<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-48" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-23" dir="auto">
Melbourne’s apartment market entered 2026 with renewed momentum, but the recovery is uneven, policy-driven, and increasingly shaped by constrained supply.

According to the RPM Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report (April 2026), apartments have begun to outperform detached housing on key metrics,yet that performance is occurring against a backdrop of falling approvals and a tightening development pipeline.

At the end of 2025, Melbourne unit values reached a three-year high of $656,500, recording quarterly growth of two per cent. That figure edged ahead of the 1.8 per cent growth recorded in the house market over the same period, marking a notable shift in relative performance. While modest in absolute terms, the outperformance is significant given the sustained dominance of houses through much of the previous cycle.

This shift has been driven in large part by policy. The federal government’s expanded five per cent Deposit Scheme has had a disproportionate impact on apartment demand, particularly in Melbourne where the $950,000 price cap captures a large share of medium- and high-density stock.

As RPM notes, the scheme “heavily favours medium and high-density dwellings,” effectively accelerating demand in the apartment sector.

The impact is most visible in buyer activity. Victoria recorded more than 43,000 new housing loans in Q4 2025, the highest quarterly volume since mid-2022 and one of the strongest results in over a decade. This lift was broad-based across all buyer types, with first home buyers, owner-occupiers and investors all returning to the market with greater confidence.

This surge in demand has flowed directly into apartment pricing, particularly in Melbourne’s middle and outer rings. Middle-ring unit values reached approximately $757,500, a four-year high, while outer-ring units climbed to a record $650,000. Quarterly growth of 2.9 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively significantly outpaced both the inner ring (0.8 per cent) and the broader house market.

&nbsp;

<img alt="RPM" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4628dde5-ad63-4b03-b18e-77d0f750e2aa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-24%20at%209.23.32%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ig6mqc7Oz7UaszRuzULrGtLPUxGf4NJC" />

&nbsp;

The divergence between apartments and houses is also being shaped by affordability. Detached housing remains out of reach for many buyers, pushing demand toward apartments as a more accessible entry point into well-located suburbs. This is particularly evident among first home buyers and downsizers, both of whom are increasingly prioritising location, amenity and lifestyle over land size.

At the same time, population growth continues to underpin demand. Victoria added more than 122,000 residents in the year to Q3 2025, with Melbourne attracting both overseas migrants and interstate movers, partly due to its relative affordability compared to other capitals.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Population" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="49e10567-a8b3-47c3-afbd-290f0bb62c49" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-24%20at%209.22.25%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=.2Drmko4TPh02X55JdF3mIC1EcG0ZfGl" />

However, the most critical factor shaping the apartment market is not demand, it is supply.

Apartment approvals across Greater Melbourne have fallen sharply, signalling a constrained pipeline of future stock. In Q4 2025, just 2,339 apartments were approved, down 20 per cent on the previous quarter and 47 per cent lower than the same period a year earlier. On an annual basis, 11,066 apartment approvals were recorded, an improvement on the previous year, but still well below medium- and long-term averages.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Apartment approvals" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="12f2e7bc-fe01-40c0-80b5-9e829b279d98" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-24%20at%209.21.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5mnIXkXGoDgIJdAFhA0alm0cSKzEytqZ" />

This decline reflects a broader contraction cycle that has been underway since 2020. As RPM notes, “apartment approvals appear to be sliding back into a downward trend,” with developers increasingly focused on launching and completing existing projects rather than initiating new ones.

The reasons are well understood. Construction costs have risen more than 20 per cent since 2021, driven largely by labour shortages and material price escalation. At the same time, financing conditions have tightened, with lenders requiring higher contingencies and taking a more cautious approach to risk. Combined with recent interest rate rises, these factors have made feasibility more challenging, particularly for higher-density projects.

This dynamic is creating a disconnect in the market. Demand for apartments—particularly at the more affordable end—is strengthening, while the pipeline of new supply is weakening. In the short term, this may limit the number of new projects coming to market. Over the medium term, however, it is likely to support price resilience and potentially further outperformance relative to houses.

There are some signs of policy-driven supply response. The introduction of Victoria’s Mid-Rise Code, which streamlines approvals for four- to six-storey developments, is expected to improve delivery in well-serviced middle-ring locations. However, this is unlikely to materially offset the broader decline in apartment approvals in the near term.

Despite the positive momentum at the end of 2025, the outlook for 2026 has become more complex. Two interest rate rises early in the year have already impacted consumer confidence, while broader cost pressures, particularly energy and fuel, are feeding through to construction and development costs.

