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]

Joel Robinson

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

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

A proposal to redevelop one of North Sydney's ageing commercial buildings has taken another step forward, with plans for a 38-storey mixed-use tower adding momentum to the long-awaited transformation of the Alfred Street precinct.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority-led State Significant Development pathway, the proposal for 271-273 Alfred Street would replace an underutilised commercial building with 95 apartments, ground-floor retail, commercial space and affordable housing. The proposal was submitted by&nbsp;Tara Shore Pty Ltd, acting for the John Taylor Family Trust.

While the project will deliver much-needed housing on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, it also represents another piece of a broader precinct that has spent years in planning limbo.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e1ce1b4-38df-48ab-992f-386814d86308" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20podium.png?VersionId=sC_h6w.A9VEoB98qsqowPlIoz__sBZBt" />

Despite its proximity to both North Sydney Station and the Victoria Cross Metro, redevelopment of Alfred Street has progressed slowly over the past decade as broader planning controls, zoning and building heights remained unresolved. The introduction of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway has provided a new avenue for projects to progress, allowing rezoning and development assessment to occur concurrently and unlocking sites that have long been earmarked for renewal.

Designed by Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder, the proposal seeks to do more than replace an ageing office building. The architects have positioned the project as the first stage of a wider public domain vision that would improve pedestrian connectivity and create a more cohesive mixed-use precinct as neighbouring sites are redeveloped over time.

The proposal includes a widened Alfred Street setback, new street trees, landscaping and outdoor seating, along with a landscaped through-site pedestrian link connecting Alfred Street with Little Alfred Street. The connection is intended to become the first section of a future east-west pedestrian network extending across the precinct.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ea39ac3-46ad-4562-b4a0-b862e91c2dda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20site.png?VersionId=K7umCd21KpetEFuVfsPlnJKhUOsmTTdV" />

The mixed-use tower would comprise retail space at ground level, commercial uses on level two and apartments from level three upwards.

In total, the development would deliver 95 apartments, including nine one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, 56 three-bedroom and two four-bedroom residences. Twenty-one apartments, representing 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area, would be secured as affordable housing and managed by a registered community housing provider for at least 15 years.

Nine basement levels would provide 133 resident car spaces, seven motorcycle spaces and 111 bicycle spaces.

According to the Architecture and Urban Design Report, the public domain strategy is designed to transform what is currently an inward-facing commercial edge into a more active and connected pedestrian environment, creating a stronger relationship between the commercial core and surrounding residential neighbourhoods.

Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder has also prepared a broader public domain framework spanning neighbouring properties between 263 and 283 Alfred Street, arguing that a coordinated approach to redevelopment will deliver better public spaces, improved tower separation and a more connected streetscape as the precinct evolves.

The proposal comes at a time where North Sydney is slated for future residential growth. Commercial developer FiveX has residential plans for the neighbouring site at 275 Alfred Street. They've proposed a 39-storey mixed-use tower with 184 apartments, while Freecity was recently approved for nearly 300 apartments across a 51-storey building on Walker Street.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-freecity-gets-green-light-for-mixed-use-apartment-and-hotel-tower-in-north-sydney">First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-plans-39-storey-residential-tower-in-booming-north-sydney">First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney</a>

&nbsp;

Alfred Street the latest North Sydney pocket to be transformed by residential development

Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

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>
According to BlueScope Steel business, governments, industry associations and unions need to share responsibility for its recent decision to reduce (by 50%) Port Kembla's production capacity.
However, this attempt to distribute blame serves only to deflect attention from the more fundamental (and structural) changes occurring within the manufacturing sector as a whole.
Within his new book The Next Convergence, Nobel laureate economist Michael Spence makes some telling forecasts.
In his view, developing economies like China, India and Brazil (which house about 60% of the world's population) will reach “advanced status” by 2050-60.
And the current problems facing the West — excess debt, over-consumption and poor banking practices — are not merely a cyclical aberration.
Rather, they reflect permanent structural changes resulting from globalisation and technology — which are providing a shift in competitive advantage towards these developing countries.
However, as Alan Mitchell pointed out in a recent AFR article: "It is the resources sector that is allowing Australia to profit handsomely from the industrial revolution in Asia. And it is the services sector that employs 80% of the workforce and produces 80% of our gross domestic product."
Both these sectors employ a far greater proportion of uni graduates than does the manufacturing sector. And it is the resource and knowledge-based sectors that hold the key to Australia's competitive advantage going forward.
Clearly the growth of mining and the reluctance by consumers to spend are both adversely affecting manufacturers. And the Australian dollar is also likely to remain high for the foreseeable future.
Bottom line: It's not all bad news!
This shift in resources from the unprofitable manufacturing to mining allows us to capitalise on Asia's extraordinary growth. Plus, higher savings levels means that households will be better cope with any future global crises — as well as avoiding further rates rises, and an even stronger dollar.
Furthermore, the resultant growth in the service sector will also need to be accommodated — creating increased demand for office space within our capital cities.
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

