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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Weekly rental returns for Roxby Downs property investors have increased almost 27% over the past 12 months to May 2012, according to figures compiled by RP Data.
The median advertised rent for a house in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Roxby Downs</a> is now $520 a week.
Roxby Downs<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/headwinds-for-roxby-downs-and-other-nearby-mining-towns-as-bhp-s-olympic-dam-expansion-project-cancelled/2012082256180"> is the township closest to the now cancelled BHP Olympic Dam expansion project.</a>
Its population was expected to double to 10,000 people due to investment by BHP in services and accomodation in the small town.
According to RP Data, Roxby Downs annual rental gains to May <a target="_blank" href="/news">were only bettered by the Isaac region in Queensland,</a> which recorded an incredible 88% increase in its median advertised rent to $1,600 per week.
Isaac takes in much of Queensland's Bowen Basin region, which houses one of Australia’s biggest coal reserves.
Second on the list was the well-known mining hotspot of Gladstone, with rents up 44% since May last year to a weekly median of $550.
The seaport South Australian town of Whyalla, which was also expected to benefit from the Olympic Dam expansion, recorded a modest 10.7% increase in weekly rents to $310 per week, according to RP Data.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/08/rpaug231.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/rpaug231thumb.gif"></a>
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Slowdown to hit mining boom towns as Roxby Downs rents up 27% over past 12 months: RP Data

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The Queensland property market is set to improve in the second half of 2012, with signs it may already be on the upswing in many areas, but any recovery is expected to be gradual, according to the First National Real Estate 2012 Property Market Outlook Mid-Year Update. 
The Update, released this week, is based on a survey of the 400+ member network, and provides an insight on what member agents expect the market to do, drawing on their experience at a grass roots level. 
The change of government in Queensland is expected to build on the growing sense of optimism seen in the first half of the year. 
The main reasons for the positive predictions are interest rate reductions, the market having bottomed out and improved affordability. 
The key challenges facing the state’s property market are vendors adjusting their price expectations to meet market demand and consumer nervousness, along with rising costs of living, which are particularly relevant for the areas of Atherton Tablelands, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay Burnett, Darling Downs and Brisbane. 
Economic uncertainty, both for the state and overseas, coupled with the high Australian dollar, will serve to curtail confidence from a market and business and consumer perspective. 
While stamp duty reductions and lower interest rates have generated better buying and economic conditions, improving market confidence, the market itself is still relatively nervous, which is dampening what would have been an even greater market improvement. 
The Update says the strongest growth will come from the investor sector, followed by upgraders, then first-home buyers and lastly retirees. 
Investor activity in Queensland will be driven by greater returns on investment dollars and improved affordability with lower prices and reducing interest rates. 
Property prices should stabilise, with house prices faring a little better than apartments/strata and land prices, especially in the Darling Downs and Sunshine Coast regions, and some parts of Brisbane. 
The rental market in Queensland is expected to remain relatively strong overall, although this will depend on the region. 
Even with the improved market conditions, affordability remains an issue for many renters, especially in the area of Moreton, the Sunshine Coast and some parts of Brisbane. 
Interest rates are expected to reduce further, adding to improving affordability levels, stabilising prices, strengthening buyer confidence and stimulating activity in the slow property market. 
Rising unemployment and increasing living expenses, including the introduction of the carbon tax, are expected to put pressure on mortgage holders, with 57% of Queensland members expecting increased mortgage defaults in their region. 
The commercial property market is displaying signs of recovery, especially the Gold Coast’s office and industrial markets, where investors are locking in strong returns. 
The commercial property market in Queensland has moderated in recent times, with property prices remaining stable, and this is expected to continue for the coming six months. 
Construction for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the election of Campbell Newman and the Gold Coast rapid transit project have delivered a life in confidence in the region. 
The strength of the mining and resources sectors is propping up the rural property markets in the state, where investors are expected to capitalise on strong rental markets. 
Activity in rural property markets will be driven by the key significant factor of commodity prices and value of the Australian dollar as it impacts on the state’s export potential.
Mike Gray is chairman of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.firstnational.com.au/">First National Real Estate Queensland.</a>
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Any Queensland property market recovery likely to be gradual

