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.

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.

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.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

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.

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;

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"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."

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.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

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.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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.

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.

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.

<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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<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.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"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.

"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.

"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."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

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.

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.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"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."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

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.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

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.

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.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

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.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<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>

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.

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.

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.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

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.

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

<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.

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.

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.

<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" />

"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.

"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."

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.

<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" />

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.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"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."

"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."

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.

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.

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

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.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

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.

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.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

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.

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.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

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.

"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.

"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.

"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."

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.

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.

"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.

"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.

"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."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

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?

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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Writer Craig McGregor and his family have decided to sell their five-acre farm at Tyagarah.
The Byron hinterland holding has an <a href="https://www.byronbayfn.com.au/2081939/" target="_blank">extended 100-year-old farmhouse </a>with five bedrooms, wide timber floors and verandahs.
The grounds have pool, stable, round yard, orchard, flower beds, treehouse, fish pool.
It is set 10 minutes from Byron Bay, Bangalow and Mullumbimby. 
After five years and two books, and another one on Bob Dylan on the way, the family have reluctantly decided times they are a'changing - as they move back to Byron Bay.
The original farmhouse was built in 1904 with views overlooking Koonyum Range, Night Cap Ranges, Mt Jerusalem through to Mt Warning and Mt Chincogan.
There are established fruit trees, lemon grass, veggie gardens, and a huge Moreton Bay Fig Tree 
The First National agents James Young and Tara Torkkola have $1.1 million plus hopes.
It was 2010 when the social commentator and his wife, Jane, sold their Wategos Beach property which had Ian McKay's first Byron Bay architectural commission. 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Writer Craig McGregor lists Byron hinterland farmhouse

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GUEST OBSERVATION
The headline ‘number of owner occupier finance approvals’ rose 1.6%, a touch above the consensus forecast of a 1% gain but not overly strong for this often volatile monthly series.
The headline is being boosted by strong refinance activity – this segment rose 4% in March following a 3.2% gain in Feb and is up 21%yr, accounting for a record 37.6% of all owner occupier finance approvals.
Ex refinance, approvals are up just 0.3%mth and down 3%yr. With refinance effectively ‘churn’, the net figure is more meaningful for gauging credit growth overall and suggests this is still very muted for the owner-occupier segment.
The other detail shows more softness in construction-related owner-occupier approvals, now down over 4%yr (on a combined basis including finance for newly built dwellings).
Construction related approvals remain a relatively high proportion of all approvals though. Note also that recent gains in dwelling approvals have been driven by high rise projects that are less closely linked to these finance indicators.
The value of loans to investors jumped 6.4%mth, more than reversing last month’s 3.3% drop that had hinted at some cooling in this segment. That now looks to be misleading with the value of approvals up 20.9%yr.
That in turn suggests little or no impact to date from macroprudential pressures aimed at containing lending growth to this segment with these growth rates in new loans unlikely to be consistent with APRA’s 10% guideline for growth in the total stock of investor loans, noting that system-wide investor credit growth is already tracking at 10.4%yr.
The state breakdown of owner-occupier approvals showed broad gains across all the major states suggesting lower interest rates were a common positive factor in the month.
MATTHEW HASSAN is senior economist with <a href="https://www.westpac.com.au/" target="_blank">Westpac</a>.
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Matthew_Hassan-HHWHptmrw4

