For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

For the first time in a long time, Australia's inflation story is starting to look more like a landing than a fight.

The latest Consumer Price Index figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed annual inflation eased to four per cent in May, down from 4.2 per cent in April. On the surface, that might not seem like a major move. Inflation remains above the Reserve Bank's target range and some categories continue to record stubborn price growth.

But the significance of this result lies less in where inflation sits today and more in what it means for where interest rates are likely heading next.

The biggest takeaway is that inflation continues to move in the right direction.

Markets had been bracing for another sticky result after a period where progress appeared to stall. Instead, headline inflation came in softer than expected, helped by falling fuel prices and easing transport costs. Annual transport inflation halved from 6.6 per cent in April to 3.3 per cent in May, while automotive fuel prices fell 11.9 per cent during the month following lower oil prices and the impact of reduced fuel excise measures.

While petrol prices don't solve Australia's affordability challenges, they are one of the most visible and immediate costs for consumers. Falling fuel costs feed through the economy quickly, helping ease pressure on household budgets and business operating expenses.

The ABS data also showed headline inflation is now sitting at its lowest annual level in several months, reinforcing the broader trend that price growth is gradually moderating.

That trend is important because it aligns with what many economists and lenders have been saying for the last month.

Prior to this week's inflation data, ANZ, NAB and Commonwealth Bank had all shifted their forecasts, now believing the Reserve Bank had likely reached the peak of the interest rate cycle. Following the May inflation release, ANZ reaffirmed that view.

In its latest economic update, ANZ said it expects quarterly trimmed mean inflation to come in at 3.7 per cent for the June quarter, slightly below the Reserve Bank's forecast of 3.8 per cent. Importantly, the bank said that outcome, when combined with slowing economic activity, "supports our view that the cash rate has peaked".

The Reserve Bank has spent the better part of three years attempting to bring inflation under control through higher interest rates. If Australia's major banks are correct and rates have now peaked, the conversation shifts from how much higher rates could go to when they might begin coming down.

Westpac's caution comes from underlying inflation. The trimmed mean, the measure most closely watched by the Reserve Bank, increased from 3.4 per cent to 3.6 per cent annually. Housing inflation remains elevated at 6.5 per cent, reflecting ongoing increases in rents, electricity costs and new dwelling construction.

Electricity prices remain particularly problematic, rising 21.1 per cent over the past year following the removal of government rebates.

Housing construction costs are also showing signs of renewed pressure. ANZ noted new dwelling costs rose 0.9 per cent in May and are now running at an annualised pace of 8.6 per cent over the past three months. Builders continue to face higher labour, fuel and material costs, a reminder that inflationary pressures have not completely disappeared.

Housing affordability has deteriorated largely because of higher interest rates rather than higher property prices alone. Even modest reductions in mortgage rates would improve borrowing capacity, increase buyer confidence and reduce repayment pressure on existing homeowners.

While August is far from a certainty, the latest inflation result has strengthened the view that the next move in rates is more likely to be down than up. For borrowers, buyers and the development sector, that alone represents a significant shift from the conversation that dominated much of the past two years.

