<p>Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.</p>

<p>Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.</p>

<p>The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]</p>

<p>Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.</p>

<p>"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.</p>

<p>"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]</p>

<p>Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.</p>

<p>A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.</p>

<p>The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.</p>

<p>Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]</p>

<p>While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.</p>

<p>The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.</p>

<p>The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]</p>

<p>The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.</p>

<p>Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.</p>

<p>"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.</p>

<p>The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.</p>

<p>The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.</p>

<p>Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.</p>

<p>"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.</p>

<p>"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."</p>

<p>Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]</p>


Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

<p>As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.</p>

<p>Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.</p>

<p>At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.</p>

<p>Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.</p>

<p>“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]</p>

<p>Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.</p>

<p>The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.</p>

<p>Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.</p>

<p>“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]</p>

<p>A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.</p>

<p>The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.</p>

<p>The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]</p>

<p>“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”</p>

<p>At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.</p>

<p>ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]</p>


The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

<p>The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.</p>

<p>The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.</p>

<p>"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=350986]</p>

<p>The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.</p>

<p>The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.</p>

<p>New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.</p>

<p>While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.</p>

<p>The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.</p>

<p>The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]</p>

<p>The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.</p>

<p>Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.</p>

<p>From July, those restrictions disappear.</p>

<p>Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.</p>

<p>Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.</p>

<p>Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.</p>

<p>"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.</p>

<p>"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.</p>

<p>"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."</p>

<p>Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.</p>


15% stamp duty growth. Just 1% off the national housing target. Zero stamp duty for FHBs. Is the ACT the blueprint for the great Australian dream?

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

<p>A rooftop pool and spa overlooking the Brisbane CBD, private dining spaces, expansive landscaped gardens and a residents' lounge are set to crown <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a>, the final residential building within Brisbane's West Village precinct.</p>

<p>The rooftop amenity collection has been designed as an extension of the lifestyle already established throughout West Village, providing residents with a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that capitalise on the building's elevated position above West End.</p>

<p>A swimming pool and heated spa form the centrepiece of the rooftop offering, surrounded by landscaped gardens developed through a collaboration between developer Sekisui House and ASPECT Studios. The design incorporates expansive lawn areas surrounded by English garden-inspired planting.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370648]</p>

<p>Residents will also have access to two barbecue and outdoor dining areas positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane's skyline, neighbouring Mollison Park, and the surrounding inner-city landscape.</p>

<p>For larger gatherings, the rooftop includes a private dining room centred around a substantial stone island bench, complete with a full kitchen and a 10-seat dining table set beneath four-metre-high ceilings. The space has been designed to overlook both the rooftop gardens and the Brisbane CBD skyline.</p>

<p>A separate residents' lounge provides an additional indoor retreat connected to the broader rooftop amenity offering, creating another space for residents to work, relax or entertain guests.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370647]</p>

<p>The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.</p>

<p>Upon arrival, residents will enter through a lobby featuring a bespoke ceiling light installation developed in collaboration between Sekisui House and Alcorn Middleton Architecture. The arrival experience is complemented by private resident mailboxes and carefully considered interior finishes designed to reflect the premium positioning of the building.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=372541]</p>

<p>The amenity offering forms part of Callista on Park, the final residential release within the decade-long transformation of the former Peters Ice Cream Factory site into West Village, one of Brisbane's most established mixed-use communities.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, Callista represents the most premium residential offering within the masterplanned precinct.</p>

<p>Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.</p>

<p>Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=351535]</p>

<p>Callista will mark the final opportunity to purchase within West Village, where residents have direct access to more than 35 retail, dining, wellness and medical operators including Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Function Well and Goodlife Health Clubs, Metro Arts, and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés.</p>

<p>Located just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct also places residents within walking distance of South Bank, West End's dining scene, riverfront parklands and major public transport connections.</p>

<p>For Sekisui House, which has delivered more than two million homes globally, Callista serves as the concluding piece of the West Village masterplan, bringing together the precinct's heritage character, parkland setting and emphasis on walkability in a final collection of larger-format residences.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134800]</p>


Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/wahroonga-nsw-2076">Wahroonga</a>’s enduring appeal has long been tied to its balance of bushland, established amenity, and access to some of Sydney’s most respected education and healthcare institutions.</p>

<p>Along Fox Valley Road, that combination is becoming increasingly sought after by buyers looking to remain connected to the Upper North Shore lifestyle while prioritising walkability, wellbeing, and convenience.</p>

<p>Developer Capital Corporation's initial vision of a 62-hectare site on Fox Valley Road was that they could create their own walkable community, bordered by&nbsp;more than 25 hectares of bushland and adjoining Coups Creek.</p>

<p><img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b84917a1-0d75-49b9-888c-ddf7ebfd6692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/NEW2026_Wahroonga_Walkway.gif?VersionId=Gk3_xi5ssYfalmwuQQ5umQakddceC31j" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences at Wahroonga Estate</a> draws directly on the area’s natural landscape, with walking trails and green corridors linking into sections of Lane Cove National Park. The surrounding network of bushwalks, cycling tracks, and reserves reinforces the suburb’s long-standing reputation as one of Sydney’s most nature-oriented residential pockets, while still maintaining close ties to village retail and transport infrastructure.</p>