High-rise projects driving 2015 dwelling approvals: Matthew Hassan

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When the Head Teller at the Reserve Bank of Australia dropped the cash rate to a record low of 2.00% this week the Head Cashier AKA Joe Hockey immediately started bellowing "Australians – spend – spend – spend."
So let me let you in on a secret Joe – Australians are spending up big, it’s just that they are using the online loophole where they don’t have to pay you GST. The other problem is that following the Global Financial Crisis many Australians (to save money) reverted back to paying cash for services simply because that way they get a significant discount.
Naturally those who have negatively geared their properties don’t engage in the cash for services given they need the receipts in order to gain their much required tax reduction. I guess that given nearly all developed countries have a tax structure where you do pay a tax when you sell the family home, however all monies spent – mortgage, maintenance and improvements – are a tax deduction. So I hope now that you can understand why GST receipts are in decline.
When the GST was introduced nearly 15 years ago a comparative analysis was undertaken to see what the online shopping receipts were likely to be for purchases under $1,000. The analysis which in all probability was done using a Commodore 64 with a flashy floppy disc drive found that it would cost as much to collect the GST on these purchases so the plan was shelved.
Today Australians are all over <a href="https://www.ozsale.com.au/default.aspx?cid=10" target="_blank">OZSALE</a> and <a href="https://www.dealsdirect.com.au/" target="_blank">DealsDirect</a> to name just two who just happen today to be hugely successful online businesses that turn over hundreds and hundreds of millions each year. According to the National Australia Bank’s (NAB) latest Online Retail Sales Index – Australians spent a record (yes record) $16.6 billion online in the year to January 2015. Given that the vast majority would be sales with no GST payable that’s at least $1.500 billion in missing revenue each year – now that’s embarrassing.
Deloitte has just readjusted the budget projections to take into account the latest economic news where last year’s budget deficit was $48.5 billion. Deloitte is predicting this year’s deficit will be $5.5 billion worse than predicted a year ago, and will be close to $45.9 billion. All will be revealed next week but rest assured it will be a shocker – although it’s difficult to agree with increasing the GST when we have all those ‘rivers of gold’ that the federal government is missing simply because they won’t reform.
Just as embarrassing was the announcement last week by Prime Minister Tony Abbott that foreign investors who have purchased illegally in Australia have until the end of November to come forward to avoid criminal charges and severe fines. Now I have no doubt that illegal property acquisitions will be huge in number but how about upgrading from Windows 2003 and start a proper National Property Register which has been promised for years.
The illegal buying debate does get amusing at times given some are saying that the best method is when buyers attend an auction to bid they must provide identity and that data is recorded – that then will stop illegal buyers. Well, sorry no it won’t. That legislation was brought in 2003/2004 in an effort to stop dummy bidding where records of identification are recorded should the Office of Fair Trading require an investigation. If a party attends an auction and they want somebody to bid on their behalf it is that person bidding who provides the identification not the eventual buyer who is not required to provide any identification – even though they may successfully buy the property.
Any buyers who have purchased illegally would now be contacting their respective legal representatives and immediately transferring ownership into the name of an Australian resident – the federal government has given them a six month window to conform and that’s based on the illegal owners coming forward. Brilliant plan that one!
With the Head Cashier now dutifully accepting the pseudo role of Housing Minister the forensic search for illegal purchasers across Australia has begun in earnest. Maybe Joe should spend a week of work experience at the NSW government who just collected more than $5.000 million from those naughty first home buyers who illegally applied for grants. Going back three years and with nearly 1,400 investigations they found 478 first home buyers who were forced to repay their illegal grants. A spokesman for the NSW Office of State Revenue said it routinely conducted ‘’random and targeted audits matching and data mining.”
All that Joe Hockey needs to do is find a way to get hold of that data and do a targeted audit through his Australian Taxation Office audits plus some additional data mining using stamp duty records.
Why is it that Canberra just doesn’t see the billions they lose each year from GST online sales and why it’s so easy to set up a National Property Register?
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robertsimeon-hRNTwJyXkQ

Chaos in Canberra but that’s not unusual: Robert Simeon

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The combined capital city weighted clearance rate for the past week sat at 78.2% close to its 78.6% rate last week, Corelogic RP Data figures show for the week to May 10.
 
