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

Joel Robinson

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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

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

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

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

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

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

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Rental market

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GUEST OBSERVER
One of Australia’s biggest comparison sites finder.com.au reveals ‘lifestyle renting’ is sweeping the housing market, and warns the trend is putting some under dangerous housing stress.
According to the new research, Australians are shelling out up to 38 percent of their weekly income to rent in desirable locations – well above the 30 percent threshold for housing stress.
The finder.com.au analysis showed across the capital cities, renting a house in Sydney takes a staggering 37.9 percent of the NSW average wage. On average, Melbourne renters are handing over 30.7 percent of their weekly earnings on rent. Brisbane rent was also a potential source of stress, requiring 28.4 percent of the average Queensland wage. Renting an inner-city property that is close to trendy bars, cafes and work trumps the home ownership dream for a growing number. This new generation of renters are not renting while they save for their dream home – they are renting their dream home instead. It’s alarming that they are overstretching themselves. It’s a case of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ for some who are living in properties they can’t afford. Interestingly Sydney renters spend a higher proportion of their weekly income paying rent than what some people are committing to their mortgages.
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<img src="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2010.01.03%20AM.png" alt="" width="806" height="785">
If you’re forking out more than 30 percent of your income to pay for housing, then you are considered to be in housing stress. The old real estate belief that people rent because they couldn’t afford to buy was not the case anymore. Some have just become accustomed to the ‘good life’ of being close to everything and are not prepared to give that up to get onto the property ladder. ‘Rentvesting’ is also becoming a more popular option for Australians – this is where people buy an investment property in a more affordable suburb as a way to enter the property market sooner, and proceed to rent in their desired location. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows an increase in households who are renting over the past two decades. In a 2013-14 report on Housing Occupancy and Costs, the ABS noted that 25.7 percent of households were renting their home privately, up from 18 percent in 1994-95. The proportion of private renters will likely continue to increase, with renters avoiding the hidden costs of homeownership, which include maintenance, council rates and insurance, Ms Hassan says. Hobart was identified as the most affordable capital city to rent where you will sacrifice 25.2 percent of your weekly wage on rent. Ms Hassan says renters could be forced out of capital cities with rents between 4.9 and 15.5 percent higher than regional areas in those states. The biggest gap was in New South Wales where the proportion of the average weekly wage to rent in the capital city (37.9 percent) was 15.5 percent higher than regional areas (22.4 percent). Renting in areas outside of the capital cities was much more affordable with the percentage of weekly earnings ranging from a modest 19.9 percent (in Victoria and Tasmania) up to 23.1 percent (in Queensland). Queenslanders pay the highest proportion of their average weekly salary on renting a home outside of the capital cities, where the average weekly salary is $1512.20 and median rent is $350. But even then, this is well within the housing stress threshold making regional living, unsurprisingly, an attractive option for some renters.
<a href="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2010.02.32%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2010.02.32%20AM.png" alt="" width="837" height="763">
Top 5 tips on how to reduce housing stress
Rental costs increase almost exponentially the closer you get to the city centre, so moving a couple of train stops further away could save you hundreds of dollars a month.
If you have a good relationship with your landlord, it's always worth asking for a rent reduction if you're prepared to sign a longer term lease.
Put more aside for rent than the required amount. This will give you a buffer if you are faced with challenges.
Be in the habit of budgeting before you start a tenancy. Know what you can afford and only rent what’s reasonable. 
Give yourself a financial makeover. Go online and compare what you're paying for things like contents insurance and utilities to make sure you aren’t paying too much.
Bessie Hassan is consumer advocate at <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Lifestyle renters suffering ‘housing stress’, new research reveals: Finder.com.au's Bessie Hassan

