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“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into.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>
Gold Coast apartment prices improved by 5.3% during the December 2011 quarter to a median price of $350,000, according to the latest figures from Real Estate Institute of Queensland.
At the same time Ray White chairman Brian White reports that the group’s Surfers Paradise office, headed up by Mike Willems, was the top performer over the month.
White describes it as a “terrific achievement in such a tough market”.
“With the strengthening in buyer interest, the power of marketing continues to return great benefits to our sellers. Fewer days on market and so often a sale price to delight,” he says.
White says that a further 16 properties out of the 150 that were part of the “The Event” auction at the end of January had sold post-auction taking the total to 104.
Overall, <state>Queensland</state> was the most improved market, though White acknowledged this may be due to “the terrible conditions <place><state>Queensland</state></place> experienced in the first few months of 2011 because of floods and cyclones”.
“What was interesting was the strength of many of our regional businesses in <state><place>Queensland</place></state> – Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Gladstone being particularly prominent,” says White.
“Regional centres close to the massive investment expenditures through mining boom have seen their residential values increase nicely. For example, <place><placename>Gladstone</placename><placetype>City</placetype></place> median house price is up to over $482,000, 32% up from 12 months ago.” Ray White’s strongest <city><place>Brisbane</place></city> office was the riverside suburb of Bulimba.
REIQ figures show a 2011 median price of $510,000 for Bulimba, virtually unchanged from $509,500 recorded in 2011. Overall the median unit and townhouse price in <city><place>Brisbane</place></city> increased 2% to an even $400,000 during the December quarter.
According to the REIQ, median price reductions were recorded in some regional areas, however the unit and townhouse market in these regions is historically much smaller than their housing market and is more prone to median price fluctuations on a quarterly basis.
<place><placename>Fraser</placename><placename>Coast</placename></place>, for example, registered a median unit price fall of 15.6% to $270,000 over the December quarter, however this was because there was a reduction in the number of new and waterfront properties sold compared with the previous quarter. For the year ending December its median unit price was steady.
An increase in the preliminary numbers of unit sales was recorded on the <placename>Fraser</placename><placename>Coast</placename>, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville and <city><place>Cairns</place></city> during the quarter. With the exception of <city><place>Cairns</place></city>, all major regions posted either steady or increased median unit prices for the year ending December 2011.
‘‘What we are starting to see is that as 2011 progressed, so did confidence levels in our property market with prices beginning to strengthen,’’ says REIQ chief executive Anton Kardash. 
‘‘Many regions posted their most robust price results this quarter since prior to the natural disasters at the beginning of last year.
‘‘As we move into 2012, REIQ-accredited agencies are reporting healthier levels of enquiry, with first-home buyers and investors especially taking a keen interest in the more affordable unit and townhouse market.’’
According to reiq.com, there are more than 5,000 listings for <state><place>Queensland</place></state> units and townhouses currently for sale under $350,000. 
The numbers of first-home buyers continues to improve in <state><place>Queensland</place></state>, with the latest ABS figures showing they now represent about 20% of the market – the highest proportion for more than two years.
The softening of property prices over the past two years, as well as relatively low interest rates, is partially behind this increase in demand from first-time buyers. 
‘‘Thousands of first-home buyers brought their buying decisions forward when the first-home owners’ boost was available in late 2008 and 2009,’’ says Kardash. 
‘‘Their numbers then hit historic lows in 2010 once the boost was no longer available so what we are seeing now is a return to more normal levels of first-home buyer activity, which is very positive for our market.’’
 
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Ray White records strong February as Gold Coast apartment prices start recovery

