<p>Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.</p>

<p>The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.</p>

<p>The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.</p>

<p>The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" /></p>

<p>SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.</p>

<p>“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.</p>

<p>The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.</p>

<p>“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" /></p>

<p>The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.</p>

<p>Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.</p>

<p>The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.</p>

<p>COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" /></p>

<p>“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.</p>

<p>The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.</p>

<p>The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.</p>

<p>Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a></em></p>


Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.</p>

<p>The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.</p>

<p>The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.</p>

<p>SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”</p>

<p>The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" /></p>

<p>The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.</p>

<p>A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.</p>

<p>Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" /></p>

<p>The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.</p>

<p>Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.</p>

<p>The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.</p>


First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

<p>Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."</p>

<p>Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;</p>


Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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<p data-end="157" data-start="0">The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.</p>

<p data-end="459" data-start="159"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.</p>

<p data-end="459" data-start="159">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]</p>

<p data-end="651" data-start="461"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.</p>

<p data-end="950" data-start="653">Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.</p>

<p data-end="1081" data-start="952">“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.</p>

<p data-end="1081" data-start="952">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]</p>

<p data-end="1307" data-start="1083">Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.</p>

<p data-end="1522" data-start="1309">The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.</p>

<p data-end="1522" data-start="1309">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]</p>

<p data-end="1714" data-start="1524">Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.</p>

<p data-end="1945" data-start="1716">The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.</p>

<p data-end="1945" data-start="1716">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]</p>

<p data-end="2220" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1947">More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.</p>
</section>
</section>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]</p>


SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

<p data-end="320" data-start="79">Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.</p>

<p data-end="638" data-start="322">The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.</p>

<p data-end="864" data-start="640">Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]</p>

<p>Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."</p>

<p>“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.</p>

<p>“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]</p>

<p>The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.</p>

<p>“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]</p>


Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

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


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

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

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


Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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


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

Staff Writer

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

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


alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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


Ellen Walker

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

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


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

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<p><span>So far this week, 2,127 capital city auction results have been reported to CoreLogic RP Data, resulting in a preliminary auction clearance rate of 72.1% across the combined capital cities. </span></p>
<p><span>There were a total of 2,615 capital city auctions held this week. This week’s result indicates that clearance rates are no longer tracking higher than they were one year ago, when the final auction clearance rate over the week was 72.3% across 2,080 auctions. Over the previous week there were 2,297 auctions with a clearance rate of 73.2%.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Capital-city.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Capital-city.jpg" alt="" width="840" height="635"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>In </span><strong>Melbourne</strong><span>, Australia’s largest auction market, a preliminary auction clearance rate of 73.7% was recorded across 1,181 auctions this week. Last week, Melbourne’s final clearance rate was recorded at 75.1% across 992 auctions, while this time last year, 1,018 properties were taken to auction across Melbourne and a clearance rate of 73.4% was recorded. The busiest Melbourne sub-regions this week were Melbourne’s Inner region and the Inner South region, where 248 and 210 auctions were held respectively. Across these two sub-regions, the preliminary clearance rates were 71.2% across the Inner region and 71.8 per cent across the Inner South.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Melbourne.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Melbourne.jpg" alt="" width="817" height="545"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Sydney’s</strong><span> preliminary auction clearance rate was 75.1% this week, the 10th week in a row where Sydney has recorded a result below 80%. Last week, Sydney’s clearance rate was 76.9%, while one year ago, results show that 78.4% of Sydney homes taken to auction were successful. In terms of the number of auctions across the city, this week volumes were higher, up to 1,046 from 1,023 last week. One year ago just 743 Sydney homes were taken to auction over the week. The Northern Beaches sub-region of Sydney has shown the strongest performance so far this week, with 84.4% of the 45 reported results selling, with 18 remaining results yet to be collected.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Sydney.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Sydney.jpg" alt="" width="828" height="561"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Brisbane’s</strong><span> preliminary clearance rate this week was 54.9%, up from 42.9 per cent last week. There were 178 Brisbane auctions this week, compared to 130 last week. The </span><strong>Gold</strong><span> </span><strong>Coast</strong><span> was host to 73 auctions this week. Based on the results reported to CoreLogic RP Data so far, 46.5% have been sold.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Brisbane.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Brisbane.jpg" alt="" width="808" height="548"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>This week, </span><strong>Adelaide</strong><span> saw a preliminary clearance rate of 62.0%, with 71 reported results across a total of 88 scheduled auctions. In comparison, over the previous week Adelaide’s clearance rate was 69.5% and 64.3% one year ago.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Adelaide.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/09/14/20150914-Adelaide.jpg" alt="" width="799" height="536"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>There were 35 <strong>Perth</strong> auctions this week and so far 13 results have been reported, with 61.5% selling. Last week there was a 36%clearance rate for Perth.</p>
<p>Across <strong>Canberra</strong> a total of 79 auctions were held this week, compared to 52 last week and 51 at the same time last year. Canberra’s preliminary clearance rate of 63.6% is lower than it was the previous week (71.7%).</p>
<p>In <strong>Tasmania</strong>, 5 auctions were reported to CoreLogic RP Data with 4 sales. Last week, 5 auctions were reported with only 1 sale.</p>
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smiller-vwPjRHTkST