As manufacturing dwindles, office a better commercial investment

<html><body>
Perth’s CBD would be a ghost town if it were not for the constant demands of bourgeoning resources companies.
The four big players – BHP Billiton, Chevron, Rio Tinto and Woodside – take nearly 20% of the CBD’s 1.5 million square metres of office space.
BHP, which is preparing to move into the city’s newest and most glamorous address, City Square, next year, takes up a massive 100,000 square metres of space spread across the CBD. Currently this includes 18,000 square metres in Central Park on St Georges Terrace and 15,000 square metres in 225 St Georges Terrace plus 3,000 square metres in 66 Murray Street, which is dedicated to training. The mining giant has other space in about four different buildings around town.
Four years ago BHP pre-committed to 40,000 square metres in the City Square project. Within the year this pre-commitment expanded to 60,000 square metres, which put the frighteners on several of the building owners who could ill afford to lose BHP as a tenant. However, the power of the resources boom has ensured that BHP will remain in its many leased addresses while expanding into City Square.
Meanwhile, over the past five years Chevron has been growing, with its initial 13,500-square-metre take-up of space climbing to about 68,000 square metres today. It is widely known that the oil company is looking to buy its own premises. Rio Tinto and Woodside each lease about 50,000 square metre of commercial space in the Perth CBD.
The Property Council WA deputy executive director Lino Iacomella agrees that the mining sector is the most important player in the CBD.
“Resources companies are the main driver of commercial office space in the Perth CBD, and increasingly those companies that are doing business with the core resource companies are becoming important players in the office leasing market,” he says.
In fact, most new office buildings going up have exposure to the mining sector.
“Mining companies are constantly bringing more people in to work in Perth. This creates a market not only for office space, but for new restaurants, shops and small bars and gives confidence for the very big projects like the Waterfront development and the state government’s Northbridge Link to go ahead,” Iacomella says.
Savills forecasts a 2.8% office vacancy rate for the September quarter. The report claims that the combined office take up from resources and associated supply companies account for more than half of the CBD’s leasing profile.
</body></html>

andreadixon-oif3j7eKne

Mining companies dig deep into Perth's CBD office rental stock

<html><body>
Demand for industrial space in Melbourne’s west is exceeding available supply due to a surge in multinationals taking up space, according to Colliers.
The industrial suburbs of Brooklyn and Derrimut are proving popular, with a series of major deals negotiated recently by the real estate group. 
Relocation multinational Australian Vanlines and freight and storage group Mountain Industries have both signed leases in an industrial park at 1 Cawley Road in Brooklyn. 
Both companies will lease about 4,000 square metres of “container-rated hardstand” space, with Australian Vanlines signing a five-year lease at $173,200 per annum and Mountain Industries signing a three-year lease at $140,000 per annum. 
Other tenants in the industrial park include multinationals Coates Hire and John Deere. 
Colliers International senior executive Nick Saunders says the leasing deals are evidence of an emerging trend in the area. 
“There is continued pent-up demand for tenants wanting warehouses in the inner west, but with very little stock available it’s becoming ever-frustrating trying to place the enquiry that were are handling,” Saunders says. 
Melbourne’s west has already been one of the few industrial zones to attract speculative development, with Australand completing three speculative projects in the precinct earlier this year. 
CBRE’s Victorian director of industrial and logistic services Walter Occhiuto says there are very good opportunities for speculative development, “particularly given the demand from major retailers who are currently driving strong levels of pre-lease activity.” 
Other multinational that have taken up leases of space in the west include O’Brien Glass, which has signed a seven-year lease at $145,000 per annum for a 1,800-square-metre main road building at 712 Geelong Road in Brooklyn. The warehouse was previously occupied by Toyota Materials Handling. 
“O’Brien Glass saw an opportunity to expand their operations in Melbourne’s west, upgrading from an 800-square-metre office / warehouse a few hundred metres up the road,” Saunders says. 
Australian Graphics, a subsidiary company of Wesfarmers, has signed a three-year, $77,800 per annum lease for 868 square metres at 144 Australis Drive, Derrimut. 
“They are expanding out of Altona North to a brand new building which was leased off the plan,” Saunders says. 
CBRE executive director of global research and consulting Kevin Stanley says the strength in Melbourne port trade has helped stabilise industrial rents and build demand for industrial property. This has helped drive rental growth during 2011. 
Stanley expects industrial yields to compress by around 40 basis points per annum –“a very conservative estimate and one which is likely to spark some debate”. 
“The question will be whether the market comes in and buys stock more aggressively and pushes values up faster that what a traditional compression cycle would suggest.”
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Multinationals snapping up industrial space in Melbourne's west