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/CoreLogic1.png" alt="" width="607" height="264">
Thirteen of the 15 weeks of auctions this year have cleared above 74%.
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The number of homes taken to auction last week fell slightly to 2,385, compared with 2,540 over the previous week. 
The overall strength across the combined capital city market is showing no sign of slowing down, with 13 of the 15 weeks in which auction results have been reported on so far this year seeing the clearance rate at, or above, 74%. 
Over the corresponding week last year, the clearance rate was 65% and 1,535 auctions were held. 
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<img src="/images/2015/05/08/corelogicmelb.png" alt="" width="566" height="306">
 
In Melbourne, 77.5% of the 938 reported auctions sold in the week to May 10.
There were 1,064 auctions held across the city, down from 1,139 last week when the final auction clearance rate was 81.7% and higher than the 710 auctions held one year ago, with a notably lower clearance rate (61.9%). The inner region of Melbourne had the highest number of auctions this week (231), with a clearance rate of 71.1%. Meanwhile, the strongest clearance rate was recorded across the South East and Outer East region, where preliminary results show 9 in every 10 homes taken to auction sold.
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/sydney.png" alt="" width="550" height="275">
Across Sydney, 924 homes were taken to auction last week with a preliminary clearance rate of 88.7% across 726 reported results. The latest results show that Sydney’s record strong conditions are continuing. In the prior week, the final clearance rate for the city was 87.3%, which prior to being overtaken this week, had been the cities second strongest result on record across 914 auctions.
One year ago, 618 Sydney homes were taken to auction with a clearance rate of 73.3%. Last week, the performance across Sydney’s individual sub regions was varied. Across the Central Coast, where 21 results have been reported so far, the clearance rate was 51.1%, while across Blacktown (96.0%), Ryde (93.6%) and North Sydney and Hornsby (92.9%) the success rate of auctions was much higher.
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/brisbane.png" alt="" width="508" height="260">
There were 176 Brisbane auctions last week with a preliminary clearance rate of 55.5%, having increased from 47.3% in the prior week across 192 auctions and higher than one year ago when there were 89 auctions with a success rate of 46.7%. The Gold Coast’s preliminary clearance rate was 41.8% across 55 results this week.
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/adelaide.png" alt="" width="509" height="257">
A total of 92 Adelaide homes were auctioned last week and the preliminary auction clearance rate of 63.9% is just higher than the 62.8% from the previous week across 167 auctions. One year ago, although Adelaide’s clearance rate was comparable at 62.3%, there were far fewer auctions (57). 
In Perth, 42 auctions took place last week, with 19 results reported so far. Perth’s preliminary clearance rate of 26.3% across these 19 results is similar to both last week’s result (29.4%) and the clearance rate from one year ago (25.0%). 
Canberra’s preliminary auction clearance rate of 63.0% last week is lower than last week, when the final auction clearance rate was 83.0 per cent and higher than the 57.1% recorded last year. So far this year, Canberra’s auction clearance rate has been substantially stronger when compared to previous years. 
Tasmania saw 11 auctions take place last week, 7 results have been reported so far, with 3 sales.  
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Auction clearance rate 13% higher than May 2014 nationally: CoreLogic RP Data

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Crowdfunding real estate is the fifth book in a series on real estate investing from property developer and real estate investor, Craig Turnbull. It is written to help small investors get a leg-up into the property market.
Mr Turnbull has coordinated property projects with a combined value of more than $200 million and believes real estate crowdfunding marks the next generation of property investing.
"For the first time, technology makes it possible for you to invest alongside major institutions in to large development projects or commercial buildings, using relatively small amounts of money," Mr Turnbull said. 
"All around the world governments are seeking ways to cut expenditure by carving in to pensions and extending the age at which you can receive your pittance. 
"What you do in terms of your savings and investing now and for the coming few years, will have a huge effect on the quality of your life, especially after you finish work."
Crowdfunding Real Estate - The Next Generation of Property Investing is released today. Property Observer readers can get a copy by <a href="https://www.crowdfundingrealestatebook.com">using this link</a>.
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/crowdfunding.jpg" alt="" width="438" height="472"> 
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Crowdfunding: the next generation of real estate investing

