<p>Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.</p>

<p>At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.</p>

<p>Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.</p>

<p>Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.</p>

<p>“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.</p>

<p>He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]</p>

<p>After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.</p>

<p>"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."</p>

<p>Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.</p>

<p>"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]</p>

<p>Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.</p>

<p>"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."</p>

<p>For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.</p>

<p>"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."</p>

<p>As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.</p>

<p>"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.</p>

<p>"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]</p>

<p>Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.</p>

<p>"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."</p>

<p>That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.</p>

<p>"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]</p>

<p>Aimee says one moment stood out.</p>

<p>"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."</p>

<p>The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.</p>

<p>Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]</p>

<p>ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]</p>

<p>For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.</p>

<p>"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."</p>

<p>For Aimee, the change is measured in time.</p>

<p>“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]</p>

<p>Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.</p>

<p>ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]</p>


Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

<p>Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.</p>

<p>Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.</p>

<p>"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.</p>

<p>"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]</p>

<p>Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.</p>

<p>"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.</p>

<p>The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.</p>

<p>According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.</p>

<p>Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]</p>

<p>Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.</p>

<p>The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.</p>

<p>The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.</p>

<p>"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."</p>

<p>The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.</p>

<p>With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]</p>


Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

<p>Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.</p>

<p>The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.</p>

<p>Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.</p>

<p>Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]</p>

<p>The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.</p>

<p>Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.</p>

<p>"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.</p>

<p>The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]</p>

<p>The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.</p>

<p>According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.</p>

<p>The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]</p>

<p>The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.</p>

<p>"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.</p>

<p>"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]</p>

<p>Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.</p>

<p>Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]</p>


Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

<p>New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.</p>

<p>It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.</p>

<p>With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.</p>

<p>The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.</p>

<p>Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]</p>

<p>Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.</p>

<p>"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.</p>

<p>"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.</p>

<p>Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.</p>

<p>That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]</p>

<p>Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.</p>

<p>Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.</p>

<p>"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.</p>

<p>"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."</p>

<p>Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.</p>

<p>"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]</p>

<p>The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.</p>

<p>Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.</p>

<p>That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.</p>

<p>"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]</p>


The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

<p>A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.</p>

<p>The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.</p>

<p>The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.</p>

<p>The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.</p>

<p>Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.</p>

<p>"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.</p>

<p>"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."</p>

<p><img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" /></p>

<p>Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.</p>

<p>Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.</p>

<p>Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.</p>

<p>"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.</p>

<p>"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."</p>

<p>Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.</p>

<p>Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.</p>


Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Investment

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<p>P<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">eople who invest in real estate through a self-managed superannuation fund should have an exit strategy in mind for their property from the time they acquire it, even if they plan to hold the investment for the long term and pass it down through the family.  This exit may be based on performance criteria as you would do with any other asset, or may be based on income requirements.  It also needs to include the considerations for a number of unexpected circumstances.</span></p>
<p>There are many scenarios in which an SMSF’s trustees may wish to sell a property. They may identify a better investment opportunity elsewhere and want to realise a capital gain on the property.  They have identified their funds have a better opportunity to out perform the market in another property investment.</p>
