Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Joel Robinson

Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

A proposal to redevelop one of North Sydney's ageing commercial buildings has taken another step forward, with plans for a 38-storey mixed-use tower adding momentum to the long-awaited transformation of the Alfred Street precinct.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority-led State Significant Development pathway, the proposal for 271-273 Alfred Street would replace an underutilised commercial building with 95 apartments, ground-floor retail, commercial space and affordable housing. The proposal was submitted by&nbsp;Tara Shore Pty Ltd, acting for the John Taylor Family Trust.

While the project will deliver much-needed housing on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, it also represents another piece of a broader precinct that has spent years in planning limbo.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e1ce1b4-38df-48ab-992f-386814d86308" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20podium.png?VersionId=sC_h6w.A9VEoB98qsqowPlIoz__sBZBt" />

Despite its proximity to both North Sydney Station and the Victoria Cross Metro, redevelopment of Alfred Street has progressed slowly over the past decade as broader planning controls, zoning and building heights remained unresolved. The introduction of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway has provided a new avenue for projects to progress, allowing rezoning and development assessment to occur concurrently and unlocking sites that have long been earmarked for renewal.

Designed by Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder, the proposal seeks to do more than replace an ageing office building. The architects have positioned the project as the first stage of a wider public domain vision that would improve pedestrian connectivity and create a more cohesive mixed-use precinct as neighbouring sites are redeveloped over time.

The proposal includes a widened Alfred Street setback, new street trees, landscaping and outdoor seating, along with a landscaped through-site pedestrian link connecting Alfred Street with Little Alfred Street. The connection is intended to become the first section of a future east-west pedestrian network extending across the precinct.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ea39ac3-46ad-4562-b4a0-b862e91c2dda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20site.png?VersionId=K7umCd21KpetEFuVfsPlnJKhUOsmTTdV" />

The mixed-use tower would comprise retail space at ground level, commercial uses on level two and apartments from level three upwards.

In total, the development would deliver 95 apartments, including nine one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, 56 three-bedroom and two four-bedroom residences. Twenty-one apartments, representing 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area, would be secured as affordable housing and managed by a registered community housing provider for at least 15 years.

Nine basement levels would provide 133 resident car spaces, seven motorcycle spaces and 111 bicycle spaces.

According to the Architecture and Urban Design Report, the public domain strategy is designed to transform what is currently an inward-facing commercial edge into a more active and connected pedestrian environment, creating a stronger relationship between the commercial core and surrounding residential neighbourhoods.

Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder has also prepared a broader public domain framework spanning neighbouring properties between 263 and 283 Alfred Street, arguing that a coordinated approach to redevelopment will deliver better public spaces, improved tower separation and a more connected streetscape as the precinct evolves.

The proposal comes at a time where North Sydney is slated for future residential growth. Commercial developer FiveX has residential plans for the neighbouring site at 275 Alfred Street. They've proposed a 39-storey mixed-use tower with 184 apartments, while Freecity was recently approved for nearly 300 apartments across a 51-storey building on Walker Street.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-freecity-gets-green-light-for-mixed-use-apartment-and-hotel-tower-in-north-sydney">First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-plans-39-storey-residential-tower-in-booming-north-sydney">First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney</a>

&nbsp;

Alfred Street the latest North Sydney pocket to be transformed by residential development

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]

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 

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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.

