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

Joel Robinson

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

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

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

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

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

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

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.

They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;

Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.

They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor

Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

<html><body>
It looks like the Australian housing market will be a “tug-of-war” this year with low interest rates pulling hard on one end of the rope and economic uncertainty joining forces with subdued prospects for economic, income and employment growth at the other. 
I expect the economic side of the equation to win out in the near term, influenced in the first half of 2012 at least by continuing global financial turbulence. This is likely to cause the RBA to drop interest rates once or twice in the first half of the year, and this should underpin our property markets. 
However, renewed economic strength is likely to return in 2013, and with it higher interest rates. 
Among all the bad news, there is always good news…
 
While I can see value of some properties falling further in the first half of this year (2012 is likely to be another bad year for top-end and holiday property), prices have stabilised in some suburbs and they haven’t stopped rising in others – in particular Sydney’s inner-suburban market.
What’s ahead? 
The long-term trend of our property markets is fuelled by the fundamentals of supply and demand (and this will be driven by our population growth) and our ability to pay more for housing (which will be underpinned by a nation that is going to become wealthier as the resources boom takes hold.) 
However in the short term, market sentiment will affect our property markets, as it always does. 
Last year ongoing economic uncertainty, the worry of rising interest rates for much of the year, decreasing affordability and political uncertainty were a volatile mix that stalled the property markets. 
So here are the factors that will affect our property markets that I’m going to watch out for this year. 
1. The European situation.
Every time it seems that our friends in Europe have reached agreement on a deal to solve their problems another bogeyman jumps out from the shadows.
If the European Union breaks up or the region slumps into a prolonged recession, the consequences could be:
<ul>
<li>A further dampening of general business and consumer confidence</li>
<li>A knock-on effect to other economies including the US and China, which both export a significant amount of goods to Europe. The eurozone only accounts for less than 10% of Australian exports, but we could be affected by the impact on our trading partners in Asia.</li>
<li>Effects on the global financial system. It is possible that it will be more difficult to get loans from Australian banks because international inter-bank lending could freeze up as it did at the beginning of the GFC. </li>
</ul>
What this means is that now may be a good time to top up your financial buffers while you can, even if you don’t intend to buy more properties this year. 
Topping up your line of credit shouldn’t cost you anything, and of course you don’t pay interest on your unborrowed limits. 
Wise investors use these lines of credit to buy themselves time. Maybe that’s what you need, just in case 2012 pans out to be a difficult time for Aussie banks. 
2. A slowing in China 
China’s growth and its requirement of our resources have bolstered the Australian economy. 
China’s economy is slowing down now and catching its breath, and this won’t be helped if Europe falls into recession. 
By the way, it looks like the US is turning around and should strengthen over the year (with a US election looming), however unforeseen global events could slow the US economic recovery. 
3. Interest rates
Interest rates are likely to remain low worldwide, and I expect the Reserve Bank to try and bolster both consumer and business confidence by dropping interest twice more in the first half of this year. 
This plus flat property prices should underpin housing affordability and put a floor under property prices. 
One question many are asking is: will the banks pass on all of these rate cuts? 
4. Inflation
One of the reasons the Reserve Bank lowered interest rates is because inflation sat within its “safe range”, and local inflation should again remain under control for much of next year. 
However, our improving economy and the ongoing resources boom may cause inflation to take off again over the next few years, which could make things more difficult to live with if you’re in the “low-speed” non-mining part of the economy. 
The time may come to lock in some of your loans and take advantage of fixed interest rates when they are historic low levels. 
It may also be a good time to get set for the next stage of the economic and property cycle and buy the right type of property – one that will be a good hedge against inflation. 
5. Watch out for the X factor
Many years ago I learned from economist Don Stammer that we need to allow for an X factor: the big influence that had not been generally predicted or allowed for but that comes out of the woodwork and has a marked effect on the economy and our investment markets. 
This means I’m going to allow for uncertainty and surprises throughout the year. 
What does all this mean?
There’s no sugar-coating it: last year most of Australia was in the slump stage of the property cycle, but this year the cycle will move on, as it always does. And the next stage is the stabilisation phase of the cycle.
<img src="/images/stories/yardneygraph.jpg">
You see, the markets don’t move directly from the downturn phase to a property upturn. There is a period of time where buyers return and take up the slack before prices start rising. 
And I expect more buyers to return to the market this year when they realise prices won’t fall any further. 
By the way, the stabilisation phase is a great time for savvy investors to get set for the upturn stage of the cycle.
 