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Double Bay estate agent Michael Pallier will leave Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay after 11 years to head Sotheby's Sydney flagship after a three year absence from the Australian market.
''We know the overseas market has some exceptional properties but now we have the opportunity to showcase our finest to the world,'' Pallier told his local paper, The Wentworth Courier.
The first Sydney property to be listed under the Sotheby's brand will be a 2,000-square-metre estate on the Vaucluse waterfront with $25 million-plus price expectations.
The agency will compete with Christies International and Savills, the other international residential agencies with a strong presence in Australia.
Pallier says joining Sotheby's is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He can't advise on the sign-up franchise fee or the ongoing commissions of possibly five percent or higher.
He was previously at Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay, having taken up real estate in late 1997 at McGrath after being a leading Mercedes car salesman. His clients from his car sales days have continued to deal with him including most recently, Stephen Brown, the boss of the 1st Fleet trucking company, and his wife, Corrine.
Pallier's earliest property listing in March 1998 was the Rose Bay unit of the retired ballet dancer Anna di Cardi for $420,000. His next listing was Radford, one of the two contemporary Point Piper waterfronts built on the Paradis sur Mer site, which sold to the Magid family at $7.35 million.
He left McGrath for Laing &amp; Simmons Double Bay and has been at Raine &amp; Horne since 2001.
"I have the highest respect for the Raine family and I would not have left for any other brand but this is Sotheby's and it's a chance to be part of a worldwide network,'' says the agent, who secured over $200 million in property sales in 2010-2011.
Pallier has signed an exclusive 25-year master franchise agreement with Sotheby's, and fellow Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay agents Warren Davis and James McCowan will join him at the re-activated agency.
McCowan will take up the role of Sotheby's NSW and ACT director of sales.
The Sydney office will be located at Double Bay, with additional offices planned in Sydney's north shore and CBD between 2013 and 2015.
It was in 2009 when the prestigious international art auction house sold its Australian arm to a rival company headed by Sydney businessman and auctioneer Tim Goodman that the real estate side of the company was closed.
This week Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay, led by principals Martin Maskin, Barry Goldman, Ric Serrao and Mark Goldman, beat off challenges from the likes of Raine &amp; Horne Gladstone and Raine &amp; Horne Darwin, to scoop most of the major office annual awards within the Raine &amp; Horne network including Top Office (Number of Sales), Top Office (Dollar Value) and Top Office (Auction Listings).
Mr Serrao grabbed second place in the Top Salesperson (Dollar Value) category and was runner-up in the Top Principal 
(Number of Sales) behind Raine &amp; Horne Charmhaven’s Andrew Sorensen.
“We’ve come a long way since our foundation as a small office with just four real estate agents in 2001,” says Mr Maskin.</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Michael Pallier quits R&H to re-open Sotheby's Australian real estate office

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<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/6point01percent.gif">
The median rental yield for units in Darwin, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $470 a week, which is up 8.05% on a year ago.
 
<hr>
 
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/5point94percent.gif">
The median rental yield for units in Canberra, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $485 a week, which is up 10.23% on a year ago. 
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/5point92percent.gif">
The median rental yield for units in Hobart, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $295 a week, which is up 11.32% on a year ago.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/5point56percent.gif">
The median rental yield for units in Brisbane, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $375 a week, which is up 7.14% on a year ago.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/5point51percent.gif">
The median rental yield for units in Sydney, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $515 a week, which is up 13.19% on a year ago.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/5point42percent.gif">
The median rental yield for units in Perth, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $445 a week, which is up 20.27% on a year ago.
 
<hr>
 
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/5point22percent.gif">
The median rental yield for units in Adelaide, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $300 a week, which is up 3.45% on a year ago.
 
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/4point79percent.gif">
The median rental yield for units in Melbourne, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $395 a week, which is up 9.72% on a year ago.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/5point40percent.gif">
 
The median rental yield for units across Australia, according to Residex. The median unit rental is $415 a week, which is up 15.28% on a year ago.
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Darwin providing the highest rental returns for unit investors: Residex state-by-state analysis