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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

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Alba Longa, the restored Queen Anne style home on Burwood's Appian Way, sold at weekend auction for $4,725,000.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.randw.com.au/property/0000248690" target="_blank">There were $4 million plus</a> hopes for the six bedroom, four bathroom 1907 home, so the eight registered parties had no chance of plundering the trophy home offering.
Indeed only three bidders actually got the chance to compete after the $3.8 million opening bid.
It was renovated in 2003.
The 1,796 square metre holding sold through Richardson &amp; Wrench Strathfield selllng agent Chris Virgona who rightly advised Appian Way is regarded as one of the most exclusive addresses in Sydney. Some 300 turned up to the weekend auction, including the locals who interrupted their mid-afternoon tennis game on the court that sits within the leafy precinct.
One of Sydney's most outstanding bungalow precincts, the Appian Way was classified by the National Trust of Australia in 1977. In the centre of the street is a picket-fenced recreation area that originally consisted of a pavilion, tennis court, croquet green and bowling lawn. In 1909, the croquet lawn was removed and a tennis club established. The weatherboard pavilion is a gracious reminder of the precinct's early days.
Property Observer columnist Margie Blok once noted Appian Way houses were designed so the occupants could view the recreation area from their front veranda.
The garden suburb Alba Longa listing cames with all the internal period features – marble and cast iron fireplaces, stained glass and leadlight windows, picture rails and ceiling rose.
It last traded for $1,008,500 in 1997. Built in the Queen Anne style with an octagonal tower above the nook of the drawing room, Mrs Mowbray Forrest lived there from 1907 until 1911, Henry Moses occupied the house between 1911 and 1914, and then Hedley Dawborn moved in and lived at Alba Longa until 1925.
The wealthy industrialist George Hoskins - who had lived at Burwood since 1893 in a magnificent mansion that he built, called St Cloud - developed the Appian Way as a model residential area.
In keeping with the Appian Way theme, Alba Longa takes the name of an ancient city of Latium in central Italy.
 
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Tennis interrupted as Alba Longa, the Appian Way, Burwood trophy home sold

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The bathing box 6 on Brighton's Dendy Street Beach sold at weekend auction at a record $276,000.
The beach box is located near the Brighton Lifesaving Club, which reasonated with buyers.
The selling agent John Clarkson of hockingstuart marketed <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/bathing-box-6-dendy-street-beach-brighton/Property-Details-buy-residential-8489600" target="_blank">the very blue and yellow bathing box</a>, with $150,000 plus expectations.
"It was a stunning result," he told Property Observer. 
Last year, he had sold a new Brighton bathing box, 57a, <a href="/news/vic/200-000-plus-hopes-for-bright-new-bathing-box-on-brighton-beach">for $215,000</a> having had a lengthy history being the first to auction one in 1999, for $58,000.
It was his 16th sale of one of the bathing boxes that existed in Brighton as far back as 1862. There were five bidders at yesterday's auction.
The previous highest known price for a Brighton bathing box was set in 2011 at $260,000, brand new, infill box which was bigger than normal. The rising prices come despite new infill bathing boxes being built on an ongoing timetable by the local council, mostly at the other end of the beach.
Although the bathing boxes of Brighton are iconic postcard imagery for Melbourne tourism, there are dearer bathing boxes elsewhere in Victoria.
In Portsea, the record for what they call boat shed dates back to 2011 when $585,000 was paid.
At an <a href="/expert-insights/buying/no-record-as-portsea-boatshed-fetches-553-000-at-australia-day-2015-weekend-auction">Australia Day auction this year</a>, one sold for $553,000.
Some bathing box sales are done privately with the price kept under wraps.
<a href="/news">The weekend result </a>was amid the Brighton sales list which the REIV had as ranging from a $715,000 apartment to a $1,905,000 house.
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Record $276,000 paid for Brighton Beach bathing box

