Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of living landscapes.

"We've always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren't there," Hameister says.

"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.

"The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn't been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

What does it really mean for a building to be 'green'?

Dwelling Sales

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GUEST OBSERVER
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At a national level, the six month average trend shows that the number of dwelling sales is starting to trend slightly higher. 
Of note is that settled sales peaked all the way back in July 2003, a time at which the population was around 4.7 million lower than it is currently. 
While the national population increased by almost 4.7 million persons between June 2003 and December 2016, a commensurate lift in transactions has not occurred. 
This is likely due to a number of reasons including the impost of stamp duty which discourages transactions, higher prices which lead to greater commission on sales and no real incentives for people to downsize homes when their children leave or they reach retirement. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/03/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-03%20at%209.49.56%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/03/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-03%20at%209.49.56%20AM.png" alt="">
Across the individual capital cities the number of sales and the transaction trends are somewhat mixed. 
Sydney – annual sales volumes are -0.9% lower year on year however, they have been trending higher from a recent low in April 2017.
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Melbourne – transaction volumes are slightly higher than their recent low however, annual settled sales are -7.6% lower than they were over the 12 months to July 2016. 
Brisbane – annual sales volumes are -9.7% lower over the past year and the number of transactions is clearly continuing to trend lower across the city. 
Adelaide – over the past year, the number of sales throughout the city was only -0.9% lower than over the previous year and the trend data indicates fairly stable transaction volumes. 
Perth – settled sales are substantially lower than their peak and annual sales have fallen by a further -1.1% over the past year however, monthly data points to a recent stabilisation in transaction activity. 
Hobart - the city has seen a substantial lift in transactions over the past 12 months with annual sales 10.9% higher over the past year. 
Darwin – on an annual basis, sales volumes have increased by 10.7% and they have shifted higher off an historic low base. 
Canberra – settled sales are slightly lower over the year, down -1.4% however, there has been a moderate lift in transactions recently.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/03/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-03%20at%209.50.53%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/03/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-03%20at%209.50.53%20AM.png" alt="">
 
The settled sales insights highlights that although some regions are seeing transactions rise they remain well down on historic high levels. 
The relatively lower volume of transactions across markets experiencing positive population growth highlights the ongoing inefficiencies in the housing market which discourage transactions. 
These inefficiencies (detailed earlier) also have an economic impact as the high cost of exiting and entering the housing market is likely to impact on labour mobility as home owners may choose not to move for employment because of these high costs. 
Note: Property transaction are an important component of the housing market, particularly for participants such as real estate agents and mortgage brokers that rely on turnover for their commission. Furthermore, transactions are an important source of stamp duty revenue for state governments. 
It is important to note the way in which property transactions are recorded. All data is based on settled sales which means off-the- plan sales are counted once the property settles. Upon settlement, which can be several years after the contract date, off-the-plan sales are recorded at their contract date which means recent years of sales will be subject to revision. 
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Number of dwelling sales starting to trend higher