<html><body>
The government has offered many half-hearted incentives to encourage purchasers to choose regional towns over the more “desired” inner-city locations for their property purchases. Much of this encouragement has been via grants such as the first-home owners’ boost, which enabled some buyers to claim in excess of $30,000 if building or purchasing off the plan in an outer-suburban zone.
However the “fixes” have only been temporary and commonly when the incentive finished, overall turnover dropped along with the median house price. Calls for more permanent solutions such as heavy investment into infrastructure and the decentralisation of jobs have barely been heeded and consequently growth has been lacking.
However it now seems the government has unwittingly stumbled across its greatest and most successful incentive yet. The consistent squeeze and shuffling of cards in the inner- and middle-ring locations, causing median prices to rise disproportionably compared to over all affordability, alongside vain attempts to address shortages for renters and home buyers with mass approvals of high-rise accommodation or poorly facilitated new estates, is starting to force a dramatic shift in the way regional towns are viewed by our home buyer market.
You may remember the furore that was invoked early last year by Prosper <country-region><place>Australia</place></country-region>’s call for a “first-home buyer strike”.  At the time many in the industry viewed it as a joke, it was based on a preconceived idea that <place><country-region>Australia</country-region></place> was on the brink of a housing crash.  “Price falls are imminent – protect yourself. Don’t buy now!” was the slogan.  However as of writing, it’s yet another doomsayer prediction that has failed to eventuate with an upward turn in median prices already evidenced in various pockets of the country.
However, if you didn’t know any better, you could look back in retrospect and herald it a success, because over all turnover throughout the course of 2011 – according to data thus far released by the Valuer General – is more than 20% lower than can be recalled for over a decade. Due to our low unemployment rates and relatively healthy economic prospectus, the effect on prices wasn’t quite the demise Prosper <place><country-region>Australia</country-region></place> manager David Collyer desired. Prosper Australia had its sights set on a crash to make US vendors suffering a 40% drop in the value of their properties look like a walk in the park – thankfully we have better fundamentals.
However, while a drop in median house price won’t cripple a real estate agency – especially as on a national scale it was less than 5%  (Dec 2010 – Dec 2011) –  significantly lower turnover will. Throughout the year, larger real estate franchises shed staff and many smaller companies shut up shop. Those that held on survived only with the support of their rent roll which grew from the flood of first-ome buyers unable – or unwilling – to take a step onto the first rung of the property ladder.  Therefore, whether it was down to Prosper <country-region><place>Australia</place></country-region>’s’ campaign or not, buyers did indeed “strike” for want of a better word.
Of course, it wasn’t just first-home buyers who decided to abstain from the market in 2011; upgraders, downsizers and investors all kept their cards close to their chest either unwilling or unable to make a housing commitment.  However, we live in a welfare state and have a political and social responsibility to help those most in need. When it comes to purchasing property, there is only one demographic that fits this agenda and thus captures the media headlines – first-home buyers.
Not purchasing property in 2011 didn’t really help the first-home buyer cause.  Like it or not, “opting out” of the housing market just isn’t an option. We all require shelter and if we’re not buying, we’re living with family, renting, or one of the 105,000 nationwide with no permanent abode to call home. Inflation throughout the course of 2011 was roughly 3.1%, however due to the consequence of more than 20% lower turnover and the ensuing pressure on the rental market, yields in areas of high demand increased some 13% (according to research done by RUN property). Therefore even though median house prices have dwindled, which according to the HIA Commonwealth Bank Housing Affordability Index has improved housing affordability by 8.3% in December 2011 compared with December 2010 (something worthy of celebration), the impact certainly hasn’t assisted first-home buyers, who are struggling to save while paying exorbitant weekly rents.
Since the GFC banks have tightened their lending criteria falling hardest on the first-time buyer demographic. It’s now essential to show evidence of “genuine savings”, which should make up at least 5% of the deposit. Gifted, borrowed or inherited one- off lumps of cash don’t always fit the bill. According to Loan Market, 77% of the first-home buyers surveyed found themselves unable to meet the “genuine savings” criteria. It’s also evidenced in various other surveys, including one from ING that found only 21% of first-home buyers approached felt they’d be able to raise the required amount.
This should come as no surprise to those of us who have, at some point in our lives, had to work our way from the rental ladder to ownership.  However saving under the added pressures of a 21st-century “rich” lifestyle, which often requires possession of various big-ticket’’ items such as a car, computer, smartphone and so forth, upon commencement of employment, not to mention the pressures of population growth pushing house prices ever northwards, makes saving the required deposit harder now than ever before. This is one of the reasons I have greatly favoured encouragement of the first-home buyer’s savings account, which so far has had a relatively small take-up.
Due to the interest rate drop late last year and boost in consumer confidence, there has been a marked increase in buyer activity in the beginning of 2012 – most noticeably in the first home buyer sector.
