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

Joel Robinson

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

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

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

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

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

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

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

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

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Hobart

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GUEST OBSERVER
Hobart is Propertyology’s tip to be Australia’s best performed capital city property market in 2017.
An underrated economy, limited properties for sale, the tightest vacancy rates in Australia, a more controlled housing supply pipeline than mainland cities, and increased buyer activity are expected to drive property prices and rents higher.
We have been actively investing in Hobart for a while and our buyer’s agents have observed firsthand price growth of 8 to 10 percent over the past 12 months. We can only see buyer activity further intensifying and forcing stronger growth over the next couple of years.
On an all things being equal basis, double-digit price growth is well and truly on the cards for Hobart in 2017.
<a href="/images/2016/11/16/1.Population3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/16/1.Population3.jpg" alt="">
The significant retraction in properties listed for sale has made it increasingly difficult for our buyer’s agents to find suitable properties for our investors. Properties are generally selling within a week of listing and often going for prices well above our own appraisal range. The market is red hot.
Residential vacancy rates in Hobart are the lowest of all capital cities and rental yields are the highest. 
It’s an investor’s paradise in that Hobart is producing the dual benefit of solid capital growth and high rental yield.
Housing Demand
On the back of the underrated improvement with Tasmania’s economy over the last couple of years, the latest quarterly population data from ABS showed its highest population growth rate in five years.
Some property investors place too much emphasis on Tasmania’s below average population growth rate. The fact is that, over the last 20 years, there have only been 2 quarters out of 80 where Tasmania’s population grew by more than the national average but Hobart’s property market has experienced plenty of strong years. During the 6 years 2001 to 2006, inclusive, Tasmania’s population growth rate was below the national average for 5 of those 6 years yet property price growth was far superior to Sydney, including growth of 44.6 per cent, 32.1 and 11.2 in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Of greater significance to housing demand than population growth is affordability and economic improvement. Hobart’s median house price is well less than half the cost of Sydney and Melbourne and there’s good reason to be optimistic about Tasmania’s economy.
The much lower entry price and higher yield make Hobart a significantly safer investment than Australia’s two biggest cities, particularly so when interest rates start trending up again.
Job volumes in Hobart bottomed at 100,400 in January 2014 and increased to 106,000 as at December 2015. The improved labour market has definitely lead to a general increase in consumer confidence.
Sydney and Melbourne are much closer to the end than the beginning of their growth cycles. Hobart, on the other hand, is just beginning. 
Economy
Tasmania’s improved economy is somewhat of an untold story:
International Exports: 8.7 percent increase in Tasmania for the year ending September (compared to 2 percent growth nationally).
Retail Trade: 7.3 percent increase over the two years ending September (compared to 7.1 percent national average)
Visitor Arrivals: 17.7 percent increase for the year ending August 2016 (the biggest increase of all states)
Unemployment Rates: Tasmania’s September unemployment rate of 6.5 percent is far and away the most improved state in Australia over the last 3 years.
Housing Finance: the number of loans for the quarter ending August 2016 is 7.2 percent higher than the same time last year (second highest growth in Australia).
Propertyology is anticipating continued improvement in Hobart’s economy to come from greater engagement with Asian countries, a very strong tourism industry, an expanding international student market, major construction projects like the Hobart hospital, several new hotels, and the exciting Macquarie Point project, and fast-rising demand for Tasmania’s world-quality agriculture products (Asia’s food bowl).
Housing Supply
Big mainland cities have unprecedented high volumes of new properties in the supply pipeline at a time when population growth (demand) is not dissimilar to historical trends. Hobart on the other hand has building approval volumes which are much more sustainable. 
There is an imbalance which threatens Sydney and Melbourne property markets, especially if interest rates rise and / or Asian investors need to get their money out of Australia. Hobart’s supply and demand metrics certainly look more balanced.
Simon Pressley is managing director of Propertyology, an REIA Hall Of Fame Inductee, property market analyst, accredited property investment adviser, and Buyer’s Agent. <a href="https://www.propertyology.com.au/more-than-a-buyers-agent/" target="_blank">Propertyology works exclusively with property investors</a> to purchase properties in strategically chosen locations all over Australia.
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spressley-sBoeMhannA