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House Rules contestants, Ryan and Marlee's mortgage is $229,000 - paying off what the Adelaide couple dub the ugliest house in South Australia.
Ryan Rebbeck purchased <a href="https://au.tv.yahoo.com/house-rules/houses/ryan-and-marlee/#page1" target="_blank">the house</a> four years ago alone, and works two jobs, garbage collector and paver.
 Marlee Murphy, who works as a travel agent, entered the duo on the show now in its third series.
They have big shoes to fill as the first House Rules winners South Australian team Carly and Leighton took out the top prize of the high rating renovation show, with their $450,000 mortgage wiped clean.
Michelle and Steve from New South Wales were announced runners up in that series. They had wanted their $629,000 mortgage – the biggest mortgage on the show - wiped, but they don’t walk away empty handed with their newly renovated home to be potentially worth $180,000 to $225,000 more.
A $500,000 purchase in Melbourne's Reservoir was behind the 2015 House Rules series contestant couple, Bronik and Corrine's property <a href="/news/bronik-and-corrines-448-000-house-rules-mortgage-1st-generation-home-owners">in Melbourne's northern suburbs.</a> Bronik and Corrine have<a href="/news/bronik-and-corrines-448-000-house-rules-mortgage-1st-generation-home-owners"> a $448,000</a> mortgage which would be wiped if the couple win the 2015 Johanna Grigg's hosted renovation competition.
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/700_adelaide.jpg" alt="" width="570" height="346">
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Ryan and Marlee's $229,000 House Rules Adelaide mortgage

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The 1952 Thurlow House, Blakehurst has been listed for sale.
It's been described as a Mad Men style home, being virtually untouched.
Family members have described it as a "forgotten modernist original."
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/700_thurlow.jpg" alt="" width="591" height="359">
The <a href="https://www.modernhouse.co/listings/thurlow-house/" target="_blank">9 Stuart Street offering</a> sits on a 1336 square metre block.
No price from the Modern House agency, but around $2.5 million has been tipped.
The 1952 house by architect Harry Seidler is being marketed as part of the important collection of early houses by one of Australia’s great architects.
"Research indicates Thurlow House as being number sixteen of eighteen houses completed by Harry Seidler within the first five years of his coming to Australia," the marketing advises.
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/700__thurlow2.jpg" alt="" width="585" height="355">
Built on a waterfront site sloping down to the Georges River, in Sydney’s south, its split-level interior offers soaring voids, textural stone and timber-lined walls, and a seamless connection from inside to a deep covered verandah overlooking the river.
Upstairs are two bedrooms, a study and bathroom, all looking out to the river.
On the lower level is a spacious living area, dining room and kitchen, all connecting to the covered balcony.
Off the kitchen is a laundry opening to a north-facing drying courtyard and garden.
While in mostly original condition, the house is in need of some repair, but offers design hunters a rare opportunity to rejuvenate a brilliant Modernist house on the waterfront.
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/700_thurlow1.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="352">
Little is known about how David and Marjorie Thurlow came to commission the design.
Soon after Thurlow House was built, it was published in a French magazine, l’architecture d’aujourd’hui, celebrating work by young architects from around the world.
Marjorie Thurlow called this house home until 2011.
Penelope Seidler recalls Thurlow House as “a real gem”, and we would encourage its next custodians to connect with the office of Harry Seidler &amp; Associates to help undertake works that maintain its original design integrity.
<img src="/images/2015/05/08/700_thurlow3.jpg" alt="" width="586" height="356">
Photography: © Michael Nicholson
 
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Mad Men-style Harry Seidler's 1952 Thurlow House, Blakehurst listing