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Melbourne property investment adviser Monique Sasson Wakelin has questioned whether property developers are building the right type of new homes while encouraging investors to focus on buying in “blue-chip” areas.
Speaking recently to Hilary Harper on ABC Melbourne radio, Sasson Wakelin agreed there was a need for new housing due to the housing shortage identified by the ABS among others. Sasson Wakelin also concurred with Harper's observation  that new housing developments appear to be popping up all the time.
But she says the “$64 million question” is whether these new houses are being pitched and are consistent with what people are telling statutory bodies is the type of housing that is needed.
“Some of the time the answer is 'yes', a lot of the time the answer is 'no',” she says.
Sasson Wakelin says some of the new housing is developer-driven and is based on “inductive reasoning” (flawed interpretations of the what the market wants) rather than “deductive reasoning” (based on what is actually being observed in the market).
She also examined the issue of developers of high-rise apartments that no longer include a car space as part of the property offering.
“Developers are foregoing car spaces on a fairly large scale,” she says.
“Reading between the lines, it is dead money for developers, they are not getting a return out of it.”
However, she says a car space really provides additional storage space.
“All you need is a little roller door on your car space and you have additional storage.”
She says that on resale having a car space or extra storage space can add up to $30,000 to the realisation value of an asset.
Looking at the investment market as a whole, Sasson Wakelin advises property investors to stick with “blue-chip” suburbs that have demonstrated their relative resilience in the past.
At a time when the market takes a “breather” Wakelin says: “You don’t speculate, you don’t take a bit of plunge – you focus on blue-chip areas”.
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Many Melbourne developers not building the right type of new housing: Monique Sasson Wakelin

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UK fashion retailer Topshop will open up its third Melbourne store in the new Myer Emporium, currently under construction in the CBD.
The lease agreement with Topshop was announced by the owner of the $450 million development, listed property trust CFS Retail Trust, as part of its annual results presentation.
News of the third Topshop lease follows <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/topshop-set-for-second-melbourne-store-as-fast-fashion-retailers-expand-down-under/2012081456011" target="_blank">GPT Group revealing in its half-year results earlier this month that Topshop would lease space at its Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribynong.</a>
Topshop opened its first Melbourne outlet on the Chapel Street strip in South Yarra in December last year.
CFS Retail Trust also revealed that another major international retailer is carrying out due diligence on a lease in Myer Emporium.
Emporium Melbourne is the Lonsdale Street component of the redevelopment of Myer Melbourne. The Bourke Street component was opened in March last year.
Emporium Melbourne will include 38,000 square metres of retail space and is scheduled for completion in late 2013.
CFS Retail Trust reported a net profit of $409.2 million, 23% lower than $532.6 million it reported last year.
The REIT owns a $7 billion portfolio of shopping centres including Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Chatswood Chase in Sydney and the DFO chain.
Topshop is wholly owned by <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/topshop-set-for-second-melbourne-store-as-fast-fashion-retailers-expand-down-under/2012081456011">Phillip Green from the Arcadia Group</a> and first existed in the basement of a Peter Robinson department store in 1964.
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Topshop to open third Melbourne outlet in Myer Emporium

Blocks of land for new homes can be found&nbsp;around Melbourne at well under the $200,000 threshold.&nbsp;

Starting at around $95,000,&nbsp;Property Observer has found eight&nbsp;Melbourne suburban housing estates&nbsp;where <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/melbourne-land-blocks-dip-below-%24200000-but-no-dramatic-falls-expected-oliver-hume/2012082156102" target="_blank">land can be bought for&nbsp;under $200,000</a>. It may mean&nbsp;a long commute once the house gets constrtucted,&nbsp;but the land prices are low.

1.

$95,000 

Mickleham 

The latest project from Evolve Development, <a href="https://www.wonderofthewoods.com.au/" target="_blank">The Woods</a>, has home sites available starting at $95,000. There are 42 sites available in the first release, with land sizes starting at 213 square metres. It&rsquo;s about 30 kilometres north of Melbourne.&nbsp;There have been six $95,000&nbsp;block sales&nbsp;to date with the further supply of $95,000 blocks being&nbsp;driven by market demand. The $95,000&nbsp;blocks are 213 square metre&nbsp;with 8.5 frontage. Approximately&nbsp;25% of the first public release - known as Hollington Release -&nbsp;has sold since its recent opening weekend.

&nbsp;

2.

$99,000

Eynesbury 

The<a href="https://www.eynesbury.com.au/home" target="_blank"> Eyensbury Township</a> is a development by GEO Property Group. For $99,000 you can buy 290 square metres. The development is well sold with a limited number of lots remaining. The suburb&nbsp; is about 35 kilometres west of Melbourne.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

3.

$139,000

Wyndham Vale

A 315-square-metre lock of land in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-wyndham+vale-200229665" target="_blank">Belle Meade Estate </a>costs $139,000. The estate is three kilometres from Weribee train station and 27 kilometres south-west of Melbourne.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

4. 

