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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374394]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374399]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152069]

Joel Robinson

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366760]

<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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366769]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366762]

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

Luxury apartment buyers have long prioritised design, space and finishes, but increasingly they're placing equal importance on something less tangible: how easily they can live without relying on a car.

At <a>Richmond Square</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> believes that convenience begins beyond the apartment itself, with the mixed-use precinct earning a near-perfect Walk Score of 99.

The development has been planned around the idea that some of the most valuable amenities aren't contained within a building, they're the restaurants, cafés, parks, transport connections and daily conveniences that can all be reached on foot.

Located just behind Swan Street and Church Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/richmond-square-1-wiltshire-street-richmond-vic-3121">Richmond Square</a> places residents within one of Melbo​u​rne's most established lifestyle precincts while offering a quieter residential setting removed from the busiest thoroughfares. East Richmond Station is moments away, trams run along both Swan and Church Streets, and the MCG, Melb​​ourne Park, Yarra River trails and the CBD are all within walking distance. At the same time, the precinct itself will introduce a curated mix of dining, retail, hospitality and wellness offerings, creating a destination that extends well beyond its residential buildings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348530]

For Fortis, that combination of location and scale was what made the site unique.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a> is one of Melb​o​urne's most established and distinctive inner-city neighbourhoods, with a rare combination of dining, culture, recreation, public transport and proximity to the CBD," the developer said.

"The opportunity at Wiltshire Street was particularly compelling because the site sits slightly removed from the activity of Swan and Church Streets while remaining only moments from everything that makes the area desirable."

Rather than developing a standalone apartment building, Fortis consolidated 15 individual properties to create one of the larger development parcels assembled on Mel​b​ourne's city fringe in recent years. That allowed the team to deliver a genuine mixed-use precinct comprising 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, premium office space, hospitality venues, retail, wellness offerings and a future 57-room hotel.

"The scale of the site allowed Fortis to think beyond a standalone apartment building," the developer said.

"Richmond Square could be planned as a complete lifestyle precinct, bringing homes, workplaces, dining, retail, hospitality and wellness together around a series of activated public spaces. The aim was to create a destination that feels connected to Richmond rather than separate from it."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348533]

The emphasis on walkability has also resonated with buyers.

Interest has been strongest from established owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers from Richmond and Melb​ourne's inner east who want to remain close to familiar restaurants, workplaces, family and social networks while moving into a more secure, lower-maintenance home. The project is also attracting Mornington Peninsula and interstate buyers seeking a Melb​ourne residence they can lock up and leave between visits.

Many are looking for generous living spaces, room to entertain, quality finishes and confidence in the project team, but location remains one of the biggest deciding factors.

"For many buyers, Richmond Square provides a way to simplify the practical side of home ownership without reducing the quality of their lifestyle," the sales team said.

"Location is also a major driver of interest. Buyers can remain connected to the CBD, major sporting events, the arts centres, local restaurants, cafes and bars and their family while living in a private and secure residence that is easy to lock up and leave for weekends or longer periods away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348549]

The residences themselves have been designed with that buyer in mind. Award-winning architecture practice SJB and interior designers Hecker Guthrie have created spacious two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that prioritise generous living areas, natural light, bespoke joinery and private terraces. Above, a rooftop sanctuary by Acre includes landscaped lawns, bookable dining rooms, barbecue facilities, wellness spaces and panoramic views across the CBD, the MCG and Port Phillip Bay.

Fortis believes Richmond Square reflects a broader evolution in apartment living, where the surrounding neighbourhood becomes just as important as the residence itself.

"Richmond Square introduces a different proposition: generously proportioned residences within a genuinely mixed-use, hospitality-led destination," the developer said.

"The project's location and Walk Score of 99 further support a lifestyle where residents can complete many everyday journeys without relying on a car."

Fortis has assembled an experienced team that includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/hecker-guthrie">Hecker Guthrie</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a> and builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hacer-group">Hacer Group</a>, reflecting the developer's commitment to creating projects with enduring design quality and meaningful connections to the communities in which they sit.&nbsp;

Richmond Square is an expression of that philosophy, bringing together homes, workplaces, hospitality and wellness within one of Me​lb​ourne's most walkable neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

Construction is now almost complete, providing purchasers with growing confidence ahead of its expected September 2026 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13181]

Walk Score of 99 places Richmond Square at the heart of Melbourne's most connected lifestyle

<h3 data-end="19" data-section-id="1dvgwoe" data-start="0">Summary</h3>

<ul data-end="634" data-start="21">
	<li data-end="170" data-section-id="1o77v31" data-start="21">Walker Corporation has lodged plans for a second major residential development in the Maroochydore City Centre, a 29-storey tower known as Celeste.</li>
	<li data-end="327" data-section-id="1lb0y6t" data-start="171">The Plus Studio-designed proposal at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade would deliver 208 apartments, including four four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.</li>
	<li data-end="487" data-section-id="za720" data-start="328">The application comes as Walker doubles down on Maroochydore following the strong sales campaign at SOL by Walker, where the first tower is nearing sell-out.</li>
	<li data-end="634" data-section-id="5sovec" data-start="488">Walker is a key partner in the transformation of the Maroochydore City Centre, which is expected to ultimately deliver at least 4,000 new homes.</li>
</ul>

Walker Corporation is doubling down on Maroochydore following the successful sales campaign at its first residential project in the emerging CBD.

