<p>Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.</p>

<p>The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.</p>

<p>One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.</p>

<p>"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.</p>

<p>"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]</p>

<p>The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.</p>

<p>PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.</p>

<p>"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]</p>

<p>Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.</p>

<p>Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.</p>

<p>The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.</p>

<p>"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.</p>

<p>"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]</p>

<p>Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.</p>

<p>Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]</p>


Joel Robinson

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

<p>Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.</p>

<p>The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]</p>

<p>“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.</p>

<p>The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]</p>

<p>“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.</p>

<p>“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]</p>

<p>Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.</p>

<p>Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.</p>

<p>The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.</p>

<p>LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.</p>

<p>Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]</p>


Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

<p>Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?</p>

<p>Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.</p>

<p>NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.</p>

<p>“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.</p>

<p>"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.</p>

<p>Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.</p>

<p>“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”</p>

<p>Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.</p>

<p>“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”</p>

<p>She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.</p>

<p>“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”</p>


Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

<p>A local downsizer has splashed $6.5 million on a penthouse in Perifa's Alex &amp; Willow development in Crows Nest.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The purchaser sold their long-held family home in the area before embarking on a six-month search for the right apartment. After inspecting a range of options across the Lower North Shore, the buyer returned to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alex-willow-crows-nest-82-90-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Alex &amp; Willow</a>.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The buyer profile reflects the project’s broader purchaser mix. <a>Alex &amp; Willow</a> has attracted predominantly local downsizers looking to transition from larger homes without compromising on space or quality, alongside a smaller cohort of upsizers and investors drawn to the project’s location and design credentials.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The milestone sale comes as the project, developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">Perifa</a>&nbsp;and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile-made-construction">Versatile Construction</a>, both part of Versatile Group, reaches 60 per cent sold.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=371325]<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Eddie Mansour, Managing Partner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/ray-white-projects">Ray White Projects</a>, said the result demonstrates not only a headline price but also depth of demand.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
“This is an exceptional outcome and a clear reflection of sustained buyer demand for premium, well-located downsizer product,” Mansour said.</p>

<p>“We’re seeing a consistent pattern of local homeowners selling family residences and reinvesting into high-quality apartments that allow them to remain within their community. Alex &amp; Willow has resonated strongly with this group because it offers genuine scale, thoughtful design and immediate proximity to the village.”<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The sale reflects a broader and consistent trend of local downsizers actively seeking high-quality, low-maintenance residences close to established village centres. Agents report that demand for this product type has remained resilient, particularly where developments offer a rare combination of scale, design quality and walkable amenity.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
“The penthouse sale is a strong endorsement of the quality we have delivered, alongside our partners, and the clear demand from local downsizers for premium, boutique residences in this location,” Perilli said.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
“Most importantly, we’re proud to see the Alex &amp; Willow community beginning to take shape. As we move closer to completion, we’re looking forward to welcoming residents and seeing the project come to life.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=338516]<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nettletontribe">Nettleton Tribe</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>, Alex &amp; Willow is a boutique collection of generously sized two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of Crows Nest village.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Completion is slated for early 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6680]</p>


Alex & Willow, Crows Nest penthouse sells off the plan for $6.5 million

<p>Fresh from launching the first stage of its Wollongong precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, builder-developer Urban Property Group has unveiled plans for the next phase of the masterplanned community.</p>

<p>Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway is a State Significant Development Application for a further 657 homes on the prominent gateway site opposite Beaton Park.</p>

<p>The proposal comprises three buildings, including two build-to-sell towers rising 25 and 30 storeys, delivering 391 apartments, alongside a 12-storey co-living building with 266 residences, making it one of the largest co-living proposals currently planned in regional New South Wales.</p>

<p>Of the apartments proposed in the build-to-sell towers, the majority, 310, are two-bedroom dwellings. The balance comprises 44 one-bedroom apartments and 37 three-bedroom residences. Apartment sizes range from around 50 sqm for one-bedroom homes to approximately 90 sqm for three-bedroom apartments.</p>

<p><img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19347059-1612-41a0-9c74-b86a657237f8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%2010.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sWXnaCcA.cIC6N8YT1dg5pJ2e1V3Z6z7" /></p>

<p>The submission says the proposal has evolved significantly from its original Housing Delivery Authority application following extensive consultation with the State Design Review Panel and Wollongong City Council.</p>

