Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

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

<html><body>
Rumours of the death of the resources boom have been greatly exaggerated. But media chatter to that effect has penetrated the psyche of some investors who have started to fret and delay decisions.
A message that “the boom is over because China is slowing down” is typical of the simplistic twaddle peddled by economists suffering from limelight-deficit syndrome and repeated by lazy journalists.
One lukewarm press announcement by BHP Billiton and suddenly the chooks are running around clucking about the end to the good times.
In reality the resources boom is only just starting. Brisbane property adviser (and national buyers’ agent of the year) Simon Pressley says we should be calling it “the resources revolution”, and I agree. The global change inspired by new growth nations like India and China will extend decades into the future, as will Australia’s role in the process – though not without hiccups along the way.
Rio Tinto says it sees no slowdown in overseas demand and is full steam ahead with its iron ore expansion plans. Ditto Fortescue Metals, Hancock Prospecting and the companies that are advancing the mega gas projects.
Hancock, headed by Gina Rinehart, who has been branded our wealthiest individual, has strongly advanced its two biggest ventures in the past week or so. The $7 billion Roy Hill iron ore mine in Western Australia has won the right to import skilled workers from overseas, and the $6.4 billion Alpha coal project in Queensland has won state government approval.
Apparently Rinehart hasn’t been informed the party is over.
The job of property investors is to tune out all the background static from the chattering economists and grandstanding politicians and focus on the end game, with a long-term perspective.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/rydermapgreen2.gif">
Ignore all the “white noise” in the media, look at what’s really happening and try to see where the opportunities lie.
The Alpha coal project has won government approval. It involves a major coal mine and a 495-kilometre rail link to the Abbot Point export facility. It will create 3,500 jobs. It is one of three multi-billion-dollar projects focused on the Galilee Basin, which is shaping as the nation’s new boom mining province. Rail links are planned by each of these entities, plus new export facilities.
Where lie the investment opportunities? Is it the tiny town of Alpha, the nearest settlement to the mining action? Is it Bowen, where Rinehart’s rail link will join up with the Abbot Point export terminal, which is rapidly expanding? Is it Mackay, a key regional centre with export facilities (also to be expanded) a little to the south?
Or is it Emerald, one of the most fortunately located towns in regional Australia?
Emerald is a regional centre of almost 20,000 that services agriculture and mining. The well-established Bowen Basin coal-mining province lies to the east and north-east, while the new Galilee Basin is to the west.
Emerald already has a very busy airport, with lots of fly-in-fly-out traffic, even before the mega mines of the Galilee Basin crank up. Residential vacancies are miniscule and the median house price rose 12% in the March Quarter alone.
Its long-term capital growth rate is 13% a year and rental yields above 7% can be found.
It sounds like a place of opportunity – unless you’re hooked into the boom-is-over mentality.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting">followed on Twitter</a>.
</body></html>

terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Resources boom – and Emerald property price rises – just beginning: Terry Ryder