The inflation result the property market was waiting for

<html><body>
Sydney's higher house prices over the past four years has seen many households take on larger mortgages while remaining in their own home.
And it has been high-debt households that have increased their debt by more than low-debt households. 
Research by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) has suggested the responsive of households to house price growth has been greatest among households with already higher levels of indebtedness.
"These households are the most vulnerable to income shocks, such as unemployment," the report warned.
They found that a $1,000 increase in house values prompted a $240 increase in household debt for home owners. A one percent increase in local house price growth was accompanied by a 0.3 percent decrease on household non-mortgage debt. 
They warned the take-up of further mortgage debt exposed them to the risk of significant loss if house prices fall or if interest rates rise.
"This, in turn, may pose a systemic risk for the macroeconomy.
"An economic shock, emanating in either financial, labour or housing markets, may lead to widespread defaults that would cause the shock to spread across markets and threaten the performance of the economy," it said.
Their report noted a general belief in Australia that debt is held by those most able to service it, namely, higher-income and higher-wealth households. 
Ofcourse the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has long observed that Australia’s household debt ratios (debt divided by disposable income) are high by international standards.
In the mid-1990s, household debt was around 50 per cent of household disposable income.
This ratio rose to over 150 percent of income by 2007, with housing debt alone accounting for almost 90 percent of this, and has since remained constant.
In Australia we have not seen households reducing their debt burden as witnessed in other countries more severely affected by the GFC.
Instead when these households experienced increases in the value of their housing wealth, they have been quite likely to refinance from their relatively more expensive unsecured non-mortgage debt, by moving debt from credit card to home loan.
The debt escalation is possibly already adding to housing stress and resulting in less money being available for discretionary spending.
We know around 30 percent of home owners have no debt, but evidence on the relationship between house prices and debt is scarce.
There are always links between household debt and work life-cycle. 
Any price movements in housing markets has the potential to either promote or dampen labour supply, according to the AHURI research paper, House prices, household debt and labour supply in Australia authored by Kadir Atalay, Garry Barrett and Rebecca Edwards. 
Higher housing debt-to-income levels are associated with longer working hours especially for middle aged and older men along with for younger and older women.
But throw in the positive wealth effect of good house price growth and it leads to a reduction in labour supply for older women via early retirement and for young partnered men and women who move to carer activities.
Households typically smooth any fluctuations in current income by accumulating wealth. They achieve this by saving when income is relatively high and by drawing on that wealth when income is relatively low. Anticipated changes in wealth are built into consumption plans, but unemployment shocks aren't.
It was interesting to see more borrowers are falling behind on repayments, according to credit ratings agency Fitch this week.
Despite low interest rates, the appreciating housing market and falling unemployment, Fitch believes the worsening arrears may be due to the emerging trend of higher underemployment.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Underemployment could be weak link in growing household debt

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
GUEST OBSERVER
There is significant local debate about how much the Australian housing market is cooling.
Various indicators are showing different trends. A prominent hedonic house price measure is showing stronger growth than the broad collection of housing price indicators. Auction clearance rates have also been high, suggesting price strength. 
At the same time, new housing loan approvals are below their 2015 peaks, housing credit growth has slowed and housing turnover has fallen. We see the collection of evidence supporting the idea that the housing market has cooled (and so does the RBA). This is welcome, after an extended period of strong housing price growth in Sydney and Melbourne.
Our central view has the RBA on hold from here. If the housing market proves to be more resilient than we expect, this would further bolster that view.
<a href="/images/2016/09/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-27%20at%207.54.17%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-27%20at%207.54.17%20AM.png" alt="">
Australia has a collection of housing price indicators. These indices take different approaches to dealing with the key measurement challenge, which is that there is significant variation in the sorts of houses that are sold month to month. For example, if a lot of large, well-located and expensive houses are sold in one month and smaller, less well-located, cheap houses are sold another, this can have a big effect on the raw median price measures.