“Victoria’s built form market ended 2025 on a high, but early 2026 rate rises quickly reversed the momentum,” RPM notes.

The implication is that while apartments are currently outperforming houses, the trajectory of that outperformance will depend on how these competing forces evolve. Policy support and affordability are clearly working in favour of apartments, but constrained supply and rising costs are likely to shape the pace and nature of future growth.

What is increasingly clear is that apartments are playing a more central role in Melbourne’s housing market. As population growth continues and affordability pressures intensify, higher-density housing is becoming not just an alternative to detached homes, but a primary solution to the city’s housing needs.
</section>

Joel Robinson

Units lead Melbourne price growth as apartments outperform houses: RPM

Brunswick is set for some of its largest apartments ever delivered with the upcoming new development Frith &amp; Howarth, where the apartments are around 20 per cent larger than what has come before it in the sought-after suburb.

Developer Young Group focused its design on Frith &amp; Howarth around size and scale, but within a boutique building, to create a mini neighbourhood within the mid-rise development. There are just 24 apartments in the mid-rise building on Victoria Street, a short walk to Brunswick Station and the cafe and dining strip along Sydney Road.

“We spent hours comparing what’s currently on the market so we could offer genuine points of difference,” Young Group says, pointing to room sizing, storage, and functional planning as key drivers behind the design.

All of the two-bedroom apartments in the building have been snapped up, with just the large three- and four-bedroom apartments, with the biggest floorplans and best outlooks, remaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134317 project_image_fid=354139]

Apartments open directly into open-plan living zones where full-height glazing draws light deep into the apartment. Sliding doors extend the space outward to terraces, many oriented toward the adjacent park or back toward the city skyline.

Kitchens sit within this central space, anchored by sculptural island benches that reference the building’s faceted exterior language. Storage is integrated across multiple layers, overhead cabinetry, concealed joinery, and, in larger configurations, dedicated sculleries or butler’s pantries.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134317 project_image_fid=354137]

The penthouse is the largest ever offered in Brunswick. The penthouse measures nearly 400 sqm all-up, with 242 sqm of internal space complimented by a further 149 sqm of terraces.

It spans the whole top floor and has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and parking for four cars.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134317 project_image_fid=354133]

Low maintenance resident amenity has been created in the form of a landscaped rooftop, complete with&nbsp;vegetable plots, outdoor cooking areas, and aflresco dining spaces, designed as a place for neighbours to gather outside of their homes.

“To enable connection with neighbours, generous rooftop gardens with communal spaces and outdoor cooking areas offer a chance to develop a sense of community,” says John Patrick, Principal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick Landscape Architects</a>.&nbsp;

“Private open spaces with a selection of native and exotic plantings and gorgeous city views on the rooftop create a high-end aesthetic, with a low maintenance lifestyle. The perfect balance, so that residents can enjoy a serene living space.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134317 project_image_fid=354134]

Sustainability is embedded at both the building and apartment level. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/frith-howarth-288-290-victoria-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Frith &amp; Howarth</a> is one of only a small number of all-electric residential developments in Brunswick, supported by solar infrastructure, EV-ready parking, and high-performance glazing. These measures sit alongside less visible systems such as rainwater reuse and high-grade insulation, reducing long-term operational costs while maintaining consistent internal conditions.

Positioned within walking distance of Brunswick Station, Route 96 trams, and established retail along Sydney Road and Barkly Square, the development balances access to transport with proximity to open space, a combination that has become increasingly difficult to secure in inner-city sites.

“These exquisite homes are nestled in a culturally diverse neighbourhood, with parklands and nature right on your doorstep,” says Young Group.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134317]

Frith & Howarth to deliver Brunswick’s largest apartments

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> in Brunswick is entering its final stages of construction, with the removal of the project’s last tower crane and the unveiling of the building’s full façade marking a significant milestone ahead of completion this coming spring.

The Park Street development, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>&nbsp;and Mirvac Design with landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jack-merlo">Jack Merlo</a>, is now largely structurally complete, with internal works progressing across the 169-apartment project opposite Princes Park.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/mirvac-construction">Mirvac Construction</a> Project Manager Sam Payne said the latest update reflects a transition from structure to refinement.

“Since our last update, all façade panels have been installed and the scaffolding and gantry has come down, unveiling the building in its full form for the very first time,” Payne said.

“A significant milestone was reached this month with the removal of our final tower crane, signalling the completion of major structural works and a pivotal step forward in the building’s transformation.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4802 project_image_fid=366856]

Apartments are now well advanced internally, with joinery completed to level eight and tiling to level six, alongside the delivery of a prototype apartment used to set the benchmark for the remaining residences.