This year may be a good time to buy property – I have always found it a good time to buy when everybody tells you that property is a bad investment. Now is the time to get set for the future. 
Michael Yardney is the director of <a href="https://www.metropole.com.au/">Metropole Property Investment Strategists</a> , a best-selling author and one of Australia's leading experts in wealth creation through property. He also writes the <a href="https://www.propertyupdate.com.au/">Property Investment Update</a> blog.
For more forecasts for 2012, <a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-property-forecasts-for-2012">download our free eBook</a>.
 
 
 
</body></html>

myardney-DFoGhGbSJX

What 2012 has in store for Australia's property markets

<html><body>
<table width="341" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"></table>
<table width="341" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
Postcode
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
Median unit price
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2600
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
DEAKIN
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$785,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2600
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
YARRALUMLA
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$784,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2602
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
AINSLIE
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$725,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2603
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
FORREST
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$700,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2600
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
BARTON
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$600,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2605
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
GARRAN
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$542,500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2607
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
ISAACS
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$522,500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2605
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
HUGHES
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$515,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2611
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
DUFFY
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$498,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
2612
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
TURNER
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
$485,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: RP Data
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Top 10 most expensive ACT suburbs for units: RP Data

<html><body>
Aussie entrepreneur Dick Smith has promised to do all he can to devalue the electronics brand that still bears his name if Woolworths sells the business to foreign owners.
Woolworths has said it will close more than 100 stores in the chain and look to offer consumers electronic products through its own stores and discount brand Big W following years of underperformance.
Smith, who is also a "Buy Australian" campaigner, says there will be a “real problem if Woolworths do sell it to a foreign-owned company”.
"I'll rubbish them the whole time. They wouldn't want to pay much,” he told Fairfax media.
As a “proud Australian” Smith is opposed to foreign ownership of Australian brands.
"I would just point out all the time that this is further destruction of Australia,” he says.
Smith says he understands why Woolworths wants to sell
“I think they're doing a sensible thing and they've owned Dick Smith for 30 years and made a fortune out of it, but once the growth is gone, which I think it has in that field, I can understand them selling it."
 
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Dick Smith promises to undermine Woolworths if it sells his brand to foreign owners

<html><body>
<table style="width: 351px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
Postcode
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
Median house price
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4005
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
NEW FARM
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$1,250,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4006
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
NEWSTEAD
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$1,167,750
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4000
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
SPRING HILL
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$865,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4101
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
SOUTH BRISBANE
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$820,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4064
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
PADDINGTON
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$780,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4101
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
HIGHGATE HILL
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$780,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4169
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
KANGAROO POINT
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$750,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4006
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
HERSTON
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$727,500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4102
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
DUTTON PARK
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$727,500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="101" nowrap valign="bottom">
4101
</td>
<td width="114" nowrap valign="bottom">
WEST END
</td>
<td width="136" nowrap valign="bottom">
$695,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: RP Data
</body></html>

Top 10 most expensive Brisbane suburbs for houses

po-LsXgBTHBmX

Perth sales volume up 23% on this time last year: REIWA

<html><body>
Woolworths has signalled that it will sell off the troubled Dick Smith chain following a structural review of the business, also announcing that it will close up to 100 stores over the next two years.
The announcement comes after an analysts' report from CSLR that predicted the company would close over 100 stores in the chain.
According to a statement this morning, Woolworths said that its consumer electronics chain will remain important for Woolworths through its Big W chain and its multichannel offer.
"A strategic review, announced in November 2011, concluded that Woolworths' main strengths are primarily in larger format, multichannel, high volume retail segments with market-leading positions," the company said in a statement.
"The future of the Dick Smith business, which is profitable, experiencing positive sales growth and has a strong brand position, could be better realised through new ownership."
The review found that investment and management attention given to Dick Smith "has been disproportionate relative to its position within the Woolworths' group".
With the company now focused on increasing activity in core trading divisions, the company agrees separating the model from the company is the best option.
"A divestment of Dick Smith will enable the Woolworths group to focus more investment on serving customers in its core business with a strong multichannel offer, backed with market leading fulfilment systems and an effective store network," chief executive Grant O'Brien said in a statement.
Staff affected by the closures will be moved around in the Woolworths group, the company said.
Recently CSLA analysts David Thomas and Richard Barwick <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/analysts-predict-dick-smith-to-close-190-stores-as-pressure-weighs-on-retail/2012012353112">suggested Woolworths close 190 Dick Smith stores.</a>
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
 
