<p>The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.</p>

<p>Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.</p>

<p>The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.</p>

<p>The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.</p>

<p>Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.</p>

<p>The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.</p>

<p>The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.</p>

<p>Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.</p>

<p>Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.</p>

<p data-end="345" data-start="110">The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.</p>

<p data-end="689" data-start="347">Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.</p>

<p data-end="689" data-start="347">Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.</p>


Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

<p>Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.</p>

<p>The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.</p>

<p>The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.</p>

<p>The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" /></p>

<p>SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.</p>

<p>“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.</p>

<p>The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.</p>

<p>“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" /></p>

<p>The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.</p>

<p>Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.</p>

<p>The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.</p>

<p>COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" /></p>

<p>“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.</p>

<p>The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.</p>

<p>The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.</p>

<p>Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a></em></p>


First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.</p>

<p>The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.</p>

<p>The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.</p>

<p>SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”</p>

<p>The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" /></p>

<p>The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.</p>

<p>A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.</p>

<p>Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" /></p>

<p>The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.</p>

<p>Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.</p>

<p>The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.</p>


First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

<p>Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."</p>

<p>Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;</p>


Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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<p data-end="157" data-start="0">The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.</p>

<p data-end="459" data-start="159"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.</p>

<p data-end="459" data-start="159">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]</p>

<p data-end="651" data-start="461"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.</p>

<p data-end="950" data-start="653">Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.</p>

<p data-end="1081" data-start="952">“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.</p>

<p data-end="1081" data-start="952">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]</p>

<p data-end="1307" data-start="1083">Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.</p>

<p data-end="1522" data-start="1309">The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.</p>

<p data-end="1522" data-start="1309">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]</p>

<p data-end="1714" data-start="1524">Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.</p>

<p data-end="1945" data-start="1716">The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.</p>

<p data-end="1945" data-start="1716">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]</p>

<p data-end="2220" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1947">More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.</p>
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<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]</p>


SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Dwelling Values

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<p><span>The 0.7% fall in Melbourne dwelling values over the three months to April 2018 was the greatest fall over a three month period since February 2012, CoreLogic has noted.</span></p>
<p><span> Over the 12 months to April 2018, Melbourne dwelling values increased by 3.7% which was the slowest rate of growth since March 2013. </span></p>
<p><span>With the recent declines, dwelling values in Melbourne are now 1.1% beneath their November 2017 peak. It deteriorated again in May, according to the latest data, with prices down 0.5% in May.</span></p>
<p><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/2018/5/24/melbourne%201.jpg" alt=""></p>
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<p>Looking at the quarterly value change across the 10 market segments shows values fell across the higher valued housing stock. </p>
<p>Each of the 7th to 10th deciles recorded a fall in dwelling values, with the declines becoming progressively greater. </p>
<p>The 6th decile recorded the largest quarterly increase, there was no change in values across the 5th decile and the four lowest value deciles continued to record modest growth.</p>
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<p>The 10th decile was the only market sector where values fell over the past year while only the 8th, 9th and 10th deciles recorded growth that was lower than the headline city-wide figure. </p>
<p>While the 2nd decile recorded the strongest annual growth at 12.0%, each of the 1st to 3rd deciles recorded double-digit capital gains over the past twelve months. </p>
<p><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/2018/5/24/melbourne%202.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The figures shows a significant difference in the housing market’s performance between the most affordable and most expensive housing stock.</p>
<p>Based on the annual change data, the market for housing valued in excess of $1.12 million has weakened over the year while housing stock valued below $600,000 has continued to achieve strong value growth. More recently, housing stock valued at over $800,000 has started to see value declines.</p>
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<p>We have a free e-book from Castran Gilbert on property investment in Melbourne.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Melbourne's biggest value declines across the pricier property markets: CoreLogic Decile Report 