The national developer has filed plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celeste-30-sunshine-coast-parade-maroochydore-qld-4558">Celeste</a>, a new 29-storey apartment tower at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade, just metres from its under-construction SOL by Walker development.

The plans, prepared by Plus Studio, would see 208 apartments delivered across a 100-metre tower on the 2,376 sqm site, which fronts Sunshine Coast Parade, First Avenue and Future Way within the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.

<img alt="Walker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17038209-6fea-4ed2-855d-fd4df65b3d02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=iZD.oVXcQn.aLpUytDAW.CWjxP4puWMy" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 36 one-bedroom apartments, 48 two-bedroom apartments, 72 two-bedroom apartments with an additional multipurpose space, and 48 three-bedroom apartments.

The upper levels would be capped by two four-bedroom sub-penthouses and two four-bedroom penthouses, taking the total apartment count to 208. The preliminary yield study also provides 262 car spaces, 114 resident bicycle spaces and storage for each apartment.

It represents Walker's next major residential move in the new Maroochydore CBD after the success of SOL by Walker, its $220 million two-tower project nearby.

SOL launched to market in early 2025 and has since seen strong demand, particularly from local owner-occupiers. By February this year, Walker said the first SOL tower was nearing sell-out, with a strong waitlist also emerging for its recently released penthouse collection.

Construction is already underway on SOL, with the first tower expected to be completed in late 2027 and the second to follow in early 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=319846]

<h2 data-end="2518" data-section-id="1b2dyo5" data-start="2459">Celeste to rise 100 metres over Maroochydore City Centre</h2>

Celeste would take a different form to the twin 19-storey buildings at SOL.

Plus Studio has designed a single 100-metre tower above an activated podium, with the architecture responding to the site's prominent position and three street frontages.

The podium would incorporate commercial tenancies and public art, with sweeping façade elements wrapping the street edges. The scalloped concrete podium has been inspired by the patterns created in sand at low tide, while extensive landscaping would continue vertically through the tower.

The ground level plans show three commercial tenancies addressing Sunshine Coast Parade alongside the residential lobby and landscaped public realm. The podium would then accommodate several levels of car parking before the residential tower rises above.

<img alt="Celeste" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="121f77b1-71c5-46d7-9b36-0a7d474211ca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=MGrg9Hb7HgzLN0Lelq_xrXNAruVl77ia" />

Plus Studio said the tower had been designed to maximise views from each apartment, taking in the Maroochy River, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Cotton Tree and Maroochydore Beach and ocean.

Those views have also shaped one of the project's key features, with Walker proposing to put the primary resident amenity on Level 29 rather than lower within the building.

The rooftop would feature a 284.9 sqm pool area with an infinity edge, along with a cold pool, spa, sauna, 93.2 sqm gym, sunset lounge, BBQ and dining areas, pool deck and private dining space. Cabanas and day beds are also shown across the recreation level.

The two penthouses would extend across the upper levels and each feature private terraces and plunge pools.

<h2 data-end="4202" data-section-id="v5f4ix" data-start="4160">Walker's growing Maroochydore footprint</h2>

Celeste further reinforces Walker's commitment to the transformation of Maroochydore City Centre.

Walker is one of the key partners delivering the new CBD alongside Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral Maroochydore, with the broader 62-hectare Priority Development Area occupying the former Horton Park Golf Course and surrounding land.

The precinct is ultimately expected to accommodate at least 4,000 new homes as Maroochydore evolves into the Sunshine Coast's principal commercial and residential centre.

When SOL secured approval in February 2025, Walker Managing Director and CEO David Gallant described it as the "first of many residential projects" the company planned for the Maroochydore City Centre.

Celeste now provides the clearest indication yet of what comes next.

The site sits immediately within the new CBD, with the design report identifying Sunshine Plaza and surrounding parkland within walking distance and Maroochydore Beach around a five-minute drive away.

For Walker, the timing of the application comes as its first residential bet on the new CBD appears to have been vindicated.

SOL has progressed from planning approval to construction while its first release has approached sell-out, giving Walker confidence to push ahead with another 208 apartments and take its residential pipeline in the Maroochydore City Centre to around 450 dwellings across the two projects.

Celeste remains subject to planning approval, with the architectural material describing the scheme as a preliminary yield study that may change through the assessment process.

