High-profile apartment defect cases have changed the way many NSW buyers approach purchasing, putting greater scrutiny on building quality, strata records and the parties behind a development before a contract is signed.

The industry buyers are assessing today, however, is also different from the one in which cases such as Opal Tower and Mascot Towers emerged.

NSW has introduced a series of regulatory measures aimed at strengthening oversight of apartment construction, including Building Commission NSW, the Residential Apartment Buildings Act 2020 and the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme. Under the latter, developers are required to lodge a bond, with independent inspections forming part of the process for identifying defects in new strata developments.

Those changes provide another layer of protection, but they haven't removed the importance of buyer due diligence.

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For purchasers considering an apartment, that means looking beyond the residence itself. Building and strata history, strata reports, the track record of the builder and developer, the condition of common property and any known or planned expenditure by the owners corporation can all form part of assessing a building before purchase.

Whether the development is already complete can also materially change what can be assessed.

An off-the-plan purchaser is necessarily buying before the finished product exists. A completed apartment, by comparison, can be walked through before contracts are signed, allowing the purchaser to see the finishes, common areas and broader building as they have actually been delivered rather than relying solely on plans and renders.

It also removes exposure to some of the uncertainties that exist between an off-the-plan purchase and completion, including construction delays, cost pressures and builder insolvency during the delivery period.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a> National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said that greater focus on tangible evidence is increasingly evident among apartment purchasers.

“The biggest shift we're seeing is buyers wanting proof, not promises,” Hamblett said.

“That's exactly why we deal in completed stock - you can inspect the building before you commit - and why we've backed every purchase with a cash bond against special levies.”

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> in Parramatta, that emphasis on a completed, inspectable product is already in place.

The 413-apartment, 46-level tower at 12 Phillip Street is being marketed by Projects by Equitifund, allowing prospective purchasers to inspect the residences, common areas and resident facilities before committing.

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The Lennox also introduces another layer to the due-diligence conversation through Strata Surety.

The vendor-funded arrangement provides purchasers with a cash-backed bond held in their own solicitor's trust account from settlement. According to Equitifund, the bond covers any special levy raised during the applicable cover period and is provided at no cost to the purchaser.

Special levies can create an unexpected cost for apartment owners where an owners corporation needs funding beyond its existing strata contributions. Under NSW strata law, a special levy requires approval by owners at a general meeting.

Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said Strata Surety was designed to provide something more concrete than reassurance about that potential exposure.

“Buyers have every right to ask hard questions about strata risk - the industry has given them plenty of reasons to,” Huxley said.

“Our answer isn't a reassurance, it's a bond. Strata Surety puts real money behind that confidence, held by the buyer's own solicitor, not by us.”

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For The Lennox, its completed status also means purchasers can assess not only the apartment itself, but a building that has already been occupied and operating for several years.

Completed in 2021, the $300 million development, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, with open-plan living areas extending to private balconies. Interiors incorporate engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops and integrated appliances, while many upper-level residences have views across the river and surrounding district.

Its established amenity can similarly be inspected in operation. Resident facilities include the Watermark precinct with a 20-metre pool, outdoor terrace, barbecue areas, gym, fitness studio and conference room, while ground-floor retail addresses the river walk and surrounding public space.

The Lennox is also home to the Southern Hemisphere's first fully robotic residential car park, which has now operated for several years. Its nine-level basement combines three conventional parking levels with six automated levels, accommodating 327 vehicles using technology from German firm Lödige Industries.

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The riverfront address puts The Lennox close to much of central <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a>'s existing infrastructure, including Parramatta Station, Westfield Parramatta, Parramatta Park, and the Church Street dining precinct.

The remaining apartments form part of a limited release secured by Equitifund, following the sale of the majority of residences before and shortly after completion.

The regulatory environment around NSW apartment construction has changed considerably since the defect cases that reshaped public discussion around the sector. For purchasers, however, regulation is only one part of the equation. The ability to investigate a building's history, review its strata position and, where possible, inspect what has actually been delivered remains central to making an informed apartment purchase.

At The Lennox, its completed status provides that opportunity before contracts are signed, while Strata Surety adds a financial backstop against special levies beyond the protections already provided under NSW strata law.

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Joel Robinson

Buying with confidence: What NSW apartment buyers should check beyond the defect headlines

Too often, heritage buildings become the podium for a contemporary tower. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/623-collins-607-623-collins-street-melbourne-vic-3000">623 Collins</a>, <a>Sterling Global</a> challenged its design team to reverse that process.

The brief to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> was deliberately simple: "Don't design around the heritage. Design from it." It became the philosophy behind a project that draws inspiration not only from two landmark heritage buildings, but from Collins Street itself, a street layered with architectural history and civic significance.

That philosophy has shaped one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a> CBD's most considered residential projects, where the 1924 State Savings Bank and neighbouring Batman's Hill Hotel have become the architectural foundation for 623 Collins rather than remnants preserved beneath a new development.

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Rather than approaching the site as a blank canvas, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sterling-global">Sterling Global</a> saw the existing buildings as the beginning of the story.

"Sites like this rarely become available," the developer said.

"623 Collins wasn't simply an opportunity to develop a prominent CBD site. It was an opportunity to restore and reimagine one of Melbourne's important heritage landmarks while contributing to the continued evolution of Collins Street. For us, the existing buildings weren't constraints. They were the beginning of the story."