<p>The address places residents within minutes of Wahroonga and Turramurra villages, where cafés, local grocers, boutiques, and everyday services support a highly localised lifestyle. Popular nearby venues including The Fox Café and Breeze Valley Café provide easy options for morning coffee or casual dining, while longstanding retailers such as IGA Wahroonga Fresh and Novella Fine Books continue to anchor the area’s village character.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4a950f7-4f05-4370-b360-b106359788e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2026_Wahroonga_Entry_Gates.gif?VersionId=7n5kh9ymu.azYEYDemJkPgiIAfSw44oj" /></p>

<p>Healthcare access remains one of the defining locational advantages of the estate. Sydney Adventist Hospital, known locally as The San, sits directly adjacent and is one of the largest and most respected private hospitals in New South Wales. The hospital precinct incorporates specialist medical services, radiology, physiotherapy, and outpatient care, contributing to growing buyer demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking long-term convenience and peace of mind.</p>

<p>Research commissioned by Capital Corporation found that health and wellbeing considerations are increasingly influencing downsizing decisions, particularly among buyers wanting to remain within familiar neighbourhoods while accessing medical infrastructure more easily.</p>

<p>Education has also historically underpinned demand across Wahroonga and the broader Upper North Shore. The estate sits close to several of Sydney’s leading private and independent schools, including Knox Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Loreto Normanhurst. Co-educational options including Wahroonga Adventist School and Sydney Adventist School further strengthen the area’s appeal to established families looking for long-term schooling pathways within a tightly held catchment.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=262183]</p>

<p>Transport connectivity supports the suburb’s liveability without compromising its quieter residential character. Wahroonga and Turramurra train stations provide direct rail access into the Sydney CBD, while the nearby Pacific Highway and M1 motorway strengthen links across the North Shore and broader metropolitan area. At the same time, the heavily treed streetscape and low-density character continue to distinguish the precinct from more urbanised parts of Sydney.</p>

<p>The Residences at Wahroonga Estate forms the first stage of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>’s broader masterplanned vision for the precinct, delivered alongside the Seventh-day Adventist Church.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=364995]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, the development integrates landscaped communal spaces including a pet-friendly Green Spine, resident lounge, BBQ pavilion, and direct bushland access, reinforcing the project’s focus on outdoor connection and community-based living.</p>

<p>Now under construction by Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/dasco-australia">DASCO</a>, The Residences at Wahroonga Estate will deliver a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments priced from $990,000, with completion anticipated in 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135247]</p>


Capital Corporation to cater to Upper North Shore downsizers by creating walkable community at The Residences at Wahroonga Estate

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


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

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

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


Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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


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

Staff Writer

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

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


alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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


Ellen Walker

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

<p>Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?</p>

<p>Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.</p>

<p>NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.</p>

<p>“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.</p>

<p>"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.</p>

<p>Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.</p>

<p>“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”</p>

<p>Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.</p>

<p>“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”</p>

<p>She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.</p>

<p>“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”</p>


Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

<html><body>
<div>EXPERT OBSERVER </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The latest available ABS figures show Australian capital city house and apartment prices 1.4 per cent below their December 2017 peak, albeit they've actually increased in Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, and Hobart. </div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya6Qb4aMVDo/W7zbQNm3zeI/AAAAAAAAsTE/y8JxatkGg3w13NZvQs7m5BCv0gMbGAgKQCLcBGAs/s640/A3.jpg" width="640" height="366" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1394"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>One market - Sydney - did experience a wild buying frenzy in the first quarter of 2017, forcing some (required) action from the regulator, since which time house prices have declined by 4 per cent and apartment prices 3 per cent on the ABS index, with further declines set to follow in H2 2018.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I was an agog observer at some of those Q1 2017 Sydney auctions, and concluded at the time that the successful frenzied bidders could only be cash buyers or downsizers, as there's no way the bank vals could've passed otherwise. </div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ntZXNGLaWs/W7zbQJSQIGI/AAAAAAAAsTI/BZ1aa3jjXJMq3wxKbudU9W-oJmswhO2vwCLcBGAs/s640/A4.jpg" width="640" height="350" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1459"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>Very few leveraged buyers would've bought in that narrow window before the froth was blown off, then, but if there's a cohort that will feel the pain of the market responding the tighter lending standards signal it's off-the-plan buyers of new CBD apartments. </div>
<div>
<br>Although not overly familiar with Western Sydney I also witnessed some wild prices being paid for weatherboard renovators and fibro shacks, although all that seems to have calmed down now. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><em><span>PETE WARGENT </span>is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</em></div>
</body></html>

pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Australian housing off the peaks: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>Over recent weeks, auction clearance rates across the nation’s two largest housing markets (Sydney and Melbourne) have been significantly lower than they were 12 months ago however, they haven’t necessarily been all that much lower than the previous years.  While comparing auction volumes and clearance rates to a year ago is valuable, it is much more valuable to look at how these metrics compare across a number of years.</p>
<h3>Melbourne</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-11/2017-11-27-blogimg1.png" alt="2017-11-27--melbourneweeklyauctionclearancerates" width="570" height="214"></p>
<p>Auction clearance rates in Melbourne are currently substantially lower than they were a year ago.  In fact, the clearance rate of 66.9% last week was the lowest since July of last year.  Although clearance rates are lower than they were a year ago, they are at fairly similar levels to what was being recorded at the same time of year in 2013, 2014 and 2015.  The chart really highlights just how much stronger the auction market in Melbourne was a year ago relative to other recent years.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-11/2017-11-27-blogimg2.png" alt="2017-11-27--melbourneweeklyauctionvolumesoverrecentyears" width="570" height="214"></p>
<p> <br>The volume of properties being taken to auction, particularly over recent months, has generally been higher than over recent years.  By comparison, in 2016 when clearance rates were much higher than they have been this year, the number of properties being taken to auction was relatively lower than over recent years.  The higher number of properties being taken to auction is likely to be having some impact on the weaker clearance rates this year relative to last however, volumes are also much higher currently than they were in 2013, 2014 and 2015 a time at which clearance rates were fairly similar to current levels. Given this, clearance rates are actually holding up quite well considering much higher volumes of auctions.</p>
<h3>Sydney</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-11/2017-11-27-blogimg3.png" alt="2017-11-27--sydneyweeklyauctionclearancerates" width="570" height="214"></p>
<p>Auction clearance rate in Sydney have been at their lowest levels since 2012 over recent weeks and have been on a steady decline throughout 2017.  If you exclude the low volumes in January, last week’s auction clearance rate of 54.8% was the cities lowest clearance rate since December 2015.  Clearance rates have not been consistently as low at this time of year since 2012.  Clearance rates are substantially lower than they were a year ago and are also slightly lower than they were two years ago when APRAs first round of macroprudential policies were significantly impacting Sydney housing demand.  If the previous round of macroprudential policies is a guide we can expect a further weakening of clearance rates over the coming weeks.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-11/2017-11-27-blogimg4.png" alt="2017-11-27--sydneyweeklyauctionvolumesoverrecentyears" width="570" height="214"></p>
<p> <br>Unlike Melbourne, Sydney is not seeing a substantially higher number of properties being taken to auction compared to recent years.  In fact over recent weeks there has been an equivalent number of auctions across the city to volumes last year when clearance rates were much higher than they are currently, while there have been fewer auctions than in 2015 when clearance rates were similarly weak.  </p>
<p>There has been clear evidence over recent weeks that auction clearance rates have softened in Sydney and Melbourne.  The falling clearance rates in Sydney are occurring on similar volumes of auctions to recent years but matches the recent declines in dwelling values.  In Melbourne, auction clearance rates have slowed and there has also been a moderate slowdown in value growth.  The big difference in Melbourne has been that auction volumes have been much higher so it is difficult to know if the weaker clearance rates are because of the market overall or due to their being too much stock being put up for auction each week. Keep in mind that clearance rates typically soften through Spring as auction volumes increase so we may have to wait until 2018 to truly understand what is driving the apparent weakness in the Melbourne auction market.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is head of research for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/"><span class="s2">here</span></a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

What is driving the clearance rate weakness in Sydney and Melbourne? Cameron Kusher

<html><body>
<p>CoreLogic's September quarter regional area insights has once again confirmed The Illawarra region in New South Wales as the country’s standout regional performer by recording the largest annual increase in home values of 13.0 per cent for houses and 17.0 per cent for units.  </p>
<p>In contrast, Townsville stood as the only region where values for both houses and units fell over the year to September.  Based on overall transaction activity, the Gold Coast region experienced the biggest fall with dwelling sales down -8.7 per cent over the year to August 2017. <br> <br>For rental rates, the Gold Coast saw the largest increase in advertised rental rates for houses, up 6.0 per cent ($30/week) over the year to September 2017, followed by Richmond-Tweed houses at 5.6 per cent ($25/week). Townsville and Bunbury were the only two regions to see rental rates fall over the 12 months to September 2017. </p>
<h3>New South Wales </h3>
<ul>
<li>Of the three regions analysed for this report (Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Illawarra and Richmond-Tweed), all experienced home values growth over the year to September 2017; the largest increase was within the Illawarra region, where house and unit values increased by 13.0 per cent and 17.0 per cent respectively, followed by Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.  </li>
<li>In terms of sales activity for the three NSW regions, volumes fall over the year to August 2017 with The Illawarra region experiencing the biggest fall in sales activity with transactions down -5.4 per cent, or 323 fewer homes selling when compared to August 2016. Rental rates increased across all three regions.  </li>
<li>Houses in the Richmond-Tweed region saw the largest increase with rental rates up 5.6 per cent, followed by houses in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region (5.0 per cent).  </li>
</ul>
<h3>Queensland </h3>
<ul>
<li> Dwelling sales fell in four of the five regions over the year to August 2017 with the largest fall seen across the Gold Coast, where sales volumes are down -8.7 per cent, followed by Townsville (-6.3 per cent), Cairns (-5.3 per cent) and the Sunshine Coast (2.6 per cent). Across the Wide Bay, sales are in line with one year ago.  </li>
<li>Townsville was the only region to see home values fall, while the Sunshine Coast region saw the largest increase in house values (7.1 per cent), and the Gold Coast region saw the largest increase in unit values (6.9 per cent) values.  </li>
<li> Across the Queensland rental market, the Gold Coast region recorded the largest increase in rental rates for houses (6.0 per cent), while Townsville saw rental rates fall over the year.  </li>
</ul>
<h3>Victoria</h3>
<ul>
<li>Sales activity was down -1.9 per cent across Geelong, while the Latrobe-Gippsland region saw a slight increase (1.8 per cent) in the amount of homes transacting over the year to August. Both regions saw home values increase over the 12 months to September, with values increasing by 8.8 per cent for houses and 6.1 per cent for units in Geelong, compared to the Latrobe-Gippsland region, where house and unit values increased by 4.8 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively.  </li>
</ul>
<h3>Western Australia </h3>
<ul>
<li>Bunbury region saw house values increase by 2.6 per cent over the year to September 2017, while unit values fell -4.4 per cent. Sales volumes across the region fell -3.9 per cent over the 12 months to August, with current activity -14 per cent below the five year average. Rental rates in the Bunbury region fell -3.6 per cent for houses and -9.1 per cent for units when compared to September 2016. </li>
</ul>
<p> <br>Across all three quarters in 2017 (March, June and September) The Illawarra region has consistently recorded the largest annual increase in home values each quarter, followed by the Newcastle &amp; Lake Macquarie and Richmond-Tweed regions.  <br> <br>Cairns has seen minimal movement in home values, while Townsville has recorded a negative annual increase in home values each of the quarters. Townsville and Bunbury were the only regions to see rental rates fall over the 12 months to March, June and September for both houses and units, while Wide Bay units remained unchanged over the same period. <br> <br>Overall, our latest data points to an increase of value growth in regional markets, particularly those which are located adjacent to capital cities. As people are priced out of certain capital cities, buyers now appear to be looking to these adjacent regions.</p>
<p>Home owners in Sydney and Melbourne have seen a substantial rise in housing equity over recent years. Subsequently, we are seeing some evidence that these buyers are starting to look for holiday and investment properties in certain regional markets which is also providing an impetus for some of the value growth we are currently seeing. </p>
</body></html>