Hobart to be Australia’s top capital city performer in 2017: Simon Pressley

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The Hobart accommodation market is anticipated to continue to be a strong performing market, although new supply additions under construction may pose some challenges in the year’s ahead, according to Colliers International’s latest report.
The most recent major transaction was the sale of the Sebel Launceston in January 2015 for $9,855,000.
The latest figures for the 2015-16 financial year highlight that the number of visitors (up 2%), spending (just over $2.05 billion up 9%) and length of stay of visitors to Tasmania have all increased.
“International visitation in particular is growing despite there being no direct international flights to Hobart. Coming off a low base, the latest figures from the International Visitor Survey showed a record 224,000 international visitors coming to Tasmania last financial year (up 13%) particularly from Asian markets, the USA and Europe,” the report stated.
<a href="/images/2016/11/04/Hobart%20airport%20arrivals.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/04/Hobart%20airport%20arrivals.jpg" alt="">
The Hobart hotel market is performing strongly with STR figures showing 80.2% occupancy for the year to date to August 2016 (up 3.5%), average room rates of $164.75 (up 3.3%) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) up by almost 7% at $132.06.
Hobart Airport catered for around 2.3 million passengers in 2015-16, representing growth of 5.8% over the past year.
The 2015 masterplan for Hobart Airport outlines the short, medium and longer term plans for the airport site and provides an interesting insight into the future travel expectations and traffic into Hobart Airport.
Hobart Airport has achieved annual average growth of 2.6% over the past five years, even with the withdrawal of Tiger services in 2012. Looking forward, the expectation of increased passenger movement is significant. It is projected that some 4.5 million passengers will travel through Hobart Airport by financial year 2035, as compared to 2.18 million in financial year 2014.
The current runway length at Hobart Airport of 2,251 metres can cater to direct flights from mainland destinations as far as Darwin, Cairns and Perth along with locations within New Zealand but it is not adequate for larger aircraft such as Boeing 787 and 777 capable of flying from South Asia destinations.
However, a runway extension at Hobart airport is to be undertaken which will increase the length of the runway by 500 metres. A further proposal exists to redevelop the passenger terminal. These works are scheduled for completion in 2017.
"We highlight that we are aware of the following three significant hotels currently under construction including the Federal Hotels 114-room hotel in Sullivans Cove, The Fragrance Hotel development on Macquarie Street with 296 rooms, and the Crowne Plaza on Liverpool Street with 187 rooms," the report said.
"In addition to these projects that are under construction we are aware of a further six hotels in the pipeline.
"If all projects proceed the total number of rooms is estimated to increase by 48% by 2020.
"We also note the recent announcement by Singapore’s Fragrance Group that has lodged plans for two new hotels. If the applications are approved this would add a further 895 rooms to the market."
<a href="/images/2016/11/04/Hobart%20room%20supply.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/04/Hobart%20room%20supply.jpg" alt="">
For the most recent hotel transaction in Tasmania of note, the Sebel Launceston, was purchased by local Tasmanian family, the Richman family, however the agents reportedly fielded seven offers from Singapore, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
Colliers International is marketing a hotel in Launceston at present.
The three new hotels that are under construction in Hobart, of the size and quality proposed will provide significant new competition for the Hobart market.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Hobart hotel market records strong occupancy levels and rate growth