<p>The final scheme has been designed to align with the emerging vision for the Flinders Street Precinct, an area identified by Council as a future high-density mixed-use neighbourhood capable of accommodating substantial housing growth close to transport, employment and community infrastructure.</p>

<p>According to the design report prepared by COX Architecture, the development aims to "deliver a built outcome consistent with the future character of the Wollongong CBD while responding to the site's unique constraints and opportunities."</p>

<p>"Our vision for the next phase of the site evolution in Wollongong is grounded in three design pillars that guide the design response: place, natural environment and celebration," COX said.</p>

<p>"Inspired by its surroundings and grounded in the stories of place on Wodi Wodi Country, the design proposal acknowledges the established character of its setting while creating a unique and timeless identity that sits harmoniously within it.</p>

<p>"The design proposal responds to its specific site conditions, acknowledging the vegetation, climate, wind conditions and solar access of the site."</p>

<p>The architecture responds directly to the site's position between Wollongong's urban core and its natural landscape setting.</p>

<p>COX identified views towards Mount Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment as defining features of the site, while the upper levels of the towers will also capture expansive views across the city and out to the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p>The design team has positioned the tallest buildings closer to the rail corridor, where overshadowing impacts can be better managed while establishing a landmark built form on the northern approach into the city.</p>

<p><img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79580d5b-500c-4ebf-9629-797146a4a694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WbTB1EKSG.KDfsfz0F3wp1QVa2oCMGR5" /></p>

<p>Urban Property Group secured the 11,000 sqm Smith Street site in 2022 and has since progressed plans for the broader Keira Place precinct.</p>

<p>Construction recently commenced on the first stage of Keira Place, which will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.</p>

<p>Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the commencement of construction marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.</p>

<p>"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.</p>

<p>"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-construction-at-keira-place-in-wollongong-cbd">Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD</a></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place

Property market

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<p>Lower winter market listings will commence from the Queen’s Birthday holiday break next month, but vendors should really sell their homes whenever it is convenient. </p>
<p>The unpleasant weather of winter does not dampen interest in the Sydney market as it did in the past. </p>
<p>Indeed winter can be a great time to sell given that there will be fewer listings competing for buyer attention. </p>
<p>Over recent years there has been a rising trend of winter auction volumes to record levels. </p>
<p>REA Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee noted last year winter was the season with the highest clearance rates. </p>
<p>Average clearance rates across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for winter were 74 percent, while autumn came in second with an average clearance rate of 69.8 percent. Spring, which most think of as the traditional selling season, had an average clearance rate of 61.8 percent, while summer was lower at 61.1 percent.</p>
<p>Ofcourse the property needn't go to auction, rather be for sale by private treaty or discretely for sale off market.</p>
<p>Common sense would tell you that fewer are inclined come to a wet onsite auction, however while the sticky beaks might drop off during the colder months, the percentage of serious bidders among the attendees actually increases. </p>
<p>There are few reasons why homes can't be put up for sale in the upcoming cooler months, so here's some quick advice on listing.</p>
<p>Winter can make homes much more welcoming so get that great winter light into the home.</p>
<p>Draw back the curtains and blinds on the windows and make the house or apartment feel warm and comfortable. Light the trendy new hanging fire place.</p>
<div>
<p>Decorators would also suggest add some warm reds and oranges to your soft furnishings around the house.</p>
<p>Be sure to instruct your agent about the best time of day to show your home for its open for inspection.</p>
<p>Auction hibernation certainly happens more so in Sydney's higher-priced suburbs through winter as overseas vacations are the escape for owner and agents alike.</p>
<p>Garden suburb vendors tend to hold back too, but not the inner west so much.</p>
<p>The fact is the demographic reasons for buying and selling don't take a pause so growing families still need that extra bedroom.</p>
<p>Those downsizers who've perhaps got their off the plan settlement coming up, will want to lock in their house sale too.</p>
<p>The recent strong autumn sales period ensures there are still plenty of committed buyers who've missed out.</p>
<p>Unsuccessful buyers with approved finance are still out there to buy before they have to re-apply and meet tougher restrictions, so they don’t have time to take three months off over winter.</p>
<p>So this winter, like any market, there are opportunities to make the most for the seller and buyer.</p>
</div>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Winter does not dampen interest in Sydney market

