UAE-based developer Arada has unveiled plans for a $2 billion twin-tower apartment development in Broadbeach, marking its first move into Queensland as it continues its rapid expansion across Australia.

Arada will develop 952 apartments across two towers on a prominent site opposite the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the project targeted for completion ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The project represents Arada's largest commitment to the Australian market since arriving in the country in 2024 and significantly expands a local pipeline that has now grown to eight projects and more than 5,000 homes.

It will also be the first major Queensland project delivered by Roberts Co since the tier-one contractor was acquired by Arada Group in 2025.

Plus Studio has designed the Broadbeach development, which will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two towers connected by a landscaped podium.

A significant resident amenity offering will include lagoon and lap pools, a gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a mist room, infrared room and salt scrub facilities. Communal terraces, private dining areas, a library, residents' lounge and work-from-home spaces are also planned. Around 1,200 sqm of retail and hospitality space will occupy the ground floor.

The site puts Arada in one of the Gold Coast's most active apartment markets, directly opposite the convention centre and within walking distance of Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast and Broadbeach's dining and retail precinct.

It also has immediate access to the Gold Coast light rail network and sits just a few blocks from the beach.

Arada Group Chief Executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said Broadbeach represented an opportunity for the developer to expand beyond its initial NSW pipeline.

“Broadbeach is a world-class address that gives us the canvas to create a community of exceptional design and lifestyle quality that genuinely enriches the daily lives of the people who call it home,” Alkhoshaibi said.

“This is our first development outside New South Wales, and it reflects our growing ambition to grow in key urban markets around the country.”

Alkhoshaibi said bringing Roberts Co into the project would give Arada greater control over the development and construction process.

“Delivering this project through Roberts Co, our own tier-one construction business, means we can bring the quality, pace and accountability that our buyers expect.”

The move into Broadbeach comes as Arada accelerates its Australian expansion following its entry into the market two years ago. The developer has assembled a pipeline of eight projects comprising more than 5,000 homes, while the acquisition of Roberts Co last year gave the group its own Australian construction capability.

Globally, Arada has a development portfolio valued at $50 billion comprising more than 55,000 homes across the UAE, United Kingdom and Australia.

The Gold Coast is emerging as the next major market for the developer, with strong population growth and infrastructure spending ahead of the 2032 Games continuing to underpin significant apartment development across the coastal strip.

Joel Robinson

Arada plots $2 billion Broadbeach towers in major Queensland move

Sydney’s downsizer market is changing, with a growing cohort of buyers prioritising the right home over simply finding a smaller one.

Coronation Property Head of Sales Cam Porter says the traditional idea of downsizing does not necessarily reflect what many buyers are now looking for, particularly those moving from established family homes across Sydney.

Instead, he says they are increasingly becoming “right-sizers”, seeking lower-maintenance homes without sacrificing the space, amenity or quality they have become accustomed to.

“We are increasingly seeing buyers who are not motivated by the idea of simply moving into a smaller property,” Porter says.

“They are right-sizers. They want a home that is easier to manage and better connected, but they still expect generosity, quality and a floorplan that supports the way they live.”

It is a subtle but important distinction in a market where apartment developers are increasingly targeting established owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377495]

For many of these buyers, moving from a house to an apartment is not driven by a desire to dramatically reduce their living space. Instead, the appeal is in removing some of the maintenance associated with a larger home while retaining generous living areas, storage and enough flexibility to accommodate family and friends.

Coronation’s sales team is seeing buyers place particular importance on natural light, practical storage and additional rooms that can be used as guest bedrooms, home offices or secondary living spaces.

Kitchens and dining areas are also playing an increasingly important role, particularly for buyers who regularly entertain or have children and grandchildren visit.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377494]

“These buyers still want their home to feel generous,” Porter says.

“They may want less maintenance, but they are not looking for less life.”

The challenge for the broader housing market is providing enough of the right stock to encourage that move.

While much of the discussion around Sydney’s housing shortage has centred on the number of homes being delivered, Porter says the diversity of those homes is equally important.

Older homeowners can remain in large family houses for longer when they cannot find an appropriate alternative in the neighbourhoods where they have built their lives.

“The decision is rarely as simple as wanting fewer bedrooms,” Porter says.

“People are weighing up their connection to a neighbourhood, the space they need for family, the quality of the home and whether it will continue to work for them over the long term.”

It also has implications beyond the downsizer market. Providing suitable apartments for smaller households can free up established houses for families who need the additional bedrooms and land, creating greater movement through the housing market.

<h2>Lillian targets the next stage of apartment buyer</h2>

It is a buyer Coronation is targeting at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lillian-erskineville-9-metters-street-erskineville-nsw-2043">Lillian</a>, its new collection of apartments, terraces and penthouses at Erskineville Village.

Designed by Silvester Fuller, Lillian has been shaped around larger living spaces, natural light and flexible floorplans, alongside landscaped areas, wellness amenity and communal spaces for residents.

The development will form part of Coronation’s broader Erskineville Village precinct, which will combine new homes with green space, retail, hospitality and new pedestrian connections.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377688]

McPherson Park will sit at the centre of the precinct, creating a significant new green space alongside the project’s retail and hospitality offering.