<html><body>
The commercial property market is set to rebound strongly over the next five years, says BIS Shrapnel chief economist Frank Gelber, who claims property trusts have got their current asset sell-down strategy all wrong.
Gelber says property trusts should not be selling their assets and buying back shares but holding them and repositioning them for what he says will be “strongly rising” commercial property market over the next five years.
“It makes a lot of sense for investors to come back into property. This is not a market in anything like equilibrium. It's bumping around the bottom of the cycle, struggling to recover,” Gelber writes in The Australian.
“Inadequate investment and low prices have set the scene for strong returns this decade. It's not a quick-return trader's market. This is a market for investors with a medium-term horizon,” he adds.
According to Gelber, now is the time for the commercial property market to set itself up for strong returns over the next three to five years with “returns in both direct and indirect investment groups should reflect that”.
As the graph below shows, BIS Shrapnel places the Brisbane office market on the cusp of a recovery, just behind Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, which are already heading into an upswing. BIS Shrapnel says industrial property and hotels are further along in the property cycle.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/05/bisjun1.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/bisjun1thumb.gif"></a>
In its March 2012 building industry update, BIS Shrapnel said that while the NSW office marked was currently weak, “the beginning of an upturn as a lack of new supply combined with stronger economic conditions sees the office market tighten considerably from its current level” in 2012-13. 
In the case of Melbourne offices, BIS Shrapnel says the market is already “well placed to begin a pronounced uptrend” due to its low and falling vacancy rate. 
In light of these upbeat forecasts, Gelber says so there is not much point in property trusts “wasting their equity in a vain attempt to raise their share price”.
“New capital raisings will, in any case, have to wait until market sentiment changes. And it will eventually,” says Gelber.
The real problem, he says, is that both retail and institutional investors are sitting on the sidelines and not investing in both listed and unlisted property trusts and the property market in general.
However, he says that once the economy improves, they will have more income to allocate to investment.
“Meanwhile, we need to keep the lines of communication open,” he says.
“The super funds do have the money. But they too are sitting on the sidelines [and] … I suspect they still regard property investment as relatively risky.
“That's not true. Property was risky in the boom that preceded the GFC – over-geared vehicles, overvalued and at risk of becoming oversupplied. But that's not true now,” he says.
 
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Commercial property market 'bouncing along the bottom': Frank Gelber

<html><body>
The Macquarie Group has made a big push into the property investor space in 2012, growing its investment mortgages book by 33% during the first four months of the year, according to Property Observer analysis of APRA figures.
The investment bank has written $290 million worth of investment housing loans since January 1 – just behind regional players Bendigo Bank ($309 million), Bank of Queensland ($310 million) and Suncorp ($384 million).
A spokesperson for Macquarie told Property Observer the increase in its investment housing lending  was likely due "to the business continuing to ramp up since returning to the [mortgage] market in 2010.
“We have been continuously broadening our distribution and working on various product developments like the SMSF property loan.
“Our book has also recently returned to growth following a period of run-off – the run-off was of course driven by our time out of new mortgage origination between 2008 and 2010,” she says.
Macquarie launched its SMSF Property Loan on May 30 aimed at giving SMSFs direct exposure to residential investment property assets. 
In addition the bank also offers three tailored investment loans, including a 100% investment loan requiring no upfront capital.
Top 15 property investor lenders since start of the year ($ millions)
 
<table style="width: 379px;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Bank
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
31-12-11
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
30-04-12
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
New lending
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Westpac
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$118,380
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$120,654
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$2,274
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
ANZ
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$44,549
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$46,243
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$1,694
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Commonwealth Bank
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$85,928
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$87,328
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$1,399
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
NAB
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$52,134
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$52,616
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$482
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Suncorp
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$8,179
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$8,563
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$384
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Bank of Queensland
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$9,672
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$9,982
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$310
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$8,553
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$8,863
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$309
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Macquarie Bank
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$876
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$1,166
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$290
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Citigroup Pty
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$2,401
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$2,547
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$146
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
BankWest
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$9,322
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$9,466
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$144
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Members Equity Bank
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$1,168
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$1,280
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$112
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
ING Bank
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$9,469
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$9,572
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$103
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
AMP Bank
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$2,014
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$2,094
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$80
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
Heritage Bank
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$1,187
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$1,238
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$52
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="143">
HSBC Bank Australia
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="96">
$3,843
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="76">
$3,894
</td>
<td nowrap valign="top" width="64">
$51
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Source: APRA
Macquarie CEO Nicholas Moore revealed at a February operational briefing that the bank had launched an enhanced mortgages offering to new Australian clients.
The investment bank also has an equity stake and helped launch mortgage aggregator Vow Financial, which has grown to a network of 700 mortgage brokers – a channel for it to distribute its investment loans and other products.
The APRA figures show that Members Equity Bank has also ramped up its investment mortgage lending since January, lending $112 million to property investors translating into 9% growth for its $1.3 billion investment loan book.
In contrast to Macquarie and ME Bank’s pitch to the investor market, NAB has pulled back from this market, growing its investor mortgage book by less than 1% since the start of the year – adding just $482 million to its $53 billion investment loan book.
Westpac has by far the biggest investment loan book of all lenders at $121 billion and also wrote the highest volume of investment loans ($2.3 billion) over the first fourth months of the year.
ANZ has also been a strong player in the investment space, registering the strongest growth of the Big Four over the fourth months of just under 4%. The bank has written $1.7 billion worth of investment loans since the start of the year.
</body></html>