Townsville the weakest region for both house and unit prices: CoreLogic

<html><body>
<div>EXPERT OBSERVER</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Despite the high rates of apartment construction, strong population growth continues to absorb the rental stock.<br><br>The total number of rental vacancies in Australia has declined over the past year from 75,733 to 72,748, according to the latest figures from SQM Research.<br><br>This represents a decline from in the national vacancy rate from 2.4 per cent to 2.2 per cent - while construction is now set to slow.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>SQM reported that Brisbane continues to experience a sustained 2018 decline in vacancy rates from 3.6 per cent in December to 2.9 per cent by July.<br><br>And this will likely continue as apartment construction falls away and migration from interstate picks up. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Perth is also now through the worst with vacancy rates trending down (from 5.2 per cent to 4 per cent over the past year) and the oversupply of rentals easing a bit, after several years of rental price declines.<br><br>Meanwhile Adelaide tightened again into just 1.3 per cent - getting pretty tight down there now! - and Canberra...well, Canberra is heading for zero at this rate.<br><br><strong>Sydney indigestion</strong>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In Sydney number of vacancies was down from 19,572 to 19,114 in the month - a tight rental market would be represented by more like 12,000 vacancies or fewer - but year-on-year the vacancy rate is considerably higher at 2.8 per cent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Click <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vinzV9mTVWw/W3JPxfzJ6JI/AAAAAAAArhg/DkJn_IkncbcIwHZt9WN1eAAv5j9VV9UjwCLcBGAs/s1600/SQM1.jpg" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vinzV9mTVWw/W3JPxfzJ6JI/AAAAAAAArhg/DkJn_IkncbcIwHZt9WN1eAAv5j9VV9UjwCLcBGAs/s1600/SQM1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vinzV9mTVWw/W3JPxfzJ6JI/AAAAAAAArhg/DkJn_IkncbcIwHZt9WN1eAAv5j9VV9UjwCLcBGAs/s640/SQM1.jpg" width="640" height="356" data-imagetype="External"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney tends to be a much busier place in summer these days, so this trend will be one to watch with interest.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</em></div>
</body></html>