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With university offers finalised, tertiary students across NSW have commenced the urgent quest for accommodation for the 2016 academic year, which will put the squeeze on already tight rental vacancy rates across NSW.
Gerard Hill, of Raine &amp; Horne Newtown, said the rental market in Sydney’s Inner West, which is home to Sydney University, the University of Technology, and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA), a major teaching hospital, remains tight with vacancy rates well under 1%.
“We currently have six properties out of 1100 available for rent, with as many as 43 parties at inspections.”
“We expect vacancy rates will be squeezed further as new and existing university students flood the rental market in February.
“Therefore the best advice is to get in now before the bulk of students start to make their presence felt at open for inspections in suburbs closest to the universities such as Newtown, Darlington and Erskinville.”
Underlining the fierce rivalry for rental properties in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Terry Brandtman, Principal of Raine &amp; Horne Randwick, says there were 30% fewer properties available for rent in early January than at the end of spring 2015. 
“Two-bedroom apartments in Clovelly, Coogee and Randwick rent for between $550 and $750 a week depending on the age of the stock, which compares very favourably to apartments in the newer developments in Waterloo, Alexandria and Mascot, where weekly prices can be closer to $850,” said Mr Brandtman.
“Many rental properties are tightly-held, as existing tenants don’t want to leave for fear of paying more.
“However at this time of year there is usually some attrition with some people shifting outside the region and others looking to move to the area,” Mr Brandtman added.
Rental accommodation is also tight in NSW’s second biggest city, Newcastle, with virtually nothing available within walking distance of the CBD.
“Anything in inner city Newcastle is being snapped up almost immediately,” said Jason Maxwell, Principal of Raine &amp; Horne Newcastle. 
A one bedroom apartment within a 1 minute walk of the Newcastle CBD, at 408/21 Newcomen Street, Newcastle[i], hit the market on Thursday last week, and had been leased by Monday for $400 a week.
Demand for student accommodation in Newcastle remains robust, despite the University of Newcastle’s decision to develop additional on-campus housing in recent years.
“We are seeing more students returning to the private rental market this year due to cheaper room costs and a desire for more privacy,” said Mr Maxwell. Rooms in student share-house accommodation in Newcastle start from $90 a week.
Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine &amp; Horne, said a combination of persistence, punctuality and presentation will be critical in helping rental market contenders into a home. 
“There’s no escaping the fact you have to wear out some shoe leather and inspect as many rental homes as you can,” said Mr Raine.
“Treat a meeting with a property manager like a job interview – smart casual attire including polished shoes rather than shorts and thongs won’t hurt your rental chances either. 
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider taking mum and dad along to inspections. It might sound cheesy for some, but it often works.
“Even getting parents to countersign a lease agreement can help as this makes them jointly responsible for the lease,” said Mr Raine.
Angus Raine’s tips for beating the rental squeeze in 2016 
<ol>
<li>Treat appointments with property managers like a job interview.</li>
<li>Be punctual and present professionally.</li>
<li>For younger people, it helps if mum and dad are with you at appointments and/or they can offer a rental guarantee.</li>
<li>References from employers, university lecturers, school teachers, a family doctor or solicitor – and especially past property managers or landlords – are essential.</li>
<li>Take along paper work such as your motor vehicle licence and/or passport, bank statements and so on.</li>
<li>If you’re offered a property, take it immediately or you could miss out.</li>
</ol>
 
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

University students put squeeze on already tight NSW rental vacancy rates

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The latest Domain Rental Market Report has noted median weekly house rents across Melbourne Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra are at record high and predicts the worst is yet to come for the Perth housing market. 
Domain Senior Economist, Dr. Andrew Wilson, said Sydney house rents were steady, with even a drop in median unit rents.
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<img src="/images/2016/01/14/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-14%20at%2011.14.26%20AM.png" alt="">
"While unit rents remained steady overall, higher unit vacancy rates are providing more choice for tenants in most capitals,” he said.
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<img src="/images/2016/01/14/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-14%20at%2011.15.41%20AM.png" alt="">
“Most capital cities have seen an increase in median weekly rental prices over the December quarter. Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra were the standout performers in terms of housing rental market growth while Sydney saw a steadying of house rents and even a drop in median unit rents. 
“Sydney unit rents fell for the first time in more than three years reflecting significant numbers of new apartments entering the market. Sydney house rents, however, remain at record levels – and with the already low vacancy rates still falling there is no relief in sight for tenants."
He said Melbourne house rents have continued to soar to new record highs with low vacancy rates signalling that tenants can expect more increases to come.
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<img src="/images/2016/01/14/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-14%20at%2011.16.49%20AM.png" alt="">
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<img src="/images/2016/01/14/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-14%20at%2011.21.16%20AM.png" alt="">
"Melbourne unit vacancy rates, however, are increasing with new apartment stock surging,” he said. 
“It’s a good news story for Brisbane tenants with house rents remaining steady for two years straight and vacancy rates still rising for both houses and units."
VACANCY RATES
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Rents hit record highs in most Australian capital cities: Domain