Instead of mimicking the ornate heritage architecture, Plus Studio studied the proportions, rhythm and craftsmanship of the original buildings before translating those characteristics into a contemporary 42-storey tower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372748]

"The brief challenged us to create a contemporary landmark that respected Melbourne's architectural history without becoming nostalgic," Plus Studio said.

"Rather than mimicking heritage, we sought to understand its proportions, rhythm and material language before translating those qualities into a distinctly contemporary architectural expression."

The practice says the State Savings Bank and Batman's Hill Hotel became the project's primary source of inspiration, allowing the heritage buildings and contemporary architecture to exist "in conversation rather than contrast." Generous planted terraces further soften the transition between old and new, creating elevated green spaces while reinforcing the dialogue between the restored podium and the contemporary tower.

That dialogue continues throughout the interiors, where Melbourne designer Fiona Lynch developed a material palette inspired by the idea of alchemy, balancing contrasting materials that reference both the Neo-Grec detailing of the original bank and contemporary urban living. The result is a series of spaces that feel timeless rather than trend-driven.

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The project will deliver 316 residences across four collections, Heirloom, Signature, Reserve and the Penthouse Collection, with each responding differently to its position within the building, from the restored heritage podium through to the upper levels of the tower. The Heirloom Residences retain defining heritage elements including original heritage windows, generous proportions and high ceilings, while the tower introduces contemporary homes with expansive layouts and elevated views.

Amenities have likewise been designed to support long-term city living rather than short-stay convenience. Residents will have access to concierge services, wellness facilities including a pool, cold plunge, sauna, steam room and gym, alongside private lounges, entertaining spaces and dedicated resident clubs.

Sterling Global says that approach is resonating with buyers seeking permanence rather than novelty.

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According to the sales team, purchasers are looking for enduring architecture, generous floorplans, heritage character and long-term value, with many commenting that 623 Collins "doesn't feel like another apartment development" because of the way the architecture has been curated around the site's history.

Situated on the prominent corner of Collins and Spencer streets, the project occupies one of Melbourne's most recognisable gateway sites, marking the western entrance to the city's best-known street. For Sterling Global, it also reflects a broader shift in city-making.

"Rather than maximising development yield, the project embraces adaptive reuse as a design philosophy, allowing heritage to inform architecture, interiors and the overall resident experience," the developer said.

"The result is a building that feels uniquely connected to Melbourne."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145324]

How Sterling Global designed 623 Collins from Melbourne's history

Avant Townhomes is adding to Ivanhoe’s family-sized housing options with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/three-82-ivanhoe-382-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Three 82</a>, a collection of just 16 four-bedroom townhomes on Upper Heidelberg Road.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/intrapac-property">Intrapac Property</a> townhome division has taken a contemporary approach to the traditional family home, pairing larger floorplans with the lower-maintenance format of a townhouse.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/arcadia-studio">Arcadia</a>, with landscaping by Landsite, the homes feature generous open-plan living and dining areas that connect directly to outdoor spaces, with layouts also designed to maximise natural light and privacy.

Natural stone is used throughout the interiors, including in kitchens that pair stone surfaces with bespoke cabinetry, considered storage and SMEG appliances.

The four-bedroom layouts include built-in wardrobes and a main bedroom with its own ensuite, while family bathrooms service the additional bedrooms. Each home also includes a lock-up double garage and intercom entry.

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Energy efficiency has been incorporated into the design through solar panels, double glazing and reverse-cycle heating and cooling, with the homes targeting 7-star energy ratings.

Rather than incorporating extensive communal facilities, Three 82 has been conceived around private residential amenity, with the 16-home scale keeping the focus on individual homes and their own indoor and outdoor spaces.

The development is located at 382 Upper Heidelberg Road, around one kilometre from Ivanhoe Village's cafés and retail and a short drive from Eaglemont Station and Ivanhoe Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374393]

Several of Ivanhoe's established schools are also nearby, including Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar and Ivanhoe Grammar School. The address also provides access to the suburb's parklands and the wider Yarra River corridor.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/nelson-alexander">Nelson Alexander</a> has been appointed to handle sales.

Construction is underway and progressing well, with Three 82 currently tracking toward completion in Q2 2027.

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Three 82 brings boutique four-bedroom townhome collection to Ivanhoe

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has secured a prime Newstead site from fellow developer Fraser, subsequently lodging plans for The Silo, a major mixed-use residential project in Newstead designed around a new public laneway linking the James Street precinct with the wider Gasworks and Newstead neighbourhood.

Proposed for the corner of Chester and Morse streets, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau^Proberts</a>-designed project places its strongest emphasis at ground level, where retail, landscaping and a new cobblestone pedestrian connection would open the site to the surrounding neighbourhood. The design team describes The Silo as “more than a residential building”, positioning the development as an extension of Newstead’s public realm rather than a standalone apartment tower.

“A new cobblestone laneway and landscaped connection between James Street and Gasworks unlock a missing pedestrian link, improving walkability and stitching together two of Brisbane’s significant urban destinations,” Bureau Proberts said in its Urban Design Report.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ea1b06a-75f5-40a5-b2c5-33c97bc86052" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/silo%20bldg.png?VersionId=KmjsAtNePu57_B31EM_DJ5T6KPJHtcmo" />

The Silo is planned as a mixed-use development incorporating apartments alongside a bar and centre activities including food and drink outlets, indoor sport and recreation, office and retail uses.

Architecturally, Bureau Proberts has conceived the building as a collection of vertically expressed, stepping forms rather than a single uniform tower. The composition rises from an articulated podium before being broken by a triple-height landscaped recreation level, with the upper section becoming more compact before terminating in a landscaped rooftop garden.

