Melbourne developer Spacious Group has completed Voyage Altona, one of the closest new apartment developments to Altona Beach.

Off the plan purchasers have started moving into the 49-apartment project on Pier Street, with the remaining move-in-ready one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments starting from just over $500,000.

Display apartments have now been fitted out, allowing prospective buyers to inspect the completed residences by appointment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=372638]

The completed apartments feature open-plan living and dining areas which extend onto private balconies and terraces, while full-height glazing maximises natural light throughout the interiors.&nbsp;

Hybrid timber-look flooring, stone benchtops, Miele appliances, porcelain-tiled bathrooms and generous storage feature throughout the building which also features landscaped communal areas, expansive shared terraces, lift access and secure on-grade parking.

Drawing inspiration from its bayside setting, Voyage adopts a restrained palette of warm neutral tones and textured finishes. Many of the apartments take advantage of views across Port Phillip Bay, while the indoor-outdoor living spaces have been designed to make the most of the coastal outlook.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=3286]

Voyage was developed to address what Spacious Group identified as an undersupply of higher-quality apartment product in Altona, with a focus on owner-occupiers looking to remain within the bayside community.

"Voyage responds to very strong local buyer demand for quality, owner-occupier-focused product," says Barry Plant Projects Director Jarrod Farey, who has handled sales since the project's launch.

"The project delivers an elevated lifestyle proposition, with its design and quality of finish far exceeding anything previously produced in the area, as well as its proximity to Pier Street Village and the beach."

The majority of purchasers have been local downsizers and owner-occupiers looking to stay within the Altona community but who previously had limited opportunities to buy a brand-new apartment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112195]

Joel Robinson

Spacious Group completes Voyage Altona in Altona's beachside precinct

Homecorp has secured approval for a $360 million apartment development at Budds Beach, paving the way for one of the Gold Coast's most amenity-rich residential projects to launch later this year.

Gold Coast City Council has approved Lýon Residences, a 32-level tower that will deliver 178 two and three-bedroom apartments across a prominent corner site at 8-10 Acacia Avenue and 25-27 Oak Avenue.

The approval comes as developers continue to invest in premium lifestyle-driven apartment projects on the Gold Coast, where owner occupiers are increasingly prioritising amenity as much as apartment size and location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/l-on-residences-25-27-oak-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Lýon Residences</a> has been designed around a resort-style wellness offering, headlined by a Moroccan-inspired spa precinct featuring treatment rooms, a Nordic sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a soaking pool and a residents-only juice bar.

The rooftop will include a heated infinity pool and spa, residents' lounge with private kitchen and bar, gymnasium, yoga and Pilates studio, outdoor entertaining areas and barbecue facilities overlooking the Surfers Paradise skyline.

<img alt="Lyon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d3e29af-8793-486e-a684-52cef862241f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-15%20at%204.32.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ayG2zpLf3SS6Zy8XmKDcQods4kVWb0gm" />

Homecorp Founder and CEO Ron Bakir said Budds Beach provided the ideal location for the company's latest luxury apartment project.

"Budds Beach represents one of the most unique and sought-after pockets of the Gold Coast, and Lýon Residences has been designed to reflect that sense of rarity and refinement," Bakir said.

The project arrives as wellness continues to become a defining feature of new residential developments both in Australia and internationally.

The latest Global Wellness Institute figures show wellness real estate remains the fastest-growing segment of the global wellness economy and is forecast to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2030. Australia continues to rank among the world's 15 largest wellness real estate markets, with developers increasingly integrating health, recreation and community facilities into apartment projects.

Queensland is also experiencing strong population growth, with the Gold Coast continuing to outperform many other Australian cities as demand for new housing remains elevated ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bakir said the project had been designed to respond to that shift in buyer expectations.

"Strong population growth and sustained demand across the Gold Coast continue to highlight the need for well-designed new housing supply. Lýon Residences responds directly to this demand while setting a new benchmark for residential living," he said.

Each apartment has been designed to maximise views across the coastline, the Nerang River and the Gold Coast hinterland.

Located just minutes from Surfers Paradise beach and the Broadwater, the development also offers easy access to the light rail network, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads.

Early site works are underway, with construction expected to commence later this year.

Homecorp approved for Budds Beach apartment tower, Lýon Residences

New apartment developments with uninterrupted, north-facing views over Perth's Swan River are exceptionally rare.