<html><body>
A new research note from Deutsche Bank has expressed a number of concerns about the Australian housing market, and has forecast an 18.4% decline in housing starts during the 2012 financial year, based on an assumption interest rates will fall by 50 basis points.

The note come just as the International Monetary Fund has released its own report, claiming that despite the enviable status of the Australian economy it is under threat from a housing market that could be as much as 15% over valued.
DB analyst Emily Behncke wrote in the note that if the RBA cuts interest rates by 50 basis points over the next year, and the world economy does not fall back into recession, housing starts may fall 18.4% in the 2012 financial year.
The news comes as the construction industry is continuing to suffer, with many SMEs collapsing as work dries up.
Behncke highlights that Brickworks, Boral and CSR have all downgraded their forecasts for housing starts by about 10%, and that housing prices remained most flat in the year to June 2011, and that the average median house price is seven times the average family income, although this has fallen slightly from last year.
"We believe our forecasts are at the lower end of the consensus range based on a combination of forecasts, (BIS, HIA), which forecast an average rate of 145,100 and 162,700 in 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively."
"Hence, DB forecasts for 2011-12, and 2012-13 dwelling starts are -12.3% and -14.1% respectively below average forecasts by BIS and HIA."
There will also be a shift in the types of houses developed. There will be an increase in the number of multi-level apartment buildings, with construction already taking up 38% of total building starts, despite the historical average set at 30%.
There is also a shift from investors and first home buyers to upgraders, who will move up to bigger and better homes, the note states. The value of loans from investors has fallen 8.1% in the past year.
"Given first home buyers have also withdrawn from the market – currently at 15.2% of housing finance – the only strong sector is the move-up buyer."
"Annualised move-up buyers have increased 1.9% month-on-month and 15.1% year-on-year in July 2011."
The note explains the after tax cost of maintaining investment properties based on current median house prices on average rents was 2.3% of the purchase price in the June quarter, equivalent to 2006 levels.
"We note the investment property equation is most expensive in Victoria (2.6%) in June 2011. As a result, we are not surprised that investor finance figures show a reduction to investor participation of -1.1% month-on-month and -8.1% year-on-year in July 2011."
And while the note observes housing prices haven't actually fallen, they could do so over the next year. But it also suggests that the RBA may cut interest rates by 25 basis points in the first quarter of 2012, which would potentially offset any falls.
"Affordability declined for all states in comparison to the historical average basis in QJ11 (however, improved marginally in three states on a quarter-by-quarter basis)."
"Cash rate has risen 175 basis points since September 2009. Given our expectation the cash rate will decline 50 basis points in the next 12 months, we would expect affordability to improve."
It also notes that as long as clearance rates remain above 50%, prices are excepted to remain stable.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/20111010-deutsche-bank-report-predicts-housing-starts-to-fall-18-4-in-2012" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Housing starts to fall 18.4% in 2012: Deutsche Bank

