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


Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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


Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

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


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

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


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

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


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

<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?

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<p>Across the combined capital cities, 2,904 auctions are scheduled this week after 3,016 residential homes were taken to auction the previous week.</p>
<p>The clearance rate last week improved slightly, up from 68.2% to 69.5%, demonstrating that clearance rates are similar to the levels seen at the same time on year ago (67.8%).</p>
<p>This week, it is expected that <strong>Melbourne</strong> auction volumes will rise, while <strong>Sydney</strong> will be host to less auctions than last week. In Melbourne, 1,481 residential auctions will be held, compared to 1,397 last week and a significantly lower 1,167 one year ago. Meanwhile, there are 1,063 homes being taken to auction in Sydney this week, compared to 1,197 last week and 929 one year ago.</p>
<p>Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth will all see a lower number of auctions this week compared to last week and similarly, lower than they were one year ago:</p>
<p><strong>Adelaide</strong>:         88 this week                127 last week              103 last year<br><strong>Brisbane</strong>:       149 this week                186 last week              159 last year<br><strong>Perth</strong>:              16 this week                  34 last week               23 last year</p>
<p>On the other hand, <strong>Canberra</strong> is expecting 92 auctions this week which is higher than both last week (68) and last year (55).</p>
<p>This week, the top 10 busiest suburbs for auctions are all located in Victoria. Brighton and Reservoir are set to be the busiest, where 21 auctions will be held and Cheltenham, will host 19 auctions this week.</p>
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smiller-vwPjRHTkST

High auction volumes for the second week in a row: Corelogic RP Data's Shana Miller

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<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p><span>I am sure you have all read this week how the investment bankers and economists are predicting property will fall dramatically early in 2016. </span></p>
<p><span>The <em>Sydney Morning Herald</em> reported Macquarie was looking at a 7.5% reduction from “peak to trough”. <em>The Australian</em> reports, Macquarie said in a note “Credit growth, auction clearance rates, house prices, settlement volumes and the dollar value of settlements are also showing signs of slowing, albeit from lofty levels”.  Credit Suisse goes a step further warning that property investment in Australia is “riskier than the equity market”, particularly in NSW. </span></p>
<p><span>During Spring in times of property upswings we quite often read such predictions as with greater volume of stock (in Spring) buyers have more choice and as a consequence auction clearance rates dip a little. This is happening at the moment and the pundits mistakenly think this is the start of a property price downturn.</span></p>
<p><span>We all are aware the market has been in almost boom conditions for a couple of years and the rate of growth we have experienced during that time is not sustainable in the long-term, but I can see nothing to indicate a fall in prices.  A plateau perhaps….which would be a good thing. Maybe even call it a breather!</span></p>
<p><span>An example of what I mean was last night’s auction sale of 103 Paddington Street, Paddington which sold for $2,000,000, considerably above reserve and a price which delighted the owners.  During the final week of the campaign three potential buyers who had shown interest in this terrace bought something else…see what I mean…greater choice from more properties on the market. </span></p>
<p><span>Why do I feel this way?</span></p>
<p><span>Experience tells me the key drivers of property are interest rates (affordability) and confidence. The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Rating indicates confidence is higher in October than it was during Winter...another pointer to a healthy property market. The US Equity Market is on the up and so is Europe.  Building costs in Australia remain high and moving higher…this filters down to replacement cost and the basic value of home improvements.</span></p>
<p><span>I am looking forward to the rest of the Spring and with confidence to 2016….so should you!</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><em>Bob Guth is director and auctioneer, Bradfield Cleary and can be contacted <a href="https://bradfieldcleary.com.au/home" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
<h1> </h1>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Investment banks get it totally wrong: Bob Guth

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<p>A Gold Coast hinterland acreage residence has been listed for sale with $2.35 million hopes through Ken Jacob at Ray White Tugun.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/720-tomewin-mountain-rd-currumbin-valley/Property-Details-buy-residential-9502232" target="_blank">720 Tomewin Mountain Road</a> property sits on over 4 hectares with views from the Cougalls to the ocean.</p>
<p>The property has six bedrooms, four bathrooms, five car spaces a full-sized tennis court and a self-contained guest quarters.</p>
<p>This property has possibilities as a potential wedding venue, B&amp;B; or as a plant production nursery, which was its original purpose.</p>
<p>Retired engineers Robert Roy and Jean Law have lived there for 30 years.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The median price for a home in <a href="/news">Currumbin Valley is $805,750</a>, according to CoreLogic RP Data.</span></p>
<h2><span> </span></h2>
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Gold Coast hinterland acreage hits the market