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
Throughout the 2018-19 financial year, 26.0% of all houses sold nationally were under $400,000 and 32.5% of all unit sales were under $400,000.
Despite the weakening housing market the share of house sales under $400,000 was virtually unchanged from a year ago, down from 26.3% the previous year while the share of unit sales under $400,000 increased from 31.0% over the 2017-18 financial year.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20national%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20national%201.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
Across the combined capital cities, 13.9% of house sales over the 2018-19 financial year were under $400,000 and 24.6% of unit sales were under this price point.
The share of house sales under $400,000 was virtually unchanged from the previous year, recorded at 13.8% while the share of unit sales was noticeably lower at 22.3%.
Despite house and unit values falling -8.7% and -5.9% respectively over the year, it is interesting to note that the share of unit sales under $400,000 has increased much more for units than houses.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20combined%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20combined%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
Across the combined regional markets, 42.8% of all house sales over the past financial year and 54.3% of all unit sales were under $400,000.
Unlike the combined capital cities, the combined regional markets have seen the share of sales under $400,000 record a sizeable decline compared to the previous financial year when 44.1% of house sales and 55.6% of unit sales were below $400,000.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20sydney.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20sydney.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
Over the 2018-19 financial year, 2.3% of all house sales in Sydney were below $400,000 compared to 2.0% over the previous financial year indicating a slight increase.
It was a similar story for units with 5.7% of all sales below $400,000 over the past year compared to 4.4% a year earlier.
Despite the recent declines in dwelling values in Sydney, there has not been any substantial increase in the share of sales below $400,000.
In regional NSW, the decline in dwelling values over the past year has been significant but not as large as that in Sydney.
At the end of the 2017-18 financial year, 29.3% of all house sales and 42.1% of all unit sales were under $400,000.
By the end or 2018-19, the share of sales under $400,000 had reduced to 28.5% for houses and 39.5% for units, indicating that falling dwelling values had led to no increase in the share of sales under $400,000.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20mel.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20mel.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
Although Melbourne dwelling value shave fallen throughout the 20181-9 financial year there has been a further decline in the share of houses and units selling below $400,000.
The share of houses selling for less than $400,000 fell from 3.6% over the 2017-18 financial year to 2.9% over the 2018-19 financial year.
It’s a similar story for units that recorded a fall in the share of sales under $400,000 from 21.9% to 21.2% over the past two financial years.
The ongoing increases in values across regional Vic has resulted in a further decline in the share of sales under $400,000.
Over the 2017-18 financial year, 61.9% of houses and 81.2% of units sold for less than $400,000.
A year later, 56.1% of house sales and 78.5% of unit sales were less than $400,000.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20brisbane%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20brisbane%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
Although Brisbane dwelling values have recorded a moderate fall over the past year, the share of house sales under $400,000 has reduced while the share of units selling under that price point has increased. Over the most recent financial year, 23.2% of houses and 53.5% of units sold for less than $400,000.
By comparison, over the 2017-18 financial year 25.0% of houses and 51.5% of units sold for less than $400,000.
The share of units selling under $400,000 was last as high as it is currently in 2012-13 financial year.
Despite ongoing falls in dwelling values across regional Qld, there has been virtually no change in the share of sales below $400,000 over the past two financial years.
The share of house sales under $400,000 has held firm, tracking from 41.6% of all sales to 41.7% between the 2017-18 and 2018-19 financial years.
The share of unit sales under $400,000 has increased marginally, from 55.8% to 56.0% over the past two financial years.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20adelaide.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20adelaide.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
Over the 2018-19, financial year houses and units in Adelaide have recorded a reduced share of sales occurring under $400,000.
For houses, the share of sales under $400,000 fell to 35.8% from 39.6% the previous financial year while for units the share fell from 67.9% to 66.1%.
Although overall values have drifted slightly lower over the year, it hasn’t led to an increased share in sales under $400,000.
Although the majority of house and unit sales in regional SA are under $400,000, both have seen a reduced share of sales over the past year.
In June 2018, 80.8% of all house sales and 91.6% of all unit sales were under $400,000 compared to 76.1% and 88.8% respectively in June 2019.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20perth%20.jpghttps://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20perth%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20perth%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
With ongoing value declines over recent years across Perth, the share of sales under $400,000 for houses and units has increased over the most recent financial year, rising to 31.2% of houses sold from 28.7% the previous year while for units the  share has risen to 55.0% from 50.2%.
The share of house sales under $400,000 in regional WA is relatively unchanged over the past two years falling from 64.7% to 64.5%.
For units, the share of sales under $400,000 has fallen from 83.4% to 78.8%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20hobart%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20hobart%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
The ongoing rises in housing values in Hobart has led to a significant decline in sales under $400,000 in recent years.
The share of houses sold under $400,000 is at a record low having fallen from 43.0% over the 2017-18 financial year to 31.8% over the most recent year.
For units the share of sales under $400,000 has fallen from 65.9% to 57.8%.
Regional Tas has also seen a decline in sales under $400,000 as values have increased.
Over the 2017-18 financial year, 77.1% of house sales and 91.0% of unit sales were under $400,000.
By the end of the following financial year, these shares had fallen to 70.3% and 85.8% respectively.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20darwin%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20darwin%20.jpg" alt=""> 
Source: CoreLogic 
As dwelling values have continued to fall in Darwin there has been a significant increase in unit sales under $400,000 while any increase in the share for houses has been much more muted.
Over the 2017-18 financial year, 26.8% of house sales and 61.2% of unit sales were under $400,000 compared to 26.0% and 67.4% over the most recent financial year.
In regional NT, the share of sales under $400,000 has increased over the past financial year.
Over the 2018-19 financial year, the share of houses sold under $400,000 was recorded at 39.0% and 77.1% for units.
For the 2017-18 financial year the share of sales under $400,000 were recorded at 36.4% for houses and 74.1% for units.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/sales%20canberra%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<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/2019/8/15/sales%20canberra%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic 
In Canberra, the share of sales under $400,000 has continued to trend lower as values have continued to climb (albeit at a slower pace).
Over the 2017-18 financial year, 6.8% of all house sales were under $400,000 compared to 5.0% over the most recent financial year.
For units, the share of sales under $400,000 reduced from 39.6% over the 2017-18 financial year to 36.0% in 2018-19.
The next financial year could look very different to what we have seen over the 2018-19 financial year. 
We’re only in mid-August and we’ve already seen interest rates reduced twice, serviceability floors on mortgages reduced and some recent rises in dwelling values in the largest capital cities.
While a significant rise in dwelling values isn’t expected, there is an expectation of a moderate increase in dwelling values, as a result the 2019-20 financial year is expected to see fewer sales under $400,000 than those recorded in 2018-19.
CAMERON KUSHER is the head of research for the Australian branch of CoreLogic.
Kusher regularly posts on the <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news" target="_blank">CoreLogic website</a>.
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Despite falling dwelling values, there’s no big rise in sales under $400,000: Cameron Kusher