<html><body>
<p class="BodyCopy">No one needs to do more about housing affordability than the NSW State Government. Sadly, no one is doing less.</p>
<p class="BodyCopy">The Victoria State Government has made an encouraging start to tackling some of the issues in Melbourne. The Northern Territory Government is doing plenty to help first-home buyers in Darwin.</p>
<p class="BodyCopy">Even in Tasmania, where Hobart prices are so low relative to other cities you wonder why they feel the need, the State Government is taking decisive action to help young buyers and the housing industry generally.</p>
<p class="BodyCopy">But in Sydney, the location with the biggest problems, the NSW Government has to date done nothing.</p>
<p class="BodyCopy">It has contributed mightily to the problems by ripping obscene amounts of revenue out of the housing industry and imposing major regulatory burdens on the development industry. But despite the rhetoric of Premier Gladys Berejiklian (who, as a former state treasurer should have some understanding of the issues and the numbers), the State Government has done nothing to assist.</p>
<p>In NSW stamp duty receipts have reached a record high. Official figures show that $1.98 billion in stamp duty poured into government coffers in the March Quarter alone – a $315 million increase on the first quarter of last financial year.</p>
<p>Stamp duty from all property transfers has risen $859 million so far this financial year, compared with the same period in 2015-16. This represents a 10 percent increase in stamp duty on residential property, outpacing the Treasury forecast of a 4.8 percent rise for 2016-17.</p>
<p>That’s a major part of the problem. The State Government has built a Budget surplus on the back of revenue from real estate, thereby adding to the costs that burden buyers, while claiming to care about affordability issues.</p>
<p>In considering what it can do ease price pressures, the NSW Government might ponder this question: why does residential land in Sydney cost twice what it does in Melbourne? The median price for a home site in Sydney in 2016 was double that of Melbourne’s, according to the recent State of the Land report.</p>
<p>One possible explanation is that Melbourne brought far more residential land to the market last year than Sydney did. Indeed, 40 percent of the new land marketed in capital city Australia in 2016 was in Melbourne.</p>
<p>Increasing supply is regarded by some as the silver bullet solution. It’s not, but it’s certainly part of range of measures that jointly might create improvement.</p>
<p>And certainly the Property Council has “turbo-charging housing supply through increased land supply and planning reform” at the top of its five-point plan to address affordability issues in Sydney. If Melbourne can create so much new housing land for sale, what’s holding Sydney back?</p>
<p>Increasing the supply of housing won’t help affordability if the new dwellings are expensive, because it costs so much to create them.</p>
<p>Which is why next on the Property Council wish list comes “reforming state property taxes and reducing fees, charges and red tape”.</p>
<p>It’s been reported many times but it’s worth repeating: research indicates that 40 percent of the cost of creating the average house-and-land package comprises government fees, charges and taxes.</p>
<p>That reinforces my view that the politicians who rage against foreign investors and negative-geared Australian investors are themselves the problem. Every time a state government in Australia announces its annual Budget, affordability in that state gets worse.</p>
<p>Some of the most vocal critics of the affordability problem in Sydney have been NSW state politicians, when they themselves are the people best placed to create remedies. They can start by reducing the cost burdens they place on the process of building and buying new homes.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, their populist scapegoating of foreign investors, and multiple measures by federal and state governments to nobble offshore buyers, are making the affordability problems worse.</p>
<p>The most effective way to cause property prices to fall – indeed, in my experience, the only way – is to create an oversupply. Some of our major cities have been heading unwittingly down that path recently, notably in the inner-city apartment markets in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.</p>
<p>But major projects made viable by the prospect of selling some of the product to foreign buyers will not proceed because of a range of measures by federal and state governments to make investment by offshore buyers unattractive, if not unviable.</p>
<p>They’ve made matters worse for young buyers while claiming to be improving their chances.</p>
<p>Don’t be surprised if one of the few measures the NSW State Government will introduce in its next Budget will be extra taxes and charges on foreign buyers. It will be another cash grab, dressed up as policy to “level the playing field for young Australians”.</p>
<p><span>Terry Ryder is the founder of </span><a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a><span>. You can </span><a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy38821%20=%20'ryder'%20+%20'@';%20addy38821%20=%20addy38821%20+%20'hotspotting'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'au';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'/''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy38821%20+%20'/'%3E');%20document.write(addy38821);%20document.write('%3C//a%3E');%20//--%3E/n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'" target="_blank">email him</a><span> or follow him on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></p>
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Why does residential land in Sydney cost twice what it does in Melbourne?

