Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" 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/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Mortgages

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Web based lender loans.com.au has again been named as the nation’s bargain basement home loan financier.
For the second consecutive year the market leader for online lending has claimed the title as Australia’s Cheapest Home Loan according to Mozo’s People’s Choice Awards 2014.
This year 25,000 clients ranked more than 200 home loan providers for the Mozo's People’s Choice Awards, and loans.com.au scored 9.2 out of 10.
The lender’s Dream Home Loan has a variable interest rate of 4.54% per annum and a 4.56% per annum comparison rate. There is no application, monthly, establishment or ongoing fees plus a full mortgage offset facility.
The Dream Home Loan product has a five star rating for outstanding value by Canstar.
Mortgage originator Firstmac funds loans.com.au. Managing director Kim Cannon says the award was validation of loans.com.au’s streamlined online lending model.
“This People’s Choice Award confirms for us that we were right to rely on the online model we built to keep costs down,” he says.
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andreadixon-oif3j7eKne

The country's cheapest loans

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Spring is traditionally the busiest time of year in the property market and as the weather heats up, so does competition among lenders for customers in the $1.3 trillion mortgage market.
With interest rates remaining on hold at record low levels, lenders are already pricing their mortgages keenly. Lower funding costs are allowing lenders to offer more competitive prices for mortgages, the Reserve Bank of Australia noted in its September Financial Stability Review.
Price competition for new borrowers in the residential mortgage market has intensified with lower fixed rates on offer and larger discounts on advertised variable rates available to a broader range of borrowers, the Financial Stability Review noted.
In this environment, lenders are turning to other weapons in the war for new customers: incentives such as vouchers, fee waivers and upfront cash bonuses.
NAB announced in late September that it would give home loan customers a $1000 gift card when they took out a principal and interest mortgage for $300,000 or more between September 22 and October 31, 2014 and drew down on the loan by January 30, 2015.
NAB group executive product and markets Antony Cahill said spring was the strongest season for home loan applications in 2013 and 2012 and the gift-card was aimed at winning customers during the busiest time of year for home-buying.
The four big banks – NAB, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ and Westpac – control about 80% of the mortgage market and home loans are important to their businesses with around three quarters of bank loans used for housing. But it's not just the big four using non-interest rate measures to compete.
Macquarie Banks offers a loan that rewards borrowers with Qantas Frequent Flyer points, for example. Customers can earn up to 160,000 Qantas Points with a $500,000 home loan in the first five years.
Six lenders have cash-back offers for home loan customers, according to research that comparison website Finder.com.au conducted for Property Observer. These include NAB, Newcastle Permanent and Commonwealth Bank, which are all offering up to $1,000 cash back. Heritage Bank and Homeloans.com.au are offering $600 and Austral Mortgage is giving back $500.
Eleven lenders are offering to waive fees for new home loan customers, including St George Bank, Resi and ING Direct, according to Finder.com.au.
Many of these promotions are for a limited time to attract new borrowers, Finder.com.au money expert Michelle Hutchison says.
"We're not surprised by these promotional offers available right now because we usually see an influx of incentives at this time of the year," Hutchison said. "It's currently mortgage season during spring, which is traditionally the busiest time of year to buy, sell and refinance so the home loan market is in a spin to try and take advantage of the high demand."
Hutchison warns home buyers and those who are looking to refinance to look beyond promotional offers when comparing mortgage products.
"Make sure you compare the cost of the loan including the interest rate you will receive and all the fees involved to make sure the costs don't outweigh any incentives offered," she says.
Macquarie Bank is a corporate client of the writer.
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Competition among lenders heats up