Recognising just how limited those opportunities are, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a>, one of Perth's most respected builder-developers, targeted <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/applecross-wa-6153">Applecross</a>, assembling an unrepeatable 6,342 sqm riverfront site on the corner of Moreau Mews and Canning Beach Road to create one of Perth's only new north-facing apartment developments directly overlooking the Swan River.

Today, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/riviere-residences-applecross-59-canning-beach-road-applecross-wa-6153">Rivière Residences</a> offers buyers a unique opportunity to choose between completed residences ready to move into now and off-the-plan homes in the final stage, Rivière West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3823]

Across the completed East and Central buildings, residents are already enjoying the development's luxury amenity, while two of the precinct's hospitality venues are now open.

The completed component of the development gives buyers the advantage of experiencing the finished product firsthand, including its uninterrupted river views, while still having the opportunity to secure a residence in the final stage.

"People are wowed by the view and the quality of the apartments,"&nbsp;Edge Visionary Living Sales Executive, Holly McSweeney, says.

"They're looking for the convenience of lock-and-leave living, but they're not looking to downsize on quality."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3826]

The rarity of the development hasn't been lost on prospective buyers, McSweeney says.

For McSweeney, it all comes back to a location that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate.

"Location, location, location," she says. "We are nestled right on the front of the Swan River. You can never get built out, so wherever you are in Rivière Residences, you've got views of the river forever."

The unique waterfront position has resonated particularly strongly with local downsizers. McSweeney says many buyers are long-time Applecross residents looking to transition from large family homes into a luxury apartment without sacrificing space, quality or the lifestyle they've enjoyed for decades.

<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/N_FowNW0wu8?si=vb25XFq1wZ-iufAW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

A major focus for Edge in recent years has been resident amenity. Across its apartment portfolio, from beachfront developments in Scarborough to luxury towers in South Perth, the developer has increasingly invested in the spaces beyond the apartment itself.

The strategy has largely been shaped by downsizer demand. Many buyers are moving from large family homes with swimming pools and established gardens. While they're looking to leave the maintenance behind, they don't want to compromise on lifestyle.

At Rivière, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hillam-architects">Hillam Architects</a> designed the resident facilities as an extension of each apartment. A 25-metre heated swimming pool takes advantage of the north-facing river outlook, complemented by a large gym, sauna and steam rooms, private dining spaces, residents' lounges, a cinema, games room, and dedicated wine and whisky rooms.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=372542]

The waterfront location has also proved to be a major drawcard. Residents are within walking distance of the Raffles Hotel, South of Perth Yacht Club, the Heathcote Cultural Precinct and the cafés, restaurants and boutiques along Ardross Street.

Beyond the location and amenity, McSweeney says many buyers take confidence from Edge's fully integrated development model.

Having delivered apartments across Perth for decades, Edge now designs, develops and constructs its projects in-house, giving the company greater control over quality, delivery and the finished product.

"What I love is when people walk through their apartment for the first time and say, 'This is better than what we imagined,'" McSweeney says. "We hear that all the time."

Completed apartments in the East and Central buildings are now available to inspect by appointment, while Rivière West, the final stage of the precinct, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=28384]

North-facing Swan River views drive demand at Rivière Residences in Applecross

Nearly 60 per cent of apartments at McNab Group's $220 million The Tannery development in Brisbane's West End have sold ahead of the project's public launch, including a suburb-record $2.57 million sale for a two-bedroom apartment.

The early sales campaign has secured buyers for 50 of the project's 87 apartments, highlighting continued demand for larger owner-occupier apartments that combine generous floorplans with premium lifestyle amenities in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374768]

McNab Group Executive Chairman Michael McNab said selling more than half the project before launch reflected changing buyer expectations.

"Selling more than half the project before public sales open tells us buyers are actively seeking apartments that offer something genuinely different," McNab said.

"Today's buyers are looking beyond four walls. They want homes that genuinely enhance the way they live, with spaces that support health, connection and everyday wellbeing."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374767]

A key point of difference for the project is the adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed Dixon's Tannery building, which will become The Retreat, a residents-only wellness precinct rather than being redeveloped into additional apartments.

The Retreat will feature a sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a commercial-grade gym, Pilates studio, cinema, library, co-working spaces and private dining room. Rooftop amenities will include a swimming pool, landscaped gardens, outdoor entertaining areas and dog-friendly spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374760]

Designed by Cottee Parker Architects with interiors by Tom Mark Henry and landscape architecture by Aspect Studios, The Tannery comprises 87 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 11 levels overlooking the Brisbane River.