Auction volumes rise to 2,615 across capital cities: CoreLogic RP Data's Shana Miller

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<p>Auction clearance rates fell for the third consecutive week across the combined capital cities, down to 61.0% last week across a total of 2,288 reported auction results.</p>
<p>The number of auctions due to be held across the capital cities this week rose to 3,068 from 2,547 last week when there were just 629 auctions held across Melbourne as the city prepared for Melbourne Cup.</p>
<p>This week, 1,262 auctions are scheduled for Melbourne and 1,297 across <strong>Sydney, </strong>accounting for over 80% of all capital city auctions. These figures also demonstrate just how much of an impact these two auction markets results can have on the weighted average clearance rate. Last week, Sydney’s final clearance rate fell to 60.2%, heightening the reality that the clearance rate could likely slip into the 50’s over the coming weeks to wrap up an otherwise strong year for the city.</p>
<p><strong>Brisbane</strong>, <strong>Canberra</strong>, <strong>Sydney</strong>, and <strong>Perth</strong> are all expecting fewer auctions than last week, while in <strong>Melbourne</strong> and <strong>Adelaide</strong>, the number of auctions this week relative to last week is higher.</p>
<p>Compared to last year when there were 2,942 auctions held across the combined capitals, auction activity will be busier in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney this year, while volumes are expected to be slightly lower in Brisbane, Canberra and Perth as per below</p>
<p><strong>Sydney</strong>: 1,297 this year, 1,261 last year<br><strong>Melbourne</strong>: 1,262 this year, 1,139 last year<br><strong>Adelaide</strong>: 151 this year, 131 last year<br><strong>Canberra</strong>: 127 this year, 141 last year<br><strong>Brisbane</strong>: 173 this year, 188 last year<br><strong>Perth</strong>: 45 this year, 65 last year</p>
<p>In terms of clearance rates, last week the best performing capital city auction market was Canberra, where 71.0% of the reported auctions were successful. Following this was Melbourne, where the final auction clearance rate for the week came in at 65.6%.</p>
<p>This week, the busiest individual suburbs for auctions nationally are Mount Waverley (Vic) with 23, Glen Waverley (Vic) with 18 and Mosman (NSW) with 17.</p>
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Combined capital clearance rate at 61% while auction volumes rise: CoreLogic RP Data's Shana Miller