Walker doubles down on Maroochydore with 29-storey Celeste apartment tower

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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RBA governor Glenn Stevens has released a statement today regarding today's RBA decision to leave the official cash rate on hold at 3.5%. 
"At its meeting today, the board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 3.5%," Stevens says.
"Having picked up in the early months of 2012, growth in the world economy has since softened. Current assessments are that global GDP will grow at no more than average pace in 2012, with risks to the outlook still on the downside. Economic activity in Europe is contracting, while growth in the United States is only modest. Growth in China remained reasonably robust in the first half of this year, albeit well below the exceptional pace seen in recent years. Some recent indicators have been weaker, which has added to uncertainty about near-term growth. Around Asia generally, growth is being dampened by the more moderate Chinese expansion and the weakness in Europe.
"Markets for key natural resources are adjusting accordingly. Some commodity prices of importance to Australia have fallen sharply in recent weeks. The terms of trade peaked a year ago and have declined significantly since then, though they remain historically high," Stevens says.
"Financial markets have responded positively over the past couple of months to signs of progress in addressing Europe's financial problems, but expectations for further progress are high. Low appetite for risk has seen long-term interest rates faced by highly rated sovereigns, including Australia, remain at exceptionally low levels. Nonetheless, capital markets remain open to corporations and well-rated banks, and Australian banks have had no difficulty accessing funding, including on an unsecured basis. Share markets have generally risen over the past couple of months, on very light volumes.
"In Australia, most indicators available for this meeting suggest growth has been running close to trend, led by very large increases in capital spending in the resources sector. Consumption growth was also quite firm in the first half of the year, though some of that strength was temporary. Labour market data have shown moderate employment growth, even with job shedding in some industries, and the rate of unemployment has thus far remained low.
"Inflation remains low, with underlying measures near 2% over the year to June, and headline CPI inflation lower than that. The introduction of the carbon price is starting to affect consumer prices in the current quarter, and this will continue over the next couple of quarters. The bank's assessment is that inflation will be consistent with the target over the next one to two years. Maintaining low inflation will, however, require growth in domestic costs to remain contained as the effects of the earlier exchange rate appreciation wane.
"As a result of the sequence of earlier decisions, interest rates for borrowers are a little below their medium-term averages. The impact of those changes is still working its way through the economy, but dwelling prices have firmed a little and business credit has picked up this year. The exchange rate has declined over the past month or two, though it has remained higher than might have been expected, given the observed decline in export prices and the weaker global outlook.
"At today's meeting, the board judged that, with inflation expected to be consistent with the target and growth close to trend, but with a more subdued international outlook than was the case a few months ago, the stance of monetary policy remained appropriate," Stevens wrote.
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Dwelling prices have firmed a little: RBA governor's September 2012 meeting statement

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The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the official cash rate on hold at 3.5% today at its September meeting saying, as a result of the sequence of earlier decisions, interest rates for borrowers are a little below their medium-term averages.
Its the third consecutive meeting with no adjustment.
"The impact of those changes is still working its way through the economy, but dwelling prices have firmed a little," the bank said.
The last time the RBA adjusted its cash rate setting was in June, when it reduced the cash rate by 25 basis points from 3.75% to 3.5%.
In mid-August NAB changed its outlook on interest rates and is now the second lender forecasting interest rates to rise by mid-2013.
Before today's meeting, Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said "additional interest rate relief will be required to ensure robust growth of the Australian economy during 2013".
Tim Lawless, the RP Data national research director said from a housing market perspective, the RBA’s decision to keep rates on hold comes as no real surprise.
Based on the RP Data-Rismark Home Value Index we have now seen capital city property values remain in the black over three consecutive months with a 1% increase over June, 0.6% in July and no change in August.
"The improved market conditions over winter are a decent indication that conditions across the Australian housing market, at least from a macro perspective, is starting to stabilise. 
"While a further rate cut would be a welcome development from the industry, the RBA would be conscious of not overstimulating the housing market, in fact, stable home values are probably exactly what they are hoping for with the current interest rate setting.
"We may start to see the current interest rate setting start to flow through to other areas of the housing sector; dwelling approvals remain very low and we are yet to see a sustained improvement in transaction numbers despite the improvement to housing affordability," Mr Lawless said.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

RBA keeps interest rates on hold in September

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Housing affordability has notched up its fourth consecutive quarterly improvement, according to the latest Adelaide Bank/REIA housing affordability index.
The June quarter improvement came as the proportion of income required to meet loan repayments decreased 0.8 percentage points to 31.9%.
The ACT remained the most affordable state/territory to buy a house, with the proportion of income required to meet loan repayments in ACT at 17.2%, given higher than average salaries.
New South Wales remained the least affordable, with the proportion of income required sitting at 37.4%.
“Compared to the 2011 June quarter, all states and territories recorded improvements in housing affordability,” says real estate institute of Australia president Pamela Bennett.
Median house prices increased 1.4% over the June quarter, with Darwin recording a 10.7% increase from last year.
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Housing affordability improves for four consecutive quarters: REIA