Macquarie increases loans to property investors 33% since January: APRA figures

<html><body>
Property investors are selling themselves short by asking for a lower rent in the hope of securing a longer-term tenant, according to McGrath Estate Agents head of property management Michael Conolly.
Conolly says such a strategy does not usually work and says an experienced property manager is the best way for a property investor to determine what rent to charge tenants.
He says landlords often confused their price expectation with what the local tenant market will bear.
“You might want a certain price for your property based on what you think it’s worth, but the real rental value is based on what the market is willing to pay,” Conolly says.
“We call this ‘market value’, and it’s based on many variables that can change monthly.
“The best way to find out what your property will rent for in today’s market is to talk to an experienced property manager. They are listing and leasing properties daily and have access to data that is not available to people outside the industry,” he explains.
Conolly offers the following strategy for setting the rent: “After seeking advice from a trusted, knowledgeable local expert, always advertise at the maximum rental value at the start of your campaign. You can adjust the asking rent after the first or second round of feedback if you really need to.”
He warns investors against advertising their property at a slightly lower rent to attract a longer-term tenant, saying the strategy sells a property short.
He says due to tight vacancies, most renters will expect regular rental increases and in most cases they’ll continue living in your property when the rent goes up.
“As a general rule, I recommend small, regular increases in rent. Some landlords don't put the rent up for two years and then try and put it up by $50 a week.
“Tenants don't like that. Depending on what the market is doing, I suggest perhaps a $5 to $10 increase in rent every six to 12 months. Just keep the rent ticking over, but not outpacing the market,” he says.
For tips on buying an investment property as your first purchase sign up for next week’s free Property Observer webinar with Michael Matusik: Tips for buying your first property as an investment. The webinar takes place on Tuesday, June 5 at 12.30pm.
</body></html>