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<p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/77101/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1"></p>
<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>The measures in the 2017-18 Federal Budget targeting the supply of lower-cost rental housing are limited.</p>
<p>There are no significant funding increases to social housing and homelessness services. There is no increase in rent assistance to help low-income renters in the private rental market.</p>
<p>Capital gains tax and negative gearing settings remain largely untouched, and the proposed bond aggregator will support expansion of housing aimed at very specific groups. </p>
<p>For the majority of Australia’s renters, housing will remain unaffordable, insecure and out of reach.</p>
<h2>Community housing</h2>
<p>If private investors get on board, the bond aggregator may help boost the supply of affordable and community housing by providing cheaper financing to community housing providers.</p>
<p>These two forms of housing are extremely important. However, they do little to help most renters.</p>
<p>Eligibility requirements for community housing mean many who require low-cost housing, where rent is calculated at between 25 percent and 30 percent of household income, are not able to gain access.</p>
<p>Single older women are among the fastest-growing group of homeless people in Australia. However, most are unable to access community housing because the only eligibility benchmark they meet is their low-income status. </p>
<p>Women not leaving situations of domestic violence or who do not have a recognised disability will find it difficult to qualify for housing before they reach homelessness.</p>
<p>The private rental market these women face is obscene. There is extremely low housing security with the risk of eviction when the standard lease agreement (of six and 12 months) runs out. High rents place sufficient, nutritious food out of reach of their budget, and they face difficulties paying power bills.</p>
<p>Time spent bringing up children, the gendered pay gap and – for some – relationship breakdown are among the factors that lead to this housing experience.</p>
<p>Long waiting lists for social housing and eligibility restrictions mean this year’s budget proposals are likely to fail this group.</p>
<h2>Affordable housing</h2>
<p>The second target of the bond aggregator is affordable housing. This is housing that is rented at between 75% and 80% of market rent. It is often described as “key worker” housing, where teachers, ambulance drivers and police officers can live.</p>
<p>Affordable housing has an important place in the housing system. However, below-market rents in central, work-rich regions are still extremely high and out of reach for many.</p>
<p>Of more concern, it is unlikely that many of these lower-income workers would be able to maintain their high rents at retirement. This generates two risks:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>that the renter is evicted and forced to find housing on the private market, which puts them at high risk of homelessness</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>that the housing provider continues their commitment to house the tenant securely once their income drops, so the risk here is to the housing provider’s bottom line. They will face a loss of income, as they drop rents from 80% of market value to around 30% of the retired person’s pension.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>First home buyers</h2>
<p>The budget tips its hat to first home buyers; prospective buyers will now be allowed to save up to A$30,000 at a reduced tax rate. But this is barely one-quarter of a standard 20% deposit for most apartments in Sydney.</p>
<p>Renters who aspire to home ownership and have sufficient income to service a mortgage may benefit from this measure. However, it will do little for the large number of low- and moderate-income households. For this group, spiralling housing costs put home ownership well out of reach.</p>
<p>It is also possible that this measure will add to inflationary pressure on housing prices by boosting demand for entry-level homes. Existing owners who are selling their homes would be the primary beneficiaries.</p>
<h2>What’s missing?</h2>
<p>There remains a need for courageous government action to tackle the structural inequities in the housing market. </p>
<p>Removing tax incentives that keep investor heat in the market will be essential – and so will increases to social housing budgets.</p>
<p>Investment in a large stock of secure low-cost social housing should be prioritised. Failing this, there will be a need to increase rent assistance payments, particularly in high-cost regions. </p>
<p>But this is far from ideal. More rent assistance will help renters in the short term, but amounts to a subsidy for private landlords in the long term.</p>
<h2>Does the government care?</h2>
<p>Underpinning much budget analysis is a sense that government should be concerned with the needs of the disadvantaged. Sociologist Keith Jacobs argues we should disavow ourselves of that view, describing housing policy in Australia as a “form of reverse welfarism that exacerbates social inequality”. </p>
<p>Jacobs argues:</p>
<p><em>… the state should be understood as an agency that sustains the conditions necessary for the finance industry, developers and real estate agents, along with well-off householders and landlords, to reap profits.</em></p>
<p>The failure of the 2017 budget to tackle tax measures that support individual private investment, and its emphasis on funding social and affordable housing through market investment mechanisms while providing little direct support at the bottom end of the market, does little to challenge this argument.</p>
<p><em><span class="fn author-name">Emma Power is s</span>enior Research Fellow, Geography and Urban Studies, Western Sydney University and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-power-250930" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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Is this the budget that forgot renters?