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I keep reading about our “affordability crisis” and wonder whether I’ve teleported into a parallel universe. 
The one I live in doesn’t have a crisis in affordability. The latest data suggests that affordability is at its most attractive level in 10 years. A combination of lower prices, cheaper loans and higher incomes has put homes without reach of more people. 
Various sources, including the RBA, keep telling us the relativity between prices and household incomes has changed very little in the past 10 years – some say in the last 20 years. 
Rather than an affordability crisis, we have an analysis crisis. The information channels are cluttered up with individuals and organisations running political campaigns or pushing vested interests, aware that the claim of a “crisis” will always gain an easy passage through to publication. 
For some, the existence of a crisis is a given. They bypass consideration of whether this is real or unreal and proceed directly to finding solutions. 
If you set out with a mission based on a fallacy, there’s a good chance the solutions you come up with be equally erroneous. 
And so it is with the possibly well-intentioned but seriously misguided souls who devote much of their energy to solving a non-existent problem. 
The “solutions” offered by Australians for Affordable Housing and others are all measures that would create of new raft of problems without solving any of the existing ones. 
These include eliminating government grants to first-home buyers and so-called “tax breaks” to property investors. 
The first assumes government leg-ups to first-time buyers inflate prices, while the other is based on the assumption that investors are responsible for prices rising. 
Both are furphies, unsupported by any research evidence. (There are other fictional causes of rising prices, like the mythical shortage of new homes). 
The reality is that prices tend to rise when buyers are competing to secure property. The biggest force in real estate in that regard is the one group that never gets mentioned in the debate about why prices rise: home buyers other than first-home buyers. 
First-home buyers are not a major force in pushing prices. They’re a small part of the overall market. Even at their peak – in 2009, when low prices and very low interest rates inspired many to get into the market – first-time buyers comprised only a quarter of the market. 
Ditto property investors, which are generally a minority element in property markets. But they’re a popular choice as culprits, given that only “greedy” people seek to buy property beyond the family home. Some reports have added extra emotion to the furphy by calling investors “speculators”, which most investors are not. 
Investors, like first-home buyers, are a market minority. The other thing these two categories have in common is this: they’re the least likely to pay an over-the-top price. Investors don’t come at real estate emotionally, the way home buyers do, and they don’t have a strong motivation to get property at the lowest possible price. If you can’t get it at a price that stacks up, you move on. 
First-home buyers bring emotion to the table but not capacity. They are constrained by financial reality in terms of how much they can pay. 
The one buyer category with the financial capacity, motivation and collective force to influence prices are home buyers other than first-home buyers – i.e. trade-up buyers. 
At any point in time, they comprise the bulk of the market. They don’t receive government grants and they don’t get any tax benefits. But, when they’re out in force, the competition they create generates price growth. 
So eliminating negative gearing won’t make homes cheaper. Nor will cutting grants to first-home buyers. Both will create new problems (like pushing up residential rents) without fixing the existing one, assuming you believe the problem exists. 
The huge weakness in the argument of those who perceive a crisis is that they want to hurt the majority to help a very small minority. 
Around 70% of households are owners. Of the remainder, some are renters by choice. Others are renters who want to become owners and one day will be successful. There remains a small section who aspire to be home owners but will never be able to achieve it (the reasons for which are many and varied). 
Some campaigners would like to see measures to erode property values to assist this group, something that will never happen because no politician will facilitate the deflation of what is the biggest asset of most households and the basis of their financial future. 
It would simply be against the national interest to do so. 
The people who see a “crisis” need to get back to the drawing board. But, please, do some research first, rather than wasting everyone’s time by bringing emotionally charged furphies to the national debate.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

There is no Australian housing affordability crisis: Terry Ryder 

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Some 72% of Generation Y property buyers are willing to consider purchasing with a friend or family member to enter the property market, a survey by realestate.com.au has revealed.
The survey showed younger buyers were more open to the idea of "co-buying" than older buyers.
According to the website's housing affordability sentiment index (HASI), fewer than 50% of buyers in the older age brackets were willing to purchase with a friend or relative.
Purchasing through co-ownership can be a more affordable way for some buyers to jump into the property market, realestate.com.au spokesperson Henry Ruiz.
The HASI report also found Gen Yers were the most optimistic about their current and future financial position.
“Housing affordability is achievable,” says one of Australia’s leading property experts, Andrew Winter. “However, buyers will not budge on things like location, outdoor space, and privacy in order to enter the market.”
Around half of all survey respondents say they are not willing to buy further than 10 kilometres away from their ideal location, and the only feature most were willing to sacrifice was the luxury of a swimming pool.
Winter, the host of LifeStyle Channel’s Selling Houses Australia, says, “Many Australians are foregoing luxuries, with buyers cutting spending on luxury vehicles, other luxury items and even a second car in order to achieve their property dream.
“Buyers are showing a propensity to save rather than enter into more debt, with 64% saying that would not be willing to increase their current level of debt to achieve their desired living standard.”
The survey, conducted by research company Research Ink, found suburbs most popular with buyers looking with lower median house acquistions in mind were:
<ul>
<li>Theodore (ACT)</li>
<li>Hilltop (NSW)</li>
<li>Alice Springs (NT)</li>
<li>Slacks Creek (QLD)</li>
<li>Davoren Park (SA)</li>
<li>Avoca (TAS)</li>
<li>Gosnells (WA)</li>
<li>Melton (VIC)</li>
</ul>
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Gen Y readily consider joint property purchasing options: REA survey