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<p><span>CoreLogic undertook analysis of the recent March 2018 quarter consumer price index (CPI) data which confirmed that in inflation adjusted terms, dwelling values are now lower in most capital cities.</span></p>
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<p><span>(Note: consumer price index (CPI), which measures inflation, increased by 0.4% over the March 2018 quarter to be 1.9% higher year-on-year. With the release of this data, it is also possible to look at inflation-adjusted or real changes in dwelling values across the capital cities. When looking at these figures, the inflation adjustment means that value growth is lower).</span></p>
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<p><span>The results showed that national dwelling values fell by -1.0% and </span>were -0.7% lower over the past 12 months, however, Hobart was the only capital city where real values increased over the quarter (+3.0%) with Sydney recording the largest quarterly fall (-2.2%).</p>
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<p><span>Over the past twelve months, only Melbourne (+3.4%), Hobart (+10.9%) and Canberra (+1.0%) have seen dwelling values outpace inflation. The largest decline over the year was recorded in Darwin (-9.3%) followed by Perth (-4.3%) and Sydney (-4.0%).</span></p>
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<p><span>Over the past decade, only Sydney (+43.3%) Melbourne (+38.7%) </span><span>and Hobart (+6.4%) have recorded ‘real’ growth in dwelling values.</span></p>
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<p><span>These latest figures really highlight just how </span><span>narrow value growth has been in the national housing market over the past decade. It also highlights that low mortgage rates alone have not been the key driver of value growth - mortgage rates are </span>the same in Sydney as they are in Perth yet the former has recorded real growth of 43.3% while the latter has seen values fall by -25.0%.</p>
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<p><span>With dwelling values dropping over recent months, all capital cities, except Hobart, now have real values which sit below their previous peak. Nationally, values are -2.0% lower than their June 2017 peak and across the combined capital cities values are a slightly greater -</span><span>2.5% lower. Let’s take a look at how dwelling</span><span>values have tracked in inflation adjusted terms across each capital city.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/4/26/corelogic%20expert%20obs%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge</p>
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<p><span>Sydney </span><span>– </span><span>values are 5.3% lower than their June 2017 peak.</span></p>
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<p><span>Melbourne </span><span>– </span><span>after peaking in December 2017, values are currently -0.9% lower.</span></p>
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<p><span>Brisbane </span><span>– </span><span>values peaked back in March 2008 and are currently - 12.5% lower.</span></p>
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<p><span>Adelaide </span><span>– </span><span>values currently sit -7.4% below their June 2010 peak.</span></p>
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<p><span>Perth </span><span>– </span><span>the city has seen values fall by -28.5% from their peak in December 2006. dwelling </span><span>values.”</span></p>
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<p><span>Hobart </span><span>– </span><span>with values increasing a further 10.9% over the past year, it is the only city where real dwelling values are currently at their peak.</span></p>
<p><span>Darwin </span><span>– </span><span>real dwelling values peaked in March 2013 and have since fallen by -28.2%.</span></p>
<p><span>Canberra </span><span>– </span><span>dwelling values are -6.8% lower than their June 2010 peak.</span></p>
<p><span>Although the rate of inflation is quite slow and remains below the Reserve </span><span>Bank’s </span><span>target range of 2% to 3% annually, value growth is now broadly slower and is expected to remain that way over the coming quarters.</span></p>
<p><span>As </span><span>a result, when looking at inflation-adjusted dwelling values the expectation is that they will continue to fall over the coming quarters which means that as the cost of other items increase and inflation rises, relatively speaking, the cost of housing will reduce. </span><span>We’ve </span><span>seen this result occurring in most capital cities for a number of years but is a relatively recent development in Sydney and Melbourne.</span><span>”</span></p>
<p><span>The </span><span>flow-on effect of value falls remains to be seen, however, it may result in less expenditure elsewhere across the economy, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne which have had strong retail demand over recent years due to the wealth-effect of increasing dwelling values.</span><span>”</span></p>
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<p><span><em><span>CAMERON KUSHER</span> is head of research for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/"><span class="s2">here</span></a>.</em></span></p>
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Hobart the only capital city where real dwelling values sit at their peak