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Housing prices in Australia have been rising strongly, the Reserve Bank (RBA) told the House of Representatives inquiry into housing affordability today.
"Some of this perhaps represented an element of catch up after some earlier weakness.
"Nonetheless, prices have continued to rise significantly faster than incomes, and this has been associated with strong growth in investor activity," Dr Malcolm Edey, the RBA Assistant Governor (Financial System) advised in its submission.
Emphasising that the banks in Australia are resilient, and mortgage lending in this country has historically been relatively safe, he noted broader concerns with the "macroeconomic risks associated with excessive speculative activity, since this activity can amplify the property price cycle and increase risks to households."
He advised the RBA's discussions with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and other agencies on these matters are ongoing, but suggested it was “unlikely” to involve New Zealand-style loan-to-valuation caps.
The steps that might be taken to reinforce sound lending practices were "particularly for investor finance, though not necessarily limited to that,” he added.
The submission was made by Dr Edey and Luci Ellis, the RBA's Head of Financial Stability Department.
Their submission noted affordability measures will differ depending upon whether we are talking about owners or renters, and on whether we are interested in some specific market segment, like first home buyers or low-income households. 
"For owner-occupiers, perceptions of affordability will depend on many things including price, household income, the cost and availability of finance, and a host of factors affecting the needs and aspirations of the buyer," the submission said. 
"In any analysis it is necessary to make use of summary measures, while acknowledging that these inevitably gloss over the diversity of experience across different types of households.
"Much of the public discussion on affordability is focused on home purchasers.
"A useful summary measure is the repayment on a typical new housing loan expressed as a ratio to disposable income.
"On that metric, housing affordability in Australia has fluctuated around a broadly stable average over the past three decades, with average repayments varying between around 20% and 30% of disposable incomes.
"Currently this figure is a bit below average, but it has been rising, as the housing market has gathered momentum.
"Over the same 30-year period, the ratio of housing prices to incomes has increased substantially.
"These developments in prices and affordability have been inter related.
"Housing prices received a substantial boost from the combined effects of disinflation and financial deregulation, which lowered the cost and increased the availability of finance.
"Much of the increase in the price-to-income ratio was concentrated over the 10-year period to the end of 2003, when this ratio increased by around two-thirds.
"It is reasonable to think of this as a transitional impact on housing prices that will not re-occur.
"Both the shift to low inflation, and the comprehensive deregulation of the financial system, are things that only happen once.
"In broad terms, the adjustment of the housing market to this new environment seems to have been completed by around the middle of the last decade.
"Since then, the ratio of housing prices to incomes has been relatively stable but, for reasons already alluded to, it has been rising recently and is now at the upper end of its recent range."
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

LVR limits unlikely, but RBA warns of excessive speculative activity

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The Reserve Bank of Australia has published data showing Australia’s household debt to disposable income ratio has risen to the highest since March 2008.
The amount of mortgage debt Australians have relative to their incomes sits higher than the debt-to-income ratio realised just prior to the onset of the global financial crisis.
Households and investors are utilising home loan rates as low as 4.6%.
The data comes against the backdrop where commentary has been suggesting the recent credit growth had been slow.
The Reserve Bank estimates that the housing debt across the country is 37% greater than total household incomes, up from 33% a year ago.
Even though households have taken on more risk, the RBA says households continue to pay down their mortgages more quickly than required.  “The aggregate mortgage buffer – balances in mortgage offset and redraw facilities – has risen to be around 15% of outstanding balances, which is equivalent to more than two years of scheduled repayments at current interest rates."
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Two years ahead on repayments, but household debt at record levels: RBA