For Porter, the opportunity is to give buyers another housing option without forcing them to leave the part of Sydney they already know.

“People should be able to change the type of home they live in without having to change their entire life,” he says.

“For many buyers, Lillian offers the opportunity to remain connected to the Inner West and the city, while gaining access to a more convenient, walkable and considered way of living.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377687]

Coronation will explore the changing <a href="https://lillianresidences.com.au/news/lillian-x-space-x-downsizers-event-27-august/">right-sizer market at an event on August 27</a>, bringing together experts across property, design and lifestyle.

Held in partnership with SPACE, Poliform and Downsizer.com.au, the event will include a property market outlook from economist Michael Blythe alongside discussion around the considerations facing buyers planning their next move.

Attendees will also be able to learn more about the residences and amenity planned at Lillian Erskineville.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135149]

From downsizing to right-sizing: What Sydney buyers want from their next home

Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376196]

Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.

Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.

At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376194]

The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.

Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.

Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376181]

Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.

Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.

Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134873]

The Maybelle brings 27-storey parkside tower to market near North Strathfield

Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pdg-corporation">PDG</a> has unveiled its vision for the former Water Tank Site in Ivanhoe, which would see it transformed into a thriving residential neighbourhood, complete with a 2000 sqm public park.&nbsp;

Delivered in partnership with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/development-victoria">Development Victoria</a>, the proposal would transform the prominent corner of Bell Street and Upper Heidelberg Road into a connected community comprising two residential buildings, generous public open space and shared amenities.&nbsp;

The vision includes 287 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with a minimum of 10 per cent allocated to affordable housing, alongside a 2,000-square-metre publicly accessible park featuring a children's playground, activity lawn, indigenous planting, timber climbing logs, seating areas and a rock gathering circle.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a>, the proposal draws on the site's industrial heritage, using a robust architectural language that references the former water tank through expressive structural elements and durable, self-finished materials.&nbsp;

Extensive landscaping has been woven throughout the development, creating a living landscape that strengthens connections to nature while responding sensitively to the surrounding neighbourhood. Two residential buildings ranging from three to 12 storeys are linked by a landscaped forecourt, creating a welcoming arrival experience and improving pedestrian connections through the site.&nbsp;

Residents would also enjoy more than 1,000 square metres of communal open space, including barbecue and dining facilities, vegetable gardens, landscaped seating pavilions and a dedicated coworking space.&nbsp;

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the vision reflected an opportunity to transform one of Ivanhoe's most recognisable sites into a place that balanced housing, community and landscape.&nbsp;

"This is an opportunity to reimagine an important site and create a neighbourhood that delivers lasting benefits for Ivanhoe," Giuliano said.&nbsp;

"We're creating much more than new homes. The vision brings together affordable housing, quality architecture, meaningful public open space and shared places that encourage people to connect, while respecting the site's history and its place within the local community."&nbsp;

Development Victoria’s Executive General Manager Precincts, Niall Cunningham, said the application is an important step for the government-owned site.&nbsp;

“This is about delivering more homes in a well-connected location, along with public open space that the Ivanhoe community will benefit from for years to come,” Cunningham said.&nbsp;

PDG was selected as development partner in late 2025 following a competitive tender process.&nbsp;

A planning submission for the project is currently being progressed through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program, with positive early engagement from both Banyule Council and the Department of Transport and Planning.

PDG unveils plans to transform landmark Ivanhoe Water Tank Site

Shane Wilkinson's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace Development Group</a> has lodged plans for a major residential precinct on the former Presentation College site in Windsor, with an eight-building masterplan ultimately rising to 10 storeys.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/167-dandenong-road-windsor-vic-3181">167–187 Dandenong Road</a> spans a substantial 19,027 sqm site and is being progressed across six stages, with the first residential stages comprising 170 homes across four buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>.

Stage Two will deliver the bulk of the initial housing, with Building A comprising 81 apartments and Building B 49 apartments, both rising to six storeys.

Stage Three will deliver a further 40 homes. The heritage Nagel Building, identified as Building C, will be converted to 12 dwellings, while a new five-storey Building D will comprise 28 apartments at the Hornby Street and Dandenong Road corner.

The 170 homes across Stages Two and Three will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including townhouse-style dwellings.<img alt="First look: Pace plans landscaped housing precinct on former Windsor school site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="83c56e3e-dfb9-4e12-b172-c3f18513ec32" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_9.png?VersionId=xRcRpSZsxX.UX_NDDGcRZktw7HVrzx7u" />

&nbsp;

The longer-term masterplan points to considerably greater density across the site.

Indicative plans show Building E accommodating around 80 dwellings across up to 10 storeys, while Building F is earmarked for around 120 dwellings and also up to 10 storeys. Building G is planned to range between four and 10 storeys, however its apartment yield is yet to be determined. That means the masterplan currently identifies at least 370 dwellings across Buildings A to F before any apartments within Building G are counted.

Across the 1.9-hectare site, that represents an indicative density of at least 194 dwellings per hectare, with the final figure to increase once the yield of Building G is established.

Pace is pursuing the project through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program, with Urbis lodging a combined Section 96A planning scheme amendment and planning application on behalf of the developer, which secured the site earlier this year.