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<p>Since moving through a peak growth rate last November, capital gains across Australia’s housing market have been losing momentum, with national dwelling values unchanged during October 2017.</p>
<p>For October, conditions were flat across both the combined capital cities and the combined regional areas of Australia, however over the past twelve months growth in the capital cities (+7.0%) has outperformed the regional areas (+4.9%).</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/11/1/INDEX1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.</p>
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<p><span>CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless said t</span><span>he </span><span>slowdown in the pace of capital gains "can be attributed primarily to tighter credit policies which have fundamentally changed the landscape for borrowers.</span><span>” </span></p>
<p><span>“Lenders </span><span>have tightened their servicing tests and reduced their appetite for riskier loans, including those on higher loan to valuation ratios or higher loan to income multiples. Additionally, interest only borrowers and investors are facing premiums on their mortgage rates which are likely to act as a disincentive, especially for investors who are generally facing low rental yields on investment properties. </span></p>
<p><span>“In </span><span>fact, the peak rate of growth in dwelling values lines up closely with the peak growth rate for investment lending in late 2016. We saw the housing market respond in a similar fashion through 2015, and the first half of 2016 as investors faced tighter credit conditions following the announcement from APRA that lenders </span><span>couldn’t </span><span>surpass a 10% speed limit on investment lending.</span><span>” </span></p>
<p><span>“Of </span><span>course, housing market conditions rebounded swiftly through the second half of 2016 once the investment related credit limits were achieved and the cash rate was adjusted lower in May and August last </span><span>year” </span><span>Mr Lawless said. </span></p>
<p><strong>Sydney joins Perth and Darwin as the only cities to record a fall in dwelling values over the past three months </strong></p>
<p><span>While most of the broad regions are experiencing a slowdown in the rate of capital gains, only three capital cities have recorded a negative movement in values over the three months ending October: Sydney (-0.6%), Perth (-0.7%) and Darwin (-4.4%). Mr Lawless said, </span><span>“Seeing </span><span>Sydney listed alongside Perth and Darwin, where dwelling values have been falling since 2014, is a significant turn of events.</span><span>” </span></p>
<p><span>This is the first rolling quarterly fall recorded in Sydney dwelling values since May 2016, when the first round of macro-prudential changes were still working their way through credit policies, and mortgage rates were only just starting to reduce in line with the first cut to the cash rate. Despite the recent downshift in values, Sydney dwelling values are up 74% since the growth cycle commenced in early 2012. </span></p>
<p><strong>Melbourne conditions remain resilient relative to Sydney</strong></p>
<p><span>For </span><span>Melbourne’s </span><span>housing market, conditions have remained much stronger relative to Sydney; dwelling values were 0.5% higher over the month to be up 1.9% over the rolling quarter. Mr Lawless attributes this resilience to </span><span>Victoria’s </span><span>record breaking migration rate, which is creating unprecedented housing demand. Additionally, strong jobs growth and a healthier level of housing affordability relative to Sydney are also supporting continued growth in housing values in Melbourne. </span><span>“Despite </span><span>the stronger growth profile, Melbourne dwelling values are now rising at their slowest quarterly pace since mid-2016</span><span>,” </span><span>Mr Lawless said. </span></p>
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<p><strong>While market conditions in Sydney, and to a lesser extent, Melbourne, are easing, other markets are showing very different trends</strong></p>
<p>Hobart continued to be the strongest capital city, with dwelling values pushing 0.9% higher in October, to be up 12.7% over the past twelve months. Mr Lawless said, “Hobart is benefitting from renewed housing demand in the form of interstate migration, particularly Sydneysiders and Melbournites who appear to be utilising their enhanced wealth positions to buy very well in Hobart, where housing prices are substantially lower than those in Australia’s largest cities.”</p>
<p><strong>The trend in Brisbane and Adelaide has remained relatively subdued</strong><span>, with Adelaide dwelling values unchanged in October, while Brisbane values were only 0.2% higher. On an annual basis, dwelling values are only 2.7% higher across Brisbane and 4.6% higher in Adelaide. </span></p>
<p><span>The two toughest real estate markets, Perth and Darwin, are showing a further divergence in their performance</span><span>. Perth dwelling values moved sideways over the month, however the annual rate of decline has slowed from -4.9% in August last year to -2.5% over the twelve months ending October 2017. The trend in Darwin </span><span>hasn’t </span><span>been as encouraging, with values slipping -4.4% lower over the past three months to be down -5.3% over the past twelve months. The correction across </span><span>Darwin’s </span><span>housing market has now surpassed 20% since values peaked in May 2014. </span></p>
<p><span>Unit markets generally underperforming relative to houses, except in Sydney </span><span>The performance across product types is very different from city to city. Some cities, such as Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra and to a lesser extent Melbourne, are showing a substantial performance gap between houses and units. Mr Lawless said, </span><span>“The </span><span>under performance of the unit sector in these cities likely relates to higher supply levels relative to demand and less challenging affordability constraints which is supporting demand across the detached housing sector.</span><span>” </span></p>
<p><span>“The </span><span>Sydney unit market is slightly outperforming the detached housing sector, with an annual growth rate of 7.9% for units compared to a growth rate of 7.7% for houses. While Sydney is seeing a large number of new units added to the market, it seems that high levels of investment activity and strained affordability is helping to drive a better performance across this sector.</span><span>” </span></p>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Sydney prices slip again with Hobart overtaking Melbourne as hottest capital: CoreLogic