This next phase coincides with the release of a completed furnished residence, styled by MCM House, and the introduction of private buyer tours, giving purchasers a clearer understanding of the finished product ahead of settlement.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> will comprise 169 one to four-bedroom apartments, with completion targeted for early spring. Interiors focus on natural materials and muted tones with two design schemes, while kitchens and bathrooms adopt a restrained palette anchored by stone, timber and textured finishes.

Bates Smart Director Jeffery Copolov said the project reflects a shared design direction centred on liveability and sustainability.

“Blending Mirvac and Bates Smart’s focus on wellness and sustainability, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> offers a new kind of conscious, elevated living in Melbourne’s inner north,” Copolov said.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> presents Mirvac's third parkside collaboration with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>&nbsp;in Victoria.&nbsp;Their previous collaborations delivered two of the city’s landmark apartment buildings: The Melburnian opposite Kings Domain and The Eastbourne on Fitzroy Gardens.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4802 project_image_fid=366857]

A key focus of the development is its landscape-led amenity offering. The central courtyard, spanning around 600 sqm, will feature established trees and planting grown off-site, alongside communal lawns and seating areas designed for everyday use.

Development Manager James Gardner said the outdoor spaces are central to the project’s lifestyle positioning.

“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> isn’t just a home, it’s a complete lifestyle offering, and the resident amenity is just one example of the elevated living experience the soon-to-be-complete building will be known for,” Gardner said.

The courtyard connects to a series of shared indoor and outdoor spaces, including a residents’ lounge, dining room, library and secondary west-facing garden area, designed as extensions of the apartments themselves.

Located directly opposite Princes Park and around four kilometres from the CBD, the development places residents within one of Melbourne’s most established inner-north precincts, with access to open space, transport and the retail and hospitality offerings of Brunswick and Carlton.

With façade works complete and landscaping and final finishes now underway, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> is moving into its most active construction phase, with permanent services and external works to be finalised in the coming months ahead of completion in spring.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4802]

Mirvac’s latest landmark, Prince & Parade Brunswick, enters final construction phase

Boutique Perth developer ADC has unveiled its latest project.

The developer, which focuses on bringing apartments to some of Perth's most premium inner-city and riverside suburbs, has launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/mos-lane-mosman-park-46-manning-street-mosman-park-wa-6012">Mos Lane</a>, 68 luxury apartments and townhouses in the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mosman-park-wa-6012">Mosman Park</a>.

<section data-scroll-anchor="true" data-testid="conversation-turn-124" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-69e027bc-1530-839b-a316-e9dad2cbd4d9-34" dir="auto">
Alongside the one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, the development will also include five two-level townhomes and two luxe penthouses. ADC is also introducing a significant retail offering for residents through Mos Lane Village, which will feature a wellness studio, fish and chips shop, barber, and florist, adding a layer of amenity not typically found in the predominantly residential Mosman Park area.

Construction has already commenced on the project, which sits just a short walk from the Swan River, Mosman Park Bowls Club, and Mosman Park Golf Course.

House Agency Directors Tom House and Lachlan McDonald say they are fielding the majority of buyer interest from local downsizers, as well as buyers with a long-standing affinity for Mosman Park.
</section>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364591]

Mos Lane will comprise two buildings; Samson House and Manning House, which have been designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nelson-koo">Nelson + Koo</a>, an emerging design consultancy specialising in the masterplanning and design of mixed use places and spaces.

The two buildings adopt distinct architectural responses to their surroundings. Manning House references the strong roof forms of nearby homes, with floorplates oriented to maximise light and long-range views, while Samson House is organised around a central atrium designed to bring daylight deep into the building and create a greater sense of openness.

At ground level, the inclusion of five townhomes introduces a typology more commonly associated with Mosman Park’s established streets, each with private courtyards and direct frontage, offering a transition between traditional housing and apartment living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364103]

Interiors have been led by Melbourne-based Hecker Guthrie, with an emphasis on practical, long-term liveability. Residences incorporate sculpted joinery, generous storage and flexible multi-purpose rooms that can adapt to changing household needs, whether for working from home, guest accommodation or additional living space.

Material selections draw on a restrained palette of textured stone, timber and neutral tones, with options for lighter or darker schemes. Detailing such as fluted glass, full-height joinery and integrated appliances is intended to balance functionality with a more refined residential finish.

