<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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<div>
<em>Residex</em> released its data and property market update to 31 July which showed house growth over the quarter accelerate to "an astonishing" 7.6% to be 21.2% higher over the year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As the below <em>Residex</em> graphic shows capital growth in Sydney has continued to outstrip by far that seen in other capital cities where average growth for the quarter was under 1%.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney median house prices have now blasted well past $1 million at $1,017,500</div>
<div>
<br>Regional house price growth was relatively soft across all states and territories on this index. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/31/Resi1.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/08/31/Resi1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div>
<div>Sydney unit prices also recorded very strong 6.6 per cent quarterly growth to be 15.2 per cent higher over the year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em>Residex</em> has also recorded very strong growth in rents for houses and units over the past twelve months.</div>
<br><span>On the other hand median prices contracted in resources capitals Perth and Darwin over the past year.</span>
</div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/31/Table_1_July_Stats_Summary2.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2015/08/31/Table_1_July_Stats_Summary2.jpg" alt="" width="765" height="670"></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>These<em> Residex </em>updates are well worth a read.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Discussed in this newsletter is how the increasing population density of Sydney may have contributed to outperforming capital growth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em>Residex</em> considers that strong captial growth in Sydney could continue for the next few quarters before stabilising at a high level.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>These<em> Residex </em>updates are well worth a read.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Discussed in this newsletter is how the increasing population density of Sydney may have contributed to outperforming capital growth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em>Residex</em> considers that strong captial growth in Sydney could continue for the next few quarters before stabilising at a high level.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Astonishing Sydney boom accelerates: Pete Wargent

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<div><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">I'm in the midst of what will ultimately be my most comprehensive research project to date, and henceforth will aim to share a few high level viewpoints and findings on this blog page along the way.</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>There are of course a multitide of factors which impact and drive housing markets ranging from macroeconomic drivers to monetary policy, and from consumption patterns to construction rates. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>But for today let's look briefly and specifically at Australia's demographics.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Population pyramid</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Looking below at an Australian population pyramid - which for the purposes of this blog post I have flipped on its side - representing the estimated resident population as at 2014, we can immediately observe a couple of salient points.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Firstly, although Australia does have an ageing population, in part thanks to our immigration program the demographic profile of Australia is markedly different to those found in some other developed countries, and considerably less "top heavy".<br><br>With skilled migration in particular often having favoured those in the 21-30 age bracket, there is presently a relative dearth of people in my age bracket, that being the 31 to 38 year old cohort (see Point A on the below chart).</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/31/PP1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/08/31/PP1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Depending upon your preferred information source the average or "typical" age of first homebuyers in Australia now ranges anywhere from 31 to 34 years of age, and that figure could potentially levitate further due to a combination of lifestyle factors and increasingly stretched deposit gaps in the two major capital cities.<br><br>Of course, an "average" covers a wide range of ages and strains of buyer, but recent data has suggested that a comfortable majority of first homebuyers are now in their 30s or 40s.<br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Investors in the ascendancy...for now</span></strong><br><br>
</div>
<div>The shape of the first chart above may therefore go some of the way to explaining the comparatively low volumes of homebuyers in the market through this cycle, with investors dominant to an an unprecedented degree, particularly in the largest capital city markets.<br><br>Naturally other factors have played a role here, particularly looser monetary policy which has encouraged those with existing equity generated through housing market ownership to redeploy it in a faithful manner.<br><br>Not only is there a relative paucity of 31 to 38 year olds where we might expect to find the bulk of first homebuyers, there is also an evident weak spot in the traditional "big spender" cohort.<br><br>Which is to say, there is a proportionate lull in the number of executives, senior managers and business owners commonly aged from around 45 to 55 (refer to Point B on the above chart).</div>