Market value, not landlords’ hopes, should determine rent: McGrath

<html><body>
Planning your estate is an important matter. Estate planning involves arranging your assets and circumstances in such a way as to ensure that your beneficiaries after your death receive from your assets the maximum use and enjoyment at a minimum cost in taxes and heartache.
In other words, estate planning should be an efficient and effective intergenerational wealth transfer solution that provides for your required lifestyle and enjoyment ambitions while you are alive.
Before delving deeper into this topic with your legal adviser, it is important to understand the basic fundamentals. The main issue to understand is that your will only looks at your estate assets, which will be managed through your will, and not your non-estate assets, which are outside of your will.
It is also important to understand that the typical will leaves assets to specific people, e.g., spouse and children. The problems arising when the assets pass to that person directly is that it leaves them vulnerable to attack in bankruptcy situations, family law court hearings and the problem of minor’s tax.  This is where children under 18 are taxed at rates between 66% and 45% (plus Medicare levy) on unearned income. An estate plan ought to:
•    Ensure your estate assets pass onto intended people or organisations (charities, etc.) the   funds/assets in the amounts you intend; •    Minimise the impact of taxes; •    Ensure assets are not passed onto persons who are in bankruptcy or family disputes;
If you die without a will it is unlikely you will achieve your desired outcomes. The various states have different laws on how assets are to be distributed if you die without a will (intestate).
The most important issues to address in your will are:-
•    Ensuring that the interest of your spouse and children are protected; •    Minimising the effect of capital gains tax on the bequest; •    That there are safeguards in the will to ensure your assets are not lost to people outside of    the family.
There are many cases where the courts have overridden the wishes of the deceased. This can happen when a grieving child, spouse or other person feels they were mistreated in your will especially when they did not receive what they thought was due to them.  So you need to discuss this possibility with your lawyer when drafting your will to minimise the chances of any estate litigation.
1.    Estate assets These are primarily assets in your personal name and include: •    Property •    Shares •    Bank account •    Personal assets such as jewellery, car, furniture etc.
Assets owned together with someone else can either be as joint tenants or tenants in common. Under joint tenancy, the other person automatically takes full ownership upon your death. Tenants in common have your portion moving to your estate upon your death. 2.    Non-estate assets These are assets or rights not in your name. Typically these include;
•    Assets in a trust If you have a company trustee, the shares in the company may be in your name, and so these are passed on as estate assets in your will. The new shareholder would vote themselves in as directors, control the trust and as such the assets in the trust.
The trust would also typically have an appointer, being you. The position of appointer is a personal one and as such is not part of your estate assets. On death you can move this position to someone else via a memorandum of wishes.
•    Superannuation. These assets are not covered by your will whether in a self-managed super fund or a retail/industry fund. Typically people either via a binding death nomination request the superfund trustee to “give” the super to someone direct, or to the estate. If you send your super fund benefits to the estate, the will then takes over.
The super legislation prescribes who is eligible as a beneficiary, so it is critical to understand who is eligible, and how the dependency affects the tax treatment of funds received from your super.  These rules are the same irrespective of whether you “give” directly to someone or to your estate who then pays it out. 3.    Testamentary trusts The passing on of your estate assets can take on many forms. Traditionally people pass assets directly to the intended beneficiary i.e. title changes from the deceased to the beneficiary through a will. The will therefore does not take into account any unforeseen circumstances in the future such as:
1.    beneficiaries being bankrupt; 2.    beneficiaries going through family law proceedings; 3.    Minor children who will be taxed at minor’s penalty tax rates (66% dropping down to   45%).
The use of a testamentary trust is another way to pass on your wealth. A testamentary trust in essence passes on control, not the specific asset. Instead of passing assets directly to a beneficiary they are passed into a trust and a chosen beneficiary/s is put in control of the trust. This is not executed until your death, but forms part of your will. It is often an annexure to your will.
The problem is a will is normally prepared many years before death and as such there is no crystal ball to show what will happen in the future. In many cases people forget to update wills with changes. Even if immediately on your death all could be fine, but some time in the future things may change.
Testamentary trusts are usually a discretionary or fixed trust/s established as part of a will that takes effect following your death. It is important to also consider the use of a family lineage trust as the basis of your testamentary trust.  This ensures only direct family members gain access to benefits, thereby potentially guarding against an in-laws’ attack.
There is no standard format for a testamentary trust, they are adapted to suit the needs of a particular family. In many cases they include a lineage clause to ensure only your direct descendants can benefit from the income or capital. A will can include more than one testamentary trust and you can have sole or multiple beneficiaries in control. The bottom line is, who do you want your assets to go to and then set up the testamentary trust/s to mirror the decision. The only difference is that you pass control of assets to individuals not asset ownership.
4.    Insurance policies Life insurance can also be helpful in estate planning. It may help to cover a prospective CGT liability or allow the buyout of a partnership or allow the pay out of large debts on the estate. 5.    Other considerations Other items to consider is what happens in the tragic circumstances of you surviving an accident or medical problem only to be left in a coma or otherwise incapable of managing your affairs. Your will does not kick in until death. Other documents which you should have in place include:
1.    Enduring power of attorney 2.    Enduring medical power of attorney 3.    Guardianship instructions for your children
As is the case with your will, the above are state government driven, so state legislation applies.
Ken Raiss is a certified accountant and director of <a target="_self" href="https://www.chan-naylor.com.au/" title="Chan &amp; Naylor ">Chan &amp; Naylor</a> national accounting firm. Ken’s experience lies in working with large publically listed multi-national companies, which gives Ken excellent insight into international market trends. Ken specialises in educating “mum and dad” property investors and small business owners with advice on wealth creation, asset protection, taxation, superannuation and compliance.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Watch the webinar Ken recently presented on end-of-financial-year tax tips for property investors</a>
</body></html>