Outdoor spaces are a consistent feature across the development, with balconies and terraces designed for dining and entertaining, and larger apartments incorporating outdoor kitchens. Orientation has been considered to allow residents to choose between morning or afternoon sun, while mature street trees and landscaped communal areas contribute to a softer streetscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364107]

Shared amenities are positioned to support both day-to-day convenience and occasional use. These include a private dining room with a caterer’s kitchen, alfresco entertaining areas, and a bookable guest suite for visiting friends and family. Additional practical features such as a resident workshop, storage facilities, car and pet wash areas, and concierge-style services for cleaning and dry-cleaning collection reflect a focus on usability.

Positioned between the Swan River and Cottesloe Beach, and within reach of schools such as Iona Presentation College and St Hilda’s Anglican School, the development is aimed at a broad buyer group, from downsizers seeking a lower-maintenance alternative to larger homes, through to local residents looking to remain in the area in a different housing format.

Mos Lane represents one of the more significant additions to Mosman Park’s limited pipeline, combining new housing supply with a village-style retail centre in a suburb where opportunities for large-scale redevelopment are relatively constrained.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=148957]

Living village precinct set for Mosman Park as ADC launches Mos Lane

An entity linked to I&amp;D Group Founder Ivan Filipović has filed plans for a new residential development at 188–202 Swan Street in Cremorne, targeting a prominent site within the tightly held Swan Street activity corridor.

The proposal seeks to redevelop the consolidated Swan Street landholding into a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/188-202-swan-street-cremorne-vic-3121">high-density mixed-use project</a>, replacing a series of existing commercial buildings with a significantly scaled residential outcome. The planning submission positions the development as a response to increasing demand for housing in well-connected inner-urban locations, particularly within established activity centres.

Plans outline the construction of a 14-storey building delivering 165 apartments above a four-level basement, alongside a ground-floor retail and commercial offering designed to activate the streetscape. A key feature of the scheme is a new north–south pedestrian link connecting Swan Street to Railway Place, intended to “enhance permeability and provide an active, publicly accessible connection through the site.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for Ivan Filipović-linked Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7332a8f8-dd2b-483d-b86e-320658838c84" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/cremorne.png?VersionId=cXm8vAaRdHh.LpYVbecrRkjckgu9mtAF" />

The development will retain part of the existing built form at 198–200 Swan Street, while the remainder of the site will be cleared to accommodate the new structure. Basement levels will provide 196 car spaces and 113 bicycle spaces, with vehicle access from Railway Place. Communal amenity is distributed across the building, including a shared outdoor area on Level 1 and a rooftop terrace for residents.

Ground level uses include retail tenancies fronting Swan Street and the pedestrian link, a residential lobby, and a flexible commercial space positioned to support community-oriented uses. The planning report notes this space “could be offered as a flexible space within the development for community groups,” supporting short-term or longer-term occupancy arrangements.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for Ivan Filipović-linked Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8208bf7b-cc67-485d-ad0f-1d73a74c907f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/cremorne%20lane.png?VersionId=69ctjC0txXv0zCHy7qQUpJyGwvPAT7gw" />

The site sits within the Swan Street Major Activity Centre, surrounded by a mix of retail, hospitality, and emerging residential development, and directly opposite tram services along Swan Street. East Richmond Station is located to the south, providing strong rail connectivity, while the broader Cremorne precinct continues to evolve as a mixed-use hub.

I&amp;D Group, founded by Ivan Filipović, is regarded as one of Victoria’s largest formwork contractors, partnering with major construction firms across large-scale public and private developments. The Swan Street proposal signals a move into development-backed opportunities tied to strategic inner-city sites.

First Look: Plans lodged for Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street