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<p>Get ready Australia. The Prime Minister announced this week his road map for tax reforms that he proposes to take to the next election.</p>
<p>No need to guess what the centrepiece will be – look no further than a 5% increase to the GST. This will be very hard to achieve given when the GST was introduced in 2000 the states and territories immediately reneged on their agreement to abolish duty taxes, so we can rightly expect that they will never renege again.</p>
<p>The problem facing Malcolm Turnbull is that the states and territories want more money and the federal government can’t fund this through their tax receipts. For years I have argued that (in the case of NSW for example) the state government is the biggest dead weight on the NSW economy.</p>
<p>Stamp duties, insurance duties, pay roll tax... the list goes on. For well over the past decade we have read tax paper after tax paper recommending the removal of these taxes although (until now) this has been ignored by federal politicians.</p>
<p>A report released this week by the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling identified that the current 10% GST consumes 13.4% of disposable income for those in the bottom fifth of households, so a further rise in the GST would see this figure jump to 20%. Households in the top 20% would experience a much softer impact where this currently sits at 5.9% and after an increase the new figure would come in at around 8.8%.</p>
<p>For obvious reasons this analysis is going to make the sales pitch for an increase in GST all the much harder when Australians go to the polls around this time next year. Banking economist Saul Eslake announced this week that “Australia’s home ownership rate is actually the lowest it’s been since 1954.” So to fix this, negative gearing will come under much greater scrutiny as established home prices continue to rise. Let’s face it – Australia’s entire tax system is a mess, broken and in urgent need of major surgery.</p>
<p>The Turnbull government will need to also look at the benefits of allowing 100% of new developments to be sold off shore – up until December 2008, the previous restriction was 50%. Two of the big ticket items in the “rivers of gold” are Stamp Duty on residential housing and payroll tax – where we are now seeing clear evidence of what impact these duty/taxes are having on the economy.</p>
<p>If you look at the Mosman house market in 2011/12/13 there were on a weekly basis 75 occasions where there were more than 100 houses on the market. In 2014 the 100 barrier was broken on 14 occasions and in 2015 the market is yet to break 100 where we can all but guarantee Mosman will not break 100 in 2015.</p>
<p>NSW is currently drowning in wage stagnation which highlights why voters will be hard pressed to approve a 5 per cent increase to the GST. Pay roll tax for decades has been referred to as the most insidious tax – so by abolishing pay roll tax employers can then pay their respective staff more which then improves wage stagnation.</p>
<p>No doubt there will be many other opinions as to what is required to finally correct Australia’s taxing imbalances. We can rest assured that over the next twelve months we will be thrown many fascinating and troublesome alternatives for deliberation.</p>
<p>The Turnbull government should also be looking at the overall effect of simply removing the middle – tier of government given the duplication of departments that exist in both state and territories and Canberra. Maybe the time has arrived to simply remove the state and territory governments and thus broaden the responsibilities of the local governments.</p>
<p>Maybe the NSW government has identified that it’s vulnerable so it is moving quickly to amalgamate the councils and then alleviate any such scrutiny?</p>
<p>Whatever happens the next twelve months will unveil debates that we Australians have never before witnessed given the magnitude of this long overdue assignment.</p>
<p>Australia’s Prime Minister is more than capable of handling the task ahead – the people aren’t the problem it’s the politicians who have created this. The time has arrived to set an example once and for all – Australia’s road map for tax reforms has finally been given a new engine and a set of wheels.</p>
<p>Just don’t crash it PM.</p>
<h5>MOSMAN – 2088</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 105</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 64</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this week – 75</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 76</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 63</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 60</p>
<h5>CREMORNE – 2090</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 17</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 14</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this week – 12</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 41</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 16</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 17</p>
<h5>NEUTRAL BAY – 2089</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 10</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 8</p>
<p>•Number of houses on the market this week – 6</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year– 42</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 31</p>
<p>*Number of apartments on the market this week – 30</p>
<p> <em><span>ROBERT SIMEON</span> is a director of </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM" rel="nofollow">Richardson Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay</a> </em><em>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. <br>He has also been writing real estate blog </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News" rel="nofollow">Virtual Realty News</a> </em><em>since 2000. </em></p>
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robertsimeon-hRNTwJyXkQ