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The HIA New Home Sales report has found sales volumes declined by 3.7 percent during July 2017 compared with June 2017 nationwide, with ales for the first seven months of this year 4.6 per cent lower than in the same period of 2016.
Tim Reardon, principal economist, HIA said a drop in new apartment sales have contributed to the continuing decline in new home sales nationally since they peaked in mid 2015.
“July’s result was driven by a 15.7 percent decline in multi-unit sales and a more measured reduction in detached house sales," he said.
"The large drop in multi-unit sales this month is in contrast to strong sales volumes late in 2016 and early 2017.
“This trend is consistent with HIA’s expectation that activity will decline modestly from these record high levels over a number of years.
“Victoria was the notable exception – as the only state to grow sales during July 2017. Sales were up by 9.8 per cent on what is already a very high level of activity.
“On the other hand, the Western Australian Government’s First Home Buyers grant ended on 30 June 2017 and as a consequence sales in July fell sharply from what was already a very low base.
"Sales of new detached houses during July 2017 fell by 0.4 per cent nationally to their lowest level since October 2014. Victoria was the only state to experience growth (+9.8 per cent). Detached house sales fell in South Australia (-16.2 per cent), Queensland (-16.1 per cent), Western Australia (-9.1 per cent) and New South Wales (-5.2 per cent) during the month. "
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/29/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-29%20at%2011.51.55%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

