Lewis Land's latest apartment release within its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan is targeting one of the Gold Coast's fastest-growing buyer groups, with almost a third of apartments at Solis priced below $1 million.

The seven-storey building at Biggera Waters will comprise 91 apartments, including 24 one-bedroom residences starting from $778,000, a price point Lewis Land says is aimed squarely at first home buyers struggling to enter the Gold Coast market.

<img alt="Harbour Shires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7486e37-22f6-4c92-b212-9b0622070b8f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=W8MJwJUCf6HkIyl_EVSksnd.QI6MZryY" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the developer deliberately allocated a significant proportion of the project to more affordable apartment types.

"First home buyers have been priced out of many parts of the Gold Coast, and we saw a clear opportunity to address this and play our part in a longer-term housing solution," Long said.

"That's why 24 of the 91 apartments being delivered at Solis have been designed and priced for the city's next generation of homeowners, quality one-bedroom apartments, half of which include an additional multipurpose room to maximise space and flexibility.

"This approach places 30 per cent of apartments in Solis under $1 million, and with close proximity to Harbour Town's future light rail extension connecting residents to the city's major employment and knowledge hubs, it's a win for buyers looking to secure their first property."

<img alt="Sores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="550526d3-73ba-4710-9739-c5f4294a30ef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.29%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cQQdXHt9wS0UXwZEm5Py5bH_3kAmzyhu" />

Designed by BDA Architecture, Solis will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with residences ranging up to 232 sqm. Apartments feature generous balconies and contemporary finishes, while residents will have access to Harbour Shores' lagoon pool, clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga studio and sauna.

The focus on first home buyers resonated with purchaser Holly Humphreys, who said she and her boyfriend spent more than a year searching for their first property before shifting their attention from houses to apartments.

"We fell in love with the first house we bid on and got our hopes up, but after repeated knockbacks we learned not to get too attached," Humphreys said.

"We offered at the high end of price guides, but sales kept going even higher. That's where we really struggled and we needed to re-evaluate our budget and our expectations. Standalone houses were off the table, and we pivoted to apartments and townhouses."

Humphreys said it was encouraging to see developers recognising the growing demand from first home buyers.

"There's a growing number of young buyers looking to enter the market earlier because they understand that getting in now can make a real difference as prices continue to rise," she said.

"It's fantastic to see a developer recognise this and then actively take measures to deliver an apartment with us in mind."

Solis is the first development planned within the second stage of the Harbour Shores masterplan, with early works expected to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Joel Robinson

Lewis Land targets first home buyers at latest Harbour Shores release, Solis

Luxury apartment developer Abadeen has recorded $19.25 million in apartment sales across two of its Lower North Shore developments in the lead-up to the end of the financial year, headlined by the sale of a $6.75 million penthouse at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/koyo-crows-nest-5-rodborough-avenue-crows-nest-nsw-2065">KOYO in Crows Nest.</a>

The transactions also included the sale of a newly completed three-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences in Cremorne</a> for $6.35 million, with the residence selling shortly after the project's first public inspections following completion.

The sales come as completed, owner-occupier-focused apartments continue to attract strong demand across Sydney's Lower North Shore, particularly from buyers looking for certainty and immediate occupancy.

The penthouse at KOYO spans 491 sqm across a single level and was designed by architect Koichi Takada. The development is one of Abadeen's flagship boutique projects in Crows Nest.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108800 project_image_fid=370093]

Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said buyer activity lifted noticeably in the lead-up to the end of the financial year.

"We saw a clear increase in enquiry levels, inspection numbers and buyer engagement across our completed projects leading into the end of the financial year," Brown said.

"Buyers have become far more decisive over the past six months. The combination of improving confidence, limited supply and the ability to physically inspect completed residences is creating strong competition for premium apartments in the best locations."

Brown says the&nbsp;response to Park Residences following completion has been particularly strong.

"Buyers want certainty and are responding positively to the opportunity to walk through a finished product, inspect the quality firsthand and move in immediately," Brown suggested.

"Projects such as Park Residences and KOYO demonstrate that when the product is exceptional and the location is irreplaceable, buyers are prepared to act quickly."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=370116]

Abadeen CEO Joe Tack said quality continued to differentiate projects in the current market.

"Today's buyers are incredibly discerning," Tack said.

"They are seeking larger floorplans, premium finishes, walkability, lifestyle amenity and confidence in the developer delivering the project. Well-designed boutique developments continue to outperform because they offer something genuinely difficult to replace.

"The enquiry we are seeing across our completed and recently completed Lower North Shore portfolio is very encouraging, and we expect this momentum to continue into spring."