The project's name and architectural language draw directly from Newstead's industrial history. Patterned off-form concrete is proposed as the principal façade material, complemented by slender metal rod balustrades and extensive planting. The cylindrical and vertically ribbed elements give the building its silo-like expression, while curved balconies and planted edges introduce a softer subtropical layer.

“The Silo reinterprets its robust forms, scale and materiality through a contemporary subtropical architectural expression, creating a building that acknowledges its industrial legacy, while responding to the way the precinct is occupied today,” Bureau^Proberts said.

The recreation level is one of the defining breaks in the tower. Plans include a lap pool, mature subtropical planting and shared resident facilities within an elevated communal garden. Landscaping continues through the podium and onto the rooftop, where a further garden forms what the architects describe as a “subtropical crown” to the building.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8451036-35a4-49a9-8d88-2ef4438eba3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Silo%20Lane.png?VersionId=h8N31_rYmCEqoNrpt4kbYVQhJGZn60LH" />

At street level, the development has been designed to establish a more permeable block. Retail and hospitality tenancies address the public realm, while landscaped pedestrian spaces lead into the new laneway connection. Renders in the design report show the proposed “Silo Lane” as a substantial opening through the podium, framed by cylindrical concrete forms with cascading planting above.

The Silo continues Graya's move into larger apartment developments after building its reputation across high-end residential projects in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Graya buys Frasers Newstead site, plans The Silo between James Street and Gasworks precincts

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>’s completed Linacre Rise development in Hampton is giving Bayside downsizers the opportunity to move into a spacious apartment near the beach, with the developer covering stamp duty for a limited time.

The 27-residence development has been designed for buyers who want to simplify their living arrangements without giving up the space, warmth and quality associated with a long-term family home. Most apartments have already been secured by Bayside locals, leaving a select collection of two and three-bedroom residences and penthouses available.

Two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.275 million, three-bedroom residences from $2.25 million and penthouses from $3.375 million, with the completed homes available to inspect and move into now.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/linacre-rise-hampton-8-10-linacre-road-hampton-vic-3188">Linacre Rise</a> occupies an elevated position on one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a>’s quiet, tree-lined streets, around 250 metres from the bay and 500 metres from Hampton’s village centre. Its setting gives residents access to the beach, local cafés, shops and Hampton Train Station while retaining the feel of an established residential neighbourhood.

Architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> draw on the warmth and permanence of traditional brickwork, with the building integrated into terraced landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>. Ground-floor apartments are elevated above the street and include private garden courtyards, while several upper-level residences have generous balconies and outlooks toward the bay.

Inside, the residences favour natural materials and generous proportions. Herringbone-pattern European oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, premium joinery and Swiss V-ZUG appliances are among the key inclusions, while integrated storage has been incorporated across kitchens, bathrooms, studies and living areas.

The kitchens have been planned as practical spaces for both everyday use and entertaining, with substantial island benches, detailed cabinetry and adjoining dining and living zones. Full-height wardrobes, plush bedroom carpeting and carefully considered lighting reinforce the residential character Wickton sought to retain for buyers moving from larger homes.

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A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

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The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95289]

Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

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?

For most Australians, buying an apartment is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make

The location, floorplan and price are often the first considerations, but in recent years another question has become increasingly important: who is actually delivering the project?

A series of high-profile builder collapses, construction delays and defect concerns have fundamentally changed how many Victorians approach buying off the plan. The collapse of Porter Davis in 2023, which reportedly left around 1,700 homes unfinished, became one of the most visible examples of the risks that can emerge when a construction company fails. <a href="https://www.equifax.com.au/sites/default/files/lpassets/pdf/Final-Business-Market-Pulse-June-Sector-Deep-Dive-Report-2.pdf">Similar challenges across the broader construction sector</a> have left buyers asking more questions before signing a contract.

As Victoria continues encouraging higher-density housing to address supply shortages, transparency is becoming just as important as location or price.

One tool increasingly entering the conversation is the <a href="https://icirt.com/">Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT)</a>, an independent assessment framework designed to help buyers better understand the developer or builder behind a project. Originally developed by Equifax in consultation with government and industry as part of NSW's Construct NSW reforms, the system has since expanded nationally.

<h2 data-end="1519" data-section-id="7nmx3" data-start="1492">What is an iCIRT rating?</h2>

Most Australians are familiar with independent ratings in everyday life.

We compare ANCAP safety ratings before buying a car. We look at Health Star Ratings in supermarkets. Banks rely on credit assessments when lending money.

Until recently, however, there has been very little independent information available to help apartment buyers assess the business responsible for delivering a residential project.

That gap is what iCIRT was designed to address.

Builders, developers and other construction professionals with an iCIRT rating have demonstrated high-trust characteristics through an independent, evidence-based assessment across six criteria: Character, Capability, Conduct, Capacity, Capital and Counterparties. This involves a rigorous review of financial health, past project track record, and ethical conduct. Crucially, an iCIRT rating could help provide property buyers with confidence that they are working with a professional who has demonstrated the capability, capacity, and willingness to return and rectify issues.

Importantly, iCIRT is not a recommendation to purchase a particular property, nor is it a traditional credit rating. It is an independent assessment framework designed to provide objective information about a construction business using a <a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Methodology-Issue1-May-2021.pdf">published methodology</a>.