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Comparison website Finder has put out a warning about high-risk home loans, after recording a jump in interest-only home loans and larger loans across the board.
In fact, 81% more Australians were searching for interest-only loans compared to the same period last year, Finder recorded.
Over a third of home loans financed since the March quarter to June quarter 2014 were interest only, at 35%. This is the highest level since the data was collected, according to Finder’s money expert Michelle Hutchison, and loans are now at a record high of $319,000.
This puts the average borrowing $24,000 higher than last year.
“It's a real concern to see borrowers taking on more risk because interest rates are at record lows and expected to rise next year, which means borrowers can find themselves in financial trouble if they take on more debt than they can afford,” said Hutchison.
“For instance, if interest rates rise back to historical average levels of 5%, it would cost borrowers with a $300,000 home loan an extra $400 per month or about $4,800 in one year.”
Difference in average home loan sizes in each state compared to last year:
<table style="width: 647px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
State
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
July, 2014
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
July, 2014
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Difference
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$366,700
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$336,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$30,700
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$333,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$293,300
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$39,700
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$301,300
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$282,200
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$19,100
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
SA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$263,100
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$245,200
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$17,900
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
WA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$312,800
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$296,400
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$16,400
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
TAS
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$215,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$208,300
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$7,200
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
NT
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$341,300
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$331,700
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$9,600
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
ACT
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$329,700
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$329,600
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$100
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="136">
National average 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="149">
$319,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="158">
$295,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
+$24,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: Finder, ABS
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How much more debt is being taken on in 2014 compared to 2013? Finder’s high risk warning

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Genworth’s Homebuyer Confidence Index has risen 7.3 points in September, largely as a result of low interest rates reducing mortgage stress.
First home buyers that purchased over the past 12 months were significant contributors to the lift in confidence, at a high not reported since September 2012, while mortgage stress in general is significantly lower.
In fact, the index recorded that mortgage stress experienced by home owners has almost halved – falling to 15% in September from 28% in March.
Meanwhile, 2% of home owners were reported as behind their mortgage repayments, compared to the three year average of more than 3%.
Genworth Australia chief commercial officer Bridget Sakr said that they suspect the increase in confidence is a result of 13 months of historically low interest rates, as well as increased certainty around the May federal budget and the health of the economy.
“Almost half of surveyed home owners said they increased their mortgage buffer by making overpayments during the past 12 months,” said Sakr.
“Interest rates have virtually disappeared as a source of mortgage stress with just three per cent of struggling homeowners now citing this as a key factor of mortgage stress compared to 50% in September 2011.”
However, the Index also found a slightly increase in those who did not believe now was the time to buy, <a href="/expert-insights/buying/now-is-not-a-good-time-to-buy-a-sydney-or-melbourne-home-westpac-confidence-index">mirroring the results found by the Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment</a>.
Sakr said this is potentially a result from an increase in property prices.
“While the Genworth Homebuyer Confidence Index has returned to a positive result overall, dwelling value growth of late and the ongoing challenge of saving a deposit means that many prospective first homebuyers are still finding it difficult to enter the property market,” she said.
The index is a survey of more than 2,000 Australians, which asks about the proportion of monthly income used to service debt, comfort levels around LVRs, repayment over the past 12 months and future 12 month expectations.
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Mortgage stress has halved, just 2% behind on repayments: Genworth