<p>The fund may need to pay out pension benefits to retired members and find its income is insufficient to cover the payments. Or, one or more of the members may die, requiring the fund to make a lump sum inheritance payment. </p>
<p>Whatever the reason for a sale, the fund should have plans in place for disposing of the investment.</p>
<p>For real estate, this starts with the capital growth drivers that increase the performance of the property and filters down through to the property selection. </p>
<p>The location, type and features of the property should appeal to other buyers, as well as to tenants.</p>
<p>The demographics, economy and employment prospects in the local area will affect buyer demand. Homes in large cities and towns typically sell more quickly than those in regional areas as there is a larger pool of buyers. </p>
<p>In general, residences that are close to transport and amenities such as shops and schools will be easier to both rent and sell than those in less convenient locations. A well-maintained home with parking, practical living spaces and a tidy kitchen and bathroom may be easier to sell than an awkwardly laid out property that needs work. </p>
<p>There are many dimensions to buying well for income and capital gain. People purchasing property through an SMSF, like other property investors, should do their research and consider what will appeal to other buyers as well as to tenants. </p>
<p><strong>Timing</strong></p>
<p>The timing of a property sale will be driven by a range of personal and market factors. </p>
<p>Assuming the SMSF’s trustees have control over the timing – rather than being forced to sell due to a member’s unexpected death for instance.  While the most tax effective option is usually to continue to hold the property in the fund until the members have retired, there may be performance criteria that drive the timing of an exit.</p>
<p>After the members have retired and converted the SMSF into a pension, all fund income, including capital gains, is tax free. Before the members’ retirement, capital and income on investments in the fund are taxed at 15%. </p>
<p>Property owned through an SMSF, like property held directly outside of superannuation, qualifies for a capital gains tax discount if the asset has been held for more than 12 months. The CGT discount for property owned inside an SMSF is one third of the gain. That means the fund pays 15% tax on two thirds of the capital gain if it is sold before its members retire.</p>
<p>Say an SMSF sells a property making a capital gain of $120,000 before its members have retired. The fund will incur a tax bill of $12,000 if it has held the property for more than 12 months. That tax bill could be avoided by timing the sale to settle after the members’ retirement.  However changes in a property market’ stength need to be considered.  In a bear market changes can easily wipe $12,000 from a sale price </p>
<p><strong>Multiple generations</strong></p>
<p>Strategies that involve for holding property through an SMSF across multiple generations of a family are more complicated. </p>
<p>Planning for what will happen when a fund member dies needs to take a variety of factors into account. These include whether the property will be sold after a member’s death; whether there is debt on the property; whether it is positively or negatively geared; how the fund is structured; how fund member are related to one another; and whether they are dependants of the deceased, as defined under superannuation law.</p>
<p>Some SMSF trustees decide to sell the property if one of the members dies. That way any debt can be repaid out of the sale proceeds and the deceased fund member’s share of the remaining equity can be paid to their beneficiaries or estate. </p>
<p>If the trustees would prefer to keep the property after the death of a fund member, the plan should consider how the beneficiaries will be paid their inheritance. It should also consider how the fund will make loan repayments and meet other costs associated with the property without that member’s contributions to the fund. </p>
<p>Superannuation regulations restrict how property can be transferred when used as a vehicle for holding properties over multiple generations. There are tax consequences for each course of action. </p>
<p>Trustees should seek specialist legal and tax advice on the best options for their fund.</p>
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admin-TPy8csjoDs

How to plan your SMSF exit strategy: Forrester Cohen

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<p><span>Will fresh Chinese property buyers still come to Australia?</span></p>
<p><span>Will existing off the plan contracts settle?</span></p>
<p><span>What decisions will the Chinese government make on fund transfers, <span>with its formidable capaclty to control many aspects of its economy</span>.</span></p>
<p><span>Will all Chinese developers proceed with their overpaid site projects?</span></p>
<p><span>Any Australian property market Chinese certainties are now off after the recent stockmarket rout. </span></p>
<p><span>Blogger Pete Wargent recently uploaded a 25 year chart for the Shanghai Composite, indicating just how explosive the stock bubble had become in China.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p><span>He noted that he make no pretensions of having special or unique insights into China's stock market craziness.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">And I suspect no-one really knows all the likely property outcomes for Australia. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">We are all interested observers. About 8% of Chinese wealth is held by the 1.4 billion Chinese in their stockmarke<span>t</span> - often considered punting money. F<span>inancial services company GaveKal said in a recent report <span>t</span></span><span class="message_content">he pain of the crash is affecting probably no more than 20 million to 30 million Chinese households, most of which range from upper middle class to very wealthy.</span></span></p>
<div><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FoNXS2m2iM/VZyUiG-EIRI/AAAAAAAAWvo/fa1aXO627rk/s1600/ssec.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a></div>
<div> </div>
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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The turmoil on the Chinese sharemarket raises concerns, challenges and opportunities for Australian real estate, Robert Harley wisely concluded in today's <em>Australian Financial Review</em>.</span></p>
<p><span>China has been the single-largest source of offshore real estate investment here, with $12.4 billion of Foreign Investment Review Board approvals in 2014-15, and has been rising and spreading fast.</span></p>
<p><span>No one depends more <span>t</span>han Australia's billionaire apartment developer, Meriton's Harry Triguboff who told Harley:</span></p>
<p><span>"At this stage, we don't feel anything has changed. With the dollar coming down, they want our apartments even more."</span></p>
<p><span>Most curren<span>t commen<span>tary </span></span>suggests Chinese sharemarket turmoil will promp<span>t</span> <span>the Chinese</span> away from stocks to other asset classes, especially real estate.</span><span style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;"> Bu<span>t I'd expec</span><span>t a few non-cyclical curve-balls.</span><span><br></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;"><span> </span></span></p>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Any Australian-Chinese property market certainties are off after stockmarket rout 