What’s interesting however is where this activity has centralised. Since mid-2011 there’s been an increasing trend towards regional locations, which could have us changing the term “buyer strike” to “buyer vacation”. It seems a growing proportion of this demographic have finally decided to satisfy their need for ownership through a surge towards the substantially more affordable rural or outer-suburban zones. Last year, some of the biggest quarterly and yearly jumps in median value were experienced in regional locations.  Areas such as Ballarat, <city>Bendigo</city>, and Shepparton in <state><place>Victoria</place></state> showed rises in excess of 5%, while prices in more popular (and consequently over-populated) suburbs in the inner city dropped some 20% in certain pockets.  Meanwhile in <city><place>Sydney</place></city>, suburbs situated some 30 kilometres west of the city, which have historically suffered from low demand, are now showing signs of being future hotspots set for a potential boom in growth.  Of course, any location close to a mining town – such as Rockhampton and Toowoomba in <place><state>Queensland</state></place> for example – has also attracted healthy interest and consequent rises in their population and median value.
Recently, realestate.com.au conducted a “mood of the meeting” survey on its Facebook page asking first time buyers if they were interested in purchasing rural’ to gain entry into the property market.  The survey attracted an overwhelmingly positive response, with most replying either “yes, considering” or “already done”.
For example, in <city><place>Melbourne</place></city>, the population in outer-suburban Wyndham increased by 12,600 (8.8%) in 2010, which was both the largest and fastest increase of all Victorian local government areas. Strong growth was also experienced in Whittlesea (up 8,900 people or 6.1%) and Casey (8,100 people or 3.3%). The rises in median give weight to the assumption that they are gaining popularity with an increasing number of home buyers.
In <state>New South Wales</state> areas such as <city>Blacktown</city> (up 8,300 people), The Hills Shire, and <place>Liverpool</place> (both up by 3,400 people). In <state><place>Western Australia</place></state>, strong population growth has boomed in the outer-suburban fringes. The five local government areas of Wanneroo, Rockingham, <place>Stirling</place>, Swan and Armadale) accounted for more than one-third of the growth across the state in the year to June 2010.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
The change is a positive move from a social and political perspective, and it’s vital we not only encourage it, but also prevent a reversal by following the population surge with significant investment in infrastructure and industry. Anyone who has experienced rural living or small-town society will vouch for the strength of community that often emanates from the resident population in these towns.  It’s highlighted best when there’s a disaster such as the recent floods. 
The neighbourly spirit, camaraderie and social blossoming that results as cleanup and support systems kick into action bring out the true Australian spirit – the same spirit that was witnessed during the early settlement period and which often lacks in inner urban vicinities where people have little connection with those who live in nearby surrounds.  Although some will vacate a town after a national disaster of significant proportions – such as the recent earthquakes in Christchurch NZ – many will develop a deeper connection and respect for the land and the community strengthens.  As a lifestyle option living regional has riches to offer, and yet continually plays the poor sibling to our more populated capitals.
In urban zones, initiatives such as “neighbour day” have highlighted how little we know about those who live around us.  In short, the best asset you can have as a vendor is contained in the community that surrounds your home.  A flourishing community encourages extended periods of residency resulting in a happier and healthier population, lower crime rates, and subsequently helps underpin house prices.
Previously the overwhelming trend for buyers has been to invest in city suburbs with vibrant night life and abundance of well established infrastructure.  However, while regional locations can’t always compete on the same level, they do offer a viable option to secure cheaper housing and a quality of lifestyle which is often more suited to raising a family. It won’t please David Collyer – who wants home buyers to abstain all together, but calling for a ‘home buyer ‘rural vacation’ for those who are willing and able, rather than a ‘home buyer strike’ should have overwhelming support from all of us who hold Australia’s future interests to heart. 
For years, state governments have been trying to improve affordability and address population growth somewhat unsuccessfully. However a gradual boost in the regional populous in small satellite towns with already well developed facilities, will hopefully encourage greater investment leading the way for larger institutions to take up shop and thus create opportunities for employment.  Other initiatives already underway, such as the National Broadband Network, will also have a positive influence. 
As for investors, the party line has always been to invest as close to the city as possible in order to gain the greatest capital returns, however our cities are now so well populated, it’s clearly not going to always be a desirable prospect for home buyers – particularly families - who are essentially the demographic which fuel capital growth.  Towering high rise developments and crowded polluted roads and transport systems, along with ever decreasing blocks of land, are limiting the larger proportion of our buyer market in inner-urban zones. Instead a view to investment in well established regional towns could be a step in the right direction for those who want to take advantage of what seems to be the start of  a mini boom.
All in all, instead of praying for a monumental bubble burst to improve options for home buyers, the call should be going out from organisations such as Prosper <place><country-region>Australia</country-region></place> to promote the regional agenda.
Catherine Cashmore is an experienced buyer advocate, property investor and market analyst.  She regularly appears as Channel Ten’s property expert on The Circle.
Photographs by Scott Davies and Mike Moody, courtesy of <a href="https://flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr.</a>
</body></html>