The application seeks detailed approval for Stages One, Two and Three, alongside approval of the broader masterplan framework that will guide the later residential stages. Stage One will see an existing heritage building adaptively reused for a wellness and fitness-related facility, while the broader precinct will retain several significant heritage buildings and established trees as part of the redevelopment.

A minimum 10 per cent affordable housing contribution is proposed across both the initial residential stages and the later masterplan stages, delivered through a discounted rental model.

The project comes immediately after a major change to the site's planning controls.

The site was rezoned to the Housing Choice and Transport Zone through Planning Scheme Amendment GC285, gazetted on July 22, 2026, and now sits within the inner catchment of the Windsor Station precinct under the State Government's Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program.

While the new controls identify large sites within the inner catchment for buildings of up to six storeys, Pace's masterplan pushes height to 10 storeys in parts of the site, with the taller buildings concentrated toward the centre and along the Sandringham railway corridor.

Lower-scale built form is proposed toward the site's more sensitive residential and heritage edges, with Buildings A and B generally stepping from three storeys at their interfaces to six storeys at upper levels.

Cera Stribley's masterplan breaks the development into a collection of separate buildings rather than a continuous built form, with landscaped spaces, new pedestrian links and a new publicly accessible road forming part of the precinct.

The planning report says the development will create new pedestrian connections to Elm Place and along the railway corridor, as well as a new publicly accessible road linking Elm Place with Dandenong Road. The proposed buildings will occupy around 54 per cent of the site, leaving a substantial portion available for landscaping, communal areas and permeable surfaces.

Urbis said the scale of the project reflected the site's strategic location close to Windsor Station, tram services and the Chapel Street Activity Centre, with the former school campus identified as a significant opportunity to increase housing supply on an underutilised inner-Melbourne site.

&nbsp;

First look: Pace plans landscaped housing precinct on former Windsor school site

National Australia Bank (NAB) has brought forward the timing of the first RBA cash rate cut by three months.

NAB is now expecting a cut in February, in line with ANZ and Westpac, having initially thought a cut wouldn't come until May.

Commonwealth Bank, the nation's largest lender, still thinks the first cut will come in December.

NAB changed its call following the August monthly inflation figures that were released at the end of September, showing it had dropped to 2.7 per cent.

"The risk has been skewed to a first cut earlier in 2025, and today’s change acknowledges the balance of risks has likely shifted sufficiently for the RBA to feel comfortable cutting a little sooner than we earlier expected," NAB noted in its latest update.

They added that the cadence of the cuts may be faster than its central profile.

"Domestic inflation pressures are cooling, but only gradually, and we continue to expect the conditions for a cut will not be in place this year.

NAB believes the easing cycle will end at 3.1 per cent by early 2026, which is five cuts from the current 4.35 per cent cash rate.&nbsp;

CBA also thinks 3.1 per cent will mark the end of the cutting cycle, while Westpac is forecasting 3.35 per cent, and ANZ is the most pessimistic at 3.6 per cent, which would be just three interest rate cuts.

<h2>What would a rate cut in February look like for borrowers?</h2>

According to&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn%3Du001.IVvjJ-2BPT0A8C3VxtqKc6e3bj5hBuw27WFEYqovsYs7kPsgFulYrdOzeP8gI7CybJOya3_RgrM7qq-2BfK-2FtAHeRBLv5Qrb-2Bii5fzjLeKcP4w-2FkNgJPXygpiRhVUan3WV3QEggcf617UC8Z60RjQJZAqx7PiO7FtVJQSn0D46Zc3iTVP0kAhTTzG51cPpa5hrqz1OkSA-2BiXAxUajQ686MTtiseWBIdMdknd83aB7cOVgXlVTeHCGf3-2BcMHwfvI8TYlkUovqEhn4dj0KXf2eJGpb9-2BBv20hPXdLlPP9yD7DvFFDBM5yrTqxvcCiMfAsW1onD-2FcriL628eYdhNQE7bwzYrxcOYnmaYfRhGl-2FEHQ6eK2uQcLxs6Cbu6Dx0bYvpi5A6enmxMWU5TkcRYrP6Z8GbXZYtc5qSoKu6eWFBQR9K7fsjXwHMmby3D3X6Yx-2BxcDcdRruTG&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1727774368149000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2vK2ujS77CHs9VRvSSXzLC" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IVvjJ-2BPT0A8C3VxtqKc6e3bj5hBuw27WFEYqovsYs7kPsgFulYrdOzeP8gI7CybJOya3_RgrM7qq-2BfK-2FtAHeRBLv5Qrb-2Bii5fzjLeKcP4w-2FkNgJPXygpiRhVUan3WV3QEggcf617UC8Z60RjQJZAqx7PiO7FtVJQSn0D46Zc3iTVP0kAhTTzG51cPpa5hrqz1OkSA-2BiXAxUajQ686MTtiseWBIdMdknd83aB7cOVgXlVTeHCGf3-2BcMHwfvI8TYlkUovqEhn4dj0KXf2eJGpb9-2BBv20hPXdLlPP9yD7DvFFDBM5yrTqxvcCiMfAsW1onD-2FcriL628eYdhNQE7bwzYrxcOYnmaYfRhGl-2FEHQ6eK2uQcLxs6Cbu6Dx0bYvpi5A6enmxMWU5TkcRYrP6Z8GbXZYtc5qSoKu6eWFBQR9K7fsjXwHMmby3D3X6Yx-2BxcDcdRruTG" target="_blank">Canstar</a>, if there is a cut in February, a borrower with a $600,000 loan today and 25 years remaining would see their monthly repayments drop by $92.&nbsp;