In this case, housing price growth would appear to slow, but this would not be a true picture of the change in price of the overall housing stock. Instead, it would be a reflection of the compositional changes in what was being sold month to month.
The four main measures tracked in Australia that seek to control for these compositional effects are a hedonic measure (Corelogic), a stratified median measure (APM), a repeat-sales measure (Residex) and the official ABS measure, which also uses a stratification approach.
Hedonic measures control for compositional shifts in turnover by accounting for things like number of bedrooms, block size and location, amongst other characteristics. The stratified approach groups houses into ten different price level boxes and then averages the medians from each box to produce an overall measure. The repeat-sales method controls for quality by tracking the same houses through time.
<a href="/images/2016/09/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-27%20at%207.56.58%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-27%20at%207.56.58%20AM.png" alt="">
At the moment, the various measures are showing y-o-y growth in national housing prices of between 7 percent (Corelogic) and 3 percent (APM) (Charts 1 and 2). On a q-o-q basis, the gap is even larger, with the hedonic measures showing more strength recently. Keep in mind that the main debate is really only about whether the Sydney and Melbourne markets are cooling, as there has been little housing price growth in other cities in recent years (Chart 3).
The gap between the measures has led to some debate about which measure is closest to the truth. A challenge has been that the Corelogic measure, which is showing the strongest growth and has typically been the one most relied upon by the RBA in recent years, has recently had some methodological changes. As a result, the RBA has become less confident about the veracity of this measure, stating in its August official statement that 'strong increases reported by CoreLogic were overstated as a result of methodological changes'. 
<a href="/images/2016/09/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-27%20at%207.57.58%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-27%20at%207.57.58%20AM.png" alt="">
Digging a little deeper into the issue (to the extent that we can without the unit records), we find it interesting that the CoreLogic raw median, which does not adjust for compositional changes, has also shown much slower housing price growth in Sydney than the adjusted measure (Chart 4). The gap between the hedonic measure and the raw median is the largest it has ever been. The clear implication is that compositional shifts in turnover have been quite large recently.
One plausible explanation is that a greater amount of lower-priced housing has been turned over recently. This fits with the fact that a lot of newly built apartments have been coming to market and apartments tend to be lower-priced than detached houses. Apartment prices have also grown more slowly than detached dwelling prices more recently. Lower-priced detached houses are also the ones that are likely to see the biggest spill-over effect from the apartment supply boost, as they are typically a closer substitute to most apartments than higher-priced houses.
Another timely measure of housing market activity, auction clearance rates, has also been high in recent months (Chart 5). This may also be consistent with the gap in the housing price measures. Auctions are more prevalent for higher-priced homes and account for only 30% of housing sales in Melbourne, 20% in Sydney and far lower rates in the other capitals. Auction volumes have recently been lower than in recent years, suggesting fewer high-priced dwellings are being sold.
More sales of lower-priced dwellings would also be consistent with the fall in housing loan approvals and slowdown in housing credit growth, as access to credit is typically a more important factor for lower- priced housing (Chart 6). The tightening of lending standards since late 2014 has also applied most aggressively to loans to investors, which are more prevalent in the apartment market.
The bottom line is that the weight of evidence suggests that there has been some cooling in the housing market (for more details on why the market it is likely to have cooled, see: 'Downunder Digest: Australian housing is still set to cool', 21 June 2016). Compositional shifts in housing turnover are making it difficult to get a clear read on housing price growth, but, importantly, housing loan approvals and credit growth have slowed. For monetary policy, the slowdown in housing credit growth is particularly important. Housing price gains are far more worrisome when they are fuelled by credit. It is the leverage that matters most.
Our central case is that the RBA is unlikely to cut further, with this call grounded in our view that domestic inflation and wages growth is set to stabilise as the rebalancing act comes to its end (see 'Australia's low inflation: It's part of the rebalancing act', 13 July 2016). If housing price growth proves to be stronger than most of the measures show, or there is a re-acceleration of housing prices, loan approvals or credit growth, we see this as likely to bolster, rather than challenge, our case that the RBA is unlikely to cut further. 
<a href="https://www.about.hsbc.com.au/hsbc-in-australia/management-team" target="_blank">PAUL BLOXHAM</a> IS CHIEF ECONOMIST (AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND) FOR HSBC. 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