catherinecashmore-6LXia3pPQj

Home buyers head for the hills, and the outer suburbs

<html><body>
Last week, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/commercial/how-to-market-and-sell-your-commercial-property-investment/2012030553685">I explored the various selling methods available to you</a>, which ones were the preferred, and why.
Plus, you were also given some initial insight into the benefits of using web (or "wealth") marketing techniques. But how does this differ from traditional marketing for commercial property?
Traditional marketing tends to adopt a "scatter gun" approach, which depends heavily upon expensive media advertising and a detailed information memorandum.
Whereas stealth marketing is more like using a "laser gun", focusing on your target market using a personalised direct-email campaign, plus a dedicated website, to explain everything about the property.
What else should you expect from your selling agent?
Your agent should be able to explain the current state of the market to you in detail, as well as providing a firm estimate of the likely price for your property.
But you're entitled to expect a whole lot more. And so, by way of a quick checklist, a good selling agent should also:
<ol start="1">
<li>Gather and collate all necessary information to ensure purchasers will be fully informed and capable of making a decision to buy;</li>
<li>Liaise with you and your lawyers to make sure the documentation is fully complete and correct; </li>
<li>Create a dedicated website (or at least several webpages) for your property – making everything available to prospective buyers, in exchange for their contact details;</li>
<li>Co-ordinate the overall marketing campaign: mailing out brochures and letters (or preferably, sending out personally addressed emails, with direct links for the website) to those potential purchasers known to be currently active in the market;</li>
<li>Try to secure editorial coverage within the various media being used;</li>
<li>Qualify and record all the enquiries that are generated throughout the marketing campaign;</li>
<li>Arrange for the various inspections to take place;</li>
<li>Prepare prospective buyers for the actual auction or tender;</li>
<li>Keep you advised as to progress, on at least a weekly basis;</li>
<li>Ensure all preparations are made, so that everything runs smoothly on the day of the auction or the close of tenders;</li>
<li>Conduct the auction (or open the tenders with you) and attend to signing of the contracts with the successful purchasers;</li>
<li>Depending upon local requirements, ensure an early release of the deposit;</li>
<li>Follow up with your lawyers to ensure that the documents have been executed to their satisfaction; and</li>
<li>Once the deposit has been released account to you with the deposit monies, 30 days after the sale, setting everything out in a detailed statement for the sale.</li>
</ol>
Bottom line: Unless your selling agent is proposing to undertake these vital 14 steps on your behalf, then you should be looking elsewhere.
Chris Lang is an advisor to commercial property investors and gives keynote speeches and regular seminars on the best way to invest in commercial property. He maintains a blog, <a href="https://his-best.biz/" title="Chris Lang's blog" target="_blank">his-best.biz</a>, which he updates regularly about the best way to get the most out of your commercial property investment.
 
 
</body></html>

chrislang-EQKojcgJPV

Fourteen steps a selling agent should take when selling commercial property

<html><body>
The Telstra store premises on Collins and Swanston streets, reputed to be one of the busiest pedestrian city corners in Melbourne, will go to auction on March 22.
The shop at 220 Collins Street measures just 65 square metres and is situated on the ground floor of the 1932 Art Deco Manchester Unity building, whose completion was said to signal to Melburnians the end of the Great Depression.
It was subsequently subdivided and sold down as individual units in 1996. The Telstra store sits in the most prominent corner position of the building, providing dual exposure to both Collins and Swanston Streets.
It brings in estimated annual net income of $543,000 (with land tax recoverable from the tenant), equating to a yield of around 5%.
The vendors of the Telstra Store were swayed to offer the property to the market after the strong result achieved at Shop 1, 55 Swanston Street in mid-2011 which sold at auctionfor a tight yield of 5.55% with the understanding that Telstra is located on a better intersection in a much more populated segment of the street.
It stands on a prime piece of Melbourne CBD real estate opposite the Town Hall, with about 15 million pedestrians filing past every ear – 50,000 each day.
<img src="/images/stories/220collins.jpg">
The store is being marketed by Josh Rutman, Mark Wizel and Max Cookes of CBRE with a price tag of $9 million plus and a guaranteed 5% annual rent increase.
Wizel expects local private investors to compete with offshore investors for the asset.
A recent report by Savills Australia found the Melbourne’s CBD retail property market to be holding up well despite the slowdown in consumer spending, with the overall vacancy rate still under 4% and street-front vacancies in the main Swanston Walk precinct at a low 1.2%.
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/220collins2.jpg">According to Savills national head of research Tony Crabb, Melbourne CBD retail remains an attractive “defensive” asset offering relatively attractive yields of 4% to 7%.
“CBD retail, in particular, has attracted multiple buyers, not only for individual stores, but also for larger enclosed centres and arcades,’’ he says.
Recent nearby sales include 255 Swanston Street, which sold for $4.9 million on yield below 4%, and 303-305 Elizabeth Street, which went for $3.2 million on a 5% yield.
The retail spot is being offloaded by ASX-listed property fund manager Charter Hall, which has held it since 1997 in one of its small unlisted retail funds.
Telstra took over from Vodafone as its tenant last year. The shopfront has not been vacant in the last 40 years.
The Manchester Unity building was the tallest building in Melbourne when it was finished in 1932.
The corner tower is built in the commercial Gothic Modern style inspired by Raymond Hood’s competition-winning Chicago Tribune Tower.
Photographs by Alistair Walsh
</body></html>