The sales follow increased enquiry across Abadeen's Lower North Shore portfolio which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/northcote-collective-naremburn-2-northcote-street-naremburn-nsw-2065">Northcote Collective in Naremburn</a> which also completed recently.

KOYO penthouse headlines Abadeen's $19.25 million EOFY sales flurry

The City of Sydney has approved plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/billbergia">Billbergia Group</a> and Metrics Credit Partners’ $3.5 billion Castlereagh Place project in the heart of the Sydney CBD

The towers will be among the tallest in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/sydney-nsw-2000">Sydney</a>'s CBD, with more floors than any other residential tower in the city.&nbsp;

The 6,000 sqm site was acquired by the joint venture partners in 2024. It is the largest amalgamated land parcel in the Sydney CBD and comprises eight individual sites fronting Castlereagh, Pitt and Liverpool Streets.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castlereagh-place-sydney-324-348-pitt-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Castlereagh Place</a> will transform an underutilised city block into a landmark mixed-use destination, anchored by two 82-storey towers comprising 607 luxury residences above an 8-level podium housing a 209-room luxury hotel. A 1,000 square metre civic park on ground level features a curated mix of food, beverage and retail.

The plans have been refined over the past year to rebalance the residential and hotel offering, and reconfigure the retail footprint to create a stronger, more dynamic dining experience.

A three-level flagship building on the prominent corner of Pitt and Liverpool Streets will be the gateway to the Castlereagh Place lifestyle precinct. Set to become a Sydney icon, the building is capable of housing multiple hospitality venues.

“Castlereagh Place is designed to be the City's next great urban oasis - an energetic mixed-use precinct that pulses with life, day and night,"&nbsp;said Joseph Kinsella, Group Director of Billbergia.

"It will bring the vibrancy of places like Barangaroo and Darling Quarter into a more accessible, central destination at the very heart of Sydney."

Kinsella said the project will build on&nbsp;Sydney’s growing laneway culture with the City’s largest network of new activated lanes - an expanded, next-generation take on precincts like Angel Place, Palings Lane and Ash Street in Wynyard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134477 project_image_fid=374401]

Castlereagh Place has been designed by architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fjc-studio">fjcstudio</a> in collaboration with Trias Studio, Aileen Sage and Polly Harbison Design, joint winners of an international design competition in 2018.&nbsp;

Signature design elements from the original scheme remain unchanged, while the public domain has been significantly enhanced, delivering 60 per cent more open-to-sky space.

Pedestrian access will also be enhanced through new laneways linking Pitt, Liverpool and Castlereagh Streets, drawing people into a new civic park with outdoor seating, landscaping and integrated public art.

With activated laneways supported by strong hospitality offerings, Castlereagh Place is tipped to become a vibrant new dining destination in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

It marks the largest undertaking to date for the Billbergia and Metrics Credit Partners partnership. Together they are developing other underutilised Sydney sites into mixed-use precincts, including the $2.2 billion Concord Central and the $1.3 billion Chatswood Grand Residences.

Metrics Managing Partner and Group CEO Andrew Lockhart said Castlereagh Place is a landmark project that will redefine Sydney’s skyline.

"As the tallest residential high-rise development, the revitalised site will offer panoramic views across the CBD and surrounds. We are excited to partner with Billbergia to reinvigorate an underutilised site and create a sophisticated and contemporary mixed-use offering situated in the heart of Sydney.”

Total apartments within the towers have increased to 607 dwellings, with a focus on larger floorplans. Aligned to growing market demand, Castlereagh Place now comprises 299 three-plus-bedroom apartments, 198 two-bedroom units and 110 one-bedroom configurations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134477 project_image_fid=374402]

Resident amenities will include an exclusive residents club containing a gym, rooftop pool, dining rooms, co-working spaces, library, golf simulator, games room, cinema room, and access to an exclusive concierge service. There will be around 500 basement car spaces below the towers.

The development will also include a state-of-the-art wellness centre, set to feature a bathhouse with magnesium pools, hot/cold plunge pools and premium amenities.

&nbsp;

According to fjcstudio, the towers will feature distinctive yet elegant architectural design reflecting Sydney’s geometry and urban character, with a network of through-site links and intimate public spaces activating the streetscape.

"Castlereagh Place is a city-making project of significant scale and ambition," said Richard Francis-Jones, Design Director at fjcstudio.

"It will create a rich urban complex of public open spaces, landscaped gardens, and vibrant laneways. Defining these new public spaces and the important streetscape of Castlereagh Street is a sequence of fine-grained, diverse retail and hotel architecture designed in collaboration with Aileen Sage, Polly Harbison Design and Trias.

“Rising above the tree-lined, human-scale streetscape are two slender residential towers that will transform the city skyline and look towards the Harbour, Hyde Park, and the Royal Botanic Garden.”