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<div>Having recently listed on the securities exchange, Australian Finance Group (AFG) now opts to release its aggregate mortgage data on a quarterly basis, having previously released monthly figures.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The figures for the September 2015 quarter, which are not seasonally adjusted, revealed a +16% year-on-year increase in mortgage volumes.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/15/AFG1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/10/15/AFG1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<span>Mortgage volumes have increased by more than +68% over the past three years, which may be partly reflective of changes in market share. </span><br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Average mortgage size soars</span></strong><br><br><div>Significantly the average new mortgage size in Australia has soared further from $433,000 to $471,000 over the past year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/15/AFG2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/10/15/AFG2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Unsurprisingly, the main driver of the gains has been the average size of mortgages sold in New South Wales which has jumped by more than $60,000 over the past year, and has soared from $454,000 to $584,000 over the past three years. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the past year the average mortgage size also increased significantly in Victoria (+$34,000), Queensland (+$24,000), South Australia (+$30,000).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were also increases over the last year in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, but these resources states saw declines in their respective average mortgage sizes in Q3 2015.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/15/AFG3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/10/15/AFG3.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Investor market share declines</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Perhaps the most significant aspect of this release was the very sharp drop in investor market share.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>According to AFG the investor share appears to have stabilised in recent months at around 32 to 33% of the mortgage market.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Notably investor market share for Q3 2015 of just 33% was well below the 3 year average of 38%.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/10/15/AFG4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/10/15/AFG4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div class="separator">This once again implies that APRA's advisory speed limit of +10 per cent annualised credit growth in relation to invetsment loans will be comfortably met in due course, and the housing market story going forward will largely be one of to what extent owner-occupier loans pick up the slack.</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Westpac taps the market with raising</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">This morning Westpac went into a trading halt and announced that it would be tapping investors for a $3.5 billion renounceable entitlement offer in order to bolster its capital position, while noting in a separate announcement to the ASX that it will be whacking 20bps onto its home loan and investment loan rates, effective from November.</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">It is widely expected that the other retail banks will follow suit in due course in respect to mortgage rates.</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">This move seems likely to be a game changer for cash rate futures markets, with another interest rate cut from the Reserve Bank as soon as next month already considered by some to be an each way bet.</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">If Thursday's employment data is weaker than expected then a rate cut in November may become more likely than not.</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">AFG noted in its release that many borrowers consider further rate cuts to be increasingly likely, with fixed rate mortgages declining to just 11.3% of total loans processed for the quarter, which is the lowest level for more than three years. </div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">
<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>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Average mortgage size soars: Pete Wargent

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<p><span>GUEST OBSERVER</span></p>
<p><span>Who needs the RBA when the banks do their dirty work for them? </span></p>
<p><span>Westpac yesterday announced the increase to their variable rates by 20 points, for both owner-occupied and investment loans. If you have an investment loan at Westpac, your Standard Variable Rate will be 5.95%, so even if you're enjoying a lifetime discount of 1.15%, your rate will still be a whopping 4.80% (well, whopping in todays terms, my dad would yell at me if I called that whopping). </span></p>
<p><span>That rate's more than 60 points higher than it needs to be, even for investment lending.</span></p>
<p><span>Is it just Australia's first bank's turn to break the ice? Our eyes are now peeled whether other banks think they can also get away with it, given the recent regulatory changes and increased capital reserves banks must carry.</span></p>
<p><span>We'll certainly keep you posted, but I must stress its not the Standard Variable Rate that's so important but rather the lifetime discount you manage to get off that, which for home-owners was up to 1% a couple of years ago and up to 1.45% thesedays (for those who get a top-notch broker to go hard negotiating for them). </span></p>
<p><span>My team led by Victoria here at iChoice lodges dozens of <em>pricing requests</em> every week, delighting customers who had no idea what what they could get. It's a buzz.</span></p>
<p><span>The banks are offering all kinds of incentives for you to switch your home loan. Would you prefer $1,500 from Suncorp, $2,000 from St George or 250,000 Award Points from NAB? Personally, all else being equal, I'd take the latter - fancy getting two free return flights to LA for switching to a cheaper home loan!</span></p>
<p><span>NAB rates are fantastic and we can arrange a product with no annual fee ($10 per month instead, so let's call it $120 p.a) which gets you a Qantas credit card and a 100% Mortgage Offset Account. Please call if you want to know what rate you qualify for...it does take us 2 hours to confirm but you will be way impressed.</span></p>
<p><span>My handy hint today is about Land Tax. It's calculated on the investment land you own at midnight December 31st. So if you go to auction during November, see if you can extend settlement settlement till the first week of January, just to save a few bucks. Dont confuse it with CGT which is affected by the date you sign the contract. </span></p>
<p><span>On that note, November and December can be interesting months to attend auctions...good luck to those of you doing so.</span></p>
<p><span><em>Jason Khoury is principal, iChoice Mortgage Brokers and can be contacted <a href="mailto:jason=%20&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20/n%20&lt;/script&gt;&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%20&lt;/script&gt;This%20email%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%20&lt;/script&gt;" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></span></p>
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Banks doing the RBA's dirty work: Jason Khoury