kenraiss-JsVyb3YKka

Careful estate planning will make sure your assets, such as property, are transferred smoothly

<html><body>
When marketing a property for sale an estate agent will recommend a range of options depending on the property, location and method of sale. As advertising is an outgoing that is paid for by the vendor, it is advisable to have an understanding of the options.
The most cost-effective advertisements are on the internet. Internet advertising is now the primary way most buyers become aware of a property. The internet provides a wealth of information that is not easily included in print advertisements and you can make the advertisements interactive by including video and voice-over to describe a property’s features. If you are having photos taken, ensure that the quality and resolution are such that may be viewed clearly.
Depending on the value of the property, specific websites can also be created for a property.
While print advertisements are still being used, they are less popular than they were a decade ago; however, they have role to play in some markets. Print advertisements appear in local newspapers or magazines and in the weekend metropolitan papers and range from display advertising to simple classified listings.
Most agencies have their own magazines and window displays. As agencies tend to situate themselves in areas with high pedestrian traffic, these options provide a simple and low-cost way of bring the home to the attention of buyers.
And, of course, social media is now being used to market property. It can’t replace methods that have a significantly higher reach but can compliment a campaign.
Finally, an agency’s own database of buyers is a very valuable marketing tool. A good agency will maintain its own list of interested buyers and will market homes directly to them.
With the range of options now available, it is important that sellers work with their agent to produce the most effective marketing campaign possible.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
</body></html>

enzoraimond-7fvRFHPR52

Make sure you are marketing your property in the most effective way

<html><body>
It is no secret that property markets – in fact, all economic markets – are driven by fear and greed.