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<p>AFG, Australia’s largest mortgage broker, has reported i<span style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;">nvestment loans moderated in NSW from 49.8% in May to 41.6% in June. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;">Investment loans had been running at an average of 49.5% of all loans in NSW for the previous 12 months.</span></p>
<p>Elsewhere in Australia, the same moderating trend was repeated, with investment loans declining in SA from 41.8% to 36.8%, in QLD from 36.1% to 34.1%, in VIC from 36.5% to 35.7% and in WA from 31.8% to 31.2%.</p>
<p>Brett McKeon, AFG managing director suggested the figures indicated that APRA controls are starting to take effect, but not at the expense of the overall mortgage market.</p>
<p>"If this trend continues, it should help allay concerns about overheating in Sydney, in particular, as investment levels there come back into line with the sustainable, long term, national average.”</p>
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NSW investor numbers tumble 20% AFG

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<p><span>GUES<span>T</span> OBSERVER</span></p>
<p><span>A quick study of the latest property data shows that a new type of property investor has definitely emerged. We still have the other traditional kinds: like the classic, slow build investor who has built up a portfolio over decades. Then there’s the mum and dad investors who are carefully looking to dip their toes in the water after getting on top of their mortgage. However, this new breed is different.</span></p>
<p><span>It’s a weird amalgam: first home buyer/investor/renter. They’re the people who simply can’t afford the place of their dreams. They’re struggling with the heated urban market, especially Sydney or Melbourne. Yet they’ve scraped together a deposit and recognize the value of getting something, anything, before the market once again rises. So they’ve bought a property out in an area where they don’t want to live, usually the outer suburbs, and they are renting and living somewhere else. This is especially a phenomenon of younger couples who want to send their kids to a certain school or have a love for a certain area. For example, couples who rent in beach side Sydney or a desirable family friendly suburb in Melbourne like Camberwell or Bentleigh. They can’t buy into these places but want to live there. They can see the value in buying a place out in the sticks, but certainly aren’t thinking in terms of portfolios or multiple properties.</span></p>
<p><span>They’ve become unwitting, unplanned investors. Let’s call them the reluctant landlords. They’ve replaced the owner/occupiers. The owner occupiers were a classic force in Australia right up till recent times. They saw a property as long term and would quietly suffer economic downturns, feeling sure that their ultimate plan of property appreciation would eventually happen. As they generally were in it for the long haul they were never prone to alarm about sudden market twinges. However, they’ve started to disappear as first time buyers simply struggle to get into the market. So reluctant investors/landlords have their own long term approach. Priced out of their own desired area they plan to invest in a medium-short term rapid growth suburb as investors. They generally don’t plan to be doing this for too long. Their hope is to perhaps do up the property, rent it out then resell it after one-two years and take advantage of the heated market to buy the house they’ll remain in. It’s like a two phase strategy of the owner occupier plan.</span></p>
<p><span>Most of them are twenty somethings or thirty somethings, either renting or else living with their parents while they save up. Except instead of buying a house for themselves they’re buying an investment property.</span></p>
<p><span>The reluctant landlords often feel uncomfortable as investors or renting out their property. This is because it’s not their long-term goal. Consequently they can sometimes make bad decisions, such as selecting an inferior property manager or not vetting tenants properly. They also may make other poor choices like identifying a suburb that is likely to rise as an investment area but not being aware of costly strata or title issues. Essentially they’re amateur investors and prone to making mistakes.</span></p>
<p><span>The more savy or those partnering with service providers who can pass on their expertise, are using renting and investing as a combined long-term strategy, keeping them in their desired urban hub and investing in affordable high-growth areas maximising depreciation and tax benefits to their advantage while  building a passive income for their future.</span></p>
<p><span>The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that investor loans galloped ahead of owner-occupier loans by four times the amount. Added to this a new study by Digital Financial Analytics shows that property investors are younger than ever before. This gives credence to the theory that we’re seeing young couples being pushed into investor roles through the sheer white heat of the current property market. It’s also in part due to the slashing of first time buyer grants from the Federal Government. Conversely negative gearing and the steady stream of low interest rates have made the market very conducive to investors. First home buyers, to some extent, have been forced to become investors through a rearranging of the laws of property.</span></p>
<p><span>Yet we’ve seen that there’s a <span>cooling in rentals</span>, partly due to an oversupply of apartment buildings in cities like Melbourne. And areas such as the Gold Coast are not the booming rental markets as they used to be. This leaves the reluctant landlords on shaky ground. Property investment will never be an exact science and the stakes are too high to make the wrong choice, especially as a first time buyer. So careful analyses and researching the market is vitally important. So too is getting accurate information and seeking it out from property experts may be the first steps in the property path to success.</span></p>
<p><span><em><span>SAM KHALIL</span> is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.</em></span></p>
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SamKhalil-UNoWQ73CmG