Sustained decline in Brisbane rental vacancies: Pete Wargent 

<html><body>
<p>It’s hard to read a paper at the moment without finding an array of negative headlines about Sydney’s declining property market.  While media reports paint an overwhelming gloomy picture for the market, a closer look at the data tells a more nuanced story.</p>
<h2>Sydney’s top end dragging down the averages</h2>
<p>The Sydney residential property market as a whole recorded negative growth in the first quarter and for the year to April 2018.</p>
<p>However, the latest data from CoreLogic shows this result was largely driven by the premium end of the market.</p>
<p>The most affordable 20% of dwelling values recorded gains in these periods.</p>
<p>In fact, the more affordable half of Sydney dwelling values recorded an uptick in prices when averaged out over the year to April 2018. However, a pullback at the more expensive end caused the overall average to be weighed down.</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/08/08/shutterstock_343792502.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The top end of Sydney dwelling values ($1.4m-$1.8m+) experienced the most significant decline. These properties suffered a substantial 7.2% decline over the 12 months to April 2018 which dragged the average down to -3.4% for the market overall.</p>
<p>Affordable property at the medium-low price ranges (under $875K) has been far more resilient.</p>
<p>“We often tell our investors to read the numbers, and understand the data, not the sensational headlines, and this is a typical case in point,” said Ironfish Head of Property, William Mitchell.</p>
<p>“Sydney has been an incredibly hot market so we do expect the overall market to trend sideways for a period. However, as the data demonstrates, there are sub-markets which can outperform the wider market, and these are the markets that we are looking for when it comes to selecting property to recommend to our investors.</p>
<p>“Though there will be a pullback in prices in pockets of Sydney, owners need to remember the market has increased significantly since the boom began in 2011, so a small adjustment is not a ‘bust’.”</p>
<h2>Melbourne property market continues to perform</h2>
<p>Like Sydney, the headlines for Melbourne property have focussed on the negative; specifically, Melbourne’s marginal decline (-0.7%) in residential property values for the first quarter of 2018.</p>
<p>Yet the data reveals that the Melbourne market has continued to perform, with the vast majority of price points recording positive growth over the 12 months to April 2018.</p>
<p>The affordable end of the market again recorded the largest gains. Properties priced $803K and under recorded an average gain of 9.87% in the year to April 2018 – a very strong result.</p>
<p>Only the most expensive dwellings (i.e. the top 10% of prices) recorded a negative gain in Q1.</p>
<h4>The return of first home buyers </h4>
<div id="ig-8773e3f7-dd3f-1231-f65f-9208c80a9c5b" class="infogram-embed" data-id="8d184527-937a-4799-b7df-1c93ee767c42" data-type="interactive" data-title="First Home Buyers, All States " data-processed="1"> <iframe title="First Home Buyers, All States " src="https://e.infogram.com/8d184527-937a-4799-b7df-1c93ee767c42?src=embed#async_embed" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="320" height="240"></iframe>
</div>
<p>The outperformance of more affordable product has been much attributed to more first home buyers returning to the market. This is a trend we’ve seen not just in Sydney and Melbourne, but also across all the 5 major capital cities.</p>
<h4><strong>First Home Buyer mortgages on the rise</strong></h4>
<p>In Melbourne, strong population growth coupled with the increasing appeal of apartment living has further underpinned demand for the affordable end of the market.</p>
<p>Melbourne apartments recorded the strongest capital growth (6.8%) compared to apartments in any of the other 5 major capital cities for the year to April 2018.</p>
<p>Given Melbourne house prices have increased up to 70% since mid-2013, apartments continue to offer a significantly more affordable alternative to buyers.  At current median values, a Melbourne apartment is about 33.9% cheaper than purchasing a standalone house – providing a very strong incentive.</p>
<p>“With the tighter lending environment at the moment, affordability is definitely the flavour of the month. As a result, we are seeing more buyers turning to apartments and this market is expected to perform well in the medium term,” Mr Mitchell said.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
</body></html>

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Is the property market crashing? 