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More young Australians are taking to rent-vesting, a trend where young buyers – typically Gen Y, purchase their first property for investment purposes rather than living in it, says John McGrath in his latest blog in Switzer.
Rent-vesting is one of the most important emerging property investment trends in Australia today.
"Unlike the Gen X and Baby Boomer buyers before them, Gen Y is not willing to sacrifice their lifestyle in order to own real estate," McGrath says.
"While Gen X and the boomers didn’t mind purchasing in affordable locations on the outskirts of a city and often far away from work, beaches and CBD nightlife, Gen Y doesn’t want a bar of it. They certainly share their predecessors’ desire to own property but lifestyle is priority one."   
So they’re buying for investment first in affordable suburban areas while renting in the trendy inner city locations that are priced beyond their means, he says.
Other Gen Ys are remaining at home with mum and dad to save as much money as possible before flying the coop.   
These junior investors are typically buying in middle to outer ring suburbs where rental yields are strong and the bulk of the rent covers the mortgage, meaning little out-of-pocket expenses and minimal impact on their lifestyles while getting great start in property.
"Once you’re in the market, it becomes much easier to buy other properties (either more investments or the dream family home) down the track with accrued equity," he says.
"Hats off to these buyers. This is a fantastic example of markets evolving as property values rise and lifestyle areas become unaffordable for those just starting out in real estate."  
According to McGrath, Rentvesting really took off after the First Home Owner Grant changed. When it was first introduced, the grant was available for all types of first home properties. When the rules changed and the grant became only available to newly built or off-the-plan properties, the incentive for young people to buy their first property for owner occupation was reduced.
A recent Mortgage Choice survey shows rentvesting has increased from 21% of investors to 37% over the past 12 months alone.
McGrath lists two important trends among junior investors.
First, they are getting in early. Domain research shows the average age at which Gen Y buys their first property investment is 25 years compared to 35 years for Gen X and 45 years for Baby Boomers.
Secondly, junior investors are building larger investment portfolios than their predecessors, who typically aimed to own their own home outright with maybe one investment.
The reasons could range from trying to mitigate uncertainty over the future of the pension and the understanding that superannuation is unlikely to be enough on its own when they retire. Hence the need for income assets. 
 
For your free Property Observer eBook from RAMS, 12 tips for first-time buyers, covering everything you need to know when it comes to purchasing property, click here.
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Gen Y make early entry into property through rent-vesting: John McGrath

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<div>
SQM Research found that listings fell slightly by 0.4% in November, with monthly falls being seen in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.</div>
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<div>This is fairly unusual to see as the spring selling season typically reaches its peak, although the decline did follow on from a surge in October. </div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/12/8/SQM1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/12/8/SQM1.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<div>
<div>Over the past year listings are up in Sydney (+11.8%) and Darwin (+11.4%).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the other hand Melbourne (-7.0%) and Hobart (-9.1%) listings have declined sharply over the year.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/12/8/SQM2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/12/8/SQM2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Despite the increased vendor activity in Sydney over the past 12 months, the harbour city still only had 28,597 listings as at November 2015 compared to more than 44,000 in Melbourne.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A market slowdown is to be expected in Sydney given that house prices have increased by +59.4 per cent since July 2012, or nearly $400,000.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/12/8/Residex.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/12/8/Residex.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<div>
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>. 
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Slight listings decline in November: Pete Wargent

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Combined capital city rents remained unchanged from October to November however falls were recorded in Perth, Hobart and Darwin, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
Rental rates in increased by a record low of 0.3% over the past 12 months.
New housing supply across capital cities, combined with slowing population growth, low mortgage rates and an increase property investors are all driving the slow down in rental growth. 
Record rental rises have been felt in Sydney and Melbourne however at a slower pace of growth compared to 12 months ago.
<a href="/images/2015/12/7/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-07%20at%202.55.23%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/12/7/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-07%20at%202.55.23%20PM.png" alt="" width="724" height="366">
CoreLogic RP Data state rental demands for apartments is holding up better than rental demand for houses, with house rents increasing by 0.1% while units have recorded a much greater 1.7% annual rise.
<a href="/images/2015/12/7/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-07%20at%202.57.58%20PM.png" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/12/7/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-07%20at%202.57.58%20PM.png" alt="">
 