The new breed of property investor: DPN's Sam Khalil

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<p><span>GUEST OBSERVER</span></p>
<p><span>Sydney’s white hot property market has defied expert predictions, with median house prices edging close to $1 million as growth and competition accelerates*.  Sydney’s market imbalance – the divide between investors and owner-occupiers – is spurring a social divide between the have not’s and the have more’s.</span></p>
<p><span>We have a situation where owner-occupiers are being phased-out as house prices hike. Investors are saturating the market and expanding their property portfolios while first home buyers are struggling to get a foot in the door. </span></p>
<p><span>Of those first time buyers that do successfully buy, many can’t afford to move into their property and are stuck living in a rental. This is concerning, in so far that lending conditions have played a role in this dilemma.</span></p>
<p><span>There is also growing separation within the investment community. We have one group of investors that are more mature and astute, while others appear less sophisticated, taking on too much debt and lacking a long term investment strategy. This latter group are more likely to negatively gear their property; but if the market takes a turn and interest rates increase, these investors could face loan repayment difficulties if they’ve given themselves only a small financial buffer.</span></p>
<p><span>In December 2014, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) outlined guidelines to lending institutions on steps to reinforce mortgage lending practices**. One of these included requiring investors to pay higher deposits. I welcome this guideline. It is arguably too easy for investors, especially less sophisticated investors, to be approved low rate loans. While I actively encourage property investment, the current ratio is out of kilter, and this will inevitably lead to negative ramifications should nothing change. Not only are some investors at risk of being overconfident, they are snapping up properties that are ideal for first home buyers.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Greater lending prudence is urgently needed. We need incentives that assist Sydney’s first home buyers in entering the market so that they can physically live in their new dwelling, such as fixed, low rate, new home owner mortgages. Tighter regulations for investors are also necessary. I believe investors should pay up to 20% investment deposits. These two measures would at least be a step forward in helping redress the balance.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The influx of foreign investors also doesn’t appear to show signs of slowing down. The Government should seriously consider putting a cap on the number of properties that a foreign buyer can purchase within a new development. Right now, foreign buyers are snapping up development properties in droves, and before the first slab of concrete hits the ground. Australians are also becoming increasingly adaptive to buying off-the-plan, but right now, it’s a case of slim pickings. We need to ensure that there is a residual amount of stock available for local buyers.</span></p>
<p><span>The time to act is now. Sydney’s housing market is robust, but when you peel back the layers, there are several issues warranting address, and the market imbalance is a pressing issue. If left untended, the consequences could be significant.</span></p>
<p><span><em><span>DOUGLAS DRISCOLL</span> is CEO of real estate agency <a href="https://www.starrpartners.com.au/" target="_blank">Starr Partners</a>.</em></span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>*Latest monthly indices by CoreLogic shows the median value of Sydney house prices is $949,800, as at 31 May, 2015. See: <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/research/monthly-indices" target="_blank"><span>https://www.corelogic.com.au/research/monthly-indices.html</span></a></span></p>
<p><span>**Please click here to read a media release on APRA’s guidelines on residential mortgage lending practices: <span><a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/mediareleases/pages/14_30.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.apra.gov.au/mediareleases/pages/14_30.aspx</a></span></span></p>
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Sydney’s high-price property market fuelling social divide: Douglas Driscoll