Australia’s greatest ever sales pitch? Robert Simeon

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<p>I’ve always liked the saying “It isn’t difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill – just add dirt.”</p>
<p>The focus on clearance rates by some commentators is plain ridiculous especially when they insert the word “Sydney” into the clearance rate debate.</p>
<p>As we all know Sydney is made up of some 700 suburbs – where some are still performing above expectations and some are caught in a downward spiral. This is not an historic first as we have seen this pattern on many occasions previously with the areas of western Sydney, north – west Sydney, Canterbury Bankstown and surrounding areas the hardest hit.</p>
<p>These areas coincidentally have been the engine room for the Sydney property boom so they were always going to break – down. This is not a collapse rather a correction.</p>
<p>If you take the areas within a 5 to 10 kilometre radius of the Sydney CBD they are still performing with gusto<a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank">.</a> Although it should also be noted that quite a few properties are withdrawn from public auction which go unreported. Properties that are passed in and sold an hour or two later are reported as sold – at – auction.</p>
<p>When I do a Domain search for properties in Greater Sydney that are on the market I see all up there are presently 12,922 properties, which isn’t a lot on the grand scale of things. The estimated Sydney population in 2015 is 4,840,000. What is interesting is that approximately one – third of these properties would be set down for public auction. So why the focus on clearance rates?</p>
<p>What I find even more interesting is why all the properties are bundled together? Well that’s easy to explain as most of the commentators are connected to some media organisations in some shape or form. If they were to list areas where clearance rates are identifying a nose – dive then nobody would advertise in those local newspapers, so it’s commentary by self-preservation.</p>
<p>Yes the call for concern is well justified with Sydney posting an annual growth of 12.8% and Melbourne even higher at 15.6%. To put this into some sort of perspective Auckland is presently running away at 27% annual capital growth – which is scary.</p>
<p>There are two game – breakers in property markets; interest rates and unemployment. The Australian Bureau of Statistics have just released its labour force survey for October which recorded that the seasonally – adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.9%, down 0.3 points from September. We live in a funny society where some sections were desperately hoping that the unemployment figure would rise.</p>
<p>Now the interest rate scenario is even more interesting as we need to take into account that the Sydney property market has experienced a massive change to its normal landscape. We need to factor in the new significant buyer – investors. They have been driving the markets to levels never seen before, so we need to pay particular attention to yields.</p>
<p>Sydney 12 months ago was recording 3.7 per cent, today it has dropped back to 3.3%. Melbourne 12 months ago was 3.3%, today it is 3.0%. Brisbane 12 months ago was 4.5%, today it’s 4.4%. Adelaide has seen no change and sits at 4.2% and Perth has gone from 4.1% to 4.0%. (Source: Core Logic RP Data)</p>
<p>From these figures the two biggest investor markets, Sydney and Melbourne, are not surprisingly recording the highest downward corrections. Yields in 2016 will command special interest especially in the Sydney and Melbourne property markets. The cash rate debate is anyone’s guess where if the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to cut the cash rate there are absolutely no guarantees that the banks will pass that cut on after their last decision to increase interest rates.</p>
<p>Yes I have no doubt that we will see some interesting corrections in 2016 where I predict the areas that have experienced massive infrastructure expenditure to suffer the most. This is not anything new as it’s happened plenty of times previously, although some areas of Sydney have not seen any infrastructure expenditure in over fifty years. Take the northern beaches for example where their last significant expenditure was that dumb Spit Bridge in 1959.</p>
<p>If one was to sit back and collate all the stamp duty paid from Palm Beach to Seaforth over the last 56 years you would come up with a near nil return for infrastructure expenditure. Still the state government insists on thousands and thousands more high density housing developments with no proposals to build new transport plans aside from double – decker buses.</p>
<p>Maybe stamp duty rates should be determined by infrastructure expenditure within a particular region?</p>
<h4>MOSMAN – 2088</h4>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 114</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 75</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this week – 74</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 76</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 60</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 61</p>
<h4>CREMORNE – 2090</h4>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 13</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 12</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this week – 13</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 36</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 17</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 16</p>
<h4>NEUTRAL BAY – 2089</h4>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 10</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 6</p>
<p>•Number of houses on the market this week – 5</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year– 34</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 30</p>
<p>*Number of apartments on the market this week – 36</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span> </span><em><span>ROBERT SIMEON</span> is a director of </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM" rel="nofollow">Richardson Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay</a> </em><em>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. <br>He has also been writing real estate blog </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News" rel="nofollow">Virtual Realty News</a> </em><em>since 2000. </em></p>
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Why clearance rates aren’t clear: Robert Simeon