<html><body>
<p class="post-title entry-title">EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<div id="post-body-5407871025761201231" class="post-body entry-content">
<div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Investors squashed</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>APRA's latest monthly banking statistics reported negative growth in investment loan exposures in July.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, Westpac Banking Corp, and Suncorp all recorded an outright decline in outstanding housing investment loans, while NAB's investment loan book was broadly flat. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Year-on-year growth is either negative or slowing for each of the major banks. </div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUd2DkjnNyQ/W4jYw_YUa9I/AAAAAAAAruk/0kMJO3Rn0woMwmcQ8naGWIk90CKq_tM7QCLcBGAs/s1600/APRA1.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUd2DkjnNyQ/W4jYw_YUa9I/AAAAAAAAruk/0kMJO3Rn0woMwmcQ8naGWIk90CKq_tM7QCLcBGAs/s640/APRA1.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1380"></a></div>
<br><div>The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) also reported that year-on-year investor credit growth hit its lowest level on record in July 2018.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With annual personal credit growth contracting even further to -1.4 per cent and business credit growth slower than a year earlier at just 3.4 per cent, the growth in total credit is now at the lowest level since the first quarter of 2014.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Lending to homebuyers remains solid, but broad money growth is tracking at quarter-century lows. </div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62-d91RX9QY/W4jSs7OqIUI/AAAAAAAAruQ/ecqCCrMsQwQtihDoGVNzZSsggQbVyaE6gCEwYBhgL/s1600/RBA2.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62-d91RX9QY/W4jSs7OqIUI/AAAAAAAAruQ/ecqCCrMsQwQtihDoGVNzZSsggQbVyaE6gCEwYBhgL/s640/RBA2.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1382"></a></div>
<br><div>The housing investor market share fell further to 33.2 per cent, now having fallen back in line with the average level for this millennium to date (there have evidently been a few misclassifications along the way). </div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIlXPESvdWQ/W4jStMOt7AI/AAAAAAAAruU/hxDMv58ahysDC9EQi6kVEszUsmxP4QrGgCLcBGAs/s1600/RBA1.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIlXPESvdWQ/W4jStMOt7AI/AAAAAAAAruU/hxDMv58ahysDC9EQi6kVEszUsmxP4QrGgCLcBGAs/s640/RBA1.jpg" width="640" height="352" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1454"></a></div>
<br><div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Equal &amp; opposite reaction</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Housing markets can be a finely balanced affair, with the strong level of rental supply of recent years now set to reverse.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Given that we've been through a period of strong immigration/population growth alongside falling home ownership rates, from a macro perspective presumably this must be leading to rental shortages in some parts of the country (not so much in the big capital cities yet, due to the high level of off the plan apartment purchases through this cycle and the related lag effect). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I don't have much time to look at it today, but a quick glance at the stats shows rental vacancy rates plunging towards zero in Orange, from certain parts of Adelaide to Ballarat and Canberra, and from Geelong West to Hobart and Moranbah.<br><br>If the investor squeeze persists Melbourne may be next of the largest metropolises. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Still plenty of apartment supply to be absorbed in the big cities, but this will be one trend to watch with interest.</div>
<div>
<br><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</em>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Investors squashed further: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>It’s timely that I will be speaking at the Canberra Property Investment Summit on Saturday.</p>
<p>The Canberra market continues to get stronger. The trend in the past 12 months has been steady improvement in the national capital, quarter by quarter - and there have been further advances recently.</p>
<p>And while the Belconnen District remains the market leader in Canberra, challenges are emerging from other sectors.</p>
<p>Hotspotting’s quarterly surveys of sales activity shows a pattern of steadily rising demand in the Canberra market.</p>
<p>Following our Winter survey three months ago, we commented that the Canberra market was “the busiest it’s been since the Price Predictor Index surveys started three years ago”. In this latest (Spring) survey, it’s got even busier.</p>
<p>This reflects other statistics depicting a strong Canberra market. Vacancies remain below 1% (only Hobart has lower vacancies among the capital cities), rents are rising strongly (more so than in any other capital city) and there is evidence of solid price growth in some sectors in the market.</p>
<p>This is particularly so at the top end of the market. Canberra currently has seven suburbs with median house prices above $1 million and all but one has recorded significant growth in their median prices in the past 12 months.</p>
<p>The median price for O’Connor has risen 20% to $1.17 million, Red Hill is up 15% to $1.45 million, Garran has jumped 17% to reach $1.05 million, Deakin is up 11% to $1.32 million and Griffith has grown 10% to $1.52 million.</p>
<p>In addition the suburb of Lyneham, with a median price in the $900,000s, has increased 14%.</p>
<p>Only Yarralumla among the millionaire suburbs has failed to record major median price growth in the past year.</p>
<p>This strong Canberra performance has been built on a local economy that is always solid, underpinned by high average incomes and low unemployment levels.</p>
<p>The ACT consistently ranks in CommSec’s State of the States report as the nation’s third strongest economy behind New South Wales and Victoria.</p>
<p>Hotspotting’s latest quarterly survey indicates that the Belconnen District is still the market leader. It has six suburbs with rising sales activity and others with steady sales performance.</p>
<p>Growth markets in the Belconnen District include Bruce, Belconnen, Flynn, Hawker, Higgins and Macgregor.</p>
<p>The Belconnen District has become an increasingly active market in the past three years.</p>
<p>Throughout both 2013 and 2014, dwelling sales were between 420 and 460 in most quarters, but in 2017 and 2018 all quarters have recorded more than 500 sales, including several with over 600 sales.</p>
<p>But there are now growth clusters right across the Canberra metropolitan area.</p>
<p>The Tuggeranong District has emerged as a challenger to Belconnen’s status as market leader. There are now five suburbs in Tuggeranong with growth trajectories, including Banks, Calwell, Condor, Gordon and Kambah.</p>
<p>The Districts of Gungahlin and Weston Creek both have multiple suburbs with upwardly-mobile sales activity.</p>
<p>Overall, the data adds to the perception that Canberra is a market on the rise, with good prospects for solid price growth in the next 1-2 years.</p>
<p><em>Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au</em><br><em>ryder@hotspotting.com.au</em><br><em>twitter.com/hotspotting</em></p>
</body></html>

terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Why Canberra property stands out: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

<html><body>
<p>In another crowdfunding first, DomaCom Australia announced that the crowdfunding campaign to fund a mortgage backed loan has been successfully completed. </p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">Newcastle based financial advice firm Shartru Wealth Management has used the DomaCom platform to acquire a $1.6 million residential property in Melbourne using both debt and equity.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">A crowdfunding campaign was completed to raise around $682K for the equity component and another campaign was completed to raise the remaining $948K debt. </p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">In executing both sides of the transaction, Shartru have been able to satisfy the growth needs of their accumulation clients as well as the income needs of their retiree clients with an attractive net return of 5.06% in a low risk environment.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">The loan is secured by a first mortgage security on residential property with a conservative LVR of around 60%. </p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">Shartru CEO, Rob Coyte, said it delivered a tax effective investment for our growth-oriented clients whilst also being able to deliver an attractive income investment to our retiree clients.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">"An investment option returning 5.06% and secured by first registered mortgage with a low LVR is attractive in today’s environment where retirees are lucky to receive a 2.5% return from term deposits,” he said.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">DomaCom CEO, Arthur Naoumidis explained that one of the great benefits of property investment is to be able to use internal gearing to deliver long term tax effective returns.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">“We are pleased we can now facilitate debt arrangements via the DomaCom platform, offering expanded opportunities for investors”</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">“Advisers can now fund both the equity and the debt portions of a property investment which enables them to provide the appropriate investment outcomes for both accumulation and retiree clients”.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">“We are now looking forward to accelerating our FUM with these new debt facilities, particularly in the SMSF space. SMSFs can have a precise asset allocation to real property via DomaCom, including debt, without the need for a Bare Trust, limited borrowing and with all the additional administration and cost involved”.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">“With a managed fund like DomaCom and with access to debt, Advisers have an internal solution to help clients access investment property and fixed interest income in line with their portfolio strategy as part of the adviser’s fee for service.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">"This is something DomaCom has been working towards for three years”.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">To learn more about crowdfunding, visit <a href="https://www.domacom.com.au/" target="_blank">DomaCom here</a>.</p>
</body></html>