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The developer lobby, better at promoting self-interest than anyone else in society, would have us believe that building more homes will make homes cheaper.
Developers themselves believe that building more houses will make themselves more profitable – particularly if government gives them their wish list of things to make their lives easier - and what happens after that … well, who cares?
The truth is: the only way to make homes significant cheaper is to build far too many of them. Over-supply is the one thing that can crash a market. 
All of the areas I call the No Go Zones are places undermined by over-supply. Investors far too often fall victim to such places because supply is the factor most over-looked by property investors.
Those who take the time to do some research before tossing a few hundred thousand at an investment property tend to focus on demand, with scant regard for the flipside of the growth equation.
Some organisations that purport to advise investors preach a simplistic follow-the-population-growth strategy.
If high population growth was the core element in a good locational choice, the leading capital growth performers in the past five years would have been the Gold Coast and Wyndham City in the south-west of Melbourne. Gladstone, boosted by the influx of tens of thousands of gas project employees, would have soaring prices.
The opposite is true in those markets, which have all suffered recent periods of marked decline. The too-often forgotten factor is supply.
The Gold Coast had five years of falling property values because of too much supply. Wyndham City, which overtook the Gold Coast as the municipality with the greatest annual additions to its population, recorded no growth in prices for three years, because of an excess of house-and-land packages – ultimately flogged off to distant investors by dodgy marketing companies.
Gladstone, after recording high growth in rentals and prices in 2011 and 2012, saw rising vacancies and a sharp downturn in prices and rents after 2012 because developers went overboard yet again.
Over-supply causes rents to fall and that drags down property values.
The developers building the new projects don’t care as long as they can sell their product to someone and move on to the next project. In over-supplied markets, they tend to target distant investors unfamiliar with local conditions. The Chinese are the victims of choice these days.
There are two “danger situations” at the core of the No Go Zones issue: (1) inner-city apartment markets; and (2) regional centres where a rise in supply (through new development) has coincided with a decline in demand (through downsizing in the resources sector).
Inner-city units present a significant danger throughout capital city Australia. Boom-bust scenarios are common. As Hegney Property Group chairman Gavin Hegney says: “Apartments are always in over-supply or under-supply because of the lumpy nature of the market. With a housing estate you can release allotments in stages but you can’t do that with an apartment tower.”
Another problem is the long lead time in creating high-rise unit buildings. Multiple developers will decide simultaneously to build towers in a strong market – two or three years later when they are completed, a lot may have changed.
This is a clear and present danger for Australian buyers. Developers don’t care who buys their units as long as someone does, nor are they concerned if their buyers later find themselves unable to tenant their units or are forced to sell at a loss.
But it is a concern for the market and for real estate consumers.
Given that Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Darwin already have – or are heading towards - surpluses of inner-city apartments, and Sydney and the Gold Coast are trending in that direction, a good strategy for property investors is to simply avoid CBD unit markets altogether. There are much better (and cheaper) places to buy.
The coal and iron ore industries are the cause of the other core “danger situation”. When the resources boom was at its strongest, mining expansion created strong property markets in towns and regional centres that felt the positive impacts.
This prompted developers to initiate new projects to exploit the demand. Sadly, this coincided in a downturn in the coal sector, with commodity prices declining at a time of rising costs for mining companies. The iron ore industry has had similar problems.
Rising supply coincided with falling demand – a recipe for decline in property markets. The result has been sharply rising vacancy rates, leading to lower rents and ultimately falling prices.
Another factor is the growing use of fly-in-fly-out workers accommodated in workers camps, rather than renting in the local property market. 
This has been a big factor in the Surat Basin region of Queensland, where developers built a lot of new dwellings in anticipation of strong rental demand – but more than 90% of resources workers have been 
TERRY RYDER is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting">Twitter</a>.
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Danger at the core of property investment 'No Go Zones': Terry Ryder 