<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="3">
			Impact of 0.25% pt cut in February 2025
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Current loan size
			</td>
			<td>
			Drop in monthly repayment
			</td>
			<td>
			New monthly repayment
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			$600,000
			</td>
			<td>
			-$92
			</td>
			<td>
			$3,907
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			$750,000
			</td>
			<td>
			-$114
			</td>
			<td>
			$4,884
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			$1M
			</td>
			<td>
			-$153
			</td>
			<td>
			$6,512
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="3">
			Source:&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn%3Du001.xWMOP9hChsvn-2BC9O-2FebBihXIZ4cEzbiuENdxm-2Bx3-2FYEEgYMhZlKWNj5Zzy1YZ56RuASD_RgrM7qq-2BfK-2FtAHeRBLv5Qrb-2Bii5fzjLeKcP4w-2FkNgJPXygpiRhVUan3WV3QEggcf617UC8Z60RjQJZAqx7PiO7FtVJQSn0D46Zc3iTVP0kAhTTzG51cPpa5hrqz1OkSA-2BiXAxUajQ686MTtiseWBIdMdknd83aB7cOVgXlVTeHCGf3-2BcMHwfvI8TYlkUovqEhn4dj0KXf2eJGpb9-2BBv20v2akwr6-2BqLyRrlEgkJ4J-2BCCyY0x189xEHZA4Ylf8c7ChBqNIkhmftZzoFuZKFn43pw3oJVg2o1gumrpdA-2B7MB-2FBtmL2rFCI-2FXORATQHySCLVOMg7Vywv-2BqnnQUAtDz6XkvpwxdHFXh70VwKazzhJsICilEYOvP4ju0sIfi5g6TL&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1727774368149000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2qVnp6oqATgqDUi2Frm22q" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.xWMOP9hChsvn-2BC9O-2FebBihXIZ4cEzbiuENdxm-2Bx3-2FYEEgYMhZlKWNj5Zzy1YZ56RuASD_RgrM7qq-2BfK-2FtAHeRBLv5Qrb-2Bii5fzjLeKcP4w-2FkNgJPXygpiRhVUan3WV3QEggcf617UC8Z60RjQJZAqx7PiO7FtVJQSn0D46Zc3iTVP0kAhTTzG51cPpa5hrqz1OkSA-2BiXAxUajQ686MTtiseWBIdMdknd83aB7cOVgXlVTeHCGf3-2BcMHwfvI8TYlkUovqEhn4dj0KXf2eJGpb9-2BBv20v2akwr6-2BqLyRrlEgkJ4J-2BCCyY0x189xEHZA4Ylf8c7ChBqNIkhmftZzoFuZKFn43pw3oJVg2o1gumrpdA-2B7MB-2FBtmL2rFCI-2FXORATQHySCLVOMg7Vywv-2BqnnQUAtDz6XkvpwxdHFXh70VwKazzhJsICilEYOvP4ju0sIfi5g6TL" target="_blank">www.canstar.com.au</a>. Starting rate is the RBA existing average owner-occupier variable rate of 6.36%. Assumes banks pass the cash rate cut on in full the month after the meeting.
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Canstar Data Insights Director, Sally Tindall, says if core inflation continues to track in the right direction, or unemployment starts to accelerate significantly, we could well see a cash rate cut as early as February of next year.

“All four big banks now believe the RBA will be ready to cut the cash rate in just over four months’ time, if not before, in the case of CBA.

“However, the outlook for both inflation and unemployment is still highly uncertain. A couple of wobbly sets of inflation data could see the RBA holding for longer, particularly if unemployment remains relatively steady."

&nbsp;

Commonwealth Bank, the nation's largest lender, still thinks the first cut will come in December.

NAB bring forward first RBA cut to February 2025

<html><body>
Freshly fired celebrity apprentice Warwick Capper is unlikely to ever get a job as a bank manager at Yellow Brick Road following reports that the wealth management business set up by Mark Bouris will apply for a banking licence.
However, the likelihood of Yellow Brick Road actually challenging the major banks as a deposit-taking institution may be some time off.
Rather Celebrity Apprentice host Bouris appears to be milking the media exposure his wealth management business is receiving from the prime-time show on Channel 9 – which owns almost a fifth of Yellow Brick Road – by suggesting it could become a bank some time in the future.
Celebrity Apprentice attracted more than 1.3 million viewers for the first two episodes of the latest series.
Former NAB banking executive Matt Lawler, hired by Bouris as CEO of Yellow Brick Road in July, hinted at the possibility of applying for a banking licence in an interview with The Australian Financial Review.
Lawler says the company is aiming for 150 branches by the end of December 2012. The Yellow Brick Road website list 70 branches, with the majority of these located in NSW.
Lawler, who led NAB’s mortgage broking division before joining Yellow Brick Road, says as the business grows it would become big enough to make decisions about whether to write its own mortgages or become an authorised deposit-taking institution.
He claims Yellow Brick Road managers are better placed to sell mortgage credit than the major banks because its branches do not have targets and are more client focused.
Yellow Brick Road currently distributes mortgages via a partnership with Gateway Credit Union.
Bouris made his money from his Wizard mortgage broking business, which he eventually sold to GE Money for about $500 million in 2004.
He founded Yellow Brick in 2007 to sell investment services in former Wizard Branches.
Aussie Home Loans bought the Wizard brand and franchise network from GE Money in December 2008, changing the stores to the John Symond brand.
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Mark Bouris' Yellow Brick Road hints at intentions to become a bank