New home sales falling from record highs: HIA

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Houses in Newcastle, the NSW Central Coast and Coffs Harbour are still at market peak according to the August Property Clock from Herron Todd White.
The locations were at peak of market for houses in July as well, according to HTW.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/07/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-07%20at%209.38.46%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Herron Todd White said over 50 percent of residential sales in the Lower Hunter in the past financial year being to investors, this region is certainly a hot spot for property investment. 
"The number of investment home loans has dropped nationally over the past year and this trend is predicted to continue due to the regulatory clampdowns that have been imposed," HTW said.
"These regulations and the government’s efforts to cool the housing market especially in major cities would suggest that investment should slow down nationwide. 
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"This may not be the case in the Lower Hunter however; in fact it will probably buck the trend. 
"Newcastle is still an enticing prospect for investors due its close proximity to Sydney, its affordability compared to the capital cities and an excellent rental market with a current vacancy rate of just 2.3 percent. 
"With Newcastle being a university city there is a high investor involvement in good rental yield suburbs close to the university such as Jesmond and Wallsend. 
"However investors are also looking at inner city and coastal suburbs such as Cooks Hill, Wickham and Adamstown for higher capital gains. 
"Strong rental returns, larger blocks, competitive capital gains and the ability to find low maintenance 2- to 3-bedroom properties for under $500,000 means the region offers plenty of good investment opportunities for those who can’t afford the larger capital cities, especially Sydney."
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Houses in Newcastle, the NSW Central Coast and Coffs Harbour at market peak: HTW Property Clock

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GUEST OBSERVER
One of the most commonly asked questions when buying residential real estate is: what should I look for when purchasing a property to live in?
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is about a property that makes you feel at home, however there are some crucial elements you may want to consider when taking the plunge into property ownership.
Golden Age Development Group has noticed that when it comes to house hunting, everyone looks for something different. Affordability is often top criterion for most home buyers, however location, in a suburb with low crime rates and good proximity to schools, public transport and shops is perhaps the most important factor to consider. Location is vital both from a liveability point of view and also from a property appreciation point of view.  
Property located in suburbs with low crime rates, ample amenity, good infrastructure and public transport will appreciate much faster than those that are not. They are also likely to offer a much better quality of life. 
It’s also worth looking what plans are in place in terms of future development and infrastructure. If you purchase in a location with growth potential, this is likely to be reflected in the capital growth of your property.
A great example of a livable suburb with significant potential is Sydney’s Macquarie Park. Only 12km’s north-west of the CBD, Macquarie Park has benefitted greatly from recent infrastructure upgrades to its roads and public transport. It’s also home to a world-class university, hospital, several community parks and the largest suburban shopping centre in NSW. It is also home a thriving business centre, on track to becoming the nation’s fourth largest CBD, occupying over 200 hectares of previously industrial land.
Property in Macquarie Park is also likely to enjoy strong capital growth with significant infrastructure upgrades such as new roads and the expansion of the railway network servicing the area. 
Macquarie Park is a business precinct on the rise. Located just 12km north-west of the CBD, the area has quickly become Sydney's second largest business district, and is home to major global brands including Microsoft, Macquarie University, Foxtel, Oracle and Fujitsu. With well over 45,000 jobs (approx) located in Macquarie Park, this number is set to double in the next 20 years.
Macquarie Park is starved of residential accommodation – you have the university with 40,000 students and there’s been very little residential development in this area. As a result there’s a serious lack of rental accommodation.
This is why we have chosen Macquarie Park as the home of Golden Age’s premier Sydney project, Park One.  Located at 80 Waterloo Rd, Park One is just it is 100 metres to Macquarie Centre, 200 metres to Macquarie University, 300 metres to Macquarie Park CBD and 400 metres to Macquarie University station, meaning residents will have almost everything they need within a few minutes walk.
When it comes to deciding whether a location is right for you, it’s worth considering:
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Whether the property is in close proximity to your work and social network</li>
<li>Access to services you regularly use. This may include public transport, schools, day care, universities, medical centres, hospitals, community centres and shopping centres</li>
<li>Proximity to parks, beaches, town centres, cultural destinations, dining and bar precincts and nightlife, depending on your interests.</li>
</ul>
To get an idea on whether the suburb you’re looking to buy in is right for you, try spending time treading the footpath. If possible, visit the suburb at different hours for a snapshot of daily life. 
Remember, no location is perfect, and your home is very much what you make of it. But if you choose a property in a location with ample amenity, good growth potential and close proximity to transport there’s a good chance you could enjoy a great lifestyle and financial prosperity for years to come.
Dandan Zhao is marketing and sales director, <a href="https://www.goldenagegroup.com.au" target="_blank">Golden Age</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