Telstra store premises in Melbourne CBD has $9 million price tag

<html><body>
Mt Barker tops the list of WA's slowest-selling localities, with houses taking an average of 231 days to sell, according to RP Data. It takes more than 200 days to sell houses in five WA localities. Property Observer notes  there were just 13 sales in Mt Barker last year.
 
<table width="341" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Locality
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
Average number of days on market
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Mt Barker
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
231
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Highgate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
228
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Herne Hill
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
225
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
San Remo
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
217
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Augusta
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
216
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
York
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
194
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Oakford
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
187
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Broome
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
186
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Burns Beach
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
186
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
East Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
178
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Source: RP Data
Property Observer readers can secure free tickets for the Perth Home Buyer and Property Investor Show by <a href="https://www.homebuyershow.com.au/special-offers/propertyobserver-ticket-offer/" target="_blank" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">clicking here</a>.
 
 
</body></html>

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Mt Barker properties take longest to sell in WA: RP Data

<html><body>
A group of Refund franchisees are still hopeful of putting together a deal to acquire the mortgage broking business, which has been in administration since October last year.
At the same time the sale of the business to State Home Loans – announced by administrators SV Partners on February 23 – appears to have failed due to not enough franchisees willing to commit to the arrangement.
Nicolaas Wiering from Refund Home Loan Double Bay has told Property Observer he is one of the franchises working “very hard” to put a deal together.
“Things are still very quiet … but we are hopefully still among the potential buyers,” he says.
The fresh alternative attempt comes at a time that a letter has been sent to franchisees by SV Partners (and seen by <a href="https://www.brokernews.com.au/news/newsletter/123068/">Brokernews.com.au</a>) advising them that the long mooted sale to State Home Loans "now looks unlikely to proceed".
The sale to State Home Loans required “as many franchisees as possible” to continue operating as Refund franchises and to sign a “Deed of Acknowledgement and Release”.
SV Partners has told franchisees that it is exploring other options to finalise the sale but says it needs to resolve things by the end of the week or the sale will not go ahead.
"We regret the delays and major inconvenience caused to franchisees as a result; however, we can only reiterate that we are working as hard as possible to obtain a satisfactory result for franchisees and creditors," SV Partners said.
SV Partners says another potential buyer is Independent Mortgage Professionals, a NSW-based business registered as a proprietary company on 27 January of this year.
"An amended draft contract was forwarded to IMP's lawyer on Monday 5 March 2012 encapsulating the terms [under] which we understand IMP are willing to purchase the business, and we are awaiting their confirmation of whether they can proceed on the terms proposed," the administrator said.
State Home Loans, which in late February appeared to be the forerunner to acquire the Brisbane-based mortgage broking franchise founded by Wayne Ormond, is based at 4 Railway Parade, Burwood, NSW, according to ASIC. The company received its Australian Credit Licence on January 5, 2011 under the directorship of Tina Lomonaco.
Lomonaco works for non-bank mortgage lender Royal Guardian, also based at the same address.
Royal Guardian was established as a mortgage manager and originator in August 1998 by Anthony Tomazin and provides both residential and commercial finance.
ASIC records show that State Home Loans has not yet recruited any credit representatives (loan writers) and trades under the name of First State Financial Services.
A letter sent out to creditors February 23 said a deal with State Home Loans was reliant on “as many continuing franchisees as possible to agree to operate under the franchise and to sign a deed of acknowledgement and release”.
Creditors and former franchisees who don’t sign up to a new agreement with State Home Loans <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/former-refund-franchisees-and-creditors-to-get-10%C2%A2-on-the-dollar-in-proposed-sale/2012022653558" target="_blank">will receive just 10¢ from every dollar owed under the State Home Loans proposal</a>.
Property Observer understands that aggregator Vow Financial may also be looking at acquiring the Refund business.
Vow Financial was created by the amalgamation of three mortgage broking firms National Brokers Group, The Mortgage Professionals and The Brokerage and launched February 2010 with the backing of Macquarie Bank.
The aggregator is run by former Macquarie Bank executive Tim Brown.
Macquarie Bank Limited holds a minority interest equating to less than 20% of the Vow group with the founding aggregators, independent non-executive chairman Dr Peter Neustadt and former Vow chief executive officer Zulman holding the rest of the shares. Vow was named wholesale aggregator of the year at the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/gladstone-mortgage-broker-wins-top-gong-at-mfaa-awards/2012031253792" target="_blank">MFAA industry awards held over the weekend</a>.
Property Observer contacted Tina Lomonaco for a comment but had not heard from her by the time of publication.
 