<html><body>
Queensland sales volumes jumped by 33% in July as owner-occupier buyers surged into the market to avoid the August stamp duty rises, according to RP Data’s sales analysis.
<img src="/images/stories/rpdataoct10.jpg">
“The surge in buyer numbers suggests that buyer confidence may not be as low as many thought,” national research director Tim Lawless notes.
“The surge came at a time when the threat of higher interest rates was still quite real.”
While capital gains are likely to be a long way off, the foundations of the Brisbane property market are looking quite firm, with Lawless also noting the magnitude of price declines across the Brisbane housing market had eased.
“The result was still negative at -1.3%, however it was a substantial improvement from the falls being recorded earlier in the year, the worst of which was seen over the March quarter when values were down 3%,” Lawless says.
<img src="/images/stories/rpdataoct101.jpg">
“We have also been seeing the ‘value gap’ between Brisbane and the other major capitals expanding.
“Brisbane house prices are now 21% more affordable than Sydney’s and 11% more affordable than Melbourne prices.
“The gap hasn’t been that wide between Brisbane and Sydney since mid-2007, and the current price gap between Brisbane and Melbourne hasn’t been this wide since late 2003,” he says.
“This renewed affordability proposition may be attractive enough to entice more interstate migrants across the border as interstate migration into Queensland over the March quarter of 2011 was at the lowest level since 1981.”
<img src="/images/stories/rpdataoct102.jpg">
Source: RP Data
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Brisbane house prices 21% more affordable than Sydney’s and 11% more than Melbourne's: RP Data

<html><body>
The Reserve Bank will cut interest rates twice before the end of March 2012, according to ANZ.
The bank has shifted its position in light of the change of tone evident in the most recent monetary policy statement following the decision to keep rates on hold in October.
In July, following the release of higher than expected CPI figures, ANZ had forecast a 25 basis points rise before the end of the year.
“Whilst the timing is usual, highly uncertain, out best estimate at the moment is for a 25bps cut in November, followed by a further 25bps cut in February,” the bank says.
ANZ expects third-quarter inflation data, to be released at the end of October, to confirm that domestic inflationary pressures aren’t as high as previously thought, giving the RBA a window for a November rate cut.
“For now, we forecast an initial 25bps easing, but we can’t completely rule out a 50bps easing in November, should global credit markets deteriorate even more sharply and quickly in the coming weeks,” ANZ says. 
The bank says the RBA opened the door for a modest easing of policy when it lowered both its short-term growth and 2012-13 inflation forecasts for Australia.
“As a result of these downgrades, the RBA acknowledged that it now had scope for monetary policy to ‘provide some support to demand’ should that prove necessary,” ANZ says.
 
</body></html>

Two rate cuts in next six months: ANZ

<html><body>
A five-bedroom Brisbane house, marketed as being sold under instructions from the Family Court, sold at its no-reserve weekend auction.
While its Rexmax estate agent Rod Westerhuis predicted pre-auction that the consequences "could be dire" it fetched a respectable $525,000.
“It’s hard to argue we didn’t achieve market value,” Westerhuis told Property Observer.
He says there were five bidders at the auction.
It last sold at $166,000 in 1999.
There were 48 parties keen to bid at the onsite auction who were within three bids at the offer at $400,000.
The median house price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Gaythorne </a>is $507,500, according to RP Data, with prices down by 9% over the past year.
Westerhuis had given the vendors written advice about the possible consequences of having no reserve after the Family Court judge had suggested the owners use a no-reserve auction as a way to finally sell their property and settle a court matter
The owners were instructed they must sell by a certain date, no matter the price, Westerhuis notes.
"This is so rare," he says. "Incredibly rare. I've consulted a solicitor about this and we've found only one other case in Australia where this has happened."
The dual-lot property, in Gaythorne, seven kilometres north-west of Brisbane's city centre, is a three-bedroom Queenslander set on 809 square metres of land.
It sold to someone who will subdivided subject to council approvals.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-gaythorne-107574663" target="_blank">The property</a> was auctioned in August but failed to attract a single bid – passed in on a vendor bid of $500,000.
</body></html>