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The weekend's cheapest sale in Sydney was a 23 square metre Surry Hills studio apartment. The dearest at Sans Souci at $6.5 million.
The median Sydney house price was at $1.26 million and the median apartment price sold at $755,000.
These were two results among the record 87.5% election day auction success rate as Sydney’s supercharged housing market was on the brink of breaking the all-time record listings.
It has been eight weeks now above 80%, probably the hottest auction market since Sydney held its first auctions in the colonial 1800s.
Around 1128 homes were scheduled to go under the hammer with the results in accounting for 872 offerings.
Final numbers are likely to break the previous record of 1111 recorded on the same pre-Easter Saturday last year.
Maroubra was the most popular Sydney suburb for auctions with 17, which included 45/77 Broome Street at $822,500. The price guide had been $725,000 plus.
Randwick had 15, Pymble and Mosman each with 14 and Redfern, Hornsby and Strathfield each with 13 auctions scheduled.
Cooley Auctions secured two Randwick sales - at $780,000 and $1.2 million - and two Redfern sales - at $915,000 and $1.2 million.
Cooley Auctions had 129 properties selling 107, in what auctioneer Damien Cooley described as the strongest market he have seen in his 15 years in real estate.
The auction of 9 Shadforth St, Mosman saw a $1.82 million with auctioneer Robert Klaric, from Auction Services, knocking it down for Chris Dale First National North Sydney who had the five registered bidders.
The upper north shore hosted the most auctions this weekend with 166 closely followed by the city and east with 163 and the inner west with 161. The south has 153 auctions listed with the lower north the next highest with 113, Canterbury Bankstown 85, the west 77, northern beaches 74, the south west 55, the north west 35 and the central coast with 27.
"Auction numbers have been rising this year as the market enters its third year of boom-time conditions," APM senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson said.
After the auctions he tweeted: "Incredible result from amazing market."
He has previously noted the February cut in official interest rates – the first move in rates since August 2013 – had improved confidence with rising buyer activity being reported in most capital city markets."
Last weekend Sydney hosted 715 home auctions which was higher than the 682 listed over the same weekend last year. Last weekend’s initial record result of 86.1%was adjusted down to 84.3%, according to the latest APM results.
The Surry Hills apartment pictured above sold pre-auction to an investor through Oz Combined Realty agent Peter Ozerskis, who suggested its rental return could be around $420 per week as a permanent rental or $650 plus as a casual executive rental. He said it was 23 square metres, plus a four square metre storage space.
The ground floor unit had strata levies of $773 per quarter; council rates of $242 per quarter and water rates of $180 per quarter.
The weekend's highest sale notification was $6.5 million through McGrath of 73 Vista Street, a 2,121 square metre waterfront estate at Sans Souci with views across Kogarah Bay and the Georges River.
The property (below) with 34 metre waterfrontage level lawns had been tightly-held by the same family since 1942. 
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Surry Hills $330,000 studio the cheapest as Sydney soars to 87.5% record auction success rate

