The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Home Sales

<html><body>
The top sale of the week was a four bedroom waterfront home in Hunters Hill, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
Set on a massive 1876 sqm site, the 1886 sandstone property at 22 Vernon Street sold for $6.51 million through BresicWhitney agent Nicholas McEvoy.
The Hunters Hill home narrowly edged out a six bedder in Mosman which sold for $6.5 million.
Sold through Simeon Manners Property, the home features a large wine cellar, gas-heated pool, spa, sauna and huge games room with a bar.
Top 10 sales across Australia last week
1. 22 Vernon Street, Hunters Hill, NSW - Four bedroom, two bathroom: Bresic Whitney: $6.51 million 
2. 54 Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW - Six bedroom, four bathroom: Simeon Manners Property: $6.5 million
3. 61a Muston Street, Mosman, NSW - Four bedroom, three bathroom: Simeon Manners Property: $6.45 million
4 3 Crestmont Court, Toorak, VIC - Four bedroom, three bathroom: Melbourne Sotheby's International Realty Toorak: $5.79 million
5. 45 Roseville Avenue, Roseville, NSW - Five bedroom, four bathrooms: McGrath Estate Agents: $4.64 million
6. 22 Shackel Avenue, Clovelly, NSW - Four bedrooms, three bathroom: Phillips Pantzer Donnelley Woollahra: $4.2 million
7. 31 Harris Street, Paddington, NSW - Four bedroom, three bathroom: BresicWhitney Darlinghurst: $3.9 million
8. 219 Trafalgar Street, Annandale, NSW - Four bedroom, three bathroom: Pilcher Residential Annandale: $3.65 million
9. 35 Bundarra Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW - Five bedroom, four bathroom: Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay: $3.55 million
10. 797 Hampton Street, Brighton, VIC - Five bedroom, four bathroom: Buxton Brighton: $3.55 million
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Hunters Hill home tops the week's most expensive sales

<html><body>
The Gold Coast's sub-$1 million market has been buzzing with a mix of local upgraders and southern investors and seachangers, according to estate agent John McGrath.
It has also been an excellent year for prestige property with the entry level of the region’s Top 50 Home Sales (Gold Coast Bulletin) in FY15 rising to $2.5 million from $1.323 million in FY14.
John McGrath says the China Factor – a key element in Sydney and Melbourne’s booms, is increasingly at play in Queensland and especially on the Gold Coast.
The juwai.com property portal reports purchasing intent up by 1,120% YOY, which is not surprising as more Chinese developers build locally and market their projects directly back home.
Construction on the long-awaited $1 billion Jewel hotel and apartment project at Broadbeach by its Chinese owners began in March and the first non-stop flights from the Gold Coast to China have now commenced.
"I remain very optimistic about South-East Queensland.
"The weakening dollar will boost tourism, there are a slew of new infrastructure projects underway and the economy appears to be responding to new political management.
"While the Gold Coast has always had a good international reputation, Brisbane is increasingly asserting itself as a sophisticated global city, particularly following the G20 in 2014.
"The ‘big country town’ stigma of old has been eroded by a continuing undercurrent of social, economic and cultural change.
"Once state economic conditions improve and Sydney slows further, the South-East Queensland property market will be ready to roar," he said.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

SEQ ready to roar: John McGrath

<html><body>
Funds manager Will Liley and his UK born artist wife Janice have sold their Paddington terrace.
Liley, who rowed for Australia in the late 1960s and 1970s, before he founded infrastructure investment firm mInfra, secured around $3.5 million through Ben Collier at McGrath Estate Agents.
Janice studied at the National Art School, Sydney, and before than at Cheltenham College of the Arts in the UK.
Their longtime four bedroom Windsor Street abode was bought back in 1999 at $870,000. 
They retain their Southern Highlands retreat Rosehill Farm, a 45-hectare holding with Richard Rowe designed six-bedroom, seven-bathroom house.
</body></html>

Funds manager Will Liley sells Paddo terrace

<html><body>
There are indicators that home ownership is starting to decline, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) suggests.
However, Australia has maintained consistent rates of home ownership of around 68% since 1976. 
"The composition of homeowners, those who own outright and those who are currently servicing a mortgage, has changed with houses under purchase now out numbering those owned outright.
"The last 20 years has also seen sharp growth of migration to Australia and this may have played a role in sustaining home purchase rates." 
<a href="/images/2015/09/02/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-02%20at%206.45.14%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/09/02/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-02%20at%206.45.14%20PM.png" alt="" width="820" height="519">
"The rate of home ownership is higher amongst older age groups, with 55-64 year olds maintaining around 80 per cent ownership rates over the last 30 years to 2011."
 