Demolition and early construction works have commenced onsite at Castlereagh Place.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134477]

Billbergia, Metrics, approved for $3.5 billion Sydney skyscrapers

International developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/spg-land">SPG Land</a> is preparing to re-launch its long-awaited $1.5 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/paradiso-place-surfers-paradise-103-ferny-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Paradiso Place</a> development at Budds Beach, bringing a new price point to the Surfers Paradise apartment market.

The developer will release one-bedroom apartments from $825,000 and two-bedroom apartments from $1.24 million in the three-tower development.

According to Urbis, the starting price for the two-bedroom apartments is more than $400,000 below the weighted average sale price for comparable two-bedroom apartments in Surfers Paradise during 2025, which was pinned at $1.7 million.

&nbsp;

Urbis reported quarterly average sale prices for new two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments ranged from around $1.2 million to $1.7 million throughout 2025, peaking in the December quarter.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185853]

Paradiso Place is now moving into its formal sales campaign, with a limited early-release opportunity available ahead of the public launch.

The development will comprise 845 apartments across three towers rising 40, 41 and 44 storeys from a 1.15-hectare site spanning an entire city block. The towers will sit above a new retail precinct.

"Paradiso Place represents a rare opportunity in today's market, offering premium apartments at a price point that is significantly more competitive than anything else currently available," SPG Land Sales Director Brad McMahon said.

"When you look at comparable new developments across Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and the Southern Beaches precinct, buyers are typically paying hundreds of thousands more for a similar product.

"The scale of this project and the developer-builder construction model allows us to unlock efficiencies that smaller developments simply cannot achieve. We are passing those benefits directly to buyers, while still delivering a five-star residential experience with an unmatched lifestyle."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=374280]

Each of the three towers designed by Rothelowman will have its own podium, connected by an elevated skybridge network to create a beachside village for residents. The resident amenity has been designed to rival a five-star hotel, with private dining rooms, resident lounges and entertainment spaces.

McMahon said the pricing strategy was a deliberate response to the current market.

"What Paradiso Place offers is a unique balance, genuine value within a premium market. Buyers are not compromising on quality, design or amenity, they are gaining access to it at a more competitive price point at a time when prices across the Gold Coast continue to reach new highs."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=362498]

Located around 100 metres from the beach and within walking distance of the Surfers Paradise North light rail station, Paradiso Place occupies one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held beachfront precincts.

Construction is continuing to progress, with eight of the project's 112 foundation piles now complete. Excavation has also commenced on the first diaphragm wall panel, with the first concrete poured on 15 June, marking a key milestone in the project's early works program.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106566]

SPG Land launches $1.5 billion Paradiso Place at attractive price point

Luxury developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> has achieved a new Victorian benchmark for an off-the-plan apartment, with the sale of two penthouses at its ultra-exclusive Maison Savoy development in Brighton.

The two penthouses achieved a combined sale rate of $49,926 per sqm. Both transactions eclipsed the previous identified Victorian off-the-plan price-per-square-metre benchmark, set by the 449 sqm apartment at Como Toorak, which sold at $46,659 per sqm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366473]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/maison-savoy-brighton-150-esplanade-brighton-vic-3186">Maison Savoy</a>, Lowe Living's redevelopment of the former Brighton Savoy Hotel on absolute beachfront land at 150 The Esplanade, Brighton, has gained significant momentum since launching just eight weeks ago. Around 30 per cent of the project's 19 residences have already been secured, generating approximately $45 million in sales.

"Securing two of the three penthouse sales at this stage, within eight weeks of launching to market speaks to the confidence our clients place in Lowe Living," Lowe Living co-founder Emma Lowe said.

"They know we'll be with them through every stage of the journey, and that assurance is something we've worked hard to earn and never take for granted."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366474]

Lowe said Maison Savoy was conceived as a genuine alternative to a prestige Brighton home, combining house-scale proportions with the convenience, security and lock-up-and-leave appeal of apartment living.

Lowe Living co-founder Tim Lowe said the early sales success demonstrated the resilience of Melbourne's prestige market and highlighted the growing demand for house-sized apartments among ultra-high-net-worth buyers.

"The Melbourne market has definitely been tested in recent years, with interest rates and global economic factors all creating a period of uncertainty across the real estate sector. The sales success at Maison Savoy however demonstrates that confidence remains exceptionally strong at the top end of the market.

"The prestige market is being driven by long-term lifestyle decisions rather than short-term market sentiment, which continues to create a level of certainty that befits an absolute beachfront property in a blue-chip location like Brighton.