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The expiry of Tasmania's first home buyer incentives for purchasers of established dwellings in 2014 saw first home buyer demand decline, according to QBE’s latest housing report.
First home buyer demand in the state has since bottomed out and is now in a recovery phase, the report said.
Loans to first home buyers increased by an annual 6% in 2015/16 and the rising trend has been accelerating, with loans to first home buyers in June quarter 2016 being 24% higher than the same period a year earlier.
It is likely that some of this demand stems from increased interstate migration. In contrast, purchase activity by upgraders and downsizers has been easing, with loans to non–first home buyers having fallen by 4% in 2015/16.
Demand from investors has also been decreasing, with the total value of loans to investors having fallen by an annual 13% in 2015/16. As with the other states, tightened lending policy by the banks is containing investor demand, although the decline in 2015/16 has been lower than the national decline.
Rental growth has been largely flat and vacancy rates are close to balance at just under 3% through 2015/16.
House prices in Hobart were flat in 2014/15, but picked up in 2015/16, with the median house price increasing by 5.2%. Tasmania’s net interstate migration outflow has been steadily declining since peaking in 2011/12, and interstate migration is on track to record a net inflow in 2015/16.
Part of the driver of this recovery is likely to be increased “tree changers” downsizing from the more expensive mainland capitals, while there are also likely to be many returnees from the mining states who contributed to the higher net interstate migration outflows of recent years.
House price growth has been unevenly spread across the Local Government Areas of Hobart. Median house price growth has been particularly strong in Hobart (10.1%), Clarence (8.4%) and Kingborough (6.9%). Glenorchy (1.1%) and Brighton (2.8%) saw more moderate house price growth while Sorell (–3.3%) experienced a decline in its median house price. The overall Greater Hobart median grew 5.2% over 2015/16.
<a href="/images/2016/10/14/Table%2012.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<a href="/images/2016/10/14/Table%2012.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2016/10/14/Table%2012.jpg" alt=""></a>
The Tasmanian economy has been weak in recent years. A high Australian dollar and slow population growth have added to general economic weakness. However, improved household spending, non–residential building activity and improving exports suggest a stronger economic recovery.
The weakening Australian dollar should support growth in tourism while the agricultural and mining industries should also benefit. The state unemployment rate fell from 7.8% at March 2014 to 6.6% at March 2016. Greater Hobart has a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the state, having fallen from 6.7% to 6.1% over the same period.
Greater Hobart has also been the main destination for migrants from overseas, interstate and the rest of Tasmania, with its population rising by 0.8% in 2014/15 while the population of the rest of Tasmania was flat.
On the supply side, completions at the state level have continued to rise while underlying demand has been slow. This has seen Tasmania’s dwelling surplus climb from 4,800 dwellings to an estimated 5,300 dwellings at June 2016. Given the disparity between population growth, it is likely that the oversupply is greater in regional Tasmania.
Reflecting lower income levels and fewer drivers of employment, Hobart has the lowest median house price compared to the other state capitals. Its relative affordability compared to other capital cities is a significant driver of demand as interstate migrants seek a more affordable market.
The current low interest rate environment is expected to improve affordability and spur purchaser demand, the QBE report said. Poor affordability in Melbourne and Sydney is expected to fuel further migration to Tasmanian cities, a trend already evident with the net interstate inflow forecast to increase further to 1,000 persons in 2016/17 and 2017/18.
Click to open chart in new window
<img src="/images/2016/10/14/Chart%2030.jpg" alt="">
Overall, the gradual recovery in the local economy and interstate migration is expected to underpin price growth, while the presence of an excess dwelling stock at the state level will likely limit price growth to more moderate levels. Hobart’s median house price is forecast to rise from $377,900 at June 2016 to $425,000 by June 2019, reflecting growth of around 4% per annum or a cumulative 12.5%.
With a significantly smaller unit market, and thus a smaller sample of sales volumes to measure the median, movement in the median unit price in Hobart can be much more volatile from quarter to quarter. Overall, however, median unit prices have been in a gradual decline since its peak median price of $420,000 in June 2011.
With falling investor demand, the unit market could experience the greatest impact as investor purchasers have traditionally been more prevalent buying units.
This softness is expected to continue to dampen demand, limiting median unit price growth to a forecast 1%–2% per annum through to 2018/19. This is forecast by QBE to push the median unit price to $315,000 at June 2019; a cumulative growth of 4.5% over the forecast period.
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Hobart first home buyers in recovery stage: QBE Housing Outlook

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Some 9.6% of Hobart houses and 14.5% of units resold over the June 2016 quarter were at a loss, according to the latest CoreLogic Pain and Gain report. 
The CoreLogic report compares the most recent sale price to the previous sale price in order to determine whether the property sold at a gross profit or gross loss.
Both property types recorded an increase over the quarter, however year on year there's some joy – 13.5% of Hobart homes resold over the June 2015 quarter were at a loss.
The Hobart metropolitian council regions with the highest proportion of loss making resales over the quarter were: Brighton (18.2%), Derwent Valley (17.4%) and Sorell (15.0%).
<a href="/images/2016/09/28/pain%20and%20gain%20hobart.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/28/pain%20and%20gain%20hobart.jpg" alt="">
The proportion of loss-making resales was lowest in Hobart (5.9%), Clarence (9.1%) and Kingborough (11.0%) council areas.
<a href="/images/2016/09/28/hobart%20pain%20and%20gain%20chart.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/28/hobart%20pain%20and%20gain%20chart.jpg" alt="">
Get the full report <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news/file-download?id=56fe4d38-98f3-4f82-b763-e91283945def">here</a>.
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Hobart's Brighton and Derwent Valley property sellers cop sale pain: CoreLogic