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The Queensland government is tipped to scrap mandatory water tanks for new homes in a move envisaged to save home buyers about $6,000.
The proposal follows lobbying by the Master Builders Association, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Queensland’s property sector has called on the Newman government to scrap many taxes, including stamp duty for off-the-plan residential sales and the land tax surcharge, to encourage more investment in the state.
The property and construction industry wants the initiatives in the Liberal-National Party government’s first budget next week.
Premier Campbell Newman is meanwhile expected to hail his government’s overhaul of planning laws and red tape when he addresses the property industry at a lunch in Brisbane today, the AFR noted.
The Property Council of Australia’s Queensland executive director, Kathy MacDermott, says although the planning changes are welcome, the sector still bears an unfair proportion of the state’s tax burden, contributing 29% or $3.8?billion to state taxation revenue.
The council seeks the scrapping of stamp duty for off-the-plan residential sales and the former state government’s 0.5% land tax surcharge.
The measures would help encourage more investment, especially from interstate, it suggests.
The mooted water tank decision has angered tank-makers, who since 2007 have installed 130,000 rainwater tanks in homes and 20,000 for commercial premises.
The Rain Harvesting Association of Australia says compulsory tanks have saved about 20 billion litres of water a year.
The association say it has also reduced infrastructure costs by up to $1.4 billion. But Master Builders director Paul Bidwell said the tanks hurt housing affordability, which had taken a hit since the financial crisis.
“We have no issue with rainwater tanks, we just don’t think they ought to be mandatory,” Bidwell says.
A spokesman for Queensland Housing Minister Bruce Flegg says no final decision has been made on whether to change the building code.
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 Queensland considers scrapping compulsory water tanks as housing affordability initiative

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Westpac is the standout big four bank, having increased its branch coverage across Australia over the past 12 years.
According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), Westpac has 1,270 branches nationwide, making it the largest bank network in the nation.
Despite other banks extending their branch networks, ANZ has closed 16 branches in the past year, dropping from 827 branches to 794. Queensland and Victoria were the two states to feel the loss, with Victoria losing 13 branches and Queensland losing 10.
Property Observer has looked at the big four banks' 12-year history and provided a summary of branch changes and trends across Australian states.
Here is a breakdown of the big four banks over a 12 year period, starting with Westpac:
 
ACT    NSW     NT     QLD     SA   TAS    VIC   WA    TOTAL
2012         22        471      14        203    169     22       251    118     1,270
2011         22        473      14        205      170   22       233     118     1,257
2010         21        471       14     203     170    22    228      115     1,009
2009        10        280      10      166       51      22     193      104      863
2008        10         277        9       163      51     22      190      104      826
2007        11        278        9       162       49     22      188       102      821
2006        10       277        9        161       48     22      187      103      817
2005       10       278         9        158       48       22      187     102     814
2004       10      279        9          158       48       21      189      102      816
2003       10       279       9          159        48       21       192     102     820
2002       10       280      9           159       48        21      192         101     820
2001       10       276      9            155        48       21     187         100     806
 
Commonwealth Bank:
ACT – NSW – NT- QLD –SA – TAS – VIC – WA – TOTAL
2012        16         358        6        174      60      40       293       79       1,026
2011        16         357        6         170      60     40       293       77       1,019
2010        16         356       5          164      60     40      292      76       1,244
2009        17         359       5         157       60      40      292       77      1,007
2008       17        365         5          150        60    42       293      77       1,009
2007    17           366         5          150       60       43     293       76       1,010
2006    17            365         5        147       60       43      293         75       1,005
2005    17             367        5        146        61      43      293         74        1,006
2004    16             366         5         145         60      43     294         74     1,003
2003   16              368         5         144          60       43      294       74      1,004
2002   16              70           5         145           60       44       294      74      1,008
2001    18             387         6          151            61       44       307     79       1,053
 
 
 
ANZ Bank:
ACT – NSW – NT-  QLD –   SA –   TAS – VIC –   WA – TOTAL
2012         9            223        10      159        78         25        206        84        794
2011        17          222         10     169        79         26        219        85         827
2010        9            229         10     160        79         25          220     84       816
2009       9            227         10      160       79         24          218       85       812
2008      9            230        10        160       81          24           217      85       816
2007      8            218       10          156       80          23          212       81       788
2006       7           210      10            149       77         24        206         74        757
2005       7            204       10           146       75          23       201          68        734
2004       7             202        10            144       75       23         201       68       730
2003       7             203        10           143      75         23        201       67       729
2002      7            201           10          144      75         23         201     67        728
2001      7           207           8            151      77          24         209     72         755
 
 
 
 
NAB Bank:
ACT – NSW – NT- QLD –SA – TAS – VIC – WA – TOTAL
2012        9           238        5       160      47      10        203       76        748
2011       11          235        5       160      47      10        203       75         746
2010      10         232        5        161      48        9         202        74         741
2009      11         243        5        162      48      10         215        73        767
2008      11        241         5        167      49      10         218        73        774
2007      12       249        6        170       48      11         222        72        790
2006      11        248       6        170       47      11         222        72        787
2005      11         249      6        169       47      11         221         72       786
2004     11          250     6        169       47       11         221         72       787
2003     11          253     6        169      47        11         222         74       793
2002    11           267    6         174      52        10        248          73       841
2001     10          290    7        185      55         11        256          82       896
Source: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
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ntrotman-Et3xWpamVh