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<p><span>Montego Hills has brought forward its third land release of 15 lots owing to demand for Gold Coast acreage blocks.</span></p>
<p><span>Since the community’s launch four months ago, it has sold 30 acreage lots, mainly to homebuyers in southeast Queensland.</span></p>
<p><span>The third land release is on Saturday, with all 15 lots averaging 1 and a quarter acres (5,109 square metres) in size.</span></p>
<p><span>Montego Hills is at 97 Upper Ormeau Road, Kingsholme.</span></p>
<p><span>Villawood Properties co-executive director Tony Johnson said Montego Hills land releases were being brought forward by several months to keep up with buyer demand. </span></p>
<p><span>It auction comes as the development’s first construction program gets underway, including earthworks, utility installation, stormwater drainage and civil works.</span></p>
<p><span>The lots are priced from $399,900 to $499,900. </span></p>
<p><span>“Our buyers are attracted to the rural lifestyle on offer, with many looking at having a horse, a large veggie patch, a big shed or a swimming pool in their backyards," said Johnson.</span></p>
<p> For more information, <a href="https://montegohills.villawoodproperties.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Montego Hills fast-tracks third acreage release in Gold Coast

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<p><span>Noosa Junction Plaza, a shopping centre in Sunshine Coast's Noosa Heads, is on the block.</span></p>
<p><span>Noosa Junction Plaza is set on a 7,904 square metre corner gateway site in Noosa Heads with a total gross lettable area of 5,090 square metres.</span></p>
<p><span>It has an annual net income stream of more than $1.35 million. </span></p>
<p><span>The shopping centre is at the corner of Sunshine Beach Road and Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads is on the northern tip of the Sunshine Coast. </span></p>
<p><span>The modern, fully enclosed shopping centre is anchored by a Prince’s SUPA IGA supermarket, a Target Country store and Sogo Irish Pub. The basement parking accommodates 220 vehicles.</span></p>
<p><span>“The retail investment market in Queensland has seen enormous yield compression over the last two years, with the most sought after asset class on investor wish lists being neighbourhood retail," said Peter Tyson, one of the agents of Savills Retail Sales, which is managing the sale with Sashi Makkapati and Nicholas Potter of Cushman &amp; Wakefield, on behalf of Metcash.</span></p>
<p><span>According to the National Visitor Survey and the International Visitor Survey, Noosa had more than 2.1 million visitors in the year ending September 2015, spending more than $869 million which is expected to rise to $1 billion by 2016.</span></p>
<p><span>Offers close November 12.</span></p>
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Metcash list shopping centre for sale on Sunshine Coast

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<p class="Body">Sydney home owners can feel confident that their property values will hold up amid the gradual wind-down of the price boom.</p>
<p class="Body">There are two reasons. One is that economists are predicting values will fall. Given their track record of getting it wrong on real estate, we can be fairly sure values won’t decline.</p>
<p class="Body">The other reason is the historic precedent. Sydney has had big price booms before and when the bull run ended, there was no decline in values. Prices simply stopped growing.</p>
<p class="Body">I fully agree with the growing list of pundits calling the end to Sydney’s boom. I’ve been writing about it for the past 5-6 months.</p>
<p>On 21 May I wrote in this column: “It was inevitable that Sydney would run out of puff eventually and the most likely time for it to happen was in the third year of price growth – which means some time this year. It’s rare for major markets to sustain a boom for any longer than that.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>“I’ve just finished the research for the latest edition of The Price Predictor Index, examining market activity in suburbs and towns across the nation, and it indicates Sydney has begun a gradual fade.”</p>
<p class="Body">That view was subsequently confirmed by sales figures for the June Quarter, which continued the pattern seen in the March Quarter figures. It’s clear now that, in terms of sales activity, Sydney peaked in the December Quarter last year and has been on a gradual fade ever since.</p>
<p class="Body">But does this mean prices will collapse? Not if 2004 is any guide.</p>
<p class="Body">The preceding 2-3 years represent the last time Australia had a genuine national property boom. In 2002, six of the eight capital cities recorded double-digit growth in median house prices, including three (Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide) where prices grew more than 20%. The national average rise was 18%, double the average rise in the past 12 months.</p>
<p class="Body">The following year was even more prolific. In 2003, all eight capital cities recorded growth of at least 13%. Five of capital cities grew more than 20% and the city average that year was a 19% rise.</p>
<p class="Body">The past 12 months, in comparison to those stellar years, have been rather tame, with only Sydney recording double-digit growth (although some research sources have Melbourne nudging above 10%). Media hysteria suggesting we have been in the midst of an unprecedented national boom lately is quite ludicrous when we consider the 2002-2003 scenario.</p>
<p class="Body"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The bottom line, however, is this: by 2004 the boom had run out of steam. Economists, journalists and other pontificators were routinely predicting a collapse in prices. But it didn’t happen. The growth subsided but there was no price decline.</span></p>
<p class="Body">Earlier this year I conducted a research exercise for a client, examining media coverage of real estate since the beginning of the 21<sup>st</sup> Century and comparing it to actual outcomes.</p>
<p class="Body">This revealed that reports of bubbles, unsustainably high property values and inevitable price collapse have occurred constantly in Australian media over the past 15 years.</p>
<p class="Body">Every economist complaining that property prices should fall because they don’t comply with their theory about where prices should be has been given airplay.</p>
<p class="Body">Every overseas spruiker seeking to drum up attention for a book launch or a seminar tour has gained massive publicity by forecasting that our property values were about to decline 40%, 50% or 60%. One was silly enough to predict a 90% drop in land values and media was silly enough to publish it.</p>
<p class="Body">None of them was right. Despite that relentless production line of doomsday headlines stretching across 15 years, there has been no Armageddon in Australian real estate.</p>
<p class="Body">So, now the chattering economists are at it again. No matter how many times they get it wrong on real estate, they will continue to step up for another bout of false profiteering.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p class="Body">The boffins at Macquarie Bank have rolled out some very specific forecasts about something they call “Australian property prices”. They’re going to start falling in March next year. And the decline won’t be 5% or 6% or somewhere in the band from 5-10%, it will be exactly and precisely 7.5%.</p>
<p class="Body">Will they be proven accurate? Not a chance.</p>
<p class="Body"><em>Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></em></p>
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

