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

Domain

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The new owner of Nine’s regional newspapers, Antony Catalano, has denied suggestions he’s embarking on building up a real estate outfit to eventually take on his former employer, Domain.
The denial came after sources speculated to the media website Mumbrella that the acquisition was part of a wider play for Catalano.
It was suggested he could roll-up his assets to launch a real estate portal to take on Domain, which is majority owned by Nine.
The former CEO of Domain also owns a stake in Domain’s biggest client, media agency Tomorrow.
“Why would I have my own real estate play when I’ve got a clearly defined partnership which includes promotion with the Nine Network for the next three years?,” he said.
“It’s ill-informed speculation without understanding. We’ve clearly done a deal [with Nine]. We clearly want to work together,” he said, noting it would work against him to go up against Nine and Domain.
<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/2019/5/1/Domain-News.jpg" alt="">
“The speculation doesn’t have any basis. It’s actually completely contrary to what’s in front of you.”
Catalano did, however, concede he once had visions of such a roll-up.
“I actually thought at one time that Fairfax should actually buy advertising agencies in the real estate space [to] close the loop,” he told Mumbrella.
Domain has reported a 6 percent dip in revenues in a market update released yesterday.
It comes on the back of a 13% decline in residential sale listings during the March quarter, with Domain CEO Jason Pellegrino adding agent upselling and enhanced consumer products were offsetting the decline in listing volumes.
The result reflect Domain’s performance across the first three months of calendar year 2019.
Despite the listings falls, the company reported double-digit growth in residential digital yield.
Deepening the Domain brand and content integration with Nine including a new Your Domain TV show and other TV integrations are set to occur.
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"Our relationship with Nine provides unparalleled opportunity to expand Domain’s reach and engagement. We have several initiatives underway," Pellegrino said.
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"We are expanding our business model beyond the typical six-month transaction window to service the entirety of the typical 10-year property ownership cycle," he said.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Antony Catalano denies claims he's set to take on Domain

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Sydney house prices have fallen by over 14 per cent since the mid-2017 peak, according to the Domain Q1 House Price Report.
If the pace of quarterly decline continues, the median is likely to dip below $1 million in Q2.
A six figure median house price hasn't been seen in four years.
The median house price currently stands at $1,027,962, as house prices fell 3.1 percent over the quarter, bringing its yearly decline to 11.5 percent.
Domain senior research analyst Dr Nicole Powell said Sydney's current property downturn is the sharpest in more than two decades.
"It is yet to surpass the duration of the 2004 to 2006 slump but it is coming close to being the longest," Powell said.
Powell advised house prices are now back to early 2016 levels and units back to mid 2015 prices.
Powell noted however that many homeowners have seen substantial equity gains with house prices still 30.2% higher than five years ago.
<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/2019/4/domain%20house%20.jpg" alt="">
Median house prices for major capital cities across the March 2019, December 2018 and March 2018 quarters
Source: Domain 
“Sydney remains a buyers’ market, although the year has started in a better place than last year ended," Powell said.
"Despite lower auction volumes, clearance rates have risen from near historic lows.
"Domain also recorded a lift in number of views per listing over the first three months of the year - signalling renewed buyer interest.
"The volume of current listings remains elevated but new listings are shrinking.
"The fall in new listings is not suggestive of buyers ‘fear of not getting out.’ It paints a picture of Sydney homeowners holding tight, only selling if they have to.”
The Domain Q1 House Price Report found good news in Melbourne, where the house price declines eased over the quarter.
Hobart and Adelaide were the only capitals to buck the national downward trends, both recording price growth.  
Melbourne
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House prices fell 2.4 per cent over the quarter and 10.4 per cent over the year to $809,468
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Unit prices fell 2.9 per cent over the quarter and 8.3 per cent over the year to $466,892
</li>
</ul>
Brisbane
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House prices fell 1.1 per cent over the quarter and 0.3 per cent over the year to $563,666
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Unit prices fell 3.7 per cent over the quarter and 5.2 per cent over the year to $372,852 
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Adelaide
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House prices remained flat over the quarter and grew 2.0 per cent over the year to $542,474
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Unit prices fell 2.1 per cent over the quarter and 1.3 per cent over the year to $312,459
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 Canberra 
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House prices fell 0.9 per cent over the quarter and 2 per cent over the year at $722,440
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Unit prices fell 3.2 per cent over the quarter and 1.7 per cent over the year to $426,719
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Perth
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House prices declined 2.5 per cent over the quarter and 5.2 per cent over the year to $529,997
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Unit prices fell 1.1 per cent over the quarter and 5.6 per cent over the year to $347,596
</li>
</ul>
 Hobart
<ul>
<li>House prices grew 3.1 per cent over the quarter and 7 per cent over the year to $478,247</li>
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Unit prices grew 2.6 per cent over the quarter and 8.4 per cent over the year to $363,418
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Darwin
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House prices fell 0.1 per cent over the quarter and grew 1.5 per cent over the year to $514,546
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Unit prices fell 2.6 per cent over the quarter and 1.7 per cent over the year to $313,462 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Sydney house price median to drop below $1 million: Domain