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<p>Four times per year we get the unbridled pleasure of the official residential property price indexes.</p>
<div>Here, then, is a 60-second overview of the June 2017 quarter figures. </div>
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<div>The total value of Australia's dwelling stock rose by +$631 billion or +10.4 per cent to $6.72 trillion in the 2017 financial year. </div>
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<div>That now represents a +53 per cent increase in dwelling stock value from the $4.4 trillion recorded at the end of 2011. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I'd take the data series back further, but since it only begins in Q3 of that calendar year, I can't.</div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/A1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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<div>The annual stock value gains were mainly driven by the two most populous states. New South Wales (+$336 billion) and Victoria (+$215 billion) accounted for some 87 per cent of the total increase. </div>
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<div>Detached houses have outperformed attached dwellings on average since 2003, reflecting rising land values and a relative scarcity of this dwelling type in the thriving, landlocked suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne.</div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/A3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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<div>Over the June 2017 quarter the attached dwellings index performed strongly, however, helped along by the +11.7 per cent year-on-year gain for attached dwellings in Sydney (with the harbour city retaining a healthy weighting for that dwelling type). </div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">City by city</span></strong></div>
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<div>There were strong quarterly residential price index gains in June 2017 for Sydney (+2.3 per cent) and Melbourne (+3 per cent), with those two capital cities recording a twin +13.8 per cent annual increase. </div>
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<div>The Reserve Bank of Australia noted in its September Board Minutes released today that Sydney market conditions had eased in recent months, as reflected in softer auction clearance results and various other timelier measures. </div>
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<div>Annual price growth in Hobart notched up a pacy +12.4 per cent - with more to come later in the year - while there was steadier price growth in Canberra, Adelaide, and Brisbane. </div>
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<div>Perth and Darwin recorded further declines, but the pace of decline has slowed, and more timely measures suggest that conditions appear to be levelling out somewhat in these resources capitals. </div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/Resi%20Price.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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<div>The mean dwelling price in Australia increased by $51,700 or +8.2 per cent in FY2017, to hit a record high of $679,100.</div>
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<div>In New South Wales, the mean dwelling price rose to $903,700, possibly helped along by the sale of Sydney's most expensive house in the second quarter of the calendar year (the 'Elaine' estate in Point Piper, which transacted for a lazy $75 million or so - punchy). </div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/A4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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<div>Finally, the number of dwellings increased by +2 per cent or +190,500 over the financial year to 9,906,100.<br><br>That's now well ahead of the rate of the official population growth, as the supply response hits its straps. </div>
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<div>There was a substantial increase of +2.35 per cent in Queensland's dwelling stock in FY2017, or +45,500 additional dwellings, reflecting the high volume of apartment completions in inner city Brisbane and elsewhere. The state population probably gr<span>ew by <span>~</span>75,000 over th</span>e same period. </div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/A5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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<div>In absolute terms there was a robust uplift in the total dwelling stock of New South Wales (+50,900) and Victoria (+53,500), although in Victoria's case even this record rate of new dwelling construction is not keeping up with rollicking population growth.</div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
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<div>As always, the interesting stuff is in the detail, but the overview shows that Melbourne's housing market was still powering along in the second quarter of 2017, while Hobart will glide into top gear in the latter half of the calendar year. </div>
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<div>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">AllenWargent</span></a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">blogger</span></a>.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s3"><em>His latest book is </em><a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank"><span class="s2"><em>Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</em></span></a><em>.</em></span></p>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Australia's mean dwelling price rises 8 percent to $679,100