<br><div>While the wave of first homebuyers predominantly impacts dwelling prices at the entry level, it is those in these middle working years that are the heaviest spenders in the housing market, making their most material dwelling purchases at that stage in life.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As you can see in the graphic above, the demographic pyramid does not present too kindly in respect of either cohort at the current time...and nor is it likely to do so for some years.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Looking swell (2021-2027)</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>In fact, rolling the chart packs forward by calendar year we find that it is not until around around 2021 that the number of potential first homebuyers reaches a critical mass which might be considered compelling, with the number of 31 to 38 year olds in particular mushrooming to a total of more than 3.1 million (from around only 2.6 million in 2014).<br><br>In the period through to 2027, that number is projected to have expanded further still to more than 3.3 million. </div>
<div>
<br>As this effective "spending wave" passes through 2021, therefore, the demographic factors for Australian housing market growth look to be particularly favourable from that year until around 2027 inclusive.<br><br>As you can see in the second chart below, not only will the total population of Australia have swelled significantly by 2021 to around 26.5 million, the clamour of potential purchasers in the 31 to 38 year old age bracket (Point A below) really begins to amplify.<br><br>Furthermore there will be a coinciding wave of Australians approaching the latter half of their fourth decade (Point B below), the time of life at which they are likely to make their most consequential home purchases. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/31/PP2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/08/31/PP2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>This isn't to suggest here that the demographics for homebuyer activity then deteriorate after 2027 as such, rather that the projected figures then plateau for a period of time and thereby stop improving so impressively.<br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">City winners and losers</span></strong><br><br>Drilling down to the next statistical level, it can be found that from around 2021 the demographic waves will become very favourable for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">particularly</span> Perth (assuming the superfluity of mining boom migrants opts to stay put, and interstate migration away from Western Australia doesn't begin to bite).<br><br>Hampered by an interstate migration "brain drain" these demographic waves do not suggest a favourable environment for the Adelaide housing market, with barely any improvement discernible over the same time horizon.<br><br>Meanwhile the latest projections suggest that Tasmania's housing market demographics could potentially worsen quite appreciably in the years leading up to 2035, although such longer term projections by their very nature tend to be less than reliable.<br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dwelling starts</span></strong>
</div>
<div>
<br>While this is a blog post predominantly concerned with demographics, it's worth considering for a moment how the above findings tie in with the dwelling construction cycle.<br><br>Two of the "X-factors" which have impacted this housing market cycle have been an explosion in the volume of Asian capital invested in the Australian market and a hitherto unseen shift towards multi-unit construction.<br><br>Although 2015 will likely prove to be the market peak for dwelling starts, dwelling <em>completions</em> will remain elevated for the next few years.<br><br>In combination with a slowing rate of population growth, this will be one of the factors together with an erosion of yields which will eventually bring the current growth cycle to its end.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/31/HIA.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/08/31/HIA.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>Since natural population growth and net overseas migration will take some time to absorb the excess dwelling stock, this also points broadly towards 2021-2027 as a likely period for housing market growth.</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/31/AW1.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2015/08/31/AW1.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Long run demographics are healthy</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>While the latest data suggests that over the short term Australia's populaton growth is likely to continue to slow, over the very long run the demographics of Australia are exceptionally compelling, with the population potentially set to almost double by over the next half century.<br><br>Also note that immigration is projected to keep the headcount in the potential homebuyer age brackets expanding to heights that agents and other industry participants can only dream of today.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/31/PP3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/08/31/PP3.jpg" alt=""></div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong><br><br>With life expectancies increasing there will evidently be a greater number of residents living well beyond the traditional retirement date in the decades ahead, although in time we might expect to see more folk working beyond the traditional retirement age too.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The chart above implies that with the demand for capital city property likely to approximately double over the very long run, the likelihood of capital city land values in the landlocked inner- and middle-ring suburbs remaining anything less than singularly expensive appears quite remote.<br><br>Of course, it isn't possible to forecast or time markets so accurately, but over the near term there could easily be a relatively weak period ahead for housing markets as dwelling completions overtake demand, before a potentially strong rebound running broadly between 2021 and 2027. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The most interesting and useful findings are those which incorporate the shifting composition of net migration at the suburb level, though I don't post detailed suburb research on my blog. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