<a href="/images/2015/09/02/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-02%20at%206.47.52%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/09/02/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-02%20at%206.47.52%20PM.png" alt="" width="831" height="558"> 
In the submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, AHURI observed that home purchase has decreased mostly for those in the lowest income cohorts, particularly for those aged 24-35 years. 
"Between 1981 and 2011 the rate of purchase for those in the lowest household income quintile fell from 62.7 per cent to 31.3 per cent.
"In interviews with 87 Indigenous people living in various forms of rental housing, AHURI research found that most saw home ownership as an economic burden even when income was assessed not to be a barrier for a quarter of households. 
"Home ownership for some is a more complex due to the relationship with land and implications of individual ownership. 
"A study of home-owners found that around 13% of owners ‘churn’ in and out of ownership while 9% permanently leave. There has been a reduced ability to maintain home ownership due to increased divorce rates and mortgage stress.
"Increasing numbers of homeowners are approaching retirement with mortgages, and a sizeable number of older mortgagees are dropping out of homeownership which is a flag for potential pressure on other areas of the housing system such as a need to access housing assistance." 
Aspects affecting home ownership rates include the increase in house prices and increase in size and period of debt. There is also the positive side of wealth creation for home owners, but this does not happen without risk.
"AHURI research which looked at metropolitan Melbourne found that one in eight of all sellers lost money in real terms and that there is greater risk of making a loss for dwellings in outer urban areas where low to moderate income earners are most able to purchase, and if the dwelling is sold in the first three years. 
"However, higher house prices—while aiding wealth accumulation for those who own or are purchasing—hinders access for aspiring first home buyers. 
"AHURI research also indicates that owners are now more accustomed to using new flexible mortgage products to access their housing wealth, and so use that wealth as a financial buffer to meet needs over time."
AHURI believes that if supply does not match demand it can be a contributing factor to house price pressures and declining affordability.
"Low interest rates, lower unemployment combined with easy credit for housing, have worked together to increase demand. 
"New household formation is a driver for demand for housing. Traditionally this has been seen as part of the ‘housing career pathway’ when partnering and leaving home or moving from private rental to home ownership. 
"Immigration creates new households and therefore increases demand for housing. AHURI research suggests that migrants historically have had a higher purchase rate than native-born Australians. 
"Population projections show that the rate of population increase is expected to be steepest among people aged 65 year and over and this will translate into a surge of singles living alone. 
"Population ageing poses demands for smaller housing in nearby suburbs to enable downsizing and equity release.
"AHURI research found that difficulties faced by downsizers included availability of suitable housing, its cost and affordability, and the suitability of its location.
Evidence is varied on whether land release assists in reducing house prices. 
"AHURI research has documented that connections between land supply and price, which can flow on to house price, are complex with many factors affecting both land and house prices. However, a well-run and timely land release policy can help with the supply of new houses.
"With a strong, nationally coordinated policy framework emphasising housing affordability and dedicated affordable housing creation, state housing policy and planning legislation then promotes affordability, and enables affordable housing creation, through: 
<ul>
<li> system-wide approaches to facilitate land supply in preferred locations, by making planning processes more efficient and through targeted infrastructure     investment;</li>
<li> better needs assessment and planning methodologies to forecast, monitor and respond to housing demand, supply and affordability trends;</li>
<li> specific planning levers or mechanisms to secure land for new affordable housing development and retain existing levels of low-cost housing.</li>
</ul>
"The proportion of new loans for investment housing is at a record high. Up until 2010, lending for owner occupied housing was tracking well above investment housing, however this trend has changed since 2010 after which lending for investment has continued to rise but housing finance commitments for owner occupation started to decline. 
"AHURI research finds that stamp duty is found to impede access to home ownership because it tightens borrowing constraints.
"The provision of the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) raises the rate of home ownership and accelerates ownership, but research finds it is regressive in impact as it primarily favours those that would have eventually become home-owners. 
"Younger (less than 45 years of age) owner-occupiers, most of whom have relatively low equity in their dwellings and face high mortgage debt, are relatively disadvantaged by the structure of tax expenditures because of their inability to deduct the costs of purchasing their home from the income it produces. 
Recent AHURI research examined government spending related to housing in Melbourne for the 2011–12 financial year. The total housing expenditure figure for Melbourne was $5.2 billion. 
"Public housing was the smallest proportion of this figure, at around $107 million or 2 per cent of the total; the First Home Owners Grant, for both new and existing properties, had an outlay of $277 million, 5.3 per cent of the total. 
"Rental assistance had a total of $500 million (9.6% of the total). These expenditures were eclipsed by the negative gearing ($861 million) and capital gains tax exemption ($3.5 billion) estimates, which comprised 17 per cent and 67 per cent of total outlays respectively."
<a href="/images/2015/09/02/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-02%20at%206.54.55%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/09/02/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-02%20at%206.54.55%20PM.png" alt=""> 
 