Westpac bank rollout beats others in big four, with 1,270 branches nationwide

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Well – is it any surprise?  Over and over again we see a drop in new homes sales.  The most recent Housing Industry Association data shows new house sales dropped 5.5% in July (barring Queensland) and new apartment sales dropped 6.4% over the same period.  As usual, the blame is placed firmly in the real estate sector’s go-to excuse of the year, namely “consumer sentiment” – or to quote the HIA “weak consumer - and business – confidence”.
It’s true the housing market has been in the doldrums of late.  However, this doesn’t mean there is no activity.   Only a few weeks ago we were informed by the ABS that “first-home buyers as a proportion of total owner-occupier housing finance commitments” had increased to 18.3% in June – a five-month high. However, it’s clearly not stimulating one of the most affordable segments of the market, the new home sector.
In new housing estates, off-the-plan prices start under $300,000 – a price unachievable in inner-suburban localities. On top of this, developers have been playing Santa Clause, offering <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/new-cars-%2410000-cheques-and-free-home-size-upgrades-six-spring-incentives-from-house-and-land-developers-and-builders/2012082756256" target="_blank">“new cars, $10,000 cheques”</a> and “free” ‘would you like an extra bedroom with that?’ upgrades. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/australia-s-so-called-housing-shortage-is-a-lie-constructed-by-vested-interests/2012082756255" target="_blank">Terry Ryder</a>, who last week eloquently pointed out we don’t have a housing shortage in Australia, was quick to point out examples of outer-suburban “affordable” localities such as Albury-Wodonga. “Affordability isn’t a major issue,” he writes, clearly expecting home buyers or renters suffering increasing rental yields  (up 50% over the past four years) to flock to these areas if there’s a so-called “housing shortage”, or at the very least, a “shortage of affordable accommodation”.
As Ryder briefly touches upon, the differences between underlying demand and effective demand need to be clarified.  The first is assessed from the level of migration and changes in population growth (predictive speculation.)  The second – effective demand – is driven by the buying market and dictated by market forces.
Ryder is therefore correct in his assumption that the house buying market is currently over-supplied in the new estates.  If we weren’t oversupplied in these areas, developers would be building and selling more homes.  They are not building and selling currently because no one wants to buy the properties on offer – and more importantly no one wants to buy in an area that offers poor capital growth, where the closest doctor is an hour’s bus journey away!
However, to take the data above and conclude that we haven’t got a “housing crisis” is a little misleading.  As I’ve pointed out many a time, Australia is on her way to becoming a rental nation, which trending statistics detailed across the 2011 and previous census results underline.
Issues surrounding housing affordability are at a peak predominantly because town planners, along with state and federal governments, have failed to effectively cater to the demands and needs of a rapidly increasing population. If you didn’t know better, you’d be forgiven thinking there’s been a “vested” conspiracy to keep inner-city inflation high, with everything possible done to prevent a fall in established house prices by way of generous tax incentives for investors favouring old over new – and intermittent policies to inflate the prices of new housing by way of Mickey Mouse incentives.
I should think first-home buyers are thoroughly fed up with all the reports telling them Australia has an abundance of affordable homes just waiting to be snapped up and when questioned, wafting a finger towards the hills as if commanding a dog to fetch a ball.
It’s one of the reasons extending the city boundaries in a senseless urban sprawl is hopelessly flawed. Greenbelt lands, or designated city borders, were essentially designed to protect against the sprawl of <a href="https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book-details.php?id=2341&amp;title=Building+Noddy's+House+(No.+10)" target="_blank">‘Noddy’</a> style houses across valuable countryside needed for recreation, food production and essential wildlife preservation.  Not only this, but it’s essential to locate homes within easy commutable distance to employment centres, shopping malls, schools and community facilities. Unless the provision of such amenities has been costed and funded at the time of development, with a fixed-term plan set in motion, the result is “Lego land” suburbs containing isolated homes, disconnected residents, and unhealthy car-dependant families.
Even protected areas are not immune from the gruesome determination of profit-driven developers and investors, who aren’t shy of a little lobbying all in the name of providing a “much-needed supply of affordable accommodation”. Hence why we have groups such as the <a href="https://www.adelaide-parklands.org/html/membership" target="_blank">Adelaide Parkland Prevention Association</a> and community complaints battling <a href="https://www.melbourneweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/aerial-highrise-delayed-by-three-months/2644274.aspx" target="_blank">poorly designed</a> high-rise towers popping up in inner-suburban localities.    
However, time and time again the same mistakes are made.  Most recently, there’s been a “new vision” for Parramatta Road - transforming it from a bleak “inner-west corridor” to a city of apartments – <a href="https://bit.ly/LQTXnX" target="_blank">no doubt in tower format</a>.  Parramatta Road has been named the most congested, poorly maintained strip in NSW.  Six lanes of nose-to-nose traffic on a route you’ll always regret taking. However no new public transport improvements have been timetabled and funded to accommodate the proposed new development of 100,000-plus apartments – aside from ongoing promises to complete the M4 East extension, which is unlikely to occur due to budget cuts.  Hands up who wants to live there?  No one – and most certainly not first-home buyers.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
Then, as if to confuse the mystery of the “missing buyers” further, RP Data releases a free <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/buyorrent" target="_blank">rent vs buy</a> report “in time for the spring selling season” providing an “in-depth look at the difference between the cost of paying rent and paying a mortgage across each suburb or town around the country.”
RP Data pinpoints 238 suburbs or towns where “the mortgage repayment is lower than the median rent, based on a principal and interest loan on a variable mortgage rate”.  Obviously the list expands two-fold when assessing interest-only loans, and there are hefty disclaimers explaining how the research was pinned together.  The resulting calculations are derived from the “median” unit price (or house price depending on suburb) and median “weekly advertised rental price”, with the “buyer” purchasing on a 90% loan-to-value ratio at an initial 6.15% variable 30-year loan. (Other examples are calculated on terms of interest only; however the above example is most applicable to the classic first-home buyer profile).
The results, however, assume a great deal – to take median values and use them as a barometer of affordability against a median rental price has significant flaws.  In Carlton, for example, Melbourne's hub of student apartments and one of the suburbs highlighted in the report, obviously the median unit price is comparatively very cheap. However, try and acquire a non-student residential apartment (one worthy of buying – at the very least, providing 40 square metres of floor space) for the median price and it quickly becomes apparent you'll need to pay a good deal more than the median value represented in RP Data’s report.
As for the advertised rental – well, obviously student apartments command a higher rental yield than residential listings, therefore taking the two figures out of context will evidently produce the misleading fantasy that it's cheaper to “buy” than rent.
Similar results can be examined in their other examples and they are numerous.  In fact my own calculations – based on a handful of real sold data examples in outer-fringe locations of Victoria –  show that although the margins between renting and buying reduce considerably the further from the city you pan, it’s still broadly cheaper to rent than buy – especially if the plan is to re-locate within five to seven years.
Perhaps the only “true” representation of suburbs you can profit from purchasing rather than renting would be suburbs in regional and rural locations, where a majority of home buyers would not necessarily want to settle for an extended period, but would perhaps spend a couple of years renting due to work commitments.  This includes mining towns, for example – where rental prices are inflated due to the severe shortage of property.
This aside, until the new home market, hand in hand with suitably equipped urban planners, starts providing an increasing population of first-home buyers with feasible options, we’re not going to see a significant return to growth in construction, which is traditionally motivated by this sector of the market.
Buyers want to locate into suburbs that can provide a lifestyle suited to their needs, and whether you think their demands are unrealistic or not, we’re talking about a consumer market, not desperate, homeless individuals who are prepared to purchase any old thing because there’s a “free” iPad thrown in for good measure.
The only shortage of property Australia is currently experiencing is a shortage of affordable options home buyers actually want to purchase – and you can’t solve this dilemma with a simple “improvement in consumer sentiment”.
Catherine Cashmore is a market analyst with extensive experience in all aspects relating to property acquisition.
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catherinecashmore-6LXia3pPQj