<div> </div>
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Making waves in the Aussie housing market: Pete Wargent

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<p>New South Wales auction results for the week ending Sunday August 30 show a preliminary clearance rate of <span>78%</span> from <span>1080</span> scheduled auctions.</p>
<div class="reported-auctions">
<div class="num">According to data from realestate.com.au, <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">516 </span>were sold at auction within NSW, <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">142 </span>passed in and <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">142 </span>sold prior to auction.</div>
<div class="num"> </div>
<div class="num">One standout property in the Sydney suburb of Annandale was a two bedroom terrace at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-annandale-120376477" target="_blank">22 Collins St Annandale</a> which sold for $980,000.</div>
<div class="num"> </div>
<div class="num"><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/auction-results/nsw?rsf=edm:auction:nsw" target="_blank">Click here to see the full state breakout.</a></div>
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

NSW shows auction clearance rate of 78%: Realestate.com.au

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<p>Victoria had a clearance rate of <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">78% this weekend, up from 73% last weekend and 73% this weekend last year. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">A total of 941 auctions reported to the REIV according to chief executive officer Enzo Raimondo who said of the 738 sold and 203 being passed in, 85 of those on a vendor bid.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">"The suburbs with top auction sales in the year to date were Reservoir with 387 auctions followed by Glen Waverley with 306 auctions and Richmond with 298 auctions," he said.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-31%20at%2010.20.45%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-31%20at%2010.20.45%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-31%20at%2010.20.52%20AM.png">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-31%20at%2010.20.52%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p> For more information on weekend statistics, click <a href="/news">here</a>.</p>
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Victorian weekend clearance rate up: REIV

<html><body>
<div>It's set to be a monester week of data releases ahead, from tomorrow in particular, but before that a quick look at the weekend auction results.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em>Core-Logic-RP Data</em> reported its preliminary auction stats which showed stronger initial results than one year ago in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney recorded another vigorous result of 78.1 per cent, which was stronger than the final result for last week of 76.2 per cent, but for the first time this year was below the preliminary clearance rate from one year ago at 79.9 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/31/RPD1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/08/31/RPD1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Sydney's incredible run which has seen house prices rising at a pace of well over <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/residex-astonishing-sydney-boom" target="_blank">20 per cent per annum</a> has continued right the way through until the final week before the spring selling season.</div>
<br><div>The result of 78.1 per cent this week will doubtlesss lead to some premature extrapolation, but there are a few reasons why the Sydney market probably has a bit of a way to run yet before it runs out of puff.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Firstly while auction volumes have been tracking at the highest level we have seen, total listings are still moderate, and less than those of Melbourne and even Perth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Secondly, in the inner- and middle-ring suburbs that matter, clearance rates are still tracking at exceptionally high levels.</div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span><span>According to <em>CoreLogic-RP Data</em> the Eastern Suburbs (87.6 per cent), North Sydney &amp; Hornsby (86.3 per cent) and the Inner West (85.1 per cent) had the strongest clearance rates, followed by Blacktown (84.6 per cent), City &amp; Inner South (82.8 per cent) and the Northern Beaches (81.5 per cent).</span></span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div><span><span>Although these are only preliminary results, traditionally it is said that results above 80 per cent point towards a "boom time" property market.</span></span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div><span><span>And thirdly, John McGrath ignited some debate earlier this year when he claimed that Sydney's inner suburbs will be "hot forever".</span></span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div><span><span>While this obviously isn't set in stone, simple geometry tells you that within the inner 6km there are only 113 square kilometres of land for which there is huge demand. </span></span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div><span><span>Nothing is certain, of course, but personally I wouldn't bet against it. </span></span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div><span><span>It's precisely what has happened in prime central London over the last couple of decades. </span></span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