The end is nigh for Sydney's property boom: Terry Ryder

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<p><span>Chef Neil Perry's Rockpool restaurant premises on Sydney's Bridge Street have sold for $8.51 million through Knight Frank.</span></p>
<p><span>The strata retail asset is leased to Rockpool, via the Star Restaurant Group trading until 2023.</span></p>
<p><span>The 490-square-metre property in the historical Burns Philps, Sydney building sold at a 6.78% yield. </span></p>
<p><span>The 7-11 Bridge Street building has been substantially reconstructed behind its original facade.</span></p>
<p><span>The Rockpool property exchanged at $17,367 a square metre, the Australian Financial Review calculated.</span></p>
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Bridge Street Rockpool restaurant premises sold

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<p><span>The top sale of the week was a freestanding five bedroom home in Chatswood on an 815 sqm block, according to CoreLogic RP Data.</span></p>
<p>The double brick home, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-chatswood-120697633" target="_blank">6 Chatswood Avenue, Chatswood</a>, was built in 1998 and sold for $6,055,000 through Kerrie Robertson and Michael OBrien of<strong style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </strong><span style="line-height: 1.3em; color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">LJ Hooker Lane Cove</span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; color: #333333;">The second highest sale was also in Chatswood.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; color: #333333;"> </span></p>
<p>6 Chatswood Ave, Chatswood, NSW, 2067<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/6-chatswood-avenue-chatswood-nsw-2067/1825007">,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by L J Hooker Lane Cove for $6.055 million</p>
<p>33 Olga St, Chatswood, NSW, 2067<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/33-olga-street-chatswood-nsw-2067/1830003">,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by Shead Property Chatswood for $5.22 million</p>
<p>14 Bower St, Manly, NSW, 2095<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/14-bower-street-manly-nsw-2095/3972455">,</a> six-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by Clarke &amp; Humel Property Manly for $4.62 million</p>
<p>7 Cameron Ave, Manly, NSW, 2095<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/7-cameron-avenue-manly-nsw-2095/17325029">,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by Clarke &amp; Humel Property Manly for $3.805 million</p>
<p>1106 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy, NSW, 2097, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by Belle Property Mona Vale for $3.73 million</p>
<p>4 Crossakiel Ct, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/4-crossakiel-court-hawthorn-vic-3122/11188399">,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by Jellis Craig Hawthorn for $3.56 million<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>51 Raglan St, Mosman, NSW, 2088<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/51-raglan-street-mosman-nsw-2088/4501142">,</a> three-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by 2088 Realty Mosman for $3.4 million</p>
<p>22 Bayswater Rd, Lindfield, NSW, 2070<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/22-bayswater-road-lindfield-nsw-2070/3767480">,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by Mcconnell Bourn Estate Agents Lindfield for $3.23 million<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>371 Belmore Rd, Balwyn North, VIC, 3104<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/371-belmore-road-balwyn-north-vic-3104/9579363">,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 10 by Noel Jones Real Estate Balwyn for $3.2 million</p>
<p>18B Alice St, Turramurra, NSW, 2074<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/property/18b-alice-street-turramurra-nsw-2074/6997909">,</a> five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on October 10 by Chadwick Real Estate Turramurra for $3.2 million</p>
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