<html><body>
Documents released by the RBA under freedom of information laws show the central bank is concerned about households who took out loans in the period between 2004-2007, when property prices were at their height, fearing they may be "overstretched".

The release of the documents comes just weeks after separate data indicated that many households who purchased homes in the last decade actually returned to renting, prompting fears they had taken out loans that were too large to service.
The documents show the RBA was told in March that there are a number of problems facing the housing market, with a number of areas facing a higher level of arrears.
"Even though the pace of debt accumulation has moderated in recent years, aggregate household indebtedness and gearing remain around historically high levels," it was told.
"This means some households could be exposed to shocks to their incomes and financial circumstances. A continuation of the recent borrowing restraint would thus be a welcomed development, as it would add further resilience into household balance sheets and avoid a build-up of risk in the household financial position."
It was also told that the rise in arrears in Queensland was occurring well before the Queensland floods, "and is consistent with the higher-than-average unemployment rate and weaker property market in the state".
These findings gel with a separate report from the RMIT Research Centre of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, which found that 20% of home owners who bought a property between 2001-09 actually dropped out of ownership at one point, suggesting some of these households found property too expensive to maintain.
Those findings also come after the big four banks expressed some concern over over-stretched households.
CLSA Australia analyst Brian Johnson says while arrears have remained low, Australian households still face incredibly high levels of debt.
"You have never seen indebtedness like you see it now. What we also saw was a dramatic increase in interest rates from the lows of 2008 and 2009. Over and above that, margins have increased by 125 basis points."
"If you talk to mortgage insurers they will tell you loans don't default in their first or second year, it's after that, up to six years. We may be starting to see that now."
Johnson says employment in some industries has remained shaky, pointing to the rise in unemployment two months ago. "Job security is an issue at the present time," he says.
However, the RBA was also told that households are handling that debt quite well. Experts say the level of arrears has remained quite low, helped by the banks' tightening of lending standards and strict LVRs, and note it will continue to do so if employment remains high.
Johnson says as long as employment remains high, mortgage arrears will stay in check, but he notes many industries are suffering, and says ultimately it will come down to how the Government and Reserve Bank handle any housing crisis.
"If you were to get the start of a dramatic fall in housing prices, they would be aggressively cutting interest rates."
HIA economist Harley Dale says he believes the industry is a "long way off" from any problem that would cripple the industry.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/20111025-rba-warned-of-over-stretched-mortgage-holders" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

RBA warns of overstretched mortgage holders

<html><body>
Property investors who manage their own tax affairs have less than a week to submit their tax returns and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/property-depreciation-101/2011061450484" target="_blank">accompanying property depreciation</a> schedules.
The ATO deadline for taxpayers who file their own returns is October 31.
Under Australian tax rules investors can also claim the depreciation of their investment properties against their taxable income
According to quantity surveyor Washington Brown, there are two types of allowances available: depreciation on plant and equipment, and depreciation on building allowance.
“Plant and equipment refers to items within the building like ovens, dishwashers, carpet and blinds while building allowance refers to construction costs of the building itself, such as concrete and brickwork,” the firm explains.
“Both these costs can be offset against your assessable income.”
Depreciation can be claimed even if a property has been renovated.
Depreciation schedules can only be completed by a qualified quantity surveyor.
Tax returns can also be amended up to two years back to claim for property depreciation over these periods.
As there are some exceptions, property investors are advised to seek clarification from their tax agent or the ATO.
For more on property depreciation read <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/property-depreciation-101/2011061450484" target="_blank">Property Depreciation 101</a> prepared by Tyron Hyde, director at <a title="Washington Brown" target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonbrown.com.au/">Washington Brown</a>.
</body></html>