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<p>Sydney housing market conditions have slid month on month and Hobart is now Australia's best performing capital city based on growth in dwelling values over the past twelve months according to CoreLogic.</p>
<p>Tim Lawless, CoreLogic head of research said national dwelling values remained flat during August, with capital city values edging 0.1% higher and regional dwelling values slipped 0.2% lower, adding this steady result provides further evidence that the housing market has moved through its peak growth phase. </p>
<p>“We’re seeing capital gains in markets like Sydney, which were previously very strong, now being weighed down by affordability constraints and tighter lending conditions," he said.</p>
<p>"The knock-on effect is a curb in investment credit growth and higher mortgage rates for investment and interest only mortgages.</p>
<p>“Looking at the past three months, it provides a clear indication of the trends, with national dwelling values rising by only half a percent over the three months to August 31 - the lowest rolling quarterly gain since June last year.</p>
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<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-01%20at%2011.13.43%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>"The national market moved through a peak rate of growth during the three months ended November 2016, when dwelling values were rising at the rolling quarterly pace of 3.7%. </p>
<p>"The slowdown in growth conditions is most visible in Sydney, where housing values had been growing strongly.</p>
<p>"Since values started rising in 2012, the typical Sydney dwelling has seen its value rise by 75%, equating to an approximate dollar value gain of $521,000 on the median dwelling valuation.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-01%20at%2011.14.46%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-01%20at%2011.14.46%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>"Sydney’s quarterly growth rate peaked over the three months ending October 2016 when dwelling values jumped by 6.3%. Since that time, the rolling quarterly rate of appreciation in Sydney dwelling values has consistently eased, reaching the current rate of just 0.3%.</p>
<p>"In Melbourne, the housing market has been more resilient to a slowdown.</p>
<p>"This is evident in the hedonic index results as well as auction clearance rates, which have consistently been above 70%. Inventory levels also remain exceptionally tight across the Melbourne market. </p>
<p>"Melbourne’s quarterly rate of growth has slowed since peaking at 4.4% in November last year, however the most recent three month period has seen dwelling values rise by 1.9%, less than half the peak rate of growth but substantially higher than Sydney’s pace of capital gains.</p>
<p>"While the trend in capital gains has eased across the largest capital cities, in Hobart the market has gathered some momentum; the annual pace of capital gains, at 13.6%, is now the highest of any capital city. According to Mr Lawless, the annual growth rate for Hobart hasn’t been this high since 2004. </p>
<p>“The sheer affordability of housing is likely one of the key drivers for Hobart’s values appreciation.”</p>
<p>"With a median house value of just $403,174, Hobart houses are approximately half the value of Melbourne and almost two thirds lower than Sydney house values.</p>
<p>"In addition to the strong capital gains, Hobart rental rates have also risen, providing a solid rental yield and pushing the total return well beyond the other capital cities. </p>
<p>"The CoreLogic accumulation index, which measures the combined return of capital growth and gross rental yields, is showing a total annual return of 19.5% across Hobart which represents an attractive investment opportunity for savvy buyers.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-01%20at%2011.15.41%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-01%20at%2011.15.41%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>"In Perth and Darwin, housing values have continued to trend lower over the past month and rolling quarter. However, the annual trend highlights the rate of decline has been easing.</p>
<p>"Since peaking in 2014, Perth dwelling values have declined by a total of 10.8%, while the cumulative decline across Darwin has been more severe with values down 18.6% from the market peak.</p>
<p>“The silver lining around the decline in values is a substantial improvement in affordability.</p>
<p>"Based on a dwelling price to income ratio, Darwin is Australia’s most affordable capital city with a ratio of 4.4. This means dwelling prices are typically 4.4 times higher than gross household incomes across the city.”</p>
<p>"Rental yields slipped to a new record low across Australia in August.</p>
<p>"Nationally, the gross yield on a dwelling reduced to 3.62% in August, down from 3.87% in August last year. “Record low yields are largely a capital city phenomenon, with yields across the combined regional areas of the country tracking 165 basis points higher than the combined capital city yield..</p>
<p>"While there was a reduction in gross rental yields across each of the capital cities over the past twelve months, only Melbourne (2.9%) and Sydney (3.0%) are recording rental yields at record lows.</p>
<p>"To provide some context about why yields are so low in these cities, dwelling values in both cities are up approximately 13% over the past twelve months while rents only increased by 4.7% across Melbourne and 4.0% across Sydney.</p>
<p>“The imbalance between rental growth and value growth has been a constant feature of the housing market over the growth cycle to date, however with the pace of capital gains easing at the same time that rents trend higher, the Sydney and Melbourne markets could be approaching the bottom of their yield cycle.”</p>
<p>“Slower growth conditions in Sydney, and to a lesser extent Melbourne, are likely to be a welcome evolution in housing market conditions by policy makers such as the RBA. So far the trend has been gradual, implying that macroprudential policies are having a flow through effect on housing conditions.</p>
<p>“The growth cycle in both cities has run for five and a half years, providing a substantial wealth boost for home owners but also creating much frustration for those who don’t own a home. Sydney and Melbourne dwelling values have increased by 75% and 56% respectively since the growth cycle commenced in early 2012, however growth rates have been far more moderate across the other capital cities.”</p>
<p>“The policy settings around investment credit growth and new interest only settlement targets have seen credit policies tighten and pushed mortgage rates higher for both investor and interest only loans. These disincentives are likely to continue to weigh down investment demand which will have a more pronounced effect in those markets where investors are most concentrated,” Mr Lawless said.</p>
<p>“Clearly, tighter credit policies and higher mortgage rates for investors are dampening the Sydney market more than others.</p>
<p>"Another contributing factor to slower home value appreciation is the high price of housing relative to incomes, particularly in Sydney.</p>
<p>“The recent availability of stamp duty concessions in New South Wales and Victoria is likely to provide some support for first time buyers, however it’s not likely that that a rise in first home buyer activity will completely offset the demand gap left by fewer investors.</p>
<p>“Overall, the outlook for Australia’s housing market depends on a broad range of factors including local economic and demographic conditions as well as supply factors and credit polices. However, if the current trends continue, Sydney dwelling values could start to drift lower over coming months.</p>
<p>“If the current trends continue, by the end of the year we could see dwelling values across Australia’s two largest housing markets, Sydney and Melbourne, trend lower as they move through their cyclical peaks.</p>
<p>“Historically, a negative shift in home values has followed every growth phase, so it’s reasonable to expect a period of moderate value falls following such a sustained period of strong capital gains.”</p>
<p>"With the Spring selling season about to commence it will be interesting to monitor the impact of higher inventory levels on the Sydney and Melbourne market.</p>
<p>"Particularly so given evidence of slowing growth conditions accompanied by stock levels already being higher than they were a year ago across both cities." </p>
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Sydney housing market conditions slide month on month: CoreLogic