"Brighton's fundamentals remain among the strongest in Melbourne, with limited new supply, enduring demand from an overwhelmingly local owner-occupier market, and a rare combination of beachfront amenity and proximity to the CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=374378]

According to Cotality, Brighton remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held prestige suburbs, with an average ownership tenure of 15.3 years for houses and 12.3 years for units, while more than 73 per cent of homes are owner-occupied.

Tim Lowe said selling two of the project's three penthouses so early in the campaign was an uncommon result.

"This sales result is a reflection of quality and understanding the local market. It's incredibly rare to transact the penthouses so early in a sales campaign in any project so to have sold two of the three penthouses at Maison Savoy so soon after launch, all in-house without any external sales agency appointed, is reflective of our careful consideration of our buyers' needs and lifestyle.

"This is knowledge that is accumulated not just from data and demographic analysis, but via a deeply embedded understanding of how this type of buyer wants to live and feel in their home. We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients personally, and over the last 10 years we have been able to refine our product offering by talking one-on-one with our clients about their design and floorplan preferences.

"Being a fully integrated developer-builder with an in-house design and sales team allows us to lead every part of the process and ensure the highest quality of product and service at every touchpoint. It's a really important part of our DNA and the recent sales success at Maison Savoy indicates that our clients and purchasers are resonating with this point of difference.

"It reinforces that demand remains strong for thoughtfully designed residences that offer rarity, lifestyle and long-term value in tightly held locations, which ultimately validates Maison Savoy's positioning as creating a new benchmark for house-scale, wellness-led apartment living on Brighton's beachfront."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366480]

The residences at Maison Savoy start from 295 sqm, with most enjoying uninterrupted views across Port Phillip Bay. The project sits moments from the Brighton Bathing Boxes, Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Middle Brighton Baths and Church Street's retail and dining precinct.

A key feature of the development is its private residents-only bathhouse, curated by the founder of Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse and modelled on traditional European bathing rituals and the award-winning Sorrento bathhouse.

The wellness offering includes a hydrotherapy pool, salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, foot activation zone and a Vichy rainfall bed, one of only a handful in Australia. Residents will also have access to a Technogym studio, lounge spaces and a dedicated concierge service offering everything from morning coffee delivery and restaurant bookings to dry cleaning and home coordination.

"Wellness-led design has become a defining factor for luxury buyers," Emma Lowe said.

"Purchasers increasingly value homes that enhance wellbeing through thoughtful design, private amenity, privacy and liveability."

The penthouse purchasers are now undertaking a bespoke customisation process curated personally by architect Pete Kennon and the Lowe Living team, one of the developer's signature service offerings.

Construction on the $160 million transformation of the former Brighton Savoy Hotel site commenced last month, with completion expected in early 2028. The project has secured funding from NAB alongside development partner Monark.

Just one penthouse remains available, along with a limited number of two and three-bedroom residences starting from $3.75 million.

Lowe Living currently has eight projects on the market across Melbourne and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, having grown a $1 billion development pipeline alongside a $350 million construction pipeline.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140818]

Lowe Living set new Melbourne off the plan apartment record

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?

<html><body>
Rosebery, the Hawthorn house remembered as the long-time home to former deputy prime minister Jim Cairns and his wife, Gwen, has been sold this week for the first time in almost three decades.
With impressive rose bushes on its front turning circle, the four-bedroom house, set on a 1,658-square-metre Wattle Road holding, was being offered for private sale at $3,475,000 through Kay &amp; Burton agent Matt Davis who listed it last October.
The Cairns couple owned it between 1956 and 1981, first as joint owners, according to the land title, then as tenants in common from 1976. It was unencumbered from its purchase through to 1972, and then again between 1976 and its 1981 sale.
It last traded in 1983 for $280,000 with the Cairns sale being $225,000.
Cairns, who had a lead role in organising the 1970 anti-Vietnam War moratorium protests, was treasurer and deputy prime minister in the Whitlam government in the early 1970s.
The 1880s Victorian home was the bustling campaign headquarters throughout the Labor left-winger's career. He was already a member of parliament when he moved from Berkeley Grove, East Brighton to Wattle Road, having beaten the grouper, Stan Keon, for the seat of Yarra in the 1955 election.
"We had as many as 500 people in the back garden of 21 Wattle Road, sitting on the grass, talking away – all day Sunday, once a year," the late Cairns once recounted.
In a late 1980s interview the former member for the western suburbs seat of Lalor, when asked had he ever moved into the electorate, advised: “Oh no. Gwen [his wife] wouldn't move an inch to live in the electorate.”
They married in 1932, after which he moved on from a career in the police force to university academia life to politics.
The couple finally moved after 25 years to Narre Warren East in the early 1980s to a rural acreage.
Jim Cairns was born in Carlton in 1914, and his early years were spent on a dairy farm north of Sunbury.
Gwen died in 2000 and Jim in 2003.
Wattle Road, first known as Weinberg Road, is an early street in Hawthorn and marks the location of a farming settlement established by a group of German immigrants in the 1850s. Rosebery was reportedly constructed by the Vogt family.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Rosebery, Hawthorn hotbed of radicalism during Dr Jim Cairns' ownership, sells: Title Tattle