October 31 tax return deadline looms for property investors

<html><body>
Aussie Home Loans founder and executive chairman John Symond is encouraging borrowers to fix at least a portion of the mortgage repayments after the mortgage broker became the latest lender to cut its fixed-rate product suite.
Aussie has cut its three-year fixed rate to 6.29% per annum, pointing out that this is “considerably lower than the average advertised standard variable rate of the four major lenders at 7.8%”.
It beats the three-year fixed rate of 6.48% <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/commonwealth-bank-cuts-fixed-home-loan-rates/2011080951090">being offered by the Commonwealth Bank</a>, which owns a third of Aussie.
According to mortgage comparison website Ratecity.com.au, Aussie (alongside AMP) now offers the third cheapest three-year fixed rate product behind Newcastle Permanent (5.99%) and Homestar Finance (6.25%).
Symond points out that the RBA would have to cut the cash rate six times (assuming cuts of 25 basis points) to bring it in line with its current fixed-rate offering and says the time is right for home owners to consider locking in at least part of their mortgage, as the current fixed rates are extremely competitive.
"Over the years I have advised people to stick with variable and pay off as much as you can in order to pay the loan off faster," he said. "However, with these competitive rates, it makes sense to lock away part of your loan as an insurance policy against global uncertainties," he adds.
"The cost of funding is quite high and while the current round of aggressive fixed rates may be good news for consumers, they may not last forever, so it pays to look at your home loan now," he says.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left" style="width: 470px;">
<thead><tr>
<td></td>
<td>
Aussie Optimizer Fixed Rate
</td>
<td>
Comparison Rate* Aussie Optimizer Fixed Rate Converting to Aussie Optimizer 
</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
1 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.33%
</td>
<td>
7.65%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
2 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.39%
</td>
<td>
7.52%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
3 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.29%
</td>
<td>
7.37%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
4 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.59%
</td>
<td>
7.36%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
5 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.69%
</td>
<td>
7.31%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
 
</body></html>

Now may be the time to fix your mortgage: John Symond

<html><body>
The mortgage broking industry has been toasted at the 10th Australian Mortgage Awards marking a year during which brokers strengthened their market participation but gave up more power to the major banks.
According to the most recent JP Morgan/Fujitsu Mortgage Industry Report mortgage brokers are now writing about 43% of new home loans in Australia, just below the pre-GFC peak of 45%, but power has shifted further towards lenders.
The awards follow a challenging 12 months for the industry, with housing credit growth slowing and brokers now operating under a stricter ASIC compliance and licencing regime.
The announcement of winners also coincided with the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/refund-home-loans-in-administration/2011101451935" target="_blank">collapse of one the biggest mortgage broking franchises, Refund Home Loans</a>.
The major banks scooped up three awards on the night, with Westpac judged to have the best internet presence, NAB Broker winning the best industry advertising campaign and the Commonwealth Bank’s Natasha Kelso named the best bank business development manager.
Multiple award winners included Oxygen Home Loans, the mortgage broking arm of John McGrath’s real estate business, which scooped independent brokerage of the year (six or more staff) and Australian brokerage of the year.
The mortgage broking awards follow McGrath’s Neutral Bay/Mosman/Northbridge office winning the Franchise Council of Australia’s national Community Service Award following its involvement with 14 community groups during the last 12 months. 
Melbourne-based The Australian Lending and Investment Centre picked up three gongs on the night including new brokerage of the year and Australian broker of the year for its loan writer, Mark Davis. 
One of the industry’s most successful mortgage brokers, Wendy Higgins, operator of Mortgage Choice’s Glenelg franchise in the western suburbs of Adelaide, took home the Golden Morgie for lifetime achievement. 
South Australian franchise Club Financial Services picked up two awards, as did mortgage aggregator Connective, both to its BDM Fiona Brown. 
While it did not take home any of the prizes, Century 21 Home Loans received four nominations including ‘Best Customer Service from an Individual Office’ (Century 21 Home Loans/Solution Funding, Dural), Commercial Broker of the (Scott Colless, Broker of the Year (Franchise) - Geoffrey Slater, and Franchise Brokerage of the Year - Century 21 Home Loans Mayland. 
<a href="https://www.australianmortgageawards.com.au/winners/" target="_blank">Click here for a list of all the winners.</a>
</body></html>

Major banks among the winners as mortgage brokers celebrate industry growth

<html><body>
Despite a stalling property market, Victorian households remain the most comfortable about their financial position, according to the latest ING Direct Financial Wellbeing Index, which surveyed more than 1,000 household financial decision makers at the end of September and start of October.
Victorian households enjoy Australia’s highest level of financial wellbeing, with an Index score of 110.1 compared with a national index score of 105.9.
The state’s residents lead the nation for comfort levels across three leading indicators including comfort with their mortgage (5.6 out of a possible 7), household income (4.19) and personal savings (3.58).
The survey also reveals that Victoria has the highest proportion of landlords, with one in five respondents earning rental property income, compared with a proportion of between 17% and 18% in the other states and a national average of 18%.
In contrast, NSW households have the greatest preference for the share market, with more than a third (36%) having investments in listed companies compared with a national average of 30%.
NSW households are also feeling more comfortable about their financial situation, with the state index rising to 108.0 in the third quarter, up from 104.5 in the second quarter.
Mortgage holders in NSW feel as comfortable about their level of mortgage debt as those in Victoria while NSW households are also the most comfortable about paying their regular bills scoring a comfort rating of 3.99 out of 7 compared with 3.84 nationally.
In addition, NSW households are more likely to renew spending in time for the festive season than residents of any other state, with 33% saying Christmas is the circuit breaker that will revitalise their spending.
Only a quarter of Victorians say they will increase their spending over the Christmas period, according to the survey.
<img src="/images/stories/ingoct19.gif">
Source: ING Direct
Queenslanders are the least comfortable about their finances with the “challenge of rebuilding disaster-ravaged households” taking its toll on financial wellbeing.
The Queensland Index is 97.3, down from 105.2 in the second quarter, with median household income falling to $62,518 in the third quarter compared with $72,737 nationally. Median household savings are worth $2,905, below the national figure of $7,812. One in four (24%) households has no personal savings, and 9% say they are falling behind on their mortgages.
Queenslanders are also the least likely to increase their spending in the lead up to the festive season. One in three (30%) don’t expect to loosen the purse strings in the foreseeable future.
However, there are some bright spots for Queensland. Median figures for household credit card debt and home loan balances show Queenslanders are about on par with national figures.
Financial wellbeing has also declined in WA, with the state’s index score dropping to 105.9 in the third quarter down from 107.4 in the second quarter. 
The overall Financial Wellbeing Index for the third quarter climbed to 105.9  – a rise from its lowest level in the first quarter of the year (104.8) and second quarter (105.8), indicating confidence is improving.
“Despite a volatile quarter in financial markets, Australian households are proving their resilience as they get debt under control and build a strong savings base,” says Don Koch, CEO of ING Direct.
</body></html>