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<div>I took a look at the Housing Finance figures for December previously. In this post, I'll just add a few sundry thoughts.<br><br>There are always plenty of angles put forward for why the housing market must be struggling, or will be set to struggle in due course, true enough.<br><br>And indeed, some locations are struggling, no question about that - mainly comprising mining towns, or regions being heavily impacted by the ongoing collapse in mining investment.<br><br>Anecodotally, mortgage lending has also perhaps been a little bit slower in January. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>It was interesting to note, however, that the raw original data (without seasonal adjustments applied) recorded $35,961,746,000 of dwelling finance commitments in the month of December, an increase of $2.3 billion or +6.7 per cent from one year ago.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I'm no incurable optimist, but there's not too much wrong with the health of the lending market on that evidence. In fact it was the highest figure ever recorded for a single month.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/02/15/A7.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<p><img src="/images/2016/02/15/A7.jpg" alt=""> </p>
<p><span><span>Refinancing is evidently a complicating factor, as you can see in the chart above, but the value of loans actually advanced in December was up by +24.6 percent to its highest ever level at $23.8 billion.</span></span><br><br><span>I noted on </span>Twitter<span> last week that the average loan size figures seemed to have gotten a little ahead of themselves, and sure enough there was a pullback in December to a somewhat more believable $377,600, althought this is still +11.2 per cent higher than one year ago, and the figure still looks rather overstated. </span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/15/A2.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/02/15/A2.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Construction continues</span></strong><br><br></p>
<div>Much has also been written about the imminent downturn in residential construction sector. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In one sense this is a truism since construction activity is also now tracking at its highest every level, and clearly this dynamic cannot continue in perpetuity. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, the most recent housing finance figures suggested that there is still a fair amount of juice in the tank. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The rolling annual value of commitments for investor construction, which is a handy indicator if not anything more concrete than that, is up by +27.6 percent from one year ago. The equivalent figure for owner-occupier purchase of new dwellings is up by +15.7 percent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/02/15/A4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/02/15/A4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>The number of commitments for new dwelling purchase also jumped in December to 3,579 in original terms, and you would have to go back a long, long way to find a stronger monthly result than that. </span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/02/15/A6.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2016/02/15/A6.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>Major renovation activity has been marginally improved in recent months from 2014 levels, but in reality this has been almost exclusively a Sydney trend through this cycle to date. </span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/02/15/A3.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2016/02/15/A3.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">First time buyers are active</span></strong><br><br><div>The latest figures showed an increase in first homebuyer owner-occupier activity of +4.6 percent to 15.1 percent of all loans written. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/02/15/A1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/02/15/A1.jpg" alt=""></div>
</div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span><span>If you include first time buyer investors from industry surveys, the total figure for first time buyers is tracking around 50 per cent higher than this.</span><br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong><br><br><span>Overall, it is clear that there has been a behavioural shift between lenders and borrowers towards favouring owner-occupier mortgages over investment loans, the lines between which have become hopelessly blurred.</span><br><br><span>The headline figures show that in aggregate housing finance remained relentlessly strong through 2015, even if some mining regions are feeling the burn.</span><br><br><span>According to CoreLogic-RP Data Sydney posted Very solid preliminary auction clearance rate of 78.6 per cent from 469 auctions, well ahead of the preliminary clearance rate for Melbourne at 72.6 per cent.</span><br><br><span>Vendors seem a bit more realistic, and these are still relatively low volumes. Most signs point to a steady Sydney market in 2016.</span><br><br><span>Westpac's forecasts for economic growth from 2015 to 2017:</span></span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/02/15/GROWTH.jpg" target="_blank"><span><span>Click to enlarge</span></span></a></div>
<div><span><span><img src="/images/2016/02/15/GROWTH.jpg" alt=""></span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
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Housing market in good health: Pete Wargent

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<p><span>The preliminary auction clearance rate once again surprised on the upside, rising to 72.3 per cent this week, compared to 70.1 per cent last week and 74.0 per cent over the same week one year ago.  </span></p>
<p><span>Sydney has shown a remarkable bounce in clearance rates over the past few weeks, recording a 78.6 per cent preliminary clearance rate last week, compared with clearances that were tracking in the high 50 percent range during December last year. </span></p>
<p><span>So far this week, CoreLogic RP Data has captured a total of 1,020 auction results with 1,331 having been scheduled across the nation’s capitals. Auction volumes are higher than they were last week when 916 residential homes were taken to auction, however they are still tracking below the volume recorded over the relative week last year (1,541).</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Capital-city.jpg" target="_blank"><span> Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Capital-city.jpg" alt="" width="545" height="411"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>There were 539 </span><strong>Melbourne</strong><span> auctions this week, 268 last week and 584 over the same week last year. Of the 440 reported results, 73.6 per cent were successful, lower than the 77.6 per cent clearance rate last week and higher than one year ago when 70.9 per cent of reported auctions were successful. Melbourne’s auction clearance rate has fallen below Sydney’s for the first time since mid-September last year. This week, the strongest performing Melbourne sub-region was the Inner East, with a clearance rate of 81.4 per cent across 52 auctions. Following on from this, Inner South, West and Mornington Peninsula all recorded a clearance rate above the 75 per cent mark.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Melbourne.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Melbourne.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="452"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Across </span><strong>Sydney</strong><span>, the nation’s second largest capital city auction market, there were 469 auctions held this week with a preliminary clearance rate of 78.6 per cent. Last week, Sydney’s clearance rate was lower at 75.0 per cent; auction volumes were also lower, with just 313 homes taken to auction over the period. Conditions across Sydney were relatively different one year ago, 662 auctions were held and 83.3 per cent were successful. Across the individual sub-regions of the city, North Sydney and Hornsby (92.5 per cent), City and Inner South (89.1 per cent) and Eastern Suburbs (88.3 per cent) were the strongest performers, while the weakest performing sub-region was South West, with a clearance rate of 52.9 per cent.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Sydney.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Sydney.jpg" alt="" width="596" height="404"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Brisbane’s</strong><span> preliminary clearance rate was 53.3 per cent this week, compared to 54.0 per cent last week and 49.5 per cent one year ago. The city was host to 110 auctions, similar to last week when 111 were held. In comparison, 38.5 per cent of the reported </span><strong>Gold Coast</strong><span> auctions were successful this week, with 26 results reported so far.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Brisbane.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Brisbane.jpg" alt="" width="657" height="438"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Across </span><strong>Adelaide</strong><span>, the preliminary auction clearance rate for this week is 81.4 per cent, up from 70.5 per cent last week and higher than one year ago (69.0 per cent). This week 87 residential homes across Adelaide were taken to auction, bringing the year to date number of auctions across the city to 348, compared to 352 last year.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Adelaide.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/02/15/20160215-Adelaide.jpg" alt="" width="697" height="473"></p>
<p>25 per cent of <strong>Perth’s</strong> auctions were successful this week, compared to 35.3 per cent last week and 46.7 per cent one year ago. 45 auctions were held across the city.</p>
<p>In <strong>Canberra</strong>, a total of 58 homes were taken to auction this week, down from 71 last week and higher than one year ago when 49 homes were auctioned. Canberra’s preliminary clearance rate this week is 73.3 per cent, remaining steady compared to both last week (71.4 per cent) and one year ago (72.3 per cent).</p>
<p>There have been 18 <strong>Tasmanian</strong> auctions reported to CoreLogic RP Data this week. Of the reported results, 10 have been sold.</p>
<p> </p>
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Auction clearance rate tracks higher with a preliminary rate of 72.3 per cent: Shana Miller