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Demand for fixed rate home loans has surged, with borrowers keen to take advantage of last week's record low rate cut.
The Mozo comparison site saw a 350% lift in visits to its fixed rate loan pages last week compared to the month prior.  
While most lenders have passed on the full 0.25% cut, taking variable rates to as low as 3.98%, fixed rates are even lower.
Mozo data shows in May 2013, the best 3 year fixed rate was 0.24% higher than the best variable, today a popular three year fixed loan can be found for just 3.95%.
“With fixed rate loans closing the gap on variable rates, the appeal of locking-in your loan for 3 years or more has grown considerably since Tuesday.”
“With interest rates likely to stay on hold in the coming months, now could really be the time to fix and reap the savings,” said Mozo director, Kirsty Lamont. 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="168">
Best variable
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
Rate
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="170">
Best 3 year fixed
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
Rate
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="20">
1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
Homestar Variable Rate Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
3.98%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
HSBC Fixed Rate Home Loan (Premier)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
3.95%
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="20">
-
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
Loans.com.au Dream Home Loan Essentials 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
3.98%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
Bank of Queensland Fixed Rate Home Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
3.99%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="20">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
Mortgage House Pure &amp; Simple
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
3.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
-
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
ME Bank Flexible Home Loan (Fixed)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
3.99%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="20">
4
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
Loans.com.au Dream Home Loan Offset Variable 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
4.02%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
-
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
Newcastle Permanent Fixed Rate Home Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
3.99%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="20">
5
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
HSBC Home Loan Value 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="43">
4.23%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21">
-
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
Queensland Police Credit Union Fixed Rate Home Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
3.99%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="6" width="426">
Rates are for loans of $300,000 with an LVR of 80%.     Source: Mozo.com,.au as at 8/5/15
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Monthly repayments on the lowest 3 year fixed rate of 3.95% would be $1,575, while for the lowest variable rate loan (3.98%) it’s $1,582 per month. Although it’s only a $7 difference, that amount could be a lot higher if we see rates rise before May 2018.
Mozo’s list of lenders who have passed on the rate cut has grown slowly since Tuesday, however, three of the Big 4 banks haven’t reduced rates by the whole 0.25% amount.
“With funding costs low, there is really no reason why lenders shouldn’t be passing on the full 25 basis point discount,” said Lamont.
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<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
Lender
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
Cut
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
New variable rate*
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top" width="261">
Loans.com.au
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.25%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
4.02%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
ING DIRECT
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.25%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
4.72%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
MEBank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.25%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
4.88%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
Greater Building Society
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.25%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
5.00%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
ANZ
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.25%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
5.38%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
NAB
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.20%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
5.43%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
Commonwealth Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.20%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
5.45%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
Westpac
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.22%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
5.48%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
St George
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.20%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
5.54%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="261">
Bank of Queensland 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
0.20%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="109">
5.56%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
*Effective dates of new rates vary between 8/5 – 26/5.
Lamont says borrowers need to make sure their lender is passing on discounts to existing customers and not just keeping the best deals for new customers.
“Some lenders are holding off announcing the discount for existing customers, so check whether your lender is cutting rates and when you’ll be seeing lower repayments,” said Lamont.
All rates and calculations are based on a $300,000, 80% LVR loan over 25 years. <a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans" target="_blank">Rates and calculations are current as at 6 May 2015</a>.
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Which lenders have passed on the May RBA rate cut? Mozo

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A bevy of bids sees the top offer now at $575,000 in the online auction which could result in the purchase of an off the plan apartment in South Melbourne.
Around 600 plus potential buyers had looked before the online auction began last week on the bidRhino.com online website. There was an opening bid of $540,000.
There were five bids yesterday between two competing parties.
The off the plan auction offering at 603/79 Market Street, South Melbourne is a 61 square metre apartment in the ITUM-developed project. 
The initial bid was sought at $530,000 plus with price indications given as $575,000 plus.
The live auction portal aims to revolutionise the property market as residential properties can be listed and potential buyers or tenants can securely bid with just a digital click. 
The opportunity exists to secure an off the plan property in <a href="https://www.bidrhino.com.au/vic/for-sale/South-Melbourne/603/79-Market-Street/id-1546" target="_blank">The Walker apartment complex</a> positioned in the heart of South Melbourne, which is due for early 2016 completion.
This apartment comprises two bedrooms, one bathroom, and an open terrace, in the 67 apartment building that has an architecturally adapted heritage façade.
<img src="/images/2015/04/24/off-april-24-four.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2015/04/24/off-april-24-five.jpg" alt="">
All registered and approved bidders can bid on the property until the auction is finished in two days. 
When the auction has ended and the reserve price has been met, the highest bidder becomes the successful purchaser. 
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