Victorians most comfortable with their mortgages: ING Direct

<html><body>
The nation’s biggest mortgage lender was one of 36 lenders that cut their fixed rates in October. 
The Commonwealth Bank cut its five-year fixed rate by 85 basis points to 6.89% in October, the biggest fixed-rate cut of all the major banks, according to RateCity.com.au. 
All the major banks have cut their fixed rates by at least 50 basis points for spring, according to the mortgage comparison website. 
Since the first of August this year, 90% of mortgage lenders have lowered some of their fixed rates, with some cutting fixed rate home loans by as much as 140 basis points in that time. 
The average three-year fixed rate is now 6.61% compared with 7.43% at the start of the year. 
Newcastle Permanent Building Society is offering a three-year fixed rate of just 5.99%, equating to repayments of just over $1,600 on a $250,000 mortgage – the lowest fixed rate of all lenders, according RateCity.com.au. 
"On average, three-year fixed rates have dropped by 66 basis points since the start of August, while five-year rates have fallen by 68 basis points on average. The three-year fixed rate has moved nine basis points in the first half of October alone,” RateCity.com.au Damian Smith says. 
"For a $300,000 mortgage, if you took up the average three-year fixed rate now compared to August 1, your repayments would be $122 less per month, saving you around $4,400 over three years. 
"Take up the lowest available three-year fixed rate now and the savings would be closer to $7,000 after three years," he says.
</body></html>

CBA leads big bank rate cut as 36 lenders cut fixed rates in October

<html><body>
More than two-thirds (70%) of lenders are now requiring a deposit of as little as 5% in an effort to encourage more borrowing and to “kick-start” a sluggish mortgage market, according to comparison website RateCity.com.au. 
“Almost 70% of home loans in our database now offer up to 95% of a home's purchase price, which is the highest loan-to-value ratio levels we've see in more than two years, up from 49% 12 months ago," says RateCity CEO Damian Smith. 
“All major four banks now offer home loans with up to 90% LVR while Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac also offer up to 95% LVR on some of their home loans.” 
Lenders are relaxing borrowing criteria, having already used the other levers – negotiating on rates and fees and cutting fixed rates – available to them in the absence of an official interest rate cut. 
It comes as expectations of rate cut on Melbourne Cup Day subside on the back of a drop in unemployment. 
"There’re three things lenders can do in the absence of a rate change from the Reserve Bank. First, they negotiate on rates and fees – we’ve seen ads from the big four showing their willingness to negotiate variable rates, and we think many borrowers should be able to get variable rate loans well below 7%,” Smith says. 
“Second, they’re continuing to cut fixed rates. The average three-year fixed rate is now 6.62%, versus 7.38% in July this year, with the lowest at 6.25%. 
“But finally, they’re also proving willing to lend to people with less deposit or equity, by increasing the loan to value ratio. This means many more potential borrowers are 'eligible' for loans than might have been the case just 12 months ago.” 
Home loans with up to 95% LVR over the past 12 months
<div align="center">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="20%"></td>
<td width="41%">
Number of loans with up to 95% LVR
</td>
<td width="37%">
% of RateCity database *
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="20%">
Sep-11
</td>
<td nowrap width="41%">
1,690
</td>
<td nowrap width="37%">
66%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="20%">
Mar-11
</td>
<td nowrap width="41%">
1,532
</td>
<td nowrap width="37%">
59%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="20%">
Sep-10
</td>
<td nowrap width="41%">
1,088
</td>
<td nowrap width="37%">
50%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Please note: total home loans monitored by RateCity, the total number of home loans available varies month to month. Source: RateCity. 
According to RateCity, there were more than 40,000 fewer first-home buyers in the last 12 months compared with the average of the last four years.
</body></html>