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Stamp duty constraints impede home ownership: AHURI

<html><body>
A record 1,120 auctions are slated for Melbourne this weekend, breaking the previous record of 1,030 auctions set in the second week in August.
Some 810 auctions were held on the same weekend last year. 
Real Estate Institute of Victoria CEO Enzo Raimondo said clearance rates in suburbs such as Bayswater, Dingley Village and Wantirna, have been recorded well above 90%. 
“But strong clearance rates and high auction numbers in Melbourne’s middle and outer suburbs show that buyers are increasingly seeking value, and space, in the more affordable areas," he said.
“The heightened demand for homes in these locations is driving a push towards more auctions, with vendors benefiting from strong competition on auction day.”
 
Melbourne’s top auction suburbs in the year-to-date:
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="middle">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Total Auctions
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Sold at Auction
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Clearance Rates
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
RESERVOIR
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     387
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     277
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     72%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
GLEN WAVERLEY
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     306
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     244
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     80%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
RICHMOND
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     298
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     241
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     81%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
ST KILDA
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     285
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     211
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     74%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
MOUNT WAVERLEY
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     279
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     240
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     86%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Suburbs with the highest clearance rates in the year-to-date:
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Total Auctions 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 Sold at Auction 
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 Clearance Rates
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
BAYSWATER
</td>
<td valign="middle">
      51
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     49
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     96%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
DINGLEY VILLAGE
</td>
<td valign="middle">
      64
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     61
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     95%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
WANTIRNA
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     100
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     95
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     95%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
HEATHMONT
</td>
<td valign="middle">
      59
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     56
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     95%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
VERMONT SOUTH
</td>
<td valign="middle">
      84
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     79
</td>
<td valign="middle">
     94%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Melbourne sets new auction record for August 

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We’re now seeing home sales trend below $400,000 which is making it much harder for price-sensitive buyers to purchase into capital city markets.
37.4% of all home sales nationally were at less than $400,000 compared to 52.0% between $400,000 and $1 million and 10.6% over $1 million over the 12 months to June 2015. 
Sales below $400,000 were at a record low over the past year and sales above $1 million were at a record high.
<a href="/images/2015/08/27/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-27%20at%2011.35.28%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/08/27/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-27%20at%2011.35.28%20AM.png" alt="">
 
Across capital cities, 25.1% of home sales were under $400,000, 60.1% were between $400,000 and $1 million and 14.8% were in excess of $1 million. 
Twenty years ago 95.2% of all capital city houses and 96.7% of units sold for less than $400,000. Meanwhile, only 0.4% of all houses and 0.3% of all units sold transacted for more than $1 million.
<a href="/images/2015/08/27/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-27%20at%2011.37.04%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/08/27/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-27%20at%2011.37.04%20AM.png" alt="">
 