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Weekly rents unchanged in November 2015: CoreLogic RP Data

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Rent.com.au recorded 526,280 unique visitors to its website during November 2015.
It was the second consecutive month it has registered audience numbers in excess of its 500,000 unique visitor target.
Rent.com.au managing director Mark Woschnak said November was the start of a period typically characterised by a seasonal downturn in national audience numbers.
 “We are pleased to have maintained our audience share relative to the rest of the market which, we know from independent AC Nielsen reporting, typically declines 3% to 5% in November and as much as a further 25% in December each year.
"This proven seasonal effect on traffic is normal and expected as people naturally shift focus to the festive season and defer finding their next rental place until the New Year.'
He said compared with October 2015, rent.com.au had increased the total time that visitors spent on site, with the total advertising impressions up 19% to 18 million, capturing the attention of some of the biggest advertisers in the country interested in targeting its high‐demand audience demographic of the 18‐35 year old market.
Upon listing on the ASX in June 2015, the company also set a business objectives of increasing levels of rental property listings from non‐agent landlords.
<a href="https://www.rent.com.au/admin/landlords/19125/properties/new" target="_blank">The site is offering a period of free listing for landlords</a>.
With more than 6,500 estate agencies nationally, its typically provides over 58,000 national listings, representing over 80% of what is on offer.
<a href="/images/2015/12/7/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-07%20at%209.04.25%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/12/7/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-07%20at%209.04.25%20AM.png" alt="">
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Rent.com.au secures November spike ahead of seasonal rental downturn

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November property market offerings showed vendors in four capital cities -- Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra -- having to increase discounts from the previous month to sell homes.
The latest APM heat chart showed only Perth and Gold Coast vendors needing to offer lower discounts. 
Sydney property vendors needed to knock 5.6% from asking prices, while for Melbourne it was 6%. 
 <a href="/images/2015/12/4/apmav.jpg" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12.16px; line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="/images/2015/12/4/apmav.jpg" alt="" width="896" height="1686">
For your free Property Observer eBook from RAMS, 12 tips for first-time buyers, covering everything you need to know when it comes to purchasing property, click here.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Vendor discounting up across east coast: APM