Cottee Parker principal Dee Passenger said preserving the original tannery building had been central to the project's design.

"The easy option would have been to maximise the site's development potential with additional apartments. Instead, McNab has chosen to preserve the original tannery as a shared wellness retreat, ensuring this important piece of Brisbane's history remains at the heart of the community."

Passenger said sustainability also played a key role in the design, with materials from the original industrial site salvaged and repurposed throughout the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374761]

Motiv CEO Carly Cottam said buyers had responded strongly to the combination of larger apartments, wellness facilities and the West End lifestyle.

"We are seeing more buyers looking for homes in the sky that provide the space and functionality of a traditional home, while benefiting from the convenience and lifestyle that apartment living brings," Cottam said.

She said purchasers included both owner occupiers and investors, with demand coming from local buyers as well as interstate purchasers.

Coinciding with the public launch, McNab also announced a partnership with Queensland Ballet, whose neighbouring Thomas Dixon Centre shares historical ties with the original Dixon family.

Located on a 4,465 sqm site at 439 Montague Road, The Tannery overlooks the Brisbane River and is around 10 minutes from the CBD.

Construction is underway, with completion expected in the second half of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143337]

More than half of residences sold before public sales as McNab announces significant partnership with Queensland Ballet

McNab's The Tannery nears 60 per cent sold before public release, sets two-bedroom West End record

Iwan Sunito's vision for a landmark mixed-use precinct in Sydney's Inner West has taken a major step forward, with approval granted for the $1.9 billion Five Dock development first unveiled earlier this year.

The approved scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/one-global-capital">One Global Capital</a> will deliver an 80,500 sqm mixed-use precinct comprising 840 apartments, integrated hotel accommodation, commercial and retail space, alongside publicly accessible open space designed to create a new destination for the growing suburb.

"This is a significant milestone for One Global Capital and for the future of housing delivery in Sydney," Sunito said.

"The Housing Delivery Authority was established to identify major housing projects capable of delivering meaningful supply more efficiently, and we are delighted that Spencer Street has been recognised as one of those projects.”

He said the declaration reflected the rapid progress achieved since acquiring control of the site.

"In less than seven months we have progressed from taking control of the site to securing entry into one of the NSW Government's most important planning pathways. It reflects the experience of our team, the strength of our consultant group led by Urbis, and our long-term commitment to delivering transformational projects that contribute to Sydney's future."

When the project was revealed earlier this year, Sunito described the opportunity as one of the strongest development sites he had worked on.

"I probably hadn't appreciated the uniqueness of the site until more recently when putting together the concept plans," Sunito said.

"The proximity to the water, and the golf course opposite, is unlike any other part of Parramatta Road. We have a unique position and view corridors over the water that makes this one of the best sites I've worked on."

The development has evolved since its initial announcement, with the approved plans increasing the residential component from the originally proposed 750 apartments to 840 homes while retaining the project's focus on creating an integrated neighbourhood rather than a standalone residential development.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/a-city-within-a-city-iwan-sunito-flags-1-5-billion-mixed-use-precinct-in-five-dock">"A city within a city": Iwan Sunito flags $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct in Five Dock</a>

The precinct will combine apartments with hotel accommodation, commercial workplaces, retail offerings and public spaces, creating a mixed-use environment intended to serve both residents and the broader Five Dock community. The proposal also continues the collaboration between One Global Capital and internationally recognised architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada</a>, whose previous work with Sunito includes Infinity, Arc and Skye North Sydney.

Takada previously said the design was driven by a philosophy of integrating nature into the built environment.

"The concept for this development is born from our design approach to naturalising architecture," Takada said.

"The public realm benefits from biophilic design that integrates generous landscaping, and the development is optimised for natural daylight, airflow and water views to foster wellbeing, sustainability and spaces that foster community interaction."

Sunito has consistently described the project as a "city within a city", with a strong emphasis on creating a destination that extends beyond housing.

"We want to create a development that's not only to be seen, but to be experienced by the whole local community," he said.

The approval comes as Five Dock continues its transformation ahead of the opening of the Sydney Metro West line, with the new Five Dock station set to significantly improve connections between the Inner West, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.&nbsp;

The precinct will also benefit from its proximity to the Parramatta Road corridor, nearby waterfront parklands and established retail and dining offerings that have made Five Dock one of Sydney's most tightly held Inner West suburbs.

Iwan Sunito secures approval for $1.9 billion Five Dock mixed-use precinct

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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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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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

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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