$140,000

Pakenham

In the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-pakenham-200332447" target="_blank">Amberlea Estate</a> $140,000 will buy a 306-square-metre block of land. This estate is situated in the Henry Road precinct, providing easy access to the Freeway. It is about 50 kilometres south-east of Melbourne.

&nbsp;

5.

Doreen

$140,000

Land&nbsp;in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-doreen-200223025" target="_blank">Panorama Estate</a> in Doreen can be picked up at reduced prices, with agents listing&nbsp;land at $140,000 rather than the initial&nbsp;$160,000 asking price. That price will buy you 416 square metres. Doreen is about 30 kilometres north-east of Melbourne. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

6.

Beveridge

$149,000

A 315-square-metre block of land in the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-beveridge-200127316" target="_blank">Mandalay Estate</a> in Beveridge costs $149,000. The estate is accessed via the Hume Highway and is near to Cragieburn and Wallan. It is nearly 40 kilometres north of Melbourne, though, and a long commute.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

7.

Williams Landing

$190,000

<a href="https://www.williamslanding.com.au/" target="_blank">The Cedar Woods</a> development has prices starting at $190,000. Approved as a new suburb in May 2007, the area is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Australia, according to the developer. Near Hoppers Crossing, the suburb is 20 kilometres south-west of Melbourne.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

8.

Berwick

$195,000

A 350 square metre block of land in the <a href="https://www.orchardrise.com.au/" target="_blank">Orchard Rise</a> development costs $195,000. The development has approval for 87 lots. The estate offers 1.6 hectares of parks and recreation facilities. Berwick is 40 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Outside of large developments, there are also isolated blocks of land available for sale by individual vendors.

1.

$120,000

Chirnside Park

An isolated block of land in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-chirnside+park-200246165" target="_blank">Chirnside Park</a> starts at $120,000 for a 495-square-metre block. Near Lilydale, Chirnside Park is 30 kilometres east of Melbourne.

2.

$120,000

Cranbourne 

A 250 square metre block in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-cranbourne-200179285" target="_blank">central Cranbourne</a> costs $120,000. It comes with planning approval for a double-storey, three-bedroom dwelling. Cranbourne is 40 kilometres south-east of Melbourne.&nbsp;&nbsp;

3.

Melton

$105,000

<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-melton-2983606" target="_blank">In Melton </a>you can buy a 212-square-metre block for $105,000. It comes with planning approval for a two-bedroom house. Melton is nearly 40 kilometres west of Melbourne. &nbsp;

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Where to find blocks of land around Melbourne for under $200,000

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Attending the REINSW Commercial Property Conference in Sydney today, Ray White Menai’s Matt Debreczeni tweeted about rate cut forecasts from Westpac chief economist Bill Evans.
Evans was the keynote speaker at the conference.
<a href="https://twitter.com/mattdebreczeni" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/rbatweet.jpg"></a>
In July, Evans pushed back his forecast for the next 25-basis-point rate cut reduction to the December quarter, having previously forecast rate cuts in August and September.
He re-affirmed this position in today's update to the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index of economic activity.
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Bill Evans and the rate cuts ahead over next six months: Tweet of the day