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A Melbourne clearance rate of 79% was recorded this weekend compared to 76% last weekend and 69% this weekend last year. 
There were 1291 auctions reported to the REIV today.
The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) was expecting about 1,400 auctions in 309 suburbs today.
The top sale was $3.9 million in <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/25-montclair-avenue-glen-waverley/Property-Details-buy-residential-8416740" target="_blank">Glen Waverley when a four bedroom house </a>on 1154 square metre in the exclusive GWSC catchment was sold through Woodards.
The second top sale was at Fitzroy when <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/191-gore-street-fitzroy/Property-Details-buy-residential-8452042" target="_blank">191 Gore Street</a> (below) – which had been a set for the hit TV series Offspring – sold at well above reserve through Arch Staver of Nelson Alexander who secured $3.58 million on a home that had fetched $2.41 million five years ago.
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<div><a class="photobox cboxElement" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/portal/viewphotos?OID=8452042&amp;popup=photos" style="line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="https://images.realestateview.com.au/pics/042/191-Gore-Street-Fitzroy-VIC-3065-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-8452042.jpg" alt="191 Gore Street Fitzroy VIC 3065 Real Estate Photo 1" title="191 Gore Street Fitzroy VIC 3065 House - Photo 1"></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/41-tower-road-balwyn-north/Property-Details-buy-residential-8578216" target="_blank">A Balwyn sale</a> in the REIV top five was secured pre-auction at $3.45 million.
Brighton was the top auction locations with 23 auctions, followed by Reservoir and St Kilda with 21 auctions in each. 
The 1,600 auctions scheduled sat between the two record auction weekends, when 1,682 auctions were held in October 2014 and 1,529 auctions were held in December 2014.
Last weekend the REIV clearance rate was 76 per cent when there were 1205 auctions reported to the REIV.
One of the weekend listings was the elevated home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-beaumaris-119122255" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;"></a>21 Bolton St, Beaumaris (below) with glass lift that connects its three levels. But it was passed in on a $3.4 million vendor bid.
<img src="https://i3.au.reastatic.net/800x600/abe03cb508447649a8ca8527f491667303e74469f2370f05b6217920eb4180cf/main.jpg" alt="21 Bolton Street, Beaumaris" title="21 Bolton Street, Beaumaris" data-index="0">
The house, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, three living areas and a kitchen with butler’s pantry was offered by agent Nick Jones at Chisholm &amp; Gamon Black Rock who had expected it to sell for more than $3.4 million. 
TOP 5 HOUSES 
1. 25 Montclair Avenue, Glen Waverley $3,900,000 2. 191 Gore Street, Fitzroy $3,580,000 3. 12 Swinton Avenue, Kew $3,450,000 4. 41 Tower Road, Balwyn North $3,450,000 5. 84 Kinkora Road, Hawthorn $3,160,000 
TOP 5 BARGAIN HOUSES 
1. 2 Casey Avenue, Sunbury $271,500 2. 164 Gap Road, Sunbury $278,500 3. 7 Seventh Avenue, Rosebud $295,000 4. 2 Heyington Boulevard, Carrum Downs $325,000 5. 26 Epstein Street, Reservoir $330,000
TOP 5 APARTMENTS 
1. 4 Corhampton Road, Balwyn North $1,900,000 2. 6 Balmoral Avenue, Kew $1,711,000 3. 4/156 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park $1,670,000 4. 4/2 Male Street, Brighton $1,650,000 5. 103 Carpenter Street, Brighton $1,600,000 
TOP 5 BARGAIN APARTMENTS 
1. 3/45 Oakleigh Road, Carnegie $230,000 2. 14/11-17 Park Street, St Kilda West $230,000 3. 3/95 Dawson Street, Brunswick $260,000 4. 6/231 Dandenong Road, Prahran $275,000 5. 2/68 French Street, Lalor $280,000
Source: REIV
 
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Fitzroy Offspring series setting ranks as weekend's second highest Melbourne sale

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A three-level townhouse in the former R. M. Crockett &amp; Son cricket bat factory at Seddon failed to sell at weekend Jas Stephens auction.
A $700,000 vendor bid came from auctioneer Branko Lemaic today.
A second vendor bid of $720,000 prompted the the two-bedroom conversion being passed in. 
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/3-138-charles-street-seddon/Property-Details-buy-residential-8437510" target="_blank">The reserve price</a> has been signalled as $769,000 for 3/138 Charles Street.
In the 1960s the firm of R.M. Crockett &amp; Son came under the control of the Slazenger. 
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<div>A Melbourne auction clearance rate of 79 per cent was recorded this weekend compared to 76 per cent last weekend and 69 per cent this weekend last year.</div>
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There were 1291 auctions reported to the REIV today.
 
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Bumper day, but with no bat or ball players, RM Crockett cricket bat factory residential offering passed in