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Greater Brisbane’s rental market is slowly changing to favour landlords, with rents rising and yields improving, according to new data from Domain.
The Domain 2019 Rental report found that the extended period of heightened rental supply from 2012 for roughly half a decade appears to be coming to an end.
Tenants will find the rental market is now entering new territory.
Not only will they start to find competition to secure a lease has increased, the choice of available rental stock will be narrowing.
Median weekly rents have already started to climb while the vacancy rate slides.
This turnaround follows almost four years of stagnant rents.
Domain said landlords may start to hike rents as advertised stock dwindles.
For the March quarter, available rentals are at a three-year low.
<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/2019/4/10/brisbane%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: Domain 2019 Rental report 
A three bedroom Petrie Terrace house has been listed for lease with a price of $400 per week (pictured below).
The house at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-petrie+terrace-422931338" target="_blank"> 291 Hale Street</a> comes with high ceilings, polished timber floor, double fireplace in living and kitchen, master bedrooms, two other bedrooms, and alfresco paved area.
It is close to Paddington's shops, cafes, and Suncorp Stadium. 
<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/2019/4/19/petrie%20terrace.jpg" alt="">
A one bedroom Teneriffe apartment has been recently listed for lease with a price of $380 per week (pictured below).
Positioned right on the river, the apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-teneriffe-426367870https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-teneriffe-426367870" target="_blank">92/53 Vernon Terrace </a>comes with one bedroom with built-ins, large living area, secure rooftop car space and riverfront pool.
This building is located in the heart of Teneriffe in a garden setting.
<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/2019/4/19/teneriffe.jpg" alt="">
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Brisbane house rents hold at the record high: Domain

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It is now more expensive to rent a house in Hobart than in Canberra, according to Domain's Q1 2019 Rent Report.
House rents in Hobart continued to increase over the quarter, up over 7% to $450, while Melbourne's held firm, showing no increase and remaining at $440.
It's the first time in recorded history house rentals in Hobart have been higher than Melbourne.
Hobart's rental market
<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/2019/4/11/hobart%20.jpg" alt=""> Source: Domain
"Rental stock has hit an all time high," Domain's Nicola Powell said.
In two years, house rents in the Tasmanian capital have gone from the most affordable to surpassing Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.
The drive in rising rents is likely attributed to the bigger rental pool, with house prices in Hobart soaring over the last few years and pricing many out of the buyer market.
The median price for Melbourne units closed to gap to houses, now just $20 between the two.
Melbourne's rental market.
<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/2019/4/11/melbourne%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: Domain
Melbourne's investor activity has retreated, which could tighten the rental market further.
Comparing the two capital's, a Victorian cottage in Hobart (below) is up for rent seeking tenants at $485 a week, just above the median rental price.
The cottage at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-hobart-426194354" target="_blank">99 Warwick Street </a>has two bedrooms and a living room with original period features.
<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/2019/4/10/hobart%20example.jpg" alt="">
In Melbourne an Abbotsford house (below) is asking $410 a week.
The one bedroom bluestone house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-abbotsford-426289890" target="_blank">11 William Street</a> has its own private courtyard. 
<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/2019/4/11/abbotsford.jpg" alt=""> 
Canberra remains the most expensive city to rent a house, having overtaken Sydney last quarter.
The gap has widened, with Canberra's median house rental price seeing nearly 2% growth in Q1 2019, compared to Sydney's stagnant prices.
Canberra's median house rent is now $570 a week, compared to Sydney's $540 a week. 
Sydney defied the national trend of rising rents and became the only capital city to record annual falls for houses and units. 
House rents are now back to late-2016 prices, and unit prices back to early-2017.
 