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Eight months ago self-promotional US real estate analyst Jordan Wirsz came to Australia to tell anyone who would pay to listen that Australian house prices would fall 60% over the next five years.
Wirsz’s outrageous claims even went further than US property bear Harry Dent, who has tipped a 50% slide.
Although not many people in the property market have heard of him, Wirsz’s contentions that Australian house prices would crash garnered headlines in the News Limited press of a “Bloodbath to hit Australian real estate”, while the ABC went so far as to call him a “global property analyst”.
His “bold predictions” about the Australian market can still be purchased for an $89 “enrolment fee”, but it appears that he now prefers to keep his opinions to himself.
“I have many 'thoughts' on the Aussie property market, but I’m really not all that eager to get into media debates again,” Wirsz tells Property Observer.
“I’d rather come back in a couple years and discuss it then.”
Well-known property market analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/us-doomsayer-jordan-wirsz-s-predicted-60-drop-in-aussie-house-prices-silly-analysts/2012020353244">Margaret Lomas debated Wirsz when he visited in February.</a>
She says she challenged him on his facts and Wirsz’s only response was to say they were “on the internet”.
It appears the Wirsz continues to cherry-pick stories about the Australia property market to justify his claims.
In March, Wirsz’s Facebook page linked to an article that appeared in Perth Now with the headline “Property prices battered: Top 10 worst hit areas revealed”.
Wirsz commented that “It happening just as predicted....”, although the article said that home prices had lost almost half their value in “some parts of Australia”, with an RP Data list of the top 10 median price drops in percentage terms for 2011.
His Facebook page profile picture shows Wirsz hugging American self-help author and motivational speaker Anthony Robbins.
Wirsz suggests he's achieved over $500 million in sales and advised Fortune 500 CEOs about real estate investments.
He describes his life so far on his Facebook page as “a storybook tale of rags to riches, overcoming the ever-so-common challenging childhood, and working hard to attain his massive successes”.
Other descriptions appear plucked straight from Charles Dickens.
He describes himself <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prweb.com/releases/Jordan_Wirsz/Dallas/prweb3988434.htm">on PRWeb</a> (a press release distribution website) as “having come from a broken home and spending much of his childhood alone, even calling 4-1-1- up to 25 times a day just to hear another human's voice, has decided to take his challenges and turn them into a passion for feeding the world his secrets to his extraordinary success”.
His Facebook page is full of motivational quotes.
He lists as his “awards” as “recognised by members of Congress, Senate, and state hovernment” and describes himself  as a “former fund manager, private capital financier”.
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US doomsday forecaster Jordan Wirsz now prefers to keep Australian housing crash predictions to himself

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Talk of a so-called white-collar recession appears unfounded, with borrowers living in the most affluent parts of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth managing to keep up to date with their mortgage repayments, according to the latest mortgage arrears figures from Fitch.
Its September Australian Mortgage Delinquency by Postcode report highlights that “affluent regions still performing”.
Fitch says the best-performing regions exhibit “strong resilience in terms of mortgage performance”, with the weighted average delinquency rates in the top 10 best-performing regions worsening by just 12 basis points to 0.81% from 0.69%, in September 2011, versus a national decline of 18 basis points from 1.7% to 1.86% over the same period.
The top two positions were unchanged.
Lower northern Sydney, home to harbour-view suburbs like Mosman, Neutral Bay, Kirribilli and Cremorne, remains the best0performing region by both value and number of mortgages in arrears as of March 2012, with an average of just four mortgages out of 1,000 delinquent by 30 days or more.
Fitch says this reflected the “solid socio-economic situation in the region”.
Boroondara City in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and incorporating Hawthorn, Kew and Camberwell, ranked second, with a delinquency rate of 0.43%.
A notable inclusion in the top 10 performing regions was central metropolitan Perth – the inner and middle suburbs of Perth – which ranked as the third best-performing region, with a delinquency rate of 0.45%. The region did not rank in the top 10 six months ago.
Fitch notes that delinquencies in Perth have improved despite the general increase in Australia during the September 2011 to March 2012 period.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/08/fitchaug22.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/fitchaug22thumb.gif"></a>
 “In particular, central metropolitan Perth showed a remarkable improvement in terms of both value and number of borrowers in arrears: as of March 2012, the 30+ day delinquency rate was 0.78% versus 1.19% in September 2011, and only five borrowers out of 1,000 were delinquent," commented Fitch.
This improvement was in line with south-west WA dropping out of the worst-performing regions in Australia as of the March 2012 survey with the 30-plus-day delinquency rate dropped 32 basis points to 1.85%, from 2.17% in September 2011 (and against the national trend of delinquencies rising by 18 basis points over this period).
“This is a remarkable improvement, considering that delinquencies already dropped 76 basis points in the March 2011 to September 2011 period,” notes Fitch.
“The improvement was particularly noteworthy in the 90+ day bucket, with arrears decreasing to 0.98% in March 2012 from 1.33% in September 2011. This indicates an increasing clearance rate for secured properties of delinquent loans that have rested in the 90+ day bucket due to a stagnating housing market.”
Overall, south-west WA performed better than the rest of the country due to the flow-on effects of rising income from the mining boom.
However, the rest of WA, excluding Perth and south Western Australia, showed a slight worsening in mortgage performance, with 30+ day arrears increasing to 2.00% in March 2012 from 1.84% in September 2011.
As of March 2012, the 30+ day arrears rate in WA was recorded at 1.59% compared to 1.50% in September 2011 and 1.99% in March 2011.
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