How much is the housing market cooling? HSBC's Paul Bloxham

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
ABS data showed a further moderation in home price growth over the year to the June quarter to 4.1 percent, but June quarter growth was 2 percent plus (or 8 percent plus on annualised basis) in Sydney and Melbourne which indicates these cities remain too hot. 
A surge in auction clearance rates suggests they may have become even hotter lately. 
There is not much the RBA can do, but it is an issue for APRA to keep an eye on.
<a href="/images/2016/09/27/auctions_normal.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/09/27/auctions_normal.png" alt="">
Meanwhile, Australia’s population popped 24 million in the March quarter. While population growth has slowed to 1.4 percent year-on-year from a peak of 2.1 percent in 2008, it appears to have stabilised, remains strong compared to most other advanced countries, will help drive reasonable potential economic growth and continues to underpin long term housing demand. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://plus.google.com/110172465327488162875?rel=author" target="_blank">SHANE OLIVER</a> is head of investment strategy and economics and chief economist at <a href="https://www.ampcapital.com.au/home" target="_blank">AMP Capital</a> and is responsible for AMP Capital's diversified investment funds.
</body></html>

Further moderation in home price growth: Shane Oliver

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
The multi-unit apartment and townhouse construction industry has reached record highs over the past five years. However, volatile conditions have led to mixed results for many construction firms.
Construction features prominently in IBISWorld’s Top 500 Private Companies list for 2016.
The list features 57 construction companies, including three companies in the top 20: BGC, Meriton Apartments and Hutchinson Builders.
Year-on-year revenue growth for the 57 listed construction companies varied widely, from growth of 327.5 percent to a decline of 49.1 percent, reflecting a tumultuous year in construction.
The top five private construction companies for growth in this year’s list include Central Equity, Lipman, Mainbrace Constructions, Pellicano Builders and Burbank Australia, which have displayed revenue growth of between 327.5 percent and 51.8 percent over the past year. 
While construction companies generally performed well in this year’s Top 500 Private Companies list, four appeared in the top 10 private companies with the biggest revenue declines, including Murphy Pipe and Civil Group, S J Higgins Group, Vaughan Constructions and Grocon Group.
Multi-unit residential construction
The multi-unit apartment and townhouse construction industry has grown strongly over the past five years, boosted by foreign investment and Australians becoming increasingly comfortable with inner-city living.
Underlying demand for new housing is underpinned by Australia’s migrant intake, population growth, foreign investment in the property market, historically low mortgage interest rates, and an increasing desire to live in inner-city multi-unit apartments and townhouses.
IBISWorld expects the multi-unit apartment and townhouse construction industry to post annualised growth of 3.8 percent over the five years through 2016-17, to reach $17.4 billion. Revenue is projected to strengthen further over the five years through 2021-22, increasing at an annualised 5.0 percent to reach $22.1 billion.
Sharp correction
Despite the industry’s bright outlook, revenue is expected to slump by 17.3 percent over the current year as investors hold off on new developments to allow recently added stock to be absorbed.
Recent additions of new apartment stock have exceeded immediate housing requirements, and vacancy rates have climbed in several major markets, particularly in Melbourne and Brisbane. The decline in activity also reflects the anticipated completion of several major projects during 2016-17.
Industry revenue is expected to decline sharply over the current year, before stabilising in 2018-19. Industry revenue is forecast to recover strongly following these corrections, reaching new record highs over the next five years as demand for new housing and rental accommodation underpins a return to accelerated growth.
Around the nation
Apartments have captured an increasing share of total residential building commencements over the past five years, particularly for inner-city multistorey apartment complexes. These projects are expected to make up 39.7 percent, or $6.9 billion, of the industry’s total revenue of $17.4 billion in 2016-17.
Over the past five years, much of the industry’s focus has been on well-publicised multistorey apartment towers in capital cities.
South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have experienced declines in the value of multi-unit and townhouse residential property construction activity over the past five years. Other states, particularly New South Wales and Queensland, have seen strong growth from the same market.
Foreign investment
Multi-unit residential commencements are forecast to surge from 2019-20 onwards as more projects are brought to the start-up phase. Foreign investment in apartment developments, particularly from investors in China, Singapore and Hong Kong, is likely to support this growth. 
The Australian market is expected to remain attractive for foreign investors, especially as the value of the Australian dollar is anticipated to remain low.
Anthony Kelly is senior industry analyst, IBISWorld and can be contacted <a href="https://www.ibisworld.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

Surging apartment construction driving growth across multiple states: Anthony Kelly

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div>
A report released by CBRE tracking investment into and out of the Pacific region found increased inbound capital targeting the industrial, hotel and residential site sectors over recent years.
The report, titled The review of capital  flows in and out of global commercial real estate markets - Pacific Edition H1 2016, found net capital inflow into Pacific real estate in H116 was $720 million and a long-term trend of offices property being the preferred sector for inbound capital investment and retail the preferred sector for (Pacific) outbound capital. 
<a href="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.51.59%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.51.59%20PM.png" alt="">
Stephen McNabb, head of research CBRE Australia,  said the big shift in net position reflected a decline in capital outflow from domestic investors which in H115 reached $4.4b but fell away to $1.4b in H116.
"It aligns with the trend for investors to be more inclined to ‘stay at home’ in times of heightened risk, preferring markets they know best," he said.
"Net capital inflow into Pacific real estate in H116 was $720 million, comparing favourably to the $2,170 million net capital outflow recorded in the previous corresponding period (PCP, H115).
"The big shift in net position reflected a decline in capital outflow from domestic investors which in H115 reached $4.4b but fell away to $1.4b in H116. The net position of the offshore investor sector was largely unchanged at $2.2b.
<a href="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.54.28%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.54.28%20PM.png" alt="">
"Cross-regional investment activity was lower in volume. H116 saw $8.7 billion of capital flows to and from the Pacific region, 30 percent down on the $12.4 billion recorded in the PCP. This trend is consistent with the global theme of lower cross-border commercial real estate investment activity in 2016.
"Investors are more inclined to ‘stay at home’ in times of heightened risk, preferring markets they know best. Several events through the first half are likely to have impacted confidence: greater stock market volatility from September 2015 to February 2016, persistent concerns over the Chinese economy (albeit receding recently), the US election and Brexit."
"Historical capital flows in and out of the Pacific region (Chart 1) reveal a long-term trend of office as the preferred sector for inbound capital and retail the preferred sector for (Pacific) outbound capital. This trend held true in nine of the past ten years.
"We postulate that outbound capital prefers retail because of the limited opportunities to acquire institutional grade shopping centres in Australia and New Zealand, due to them being fewer in number (compared to office buildings) and also tightly held. Continents such as North America and Europe have much larger populations so naturally have more retail space.
</div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.50.26%20PM.png" target="_blank" style="font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<img src="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.50.26%20PM.png" alt="">
"Inbound capital prefers office assets because they are typically less management intensive and better suited to passive investors. Additionally, yields on Australian offices since the GFC have held onto a sizeable (but diminishing) spread over office markets such as New York, London and Hong Kong.
"Superannuation funds since 2013 have been the main source of outbound capital by Pacific investors, accounting for 30% of outflows (Chart 2). REITs were prominent in 2014-15 but have been more subdued in 2016. 
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Increased industrial, hotel and residential inbound capital: CBRE