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<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>The cost of housing continued to rise across most parts of the country over the past 12 months.</p>
<p>Bracket creep should come as no surprise in markets like Sydney and Melbourne where dwelling values have increased by 77% and 61% respectively over the past five years.</p>
<p>While Sydney and Melbourne dominated as the two capitals with the highest proportion of sales at at least $1 million, most other capital cities and regional areas also enjoyed a proportional lift in home sales over the million dollar mark.</p>
<p>The CoreLogic analysis confirmed that over the 12 months to June 2017, 15.4% of all house sales and 8.8% of all unit sales nationally were at a price of at least $1 million. By comparison, 12 months earlier 14.4% of all house sales and 7.5% of all unit sales were at least $1 million in value.</p>
<p>The latest data shows that instances of dwellings selling for at least $1 million is much more prevalent across the combined capital cities. Over the 12 months to June 2017, 23.2% of all houses and 10.8% of all units sold in capital cities were sold for at least $1 million. The proportion of sales of at least $1 million has increased over the year from 21.5% of houses and 9.1% of units.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/10/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-10%20at%2011.38.10%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/10/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-10%20at%2011.38.10%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>While regional housing markets generally have lower housing costs than capital cities, the proportion of sales occurring for at least $1 million is also increasing in these areas. Across the combined regional areas the proportion of houses selling for at least $1 million has increased from 3.5% in June 2016 to 4.1% in June 2017. Meanwhile, the proportion of units selling for at least $1 million has increased to 3.5% of all sales in June 2017, up from 3.2% a year earlier.</p>
<p>Delving into the individual capital cities, and not surprising, Sydney and Melbourne have had substantially more properties sell for at least $1 million over the past year than any other capital cities.</p>
<p>Over the past year, 47.8% of all houses and 21.3% of all units sold in Sydney transacted for at least $1 million. By comparison, 10 years earlier just 13.8% of houses and 4.7% of units transacted from at least $1 million over the year.</p>
<p>In Melbourne, more than a quarter (25.9%) of house sales and 7.4% of unit sales were at least $1 million in value. By comparison, ten years earlier 5.8% of house sales and 2.7% of unit sales over the year were at least $1 million.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/10/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-10%20at%2011.39.09%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/10/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-10%20at%2011.39.09%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>In all of the other capital cities the proportion of houses selling for at least $1 million is higher than it was a decade ago. More than 10% of house sales over the past year in Perth and Canberra were at least $1 million in value. Perth is also the only city to have recorded a lower proportion of unit sales of at least $1 million over the 12 months to June 2017 compared to a decade earlier.</p>
<p>With dwelling values continuing to climb, we anticipate that in another 12 months we’ll see an even higher proportion of sales sitting at or above $1 million.</p>
<p>The flip-side to this is that the ongoing increase in the proportion of residential properties selling in excess of $1 million highlights the ongoing deterioration in the availability of housing affordability.</p>
<p>Although the Federal Government attempted to address housing affordability in the Budget this year, it is clear that in order to improve housing affordability there is much more work to be done on both supply and demand drivers of the market.</p>
<p><span>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him </span><a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a><span>.</span></p>
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Million dollar sales reach record levels: Cameron Kusher