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Mornington takes the equal top spot as Hobart's 2016/2017 hotspot for investing in houses with an expected increase of four percent over the next 12 months.
Mornington's current median price is $300,000, according to APM, in their forecast developed by APM senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.
<img src="/images/2016/09/22/31%20Binalong%20Road.jpg" alt="">
An example would be a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-mornington-122582650" target="_blank">31 Binalong Road</a> (above) that is currently on sale for over $349,000, which is $49,000 above the median price.
<img src="/images/2016/09/22/496%20Cambridge%20Road.jpg" alt="">
Similarly a four bedroom house was recently sold at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-tas-mornington-121388966" target="_blank">496 Cambridge Road</a> (above) for $380,000, which is $80,000 more than the median price.
The Smart Investor magazine, published by Fairfax Media, ranked Blackmans Bay and North Hobart as equal best hotspot.
Suburb                   Postcode          Median price        12 month forecast
Mornington             7018                  $300,000                 4%
Blackmans Bay        7052                  $435,000                 4%
North Hobart           7000                 $475,000                  4%
Carlton                   7173                  $277,500                  3%
Primrose Sands       7173                   $210,000                 3%
West Hobart           7000                   $520,000                  3%
Kingston Beach       7050                   $480,000                 3%
Hobart                   7000                   $557,000                  3%
Bagdad                   7030                  $282,500                 3%
Taroona                  7053                   $522,500                 2%
 
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Mornington ranked the 2017 hotspot for Hobart houses

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After CoreLogic RP Data recently reported a median house price of $300,250 in Hobart, Property Observer went searching for what that got. 
In <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-moonah-123289826" target="_blank">Moonah</a>, the median house price will secure a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house on Tregear Street (above). The house sits on 536 square metres of land. 
For $315,000 on <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-kingston-122495030">Redwood Road</a> in Algona Rise, Kingston buyers can secure a brand new two-bedroom, two-bathroom house (below). The house is the final remaining house in Algona Rise. 
<img src="/images/2016/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-31%20at%204.36.51%20PM.png" alt="">
In <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-old+beach-121977542" target="_blank">Old Beach</a>, $300,000 will secure a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house with river and mountain views on Grevillea Avenue (below). The 1995 brick veneer house sits on 1,002 square metres of land.
<img src="/images/2016/08/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-31%20at%204.39.13%20PM.png" alt="">
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

What the $385,000 median house price gets in Hobart

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Residex says it is highly important to contextualise Hobart’s unit market growth figures because growth has been less consistent over the last five years compared to other cities.
Graph 1 shows a time series of quarterly sales and capital growth for the Hobart unit market.
Graph 1: Quarterly Capital Growth and Sales Numbers – Units, Greater Hobart
<a href="/images/2016/08/11/Graph_1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/08/11/Graph_1.jpg" alt="">
Source: Residex
The graph shows that strong growth in the May quarter came off the back of negative growth in the previous two quarters. It also follows losses in Hobart between 2011 and 2013. If you invested in the median Hobart unit in May 2010, when the median value was $282,000, you would have made nominal gains of just $5,000 in capital growth over the last five years.
Much of the stunted growth in Hobart is a result of the end of the mining boom and economic growth constraints such as geographic separation from the rest of Australia. However, as the Australian economy moves away from mining and into tourism, and those close to retirement develop an increased interest for investment properties, Hobart units suddenly present an affordable opportunity with high rental yields – which could account for the rebound of growth in the May quarter.
It is true that tourism has grown in Tasmania. Visitation to Tasmania and visitor expenditure in Tasmania grew approximately 7% in the year to March 2016. During this time, most visitors were people within Australia (85%), particularly Victoria (37%). A persistently low AUD may be encouraging domestic tourism for Australians as opposed to overseas visitations. Simultaneously, the low AUD could encourage further increases in international visitation, but this too is dependent on the stability of the global economy. Confidence in the global economy continues to be threatened by heavy migration flows and, in the short term, the possibility of Britain leaving the European Union.
Another important factor to consider is the wider Australian housing market, which is in the downswing phase of the growth cycle. As growth in housing slows, the wealth effect of housing diminishes, which may also reduce interstate visitation to Tasmania.
Another important consideration for those looking to Tasmania is rent. The rental yield on the median Hobart unit is currently 5.53%. Graph 2 shows the dollar value rent estimates of the median Hobart unit since 2010.
Graph 2: Historical Median Rent – Hobart Units
<a href="/images/2016/08/11/Graph_2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/08/11/Graph_2.jpg" alt="">
Source: Residex
Graph 2 shows rent has trended upwards. In the year to May 2016, rent increased by $20 per week. However, if wage growth does not prosper with rents, rental return may be held back by affordability problems.
A report by SGS Economics and Planning has found that some households in greater Hobart are spending an estimated 50-80% of their disposable income on rent. Anecdotal reports also argue that homelessness is steadily increasing in the region. However, the report uses 2011 Census income data, discounting wage growth over the last five years. As the value of Hobart units increase, rental yields are most likely to fall. The extent of the fall will depend on the rate of wage growth in the region. This is an important consideration depending on your investment strategy.
Finally, it is important to consider some of the more endogenous structural growth constraints in Tasmania. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Tasmania was 6.5 percent in May, and the state also has the lowest rate of year 12 completion in 20-24 year olds (58 percent) due to irregular school structures.
Should Labour win government in the upcoming July 2 election, the opposition leader has pledged $150 million to the University of Tasmania and small business incentives to encourage a culture of further education, which could create long term job and growth prospects.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Growth in Hobart unit market less consistent: Residex