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Richmond star Trent Cotchin, the club’s 2011 best and fairest, bought and sold on Super Saturday.
His three bedroom Edwardian home at Ascot Vale – not far from the Puckle Street shops – sold for $790,000 through Joe Zucco at Paul McDonald Real Estate.
It last traded, as is, for $703,600 in late 2009, so a good counter-cyclical gain was secured by the rising star who wants to get into property development.
Cotchin and his partner Brooke Kennedy, who’s with the funky baby and childrens’ fashion website, kidsrevolution.com.au , bought back in the Moonee Ponds municipality later in the afternoon.
<img src="/images/stories/trent.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/cotchin-front.jpg">
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Tigers' Trent Cotchin sells Ascot Vale cottage and upsizes: Title Tattle

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At the end of last year, predictions were flying around left right and centre about the state of the market in 2012. There was a lot of buoyancy following the RBA’s double interest rate cut, with the industry confident it would result in buyers flooding the market. In truth, while the cuts didn’t deliver the influx of buyers experts were hoping for, it has definitely boosted confidence.
It’s relatively early days in 2012 but here in Brunswick, we’re already witnessing some interesting trends take place. A key movement has been the type of buyers we’re seeing – second-home purchasers are generally married with one child. Many young professional couples are seeking apartments because they want to live within 10 to 15 kilometres of the CBD, and they’re willing to sacrifice space in order to have all the amenities nearby. Similar to the rest of the world – especially the capital cities in Asia and Europe – people are turning to apartment living to be located close to the city, a trend I believe will be highly prevalent in Australia in the next century.
We started 2012 with a bang, sitting around a 95% clearance rate in our first five weeks of auctions. In February, we sold a three-bedroom, single-fronted house in <a target="_blank" href="https://realestate.melbournetimesweekly.com.au/overview/3321823/417-barkly-street-brunswick-3056/">Barkly Street</a> for $1.01 million – the highest price ever achieved for a single-fronted house in Brunswick. We’re also expecting a four-bedroom home in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/VIC/Brunswick-East/?adid=2009560271">Kingfisher Gardens</a> to draw a lot of interest due to its proximity to cafes, shops and public transport. A few auction sales have been 10% to 15% above the reserve, proof of increased buyer confidence, especially compared to last year when we had properties selling up to 10% below the asking price.
Auction activity has now cooled off slightly as more sellers put their homes on the market. Still, we’re finding that any properties not selling at auction are being sold pretty soon after. Auctions have now become part of a process for obtaining that final sales result. Often we need an auction to transpire to truly see what a property is worth, and for vendors to understand what the market’s willing to pay for their home.
<img src="/images/stories/brunswick2.jpg">
We’re finding sellers also prefer auctions because unlike private sales, auctions are regulated. Vendors know an auction sale is final and not subject to any clauses such as finance or building inspections. Private sales, on the other hand, can typically take much longer and because they’re unregulated – buyers can get caught up in various bidding methods, be it a closed ballot, boardroom auction or informal bidding war.
Price-wise, last year was definitely a better opportunity for investors in Brunswick, but unfortunately a lot of them weren’t financially ready to buy at the time and they’re now competing – and often being priced out – by first-home buyers returning to the market.
Looking ahead, I think the doom and gloom from last year is gone and buyers are ready to settle down and secure their homes. Across the board, I predict a 5% increase in prices in areas within a 10-kilometre radius of the city – including Brunswick, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/top-10-victorian-capital-growth-hotspots-with-ivanhoe-a-shining-star-for-past-five-years-reiv/2012040254123">which was listed by the REIV in the top 10 growth suburbs for the five years ending 2011.</a> Clearance rates in Melbourne will remain around 58% to 63% all year, with Brunswick a little higher at 70% to 75%. Even throughout 2011 our clearance rates were hovering around 60%, attributed mainly to buyers seeing us as an affordable alternative to the more affluent neighbourhoods of Fitzroy, Carlton and Northcote. Currently our days on market are sitting at 38 days – a slight improvement from last year at 43 days – and I expect this to stay consistent for the next 18 months.
We’re at a time in the market where the playing field is pretty even, so it’s a good opportunity for both buyers and sellers alike. Buyers should bear in mind it’s always hard to find something that ticks all the boxes no matter what the state of the market, so they need to weigh up if they’re willing to sacrifice their dream home now to pay less for a property that meets 75% of their needs, or wait six months to find their perfect match when prices are higher.
Robert Elsom has 15 years’ experience in real estate and is director of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/">hockingstuart </a>Carlton, Brunswick and Northcote.
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Brunswick: The hockingstuart mid-2012 autumn property review