 
 
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Hobart more expensive to rent a house than Melbourne: Domain

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Jason Chuck, the chief executive officer of Avnu, LJ Hooker’s online real estate startup platform for the past 17 months has quit - and become Domain’s chief customer officer.
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Chuck’s role is a new one for Domain.
It will incorporate the responsibilities of former chief marketing officer, Melina Cruickshank, who joined REA Group last December.
As Domain’s chief customer officer, Chuck will also be responsible for all of the Nine-majority owned real estate platform’s consumer facing functions including revenue generating activities such the company’s Loan Finder, relocation assistance and online price research services as well as editorial and marketing.
Chuck arrived in Australia from Canada via Hong Kong in 2009 where he first worked with Domain boss Jason Pellegrino in marketing for Google.
After leaving Google in 2010, Chuck joined eHarmony as managing director, then roles with Etsy and Houzz.
He became the founding CEO of LJ Hooker’s Avnu in December, 2017.
<a href="/news/what-is-lj-hookers-avnu-the-much-hyped-new-avenue-in-real-estate">Avnu, the much hyped new avenue in real estate</a>, allows agents and customers to manage their sales and properties in real time through digital online software.
“I am delighted that Jason will be joining Domain," Pellegrino said.
In a message to staff, Domain CEO Jason Pellegrino labelled Chuck an "impressive talent" who would bring his experience in marketing, content and scaling new business to the company.
"Chuck is a passionate advocate for technology’s role in transforming how consumers and businesses interact. He has a track record in building technology and digital businesses, leading with real energy and passion.
"Chuck is an incredible leader and business builder and I am confident his diverse skills, passion and industry experience will support Domain’s transition to our next phase of growth."
“It was an extremely difficult decision to move on from LJ Hooker Avnu," Chuck said.
Domain shares slid more than 7 percent on the ASX yesterday, and almost 2 percent in trade this morning.
(This article's opening sentenced has been amended on the timing of Jason Chuck's exit from AVNU.)
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LJH's Avnu CEO chucks in job to become Domain’s chief customer officer

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Nine Entertainment has reported its chief executive Hugh Marks has been in contact with former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano and Thorney Investment Group chairman, Alex Waislitz over the future of the regional Domain property listings platform.
Bidders are currently in the due diligence on Nine's redundant regional news business, Australian Community Media, with the second round of offers due April 24.
The ACM business includes regional and community titles such as Horse Deals, Cotton &amp; Grain Outlook, Lotfeeding, Collie Mail, Wee Waa News, the Goondiwindi Advocate, Queensland Country Life, Macleay Valley Happynings (published every Wednesday) and the Dubbo Mailbox Shopper. There's also The Byron Shire Echo where Catalano has property interests.
The future of the challenged online real estate group Domain outside of Australia's two biggest cities is potentially in play as part of Nine Entertainment Co's desired sell-off of 170 regional and community newspapers.
Nine's Hugh Marks lunched with Catalano (above) and Waslitz at the Sydney CBD restaurant The Bentley last month, Nine Entertainment reported, sans advising what chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt served up.
However the Nine report did note Catalano is "considered loyal" to Domain, the realestate.com.au News Ltd competitor, notwithstanding the extraordinary attack on Catalano's character in the Australian Financial Review after his dramatic rumour-laden exit from Domain in January 2018.
Nine now owns 59 per cent of Domain.
Last November Catalano attempted to block the Fairfax-Nine merger in an eleventh hour folly that might have gained greater traction had he not left his bid until the Sunday evening before the Monday shareholders meeting.
At the time the SMH advised Catalano held about one per cent of Fairfax and Domain shares.
Jason Pellegrino, who replaced Catalano as its chief executive, has presided over a dramatic share slump.
The Domain shares were at $3.22 when he took over, and are now trading at $2.55 million giving rise to speculation, in The Australian, that the highly regarded Greg Elis could assume the top job following his return to Australia.
Domain director Greg Ellis was a guest on the table of investment giant KKR at the Sydney Institute’s 30th black tie dinner, the paper reported this week.
Ellis recently returned to Australia having finished his gig in Germany running digital real estate and car ads business Scout24, which was backed by private equity giant Hellman &amp; Friedman.
Between 2008 and 2013 Ellis was the boss of Australia’s biggest online real estate classifieds REA Group which now has a $9.8 billion capitalisation.
Domain has a current $1.49 billion market capitalisation. It hit the market with a $2.2 billion valuation under Catalano's leadership in late 2017.
 