During property booms greed is the dominant driver, but things have changed and now it's all about fear.
Fear of the world’s economic woes spreading to Australia. Fear of taking on more debt. Fear of investing because the property markets might collapse.
Fair enough. After all, any smart investor is going to opt for safety during a downturn. Right?
Actually, no. The opposite is true.
Most of Australia’s wealthiest property tycoons have made their fortunes by investing counter-cyclically, when everyone else saw doom and gloom and thought they were crazy to invest.
Why would anyone in their right mind follow such a principle?
Because, when you step back from the immediate, history shows us that the countercyclical approach always delivers the best results. It is, after all, the equivalent of buying at the bottom of a market cycle, isn't it?
But what is clear to me is the huge gap between two kinds of investors.
On the one hand you have the lambs; on the other, the lions.
The difference?
Lambs or sheep follow each other. They flock together. They follow trends. They are only comfortable with what is familiar. They seek safety and security in numbers.
And when it comes to property they are easily misled.
Why?  Because they are easily impressed by the promise of quick gains, glossy brochures and advertising hype. They invest emotionally and this always has pitfalls.
Lions are different and, like their namesake, they are rarer beasts.
They don’t follow trends. They are independent thinkers that make decisions based on cold, hard facts, not herd-like subjectivity. They can stay calm while others panic. They are ready to look at numbers and rational arguments and make investment decisions based on these.
So what type of investor are you – a lion or a lamb?
Depending on what type of investor you are, or decide to be, the next year or two will either be a time of amazing opportunity or a period of fear and missed chances.
Let me explain.
We've seen downturns and recessions before and we've heard the various pundits telling us all how this time it's different and the world will never be the same again.
What I’ve come to realise is that when enough people start to talk about 'paradigm shifts', such as certain events have now made basic economic patterns and cycles meaningless, you can be sure we're soon headed for an upturn, or a crash. It works both ways!
These doomsayers – who claim to have seen it all coming and to know what's coming next – just create fear. And this fear feeds on itself as the headlines sometimes seem to support their arguments.
During the past property boom – when the driver was, of course, greed and banks lent money freely and often without requiring proof of serviceability – more and more people shouted about how the traditional rules and models of property no longer applied and were “old-thinking”. Yes, greed also feeds on itself.
But right now the driver is fear. And fear is blinding the lamb investors, which creates opportunities for the lions.
If the “end of the world as we know it” merchants are wrong – and they always are – then your decision to be bold when all around you are fearful, and to invest when everyone else thinks it's crazy, will prove to be the kind of insight that truly great investors apply.
Buy at or near the bottom when others say you're mad to buy.
But, of course, you don't buy just anything. Far from it. You need to buy selectively.
You will need to see beyond fads and fashions, analyse long-term potential and have the insight to see the intrinsic value of assets and act accordingly.
I believe that window of opportunity is now open. But I’m not sure for how long, because things are panning out in a fairly predictable way.
The economy is going to recover, interest rates will increase and inflation will return.
More people will start buying or upgrading their homes and investors who have parked their money in the safety of bank deposits will start looking for a new safe haven for their funds. One that is a hedge against inflation. Many will turn to the security of residential property and then the markets will begin to lift.
And when that happens, the sheep will wake up and flock back to invest.
So, the opportunity is now!
The challenge is to be a lion investor when others behave like scared lambs.
I don't pretend it's easy. To do this, you require the long-term focus to buy well located properties with an element of scarcity, in areas that have outperformed the long-term averages.
I believe that for cashed up investors with a secure job, now is a great opportunity. Now is the time to step away from the flock of investors who tend to be emotion-driven speculators pulled along by the dominant mood of the market – fear or greed.
Simple, really – but not so easy to do!
Mark Twain wrote: “Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
Now, there is a man worth listening to!
Michael Yardney is the director of <a href="https://www.metropole.com.au/">Metropole Property Investment Strategists</a> , a best-selling author and one of Australia's leading experts in wealth creation through property. He also writes the <a href="https://www.propertyupdate.com.au/">Property Investment Update</a> blog.
</body></html>

myardney-DFoGhGbSJX

Be a lion, not a lamb, when investing in property

<html><body>
The width of a terrace can make for huge variations in sale prices achieved.
The common terrace sits with a frontage of 4.5 metres to 5.1 metres. Suburbs such as Carlton, North Melbourne and South Melbourne are cramped with terraces of this size.
As the convergence of inner-city living continues to accelerate, many buyers are faced with the prospect of buying a single-fronted terrace, as the premium paid for double-fronted homes is often just too great.
We are noticing the slightly larger terrace, with a common frontage of between 5.5 metres to 6.5 metres is a hotly contested accommodation bracket.
The differences in prices paid is not a value for the extra land being purchased, but for the privilege of being able to find that type of property in the first place.
Price per square metre can increase by up to $750 per square metre for land that allows for that extra width. The homes sitting on these wider blocks also generally have a grander feel to them and strong bones for going up and out with renovations.
Carlton North
(Both properties need work, and the position is an excellent comparison.)
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cnorth1.jpg">
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cnorth2.jpg">
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/fnorth1.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/fnorth2.jpg">
 
 
 
 
 