 
</body></html>

pmcstafford-pr9eMARWoN

Woolworths to sell struggling Dick Smith chain and close 100 stores

<html><body>
Capital city dwelling prices fell 0.2% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, with Melbourne dwelling values down 0.5% and Perth values down 1.6%, according to the latest RP Data- Rismark Home Value Index.
The small national drop in dwelling values in December follows an upwardly revised 0.4% rise in dwelling values in November (preliminary data showed a 0.1% increase).
Over the 2011 calendar year, capital city dwelling prices are down 3.6% while regional values are down 2.9%.
For the December 2011 quarter Melbourne dwelling prices were down 1.4% while Perth values were down 2.1%, making the WA capital the weakest capital city market.
There are now two reports suggesting Melbourne dwelling prices are continuing to decline, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/mixed-messages-in-melbourne-s-data-as-house-prices-increase-slightly-apm/2012012553140" target="_blank">with one suggesting they are increasing</a>.
Sydney housing has been the nation’s best performer, with dwelling values up 0.4% in December and by 0.7% over the quarter.
<img src="/images/stories/rpjan31.gif">
Melbourne has the weakest rental market, with gross rental yields of 4% for houses and 4.3% for units.
Darwin is returning property investors the strongest rental yields – 5.6% for houses and 6% for units.
Rismark director Christopher Joye expects the Melbourne and Perth figures to be cast in “a more positive light” when they are revised in February.
According to Joye, preliminary estimates for December and January can be difficult to interpret due to lower sales volumes and tardiness in some city valuer-generals’ offices in transferring transaction information over the holiday season.
“It just so happens that these cities’ valuer-generals are probably the worst offenders when it comes to the timely transmission of data,” Joye says.
“What makes the Melbourne and Perth numbers especially suspect is that they come on the back of solid seasonally adjusted gains in November, which have been reconfirmed with RP Data-Rismark’s latest index analysis.
Previous house price data has sent out mixed messages about where Melbourne house prices may be heading.
Last week, Australian Property Monitors (APM) surprised most pundits by reporting that Melbourne house prices increased 1.1% over the December 2011 quarter to a median of $538,000, the best result for all capital cities and the first quarterly rise since December 2010.
End-of-year figures put out Residex in mid-January show that <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/melbourne-leads-nationwide-drop-in-house-prices-in-second-half-of-2011-residex/2012011753062">Melbourne house prices fell sharply in the second half of 2011</a> to be down 3.28% annually having recorded positive annual growth of 1.58% by mid-2011.
According to Residex, Perth house prices declined by 3.76% for the year, having been down 2.21% for the year six months ago.
Raw RP Data- Rismark  results (not taking into account seasonal factors) show capital city dwelling prices down 1.2% over December with Perth values down 1.9% and Melbourne values down 1.7%. According to the Austalian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) seasonally adjusted figures provide a more accurate month-on-month comparison.
"Seasonal adjustment allows for and removes the regular, reoccurring influences that could distort the short term view of what is happening," says the ABS.
 