<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/ex-domain-boss-antony-catalano-secures-new-role-20180530-p4zic0" data-track-relatedarticle="inarticlelink"></a>
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Antony Catalano seeking small-time backdoor Domain return

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The now not so hip activist investor Nick Bolton has emerged as a backer of Antony Catalano’s 11th-hour plan to derail the Fairfax-Nine merger.
The former Domain CEO has confirmed he will mount a court challenge to the merger between Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment.
Catalano says he has a superior proposal to the Fairfax-Nine merger, which was given shareholder approval last week.
He will ask the Federal Court to reject or defer the deal as he has support from shareholders.
"I have heard from a number of shareholders that would like to consider an alternative proposal," Catalano says.
Catalano says his court submission would outline a "range of concerns" with the Fairfax-Nine merger.
Controversial greenmailer Nick Bolton's investment vehicle Aurora Funds Management was set to appear before Judge Jacqueline Gleeson.
On the evening before the shareholder vote last Monday week, Catalano launched a dramatic eleventh hour bid to stall the merger by revealing he had a plan to implement a range of asset sales to deliver value to shareholders.
Catalano sent a letter to the Fairfax board at 8pm Sunday, with the board meeting to reject the proposal ahead of the 10am Monday shareholders' meeting.
The Fairfax board rejected the approach and proceeded with the long-scheduled vote of the merger.
Nine and Fairfax sources expect Catalano's court action to be unsuccessful.
And Herald Sun columnist Terry McCrann wrote Catalano was "not the 2018 version of the 1980s corporate raider and master manipulator Robert Holmes a Court. Not even close.'
"If Holmes a Court had pulled a stunt like the one you tried on Fairfax Media on Sunday night, it would have been an elegant combination of real financial substance, loaded with menace, and actually committing him to nothing."
"To call it an inept and rather embarrassing joke would be to give it more credibility than it deserved," McCrann wrote.
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Antony Catalano’s 11th-hour plan to derail the Fairfax-Nine merger hits Federal Court

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The former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano failed in his eleventh-hour, air headed attempt to block Nine’s bid for Fairfax Media.
Some 81 percent of the Fairfax shareholders voted for the merger.
There was no appearance by the Melbourne-based former chief executive at the Sydney meeting Monday morning.
There was just one question from the floor as to whether the chairman Nick Falloon had given consideration to the request to postpone the vote to give greater consideration to Catalano's Sunday night missive.
The 81 percent vote included the use of some 16 percent open proxy votes which were voted in favour of the merger by the chairman.
Catalano had <a href="/news/antony-catalano-eyes-domain-return">indicated he would buy up to 19.9 per cent of Fairfax</a> to then implement a Domain-led turnaround strategy for the ailing media group from a board seat.
Fairfax shareholders voted to push ahead with the $4 billion merger, which would mark the end of the 177-year-old publisher as a stand-alone company. 
The Fairfax board met early Monday and unanimously urged a vote for the merger.
The merger needed 75 percent of total votes cast, so Catalano may have succeeded with more time.
Overnight Catalano hit out at the Fairfax Nine merge plan, saying the current proposal did not apply a sufficient premium for control of Fairfax’s majority-owned digital real estate arm, Domain.
He said $740 million in value in the share takeover had been lost since the planned merger was announced in July.
Catalano's friend, the billionaire investor Alex Waislitz said he planned to vote his Fairfax shares against the merger. 
Share market activist Stephen Mayne tweeted the 11.4 percent of voted shares and 18.51 percent of voting shareholders was "more resistance than usual" in these scheme merger deals.
The combination of Nine and Fairfax's publishing assets will create a business with around $500 million in revenue.
Over the weekend a prominent member of the Fairfax family, John B Fairfax attacked the Nine takeover of Fairfax, saying the Fairfax newspaper company and name has more credibility than the commercial network associated with media moguls Kerry Packer and Alan Bond.
Last week the former prime minister Paul Keating said the ACCC’s approval of the Nine-Fairfax merger was a "truly appalling decision."
Catalano has flagged he could challenge the merger deal in court next week, Fairfax Media has reported.
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Antony Catalano fails in his air headed Domain return