 
</body></html>

Refund franchisees still hoping to buy business as State Home Loans deal falls through

<html><body>
The serviced apartments sector is forecast to outperform the hotel sector over the next three years, according to the latest Serviced Apartments Review by Atchison Consultants.
Atchison Consultants is forecasting total returns of between 13% and 15% per annum on an ungeared basis for serviced apartments, while total returns for hotels are expected to range between 10% to 11% per annum.
“Rental growth in line with CPI is expected [for serviced apartments]. Occupancy rates will reflect growth in GDP, which will remain positive,” says the report.
However a seperate report by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels (JLLH) says "mum and dad" investors are cautious about investing in serviced apartments due to the negative economic outlook and negative yield spread on new projects under construction.
According to JLLH there 3,712 hotel rooms under construction at the end of September last year of which about a third were serviced apartments.
JLLH's managing director of strategic advisory Troy Craig says serviced apartments would have to show a positive yield spread for at least three years to tempt back retail investors.
On the other hand he says the growth in the apartment-style product shows consumer eagerness to "trade location for space, if offered at a similar price point" representing "an important trend for the industry, particurlarly given Australia's ageing hotel stock".
Paul Constantinou, chairman of Quest Serviced Apartments, which has the largest share of a very fragmented market (6%), says investors collectively own more than 5,000 individual Quest apartments.
However, he says these investments have to date been “unstructured and very disparate”, sourced and sold through a channels ranging from real estate agents and financial planners to the developers themselves.
Quest has set up a specialist property investment arm called Quest Properties to help fund expansion of its portfolio and “wrestle back control.
“We are at the tipping point now where in order to grow at the rate required to meet corporate demand for our product we need a dedicated division to facilitate new investment in our business,” he says.
Constantinou says serviced apartments look and feel like residential investments, without the typical frustrations like vacancies, repair and maintenance obligations, body corporate charges and real estate agent and property management fees.
He says the Quest offering promises a fixed 6.5% income return plus capital growth, no management fees and with maintenance managed by Quest.
“It’s a true set-and-forget investment,” he says.
The appeal of serviced apartments has also caught the eye of Harry Triguboff’s Meriton group, which plans to build <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/harry-triguboff-s-meriton-group-to-build-700-serviced-apartments-next-year-across-australia/2011120752737">700 serviced apartments across Australia in 2012</a> and has recently acquired two sites in Sydney, which will include serviced apartments in the mix.
The sector is also set to benefit from increasing numbers of business travellers to Australia, which according to Atchison Consultants now account for 50% of guests who stay in serviced apartments. 
Departure and arrival data from the ABS shows a 10% increase in the number of business travellers over the past year, with 845,000 coming in 2011 compared with 768,000 in 2010.
This is above the 10 year average annual rate of corporate traveller growth of 4.6%.
<img src="/images/stories/atchison1.gif">
This growth in corporate visitors <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/leisure/dollar-hurting-tourism-especially-queensland-coastal-hotel-occupancy-rba/2012030653721" target="_blank">was highlighted this month</a> by assistant RBA governor Philip Lowe, who said conditions were “noticeably stronger in the accommodation sectors in some of the large cities, which are benefiting from an increase in business travel and an apparent shift in preferences by overseas tourists for city-based experiences”.
According to BIS Shrapnel chief economist Frank Gelber, capital city hotels (which compete with serviced apartments) will be the best-performing commercial property sector in 2012.
“Why? In a nutshell because business travel has recovered. Both domestic and inbound,’ Gelber said in a column for The Australian.
“Performance of serviced apartments relies on continuing growth in corporate travel,” say Ken Smith and Ken Atchison, authors of the Atchison report. 
“[The serviced apartments sector] has a competitive cost advantage over hotels as its nearest competitor in corporate accommodation, which is beneficial at a time when both business and consumer sentiment is fragile,” they say. 
In line with a positive earnings trend, serviced apartments have attracted a growing share of the accommodation market.
<img src="/images/stories/atchison2.gif">
In addition, demand for serviced apartments as measured by room nights sold was significantly higher than hotels and motels for years between 1999 and 2008, with the exception of 2007. 
The number of room nights sold in serviced apartments as of 2011 was 3.3 million, representing a 72% increase since 2001.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/atchison3.gif"><img src="/images/stories/atchison3thumb.gif"></a>
The sector is highly fragmented, and no one player has a significant market share. 
The biggest players are Quest (6%), Oaks Hotels and Resorts (5.7%), the Mantra Group (5.1%) and Mirvac (3.2%). 
According to Atchison Consultants, since the beginning of 2009 occupancy rates have averaged above 80%, and this high occupancy is expected to continue in the absence of new supply. 
While the sector dates back to the 1970s, the real growth spurt occurred in the build-up to the Sydney Olympics with the number of establishments with 15 rooms or more growing from 479 in 1998 to 973 by March 2011. 
“Investment attributes of serviced apartments include direct property exposure with a relatively affordable price entry point usually on a long-term lease with contracted periodic rental uplift, tax and depreciation benefits and alternative use through conversion to residential,” says the Atchison Consultants review. 
Under most arrangements the business risk is borne by the accommodation business, which leases the apartment from the investor with average lease terms spanning five to 10 years.
 