 
</body></html>

Dwelling prices down 0.2% in December 2011, with Melbourne and Perth hit hardest: RP Data-Rismark

<html><body>
Financial adviser and breakfast TV presenter David Koch stands firmly behind his assessment that the Sunshine and Gold coasts are “catastrophes” and says investors should not trust the views of local estate agents and journalists.
Koch has hit back after local newspapers and estate agents told him to do his homework before making such remarks about these markets.
Both the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/sunshine-coast-mayor-slams-kochie-for-catastrophic-warning-to-property-investors/2012012353114">Sunshine Coast mayor and the head of the local real estate institute</a> say Koch is wrong about their market, pointing to a recent turnaround in building approvals and reeling off a string of famous residents as evidence.
Writing on his blog, Kochie.com.au, he acknowledges that he and his wife Libby have “upset Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast real estate agents” but says they has done the necessary research and the numbers stack up.
“The local real estate agents took to the Sunshine Coast Daily and Gold Coast Bulletin to ‘correct us’ with some stern comments about our view… They told me I should do a little more homework before making statements like this,” Koch says.
“Well let me assure you I had already done my homework and have the necessary fodder to back up my statements,” he says He says the following market facts support his view:
“Gold Coast house prices are down 15.1% from their peak in March 2010, falling from $568,000 to $482m500.
“Home units also peaked in March 2010 at $400,000, and have since fallen 15% to $340,000 in the December 2011 quarter
“On the Sunshine Coast house prices are down 13.9 % from their peak in December 2009 falling from $505,000 to $435,000
“Home units peaked in June 2010 at $367,500 and have dropped 16% to $309,000 at December 2011.
“SQM Research (an independent property research firm) is predicting another 7% to 9% across-the-board fall in value in the region in 2012.
Kochie also points out: “In any survey of trustworthiness real estate agents and journalists always appear at the bottom of the list.
“So dear reader you haven’t got much to choose from. But please note that I have no reason whatsoever to be making inaccurate statements. I have no issue with this area, but it’s my job to tell it how it is. And the bottom line is that property investments in these two locations are historically volatile, and right now in pretty bad shape,” he says.
“There are still massive amounts of stock on the market and it’s not going down.”
While he acknowledges that that building approval figures “rattled off” by Coast newspapers are “well and good”, he says the region “is already suffering a major oversupply, and having building approvals is no proof of a healthy market. It just means more supply in a low-demand area. Places are being built, but they’re not being bought.”
“Property is always about demand and supply. If there’s a lot of supply and weak demand then pressure is on prices to fall to attract buyer interest.”
He also includes a chart from SQM Research which shows Gold Coast listings are just as high as back in 2008, “though there has been a slight down trend in recent months.
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/gold.gif"><img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" src="/images/stories/goldthumb.gif"></a>
Click to enlarge
As far as the Sunshine Coast market is concerned, Kochie says stock levels are “still clearly rising”.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/sunshine.gif"><img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" src="/images/stories/sunshinethumb.gif"></a> 
</body></html>

Kochie sets his sights on estate agents and journalists in Queensland property 'catastrophe' stoush

<html><body>
Australian banks are more concerned about political interference and regulation than their global counterparts, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)/Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation latest Banking Banana Skins survey. 
The 13 Australian banks that took part in the survey agreed with their global counterparts that macroeconomic risk – the crisis within the global financial system and Europe in particular – is the biggest threat to their operations. 
But Australian banks rated political interference and regulation as far bigger risks than foreign banks, while being less concerned about credit risk and capital availability.
Banking anxieties: Australia vs the world
<table style="width: 470px;" border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>Top Five Global banking risks</td>
<td>Top Five Australian banking risks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1. Macroeconomic risk</td>
<td>1. Macroeconomic risk</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2. Credit risk</td>
<td>2. Political interference</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3. Liquidity</td>
<td>3. Liquidity</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4. Capital availability</td>
<td>4. Regulation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5. Political interference</td>
<td>5. Credit risk</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
The findings are telling coming just over a week before the RBA meets on February 7 to decide on interest rates and following the December rate cut debacle when some banks took two days before eventually deciding to cut rates in line with the RBA’s 25-basis-point reduction.



After the December rate announcement some banks slammed the government for putting pressure on them to pass on rate cuts in full (in the face of higher funding costs) culminating in <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/economy/anz-keeps-rates-unchanged-in-first-independent-call/2012011353034">ANZ de-coupling its rate decisions from the RBA</a>, with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank also considering making independent interest rate decisions.