What to look for when buying a property to live in

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Selling your home? From property appraisals to price negotiations, DIY home-selling online platform buyMyplace.com.au promises to cover it all for a maximum of $4,595, saving you thousands in real estate agent fees. 
<a href="https://buymyplace.com.au/" target="_blank">BuyMyplace</a>, which will launch in Melbourne initially, follows a fixed fee Purplebricks-style operating model, according to an article in the Australian Financial Review.
With a Basic Package starting at $695, the online platform offers several options to sellers. Auctions will cost an additional $895 fee. 
For the full-service package, vendors can avail the services of a dedicated real estate agent.
Paul Heath, chief executive of the ASX-listed company, was cited by AFR as saying that vendors would save more than $15,000 in agent commissions.
He said offering a low-cost, fixed-fee model would complement the existing DIY business and was the "new order and way of doing things".
"Traditional real estate agents, which charge commission, are struggling in a lower-listings environment, while we are growing quickly," he said.
Heath said more vendors were becoming aware that there are other ways to sell their property, either by doing it themselves or through a low-cost offering.
"In the UK, Countrywide, the country's biggest real estate group, are closing 59 branches over the coming months. In Australia, traditional real estate agents are struggling to maintain momentum," he said.
The new business will be led by Melbourne real estate agent Cameron Fisher, who previously ran Changing Places Real Estate, which offered a fixed-fee commission structure.
Fisher said there was not always a significant difference in the effort and resources required to sell a $450,000 property compared with a $950,000 property, "yet the commission received by the traditional real estate agency is significantly higher, often double".
UK estate agent Purplebricks launched in Melbourne and south-east Queensland in September last year with a $4,500 flat fee combined with 24/7 service via an online platform. The company recently expanded its operations to Sydney.
Recently, First National Real Estate chief executive Ray Ellis claimed that Purplebricks' low-cost model had been rejected in Australia and it would only replicate its losses in Britain.  
 
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BuyMyplace offers Purplebricks-style property selling model with fixed fees