The system has been widely adopted in New South Wales, where more than one-third of medium and large residential builders and developers now hold an iCIRT rating, representing over two-thirds of the state's residential building market by value as of 2025/26.

<h2 data-end="3126" data-section-id="h6ohtj" data-start="3084">Why buyers are doing more due diligence</h2>

For many buyers, particularly those purchasing off the plan, the biggest risk isn't whether they'll like the kitchen finishes.

It's whether the project will be delivered on time, to the expected quality, and by a company capable of completing the development.

<a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/iCIRT%202025%20Consumer%20Survey%20Report%20v05.pdf">Consumer research commissioned by iCIRT</a> found more than half of respondents believed current protections do not adequately safeguard buyers from builder insolvencies or defective projects. Other research found 88 per cent of prospective buyers would seek independent ratings or due diligence before purchasing, while 90 per cent said trust in construction professionals is essential.

That doesn't mean buyers should rely on a single rating alone.

Independent legal advice, understanding the contract, and seeking financial advice all remain important parts of the due diligence process.

However, an independent assessment can provide another source of information alongside those traditional checks.

<h2 data-end="4138" data-section-id="pquzxc" data-start="4094">Trust is becoming a competitive advantage</h2>

The conversation isn't only changing for buyers.

Developers are also recognising that trust has become an increasingly important part of the sales process.

Five years ago, purchasers typically asked about floorplans, finishes and settlement dates.

Today, sales teams are increasingly being asked about the developer's experience, financial stability, previous projects and construction partners.

For companies with strong governance and established delivery records, an independent iCIRT rating provides another way to demonstrate those credentials before buyers even visit a display suite.

According to Equifax, the assessment can also help businesses drive sales and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/icirt-rating-helps-scion-secure-high-value-projects">secure high-value projects</a>, as well as identify operational improvements and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/mirvac-reinforces-brand-trust-and-quality-independent-icirt-rating">attract top talent</a>.

<h2 data-end="4962" data-section-id="1j54ng5" data-start="4912">Beyond buyers: lenders are paying attention too</h2>

The influence of independent construction ratings is also extending beyond consumers.

According to Stamford Capital's Real Estate Debt Capital Markets Survey, an increasing number of lenders now incorporate iCIRT ratings into their due diligence processes when assessing residential development finance applications.

The survey found lender adoption has continued to rise, with many respondents saying independent assessments provide additional insight into governance, counterparties and delivery capability beyond traditional financial analysis. Some lenders also reported declining funding applications where businesses had poor or no ratings.

As construction costs remain elevated and access to development finance becomes more selective, demonstrating credibility is becoming increasingly valuable.

<h2 data-end="5801" data-section-id="1qazuxs" data-start="5772">What it means for Victoria</h2>

Victoria's apartment market is entering a new phase.

The state is seeking to accelerate higher-density housing while simultaneously introducing reforms aimed at improving confidence in residential construction.

For buyers, that means there are more tools available than ever before to research the businesses behind a project.

For developers, it signals that transparency is becoming another point of differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

Buyers are asking more questions than ever before and increasingly expecting independent information, not just marketing material, before making one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives.

Find out how to get iCIRT rated <a href="https://www.icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Infographic-Assessment-Process-Final.pdf">here</a>.

<hr data-end="6469" data-start="6466" />
The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal, financial, legal or tax advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice.

This article contains links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. Equifax Australia does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of external sites.

Copyright © 2026 Equifax Australia Information Services and Solutions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Buying off-the-plan in Melbourne? How independent iCIRT ratings are set to change Victorian property