Asx Listing

<html><body>
PropertyGuru, one of south east Asia’s leading property technology companies, has lodged a prospectus with ASIC to list on the ASX.
Assuming the final price is midway of the indicative price range of A$3.70 to A$4.50, the offer will raise approximately A$363 million. 
<div class="page" title="Page 13">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
The business was founded in Singapore in 2007 by Steve Melhuish and Jani Rautiainen having sensed a dynamic real estate market with no online platform.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Recently Credit Suisse analysts have suggested the Asian online real estate listings business could be the next ASX-listed unicorn, a potential $1 billion-plus listing on the Australian Securities Exchange.
PropertyGuru operates digital property classifieds marketplaces in five countries across Southeast Asia – Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
It claims its market share of the online real estate marketplace as:
<div class="page" title="Page 53">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<ul>
<li>
◼  72% in Singapore 
</li>
<li>
◼  69% in Vietnam
</li>
<li>
◼  42% in Malaysia
</li>
<li>
◼  45% in Thailand
</li>
<li>
◼  49% in Indonesia7
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
It is the destination of over 23 million property seekers to find their home every month.
<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/2019/10/8/Property%20Guru%20IPO%202.jpg" alt="">
 The group has 60 percent consumer market share across its core markets, which is reportedly significantly greater than its nearest competitor.
Over the past twelve years, the Group has grown from a single-market start-up to a diversified PropTech company.
<div class="page" title="Page 54">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
It has previously raised over S$400 million in funding to date including new capital and shareholder selldown over four funding stages involving large institutional investors, including TPG, KKR, Emtek and Square Peg Capital with over 130 staff dedicated to R&amp;D,
With over 45,000 active agents, the real estate portal has a revenue model that is predominantly subscription-based, where agents currently pay upfront fees for an annual subscription that provides them with a number of discretionary credits.
It recently appointed Olivier Lim as independent chairman as well as Jenny MacDonald and Melanie Wilson as independent non-executive directors to its board in preparation of the ASX listing.
</div>
</div>
</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/2019/10/8/Property%20Guru%20IPO.jpg" alt="">
The appointments of Mr Lim, Ms Macdonald and Ms Wilson are part of a broader exercise to evolve the property technology company’s corporate governance in tandem with its growth trajectory and the increasing scale of its business, PropertyGuru said.
“The new directors bring even greater diversity, breadth and depth to the board,” the company added.
The team is headed by our Chief Executive Officer, Hari V Krishnan, who has two decades of senior executive experience in leading technology firms in Asia and the United States.”
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

PropertyGuru is the ASX's next unicorn: Credit Suisse

<html><body><div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Rate My Agent has debuted on the ASX with its $92 million ASX float appraised as worth $75.4 million on its first day close-of-trade. 
RMA Global — which operates the Rate My Agent real estate agent comparison site — made a lukewarm debut yesterday, the <a href="https://stockhead.com.au/tech/disappointing-asx-debut-for-rate-my-agent-comparison-site/" target="_blank">stockhead</a> website suggested.
RMA raised $12 million selling 48 million shares at 25c each.
The stock opened its first day of trade at 24c and fell as low as 19c before closing at 20.5c — an 18 per cent drop on its issue price.
It was trading at 20 cents in early trading today.
About $1.5 million worth of shares changed hands.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/6/RMA%20graph.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/6/RMA%20graph.JPG" alt="">
Rate My Agent allows punters to rate the agent and agency that helps them to buy and sell property.
RateMyAgent was formed four years ago
RateMyAgent, which allows home owners to search online and compare real estate agents, has recently been caught up in controversy over underquoting estate agents in Melbourne.
<div>
<div>
Earlier this year its chief executive Mark Armstrong <a href="/expert-insights/rate-my-agent-boss-defends-award-to-underquoter-tim-heavyside">defended its "agent of the year."</a>
</div>
<div title="Page 10">
It reported $3 million in customer receipts for the December half but burned about $4 million cash.
</div>
</div>
In February, it controversially named as ‘agent of the year’ a man who’d allegedly recently received a record fine for underquoting.
Rate My Agent warned in its prospectus that the continuing property downturn could result in lower agent advertising on the site — which could hit its bottom line.
The prospectus says 27,000 agents had signed up to the service. It says it covers 77 per cent of active agents in Australia and 30 per cent of those pay monthly subscriptions.
The company says it’s listing to increase its footholds in the US and New Zealand, and starting looking at other markets.
Early investors in the company included stockbroker Dean Smorgon, scion of the Smorgon dynasty, and online entrepreneur Gabby Leibovich.
</div>
</div></body></html>