<html><body><p>Leading experts and economists believe the Australian property market may have ‘peaked’, while the Reserve Bank decided to leave the cash rate at 1.5 percent, according to finder.com.au.<br><br>In the latest <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/rba-cash-rate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">finder.com.au RBA survey</a>, all 34 experts and economists correctly predicted the Reserve Bank would keep the cash rate at its current level of 1.5 percent this month.<br><br>When panellists were asked what they thought the Bank should do this month, three respondents (Dr Andrew Wilson of Domain Group, Stephen Koukoulas of Market Economics and Nicholas John Gruen of Lateral Economics) claimed the RBA should decrease the rate.<br><br>Interestingly, two experts and economists (Noel Whittaker of QUT and Clement Tisdell of UQ-School of Economics) said the Bank should increase the cash rate.<br><br>In terms of the next cash rate move, 78 percent of experts and economists are expecting a rise. However, the majority of this group (81 percent, 22) are not predicting the rise to come until 2018.<br><br>Graham Cooke, Insights Manager at finder.com.au says mortgage holders should protect themselves from future rate rises.<br><br>“One strategy you can employ is to split your mortgage rate. This way, you can enjoy both the flexibility of a variable rate and the stability of a fixed rate,” he says.<br><br>On the other hand, of the minority of panellists who are tipping the next move to be down, most believe the cash rate will dip no lower than 1.0 percent. <br><br>An investment bank recently said the Australian housing market has “peaked”. In response to this statement, economists were divided; 60 percent (15) agreed while 40 percent (10) disagreed.<br><br>Mr Cooke says some capital city markets may have peaked, but it’s difficult to conclude whether the national market has peaked.<br><br>"Prices in some capital city markets, such as Perth, have deflated - but the cyclical nature of markets means it’s unlikely prices in other cities will increase indefinitely at their current rate. <br><br>“However, anyone holding out for a major price adjustment may be waiting a while. The general feeling is that while recent adrenaline-fueled price growth is likely to slow, it’s not expected that prices will fall dramatically. Prices may just plateau for a given period,” he says.<br><br>Recent inflation data indicated a 0.5 percent increase in CPI in the March quarter, but panellists were divided about the positivity of this news. <br><br>Most respondents (17, 57 percent) said current inflation figures did not indicate that the economy is improving. However, thirteen experts (43 percent) thought the latest inflation figures show the economy is heading in a positive direction.</p></body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Prices have peaked, but rates could still fall: finder.com.au survey