Paul Osborne is the founder of Melbourne buyers' agency <a target="_blank" href="https://secretagent.com.au/">Secret Agent</a>.
</body></html>

posborne-ie3DgwEcSy

How inner-city terrace width makes a world of difference

<html><body>
Cargo Lane, a new development in the Sydney suburb of Alexandria, is offering owner-occupiers and investors one- and two-bedroom options that fall below the NSW government’s $600,000 stamp duty exemption threshold.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane.jpg">
The NSW government’s <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/time-running-out-for-first-home-bonuses-and-stamp-duty-concessions/2012052854863">home builders’ bonus</a> provides full exemption on stamp duty for new homes valued under $600,000 and expires on July 1 this year.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane2.jpg">
The BridgeLane Property Group development will comprise one-bedroom apartments from $475,000 and two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments ranging from $599,000 to $700,000. Some have car spaces, and some of the one-bedroom units include studies.
Sales started about a week ago, and 12 deposits have been taken so far.
BridgeLane Group head of property development Anthony Andreatta says the buyers have primarily been young couple owner-occupiers, with a few investors. The project is being marketed by CBRE.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane4.jpg">
"We have had an overwhelming response," Andreatta says.
"We are providing a high-quality boutique apartment building, located nearby to Alexandria Park, which in the current market it is a rarity in the inner east, which is dominated by large-scale high-rise projects." 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane5.jpg">
The 34-apartment development is three kilometres from Sydney CBD and is within an easy stroll of Danks Street, transport and Alexandria Park. It will also include eight prestige three-bedroom multi-level terraces, yet to launch, which include lap pools and landscaped courtyards (pictured below). These eight all include garage parking.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane3.jpg">
Cargo Lane’s façade will have a distinctive vertical garden and timber screens.
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Alexandria development Cargo Lane offers one- and two-bedders below $600,000 threshold

<html><body>
12 Korff Street, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/korff.jpg" width="470">
A remarkable 8.7% gross rental yield is possible for this Coffs Harbour property, which consists of a main three-bedroom residence and a separate self-contained two-bedroom flat with its own entrance. The residence has recently been rented out at $250 per week and the flat has been recently tenanted at $150 per week, though both are vacant now. The property is on the edge of Coffs Harbour CBD.
Nolan partners agent Scott Nolan <a href="https://www.nolanpartners.com.au/buying/NSW/Mid-north-Coast/COFFS-HARBOUR/House/39P0736" target="_blank">is marketing the property</a> with price hopes in the "mid-$200,000s", and if it sells for $240,000, that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 8.7%, well above the gross indicative yield of 5.3% for Coffs Harbour houses and 5.6% for Coffs Harbour units, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a target="_blank" href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $3,000 and over five years to be $7,000.
The median house price in Coffs Harbour fell 6.9% in the past year, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection Saturday, June 2 at 10.45am and will go to auction Thursday, June 14 at 6pm.
For more about prices and yields in Coffs Harbour, see the RP Data suburb page.
For another investment prospect open for inspection this weekend, see page 2.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
49 Dundas Street, Rye, VIC, 3941
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/dundas.jpg">
This three-bedroom house on 892 square metres is leased at $330 per week until September this year, and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stockdaleleggo.com.au/details.asp?internetid=259512&amp;OFFICE_ID=&amp;order=&amp;suburb=4416&amp;surround=&amp;price1=0&amp;price2=9999999&amp;category=&amp;bedrooms=&amp;bathrooms=&amp;garages=4&amp;propertyType=&amp;OFFICE_GROUP_ID=&amp;offset=&amp;st="> listing agent Glenn Key of Stockdale &amp; Leggo</a> says it would be suitable to be let out as holiday rental property or on a long-term rental. It includes a large, high-roofed garage or workshop with lighting and power, which Key says would be perfect for a car enthusiast. It includes a full-width rear covered deck, and the three double bedrooms include built-in wardrobes.
Key says there has been interest "in the early to mid $400s", but he hopes to secure a bit more for the property.  If it sells for $450,000 that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 3.8% at its current rent. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $5,000 and over five years to be $11,000.
The property will be open for inspection Saturday, June 2 at 1pm and will go to auction Saturday, June 23 at 2pm.
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

Latest Expert Insights

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

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Expert Insights

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

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News