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<p>Investment loans nationally declined in June from their earlier peak, with figures for June showing investment loans down to 36.9% when compared to the April highs of 43.1% of all mortgages processed.</p>
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<p><span>According to the AFG Mortgage Index a similar trend was felt across all states, with investment loans in Queensland down to 34.1% from 36.1%, Western Australia from 31.8% to 31.2%, Victoria from 36.5% to 35.7% and South Australia from 41.8% to 36.8% </span></p>
<p><span>New South Wales fell the furthest, down to 41.6% from May's figure of 49.8%. During the past year investment loans in NSW held an average of 49.5% of all loans.</span></p>
<p>AFG managing director Brett McKeon said if this trend continues, it should help allay concerns about overheating in Sydney in particular, as investment levels come back into line with the sustainable, long term, national average.</p>
<p><span> “These figures suggest that APRA controls are starting to take effect, but not at the expense of the overall mortgage market,” Mr McKeon said. </span></p>
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<p><a href="/images/2015/07/06/AFG1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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<p> <img src="/images/2015/07/06/mortgage.jpg" alt="" width="791" height="496"></p>
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

June investment loan figures pull Sydney into line: AFG

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<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">After a bit of pause in the ABS </span><a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/3401.0Main+Features1Apr%202015?OpenDocument" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Overseas Arrivals and Departures</a><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> survey we have had no fewer than </span><strong style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">seven</span></strong><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> such releases since May...and there's yet another in the post in the next couple of days too!</span>
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<div> </div>
<div>The slowdown in Australia's population growth to +330,000 in 2014 was straightforward enough to predict for those who were paying attention - with Sydney and Melbourne leading the population growth charts - and regular readers will be well across the drivers of the downtrend.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>While most commentary is finally just about latching on to last year's story, I'm now getting more interested in trying to anticipate the eventual rebound - the causes thereof, and the likely timing.<br><br>Let's have a look at a four trends to watch, and particularly the role of exchange rates thereon.</div>
<br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1 - Net long term migration</span></strong><br><br><div>Rolling annual net long term migration slowed considerably from around 411,000 in January 2013 to just above 300,000 by April 2015.</div>
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<div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsKHLxNp92E/VZhovUp0ezI/AAAAAAAAWog/kgkTP1sMsjg/s1600/Arr1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsKHLxNp92E/VZhovUp0ezI/AAAAAAAAWog/kgkTP1sMsjg/s1600/Arr1.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsKHLxNp92E/VZhovUp0ezI/AAAAAAAAWog/kgkTP1sMsjg/s640/Arr1.jpg" width="640" height="280"></a></div>
<br><div><span>The downtrend is still in place but appears to be slowing. </span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span>In any case, following some analysis of<span> previous years' data the ABS itself <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/boomerang-departures-to-drive" target="_blank">cast doubts</a> on the relevance of the permanent departures statistics.</span></span></div>
<span><span><br></span></span><span><span>The ABS research implied that while ostensibly more than 380,000 Australians left the country on a </span></span><span><span>long term or "permanent" basis over the past 12 months, a high proportion of them are likely return home within just a year. </span></span><span>Observed the ABS:</span><br><div><span> </span></div>
<div>
<span><em>"Analysis shows that the majority of those with an intention of permanently departing, return to Australia within the following year. </em></span><em><span><span>For example, in the calendar year 2011, out of the 84,240 Australian residents who stated they were departing permanently, only 15,890 spent 12 months or more overseas</span><span>."</span></span></em>
</div>
<br><div>Whether or not this proves to be true in the future is less clear, but it does serve as a timely reminder that all is often not as it seems when it comes to demographic trends.</div>
<br><div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2 - Record short term arrivals</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>As the Aussie dollar has declined from around 110 US cents close to just 75 cents, the domestic economy is set to benefit from record high short term arrivals, now tracking at well over 7 million in the year to April 2015.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The chart below suggests that we might expect trends in short term arrivals and departures to dovetail with respect to changes in the strength or otherwise of our currency.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With the awesome strength of the Aussie dollar through the mining investment boom it was no surprise to see short term departures exploding higher.<br><br>
</div>
