp-data-feb-13-three" height="338" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/rp-data-feb-13-three.gif">
For state-based house sales, the proportion of homes sold below $200,000 and between $200,000 and $400,000 is greater in regions outside of the capital cities or ‘rest of state’ as it is often referred to.  This highlights the fact that home prices are typically lower in regional markets than those in capital city areas.
<img alt="rp-data-feb-13-four" height="338" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/rp-data-feb-13-four.gif">
The results for regional unit markets are similar to those for regional houses. The proportion of unit sales below $200,000 in regional areas is much greater than the proportion within the corresponding capital city.
Interestingly, in Australia’s two most affordable capital cities, Adelaide and Hobart, the proportion of unit sales between $200,000 and $400,000 is greater within the capital cities than within the regional market which is likely due to the fact that unit markets outside of these capitals have little depth of stock.
Relative to rest of state markets, the data highlights that the selling prices of homes in capital cities is significantly higher. With around 66% of Australian’s living within a capital city it is clear that competition for housing, particularly well located housing, is driving up selling prices - the current low mortgage rates are only intensifying this competition.
Across each city there are still homes selling at prices below $400,000 however, these homes are becoming rare and are usually located on the outskirts of the city in areas that are poorly supported by essential infrastructure.
Perhaps businesses and governments should be looking at ways to create jobs in regional markets as a way of making housing more affordable. At the moment, there seems to be lack of enthusiasm at all levels of government to provide a sustainable fix to housing affordability in our capital cities. As a result we would expect that the proportion of homes selling below $400,000 will continue to decline over the coming years.
Cameron Kusher is senior research analyst at <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/">RP Data</a>. 
    
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