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<p>OK, so I understand that house and apartment prices in Sydney are expensive and likely to remain so.</p>
<p>While it depends on which research you read or believe Sydney generally ranks among the world’s top 10 most costly cities for residential real estate. Ranking alongside Monaco, Hong Kong, London, New York and Singapore.</p>
<p>Prices are influenced by many factors and it’s a lack of supply that is one big factor in Sydney like it is for Monaco, Hong Kong, Singapore and Geneva. These cities have one thing in common, they have very limited land and so little space to expand and Sydney has that problem as well but only to a degree.</p>
<p>Supply here is more to do with planning and the fact that Sydney is spreading over such vast distances and there is  a basket of other very important factors that drive demand and hence prices in particular areas. No matter if we’re talking about houses or apartments, both new and established, there’s a batch of ‘demand boosters’ that are having an ever-increasing impact on prices. From a marketing perspective, I am also sure that buyers are fully tuned-into these factors and are ever more savvy about what they look for when shopping around the market.</p>
<p>If we’re planning a marketing campaign for a new apartment project, for example, I think it’s no longer enough simply to tick the location box. As some sort of all-encompassing concept that’s not good enough, as markets change and mature we need to apply a much broader view of what drives a particular location, it’s a diverse and interesting mix.</p>
<p><strong>Supermarkets &amp; Train Stations</strong></p>
<p>In any major city like Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane the pressures of modern urban living are fairly obvious. How many times do you hear comments about racing to pick up the kids from school or not having time to get to the supermarket to fetch something for dinner, with these comments usually punctuated by ‘there’s never enough time’ in my day?’</p>
<p>It’s these everyday hurdles that if eliminated or made easier by where you live can really boost demand for a particular location and also act to underpin local prices, sometimes in a more significant way than we might be aware of.</p>
<p>Taking a closer look at some of these ‘demand boosters’ unlocks a list of features many buyers would both actively and instinctively look for.</p>
<p>Lets start with shopping, the spread of major supermarkets and the long hours they trade is clearly testament to how important having a good supermarket close by has become. Buyers would also I think be influenced by how easy it is to park, and they may even look for a particular type of supermarket and that could logically extend in some markets, like inner-city locations to emerging organic and gourmet brands.</p>
<p>In a similar vein of thinking markets and growers-markets, in particular, have become very popular and they could be a positive factor for some buyers.</p>
<p>Then we have access to schools and university, both have become key drivers of demand in some areas, it’s no accident that some of our most expensive suburbs are located near our best known private schools. And growth in apartments around major universities has been explosive for many years now making these areas popular with all sorts of buyers including investors.</p>
<p>Another booster comes in the slightly less physical guise of a suburb or street name and apartment brand, and for some buyers the street and apartment number are factors. In every city there are long-established areas and suburbs with instant appeal and allure, in Sydney, for example, the ‘Hills’ and ‘Northern Beaches’ have for pulling power as do historic suburbs like Paddington. The same also applies to new areas, and again with reference to Sydney examples of newish locations include The Ponds, Homebush (thanks to the Olympics) and Edmondson Park (thanks to the rail connections).</p>
<p>With apartment buildings, the pulling power of the brand is often underpinned by a combination of the developer’s reputation, the choice of architect and shrewd marketing.</p>
<p>Having access to good cafes and restaurant is another very obvious factor that will attract a buyer’s attention and act to boost local prices, a great coffee shop is a very real attraction and many inner city suburbs now have such establishments at their heart. Quality and innovative dining are real draw cards and even short-lived pop-up eateries can boost an areas appeal.</p>
<p>It’s also no accident that both Sydney’s Barrangaro and Melbourne’s Crown Casino have both employed international top-draw restaurants, in fact possibly the best in the world to boost their respective brand, and its worked big time. It’s clear that no matter if it’s high end or casual takeaway food a good operator in an area of neighbourhood is a very real positive that reflects in an area’s appeal and local real estate values.</p>
<p>The last two factors are easily the most sought after and these demand boosters revolve around views and access to public transport. Water views are easily the most prized, be the harbor or river views or as we see in Canberra, lake views, they all rank highly among buyers and big ticket homes with water views taker the prize, while developers will always do battle for sites with water views. Plus direct water access will motivate stronger buyer demand.</p>
<p>My last suggested booster is another obvious one and it’s access to public transport it’s a big factor in Sydney, as it is in other cities like London.</p>
<p>But it’s becoming complex, and buyers are today more sensitive to public transport congestion, just being near a rail or light rail station is a positive factor, however as various state governments put more housing on major rail links congestion is a real issue. News about the over crowding on trains soon spreads and buyers become sensitive and so look for options.</p>
<p>The spread of light rail in many areas is an obvious response and major transport infrastructure projects will continue to drive growth for some time, still we need to hark back to the fact that demand and hence price is driven by many diverse factors and each can help attract a premium if carefully marketed.</p>
<p><em>Peter Chittenden is managing director for residential of Colliers International. He can be contacted <a href="https://www.projectagenda.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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Cafes and supermarkets support house prices: Peter Chittenden