According to IBISWorld, as of 2011, the industry comprised more than 1,200 operators with more than 1,300 establishments. At the end of the 2011 financial year, the industry employed over 16,000 people, generating approximately $2.3 billion of revenue.  The estimated value of the serviced apartment sector is $8 billion. 
Property investors can participate in the serviced apartments sector by purchasing a strata title and leasing it to an accommodation business. Serviced apartments can also be incorporated as part of a self-managed super fund.
Photograph courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://flickr.com/">Flickr</a>.
 
 
</body></html>

Serviced apartments to outperform hotels in next three years: Atchison

The growing numbers of Chinese and Indian migrants in Australia means property investors need to consider the cultural sensitivity of the residential property they purchase to ensure they maximise the resell value, says demographer Bernard Salt.

Speaking at the WBP Property Outlook breakfast last week, Salt said that during the past decade around 500,000 Indians and 500,000 Chinese migrants have moved to Australia.

Salt says these ethnicities are starting to “shape the Australian residential property market” in the same way that the arrival of Italian immigrants in the 1970s created the Anglo-European culture of eating out on the pavement, emulating the “piazza and the plaza”.

“I live in eastern suburbs in Camberwell. Our local Safeway closed in 1998 for about two weeks for renovations. When I went back there when it opened again, I saw something I had never seen before: an entire bay had been given over to bok choy.

“It is used in Vietnamese cooking. My point is the Vietnamese arrived in Australia in the mid-1980s. In a single decade such had been their impact that they had shifted the palate of mainstream Australia to the point that Woolies now stocks bok choy.

“Over the years Woolies has added pak choy, choy sum … a whole family of choys.

“The point is it was never the plan to sell bok choy to the Vietnamese, it was the business acumen of saying that the Asian influence will shift by osmosis the palate of ethnic Australia,” says Salt.

“How might these Asian influences shape the residential property market?

“The Chinese for instance believe in the principle of feng shui … that you don’t have the front door aligned with the back door, that’s bad energy because the energy goes straight through the house.”

Salt says while he and other property investors might not be swayed by feng shui now, if you want to maximize the resale value of your property in 2018 you must configure your property to reflect the principles of feng shui.

“We could find by osmosis that the Australian property industry could reflect or absorb the cultural preferences and predispositions of these ethnic influences,” he says.