<html><body>
A quick overview of the latest trends in key Australian economic data.
<a href="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.22.43%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.22.43%20PM.png" alt="">
 
<a href="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.24.17%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.24.17%20PM.png" alt="">
<a href="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.25.29%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.25.29%20PM.png" alt="">
<a href="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.26.47%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%202.26.47%20PM.png" alt="" width="680" height="297">
Andrew Hanlan is senior economist for Westpac and can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-hanlan/3/222/430" target="_blank">here</a>. 
</body></html>

Australian data summary table 26 September: Westpac's Andrew Hanlan

<html><body>
The latest research from South Sydney Cityscope shows property sales for the quarter to September 2016 have increased in terms of total value, according to CoreLogic's latest report.
Sales recorded in the most recent quarter totalled $512.7 million from 58 sales, as compared to the $276.7 million from 39 sales in the quarter to June 2016 and the $286.9 million from 51 sales recorded in the quarter to March 2016.
This quarter brings the twelve-month total value of sales to $1.447 billion from 214 sales, an increase from the $1.111 billion from 400 sales recorded for the previous year.
The table below shows sales recorded for the past eight updates of South Sydney Cityscope.
<a href="/images/2016/09/23/South%20Sydney%20Score%20Card.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/23/South%20Sydney%20Score%20Card.jpg" alt="">
Notable sales in the September 2016 update of South Sydney Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>Metrolink Corporate Park, comprising Tower A at 201 Coward Street, Mascot and Tower B at 197A Coward Street, Mascot, two seven-storey office and retail buildings providing net lettable areas of 12,700 sqm and 10,253 sqm respectively; together with 299 car spaces and 245 car spaces respectively in the 12-level car park building at 197 Coward Street, Mascot, which sold for $143.4 million; 
</li>
<li>17 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria, a four-storey office building with warehouse and laboratory facilities above basement parking for 97 cars with a net lettable area of 11,907 sqm, which sold for $112.9 million; and 
</li>
<li>Euston Business Park at 215 Euston Road, Alexandria, a four-storey office building with a large high-clearance warehouse to the rear and basement parking, providing 7,577 sqm office spaces and 6,873 sqm warehouse spaces, which sold for $92.5 million.</li>
</ul>
<a href="/images/2016/09/23/South%20Sydney%20Quarterly%20Sale.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/23/South%20Sydney%20Quarterly%20Sale.jpg" alt="">
Properties listed as for sale in the September 2016 update of South Sydney Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>Alexandria Creative Park at 41-43 Bourke Road, Alexandria, also known as The Mill, a 20,176 sqm business precinct comprising 10 commercial buildings, an onsite cafe and a three-storey car parking building on a site of 18,930, is available through CBRE; 
</li>
<li>A high-clearance workshop with mezzanine office building on a 949 sqm site at 50-54 McCauley Street, Alexandria, which is scheduled for auction on 13 October 2016 through Colliers International Sydney South; and 
</li>
<li>Unit 9 at 8-10 Burrows Road, St Peters, a 244 sqm two-storey industrial unit with two car parking spaces, which is scheduled for auction on 20 September 2016 through Raine &amp; Horne.</li>
</ul>
Leasing opportunities in the September 2016 update of South Sydney Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>Office space ranging from 400 sqm to 5,000 sqm in the development at 289 King Street, Mascot, for pre-lease through Knight Frank. The proposed building will comprise a 13-storey building with a 246-bedroom hotel, six office floors, retail space and a 5-storey car park; 
</li>
<li>60 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria, comprising a two-storey office building and two high-clearance warehouse buildings with 100 car parking space on a site of 7,666 sqm, which has 4,589 warehouse space for lease through Link Property Services; and 
</li>
<li>The Solvay Interox Banksmeadow site at 18-22 McPherson Street, Banksmeadow, a chemical and solvents plant, including distillation towers, a high-clearance metal fabricated factory building, a two-storey brick office building and several small brick offices on a site of 43,680 sqm, which has warehouse space of 3,168 sqm available through JLL Mascot.</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Quarterly South Sydney commercial sales figures up: CoreLogic