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<p><span>Dwelling rental growth is now at its lowest level on record according to the first CoreLogic RP Data Rental Review for 2016. Currently the median rent rate is recorded at $443 across the combined capital cities. </span></p>
<p><span>CoreLogic RP Data has tracked annual rental changes since 1996 and over that time, rental growth conditions have never been weaker. At the same time last year rental rates had increased by 1.7 percent highlighting that the slowdown in rental conditions has been sharp over the year.</span></p>
<p><span>A combination of factors is affecting the national rental market. Among these is a higher level or rental stock resulting in greater options for renters, a slowdown in population growth, higher than normal investment activity and stagnant wage growth. </span></p>
<p><span>More rental stock at a time when demand is easing due to slowing population growth, and little wage growth for renters, has resulted in flat rental growth conditions over the past year. </span></p>
<p><span>For renters there is a lot more accommodation options in the market while simultaneously, landlords are now required to respond to a more competitive environment which, in many cases means keeping rents steady or in some areas reducing rents in order to keep a tenant. </span></p>
<p><span>CoreLogic RP Data analysis shows rents across the combined capitals rose by 0.2 percent in January 2016. The only capital cities to see a rise in rents over the month were Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra, elsewhere rents dropped. </span></p>
<p><span><strong>Across the individual capital cities, over the past year: </strong></span></p>
<p><span>Rents increased in Sydney (+1.4 percent), Melbourne (+2.1 percent), Hobart (+0.1 percent) and Canberra (+1.8 percent). </span></p>
<p><span>Rental rates have fallen over the past year in Brisbane (-0.7 percent), Adelaide (-0.4 percent), Perth (-8.6 percent) and Darwin (-13.4 percent). </span></p>
<p><span>Across every capital city except Canberra the rate of annual rental growth or decline is currently lower than it was a year ago indicating that the weaker rental market conditions are prevalent across most capital cities. </span></p>
<p><span><strong>Rental Market Update: </strong></span></p>
<p><span>Weekly rents across the combined capital city measure increased 0.2 percent over the month of January however they were unchanged over the past 12 months. </span></p>
<p><span>Currently, combined capital city rental rates are $487/week for houses and $465/week for units. </span></p>
<p><span>It is possible that over the coming months, rental rates could begin to fall on an annual basis due to additional new rental supply entering the market.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/"><span>here</span></a>.</span></p>
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Softest conditions on record for capital city rental markets: Cameron Kusher