 
Ten years ago, the proportion of sales under $400,000 had fallen sharply relative to 10 years earlier. At this time, 66.2% of houses and 73.8% of units had sold over the year for less than $400,000. In comparison, 4.0% of houses and 2.3% of units across the capital cities sold for more than $1 million. 
Five years ago, around one third of all capital city house sales (34.1%) and 46.4% of units sold for less than $400,000. At the same time, 10.1% of capital city houses and 3.8% of units sold for more than $1 million.
<a href="/images/2015/08/27/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-27%20at%2011.38.05%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/08/27/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-27%20at%2011.38.05%20AM.png" alt="">
 
Looking at the activity over the past year: 
Canberra (7.4%) and Sydney (7.8%) recorded the lowest proportion of house sales under $400,000. 
Hobart (61.2%) was the only city to have more than half of all house sales below $400,000. 
Currently, the unit market offers more opportunity to purchase below $400,000 however, each of Sydney (16.3%), Melbourne (35.9%), Perth (38.5%), Darwin (29.7%) and Canberra (43.3%) recorded a majority of unit sales above this price point. 
CoreLogic RP Data reported a record high proportion of houses and units sold for more than $1 million over the past 12 months. In Sydney, more than a third of all houses (36.8%) sold for more than $1 million. Melbourne had the second highest proportion of sales over $1 million (17.7%). 
Although Melbourne had a record high proportion of houses sold over $1 million it was less than half the proportion of sales in excess of $1 million recorded in Sydney. 
For units, Sydney had the highest proportion of sales over $1 million (11.6%) and was the only capital city in which more than 10% of unit sales were in excess of $1 million. In fact, Sydney had a higher proportion of unit sales over $1 million than each of Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra had for houses. 
Although we anticipate that the rate of capital growth will slow over the coming year we still expect values to generally rise. As a result we would expect a further decline in the proportion of homes selling below $400,000. 
 
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Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/author/cameron-kusher/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Home sales trend below $400,000: Cameron Kusher

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GUEST OBSERVER
Timing can be everything when it comes to buying or selling homes and your ability to secure a great price for your home, or even attract multiple buyers, can hinge on the time of year.
Spring is widely regarded as the ideal time to sell property. Warmer weather attracts buyers onto the streets and into open home inspections; our gardens tend to look their best in spring; and many buyers want to be settled in their new home in time for the looming festive season.
Don’t despair however if you are selling your home at a different time of year. The seasons don’t always dictate the best outcome. Indeed, selling in spring may deliver the best price for your current home but it could also mean competing with more buyers for your next property – and that can mean paying a higher price.
Think beyond spring
The geography of your home can be a contributing factor to the ideal time to sell. In hot or humid areas for instance, your property may be more appealing during the cooler months. Or your home may have particular features like an open fireplace or underfloor heating that are best showcased during the cooler months. 
Remember too, with potentially fewer buyers around in winter or autumn, you could enjoy faster turnaround times on professional services like your solicitor or conveyancer. If you are selling in winter, be sure to choose inspection times when your home’s interior receives maximum sunlight.
Focus on the key drivers
Should the season influence whether – and precisely when – you list your house for sale or buy another home? Perhaps. But other factors deserve higher priority, like whether your home is ready to be shown to buyers; whether you have the time to prepare your home for weekend inspections; and whether you have discussed home loan options with your lender to develop a buying budget for your next place.  
These are the key drivers that should really determine the ‘right’ time for you to start your buying and selling activity.
 