Estate agent comparison website Rate My Agent debuts on ASX

<html><body><div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
RateMyAgent, which was formed four years ago, is set to float on the ASX.
Its new share issue at 25¢ per share values the company at $92 million.
The RateMyAgent business charges estate agents, who market their services to prospective vendors, a monthly subscription plus one-off fees.
It is one of numerous property agent matching websites including LocalAgentFinder and OpenAgent, which claims to be the number 1 agent comparison site.
Its prospectus warms if an existing, well established online residential real estate services provider, were to offer an agent review and rating feature, it could materially affect RMA’s ability to grow its revenues and profitability.
It has a current annual revenue run rate of $5.6 million with costs at $6.6 million, according to the prospectus.
It made a first half net profit after tax of $220,000 in 2018, after research and development income of $1.3 million.
The prospectus states its future revenue growth was expected from increased market penetration in Australia and New Zealand and the United States. Rate My Agent says 27,000 agents have signed up to the service.
It says it covers 77 per cent of active agents in Australia with 30 per cent of those paying monthly subscriptions that start at $39 a month.
It notes a property downturn resulting in lower agent advertising on the site could hit the business bottom line.
During the year to March 2018, RMA’s database showed that vendors and buyers posted over 173,000 reviews (14,000 reviews a month) on 121,000 properties sold.
This equates to a review for around one in every three residential properties sold in Australia, RMA said.
Of the vendors who posted an agent review, 24% said they used RMA to help select their agent.
Nine months after its 2014 launch, the site advised it had some 8000 agents as members, with 500 paying to advertise their businesses on the site which at the time had more than 25,000 client reviews, with 1100 new reviews being posted each week.
Its existing shareholders, which include chief executive Mark Armstrong, will own 87.4 per cent of the company after the Bell Potter float.
The main shareholders are only letting go of 12.6 per cent of the company. 
<div>Its largest shareholder, David Williams' boutique advisory Kidder Williams will get a success fee valued, with cash and shares, at around $800,000 for the planned listing on June 29.</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
RateMyAgent, which allows home owners to search online and compare real estate agents, has recently been caught up in controversy over underquoting estate agents in Melbourne.
Earlier this year its chief executive Mark Armstrong defended its "agent of the year."
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div title="Page 10">
The RMA business has attracted well-known investors including Dean Smorgon and Catch Of The Day founder Gabby Leibovich, who participated in a $5 million fundraising two years ago.
The company made a full year loss in 2017 of $2.9 million, on sales of $2.5 million. The latest profit of $224,000 was thanks to a its R&amp;D grants.
It also noted that it might have to pay back some or all of $2 million in R&amp;D tax incentives since 2015.
“There is a risk that the some or all of the R&amp;D tax incentives received to date could be required to be repaid (plus interest and penalties) in the event that audits of the claims are conducted and it is determined that the requirements of Division 355 of the Income Tax Assessment Act (1997) have not been met in full or in part,” it said in the prospectus.
The company has increased sales, rising from $873,000 in the first half of 2017 to $2.8 million in 2018, but the prospectus advises given its only recently commenced operations in Australia in 2013 (transitioning to the paid subscriber model in 2014), in the US in 2017 and in New Zealand in 2018, that there are uncertainties surrounding the rate of growth and prospects of the business.
"RMA’s products and services are in the early stages of development and its is not yet cash flow positive.
"RMA’s limited financial and operating track record is not sufficient to provide any certainty or assurance that the Company can or will achieve the growth and other objectives set out in this Prospectus.
"An investment is, therefore, speculative and the directors are of the view that an investment should be regarded as high risk," the prospectus said.
Rival property agent matching service LocalAgentFinder secured a $5.5 million capital raising round last year and a further $5.5 million this year. LocalAgentFinder recruited former iSelect chief Mat McCann as its CEO to prepare for a possible IPO this year.
It recently announced a partnership with Commonwealth Bank.
“LocalAgentFinder’s platform will give customers an independent comparison and is a good example of Commonwealth Bank partnering with experts to provide more value for our customers to help them realise their property goals,” Carrie Fox, Commonwealth Bank general manager, said in a statement.
In 2016 the head of the Real Estate Institute of NSW, John Cunningham suggested issues surrounding recommendations meant agents should be wary using comparisons sites.
Last year the head of the Real Estate Institute of WA, Hayden Groves said the market disruptors, including localagentfinder.com.au, openagent.com and Purple Bricks, "offered poor value to consumers."
"As the President of the Real Estate Institute of WA, people will expect me to say that, but if these intermediaries were upfront about what they actually offer I could be more accepting.
"However, they market themselves as one thing and do another.
"Localagentfinder and others like them claim to provide a service that finds the consumer the best agent, but that is just fantasy," Groves said.
OpenAgent was founded by former McKinsey &amp; Company analysts Zoe Pointon and Marta Higuera in 2013.
OpenAgent's capital raising had totalled $20 million by 2016.
</div>
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">
 
</div>
</div></body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Rate My Agent seeks to raise $12 million ahead of June float 