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All 50 lots at Breen Property’s Shearwater Landing have now sold in the stage one offerings.
The 44 hillside lots, ranging in size from 560 square metre to 1,109 square metre, were sold for between $950,000 to $1.55 million.
All 50 available lots at Shearwater Landing, have now sold in stage one following on from the success earlier this month when six auction lots sold ranging in prices from <a href="/expert-insights/building/beach-building-blocks-at-2-2-million-plus-sellout-at-shearwater-landing-greenhills-beach-auction">$2.2 million to $2.65 million</a> through Nigel Napoli at Savills Residential Projects .
Nigel Napoli noted "not even the NSW State Election kept buyers away."
“Throughout the entire day there was a flow of couples and families, all eager to sign on the dotted line.” 
Napoli added Savills had been working with clients since the initial pre-registration campaign in 2013
The next release of Shearwater Landing will be the auction of 12 ocean view lots in mid-May, followed by 14 hillside lots which will be sold via an expressions of interest campaign. 
Shearwater Landing, Sydney’s newest beachside suburb, is a master-planned development with a total of 160 torrens title lots within a master-planned, landscaped residential precinct overlooking the Pacific at Greenhills Beach, some 30 to 40 minutes south of the Sydney CBD.
 
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Latest Shearwater Landing land sellout at Greenhills Beach

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First home buyers are increasingly resorting to personal debt to fund their home deposits, according to the 10th edition of the Genworth's Streets Ahead Homebuyer Confidence Index.
Of those surveyed by Genworth, 46% of first home buyers who took out their loan in 2009 used sources other than savings for their deposit. In 2014, that figure had risen to 57%.
Genworth research shows that average deposit sizes for first home buyers has remained stable from 2009 to 2014, but the proportion of first home buyers who took more than three years to save their deposit decreased, from 36% in 2009 to 27% in 2014.
While a greater proportion of first home buyers are now relying on inheritances to fund their first home deposit than they did, more first home buyers are also relying on personal loans or credit card debt, as shown in the chart below.
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In the five years to 2014, the proportion of first home buyers who used personal loans for their deposit increased from 4% to 15%, while the use of credit cards for deposits rose from 1% to 10%.
"This combination of reduced time spent acquiring deposits and an increased proportion of non-savings sources suggests that house price appreciation over the past few years may have driven an increasing number of FHBs to abandon their goal of saving a deposit and look to alternative sources of funding," the report reads.
Genworth also noted that first home buyers are generally more willing to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) and take on greater loan to value ratios for their first purchase.
Only quarter of today's first home buyers surveyed by Genworth have deposits of more than 20%, while 33% of current mortgagors had a 20% or higher deposit when they bought their first home.
"This is indicative of a trend towards accumulating lower deposit sizes as property prices rise," reads the report. As such, Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) plays an important role for FHBs struggling to save a 20% deposit. Of respondents surveyed in March 2015, 61% of FHBs used LMI compared to 40% of Mortgagors."
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First home buyers turning to personal debt to fund deposits: Genworth

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The single tower development on Russell Street been approved by the Brisbane City Council after numerous delays.
<a href="https://olympiaonrussell.com.au" target="_blank">Olympia on Russell</a> is a joint venture between Girdis Group and the Greek Orthodox Community Church of St George Street South Brisbane.
The project has been held up in the approval process, with <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/greek-communitys-traditional-home-under-threat-20130506-2j3jh" target="_blank">some controversy over the destruction of the Hellenic House</a> on the site.
After 18 months, the project has now been approved.
The $40 million development in in Brisbane's West End will have 65 one, two and three bedroom apartments, starting from $380,000. The most expensive apartment will be priced at $1,135,000.
According to Place Projects, who are marketing the properties, at least 42 contracts have been issued for the development.
Place Project's Syd Walker said South Brisbane "has the potential to outgrow all other inner-city Brisbane suburbs over the next 20 years".
"The market is in hot demand at the moment and we predicted strong interest from the start," said Walker.
"The extraordinary levels of interest achieved for the development shows the demand for a quality, boutique product located in the South Brisbane precinct. South Brisbane is home to all the economic and demographic drivers required to achieve long term capital growth, and we know that the rental demand for this new development is set to be unprecedented."
There will be 18 one bedroom apartments, 39 two bedroom apartments and eight three bedroom apartments available to purchase in Olympia on Russell. Their sizes will range from 54 square metres to 151 square metres.
Developer Girdis Group is Brisbane based and has been specialising in property development and asset management since 1958. The group is headed by Nick Girdis, a former dentist, and has completed more than 100 projects.The project was designed by architects Cameron Chilsolm &amp; Nichols.
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Brisbane's Olympia on Russell apartments receive development approval