Court-ordered no-reserve Brisbane auction a success

<html><body>
Based on the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for the 12 months to March 2011, the results of a controlled federal government slowdown in migration for the period has become evident.
During this period, Australia's population increased by just 1.4%, which equates to approximately 312,000 people; the lowest level of annual population growth since the 12 months to June 2006 (303,089).
In percentage terms, it is also the lowest annual rate of population growth since the 12 months to December 2005 (1.4%). Despite the slowdown, population growth is still tracking well above the long-term average rate of growth (254,561), over the year. The long-term average is measured since 1981.
Net overseas migration slowed over the March 2011 quarter. However, with increases to migration, particularly skilled migration, announced in the federal budget, we may see a reversal of these trends over the coming year.
Across the individual states, New South Wales recorded the greatest increase in population in raw number terms, up 82,134 persons over the past 12 months. In percentage terms, New South Wales' population is growing by just 1.1% over the year compared to Western Australia where the population growth of 50,962 persons equates to a 2.2% increase over the year.
Looking at interstate migration, New South Wales, South Australia and Northern Territory are losing residents to other states with the largest beneficiaries being Queensland (7,391) and Western Australia (4,996).
The outflow of residents from New South Wales is now at near-to their lowest levels since December 1998, while Victoria's interstate migration is the strongest since June 2002. Interstate migration to Queensland is now at its lowest of any period since 1981 while in Western Australia, interstate migration is increasing again but below levels recorded between mid-2007 and mid-2009.
These latest results confirm that when people do migrate from overseas, their preference is to settle in the more populated states such as New South Wales which captured 29.9% of all overseas migrants followed by Victoria (27.3%), Queensland (18.4%) and Western Australia (16.4%). Collectively, these four states accounted for 92% of net overseas migration.
Overall, this recent data shows that Australia's rate of population growth is slowing however, in raw number terms it remains well above the long-term average level.
"Australians are now showing a decreased propensity to move interstate and obviously this is causing population growth into Queensland to slow markedly after it had previously held the mantle as the strongest population growth state for many years,” the ABS says.
"From a housing market perspective, the lower rate of population growth directly affects demand for housing. A potential trend that we may see emerge is an increase in the number of interstate migrants, particularly from New South Wales and Victoria, heading to Queensland and Western Australia.”
At a national level, population grows in two ways: natural increase (births minus deaths) and net overseas migration (inflow of migrants who will say in the country for at least a year minus outflow of Australian citizens). The slowdown in population growth is almost entirely due to a reduction in overseas migration.
Over the 12 months to March 2011, 145,207 more babies were born than residents who passed away, and 167,148 new migrants moved to Australia.
Although both components have eased over the past 12 months, the level of natural increase has fallen by just -6.0% compared to a -24.0% decline in the rate of overseas migration.
 Over the 12 months to March 2011, natural increase accounted for 46.5% of the total national population growth, its highest proportion since the 12 months to June 2005 (46.6%).
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" width="385" height="198" src="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/images/stories/Features/pop%20growth%201.jpg" alt="pop growth 1">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" width="391" height="223" src="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/images/stories/Features/pop%20growth%202.jpg" alt="pop growth 2">
Cameron Kusher is senior research analyst at <a href="https://www.rpdata.com/" target="_blank">RP Data</a>.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/property/20111010-population-trends-where-are-people-moving-to-and-from" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Australia's population growth stagnates

<html><body>
Private treaty discounting has become necessary to secure sales across most capital cities.
Brisbane listings require the highest level of reduction, with a typical 9.6% discount needed against the original asking price, according to Australian Property Monitors.
Perth ranked second with an 8.6% discount required, according to the recently released August data.
Canberra vendors typically needed to adjust their expectations the least, with a required 4.1% price adjustment to secure a sale.
Discounting increased considerably across all capital cities in the past year, with the exception of Canberra.
<img src="/images/stories/discountchart.gif" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;">
Source: APM August data
Sydney’s discounting shift over the past year was second only to Canberra’s with the required discounting increasing from 6.2% in August 2010 to 6.9% in August this year.
But Sydney’s 6.9% August figure was the highest for any month this year for the city.
Melbourne’s 7.2% figure was the highest August discount required since 2004.
Buyer and seller expectations are still disconnected, Australian Property Monitors senior economist Andrew Wilson noted just before the spring selling season got underway.
He noted that days on market, discount rates and stock on market numbers were all higher than at the same time last year in the Sydney and Melbourne markets.
But Enzo Raimondo, chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, recently noted there had been an increase in the use of the term “discounting” to describe property markets.
He says the term only describes the difference between the estimate price and not necessarily the real value.
“Unfortunately, it is a term that fundamentally misunderstands the notion of value and price in residential real estate,” Raimondo says.
“It must be remembered that in most cases that a price on a real estate advertisement is under Victorian law an estimation.
“The estimate is often based on recent comparable sales and the real estate agent’s judgment,” he says.
“It is not necessarily the price the vendor will sell for, as that often fluctuates over the course of a sales campaign.”
</body></html>