<div>I even took full advantage of this myself to undertake a rather extravagant world cruise in 2011, something which seems somewhat less appealing now, at least from a cost perspective!</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Now that the dollar has depreciated it is all but inevitable that this rampant trend towards overseas travel will reverse and comparatively fewer Australians will choose to travel and holiday overseas.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeVfFBTDcNc/VZhoxu3OR4I/AAAAAAAAWo0/POJh6u2LYwI/s1600/arr4.jpg">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeVfFBTDcNc/VZhoxu3OR4I/AAAAAAAAWo0/POJh6u2LYwI/s1600/arr4.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeVfFBTDcNc/VZhoxu3OR4I/AAAAAAAAWo0/POJh6u2LYwI/s640/arr4.jpg" width="640" height="290"></a><br><br>In fact, although the above chart doesn't yet appear to suggest so, this has already begun to happen, which is a net positive for the domestic economy.<br><br><div>The below chart records the ratio of short term departures to short term arrivals by month, and reveals that the ratio has steadily fallen to sit at its lowest level since the first quarter of calendar year 2011.</div>
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<div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6rsK8_HQD0/VZhow5WJAMI/AAAAAAAAWoo/hGaZ0NeT8ys/s1600/Arr8.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6rsK8_HQD0/VZhow5WJAMI/AAAAAAAAWoo/hGaZ0NeT8ys/s1600/Arr8.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6rsK8_HQD0/VZhow5WJAMI/AAAAAAAAWoo/hGaZ0NeT8ys/s640/Arr8.jpg" width="640" height="274"></a><br><br>The Aussie dollar likely has further to fall, and in turn so too does this ratio.<br><br><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>3 - Compositional shift of arrivals</strong></span><br><br>When people observe housing market trends and opine that the role of Chinese investment might be a passing fad, they might want to think again.<br><div> </div>
<div>Credit Suisse projects that Chinese investors will drop some $60 billion into Australia's housing markets over the five years to 2020, more than double the estimated $28 million in the preceding five years. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Meanwhile the number of Chinese USD millionaires is expected to rise at 14% per annum (Chinese stock market corrections notwithstanding!) thereby doubling to 2.6 million by the end of the decade.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>While there must be an element of guesswork and extrapolation involved here, I've seen nothing in the housing market activity which causes me to cast doubt on the estimates.</div>
<br><div>Comfortably the most significant change in short term visitors to Australia has been the explosion in Chinese short term arrivals since the turn of the century.</div>
<br><div>In February 2015, the month which incorporated Chinese New Year, an astonishing 198,700 visitors came to Australia from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan combined.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FriL70hzVFg/VZjW4f53AUI/AAAAAAAAWp8/RZosv0cwvJw/s1600/Chindia.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br><br><div class="separator"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FriL70hzVFg/VZjW4f53AUI/AAAAAAAAWp8/RZosv0cwvJw/s1600/Chindia.jpg"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FriL70hzVFg/VZjW4f53AUI/AAAAAAAAWp8/RZosv0cwvJw/s640/Chindia.jpg" width="640" height="276"></a></div>
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<span>Interestingly the "original" data for the three months to April also revealed unprecedented numbers of Indian short term arrivals at 66,500, while the Americans are also enjoying the shifts in the exchange rate with rolling annual number of short term visitors rising to a record 563,800.</span><br><div class="separator"> </div>
<br><div>We can expect that eventually some of these trends will flow through to Australia's permanent settler figures.</div>
<br><div>While the number of Brits settling is threatening to become immaterial - at just 590 settlers in April, less than a quarter of the levels seen in 2008 - and permanent New Zealander immigrants are trending sharply down, Indian and Chinese settlers are rapidly tracking at or close to record levels.<br><br>
</div>
<div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8touQwzFSo/VZhowb-0JsI/AAAAAAAAWos/5pVKyqyQIbY/s1600/Arr6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8touQwzFSo/VZhowb-0JsI/AAAAAAAAWos/5pVKyqyQIbY/s1600/Arr6.jpg"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8touQwzFSo/VZhowb-0JsI/AAAAAAAAWos/5pVKyqyQIbY/s640/Arr6.jpg" width="640" height="278"></a><br><div> </div>
<div>Indeed, there were 73,370 settlers hailing from Asia in the year to April 2015 as compared to fewer than 15,000 from Europe.</div>
<br>It's a huge shift in composition that is underway.<br><div class="separator"> </div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4 - Record education enrolments in Q1 2015</span></strong><br><br><div>One other unfolding trend to watch which is also tied to the depreciation of the currency is the record number of foreign student enrolments seen in the first quarter of 2015.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The ABS series shows that the rolling annual number of short term arrivals into Australia in the year to April for education has blasted to its highest ever level at 421,400.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfQpqET2No8/VZhovXWXDPI/AAAAAAAAWoc/7GjRMo7Gbjo/s1600/Arr5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfQpqET2No8/VZhovXWXDPI/AAAAAAAAWoc/7GjRMo7Gbjo/s1600/Arr5.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfQpqET2No8/VZhovXWXDPI/AAAAAAAAWoc/7GjRMo7Gbjo/s640/Arr5.jpg" width="640" height="280"></a></div>
<br><div>This is another demographic trend which is heavily skewed towards Asian participants, and Chinese students in particular, and one we can expect to keep on growing.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Watch the dollar driven demographic dispositions: Pete Wargent