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A good turn-out at open for inspections is one of the first indicators that the market’s kicking off – four months into the new year, that’s exactly what we’ve been witnessing in Balwyn. We’ve gone from having four or five people turn up at our opens late 2011 to groups of up to 30 this year – and this is also translating into auction attendance, with our biggest auction last weekend drawing a crowd of 60 people (pictured).
Prior to our first set of auctions kicking off late February, we were already seeing strong signs of confidence returning, with nine private sales taking place in January alone – a record number compared with the usual two or three in previous years. Everybody’s been saying for a long time “save your money or pay your mortgage off before you make your next move”. It’s clear people have listened and are now in a better position to upgrade their lifestyle.
The issue in Balwyn though, is that buyers are ready but the stock is in short supply – not dissimilar to what’s happening around the rest of Melbourne at the moment, but low stock levels has always been a challenge in Balwyn, even last year. So we have an auction-oriented market with properties selling quickly – on average we’re holding six or seven auctions per weekend sometimes up to nine or 10 – and with clearance rates of at least 80%. March in particular was an exceptional month, with 25 auctions and a 90% clearance rate (compared with an average clearance of 65% in November and December).
Our first super Saturday was also a success, with only one property out of 12 passed in – indicative of the short supply in Balwyn and high demand for quality homes. The most astute vendors are reading the market well and seeing an opportunity to put their property on the market when listing numbers are low and there’s little competition against similar properties. They’re also continuing to lean towards auctions because it gives them three opportunities to sell; pre-auction, at auction and post-auction. Buyers also tend to look at auction properties first as they know there’s a limited window of opportunity to buy them and they get snapped up more quickly.
The most popular Balwyn properties are post-war 1950s three-bedroom cream or red brick homes – they sell nearly every weekend in excess of the $1 million mark. The property at <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/ore/Public/PropertyDetails/default.aspx?adid=2009452508" target="_blank">25 Winmalee Road Balwyn</a> is a classic example of the older-style home, recently selling for $1.05 million.
While we have a typical type of house, one thing we don’t have is a typical buyer. Compared to Richmond, for example, where young couples and investors dominate the market, Balwyn boasts an eclectic mix of buyers. It’s for this reason that units such as this one on <a href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/?autoSearch=1&amp;OID=3798627&amp;Con=S" target="_blank">Greythorn Road</a> sell well – they’re suitable for a multitude of buyers, from young families to investors or older couples scaling back.
The number of enquiries we’re getting from potential vendors on a weekly basis is also growing – not dramatically, but we’re seeing the market balance out as buyer and vendor expectations start to align. I’m predicting that once Easter and the school holidays are out of the way, May will be our busiest month yet.
The market will remain steady but we may start to see a mild increase in values later in the year – we’re talking 3% to 5%. Days on market will start decreasing and stock levels will steadily start to increase once vendors realise the market’s picking up.
In terms of sale prices the market can be summed up with one word – realistic. Most sales are meeting expectations but not exceeding them. We’re seeing sales occur within the designated price range or slightly above reserve; they’re creeping there and just making it. Vendors are more realistic about market value, buyer confidence has grown but no one’s over-excited – not just yet.
Toby Parker is director of <a href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au" target="_blank">hockingstuart </a>Balwyn
 
 
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Balwyn: The hockingstuart mid-2012 autumn property review

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Vendors in Sunbury, about 40 kilometres north west of the Melbourne CBD and most famous as the birthplace of The Ashes, sold on average 1.6 houses every day last year, making it Australia’s most heavily traded hotspot.
In total there were 604 sales in Sunbury in 2011, making it one of just eight locations out of Smart Investor magazine’s 601 hotspots that managed an average of at least one sale a day over the course of 2011.
The hotspot list is based on those suburbs where dwelling prices appreciated the greatest over the 12 months to December 2011.
Sunbury house prices grew by 5.3% over 2011, but are forecast to grow by only 2% over 2012.
Second on the list is Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, nearly 1,000 kilometres from Darwin, which had 491 sales last year and is a centre of both mining exploration and cattle grazing, while another mining and agricultural town, Emerald, in the Queensland central highlands, recorded 375 sales during 2011.
The eight locations also include the outer-Melbourne suburb of Tarneit, which recorded 424 sales over 2011.
Both Sunbury and Tarneit are part of the Baillieu government’s $200 billion growth corridor plan, which aims to house 1 million people over the next 20 years in north, west and south-east Melbourne suburbs <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/a-new-adelaide-on-melbourne-s-outskirts-baillieu-government-s-growth-corridor-plans/2011110952270" target="_blank">and create a regional centre the size of Adelaide</a>.
Sunbury forms part of the City of Hume, which the Victorian government expects will “continue to play a key role in contributing to the national economy and Australia's global position, with an expectation that employment will grow to between 90,000 and 95,000 jobs”.
Tarneit is in the city of Wyndham, the fastest-growing region in Melbourne and a hotspot for residential developments with 23 active projects comprising 24,000 homes underway with Australand, Dennis Family Corporation, Multiplex, Stockland, Peet and Villawood among those involved. Tarneit’s population is forecast to grow by at least 161,000 people by 2031.
Sunbury and Tarneit are among those suburbs that will benefit from an investment program, which includes the building of new train infrastructure, major roads, revamping town centres, building 350,000 new homes and the creating jobs for 400,000 people as well as building new parks and environmental reserves.
According to legend, following a game of cricket between the English cricket team and a local side, Sir William Clarke and Lady Clarke were presented with an urn containing the ashes of a bail used during the game in their grand Sunbury mansion of Rupertswood (now the home of Salesian College).
 