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Weekly rents across Australia’s capital cities rose by just 0.3% over the 12 months to November-end, the lowest annual growth rate on record, according to the latest CoreLogic RP Data monthly rental review.
Sydney and Melbourne were the only cities where rental rates rose at least 2% for the year.
Rates fell over the year in Brisbane, Perth and Darwin, while the remaining capitals have seen rents rise by less than 1.5% over the year.
The combined capital city rental rates are $486/week for houses $464/week for units, according to the data.
“It is anticipated that the rate of rental growth will continue to slow over the coming months due to increased supply of housing and rental stock coupled with slower migration rates which has reduced rental demand,” CoreLogic RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher said.
Dwelling rental rates across the combined capital cities were recorded at $483 per week, an increase of just 0.2% over the first 11 months of the year while over the past 12 months, they have risen by a record low 0.3%.
“Today’s results point to a broad trend of weakening rental growth, particularly throughout this year. With less than one month to go before year's end, it is apparent that rental growth will be very soft over 2015," Kusher said.
“The construction boom across the capital cities, coupled with slowing population growth, low mortgage rates and the recent heightened level of activity from investors who add to the pool of rental stock are the major contributing factors to the slowing rental growth.
“Sydney and Melbourne, which have seen the largest ramp up in new housing supply and investor activity over recent year, continued to record rental rises over the past year.
"However, each city is seeing a slowing in the pace of rental growth relative to 12 months ago.
He said the increase in investment stock gives landlords little scope to lift rental rates, while the low mortgage rate environment offers little incentive to push yields higher.
Looking across the individual capital cities, over the past year, Sydney and Melbourne have recorded the greatest increases in weekly rents, albeit at low levels compared with the pace of capital gains, while rents have fallen in Brisbane, Perth and Darwin.
Over the past three months rents are lower in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, are unchanged in Hobart and have increased in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
Over the past month, house rents were unchanged while unit rents rose 0.2%. For the three-month period, house rents fell -0.2% compared to a 0.4% rise in unit rents.
Demand for units , while still weak, is holding up better than rental demand for houses, the data shows.
Over the past year, house rents have increased by 0.1%, while units have recorded a much greater 1.7% annual rise.
Annual rental growth has slowed over the month but has reached a new record low level. Across each capital city, the current annual rate of rental growth is lower than the decade average, highlighting the weak rental growth conditions compared with the historical trend.
Canberra is the only city where the annual change in rent over the past year has been greater than growth a year ago.
The current building boom and recent record high levels of investment purchasing is causing oversupply at a time where the rate of population growth is slowing.
The slowing population growth is continuing to hit the rental market demand and contributed to a record low rate of rental growth.
The report said growth in rental rates is expected to slow even further over the coming months, and possibly rental rates will start to fall on an annual basis over the coming months.
The large pipeline of residential construction activity as well as high levels of investment demand (albeit slowing) means that people choosing to rent are likely to continue to have more accommodation choices and landlords limited scope to increase rents.
Capital city rents are increasing at their slowest annual pace on record, however, a decline in home values over the month has halted the decline in gross rental yields.
At a combined capital city level, gross rental yields were at 3.4 percent for houses in November 2015 and at 4.3 percent for units. Combined capital city house and unit rental yields are currently both at record lows.
A year earlier, gross rental yields were recorded at 3.7% for houses and 4.5% for units across the combined capitals.
The report says that the sluggish rental market may result in a further compression of yields over the coming months.
From an investment perspective it means that capital growth, which is slowing, is going to remain a much more important factor for a return from an investment.
Gross rental yields are lowest for houses in Melbourne (3%) and highest in Hobart (5.4%).
Gross unit yields are lowest in Sydney at 4.1% and highest in Darwin at 5.5%.
Sydney unit yields are currently at a record low. Gross yields have edged slightly higher in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra after sitting at record lows in October.
Across every capital city except for Hobart, house rental yields are lower now than they were at the same time last year. The general decline in yields is reflective of sluggish rental increases for houses and stronger value growth.
The unit market shows different trends to the detached housing market largely due to the weaker value growth conditions for units and the fact that rental growth is a little stronger than it is for houses. Yields are higher than a year ago in Canberra and unchanged in Melbourne and Brisbane while elsewhere yields have softened over the past year.
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Capital city rental growth lowest on record: CoreLogic RP Data

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Silverdale - and the 2752 postcode - was identified as one of the most affordable rental suburbs closest to Sydney's central business district, according to Australia's first rental affordability index.
The index is a joint project between peak housing advocate National Shelter, Community Sector Banking and SGS Economics &amp; Planning.
Property Observer selected a few properties in NSW's Silverdale that formed the top and bottom ranges for houses/units. Four are listed below: 
1. A four-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.thehomepage.com.au/property/rental/335a-taylors-road-silverdale/1081729" target="_blank">335a Taylors Road, SILVERDALE 2752</a> (above) is up for rent for $600 a week and tops the rentals. The property was bought in 2013 for $687,000.
2. A four-bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/35-gibson-street-silverdale/Property-Details-rent-residential-9685830" target="_blank">35 Gibson Street, SILVERDALE 2752</a> (below) can be rented for $550 a week. 
<img src="/images/2015/12/4/35-Gibson-Street-Silverdale-NSW-2752-Real-Estate-photo-2-large-9685830.jpg" alt="" width="437" height="325">
3. A three-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/23-gibson-street-silverdale/Property-Details-rent-residential-9734130" target="_blank">23 Gibson Street, SILVERDALE 2752</a> (below) is available for $400 a week. The property was sold for $365,000 in 2013.
<img src="/images/2015/12/4/silver.jpg" alt="" width="418" height="266">
The median rent for houses in Silverdale is $435 per week with a median gross yield of 3.4%. The median rental is higher than the national average of $395 per week, according to data from <a href="/news">www.propertyvalue.com.au</a>.
There were no units listed for renting at present nor data available on <a href="/news">www.propertyvalue.com.au</a> for apartments over the last 12 months.
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