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Given that it is impossible to move beyond the fact that there will be an ever-increasing focus on the social environment, what are some of the key issues that the leaders in this field suggest we need to engage?
Firstly, there is the clear need to appreciate that marketers in every field, and that includes ours, will need stop trying to manage and lead the social conversation. We need to be a participant adding to the value of the conversation.
As social media begins to grow in its relevance for project marketers, we need to understand that with the unprecedented content being generated by people and business, the need for engaging content, relevance and appealing content is now greater than ever.
Social media empowers the consumer
As business continues to play its part in social media, one trend will continue and that’s the empowerment of all consumers. It’s well accepted that consumer reviews are already very powerful, and our challenge is to win and earn the loyalty of our particular markets.
Social media is very appealing to consumers because of the ability to easily share information. If you like to share a yarn it’s a reality that we need to be comfortable with, direct and understand.
As consumers become more and more active in their use of social media, every project we work with will need to make a value call to create a social media platform along with other digital activity, or not. The size of a project and the funds available to produce content will be important, but clearly there is a downside if the job is poorly done.
Focus more on building your email list
I am sure that one area we all have in common is the desire to have more potential buyers subscribe to our communications feed by email.
Studies have shown time and time again that if you want to engage and audience including buyers, they are most likely going to come from your email lists. And I’ve found that to be very true – and your email list is truly the only list you own. It’s yours.
I also suggest that with so many social media options – Twitter, Google+, <a href="https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/improve-facebook-engagement/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/using-pinterest-for-business/">Pinterest</a> and <a href="https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/instagram/">Instagram</a> – that have to be considered, we must still be active in the way email lists are managed and valued.
Which social sites to use
As social media users become increasingly savvy, they will focus their social media time on fewer sites. As project marketers we will need to follow their lead and understand the best options for our projects.
Facebook and Twitter are both well established with consumers, as is LinkedIn with the business community.
Google+, <a href="https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/26-tips-for-using-pinterest-for-business/">Pinterest</a> and other platforms continue to grow and so the reality is that users and marketers will have to decide where to spend time, money and energy. There’s only so much time in a day, and the level of activity is on the increase, and so we need to keep asking what gains attention?
For a majority of projects a solid presence in one or two channels looks to me to be the best option, chasing to many options could be a waste of energy. With the help of consultants we will have to make some choices as to where our social media and digital expenditure will have the maximum impact.
The central role of content marketing
More of our clients and projects will need to realise that unless they embrace content marketing soon, they may well lose traction in their market sector.
We are already seeing businesses racing to make up for lost time on the web. While this may have been a concern for some local retailers, we need to take a close look at our own backyards.
I suggest that some effort needs to go into quality project blogs, eBooks, videos and social media content and that good solid and workable content plans will be the name of the game if we are to reap the full potential of social media options.
Social media advertising
As we need to reach a larger audience and build up an engaged community then planning future budgets that use social advertising may become more common across project marketing.
As we deal with time more targets, with access to so many media options our ability to grow organically is going to be limited and so wider engagement across all media options looks appealing.
Consider the use of podcasts to increase engagement
With more than 1 billion smartphone users and hundred of millions more just waiting to be sold, the consumer demand for quality podcasts is growing, and it is an area that might be worth considering.
It takes me back to another way of storytelling, and now with the power of social media behind us anyone with a (good) story or yarn to tell can broadcast it to a big audience and with planning target the right audience.
Conclusion – at least for now
The results of this will always have the potential of being good and bad. Consumers will continue to be better informed than they ever have been in making a purchase, and this clearly applies to property.
In our market competition will grow fiercer and in order to meet the expectations and experiences of today’s ‘connected consumer’ we need to make sure we are ahead of the curve.
In the immediate future more industries will get serious about social media as they go about building their digital portfolios. We will all need to provide proof of how social media marketing as a whole is benefiting clients through the use of various analytics programs.
With the spread of digital marketing it is easy to expect to see an increase the use of social media and related content marketing. When we look at Project Marketing budgets, this may be at the expense of other forms of advertising to attract prospects, generate leads and sales.
Well-managed content marketing can be a very cost-effective media, but to do this it will be necessary to tick of all of the key topics we have been discussing and to continue to explore the options.
If you’re keen to do some more personal research have a look at <a href="https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/" target="_blank">socialmediaexaminer.com</a>. It’s a source I use, but as always keep in mind the particular needs of our industry.
With professional help and market awareness, we must continue to take a more integrated approach with social media becoming an extension of key channel strategies and marketing functions, while we meet the needs and expectations of our clients and customers.
Peter Chittenden is managing director for residential of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.colliers.com.au/Colliers%20Corporate/Residential.aspx">Colliers International.</a>
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pchittenden-eLqUUC8TWW

How to use social media to market your residential development

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Mortgage holders' dissatisfaction with the major banks is likely to grow if the majors continue their policy of not passing on rate cuts in full, or if they raise them independently of any future RBA cash rate changes. By contrast, the satisfaction of non-home loan customers is not affected by banks' reactions to RBA rate decisions.
New banking customer satisfaction figures compiled by researchers Roy Morgan found that while consumers’ satisfaction with the big four banks remained unchanged at 78.4% as of December 2012 – the highest it has been for figures going back to 1996 – satisfaction among home loan consumers sits well below that at 72.9%.
Westpac has the biggest customer satisfaction divide between its home loan and non-home loan customers, of 7.9 percentage points.
According to Roy Morgan, over the past 12 months, satisfaction among customers with home loans has fallen further behind other customers despite five interest rate drops.
Following the last RBA cash rate cut in December of 25 basis points, all the major banks passed on 20 basis points.
At least one more rate cut is expected in 2013, according to the most recent <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bloomberg survey of 28 economists.</a>
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2013/02/roymorganfeb5.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/02/roymorganfeb5thumb.gif"></a>
On an overall basis NAB has the highest customer satisfaction rating of 79.8%, followed by the Commonwealth Bank (79.7%), then Westpac (76.8%) and ANZ (76%).
These figures are still well behind the new mutual banks, with a satisfaction rating of 91.6%. This sector is made up of ME Bank, Heritage Bank, MECU Limited, QT Mutual Bank, Teachers Mutual Bank and Victoria Teachers. Building societies have a satisfaction rating of 90.2%, and credit unions 89%.
“The extensive publicity being given in 2012 to banks not passing on the full reduction in the cash rate is likely to have impacted adversely on home loan customers, as the gap in satisfaction at the start of the year was much less,” says Norman Morris, industry communications director at Roy Morgan Research,
“A reduction in the loan rate would normally be expected to be seen as a positive by borrowers unless it is perceived to be less that it should. “The increase in non-home loan customer satisfaction over the year is somewhat surprising as this group is more likely to have suffered interest rate declines on their deposits."
The trend to online banking and associated special deposit rates and less reliance on branches are likely some of the factors contributing to the improvement in satisfaction. “Despite the somewhat negative ratings that home loan customers are giving their banks, they still rate well above the ratings the business customers give them.
“The home loan customers of the big four banks have a satisfaction rating of 72.9% compared to only 64.3% for their business customers. With over 2 million business customers this is likely to be impacting adversely on their personal ratings of their banks,” he says.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Big banks risk more unhappy customers by not passing on rate cuts in full: Roy Morgan

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AFG mortgage brokers wrote $2.2 billion worth of mortgages in January, the highest cumulative value on record for the group for the first month of the calendar year.