Australia does not have a housing shortage, but it has an affordable well-located housing shortage

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The most recent data on median home values shows that there are still affordable housing options across our most expensive capital city markets.
Housing affordability has been one of the most significant barriers to entry into home ownership across the country, particularly for first-time buyers. The relatively high cost of housing within the major regions of the country means that some have abandoned hopes of ever owning a home.
Although housing can be expensive in the most populous areas of the cities, the data shows that there are opportunities in most regions to enter into the housing market at relatively affordable prices; you just need to know where to look. Of course, most of these suburbs are going to be located further away from the city centre or buyers will have to purchase higher-density housing product rather than a detached house.
Within the detached housing market, 47.9% of suburbs throughout the combined capital cities have a median house value of less than $500,000 with 27.9% less than $400,000. Across regional markets there are a much higher proportion of suburbs with a median house value below $500,000 (87.4%).
Across the individual capital city markets, 92.1% of suburbs in Hobart have a median house value below $500,000, followed by: Adelaide (63.2%), Brisbane (60.5%) and Melbourne (44.9%). On the other hand, Darwin has far fewer suburbs with a median house value below $500,000 (16.4%) as do: Canberra (24.5%), Sydney (37.0%) and Perth (41.4%).
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/08/rpsept4.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/rpsept4thumb.gif"></a>
Source:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/"> RP Data</a>
Despite the fact that all cities except Hobart, Adelaide and Brisbane have a majority of suburbs with a median value above $500,000, there are still quite a large number of suburbs with values below $500,000 throughout most cities.
For those who simply can't afford the price of purchasing a detached house, the unit market offers a significantly greater opportunity to enter into ownership at a more affordable price point.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
 
Across the combined capital cities, 81.2% of suburbs have a median unit value below $500,000 with 27.6% of suburbs below $300,000. Within regional markets of the country, 96% of all suburbs have a median unit value below $500,000 with 68.8% of suburbs having a median unit value below $300,000.
Across each individual capital city market, a majority of suburbs have a median unit value below $500,000. Once again, Hobart has the greatest number of suburbs below this benchmark (100%) followed by: Adelaide (96.5%), Brisbane (94.5%) and Darwin (88.9%). All other capital cities show a majority of suburbs below $500,000. However, Sydney has the lowest proportion (62.1%), followed by Perth (80.5%), Canberra (84.9%) and Melbourne (85.1%).
 