<span><span><br></span></span>
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Inner suburbs hot for-evuh: Pete Wargent

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<p><span>For the last week of winter, the preliminary auction clearance rate was 75.4 per cent, with 2,583 auctions held across Australia’s capital cities. So far, 2,109 results have been reported to CoreLogic RP Data. </span></p>
<p><span>This week’s preliminary clearance rate is higher than last week’s result of 72.9 per cent and is likely to revise as additional results are reported. One year ago, the final auction clearance rate was also recorded at 72.9 per cent and there were 2,034 residential auctions held across the capital cities. It is expected that auction activity will continue to ramp up as we enter the spring selling season.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Capital-City.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Capital-City.jpg" alt="" width="760" height="564"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>This week, 1,024 </span><strong>Melbourne</strong><span> auctions have been reported, with a preliminary auction clearance of 77.0 per cent. This week’s result is an improvement from last week, when Melbourne recorded its lowest clearance rate since February (74.3 per cent). At the same time last year, Melbourne’s clearance rate was 73.5 per cent. In terms of the number of homes being taken to auction, this week (1,158) saw more auctions held than both last week (964) and last year (901). This week, the Inner sub-region was the busiest for auctions across Melbourne, with 253 homes going under the hammer. Preliminary results show that 68.0 per cent of the 219 reported results were successful.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Melbourne.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Melbourne.jpg" alt="" width="765" height="513"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Sydney’s</strong><span> preliminary auction clearance rate was 78.1 per cent this week, increasing from 76.2 per cent last week, however for the first time this year, the clearance rate is lower than the comparable week last year (79.9 per cent). This week, 1,080 Sydney auctions were held, compared to 930 last week and a lower 810 one year ago. There were 6 Sydney sub-regions that recorded an individual clearance rate higher than the city as a whole this week. Eastern Suburbs (87.6 per cent), North Sydney and Hornsby (86.3 per cent) and the Inner West (85.1 per cent) had the highest clearance rates, followed by Blacktown (84.6 per cent), City and Inner South (82.8 per cent) and Northern Beaches (81.5 per cent).</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Sydney.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Sydney.jpg" alt="" width="746" height="506"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Across </span><strong>Brisbane</strong><span> the preliminary clearance rate was 58.2 per cent this week. There have been 110 auctions reported to CoreLogic RP Data, with a total of 158 held across the city. This week’s result was higher than last week (54.5 per cent). For the </span><strong>Gold</strong><span> </span><strong>Coast</strong><span>, 44 results have been reported with a success rate of 61.3 per cent.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Brisbane.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Brisbane.jpg" alt="" width="741" height="500"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>There were 100 </span><strong>Adelaide</strong><span> auctions this week, compared to 90 last week and 88 at the same time last year, showing volumes increased across the city. The cities preliminary clearance rate this week was 64.8 per cent, down from 72.7 per cent last week and 64.9 per cent one year ago.</span></p>
<p><span>Click to enlarge</span></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/08/31/20150831-Adelaide.jpg" alt="" width="780" height="524"></span></p>
<p>This week’s preliminary result for <strong>Perth</strong> was 66.7 per cent, compared to 29.7 per cent last week and 48.0 per cent one year ago.</p>
<p>61.9 per cent of the reported auction results for <strong>Canberra</strong> were sold this week, down from 71.2 per cent last week and 74.3 per cent at the same time last year.</p>
<p>There were 4 <strong>Tasmanian</strong> auctions reported to CoreLogic RP Data this week, with 3 sales.</p>
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Final week of winter returns high auction volumes: Corelogic RP Data's Shana Miller

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<p><span>The preliminary auction clearance rate for the week ending August 30 was 75.4% from a reported 2,583 auctions across all capital cities, according to CoreLogic RP Data.</span></p>
<p><span>Last week the preliminary clearance rate was 72.9%</span></p>
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<p> </p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-31%20at%209.43.18%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-31%20at%209.43.18%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-31%20at%209.43.25%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-31%20at%209.43.25%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
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Preliminary capital city clearance rate at 75.4% CoreLogic RP Data

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<p>Another fascinating week with Australia experiencing a significant stock market correction followed by the National Reform Summit which in all probability won’t amount to anything given the responsibility rests with our politicians. When it comes to anything economic in Australia we see a typical allergy where they are too frightened to come into contact with these issues.</p>