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<p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/75859/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1"></p>
<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>Solving the affordable housing crisis is a high priority for state governments around Australia.</p>
<p>This is understandable given the hyper-inflated property markets in many Australian capital cities. Rising concerns that interest rates will increase over coming years also fuel the unaffordability fires.</p>
<p>Proposed solutions to this crisis often focus on opening up new greenfield areas of land in the outer suburbs to develop lower-cost housing. Hence the solution to the affordable housing process is often thought to lie in creating housing with a low purchase price. This approach incentivises developers and housing suppliers to keep the price of new housing stock as low as possible.</p>
<p>This leads to houses that are more costly to own and maintain. Construction savings on features such as insulation, passive solar design, and heating and cooling systems mean such houses have high energy demands. That, in turn, means ongoing living costs such as the cost of air conditioning remain high for the life of the house.</p>
<p>Such houses are also constructed to the minimum standards dictated by the building codes. Poorer design and lower-quality materials can lead to large deferred maintenance costs and lower resilience to natural hazards.</p>
<p>In addition, housing in the outer suburbs has poorer prospects for capital growth, effectively trapping poorer households on the fringes of our cities. The residents of these suburbs also generally face higher transport costs to get to work and services.</p>
<p>Exposed to future risks</p>
<p>We are, in effect, encouraging new home owners to take on larger future risks and costs just so they can buy a house. This keeps government happy by increasing the number of new home owners – a proxy for affordable housing.</p>
<p>But this approach ignores the issue that home owners increasingly cannot afford to continue to own a home, not just buy one.</p>
<p>Increasingly, the first cost-saving action for struggling home owners is to be uninsured or underinsured. About 14% per cent of people have no home or contents insurance whatsoever.</p>
<p>Of those who are insured, many know they are not adequately covered. Back in 2012 it was identified that around one-quarter of home owners and renters had no insurance cover for house contents. Other estimates suggest that nearly one-third of households in Australia remain uninsured. Other studies more recently concluded that 41% of tenants do not have contents insurance.</p>
<p>Events like the recent Cyclone Debbie remind us just how exposed many families are to natural hazards, including physical damage to assets and the associated emotional hardship.</p>
<p>In many cases, families have been financially wiped out as a result of their lack of insurance coverage. These families then go back onto the long waiting list for affordable social housing.</p>
<p>Therefore, by defining affordable housing in terms of only purchase price of housing and number of new home owners, we are dramatically understating the problem of housing affordability.</p>
<p>By facilitating families to invest in houses that require high energy demands to be liveable, and which are located in areas increasingly exposed to natural hazards while households are uninsured or underinsured, we are simply mismanaging the affordable housing challenge.</p>
<p>Reframing affordability</p>
<p>A key action that can be taken is to frame housing affordability in terms of whole-of-ownership-life costs. This means we move away from defining affordable housing in terms of the initial capital cost and instead consider the total cost of owning a house over the term of ownership.</p>
<p>This approach explicitly encapsulates the risks of under-insurance and higher interest rates.</p>
<p>This is the approach used when funding infrastructure and major utilities assets. When planning major infrastructure, cost-benefit analyses must now consider the whole-of-life costs. This is to account for enthusiastic infrastructure advocates deferring costs through to increased maintenance obligations so the capital costs remains low, and hence the project becomes more attractive.</p>
<p>It’s the same for housing development. Therefore, the same approach needs to be adopted for home ownership.</p>
<p>Mark Gibbs is chair, Green Cross Australia, Queensland University of Technology and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-gibbs-199704" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
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Affordable housing is not just about the purchase price

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<p>Rental growth was flat at just 0.6 percent over the year to March 2017, according to the ABS inflation figures.</p>
<p>This is the equal lowest annual percentage growth since 1994, largely reflecting the new supply of apartments hitting the capital cities on the east coast.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/27/A6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a></p>
<div id="post-body-3862946038801712568" class="post-body entry-content">
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/04/27/A6.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><div>The national figure obscures contrasting fortunes around the capital cities.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney recorded annual growth in its rental CPI of 2.5 percent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In Melbourne rental price growth has been picking up over the past five quarters, although only to 1.7 percent year-on-year according to the ABS series (there has been considerably stronger growth in asking prices). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Hobart recorded the fastest annual growth of the capital cities at 4.2 percent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In Canberra there has not been much to see in aggregate, but anecdotally there is a view that the annual land tax has turned investors away from houses leading to a shortage of detached rental stock (though as in most capitals there is clearly no shortage of new apartments, which has compensated tenants for now).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In Darwin rents declined by 7.4 percent year-on-year, although this actually represents an improvement on the preceding quarter's drop.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And in Perth, rents were down by 7.3 percent year-om-year, having now dropped by 12.1 percent from their peak. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/27/A4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/04/27/A4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><div>In Brisbane nominal rents remain positive, but there's no doubt that inner city apartments rents are set for a tumble, as evidenced by the "for lease" banners strewn around the inner city.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This from yesterday...</div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PotrGvJHDlc/WQDxsUvwVtI/AAAAAAAAjbQ/tUknpxnVbnQqjWV1PrKg-ApGxG14UBZPgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PotrGvJHDlc/WQDxsUvwVtI/AAAAAAAAjbQ/tUknpxnVbnQqjWV1PrKg-ApGxG14UBZPgCLcB/s640/IMG_1655.JPG" width="640" height="480"></a></div>
<br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Benign inflation</span></strong><br><div> </div>
<div>The above figures feed in to the benign inflation picture.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Moreover, while dwelling construction is expected to remain strong for some time in Sydney, new apartment projects are now being shelved or scrapped practically by the week in Melbourne and Brisbane.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As each new Brisbane apartment project completes this will leave a small hole in the economy, which cumulatively will act as a drag on growth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>For this reason the government will be looking to loosen the purse strings to pave the way for infrastructure projects to plug the hole, which can be achieved through borrowing without unnecessarily crippling the budget.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A final point, the Sydney market has seen rents outpace CPI by a factor of two over the past ten years to rise by 56 percent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/27/A5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/04/27/A5.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><div class="separator"> </div>
<div>This reflects that Sydney's construction boom was still addressing an inherent undersupply until recently, but stay alert because the balance is about to swing sharply in favour of tenants over the next couple of years. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">AllenWargent</span></a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">blogger</span></a>.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s3"><em>His latest book is </em><a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank"><span class="s2"><em>Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</em></span></a><em>.</em></span></p>
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Rental growth at two-decade low: Pete Wargent