Aside from the political pressure banks have also warned that new capital holding requirements under Basel III as well as a proposal from the International Monetary Fund that they adopt even tougher capital requirements to guard against a collapse in the country's property market would lead to credit rationing and higher interest rates.



One Australian respondent commented as part of the survey: “Excessive / over regulation could reduce lending support from banks, and potentially lead some banks to increase credit risks to offset costs from regulation. Protectionist policies ... stifle banking competition”.



In December last year, then Commonwealth Bank boss Ralph Norris warned that regulator APRA’s hard-line stance on enforcing new global banking rules could result in higher interest rates and a credit squeeze.



According to the PwC, the Australian results reflect “uncertainties in the economic environment and the long journey the Australian banks still have to navigate through ongoing regulatory reforms that are still taking shape”. 



Overall, the global survey of more than 700 banks, regulators and market observers found globally anxiety levels are at their highest levels since they were first collected by the Banking Banana Skins survey 13 years ago. 



PwC says the rise in anxiety levels is not surprising “given the global financial system, and Europe in particular, is skirting on the edge of a fresh crisis”. 



“Certain developed economies are fighting hard to gain momentum amidst painful austerity measures. Regulators, both here and offshore, have responded by unleashing an unprecedented amount of new, often highly complex, regulations. 



However, while Australian banks are better prepared for a global crisis (scoring 3.21 versus 2.96), they are more anxious (3.28 versus 3.15) than their global banking peers.



“What will surprise many is how acute the anxiety is for Australia’s bankers, especially when the relative resilience of the nation’s banks and wider economy are considered,” comments PwC.



“To some extent this no doubt reflects the increasing gloom that bankers – no matter which country they work in – regard the immediate future. On a deeper level, it reflects uncertainties in the economic environment and the long journey the Australian banks still have to navigate through ongoing regulatory reforms that are still taking shape.”



“Despite the higher levels of anxiety, Australian bankers feel more prepared to deal with these risks than overseas counterparts. However, the response in Australia came exclusively from bankers; whereas countries with lower scores had input from observers and regulators who tended to be more sceptical.”

</body></html>

Australian banks worried about government intervention but not so much borrowers' credit risk: PwC survey

<html><body>
Will commercial property investors and businesses be starved of ready funds during 2012?
The banks seemed to be protesting about the increased cost of offshore borrowing and are using that as their excuse for not wanting to pass on any future RBA rate reductions in full.
But are they really telling you the whole truth?
Since 2008, the banks have reduced their dependence upon offshore funding by a third — now providing only 20% of their funding needs. In turn, they have raised (from 40% to 50%) their contribution from domestic deposits.
As such, their overall exposure to the European crisis has been significantly reduced. But what if things were to get worse? How would it look then?
During the early stages of the GFC, the Australian dollar fell as commodity prices collapsed.
But our dollar has now proven itself to be a safe haven — with foreign governments eagerly buying Australian 10-year bonds. This has driven yields down from 5.5% per annum early last year to where they currently sit, at around 3.8% per annum.
Unlike most Western countries, Australia still enjoys an envied AAA credit rating. And the Gillard government wants to ensure banking stability, along with a steady flow of funds throughout the system.
Therefore, if global conditions were to worsen or there were any suggestion of a funding shortage frustrating the banks, the government would undoubtedly extend its guarantee facility to them — as it did during the GFC.
That would have a twofold benefit:
The banks would then be able to borrow cheaply, backed by the AAA rating of the Australian government.
Plus any reduction in the cash rate by the RBA would immediately be passed on in full — given that the taxpayers would effectively underwrite the banks' wellbeing.
Bottom line: Because of Australia's rather unique economic position, it is well placed not only to survive any further global upheaval but actually emerge stronger as a result of it.
Therefore, as a commercial property investor, you need to grasp this window of opportunity and secure some well-let property now, ready to ride the underlying growth wave over the next five to six years.
Chris Lang is an advisor to commercial property investors and gives keynote speeches and regular seminars on the best way to invest in commercial property. He maintains a blog, <a target="_blank" title="Chris Lang's blog" href="https://his-best.biz/">his-best.biz</a>, which he updates regularly about the best way to get the most out of your commercial property investment.
 
</body></html>

Latest Investing Insights

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Investing Insights

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News