<p>Since 2013, the internet population grew approximately 20% – from 2.4 billion to 3.2 billion people yet for some strange reason we still struggle to understand data, or is it that the data we should be seeing is withheld? Australia’s misunderstood property markets are a prime example – with Sydney well ahead of the country in terms of inaccuracy in reporting.</p>
<p>One of the main areas for concern to come from the National Reform Summit was productivity where many believe Australia has come to a grinding halt which is replicated with our present GDP growth rates. For some time now I have been carefully watching property growth rates which (wait for it) closely resemble our GDP results.</p>
<p>To further explain we closely looked at sales data from 2009 to 2014 for house and apartment sales in Seaforth, Mosman, Cremorne, Neutral Bay, Cammeray and Northbridge where the total number of households equates to 39,227.<em>Source CoreLogic RP Data.</em></p>
<p>We need to bear in mind that when you closely examine individual suburb markets at five (5) per cent turnover per annum the market turnover is normal and slightly under-performing. When it gets to ten (10) % per annum turnover the market is considered strong and when the market hits fifteen (15) % turnover per annum that is a boom. The last time we witnessed the market hitting 15% was in 1988.</p>
<p>So we took the six year averages for sales and this is what we found.</p>
<ul>
<li>Seaforth – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 120 houses which equates to 5.1% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Seaforth – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 16 apartments which equates to 4.7% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Mosman – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 312 houses which equates to 5.3% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Mosman – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 492 apartments which equates to 4.9% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Cremorne – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 62 houses which equates to 4.6% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Cremorne – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 278 apartments which equates to 5.0% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Neutral Bay – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 55 houses which equates to 4.95% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Neutral Bay – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 323 apartments which equates to 4.8% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Cammeray – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 56 houses which equates to 5.6% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Cammeray – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 147 apartments which equates to 5.5% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Northbridge – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 88 houses which equates to 4.3% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
<li>Northbridge – Average number of sales from 2009 to 2014 per annum – 28 apartments which equates to 5.5% of the total market on a per annum basis.</li>
</ul>
<p>When one takes into account that the cash rate at the beginning of 2009 was 3.25% and dropping to 2.50 at the end of 2014 we would have expected the number of properties to be rapidly increasing – which has not been the case. Moreover this reaffirms that business is not doing that well given households are not that interested in taking on more debt, which certainly resonated with a lot that was presented at the National Reform Summit.<br>.<br>The burning question is what is Canberra going to do about this?</p>
<h5>Mosman Houses Sold – Total Number 5,890 Houses</h5>
<p>2009 – 303<br>2010 – 325<br>2011 – 264<br>2012 – 276<br>2013 – 355<br>2014 – 350</p>
<h5>Mosman Apartments Sold – Total Number 10,020 Apartments</h5>
<p>2009 – 523<br>2010 – 453<br>2011 – 474<br>2012 – 443<br>2013 – 543<br>2014 – 514</p>
<h5>Cremorne Houses Sold – Total Number 1,135 Houses</h5>
<p>2009 – 71<br>2010 – 65<br>2011 – 56<br>2012 – 56<br>2013 – 66<br>2014 – 59</p>
<h5>Cremorne Apartments Sold – Total Number 5,481 Apartments</h5>
<p>2009 – 339<br>2010 – 302<br>2011 – 288<br>2012 – 218<br>2013 – 267<br>2014 – 255</p>
<h5>Neutral Bay Houses Sold – Total Number 1,109 Houses</h5>
<p>2009 – 61<br>2010 – 69<br>2011 – 51<br>2012 – 51<br>2013 – 61<br>2014 – 40</p>
<h5>Neutral Bay Apartments Sold – Total Number 6,638 Apartments</h5>
<p>2009 – 411<br>2010 – 362<br>2011 – 287<br>2012 – 283<br>2013 – 308<br>2014 – 286</p>
<h5>Cammeray Houses Sold – Total Number 1,275 Houses</h5>
<p>2009 – 58<br>2010 – 50<br>2011 – 50<br>2012 – 56<br>2013 – 64<br>2014 – 61</p>
<h5>Cammeray Apartments Sold – Total Number 2,610 Apartments</h5>
<p>2009 – 156<br>2010 – 194<br>2011 – 156<br>2012 – 107<br>2013 – 135<br>2014 – 137</p>
<h5>Northbridge Houses Sold – Total Number 1,914 Houses</h5>
<p>2009 – 88<br>2010 – 63<br>2011 – 68<br>2012 – 89<br>2013 – 102<br>2014 – 94</p>
<h5>Northbridge Apartments Sold – Total Number 504 Apartments</h5>
<p>2009 – 32<br>2010 – 33<br>2011 – 20<br>2012 – 23<br>2013 – 35<br>2014 – 27</p>
<h5>Seaforth Houses Sold – Total Number 2,317 Houses</h5>
<p>2009 – 113<br>2010 – 109<br>2011 – 113<br>2012 – 121<br>2013 – 138<br>2014 – 127</p>
<h5>Seaforth Apartments Sold – Total Number 334 Apartments</h5>
<p>2009 – 21<br>2010 – 11<br>2011 – 10<br>2012 – 14<br>2013 – 17<br>2014 – 26<br><em>Source – CoreLogic RP Data</em></p>
<h5>MOSMAN – 2088</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 69</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 53</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this week – 65</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 51</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 41</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 42</p>