First mortgage backed loan crowdfunded by DomaCom

<html><body>
<div><span>A solid headline result for employment growth in April 2018, beating expectations of 20,000, with total seasonally adjusted employment up by 22,600 to beyond 12<span>½</span> million for the first time, driven by a substantial 32,700 increase in full time jobs.</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div>There were, however, adverse revisions to take into account for the preceding month. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Click here <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSFR5OFaXS8/Wv0rFcRhMQI/AAAAAAAAqFs/ni7qvpHrW1IG6pa-CJ-CqqHyNmyokZuYQCLcBGAs/s640/A1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSFR5OFaXS8/Wv0rFcRhMQI/AAAAAAAAqFs/ni7qvpHrW1IG6pa-CJ-CqqHyNmyokZuYQCLcBGAs/s640/A1.jpg" width="640" height="376" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1372"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Alas, the Coalition's favoured '1000 jobs per month' slogan is going to have to be canned forthwith, with annual employment growth down from a record high of 431,200 in January 2018 to 332,200 (or 2.73 per cent) by April. </div>
<p>Click here <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JFbqwgARDc/Wv0rFQ_Ib9I/AAAAAAAAqFw/Yy8kZrFzvI8ZiFYm7PFFKrAPo0ZGSzJAACLcBGAs/s640/A2.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JFbqwgARDc/Wv0rFQ_Ib9I/AAAAAAAAqFw/Yy8kZrFzvI8ZiFYm7PFFKrAPo0ZGSzJAACLcBGAs/s640/A2.jpg" width="640" height="386" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1346"></div>
<p><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">State versus state (NSW superboom)</span></strong><br><br></p>
<div>Employment blazed another 27,600 higher in New South Wales to be up by 46,800 over the quarter, and a thunderous 156,000 year-on-year, casting further doubt on the endless gloomy house price predictions, with first homebuyers also now wading in. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The New South Wales economy has added well over 300,000 extra jobs over the past three years, something achieved for the first time ever on a rolling 3-year basis in the past few months across more than 40 years of available figures. </div>
<p>Click here <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hU-FibmfM9o/Wv0rFEzr5GI/AAAAAAAAqFo/YE68F8xEGcMtqe9nrQ6JYlK-D9crzfLkACLcBGAs/s640/A3.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hU-FibmfM9o/Wv0rFEzr5GI/AAAAAAAAqFo/YE68F8xEGcMtqe9nrQ6JYlK-D9crzfLkACLcBGAs/s640/A3.jpg" width="640" height="388" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1342"></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>One of the extraordinary aspects of this cycle has been the sheer concentration of employment growth.<br><br>Of the suburbs where participation rates have been rising almost all of them are in the inner suburban heart the big capital cities, while more than half of jobs have been created within a tiny 2-kilometre radius of the Sydney and Melbourne CBDs.<br><br>Small wonder the competition for prime location land continues to intensify.<br><br>Queensland's jobs boom seems to have tapered back, with annual employment growth in trend terms now at 3.5 per cent, remaining comfortably in second place only to New South Wales at a supercharged 3.8 per cent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Interestingly the trend participation rate hit a record high 65.7 per cent in April driven by female and older workers entering the labour force, with the unemployment rate ticking up a notch to 5.6 per cent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Click here <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ANT7qWj-sE/Wv0rGiDqpLI/AAAAAAAAqGM/1wL4OeEc2_Qfu93prKaJ5OTpNvAt7K4WACEwYBhgL/s640/A5.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ANT7qWj-sE/Wv0rGiDqpLI/AAAAAAAAqGM/1wL4OeEc2_Qfu93prKaJ5OTpNvAt7K4WACEwYBhgL/s640/A5.jpg" width="640" height="378" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1377"></div>
<p>Despite searing annual population growth of 123,100 and 147,400 in the two most populous states respectively, New South Wales has a trend unemployment rate of just 4.9 per cent while Victoria has seen its trend unemployment rate crunched lower to 5.3 per cent, down from 6.1 per cent a year earlier. </p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--TIYS4_qVXQ/Wv0rGSfiMwI/AAAAAAAAqF0/k_KZjy70WNEuwkE2jt4Cr5UIlwBpR9j8gCLcBGAs/s640/A4.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--TIYS4_qVXQ/Wv0rGSfiMwI/AAAAAAAAqF0/k_KZjy70WNEuwkE2jt4Cr5UIlwBpR9j8gCLcBGAs/s640/A4.jpg" width="640" height="372" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1376"></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>Finally, and to finish on a positive note, the trend annual growth in monthly hours worked increased to 3.3 per cent, the highest level since all the way back in August 2010. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Click here <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IGsidl1U7dg/Wv0rHIOpcFI/AAAAAAAAqF8/uoGPI43dbcM5jHX6TIimeuaWZuE3aXDGwCLcBGAs/s640/A6.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IGsidl1U7dg/Wv0rHIOpcFI/AAAAAAAAqF8/uoGPI43dbcM5jHX6TIimeuaWZuE3aXDGwCLcBGAs/s640/A6.jpg" width="640" height="386" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1348"></div>
<p> </p>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall, these figures would be construed as disappointing if you don't live in New South Wales, where the stamp duty/infrastructure boom is paying some serious dividends. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Employment growth in recent times has been quite heavily focused in healthcare and construction, which might in part account for why wages growth has generally been tepid across most industries.<br><br>Underutilisation remains elevated, despite a modest improvement. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Despite the uptick in the unemployment rate policymakers will most likely see enough positives here to stay on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</div>
<div> </div>
</body></html>