<html><body>
Based on preliminary results over the week ending 16 September, 80.8 percent of commercial auction results cleared, according to CoreLogic's latest market report.
A total of 26 results have been reported so far, down from 46 last week when half of all reported auctions were sold. One year ago, 107 commercial auction results were reported and 56.1 per cent were sold.
A total of 188 commercial auction results have been reported over the four weeks ending 16 September, with 112 sales. Of these 112 sales, 79 were reported with a sale price, totalling just over $162.3 million.
<a href="/images/2016/09/23/Auction%20Clearance%20Graph.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/23/Auction%20Clearance%20Graph.jpg" alt="">
The table below indicates National Auction Clearance Rate figures.
<a href="/images/2016/09/23/Auction%20Clearance%20Table.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/23/Auction%20Clearance%20Table.jpg" alt="">
 
</body></html>

Commercial auction clearance rates above 80 percent: CoreLogic

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 4">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Top two sales over the past week, for states and territories for the week ending 25 September, according to CoreLogic.
Australian Capital Territory 
10 Cockle Street, O’Conner, ACT 6 bed, 4 bath, 3 car house $1,950,000 Independent Property Group Gungahlin 
37 Coolibah Crescent, O’Conner, ACT 5 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $1,425,000 LJ Hooker Dickson 
New South Wales 
30 Bronte Marine Drive, Bronte, NSW 4 bed, 2 bath, 3 car house $7,350,000 Phillips Pantzer Donnelley Woollahra 
26 Gold Street, Blakehurst, NSW 5 bed, 4 bath, 4 car house $4,100,000 Belle Property South Hurstville
Northern Territory 
61 Gsell Street, Wanguri, NT 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $615,000 Ray White Darwin 
4 Finlayson Street, Gillen, NT 3 bed, 2 bath, 3 car house $492,500 Elders Real Estate Alice Springs 
Queensland 
121 Towers Street, Ascot, Qld 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $2,300,000 Ngu Real Estate East Brisbane 
586 Lower Bowen Terrace, New Farm, Qld 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $2,100,000 Ray White New Farm 
South Australia 
29 Glenburnie Avenue, Torrens Park, SA 5 bed, 3 bath, 4 car house $1,586,000 Harcourts Platinum 
48 Howard Street, Beulah Park, SA 5 bed, 3 bath, 3 car house $1,368,000 Ouwens Casserly Adelaide 
Tasmania 
58 Lyttleton Street, East Launceston, Tas 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $745,000 Sims for Property Launceston 
49 Bayside Drive, Lauderdale, Tas 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $740,000 Knight Frank Hobart 
Victoria 
107 Mont Albert Road, Canterbury, Vic 4 bed, 1 bath, 2 car house $6,290,000 Jellis Craig Boroondara Group 
15 Howitt Street, Glen Iris, Vic 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $3,010,000 Kay Burton Hawthorn 
Western Australia 
36 Balikpapan Avenue, Dianella, WA 5 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $1,200,000 Excellence Property Specialists 
5/26 Renwick Street, South Perth, WA 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car unit $900,000 Porter Matthews Metro Belmont 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Top two sales over the past week across Australia: CoreLogic

<html><body>
Sydney's southern city of Wollongong has a preliminary clearance rate of 82.6 percent for the week ending 25 September, according to CoreLogic.
The Gold Coast has a clearance rate of 58.6 percent and the Sunshine Coast 55 percent.
<a href="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%201.35.50%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-26%20at%201.35.50%20PM.png" alt="">
</body></html>

Latest Expert Insights

The inflation result the property market was waiting for

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Expert Insights

The inflation result the property market was waiting for

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News