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
State
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
Number sold in 2011
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
Sales per day
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
Median price
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
Year on year change
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
12 month forecast
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
Median rent
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
Gross rental yield
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
Sunbury houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
Vic
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
604
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
1.65
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
$356,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
5.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
2%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
$318
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
4.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
Tennant Creek houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
NT
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
491
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
1.35
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
$230,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
24.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
1%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
Snr
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
Snr
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
Canning Vale houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
WA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
490
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
1.35
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
$525,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
-1.9%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
5+%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
$450
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
4.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
Goulburn houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
456
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
1.25
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
$269,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
7.8%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
$270
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
5.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
Traralgon houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
Vic
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
453
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
1.24
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
$265,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
4.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
2%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
$280
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
5.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
Brisbane units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
Qld
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
439
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
1.2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
$430,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
0%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
$560
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
6.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
Tarneit houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
Vic
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
424
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
1.16
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
$370,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
4.2%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
0%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
$300
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
4.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="78">
Emerald houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="56">
Qld
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
375
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
1.03
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
$412,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
8.5%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="73">
5+%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="71">
$550
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
7.6%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: Smart Investor
Photograph by Elizabeth Donoghue, courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>.
 
 
 
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Sunbury tops list of most traded hotspots, with more than one house sold a day

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Prahran is one of Melbourne’s auction hotspots, with its 2012 clearance rate running at 75%.
The suburb, which has a good supply of Victorian houses, is attracting buyers who just can’t find anything as affordable in Toorak, Armadale or South Yarra.
''The better streets of Prahran and East Prahran, where there's been some market activity of late, are drawing what we call 'lateral buyers','' Marshall White agent Marcus Chiminello told Fairfax Media.
''They are buyers who are happy to compromise on postcode if they can get similar amenity nearby.''
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/april3grandview]}
RT Edgar agent Jeremy Fox, who sold the top-selling house at the weekend in Prahran, at 4 Grandview Grove (pictured above), says the market appears to be improving.
The house was described as a stunning single-level Italianate Victorian residence renovated and extended under supervision of Carr Design and featuring pool and spa, high ceilings, floor to ceiling glass, return driveway and two street frontages.
With three bidders, the house on 918 square metres fetched $4.57 million, having been listed with initial $4 million-plus hopes. It was announced on the market at $4.32 million, according to the James Buyers Advocates report.
Fox says there are a lot of people trading up their houses now and a lot of people coming from overseas.
Prahran had the highest number of auctions on the weekend, with 13 out of 17 reported results sold, reflecting a 76% weekend clearance rate.
Real estate agency hockingstuart says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/prahran-the-hockingstuart-mid-autumn-2012-property-review/2012040254120">Prahran will continue to have strong capital growth.</a>
 
 
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Prahran a Melbourne auction hotspot as buyers trade down from Toorak