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<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>The housing market is gradually responding to higher mortgage rates, tighter credit policies and affordability challenges, with the quarterly trend in capital gains moderating relative to early 2017.</p>
<div>
<p>The July 2017 CoreLogic Home Value Index results recorded a 1.5% rise in dwelling values across the combined capital cities for the month.  Most individual capital cities recorded a rise, however, a 3.1% gain in Melbourne was a significant driver for the strong monthly result across the combined capitals.</p>
<p>The latest housing market results highlight the diversity of housing market conditions, with dwelling values down over the month in Brisbane (-0.6%), Perth (-1.3%) and Darwin (-1.2%).</p>
<h3>Index results as at July 31, 2017</h3>
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<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/08/02/2017-08-01--indices.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The recent bounce in capital gains may be partially due to a recovery from the seasonal slump in values recorded in April and May. However, other factors, such as stamp duty concessions for first home buyers in New South Wales and Victoria, may also be having a positive impact on market demand.</p>
<p>It’s still too early to measure the effect of first home buyer incentives, which went live on July 1st. However historically, the first time buyer segment has been very responsive to stimulus measures.</p>
<p>Despite the higher month-on-month capital gains in June and July, the quarterly trend rate of growth has clearly reduced.  The rolling quarterly pace of capital gains across the combined capitals has fallen from 3.6% in February earlier this year to reach 2.2% at the end of July. </p>
<p>The slowdown in growth conditions is most evident across the hottest markets, with the quarterly growth trend reducing from 5.0% in Sydney earlier this year to 2.2% at the end of last month.  Melbourne growth conditions have also slowed, though to a lesser extent, with growth easing from a 2017 quarterly peak of 5.5% to 4.2%.</p>
<p>The divergence in growth rates between Sydney and Melbourne is also evident in auction clearance rates.  Sydney’s clearance rate has been below 70% for seven of the past eight weeks, while Melbourne auction clearance rates have consistently held around the mid 70% range. </p>
<p>Melbourne appears to be benefitting from consistently high population growth which is creating strong demand for housing, as well as consistently high jobs growth and more affordable housing options relative to Sydney.</p>
<p>At the other end of the growth spectrum, Perth and Darwin have continued to see dwelling values slip lower over the month, taking the cumulative decline to 10.2% in Perth and 14.5% in Darwin since both markets peaked in 2014.</p>
<p>The ease in the rate of decline has been most visible in Perth, providing a signal that the Western Australian capital may be approaching the bottom of the downturn; listing numbers have been falling across Perth which is a positive sign of improving conditions, and transaction numbers have found a new floor at around 2,500 sales per month.</p>
<p><span class="s1">TIM LAWLESS</span><span class="s2"><em> heads up the CoreLogic RP Data research and analytics team and can be contacted<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/author/timlawless/" target="_blank"> here.</a></em></span></p>
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Housing market is gradually responding to higher mortgage rates

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<p><span>A 3.1 percent gain in Melbourne dwelling prices over the month drove combined capital figures in the July 2017 CoreLogic Home Value Index.</span></p>
<p><span>The July 2017 CoreLogic Home Value Index results recorded a 1.5 percent rise in dwelling values across the combined capital cities.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-01%20at%2011.25.19%20AM.png" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-01%20at%2011.25.19%20AM.png" alt=""></span></p>
<p><span>Tim Lawless, </span>CoreLogic head of research , the latest housing market results highlight the diversity of housing market conditions, with dwelling values down over the month in Brisbane (-0.6 percent), Perth (-1.3 percent) and Darwin (-1.2 percent).</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-01%20at%209.52.28%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-01%20at%209.52.28%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p><span>“The </span><span>recent bounce in capital gains may be partially due to a recovery from the seasonal slump in values recorded in April and May," he said.</span></p>
<p><span>"However, other factors, such as stamp duty concessions for first home buyers in New South Wales and Victoria, may also be having a positive impact on market demand.</span><span><br></span></p>
<p><span>“It’s </span><span>still too early to measure the effect of first home buyer incentives, which went live on July 1st. However historically, the first time buyer segment has been very responsive to stimulus measures.</span><span>” </span></p>
<p><span>"Despite the higher month-on-month capital gains in June and July, the quarterly trend rate of growth has clearly reduced. </span></p>
<p><span>"The rolling quarterly pace of capital gains across the combined capitals has fallen from 3.6 percent in February earlier this year to reach 2.2 percent at the end of July. </span></p>
<p><span>"The slowdown in growth conditions is most evident across the hottest markets, with the quarterly growth trend reducing from 5.0 percent in Sydney earlier this year to 2.2 percent at the end of last month. </span></p>
<p><span>"Melbourne growth conditions have also slowed, though to a lesser extent, with growth easing from a 2017 quarterly peak of 5.5 percent to 4.2 percent. </span></p>
<p>“Melbourne appears to be benefitting from consistently high population growth which is creating strong demand for housing, as well as consistently high jobs growth and more affordable housing options relative to Sydney.”</p>
<p><span>"At the other end of the growth spectrum, Perth and Darwin have continued to see dwelling values slip lower over the month, taking the cumulative decline to 10.2 percent in Perth and 14.5 percent in Darwin since both markets peaked in 2014. </span></p>
<p><span>"The ease in the rate of decline has been most visible in Perth, providing a signal that the Western Australian capital may be approaching the bottom of the downturn; listing numbers have been falling across Perth which is a positive sign of improving conditions, and transaction numbers have found a new floor at around 2,500 sales per month."</span></p>
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Melbourne's stellar mid-year price growth leaves other capital cities behind: CoreLogic