Salt says a salesperson with a housing group in Canberra told him that Indians will always ask if the cooktop is facing east and don’t like their bedhead facing west because it’s the same direction they bury their dead.

These follows the ancient Hindu principles of Vaastu, which says that the&nbsp;kitchen should face south-east, the direction of the God of Fire. (<a href="https://www.truthstar.com/vaastushastra/vaastuforhome.asp">For more on Vaastu click here</a>).

Salt also says the children Chinese and Indian migrants are highly “aspirational” and will be looking to acquire properties in sought-after areas.

The principles of feng shui are also having an impact on the commercial property market, with Savills Australia agents Daniel Kelly and Lynton Williams recently negotiating a lease to a Chinese bathroom supplies importer and distributor for an office and warehouse in Noble Park.

The Savills agents said the tenant was “also interested in the buildings’ capacity to achieve the good fortune attributed to feng shui design criteria”.

Chinese and Indian design principles will shape Australia’s property markets: Bernard Salt

<html><body>
Stockland has increased its presence in the Townsville retail market after purchasing Centro Townsville shopping centre for $36.5 million. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/centro-seeks-buyer-for-townsville-centre/2011090651453" target="_blank">The 13,650-square-metre sub-regional Centro centre</a> stands on 4.2 hectares of land and includes Kmart, Coles, Commonwealth Bank and 25 specialty shops. 
The sale of the centre was negotiated by Peter Tyson and Jon Tyson of Savills in a joint campaign with Knight Frank Townsville's John Quinlan.
Tyson says the centre generated solid interest from the market.
"The asset was competitively sought by a number of institutional and private investors," he says.
“Over 100 buyer enquiries were fielded during the marketing campaign, with six competitive bids lodged, including two listed entities and four private investors.
“The primary attractions of the centre included the simplicity and compact nature of the asset, strong security of income underpinned by two blue-chip anchors, a favourable price point (under $50 million) and the obvious strengths of the Townsville economy."
Centro Townsville was valued at $35.5 million in April this year, up 4.5% from a December 2010 valuation of $34 million and last sold for $20.75 million in November 2001. 
CEO for commercial property John Schroder says Townsville is a key growth market and Centro Townsville is a strong strategic and complementary fit with Stockland’s existing centre, which is currently being redeveloped. 
“The purchase represents good value for Stockland with an initial yield of 8.3% and opportunities to create leasing, branding and operational synergies with our existing centre,” Schroder says. 
“When finished later this year the redeveloped Stockland Townsville will boast 46,000 square metres of lettable space including the region’s first Myer department store and many specialty shops new to Townsville. With this acquisition, we will be managing a precinct with 60,000 square metres of retail space, which will allow us to deliver a great community hub for customers,” he says. 
“Retail sales are projected to grow strongly in Townsville over the next decade.” 
The Centro stands directly opposite Stockland Townsville, which is currently being redeveloped into a 46,000-square-metre shopping centre at a cost of $175 million.
It will have an estimated completion value of $385 million and deliver an estimated internal rate of return of 11.5%. 
The diversified property group says the acquisition further strengthens its commitment “to this growing region in Queensland”.
In its interim results released last month, Stockland CEO Matthew Quinn said the property group would continue to sell its commercial and industrial assets and use the proceeds to reinvest in higher-yielding and less volatile retail assets.
Retail assets have generated returns of 10% for Stockland, while industrial assets have generated 8.3% and office assets 7% return.
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

Stockland buys Centro Townsville directly opposite current Stockland centre

<html><body>
It takes an average of 231 days to sell a house in Riverheads, which tops the list of the slowest-selling localities in Queensland, according to RP Data. There were eight localities where houses were on the market for 200 days or more before they sold. Property Observer notes that there were only 13 sales in Riverheads last year, according to RP Data.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="350"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="86">
Locality
</td>
<td width="263">
Average number of days on market
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Riverheads
</td>
<td width="263">
231
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Holmview
</td>
<td width="263">
229
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Goombungee
</td>
<td width="263">
214
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Peachester
</td>
<td width="263">
213
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Kooralbyn
</td>
<td width="263">
210
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Flaxton
</td>
<td width="263">
205
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Wandoan
</td>
<td width="263">
201
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Babinda
</td>
<td width="263">
200
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Gilston
</td>
<td width="263">
197
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Mapleton
</td>
<td width="263">
197
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Source: RP Data
 
</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