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<p><span>The Perth property market has recovered from the post-mining slump to grow above historical trends with a current capital growth rate of between 5% to 7%.</span></p>
<p><span>Middle-range priced property of between $300,000 and $450,00 is 'well represented' in both property volume and value, with supply and demand stable, according to a new report.</span></p>
<p><span>The Herron Todd White June Month in Review found property sales of over $500,000 is now strong up to and into the mid $600,000 price bracket.</span></p>
<p><span>The report noted current investment in the lower socio-economic residential market of Esperance as sound and returning the best investment figures due to correspondingly high rentals relative to capital outlay.</span></p>
<p><span>Sales between $180,000 and $220,00 in Esperance have increased compared to last year.</span></p>
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Perth shows signs of shaking off slump, Esperance market strong: Herron Todd White

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<p><span>Capital gains made through detached housing investments is trumping growth made through units with house values 10.4% higher across all capital cities compared to units at 5.6% over the financial year.</span></p>
<p><span>According to CoreLogic RP Data's </span><span>June RP Data Hedonic Home Value Index found only property in Darwin and Hobart bucked the trend.</span></p>
<p><span>Melbourne house </span>values had an 11.2% capital gain over the financial year, with apartments only 2.4%.</p>
<p><span>CoreLogic RP Data’s head of research, Tim Lawless, said the underperformance of units compared with houses is likely due to higher supply levels for units compared with detached houses.</span></p>
<p><span>“The Inner Melbourne unit market exemplifies the weakness in this sector where the latest CoreLogic RP Data ‘Pain and Gain’ report revealed that almost one quarter of all apartments across the Inner Melbourne region resold over the March quarter at a price that was lower than the purchase price," Mr Lawless said. </span></p>
<p><span>"Interest rates cuts in February and May have contributed in pushing capital gains higher."</span></p>
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Housing capital gains trump units: CoreLogic RP Data

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<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Swedish furniture giant IKEA plans to more than double its retail presence in Australia by opening small urban stores.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">It is also selling products online for the first time since opening in Australia in 1975.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">IKEA Australia's David Hood unveiled the strategy to boost store numbers from eight to around 22 over the next few years, the <em>Australian Financial Review</em> reported.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span>It included building another three or four 30,000 square metre mega-stores.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The small-format stores are currently being tested in markets across Europe and Tasmania, where there is a pickup capacity.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">IKEA plans are accompanied by two new distribution centres which will increase the number of products able to be stocked in Australia from 1300 to around 9000.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span>Mr Hood, who is a 25-year IKEA veteran running the Australian business since 2008, said m</span><span>ost customers shop at IKEA four or five times a year.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">IKEA will open three stores this year – Marsden Park in Sydney's west opened last month, Canberra in November and a second Brisbane store in August.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span>David Hood envisages smaller stores along the east coast, including the NSW Central Coast and the Gold Coast.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">"There are 22 locations that we feel the customers could meet IKEA in some way – what it will not be is what we see at Tempe [which is 37,000 square metres]," he told The AFR.</span></p>
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