<html><body><div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<div class="article__content">
<div class="parsys parsys-article-content-top">
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The Drummoyne-based activist investor Matthew Donnellan emerged yesterday as lining up to potentially acquire a 15 percent stake in McGrath this Friday.
The shares are being mostly offered to the market by former McGrath agents and senior executives.
The stock has been offered through Wilson, seemingly volunteering Donnellan as the likely raider.
The press advised the 47-year old Donnellan had once acquired a similar stake in then struggling pub owner, Lantern Hotel Group, "before forcing out the management and instigating a turnaround in its strategy that delivered strong returns to investors through an asset sell down."
The 14.66 percent stake would make the former Allphones CEO sit as the second biggest shareholder behind founder John McGrath.
The press were tipped off that Donnellan was "an admirer of the McGrath business and brand, but not the performance of its board."
"I don't own any shares in McGrath so I have nothing to say at this stage," Donnellan oddly told the press.
The 14.66 per cent combined stake in McGrath was created by the shares of former McGrath director of sales Matt Lahood, Geoff Lucas the former McGrath chief operating officer who has since moved to artisan bakery group Sonoma, and former agents Ben Collier, Stephen Chen, the Leichhardt agent Shad Hassen and Brad Gillespie, along with a remaining McGrath agent Bethwyn Richards.
The shares floated at $2.10 in the initial public offering in late 2015.
The block trade, which is being handled by stockbroker Wilsons, will be available for purchase from Friday when 46.3 per cent of shares in the company come out of escrow.
A document filed to the Australian Stock Exchange said each of the parties intended to act in a "co-ordinated manner in relation to any sale of their shares in McGrath Limited".
What they hold
Geoff Lucas 6.7 million shares
Bethwyn Richards 2.78 million
Shad Hassen 2.78 million
Steven Chen 2.78 million
Matt Lahood 2.78 million
Ben Collier 2.78 million
Brad Gillespie 760,000 shares
The rival real estate agents - now at The Agency - hope selling the shares as a block could achieve a premium price.
McGrath CEO Cameron Judson advised McGrath remained a "a long-term holder of stock" but didn't advise further on any future purchasing or privatisation plans.
McGrath shares closed down 2 percent at 77 cents on Wednesday, and this morning was trading at 78 cents.
In 2016 Donnelley paid $8.05 million through Ward Partners for his Drummoyne harbour front house which had been marketed with $6.5 million hopes.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

McGrath rebels join forces to sell 14 percent stake

<html><body>
Centuria Metropolitan REIT, Australia’s largest metropolitan office REIT, announced its inclusion on the S&amp;P/ASX 300 Index from the start of trade on September 18.  
The S&amp;P/ASX 300 Index includes up to 300 of ASX-listed entities by float-adjusted market capitalisation and provides a widely-used benchmark for many general equities and real estate specific institutional investors.
“We have previously indicated it was our goal to be included in the Index. We’re delighted to have achieved this milestone, thanks to the support of our securityholders,” said Nicholas Blake, trust manager of the REIT.
“Inclusion in the index will enhance CMA’s relevance within the Australian equity market and generate increased institutional investor interest.”
The ASX inclusion caps an eventful year for the real estate investment trust. It  merged with Centuria Urban REIT (CUA), posted a statutory net profit of $37.7 million in the financial year 2017, and also completed a $90 million capital raising, increasing CMA’s market capitalisation to over $500 million.
Recently, the REIT bought three commercial properties in Perth, one of them being the Hatch building (below) and Melbourne for a total of $150 million. 
Centuria Group entity Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) is included in the S&amp;P/ASX 300 Index, while Centuria Capital (ASX: CNI) is a potential candidate for inclusion at a future rebalance.
“The inclusion of the REIT in the ASX/S&amp;P 300 Index is an important milestone for CMA, which was launched in December 2014. Combined with our $1.6 billion unlisted property syndication business, we now have three distinct property investment platforms that can grow independently. This enhances the group’s overall growth prospects,” said Group CEO John McBain. 
 
 
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Centuria Metropolitan REIT added to S&P / ASX300 index 

<html><body><div class="x_WordSection1">
The first McGrath annual general meeting as a listed company takes place this afternoon.
The company has yet to provide any guidance for 1HFY17 or FY17.
Stockbrokers Bell Potter advised the well publicise lower auction volumes in Sydney was likely to be significant.
<a href="/images/2016/11/23/image002.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/23/image002.png" alt="">
"We expect the 1HFY17 result to be well below 1HFY16.
"We also expect volumes to remain subdued next Autumn (the next key auction period) but similar to those this year so at this stage we forecast the 2HFY17 result to be similar to 2HFY16. 
"The combination of a weak 1HFY17 result and a flat 2HFY17 result means overall we forecast the FY17 result to be below FY16."
Bell Potter issued its revenue, EBITDA and NPAT forecasts for both 1HFY17 and FY17.
"The 1HFY16 and FY16 results are shown on a pro forma basis so that a like-for-like comparison can be made," Bell Potter analyst Chris Savage noted.
 