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<p>The Reserve Bank of Australia released its Financial Aggregates data for January 2016, which showed credit growth of +6.5 percent in the year to January 2016, a steady increase on the +6.1 percent recorded for the year to January 2015.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA2.jpg" alt=""></p>
<div>Total annual housing credit growth has slowed a bit from its recent peak of +7.47 per cent in November 2015 to +7.33 per cent in January 2016, reflecting in part the shift in composition of lending from investors to owner-occupiers. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Investor credit growth is now well below APRA's arbitrary +10 per cent threshold at just +7.9 per cent and consistently slowing from +11 per cent in June, meaning that theoretically major banks could in due course start to ramp up lending into this sector should they feel the urge to do so. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Of course, any such move would be dependent upon a range of regulatory factors, and whether APRA has the appetite to loosen its throttle.<br><br>Meanwhile owner-occupier annual credit growth recorded another significant jump in surging to a 64 month high of +6.95 per cent, with homebuyers looking to take advantage of attractive mortgage rates.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>Deposit growth seems to present few headaches for banks right now. While term deposits have been understandably less popular in the prevailing low interest rate environment, total deposits with banks have expanded in a robust manner over the year to January. </span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA3.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA3.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Business credit</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Business credit grew by +6.2 per cent in the year to January 2016, up from +5.5 per cent in the year to January 2015. It is as yet unclear whether this is the end of the uptrend for business lending growth, or a blip in the upwards trajectory. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Housing credit</span></strong><br><br><span>The chart below shows how lenders in the housing market have conveniently managed to shift almost seamlessly away from investment lending to owner-occupier credit, with a bit of reclassification jiggery-pokery along the way.</span><br><br><span>In fact, the data submitted by lenders makes it look as though the chart has been drawn up on an Etch-A-Sketch.</span>
</div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA5.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA5.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Total housing credit continued to push beyond $1.53 trillion, growing at an annual pace of +7.33 per cent, although naturally there are marked differences between the states and capital cities, with some faring much better than others.<br><br>There have been a few pro-equities articles today discussing "plummeting" lending and investors "leaving the market in droves".<br><br>That's interesting, but it's not what I'm seeing. Don't forget that housing credit expanding at a pace of +7 per cent implies a doubling in outstanding credit over a decade.<br><br>It's all in the marketing, I guess.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA6.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Credit growth was fairly steady in January, with owner-occupiers continuing to pick up the baton from investors within the housing sector.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A key question going forward will be whether having managed to push investor credit growth below its preferred +10 per cent threshold APRA releases its grip on investor lending at all. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As APRA's data last week showed, the overwhelming majority of property buyers these days have substantial deposits, the question is whether tougher criteria are to be maintained surrounding mortgage serviceability. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Another key factor could be movements in the cash rate, with interest rate cuts potentially set to stimulate demand for mortgage borrowing further, although it appears likely that lenders would hold back 10bps to15bps of a prospective 25bps interest rate cut.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Adding to the parts of GDP we already know such as net exports, the Business Indicators released by the ABS this morning including inventories (-0.4), wages (+0.5), and company profits (-2.8), each suggested that headline GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2015 is likely to be weak. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>These GDP partials may prove to be another tack in the coffin for the next movement in interest rates being down. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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Owner-occupiers lead housing lending: Pete Wargent

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<div>
<em>SQM Research</em> found that listings fell slightly by 0.4% in November, with monthly falls being seen in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This is fairly unusual to see as the spring selling season typically reaches its peak, although the decline did follow on from a surge in October. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/12/8/SQM1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/12/8/SQM1.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<div>Over the past year listings are up in Sydney (+11.8%) and Darwin (+11.4%).</div>
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<div>On the other hand Melbourne (-7.0%) and Hobart (-9.1%) listings have declined sharply over the year.</div>
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<div>Despite the increased vendor activity in Sydney over the past 12 months, the harbour city still only had 28,597 listings as at November 2015 compared to more than 44,000 in Melbourne.</div>
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<div>A market slowdown is to be expected in Sydney given that house prices have increased by +59.4 per cent since July 2012, or nearly $400,000.</div>
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<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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