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The final weekend of October had the clearance rate remain high across all the capital cities, recording above 70 percent for the 14th consecutive week.
There were 2,246 auctions held across the capital cities, with a preliminary auction clearance rate of 77 percent, slightly down decrease over last week’s final clearance rate of 78 percent across 2,680 auctions. 
But it was much higher than the corresponding week last year when there was a 61 percent success rate.
Sydney has been the proven spring stayer this year with its auction clearance rate remaining above 80 percent.
Three weeks ago there were four capitals in the picture, but they all dropped off a little. 
Prices ranged across the country from $246,500 in Adelaide to $5.65 million in Sydney, with two strong challenges from prestige Brisbane offerings.
The result comes days before the key Melbourne Cup day interest rate decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia. 
"The strong clearance rate continues to be supported by exceptionally strong auction market conditions in Sydney where the preliminary clearance rate was recorded at 84.4 percent across almost 1,100 auctions, while the preliminary clearance rate in Melbourne (78.6 percent), Canberra (71.1 percent) and Adelaide (75 percent) also tracked above 70 percent," Kevin Brogan said.
Across Sydney, 1,096 homes were taken to auction this week with a preliminary clearance rate of 84.4 percent across 906 reported results.
Last week, the final clearance rate for the city was 82.6 percent, across 897 auctions.
One year ago, 1,391 Sydney homes were taken to auction and the clearance rate was 60 percent. 
Clearance rates ranged fror 94 percent on the Northern Beaches to 67 percent in Parramatta. 
The most expensive house sold was a newly built six bedroom Strathfield home (above). 
The sale at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-strathfield-123713270" target="_blank">115 Homebush Road</a> for $5.65 million was $300,000 over reserve through agents Joseph and Sam Georges of Georges Ellis &amp; Co. They said prices were up about 30 per cent in the last year.
The 1120 sq m building block had cost $1.7 million in 2014.
Sydney's Paddington had its own dilapidated terrace story too. 
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-terrace-nsw-paddington-123733818" target="_blank">45 Iris Street offering</a> sold for $1.19 million - $190,000 more than it was purchased for just eight months ago.
The uninhabitable two bedroom terrace had three bidders with it sold to an investor who will implement the recently obtained development approval.
<img src="/images/2016/10/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-31%20at%209.29.45%20AM.png" alt="">
The terrace had been the home of the late artist Christina Coombes who had bought it in 1965 for £3200.
The distraction of the Spring Racing Carnival saw Melbourne listings down - and the preliminary clearance rate dipped from 80 percent to 78 per cent, though remaining well above the 65 percent clearance rate for the city one year ago.
Melbourne hosted around 629 auctions, lower than the 1,377 held last week and consistent with the same period last year.
The strongest performer was the North West region with a 91 percent of success rate. 
The top sale at Hawthorn was a 1000 sq m offering on the Lisson Grove estate which since the 1870s had been regarded as one Hawthorn's most fashionable avenues given the lovely Victorian homes set in large gardens.
Number 65 was one of four single storey villas built between 1884 and 1886 featuring a symmetrical façade with double bay windows.
"We have five young families bidding" Duane Wolowiec said.  
"There are strict heritage restoration conditions including the need to install slate roofing," he said.
Most buyers thought the restoration would cost at least $1.5 million, he added. Hawthorn's median house price currently sits at a record $1.85 million, according to CoreLogic.
There were 192 Brisbane homes taken to auction this week, with 114 results reported so far. The preliminary clearance rate for the city is 52 percent, up from 50 percent last week and also higher than one year ago, when 48 percent of the 188 properties taken to auction were successful.
Brisbane's top weekend result was $5.3 million in Paddington. 
<img src="/images/2016/10/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-31%20at%209.31.51%20AM.png" alt="">
The tri-level 2009-built contemporary home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-paddington-123651270" target="_blank">171 Fernberg Rd</a> (above) sold to a Toowong family.
There was also the $5.25 million sale of the former six decade long home of the late Sir John Pidgeon, a respected leader in the construction and property industry. 
The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-holland+park-123667174" target="_blank">14 Otway St, Holland Park</a> (below) on 5275 sq m was purchased for $5.225 million by a local buyer. 
<img src="/images/2016/10/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-31%20at%209.32.52%20AM.png" alt="">
Sir John passed away in June.
The auction, through Dixon Family Estate Agents, attracted 36 registered buyers, according to the Courier Mail.
The living room fireplace is an authentic George III white marble inlaid chimney piece, the jamb centred with a relief of Diana and her Hound. 
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 75 percent across 166 auctions this week, up from 71 percent across 100 auctions last week. At the same time last year, 148 homes were taken to auction, with 57 percent recording a successful result.
Adelaide had the nation's cheapest sale at $246,500 in Elizabeth. 
<img src="/images/2016/10/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-31%20at%209.34.07%20AM.png" alt="">
The mid-1960s <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-elizabeth-123810514" target="_blank">three bedroom brick home</a> (above) had been listed with $210,000 hopes, having last sold for $92,500 in 2002.
Canberra’s preliminary auction clearance rate of 71 percent this week matched the 71 percent recorded last year. 
Perth and Hobart were the capitals with lower clearance rates than one year ago. 
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Sydney the proven spring auction stayer

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Capital city transaction numbers continue to trend lower through August, according to CoreLogic.
<a href="/images/2016/09/06/CoreLogic_Graphs/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-06%20at%201.25.30%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/06/CoreLogic_Graphs/Screen%20Shot%202016-09-06%20at%201.25.30%20PM.png" alt="">
 
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