</div></body></html>

Fewer auctions to impact 2017 McGrath revenue: Bell Potter forecast

<html><body>
National online property agency iBuyNew (IBN) has been named on a list of Australia’s top 100 fastest growing start-up businesses.
It comes just weeks after listing on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Companies listed on BRW Magazine’s Fast Starters have operated for less than four years.
It has also made a turnover of at least A$500,000 in the last fiscal year with higher revenue than the previous year, have less than 200 full-time employees and more than one main customer.
IBN CEO Mark Mendel said the company, which specialises in off-the-plan sales, was delighted to be recognised by BRW’s annual Fast Starters list.
IBN ranked 54th place.
“This is a great acknowledgement for IBN and the hard work of our sales and marketing team who provide a service that people need to guide them through the complexities of buying off the plan,” he said.
“Demand for our service is increasing with record website traffic. We are now really focused on what needs to be done to deliver the results we are looking to achieve in 2017 and beyond.”
IBN this year launched a house and land division, but is currently more active in apartment sales.
The company also recently acquired 100 per cent of Melbourne-based property research advisers Nyko Property Pty Ltd.
IBN delivered new property sales worth $18.1 million in the 2016 September quarter.
</body></html>

iBuyNew on BRW Fast Starters list

<html><body>
National online property agency iBuyNew (IBN) is now trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) after its listed parent company Disruptive Investment Group Limited changed its name to iBuyNew Group Limited (ASX-IBN).   The name change was formalised at the Company’s annual general meeting.   The company also announced it has settled its share sale agreement to acquire 100 percent of Melbourne-based property research advisers Nyko Property Pty Ltd (Nyko).
It has delivered new property sales worth $18.1 million in the 2016 September quarter.   IBN, which specialises in off-the-plan property sales, recently launched a new house and land division, but is more active at the moment in apartment sales. IBN’s chief Mark Mendel informed shareholders that while the market for new apartments was well below its peak from the 2015-16 financial year, there has been no rise in buyer defaults. “(This) leads us to believe that the negative sentiment is mostly perception rather than reality at present,” Mr Mendel said.   “Whilst we believe the negative media reporting about the sector has likely contributed significantly to reduced sales, it is our assessment that buyers are mostly taking a wait-and-see approach until the uncertainty passes rather than leaving the market altogether.
"The fundamentals of Australian demographics have not changed in the last nine months.   “IBN is realistic about the current market dynamics.
"Our focus is ensuring that we have a robust business that continues delivering sales, and is well positioned to take advantage when the negative perception passes and stronger demand returns to the market."
</body></html>

iBuyNew now trading on ASX

<html><body><div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The Simonds home building family, founders of the listed Simonds Group, are preparing to buy out the company with outside assistance from the Roche family.
Simonds are set to leave the ASX boards after an unhappy experience as a listed company since late 2014.
An email was sent to staff on Tuesday flagged a potential change. 
Its shares were placed in a trading halt. 
Simonds' family vehicle and Roche Holdings settled on a 40¢-a-share deal under which a company owned 51 per cent by the Simonds family and 49 per cent by the Roche family would buy all outstanding shares of Simonds Group.
The price represents a 38 per cent premium to the 29¢ price at which the shares last traded before going into a trading halt on Tuesday afternoon.
It gives the company a value of about $57.5 million. 
Gary Simonds retained a 37 per cent stake after listing the company he founded in 1949.
Simonds has seen its share price fall as low as 27¢ from the $1.72 price initial float.
</div></body></html>

Simonds home building privatisation on the agenda

<html><body>
Chinese real-estate portal Juwai has completed a $10 million pre-initial public offering raising, as it heads to an ASX float late this year.
The latest raising was supported by local and Hong Kong-based institutional investors and high net worth individuals.
Juwai connects Chinese property buyers with sellers in other parts of the world.
The Australian Financial Review says it is aiming to raise about $30 million for its run at the ASX.  
Brokers Baillieu Holst and Evans &amp; Partners managed the pre-IPO raising of convertible notes to investors<a href="https://www.afr.com/street-talk/baillieu-evans-prepare-juwai-raising-20160608-gpexr4#ixzz4DyyoCuAQ">. </a> 
The notes will convert into shares on listing.
The South China Morning Post reported today that Charles Pittar, the CEO of Juwai.com said Brexit helped push a 100 per cent, week-on-week increase in consumer enquiries for UK property during the week of the vote.
</body></html>

Asx Listing

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Asx Listing

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News