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/08/rpsept41.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/rpsept41thumb.gif"></a>
Source:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/"> RP Data</a>
The results indicate that the unit market provides a greater level of opportunity to enter into home ownership at a more affordable price point. Of course, units tend to not be as desirable as houses for many prospective buyers due to a number of factors, including the higher density of the population and the fact that units incur body corporate levies/regulations and, as a result, residents don't necessarily have the same freedoms as with a detached house.
Although units may not be as desirable as a detached house, it is important to note that they are often more abundant in inner city suburbs which have high levels of local amenity. As a result of this, they also enable residents to live in those suburbs in which they desire to live but could simply not afford to own a detached home.  A great example of this is a suburb like Sydney's Mosman; the median house value is out of reach of most purchasers at $2,143,585. However, the median unit value is a much more attainable $593,655 (albeit still quite expensive).
Housing affordability is likely to continue to be an issue for many Australians looking to enter into home ownership despite recent falls to mortgage rates and home values. The alternatives for those looking to enter the market at affordable price points appear fairly clear: outer more affordable suburbs, select regional markets or higher density housing options. Many aspire to owning a home in a highly sought after suburb. However, the reality is that this is an unlikely prospect for most of the population.
Cameron Kusher is senior research analyst at <a target="_blank" href="https://www,myrp.com.au">RP Data</a>.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
Sydney apartment building image by Brian Yap courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Affordable housing options even in most expensive capital city markets: RP Data's Cameron Kusher

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Property Observer has scoured the most well-known mortgage comparison websites to determine the lowest variable rate home loan and one- and three-year fixed home loans currently available.
The following results are based on advertised mortgage rates listed by <a href="https://www.ratecity.com.au/" target="_blank">ratecity.com.au</a>, <a href="https://mozo.com.au/" target="_blank">Mozo.com.au</a> and <a href="https://www.infochoice.com.au/" target="_blank">infochoice.com.au</a> as of September 3:
Lowest variable rate offerings:
<table width="470" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="158" valign="top">
Provider
</td>
<td width="151" valign="top">
Loan name
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Rate
</td>
<td width="132" valign="top">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="158" valign="top">
UBank (NAB)
</td>
<td width="151" valign="top">
UHomeloan Refinance
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
5.62%
</td>
<td width="132" valign="top">
5.62%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="158" valign="top">
Loans.com.au
</td>
<td width="151" valign="top">
Dream Catcher
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
5.65%
</td>
<td width="132" valign="top">
6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="158" valign="top">
My Mortgage Freedom
</td>
<td width="151" valign="top">
Low Rate +
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
5.66%
</td>
<td width="132" valign="top">
5.97%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="158" valign="top">
Mortgage View
</td>
<td width="151" valign="top">
Mortgage View Pro Pack
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
5.7%
</td>
<td width="132" valign="top">
5.71%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Lowest one-year fixed-rate offerings
<table width="470" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="137" valign="top">
Provider
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Loan name
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
Rate
</td>
<td width="114" valign="top">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="137" valign="top">
My Mortgage Freedom
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Residential fixed one year
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
5.44%
</td>
<td width="114" valign="top">
6.06
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="137" valign="top">
CUA
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Residential fixed one year
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
5.5%
</td>
<td width="114" valign="top">
6.22%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="137" valign="top">
Newcastle Permanent
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Residential fixed one year
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
5.59%
</td>
<td width="114" valign="top">
6.24%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="137" valign="top">
IMB
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Platinum Residential fixed $200k+
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
5.64%
</td>
<td width="114" valign="top">
6.58%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Lowest three-year fixed-rate offerings
<table width="470" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="133" valign="top">
Provider
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
Loan name
</td>
<td width="97" valign="top">
Rate
</td>
<td width="108" valign="top">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="133" valign="top">
My Mortgage Freedom
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
My mortgage freedom. fixed rate
</td>
<td width="97" valign="top">
5.44%
</td>
<td width="108" valign="top">
6.06%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="133" valign="top">
Newcastle Permanent
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
Three-year fixed rate
</td>
<td width="97" valign="top">
5.59%
</td>
<td width="108" valign="top">
6.24%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="133" valign="top">
Resi Home Loans
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
FlexiFix 75 three-year
</td>
<td width="97" valign="top">
5.69%
</td>
<td width="108" valign="top">
5.94%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="133" valign="top">
Suncorp
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
My Home Package
</td>
<td width="97" valign="top">
5.72%
</td>
<td width="108" valign="top">
6.46%
</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">Refinancing and the Interest Rates Riddle</a>
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