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After experiencing a lull in sales volumes in 2011, Richmond-Tweed sales volumes are showing steady increases on a year on year basis, according to recent CoreLogic RP Data insights.
Over the 12 months to November 2014, sales volumes were 12% higher than they were at the same time in 2013.
A more moderate rise in Richmond-Tweed home values was recorded over the 2014 calendar year, with detached home values up 2.9%, compared to a 3.7% rise across the unit market.
While home values have increased over the past year, the rise is moderate compared to the 9.7% and 4.5% rise for houses and units respectively over the year to December 2013. 
<a href="/images/2015/03/16/richmond-tweed-mar-16-one.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/03/16/richmond-tweed-mar-16-one.jpg" alt=""></a>
Source: CoreLogic RP Data
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Richmond-Tweed market on the path to recovery: CoreLogic RP Data

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Point Cook continues to be a magnet for first home buyers with house prices recording an increase of just 39.5% over the past 10 years, new data reveals.
The latest PRDNationwide figures show that the median price for a house in the popular western suburb of Melbourne rose from $336,750 in 2004 to $470,000 last year.
However, unit prices dipped from  $310,000 to $298,000 in the same period.
PRD Nationwide research analyst Harrison Hall said Point Cook remained one of the most affordable suburbs in Melbourne.
“The Point Cook market has been growing steadily at an average of 4% per annum for the past 10 years,” Hall said.
“This means owners are getting good returns but it has still maintained its affordability for people looking to enter the local market. 
“Whereas the Greater Melbourne market has become more unaffordable with median prices rising 7.3%, which means it’s becoming harder for people to buy in.” 
However, he said buyers needed to be wary of the constant new supply in the area, forcing vendors to sell their older properties below the cost of new ones.
“Sellers would have a very hard time selling their property for more than a comparable new property,” Hall said.
“There will be consistent development for years to come which means this will always be an issue.”
Point Cook had over $460 million worth of new projects to be completed in 2015, including more than 360 new dwellings and large-scale subdivisions. 
He said the suburb was also slated for infrastructure and commercial projects including a $48 million extension to the Point Cook Town Centre with a major super market, 14 speciality shops, car parks and commercial facilities to be completed by 2016.
CoreLogic RP Data spokesperson Robert Larocca said Point Cook remained sought after being just 21km from the Melbourne CBD.
“It has proved popular, because for the same price you have got to live 30km or 40km away from the CBD in the east,” Larocca said.
He said the suburb’s performance varied depending upon the location.
“There are some very exclusive parts of Point Cook and there are much more affordable properties,” he said.
“For instance, it is a suburb where (last year) you saw 155 homes sold under $400,000 and 14 sold for over $1 million in the same period. 
But he said most of the properties sold from $400,000 to $600,000.
Hockingstuart Real Estate Altona sales executive Tony Anile said Point Cook’s affordability made it strong property market.
“There is a lot of new homes being built, a lot of vacant land being developed,” Anile said.
“There are a lot of young families moving into the area.
“It is a place where you can get into for a good family-sized home.”
Oliver Hume Real Estate project manager Nick Lacarruba said demand for land and housing packages had picked up again after a slump in 2011. 
“Consumer confidence is back and there are a number of different projects that are coming to the market,” Lacarruba said.
“The size of the market has increased.”
Lacarruba said land sizes generally varied from 300 square metres to 600 square metres on average.  He said there was a prevalence of double-story homes ranging from 20 square metres to 50 square metres.
Photo of Point Cook courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/boobook48/" target="_blank">Lorraine Phelan</a>/flickr.
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