This was 24% higher than mortgages written by AFG in January 2012 of $1.82 billion - despite natural disasters in Queensland and NSW last month. 
Driving demand were strong levels of activity in WA and NSW. 
In WA mortgage volumes were somewhat higher than for NSW ($583 million compared with $569 million) with a variety of buyer types including first home buyers, upgraders and investors. 
AFG says NSW would have been even stronger except for the slump in first-home buyer demand by about two thirds since the withdrawal of first home buyer grants for established properties last September. 
“Borrowers seem to be responding to the combination of a more positive, global economic outlook, lower rates and enhanced affordability,” says Mark Hewitt, general manager of sales and operations at AFG.
 “These figures build on other statistics published recently showing an uplift in activity in property markets. But we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that first home buyer activity in Queensland and NSW is only one third of the long term AFG average of around 15% of all home loans processed," he says.  Fixed rate loans fell to their lowest level since August 2011, comprising 16.3% of all new home loans with standard variable mortgages the most popular comprising two-thirds of loans arranged over January. 
Non major lenders (regional banks and non-bank lenders) managed to claw back some of the gains majors made last month, especially among first-home buyers, where they have 24.8% of this market. 
AFG bills itself as Australia's largest mortgage broker, writing one in 10 home loans in Australia through its broker members.
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AFG reports record January figures with $2.2 billion of mortgages approved

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The number of Sydney residential properties listed for sale in January fell by 6% following a 21.7% fall in December and are now at their lowest level since April 2010, according to figures compiled by SQM Research. 
In total there are 23,467 Sydney properties listed for sale compared with 31,863 two months ago with listings down 13.1% over the past 12 months. 
SQM Research director Louis Christopher says seasonality has an impact on January figures – he expects a rise in listings in February as the market gets into full swing – but says year-on-year figures show the market is still down. 
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/02/sqmfeb4.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2013/02/sqmfeb4thumb.gif"></a>
Notwithstanding the impact of seasonality, Christopher says the fall in Sydney listings in January is both noteworthy and surprising; SQM had been expecting a bounce in listings in the first month of the year. 
“We are saying the market bottomed out in the December quarter,” Christopher tells Property Observer.
SQM recorded a 1.9% fall nationally over January with 335,429 properties listed for sale compared with 341,784 in December. Listing are down 2.9% on a year ago when there were 345,296 listings.
All capital city residential listings declined over January with Melbourne listings down 2.5%. 
However, Melbourne is the only market where stock on market is up compared to a year ago. 
There are 40,807 properties listed for sale in Melbourne compared with 40,076 a year ago. 
Christopher says people should not read too much into the Melbourne decline in January. 
“There is still an elevated amount of stock on market. Signs are more promising, but a lot of stock needs to be absorbed, for there to be price pressure,” says Christopher.
Year-on-year, Darwin residential listings have fallen by 15% to just over 1,000 properties for sale, with strong annual declines also recorded for Adelaide (7.1%) 
Both Hobart and Adelaide recorded 4.2% falls over January, but Christopher says he is not expecting any major recovery in these markets. 
“There is elevated stock on market that must be absorbed in Hobart and Adelaide,” says Christopher. 
“The bottom may be coming in but overall they are depressed,”
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Sydney property listings fall by 'surprising' 6% in January to lowest level since April 2010: SQM

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Tomorrow the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy committee meets for the first time in 2013 to decide whether to adjust the cash rate. 
The majority of economists expect the cash rate to remain on hold – 24 out of 28 economists <a href="/news">polled by Bloomberg</a> last week said so on the back of house prices rising in January and unemployment still low.
The cash rate stands at 3%, with the lowest advertised variable rate on offer being 4.99% from lender Easy Street, owned and operated by Sydney-based Community First Credit Union.
For borrowers intent on refinancing with a major bank brand, UBank, the online offering of NAB, has a refinancing variable rate of 5.12%.
Non-bank lender homeloanHQ, with loans underwritten by a major bank, is offering three-year fixed fixed-rate home loan at 4.99%.
These are the lowest advertised mortgage rates based on listings by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ratecity.com.au/">ratecity.com.au</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://mozo.com.au/">Mozo.com.au</a>,  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.infochoice.com.au/">infochoice.com.au</a> and <a href="https://www.homeloanfinder.com.au/">homeloanfinder.com.au</a> as of February 4:
Where the headline rate is the same, the lender with the lowest comparison rate gets preference.
Lowest variable rate offerings:
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="134">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="124">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="134">
Easy Street
</td>
<td valign="top" width="124">
Honeymoon Home Loan Special
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
5.77%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="134">
Loans.com.au
</td>
<td valign="top" width="124">
Blackboard Special
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
5.09%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
5.11%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="134">
UBank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="124">
UHomeLoan - refinance variable loan with a special upfront discount of 0.25%p.a.
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
5.12%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
5.12%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Lowest one-year fixed-rate offerings
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
ME Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Member Package SMHL Standard Home Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.62%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
Resi
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Flexi Fix Plus 75
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.90%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
Newcastle Permanent
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Residential Fixed One year
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.95%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Lowest three-year fixed-rate offerings
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="131">
homeloanHQ
</td>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Rate Lock Home Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="111">
5.53%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="131">
eMoney
</td>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Pro Pack 75 – 3 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
5.00%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="111">
5.67%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Resi
</td>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Flexi Fix Plus 75
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
5.12%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="111">
5.81%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
*A comparison rate includes both the interest rate and the fees and charges relating to a loan, combined into a single percentage figure.
For information on refinancing, watch our free webinar <a href="/news">The Do's and Don’ts of Refinancing Your Existing Home Loan ... and How to Avoid Unnecessary Hurdles</a>.
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February RBA interest rate decision: A guide to the lowest rate home loan offerings as of February 4