New South Wales, where the stamp duty/infrastructure boom is paying serious dividends: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Brisbane is increasingly in the crosshairs of real estate buyers because of the affordability comparison.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">It’s median house price is almost exactly half that of Sydney’s and so is its median unit price. The comparisons are also highly favourable with Melbourne and Canberra.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Having cheap real estate on offer is one thing; the key question is whether there are also prospects for growth. That’s why one of Hotspotting’s most popular products is the “Cheapies with Prospects” package – it focuses on areas that offer not only affordability but also potential for growth.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Brisbane overall hasn’t offered much in the way of capital gains during the period in which Sydney and Melbourne have thrived, largely because the underlying economy has under-achieved.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">But there are mounting signs of improvement, especially in the areas of jobs creation, population growth and revival in the resources sector.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">So where to head for homes at attainable prices and growth drivers? Brisbane offers three standout options, where there is ample supply of houses well below the overall Greater Brisbane median house price around $530,000.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The cheapest real estate in the Greater Brisbane area is generally found in the Ipswich City LGA in the south-west. Here there are suburbs with median house prices in the $200,000s and the low $300,000s.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">One precinct with appeal is the one that includes Goodna (median house price $325,000) and Redbank Plains ($335,000). These suburbs are at the eastern fringe of the LGA, the part closest to Brisbane – and they abut the motorway and the train line that links to central Brisbane.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">They’re also close to the Springfield master-planned community which has an array of modern facilities, including university campus, hospital and commercial-retail precincts.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">There are numerous big shopping centres and major employment nodes nearby, with the recently-announced $5 billion Defence vehicle contract focused on this precinct as a major new jobs creator.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">So this precinct offers an appealing package: affordability, transport links, shopping and jobs nodes.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Logan City in the far south of the Greater Brisbane area has plenty to offer as well. Many of its suburbs have median house prices in the $300,000s, including Eagleby ($315,000), Beenleigh ($335,000) and Woodridge ($310,000).</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This LGA has new development areas, where master-planned communities are under way, but these are off the west, whereas the older and cheaper suburbs tend to be clustered around the transport spine created by the Pacific Motorway and the train line, both of which link central Brisbane to the Gold Coast.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This is also where there is an impressive shopping offering, including major bulky goods retail, and well-established infrastructure like schools and medical facilities (as well as a surprising number of golf courses).</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The third of the “Cheapies with Prospects” areas to note in Greater Brisbane is the Moreton Bay LGA up in the far north heading towards the Sunshine Coast. Like Logan City, this precinct has major road and rail links between the coast and central Brisbane.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This is the most active market in Greater Brisbane at the moment: Caboolture, Kallangur, Morayfield, Narangba and North Lakes have each recorded over 400 house sales in the past 12 months.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The first three on that list have median house prices in the $300,000s, as do several other suburbs in the LGA (including some of the bayside areas). North Lakes, a suburb created by an ongoing master-planned community, is more expensive with a median around $500,000, but has brought a heightened level of infrastructure and amenities to the precinct.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">There are emerging signs of price growth in this precinct: the suburbs of Beachmere, Burpengary and Upper Caboolture have had double-digit growth in their median prices in the past year, while others are up 6-7 percent.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The upmarket end of the Moreton Bay LGA market is the Redcliffe Peninsula – but most of the water-focused suburbs in this precinct have median house prices in the $400,000s, which is still fairly attractive compared to what you’d pay in Sydney and Melbourne.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">And the Peninsula now has rail links to central Brisbane (the new line opened in 2016).</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Many of the suburbs in the three precincts have median rental yields in the 5 to 5.5 percent range, as an additional appeal factor.</span></p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">T<em>erry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au</em></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s3"><a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au"><em>ryder@hotspotting.com.au</em></a></span></p>
<p class="p4"><span class="s2"><em>twitter.com/hotspotting</em></span></p>
</body></html>

Latest Expert Insights

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Expert Insights

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News