<h5>CREMORNE – 2090</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 7</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 2</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this week – 4</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 15</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 15</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 18</p>
<h5>NEUTRAL BAY – 2089</h5>
<p>• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 5</p>
<p>• Number of houses on the market last week – 4</p>
<p>•Number of houses on the market this week – 2</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this time last year– 36</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market last week – 25</p>
<p>• Number of apartments on the market this week – 30</p>
<p> <em><span>ROBERT SIMEON</span> is a director of </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM" rel="nofollow">Richardson Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay</a> </em><em>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. <br>He has also been writing real estate blog </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News" rel="nofollow">Virtual Realty News</a> </em><em>since 2000. </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
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Data doesn’t lie when you keep misreading it: Robert Simeon

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<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>In the next couple of weeks you’ll start to see all the signs of the change of season. Like many Sydneysiders, I’m looking forward to the longer hours of sunshine and flowers blossoming.</p>
<p>Inevitably, and unfortunately, we’re about to see an increase in property spruikers declaring “The main selling season is here!” (2012) “The market is poised for a bumper spring!” (2013), “There’ll be a strong surge in the traditional spring selling season!” (2014).</p>
<p>The chart below shows why:</p>
<p><span class="caption">Average ABS House Price Index Return by Season</span></p>
<div class="enlarge_hint"><a href="/images/2015/08/31/image-20150828-17468-500s53.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div class="enlarge_hint"><img src="/images/2015/08/31/image-20150828-17468-500s53.jpg" alt=""></div>
<p>The thing is, though, it’s just a marketing gimmick.</p>
<p>Yes, the house price index appears to increase a lot more, on average, in Spring. But so does the sales volume. Why would people knowingly jump into the housing market at the seasonal peak?</p>
<p>It couldn’t just be that these property buyers don’t know that this is the annual peak. For our relative size, the number of inquiries, studies and urban policy research should mean Australians are among the most informed in the world when it comes to real estate markets.</p>
<p>In a 2009 research article I explore this phenomenon (available on SSRN) and show that the “Spring bounce” is an artefact of inadequate statistical modelling.</p>
<p>Many house price indices are limited by the availability of data, and rely on median prices to get a sense for what’s going on across the market. However, the change in the observed median sales price can have more to do with the types of properties that are selling from period to period than the actual market movement.</p>
<p>The underlying reality is that nicer properties sell through Spring: typically larger, well-located, ready to sell properties. And, unsurprisingly, these nicer properties tend to sell for more. Why is this the case? In many situations it is because of the education and work calendar - families relocating (resulting in buying and selling houses) will more often than not do so over the summer break. Given property settlement times, this means looking for a new house through spring.</p>
<p>So what advice can we take from this? For those needing to move for the very reason outlined above and braving an upcoming auction, try to avoid FOMO (“fear-of-missing-out”), for another property will come on to the market soon. If you don’t need to buy now, the data would suggest you should wait until summer when many are away on vacation, and pick up a spring-listed property that remains unsold - hopefully for a discount!</p>
<p><em><span class="fn author-name" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Danika Wright is </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Lecturer in Finance at University of Sydney and author for The Conversation. You can contact </span>her<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/danika-wright-121868" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></em></p>
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Spring selling season and other gimmicks

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<p><span>The celebrity photographer Nicholas Wilson and his wife Sally have sold their Zetland terrace.</span></p>
<p><span>The four-bedroom terrace was tipped to fetch more than $1.65 million through McGrath's Ben Forsyth at its weekend auction.</span></p>
<p><span>The $2 million pre-auction sale of 92 Portman Street was a residential sale record for the suburb when a local family purchased the home to take advantage of the Green Square amenities.</span></p>
<p><span>The Wilson family wanted more space for their three sons at Kensington. The couple bought <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-zetland-nsw-2017/266497" target="_blank"><span>the Victorian-era home</span></a> on Portman Street in 2006 for $729,000.</span></p>
<p><span>Nick Wilson’s images have appeared in magazines, newspapers and advertising campaigns across the globe.</span></p>
<p><span>Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Nick developed his eye as a photographer while at school. A neighbour was an international photojournalist and brought rolls of film home to process, often with Nick at his side.</span></p>
<p><span>At 17 Nick won a cadetship at the Adelaide Advertiser, becoming principal sports photographer. He made the move to Sydney in 1994.</span></p>
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