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The former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano has launched an eleventh-hour attempt to block Nine’s bid for Fairfax Media, indicating he would buy up to 19.9 per cent of Fairfax to then implement a Domain-led turnaround strategy for the ailing media group from a board seat.
Fairfax shareholders meet today to vote on whether to push ahead with the $4 billion merger, which would mark the end of the 177-year-old publisher as a stand-alone company. 
The Fairfax board met early Monday and unanimously urged a vote for the merger.
The merger needs 75 percent of total votes cast.
Catalano hit out at the Fairfax plan, saying the current proposal did not apply a sufficient premium for control of Fairfax’s majority-owned digital real estate arm, Domain.
He said $740 million in value in the share takeover had been lost since the planned merger was announced in July.
Catalano's friend, the billionaire investor Alex Waislitz has said he planned to vote his Fairfax shares against the merger. 
“I’m not going to back the merger ... even though I can see there is some structural and ­strategic benefits to having the wider platform for products to be sold across, and also there are a lot of synergy benefits to it,” he told The Australian.
Mr Waislitz’s listed fund Thorney Opportunities and private fund Thorney Investment Group combined own more than 50 million Fairfax shares., about two per cent of the company.
“(Nine’s) Hugh Marks and the team there have done a good a job at Nine. However, I do think they have been clever at buying Fairfax at a very good price and with the recent fall in the share price Fairfax shareholders are missing out on a lot of value with the scheme going ahead,” he said.
The merged Fairfax will consist of Nine’s free-to-air television network, home to reality shows such as Married At First Sight and The Block, and digital business 9Now, plus Fairfax’s Australian and New Zealand mastheads, including the The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review. 
In a letter sent to Fairfax Media chairman Nick Falloon last night, and obtained by The Australian, Catalano proposed acquiring an interest of up to 19.9 per cent in Fairfax Media “at a price superior to the intrinsic market-to-market value of (Nine’s proposal) of up to 65c per share”.
Shares in Fairfax closed on Friday at 61.6c.
“As the former CEO of ­Domain, I have a unique knowledge of that business, and accordingly believe that I could provide significant assistance in optimising its value for Fairfax shareholders, along with providing a strategy for the balance of Fairfax’s valuable assets,” Mr Catalano said.
He asked Mr Falloon to ­adjourn the shareholder meeting for at least two weeks to allow shareholders and the Fairfax board to properly consider his ­alternative proposal. 
“Through my inquiries, I understand that the general sentiment of Fairfax major shareholders is that the merger scheme (at current prices) is a disappointing outcome and that an alternative outcome is an option that could find considerable support that could see Fairfax shareholders achieve full value for their holding,” he said.
“I intend to then have Fairfax pursue a multi-pronged strategy to build and realise value for Fairfax shareholders. This strategy ­includes the divestiture of non-core assets, building the Domain franchises and pursuing asset sales with a suitable control premium not presently factored into the (Nine) scheme, with all proceeds to be returned to Fairfax shareholders as cash distributions or by way of share buybacks.’’ 
The former property reporter Catalano spent more than four years at the helm of Domain, but just two months fronting the publicly listed Domain company, quitting the digital real estate group in January.
Nine Entertainment has left the door open to sweeping up minority stakes in Domain after any merger with Fairfax Media.
 
 
 
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Antony Catalano eyes Domain return

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<div>Moves by banks and their regulators to curb investor lending, combined with a drop in overseas buyers, has seen national capital city house prices decrease 2.9 per cent over the year to $781,787, according to the latest Domain Home Price Report.</div>
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<div>The report found unit prices have fallen by 1.4 per cent over the year to $549,163.</div>
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<div>Over the quarter, houses in Hobart and units in Adelaide have been the only market segments to buck the national downward trend. Domain senior research analyst, Dr Nicola Powell said "it’s a development that will no doubt be welcomed by Australia’s first-home buyers - property prices across almost all capitals continue to fall.</div>
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<div>"In many markets throughout Australia, gaining entry has become a greater possibility."</div>
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<div>Key findings concerning houses were that Sydney house prices are now at late-2016 levels, while Melbourne house prices haven't fallen as far and are now at 2017 levels.</div>
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<div>Canberra house prices increased over the year but were flat over the quarter, similarly Brisbane and Adelaide were also up over the year, but down slightly over the quarter.</div>
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<div>Hobart was the standout and continued to grow strongly, recording double-digit annual growth.</div>
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<div>Key findings concerning units were that units in Sydney and Melbourne continued to outperform houses, while in all other capital cities houses outperformed units.</div>
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<div>Unit prices fell over the September quarter and year across all capital cities, apart from a minor quarterly improvement in Adelaide, and annual growth in Melbourne and Hobart. As a result all capital cities are now under performing relative to last year, except for Perth and Darwin.</div>
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<div>National unit prices have continued to weaken, with annual growth declining for two consecutive quarters.</div>
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<div>“There are opportunities for buyers in all property cycles — the key is to be ready when opportunities arise,” Dr Nicola Powell concluded.</div>
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