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The number of dwellings approved for construction fell 4.4% in December in seasonally adjusted terms, following a rise of 3.4% in the previous month.
Over the calendar year, dwelling approvals are up 9.3% with units up 31.7% but houses down 3.8%.
Westpac says the fall in December building approvals provided a weaker than expected finish to 2012 with market expectations of a 1% gain in December and Westpac's forecasting a 1% decline.
Approvals for private sector houses fell 3.3% in December while unit approvals fell 5.4%.
The fall in private sector house approvals was led by Victoria (-12.7%) and Western Australia (-2.2%), but approvals rose in South Australia (9%), Queensland (5.2%) and New South Wales (1.2%).
South Australia, Queensland and NSW all have state incentives favouring first-home buying buying or building a new home or apartment.
Westpac says the sharp drop in private sector house approvals concentrated in Victoria, suggests the December figures should be treated with some caution.
"The significance of the weak December approvals reading hinges on how the Victoria numbers are interpreted. 
"On the one hand there may have been a significant policy-induced 'hole' in approvals in the month.
"The Victoria state government changed its incentives for first-home buyers in 2012 from a grant of up to $13,000 to significant stamp duty concessions (both only available on properties up to $600,000).
"The gap may have encouraged many to delay building, particularly late in the year. 
"However, this explanation doesn't quite hold together - state figures on housing finance approvals suggest FHB activity held up in Victoria late last year, despite the transition.
Other indicators – consumer sentiment towards housing and house price expectations – did fall away in Vic compared to other states. 
"Adding to the puzzle is the tendency for upward revisions to approvals estimates due to late arriving data - this may be more of a factor around the Dec-Jan period.
"However, the transition period was not smooth with the grant phasing out at the end of June and stamp duty concessions coming into effect in January.
"The gap may have encouraged many to delay building, particularly late in the year," says Westpac.
Across both house and units, dwelling approvals decreased in December in Tasmania (-21.8%), Victoria (-12.3%) and New South Wales (-1.3%) but increased Queensland (7.9%), South Australia (1.7%) and Western Australia (1.3%) in seasonally adjusted terms.
The value of total building approved fell 1.9% in December, in seasonally adjusted terms, and has fallen for three months.
The value of residential building fell 3% while non-residential building rose 0.1%
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Building approvals fall 4.4% in December, up 9.3% for 2012: ABS

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Some experts are saying that inflation is not an issue at present, meaning that rates can stay lower for longer. The financial markets are saying there is a 36% chance of a rate cut in February. This could mean we sit on the 3% cash rate for some time. There are some who believe we can go lower and now is the time to do so. 


Interest rates have more room to move, and we can get the economy going sooner rather than later with a rate cut early in the year.



Seeing that the December interest rate cut had little impact that was hoped for by the RBA and industry alike, a February or March cut of 0.25 percentage points is in my view required to generate the desired impact.



Cut the rate now by 0.25 percentage points to  keep the momentum required to stimulate activity to stabilise the economy.



Since 1990, when the cash rate was just 3% and the average standard variable mortgage had a rate of 5.8%, I believe there is plenty of room to move in terms of interest yet and that the economy is fairly stable overall, with reasonably low unemployment, a sturdy mineral sector and strong neighbouring economies such as China.



I think that a little slowing in retail spending does not necessarily spell gloom. However, a 0.25-percentage-point cut now would have had more of a result that the RBA is looking for. I see it as possible that we could be seeing an interest rate as low as 2.5% by the end of the year.
 Robert Projeski is the founder and managing director of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amo.com.au">Australian Mortgage Options</a>, winner of over 12 industry awards. He is considered a leading property finance expert in Australia. 
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RBA should cut rates tomorrow to get the economy going

<html><body>Australian Property Monitors (APM) has released a list of results from just 27 auctions in Sydney for the weekend of February 2. The clearance rate was 73.3%. <a href="https://www.homepriceguide.com.au/saturday_auction_results/Sydney.pdf" target="_blank"> Click here</a> for the auction results, and click on each street address to see the property's marketing.</body></html>

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APM's Sydney auction results from just 27 auctions