Vendors must offer higher discounts to secure private treaty sales

<html><body>
Not much more can be said about Steve Jobs – he was the man who invented the future. He allowed consumers to move into the digital world where today we as individuals and businesses are much better off for that experience. One quote really stood out in my mind “Jobs concerned himself with making computers work the way people expected them to rather than making people learn how the computer wanted them to work.”
We marvelled at his creations: the MacBook, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad – never before have we see such technologies that would change the way we conduct our day-to-day business. One only has to drive by a bus stop, or observe the day-to-day behaviours on a train platform in peak hour, where his legacies are connected in some shape or form to us every day, and we’re addicted.
Rupert Murdoch once said, “The internet has been the most fundamental change during my lifetime and for hundreds of years. Someone the other day said, ‘It’s the biggest thing since Guttenberg.’ And then someone else said, ‘No, it’s the biggest thing since the invention of writing’.”
In May this year Google broke the all time online record of reaching 1 billion in that month. Comscore, which collates this data, recorded that Google’s sites rose by 8.4% from 931 million (in May 2010) to just over a billion – 1,009,699,000.
In Australia our online trending is also changing – the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the latest June 2011 internet activity revealing that for the first time wireless is more popular than copper as the most preferred form of broadband in Australia.
<img src="/images/stories/simeonoct10.jpg">
At the end of June 2011, there were 10.9 million internet subscribers in Australia (excluding internet connections through mobile handsets). This represents annual growth of 14.8% and an increase of 4.4% since the end of December 2010. 
The phasing-out of dial-up continued, with 95% of internet connections being broadband.
Australians continued to access increasingly faster download speeds, with 87% of access connections offering a download speed of 1.5 Mbps or greater.
Mobile wireless internet (excluding mobile handset) connections (44%) now exceed Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connections (41%) in Australia. Mobile wireless (excluding mobile handset connections) was the fastest-growing internet access technology in actual numbers, increasing from 4.2 million in December 2010 to 4.8 million in June 2011.
Overall, the number of Australians using some form of fixed-line service for their broadband connections remained just ahead of wireless once cable services were included.
It is becoming most obvious that we feel the need for speed, with Telstra just announcing its new mobile broadband network 4G. Unfortunately it is only available in capital cities, airports and some regional areas – those outside will have to stick with the 3G. Download speeds on the new network fluctuates from 2 megabits per second (Mbps) to 40 Mbps, which is 25 times faster than the previous speeds available on the 3G network. The number of consumer subscriptions for wireless and modem broadband jumped from 6.7 million to 9.6 million for the year to June 2011. Again wireless was the star performer with subscriptions jumping from 6.7 million to 9.6 million in 12 months.
This trending makes it difficult to see how the NBN Co will ever be able to break even (it requires a 71% consumer subscription to break even) for its fibre-optic installation costing taxpayers $49.5 billion.
Real estate businesses have benefited enormously from the Steve Jobs legacy, as the iPhone and iPad launches forced (most) real estate businesses to develop mobile and iPad websites so consumers could enjoy a happier experience. The most notable changes are that consumers have developed an increasing love for mobile phone apps and tablets (iPads), which explains why wireless has overtaken fixed line, and I can’t see this changing anytime soon.
The next big thing in the real estate world will be real estate agents and agencies engaging with their demographic markets on their very own .tv channels (some in Australia have already started rolling out this platform). Steve Jobs’ vision was all about delivering the visual presentation by using online to electrify your audiences. 
Yes – Steve Jobs invented the future, where today real estate agencies are now expected to be media companies as well. The new online lifestyle is challenging everyone today – I hope that the Steve Jobs legacy will provide more clues on where we need to be heading and how we get there. For the real estate industry it is becoming very clear that video is now a must with agency and property presentations. 
We keep reading “Comparing a Steve Jobs presentation to most presentations is impossible — he’s in a league all his own. Apple’s chief executive is arguably the most charismatic pitchman in business today. His presentations are brilliant demonstrations of visual story telling that turn customers, employees, and the entire computer industry into evangelists.” 
We can only learn from the best.
Robert Simeon is a director of <a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM">Richardson  Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay </a>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. He has also been writing real-estate blog <a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News">Virtual Realty News</a> since 2000. The RWM real estate model has sold in excess of $1 billion in database sales globally.
</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