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<p>The growth in home values has eased in the June 2017 quarter, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.</p>
<p>For more information see the video below:</p>
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Dwelling value growth softens in June 2017 quarter: CoreLogic's Tim Lawless

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<p>Captial gains momentum slowed over Q2 2017 with combined dwelling values rising by 0.8 percent over the June quarter according to CoreLogic.</p>
<p>The CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value figures for June show the slowest quarterly growth rate since dwelling values fell over December 2015 quarter.</p>
<p>Tim Lawless, CoreLogic head of research said the CoreLogic Home Value Index recorded a recovery from the 1.1 percent fall in May, with an 1.8 percent rise in capital city dwelling values over the month of June.</p>
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<p>“This stronger month-on-month reading can be partially explained by the seasonality in the monthly growth rates," he said.</p>
<p>"Adjusting for this effect suggests an easing trend in housing value growth has persisted through the second quarter of 2017.</p>
<p>"The June quarter results showed that capital city dwelling values were 0.8% higher across the combined capitals index; the slowest quarterly rate of growth since December 2015 when the combined capitals index fell by 1.4 percent.</p>
<p>“This trend towards lower capital gains across the combined capitals index is mostly attributable to softer conditions across the Sydney housing market, where quarter-on-quarter growth was recorded at 0.8 percent over the June quarter; down from 5.0 percent over the March quarter. In contrast, the quarterly trend in Melbourne has been more resilient, with growth easing from 4.2 percent over the March quarter to 1.5 percent over the three months ending June.”</p>
<p>"For Sydney, the more pronounced slowdown is supported by weaker auction clearance rates which have been tracking in the high 60 percent range across the city over the last three weeks of June, while in Melbourne, clearance rates have moderated but remained above 70 percent.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/03/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-03%20at%209.48.06%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/07/03/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-03%20at%209.48.06%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>“Both markets experienced auction clearance rates consistently in the high 70 percent to low 80 percent range over the March quarter."</p>
<p>Across the combined capitals, the annual pace of capital gains eased from 12.9 percent three months ago to 9.6 percent for June 2017. Sydney’s annual growth rate has slowed to 12.2 percent over the twelve months ending June 2017, down from a recent high of 18.9 percent three months ago. Melbourne’s annual growth rate is now the highest of any capital city at 13.7 percent over the twelve months ending June 2017.</p>
<p>Lawless said the change in rental growth conditions is most noticeable in Canberra and Hobart, where rents are respectively increasing at 8.4 percent and 6.2 percent per annum, however Sydney and Melbourne rental markets have also seen a turnaround in what was previously a sluggish rental market.</p>
<p>"Rents in both cities are 4.5 percent and 4.1 percent higher over the past twelve months.</p>
<p>"The growth in rents can be attributed to the ongoing significant rate of net migration into New South Wales and Victoria.</p>
<p>“While the rental growth turnaround will be welcomed by landlords looking to recover higher mortgage costs, the consequence is that renters are now facing renewed pressure as rents rise.</p>
<p>"In Perth and Darwin, rental conditions remain subdued, falling by 8.3 percent and 5.4 percent respectively over the year, while Brisbane rents slipped 0.2 percent lower and Adelaide rents held reasonably firm, up 1.1 percent. </p>
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“It’s likely that landlords will be seeking to recover some, or all, of their increased financing costs associated with higher interest rates on investment in interest only loans by progressively increasing weekly rents. With record-low wages growth and so much new housing supply coming to market, this remains to be seen.
<p>“Although growth conditions have lost momentum across the largest housing markets, we are yet to see any signs of a material downturn.</p>
<p>"The key drivers for a slowdown have been gradual. They include: mortgage rates pushing higher despite a steady cash rate, lender credit policies tightening up and housing affordability - which remains a significant barrier for many prospective buyers. Additionally, higher supply levels in the unit market appear to be creating a drag on the performance of the unit sector in specific segments.</p>
<p>“The impact of macroprudential measures announced by APRA at the end of March are still flowing through to mortgage rates and credit policies. We are likely to see further tightening and repricing around investment lending and interest only lending over the coming months.</p>
<p>“Considering investors comprised just over 55 percent of new mortgage demand across New South Wales, based on the latest housing finance data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a further slowdown in investment activity is likely to have a more substantial impact on housing demand in Sydney relative to other markets.</p>
<p>“There is a possibility some of the slack created by less investment in the Sydney housing market could be taken up by first home buyers taking advantage of stamp duty concessions that go live on July 1, however if this is the case, it’s likely to be temporary as higher first-time buyer demand could simply push prices outside the range applicable to the concession.”</p>
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