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The Real Estate Institute of Victoria has released a list of the 10 Victorian suburbs with the highest capital growth rates over the past five years and over the past one year. Only the north-eastern Melbourne suburb of Ivanhoe appears on both lists, with 7% capital growth in the past year and a remarkable 94% capital growth over the past five years.
One-year capital growth Victorian hotspots:
<img src="/images/stories/15percent.gif">
The capital growth in the past year in Derrimut, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $400,000 in 2010 to a median of $460,000 in 2011.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/13percent.gif">
The capital growth in the past year in Healesville, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $372,500 in 2010 to a median of $421,000 in 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/9percent.gif">
The capital growth in the past year in Fitzroy, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $835,000 in 2010 to a median of $912,500 in 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/9percent.gif">
The capital growth in the past year in Taylors Lakes, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $470,000 in 2010 to a median of $510,000 in 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/8percent.gif">
The capital growth in the past year in Melton, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $470,000 in 2010 to a median of $510,000 in 2011.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/8percent.gif">
The capital growth in the past year in Cairnlea, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $482,000 in 2010 to a median of $519,750 in 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/8percent.gif">The capital growth in the past year in Toorak, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $2,385,000 in 2010 to a median of $2,567,500 in 2011.
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/7percent.gif">
The capital growth in the past year in Chirnside Park, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $450,000 in 2010 to a median of $483,500 in 2011.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/7percent.gif">  
The capital growth in the past year in Ivanhoe, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $1,075,000 in 2010 to a median of $1,152,500 in 2011.
 
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Five-year capital growth hotspots
 
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The capital growth in the past year in Ivanhoe, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $595,000 in 2006 to a median of $1,152,500 in 2011.
 
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The capital growth in the past year in Albert Park, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $717,500 in 2006 to a median of $1,340,000 in 2011.
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The capital growth in the past year in Sunshine North, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $234,000 in 2006 to a median of $435,000 in 2011.
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The capital growth in the past year in Braybrook, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $230,500 in 2006 to a median of $428,500 in 2011.
 
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The capital growth in the past year in St Albans, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $210,000 in 2006 to a median of $386,000 in 2011.
 
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The capital growth in the past year in Sunshine, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $238,000 in 2006 to a median of $430,000 in 2011.
 
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The capital growth in the past year in Brunswick East, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $430,750 in 2006 to a median of $776,000 in 2011.
 
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The capital growth in the past year in Doveton, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $183,000 in 2006 to a median of $329,500 in 2011.
 
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The capital growth in the past year in Airport West, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $315,000 in 2006 to a median of $565,000 in 2011.
 
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The capital growth in the past year in Springvale, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. House prices increased from a median of $265,000 in 2006 to a median of $472,000 in 2011.
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Top 10 Victorian capital growth hotspots, with Ivanhoe a shining star for past five years: REIV

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Rose Porteous placed a $4.5 million vendor bid when her redundant Toorak abode went to weekend auction. The Perth socialite bought the Irving Road house for $4.75 million in 2007. The Georgian-style residence comes with a double-height entrance hall. It was listed with Phillip French and Jeremy Fox at RT Edgar.
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The three-bedroom, four-bathroom house comes with lift access. Any sale will draw the curtain on Porteous's plentiful Toorak property plays, which have filled the city's society columns for much of the past decade.
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Rose Porteous’s Toorak home passed in at weekend auction: Title Tattle

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Both Neometro’s luxury Forty One Darling Street South Yarra duplex terrace abodes have now sold.
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The latest sale was a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house with multiple living areas with 344 square metres of internal space and terraces of 50 square metres plus plunge pool.
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It was a design collaboration between Neometro and interior designer Kerry Phelan with warm greys and honey tones, timber flooring, quality stone and bespoke timber cabinetry and detailing. There’s a lift from its basement car parking.
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Its lush gardens include a palm tree.
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It was the latest in the offerings from the Neometro’s 25-year track record. Possibly Neometro's best-known development is the Luxe building on Inkerman Street in St Kilda, which won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects national award for commercial architecture in 2000.
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It sold through Ben Khong at Neometro for just over $4.1 million. The slightly larger north-facing adjacent terrace fetched $4.4 million of the plan in 2010.
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Neometro secures final sale at 41 Darling Street 

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The REIV has recently released the median prices for 2011. This data set differs from the quarterly data in that it compares all of the residential property sales in 2011 with those in 2010 and 2006 rather than just three months’ worth of sales.
This has the effect of smoothing out some of the peaks and troughs evident on a quarterly basis, thereby providing a clearer medium-term picture of the market.
The data showed that the median house price in Melbourne dropped by 1.8% from $550,000 in 2010 to $540,383. It’s important to understand this result in the context of what happened in 2010, when the median price of a house increased by 18% from $465,000 in 2009. Ongoing increases of that order would not be sustainable and it would appear that prices did drop from the peak in December 2010, partly due to concerns about affordability and a lack of confidence in the economy.
Over the same time, the median price of a unit dropped by 1.3% to $456,000 from $462,000 in 2010. This shows that the performance of the unit and apartment market mirrored that for houses.
This contrasted, however, with the outcome in regional Victoria, where the median price of a house increased by 3.6% from $304,000 to $315,000. While regional Victorian house prices do not exhibit the same variability of those in Melbourne, they also do not match the long-term growth, with a 27% increase since 2006 compared with the 46% increase recorded in Melbourne.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
 
 
 
 
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