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<p>Melbourne developer Summers Industries has put several office warehouses on the leasing market following the sale of 26 out of 27 speculatively built industrial units at its circa $12 million Braeside business park.</p>
<p>The units were all sold before completion, reflecting the strength in the south-east industrial market mainly due to Victoria’s strong population growth and a renewed trend of owner-occupier sales. </p>
<p>Savills’ Gareth Jackson, who marketed the campaign, said nearly 80 percent of the available units sold to owner occupiers.</p>
<p>He said while leasing across the south-east had been remarkably resilient, the voracious owner-occupier appetite for new and existing stock, was unequivocally driving the Braeside market.</p>
<p>“Owner-occupier sales have been picking up over the last couple of years, with the obvious driver low interest rates and more recently Victoria’s strong population growth, but what we are seeing now is, in part, a sense of urgency to buy ahead of what some regard as an inevitable rise in interest rates, and an increasing trend to SMSF investment,” he said.</p>
<p>“US rates continue to rise and with housing affordability such an issue the RBA has no appetite for further cuts, the only way is up, indeed some banks are already leading the way. Having said that we are not likely to see a massive hike anytime soon and so there remains that window of opportunity, if you like, and savvy businesses are clearly taking advantage.’’      </p>
<p>The south-east market is enjoying a purple patch of sorts, accounting for more than 50 percent of total industrial take-up (456,920 sqm) across Melbourne, in the 12 months to March, added Savills head of Research in Victoria, Monica Mondkar. </p>
<p>It is leading all precincts for the first time since December 2010, along with 31 percent ($657 million) of the total industrial sales by value.</p>
<p>The opening of the Dingley Bypass last March had also been an important driver in the success of the sales and leasing of development projects in the Bayside market, Jackson said.</p>
<p>The 6.4 kilometre, six-lane road linking Warrigal Road at Moorabbin and Westall Road at Dingley Village was built with the promise of reduced traffic delays and congestion.</p>
<p>He said purchasers had also been drawn to the depreciation benefits and stamp duty savings, on-title car parking, container access and NBN connectivity.</p>
<p>Savills marketed the properties along with Nixon Real Estate. </p>
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Melbourne business park nearly sells out before completion: Savills

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<p>Queensland's slow start to 2017 shows one of the weakest rates of growth across Australia at just 0.4 percent in 2016, according to the CoreLogic-Moody’s Analytics Australian Home Value Index Forecast, 2017Q1.</p>
<p>The report said after a strong showing in 2016, Brisbane’s property market will cool in 2017 and 2018, due in part to the continuing mining slowdown.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-13%20at%209.59.34%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-13%20at%209.59.34%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>"The mining slowdown continues to weigh on job growth, and unemployment in the city’s local economy is expected to remain elevated at around 6 percent in 2017," it said.</p>
<p>"Valuations in Brisbane, Hobart and Adelaide are improving, helped partly by better employment conditions. We forecast 3.3 percent growth in detached housing values for Brisbane this year." </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-13%20at%2010.00.45%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-13%20at%2010.00.45%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
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Brisbane’s property market to cool in 2017, 2018: Moody's