Lenders enticing borrowers with low deposit requirements

<html><body>
<h1>Mortgage broking group Refund Home Loans has been placed into voluntary administration, but several buyers are considering acquiring the business, which has more than 350 franchisees and a substantial stake in the growing alternative home loan market.</h1>
The announcement comes just 18 months after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission slammed the company and Ormond, after he admitted making false and misleading statements to franchisees about an agreement with the ACCC itself.
It also comes just two weeks after BRW again named Ormond as one of the wealthiest people under 40 in Australia, with his fortune rising $5 million to $33 million.
Ormond declined to comment.
However, a company spokesperson said the company had endured "a difficult 12 to 18 months".
"Banks have been tightening up their lending to small business, and that's just the reality of the situation. They've made it particularly hard," the spokesperson says.
"The company is effectively under-funded, and we have director responsibilities. So there, the banks had no choice but to put in a voluntary administration."
Refund has suffered since the beginning of the year, especially in Queensland, where the property sector has suffered due to the January floods.
However, the spokesperson confirmed that four buyers are current involved and franchisees – who are still operating – are also looking at purchasing the business.
The company hopes to use the company's strong brand as leverage, along with its scope – the company has a loan book worth $2 billion.
While the company does have $2.5 million in debt, the spokesperson says this is "a small amount of debt considering the company's valuation".
It is understood the administration does not affect either the real estate or financial planning divisions of the business. A sale process is currently underway, led by administrators SV Partners.
It is unknown whether competitors are eyeing a stake in the company, although the company's substantial franchisee footprint would be very attractive to a number of existing players.
Two other businesses operated by Ormond, Refund Real Estate or Refund Financial Planning, are not in administration and are unaffected.
Ormond launched Refund back in 2003, after working in the banking finance industry. The company's model is based on providing a refund of any commission it receives from lenders.
The business has experienced substantial growth over the past few years, with its franchisees growing to more than 350, carving out a significant portion of the growing market for mortgage products sourced from outside the big four banks.
Refund appeared in the SmartCompany Smart50 list of Australia's fastest-growing small and medium enterprises during both 2008 and 2009, ranked as sixth and 43rd, respectively.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/20111017-refund-home-loans-falls-in-administration-but-buyers-waiting-in-the-wings" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Refund Home Loans in voluntary administration but buyers waiting in the wings

<html><body>
Anyone who has ever had to pay off a mortgage will tell you they would love to pay it off before the term, but most people will continue to chip away at their loan on autopilot. A proactive strategy can cut your loan term from 30 years to less than half in some cases.
<ol start="1">
<li>Pay your mortgage as you receive your income, e.g. fortnightly. Doing this cuts down on interest payable and will save you a lot of money over the course of your home loan. If you are super focused, pay your mortgage weekly, which will reduce interest further again.</li>
<li>Set up an automated recurring payment for your mortgage payments. This is usually free of charge and means that you are always on time and can’t overspend on other things, leaving you short to meet your payment obligations.</li>
<li>Park the large lump sum into your mortgage account e.g. if you get $2,000 back from your tax return, receive dividends from other investments or get bonus payments from your job, make a large payment towards your mortgage. These large lump sums can cut years worth of interest off the loan.</li>
<li>List your regular expenses and you will find 1 or 2 items that you can do without. This will make a big difference to either your cash flow, freeing up disposable income to park in your mortgage account.</li>
<li>Make a habit of going only to the ATMs of your bank. The charges (usually $1 to $2.50 per transaction or account enquiry) can easily add up to a nice little amount that can remain in your pocket rather than a banks or ATM provider or go towards your loan. (see #6)</li>
<li>Increase your repayments while rates are stable. You can cut up to two years off the lifespan of your loan by paying an extra $20 to $50 on each payment. This may just mean cutting out an extra cup of coffee here or there or once a week taking lunch to work rather than buying it occasionally.</li>
<li>Have your wages paid directly into your home-loan account - you will need a loan with re-draw or line-of-credit type facility so you can have unlimited access the funds for living expenses etc. This will greatly reduce the interest that you pay as the interest is debited at the end of the month and usually calculated daily.</li>
<li>Offset your loans with a savings account. This is called mortgage offsetting, where as the amount in your savings account (earning interest) is calculated/subtracted against the actual interest charge against the loan amount, then the interest is calculated only on the balance. For example, if your loan is $400 000 and you have $100 000 in savings, this equate to $300 000 on which you actually pay interest. This of course greatly reduces the amount of interest you effectively pay and will save you years on your home loan.</li>
<li>Perform a mortgage health check. Sometimes you just have to admit your loan might not be the best for you anymore. Your loan may have been superseded as a product. Interest rates may have changed drastically, leaving you better off with a variable rate than a fixed one. In that case, look at re-financing whether it is with your existing lender or a different one. Go to a home loan lender or broker to make sure you do get the best deal. Don’t just go to one provider as usually they will only offer you their products. To get a full scope of available options talk to a specialist who has access to various funds and lenders. They are in a competitive market and will try to gain your custom – let them earn it.</li>
<li>When re-financing, consider pooling or consolidating any other loans eg. (car or personal) and credit cards (with a much higher interest rate) into the one loan as the savings often will outweigh the slightly higher loan amount. 
</li>
</ol>
To give your home loan the free ‘home loan heath check-up’ log onto <a href="https://www.amohomeloans.com.au">www.amohomeloans.com.au</a> 
Robert Projeski is the MD of multiple award-winning independent lender <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amo.com.au">Australian Mortgage Options</a>. 
</body></html>

Latest Finance Insights

NAB bring forward first RBA cut to February 2025

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Finance Insights

NAB bring forward first RBA cut to February 2025

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News