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This election year I would like to see banking competition finally addressed. Lending is too heavily concentrated in the hands of the four majors, which are 'too big to fail', with profits and pay packets underwritten by taxpayers at the expense of choice. 
Last year the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrived at two key conclusions: that Australia has one of the most concentrated banking systems in the world, giving us a banking 'oligopoly' (or four monopolies). Second, that this oligopoly is a raw deal for the taxpayers who back it. 
I've consistently questioned the idea that we are better off being serviced by four mega banks that can never be allowed to fail than a higher number of mid-sized banks that don't suffer from the "heads we win, tails taxpayers lose" mentality. 
The majors are now among the 20 largest banks on earth. This means CBA, with a market capitalisation of $100 billion, is now bigger than McDonald's and American Express. 
While bank funding costs have plummeted over the last six months, the majors did not fully pass on the RBA's last two rate cuts to borrowers. 
If you had an online bank deposit or standard savings account your rates were slashed by as much, if not more, than the RBA's cuts. That's called margin expansion. 
The IMF found that the majors benefit from implicit taxpayer insurance whereby they can raise money more cheaply than smaller competitors because investors assume the government will be there to bail them out if they get into strife.
 The IMF argued the majors should hold extra capital (or reduced leverage) to lower the risk that reckless lending results in taxpayer guarantees coming back into play. 
In thinking about Australia's banking competition crisis, I believe the global "regulator of bank regulators", the Basel Committee, has come across a solution. 
To meet their cash needs during a funding crisis, the Basel Committee recommends that all banks hold more high-quality assets that can be pledged or sold in exchange for money. 
These include government bonds and AAA-rated "asset-backed" bonds. Most asset-backed bonds are simply portfolios made up of billions of dollars of our home loans. 
Smaller players like Bank of Queensland sell asset-backed bonds to raise new money to compete with the majors. The attraction is that the price of the bond is generally the same for everybody and depends primarily on the quality of the loans. 
If all banks are allowed to hold these bonds as part of a liquid assets portfolio, demand and activity for them will increase. This will improve the cost and accessibility of this funding source. 
I hope local regulators embrace these recommendations. They have instead championed the principle that banks should borrow directly from taxpayers when they need cash. This strikes me as odd: taxpayer bailouts should be our last line of defence. It is also surprising because the assets that secure taxpayer loans are the same ones used in asset-backed bonds! 
What do you think?<a href="https://twitter.com/markbouris" target="_blank"> Talk to me on Twitter</a> 
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ybr.com.au/">Yellow Brick Road</a>, a financial services company offering home loans, financial planning, accounting and tax, and insurance.
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Oligopoly of the big four banks a raw deal for taxpayers: Mark Bouris

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It's no doubt hard work for real estate writers trying to think of something different to say several times per week. Last Thursday, Terry Ryder vented his spleen – again – about "lies and propaganda" from "vested interests" writing about property (vested interests being an unusual subject for an article signed off: Terry Ryder, founder of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a>). 
The other day he was fuming about talk of a property bubble, and the day before that the lies about housing shortages and then it was something else or other, can't remember what.
Last week it was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/so-called-inner-city-hotspots-some-of-the-wackiest-2013-opening-claims-in-australian-real-estate-terry-ryder/2013013059045?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=upperright">me in the firing line</a> after quoting an article about Sydney's middle sector of the market being "the only sector" of the property market to be at all-time highs – see last Friday's further article in Sydney Morning Herald and another one in Property Observer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/resilient-sydney-house-and-unit-prices-reach-record-highs-in-2012-apm/2013013059047?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news">here</a>.
Ryder notes that among other regional areas, Karratha, Dubbo, Mudgee and Whyalla have recently shown growth.
Look, fair enough – if you want to get bogged down in semantics, I'll admit I do not consider the town of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Mudgee </a>(population 10,000) to be a "sector" of the property market; I suppose you could feasibly term it a sub-sector, though. Truth be told, I couldn't even tell you exactly what prices have done in Mudgee, though some pretty good growth in 2012 springs to mind (just looked it up, and it recorded 9% growth).
I'm probably one of the very few people to have actually travelled to all of the listed places in the last couple of years, and all I say is, if you're comfortable in these days of elevated household leverage investing in small towns and remote regional markets, then, truly, go for it. I wouldn't be. Having seen some the regional market bloodbaths in some overseas markets, I'm happy enough sticking with the boring capital cities approach.
APM reported last week that apartments in Sydney increased in median price by 5.6% last year, though obviously some sub-sectors of the market performed significantly better than others. Other capital cities such as Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra were weak in 2012. Prices of some quality properties in key suburbs of the inner-west of Sydney have grown by around a solid 25-35% over the past four  years or so. Again, I'm not talking about prices doubling overnight, just strong, steady growth.  As anyone with even half a brain who invests in capital cities knows, it is preferable to aim to invest in the cities that have not experienced a recent boom, which is precisely why I picked out Sydney at that time ahead of other cities which had already shown strong growth. So yes, since its spurt through to quarter one, 2004 price growth in Sydney has been lower than elsewhere, that's a given – but prices therefore haven't fallen from peaks in the same way as in other capital cities (hence "resilient") and I expect RP Data to report that strong growth has continued in Australia's largest capital through to January. If you want to take the approach of carefully selecting time-frames for capital growth (or for that matter, individual suburbs like <a target="_parent" href="/news">Canterbury</a>), then pick any regional market you like from around Australia and note that prices are as cheap as chips as compared to quality city suburbs – that's due to poor long-term growth.  Almost as pointless an argument.
Personally, I invest in large and capital cities for the long term - the reasons for which I explained <a target="_blank" href="https://propertyupdate.com.au/three-reasons-for-property-investors-to-stick-with-the-city/">here</a> with not much value in me reproducing – if you want to 'hotspot' (if that isn't unacceptable verbing of my adjectives) in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Mount Isa</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Wagga Wagga</a>, the Pilbara or near wind farms off the coast of Tasmania, then, sincerely, best of luck to you.
The old regions versus capital cities debate has been well and truly done to death – you just have to take your viewpoint and go with it. I think the old phrase is: "let's agree to disagree".
Remember that property is best treated as a long-term investment, and long-term price growth ultimately has to be sourced from real and sustained wages growth. And also remember the concept of risk versus return. Let's just see wait and see what happens to regional markets in Australia the next time the economy shrinks.
Pete Wargent holds a range of finance and property qualifications and is the author of <a target="_blank" href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/">Get a Financial Grip – a simple plan for financial fr</a><a target="_blank" href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/">eedom.</a>
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