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A new Australian website, calling itself a world first, has been launched that will help prospective property owners crowd source their mortgage and skip brokers.
The site, which began as an idea in 2010 and is now called Flongle, sees borrowers anonymously post what they want in an ideal mortgage. In response, banks, non-bank lenders and brokers “bid” to obtain the customer’s business. Flongle is presenting this as a mortgage “contest”, whereby the lender ‘wins’ the client.
Michael Lee, who is behind the website and comes from the mortgage industry, said that it provides an unbiased way to see out a deal before choosing the one that best meets their needs and at the lowest price.
The site notes that they include 2,500 plus mortgage deals “below retail” that are exclusively discounted. Each of the “Flongle deals” is noted as pre-approval insured as each bid is prepared by a human being. It comes with some hefty testimonials too, with Money Magazine and Barefoot Investor Scott Pape quoted on their site.
Flongle does not take commissions from lenders, with consumers instead paying. It costs $399 for a prospective borrower to undertake the service, or they can up their cost to $799 for a mortgage expert to guide you through the process. This comes with a money back guarantee that they’ll get the loan that fits their need at the best possible price or they will receive a refund.
Their ‘mortgage contests’ run for up to seven days, and they note that it can attract hundreds of bids. Currently registered are more than 50 lenders and mortgage brokers that have been verified by Flongle. Flongle will also rank the bids based on how they match the requirements noted by the borrower, and the costs (including hidden fees) using a proprietary technology.
“For too long, consumers have been baffled by choice, complexity in pricing, an array of similar, but not necessarily the same features and some outrageously dishonest advertising and promises, which, largely, go unchecked,” said Lee, who believes Flongle gives the power back to the borrower.
They note that as commissions and incentives are not required to be disclosed by brokers, which add up to $2.1 billion paid out annually to Australian brokers, this adds transparency to the process.
“The mortgage is without a doubt the biggest household expense for most Australians and yet too many people are on dud deals that leach away at their wealth and happiness,” Lee said. 
“Despite the massive impact their mortgage has on their wealth, most Australians just don’t have the time to learn what they need to know, let alone to apply it – which means they wind up handing their biggest and most important financial decision over to a salesperson.”
Lee said that the reality is that bias from brokers can cost consumers thousands if they pick based on commission rather than based on the genuine best deal for the borrower.
Those looking for new home loans, to health check or to refinance can use the service, with your mortgage call out taking less than two hours to make.
Lenders currently listed on the site include Commonwealth Bank, St George Bank, BankSA, ING Direct, Suncorp, Citibank, Heritage Bank, Westpac Bank, Bank of Melbourne, Newcastle Permanent, Homeside (NAB), ME Bank, The Rock Building Society, Plan Lending, National Australia Bank, ANZ Bank, BankWest, Resi, Macquarie Bank and Circle Credit Union.
The site is a wholly owned subsidiary of CQ Now Pty Ltd, and neither owns nor is owned by a lender or mortgage broker.
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New mortgage website allows lenders to "bid" to win customers' business

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ANZ today announced variable interest rates for Australian retail home loans will remain unchanged after its September interest rate review. 
ANZ’s standard variable home loan rate remains at 5.88% per annum (5.98% per annum comparison rate). 
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ANZ keep rates steady following September RBA meeting

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Commonwealth Bank, ANZ and Westpac have all cut the interest rates on their fixed home loan products this month.
Westpac lowered the rate on its three year fixed rate home loan by 5 basis point to 4.94% with a package discount, while Commonwealth Bank made a 15 basis point cut to its three year fixed rate loan to the same rate.
The lender also dropped the rate on its four year fixed loan by five basis point, to 5.09%.
In August, NAB left their three year fixed rate loan unchanged at 3.94%. The ANZ has matched the big four on their three year fixed products.
According to comparison website Mozo, ME Bank and Newcastle Permanent offer the lowest rates on a three year fixed loan, offering a 4.59% interest rate.
The largest change to a three year fixed loan came from B&amp;E Personal Banking, which trimmed its rate by 40 basis points to 5.19%, and Arab Bank, which cut its rate from 5.29% to 4.9%.
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Lenders cut fixed rates in August as cash rate remains on hold

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With an increasing number of lenders dropping their interest rates, Mortgage Choice recorded demand for fixed rates grew over August and now accounts for almost 25% of mortgages written.
The Mortgage Choice Homeloan Choices data saw 24.19% of loans written being for fixed rates, up from 23.82% the previous month.
“At the end of July, many of Australia’s lenders slashed the interest off their suite of fixed rate products – most notably their five year home loans,” said Mortgage Choice spokesperson Jessica Darnbrough.
“Whenever lenders cut their rates, we tend to see a lift in demand for that type of product a few months later,” she said.
Darnbrough noted that it was unsurprising that fixed rate traction grew through August and with many lenders offering historically low fixed rates, expects the trend to continue through September.
Queenslanders were the most likely to opt for fixed rates, at 29.85%, while they were also popular with South Australia and New South Wales borrowers, at 25.83% and 25.30% respectively.
Victoria’s demand for fixed rates was the lowest in the country, at 16.70%, with borrowers preferring variable rates. Western Australia also recorded strong interest in variable rates,at 80.94%.
“Not only are rates low, but Australia’s lenders have proven they are hungry for business and they are willing to cut the interest on their suite of products, offer significant discounts or other incentives in order to win business,” said Darnbrough.
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