<html><body>
<p>Near-term strength in the Sydney and Melbourne property markets will continue but cool as tighter credit conditions impact, according to the April Australian economic outlook report from NAB.</p>
<p>The report said these effects will be compounded by modest wages growth/ deteriorating affordability and new additions to the housing (apartment) stock but with growth moderating.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-12%20at%2011.00.18%20AM.png" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.16px;">Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.16px;"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-12%20at%2011.00.18%20AM.png" alt=""></span></p>
<p>"Our national forecasts for houses in 2017 are 7.2 percent in 2017 (previously 3.4 percent) and 4.3 percent in 2018," NAB said. </p>
<p>"Unit prices are forecast to rise 6.8 percent in 2017 (previously 0.8 percent), but will fall modestly in 2018 (-0.4 percent). </p>
<p>"Regarding the housing market performance over the past month, there are still no signs of the market cooling in Sydney and Melbourne, with annual prices growth hitting multi-year highs in both cities. </p>
<p>"Auction rates have also been elevated for both cities, pointing to tight market conditions, while the NAB Residential Business Survey shows that sentiment in both these markets was strong in Q1 2017 – although also suggests that tighter credit conditions are becoming a greater constraint.</p>
<p style="font-size: 12.16px; display: inline !important;"><span><span> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 12.16px; display: inline !important;"><span> </span></p>
<p style="font-size: 12.16px; display: inline !important;"><span><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-12%20at%2010.52.31%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 12.16px; display: inline !important;"><span><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-12%20at%2010.52.31%20AM.png" alt=""></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 12.16px; display: inline !important;"> </p>
<p style="font-size: 12.16px; display: inline !important;"> </p>
<p style="font-size: 12.16px; display: inline !important;"> </p>
<div class="page" title="Page 5">
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<p>"New building approvals have come off their highs, but the trend has turned positive again more recently.</p>
<p>"That is a surprise development given our expectation for the industry to self regulate supply in light of growing settlement risk and over- supply concerns in some segments (namely CBD apartments) – suggesting we could see the construction cycle extend a little longer than expected, although economic modelling still points to significant downside risks to construction.</p>
<p>"Overall, dwelling investment is expected to rise 2 percent in 2017, before turning modestly negative (-1.1 percent and -3.5 percent in 2018 and 2019 respectively). </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-12%20at%2010.52.50%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-12%20at%2010.52.50%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>"Regulators have again moved to tighten lending standards for housing loans, particularly for interest-only and investor lending.</p>
<p>"Against a backdrop of below-target inflation and elevated unemployment, policy makers are unlikely to address their concern about household balance sheets via interest rates, with further macro-prudential measures possible.</p>
<p>"We expect the RBA to remain on hold for an extended period, before some small hikes in late 2019 as domestic demand starts to improve.</p>
<p>"The big news in the last month has been the renewed focus on macro-prudential measures to contain what are perceived as emerging risks in the property market.</p>
<p>"APRA announced new measures in late March, most notable of which were limitations on interest only lending imposed on ADIs. While more severe measures had been anticipated in some quarters, and could suggest more to come, the likely impact is nonetheless unclear – macro prudential measures can be effective in the short-term, but their longer term impact is more questionable.</p>
<p>"NAB Economics assessment is that the new policies will likely slow mortgage lending growth in the near-term, albeit fairly modestly. For now though, housing finance continues to grow briskly, with investor loan approvals now back near levels seen before the last round of prudential tightening by APRA.</p>
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Tighter credit conditions to cool Sydney, Melbourne property market heat

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<div>I went to Surfers Paradise on Friday on the Gold Coast.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Being a holiday destination, it's one of Australia's most volatile and cyclical housing markets.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It's not too hard to see why, with few height restrictions on building and apartment towers stretching almost as far as the eye can see. </div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>The Gold Coast apartment market was one of Australia's hardest hit housing market sectors through the financial crisis - with a spectacular drop in prices - although apartment prices have been rising again steadily since early 2014. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The detached housing market at Surfers Paradise is now performing very strongly, with a combination of a lower dollar (which encourages tourism), interest from China, and the upcoming Commonwealth Games all being factors working in the region's favour.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Gold Coast is also now a growing city and employment hub in its own right, with the region seeing population growth of 12,280 in FY2016.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The risk in such markets is that when prices rise apartment construction can go crazy leaving the market highly susceptible to corrections, with the ensuing oversupply amplifying the downturn.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>To date median apartment prices are in many cases still below their 2009 levels, and have not risen far enough to result in widespread overbuilding, although there are some sites under construction.</div>
<div>Indeed, after accounting for the highly seasonal nature of the market, reported vacancy rates are clearly in a multi-year downtrend. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/10/SQM2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/04/10/SQM2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: SQM Research</span></em></div>
<div><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></em></div>
<div>An extremely speculative market, the fundamentals suggest a rising markets over the next couple of years or so until the next construction cycle delivers new supply in earnest (at which point it might be a good time to bail). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">AllenWargent</span></a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">blogger</span></a>.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s3"><em>His latest book is </em><a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank"><span class="s2"><em>Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</em></span></a><em>.</em></span></p>
</div>
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