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Home values in Hobart have increased by 5.2 percent over the past three months and are +6.2 percent higher over the past year according to CoreLogic. 
CoreLogic's Housing and Economic Chart Pack for August noted values have increased by just 15.5 percent over the past 10 years. 
<a href="/images/2016/08/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-10%20at%201.50.17%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/08/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-10%20at%201.50.17%20PM.png" alt="">
The latest June quarter has backed up the CoreLogic growth advisory, by recording the highest number of real estate sales in a quarter since March 2010, according to the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.
Hobart recorded a $10,000 increase in median house sale price to $395,000 whilst Launceston and the North West Centres remain stable at $285,000 and $230,000 respectively. Increases were again recorded in the sale of units/ townhouses with Launceston prices increasing 22 percent.
Some 1749 house sales were recorded in total across the state at a median price of $315,200; 319 units/townhouses at $258,000 and 394 land sales with a median price of $130,000.
REIT President, Tony Collidge, said Brighton, Central Coast, Devonport and Glenorchy Municipalities all recorded significant increases (greater than 20%) in house sales volume for the quarter.
Brighton was a standout with the number of sales increasing by 55.8 percent to 67 sales.
Sandy Bay retained the crown as Tasmania’s most expensive suburb with 23 sales at a median price of $800,000. Zeehan was Tasmania's most affordable town recording five sales at a median price of $55,000.
The Tasmanian rental markets are performing strongly with vacancy rates below 3 percent and with most achieving yields above 5 percent, the REIT president, Tony Collidge advised.
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Hobart home values increase by 5.2 percent over the past three months: CoreLogic

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A showroom complex in Hobart CBD area recently found a customer after being on the market for 792 days (CoreLogic RP Data). The deal was brokered by Raine &amp; Horne.
The corner property at <a href="https://www.rhcommercial.com.au/properties/126-126c-bathurst-street-hobart-7000-tasmania" target="_blank">126-126C Bathurst Street</a> was listed for $1,300,000 plus GST, but the final sale amount wasn’t disclosed, according to RP Data.
The property has a gross building area of nearly 659 sqm and features showrooms on the ground and first floors along with storage, office, workshop and garage areas.
Offered with vacant possession, the property has potential for multiple tenancies or further development subject to Council approval.
The selling agent was Leslie Simpson.
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Corner showroom in Hobart CBD sold by Raine & Horne

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The latest discounted property of the week from SQM Research is a townhouse in the middle of Launceston, Tasmania with a price reduction of $44,000 - supposedly just for June.
SQM research managing director Louis Christopher said the property, 3/28 Abbot St, East Launceston, Tasmania, first came onto the market back in April this year with an original asking price just shy of $330,000.  
"The vendor has now slashed this price by $44,000 reducing the property to just $285,000, supposedly just for the month of June (clearly a sellers bluff)," he said.
"The townhouse is located smack bang in the middle of Launceston, with two generous sized bedrooms, one bathroom, balcony and courtyard. The property is solid brick rendered with a brand new kitchen, and double glazed windows (to help minimise those cosmopolitan noises). 
"The listing states that the townhouse is conveniently located adjacent to a bus stop, with plenty of public transport routes nearby, and Launceston airport just a short 20 minute drive away. Launceston is located approximately 200km outside of Tasmania's capital city Hobart.
"According to 12 month actuals to March - Hobart is currently outperforming this forecast with property prices rising at 7.6 percent.
"Notably, East Launceston recorded a vacancy rate of 1.9 percent in April 2016, this reflects a reasonably tight residential market, however, and it is slightly higher than the capital city average of 0.9 percent for Hobart."
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