Patrick Nolan is head of home loans for industry super fund-owned bank ME. You can contact Patrick <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/personal/home-loans/home-loans/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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PatrickNolan-Yjmguhh735

Is there a right season to sell? ME Bank's Patrick Nolan

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Four out of the top five most clicked homes for sale on realestateview.com.au for the last week are located in Victoria, with only one entrant from NSW.
The listing that gathered the most interest online was a stylish three bedroom home belonging to Nick and Chris from the first season of House Rules.
The property, <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/25-barry-street-kew/Property-Details-buy-residential-9273376" target="_blank">19 Jackman Street, Preston, Victoria,</a> is the only house on the street with dual car access and is being sold through hockingstuart Preston auction on Saturday, August 29.
<img src="/images/2015/08/21/19-Jackman-Street-Preston-VIC-3072-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9273376.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="267">
 
A four bedroom three bathroom Doncaster house listed with $1.2 million hopes was the second most clicked property.
The <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/25-barry-street-kew/Property-Details-buy-residential-9204246" target="_blank">77 Church Road, Doncaster, Victoria</a> home faces north, is ripe for development and is for sale through Fletchers.
 
<img src="/images/2015/08/21/77-Church-Road-Doncaster-VIC-3108-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9204246.jpg" alt="" width="410" height="273">
  
A sold five-bedroom home with three living areas, a pool next to the outdoor room and deck complete with custom fit out is the third most popular listing.
The <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/25-barry-street-kew/Property-Details-buy-residential-9218950" target="_blank">44 Cummins Road, Brighton East</a> home sold for $1,850,000 through Marshall White Brighton.
 
<img src="/images/2015/08/21/44-Cummins-Road-Brighton-East-VIC-3187-Real-Estate-photo-8-large-9218950.jpg" alt="" width="447" height="298">
 
The only home to feature on the list in New South Wales is a brand new property located at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/25-barry-street-kew/Property-Details-buy-residential-9156442" target="_blank">10 Lauren Close, Gol Gol</a>, for sale at $490,000. 
The four bedder with a massive family room and study nook features 9ft ceilings and spotted gum timber floors throughout.
It is for sale through Roccisano Real Estate.
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<img src="/images/2015/08/21/10-Lauren-Close-Gol-Gol-NSW-2738-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9156442.jpg" alt="" width="483" height="321">
 
The final home on realestateview's top five most clicked houses for the last week is <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/25-barry-street-kew/Property-Details-buy-residential-8547722" target="_blank">Lot 210 No 3 Vibrandia Way, Truganina, Victoria</a>, available through Wyndham Lakes Real Estate.
Homes in the estate are available from $305,000 to $335,000.
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<h2><img src="/images/2015/08/21/Lot-210-No-3-Vibrandia-Way-Truganina-VIC-3029-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-8547722.jpg" alt="" width="546" height="410"> </h2>
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House Rules home dominates most clicked house listings: Realestateview.com.au

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Mirvac Group's Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz forecasts Sydney's fast house price growth is close to ending.
And she anticipates volumes of home sales could fall away by 15%.
"Previous cycles would suggest that activity, i.e. volume of sales, will moderate for a year or two by 15%, but importantly we don't believe this will lead to price falls rather we expect price growth to moderate away from the double-digit growth rate that it has been experiencing."
She suggested the recent Australian Prudential Regulation Authority crackdown had been a "blunt" measure.
Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz has presided over a record $2 billion in residential sales in the past year at Mirvac.
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Mirvac's boss sees less Sydney sales volume ahead

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Croydon South heads the list of Victoria's fastest selling suburbs, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
Its private treaty house sales are typically selling in around 28 days. 
<table border="1">
<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="s0" colspan="3">10 Fastest selling days on market (under 40 days)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s1"> </td>
<td class="s2"> </td>
<td class="s2"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s3">Suburb</td>
<td class="s4">Median Price ($'000)</td>
<td class="s4">Days on Market</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s1"> </td>
<td class="s2"> </td>
<td class="s2"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Croydon South</td>
<td class="s6">459</td>
<td class="s6">28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Ferntree Gully</td>
<td class="s6">403</td>
<td class="s6">29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Chelsea</td>
<td class="s6">423</td>
<td class="s6">30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Vermont</td>
<td class="s6">595</td>
<td class="s6">34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Bayswater North</td>
<td class="s6">345</td>
<td class="s6">35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Carlton North</td>
<td class="s6">600</td>
<td class="s6">35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Wantirna South</td>
<td class="s6">477</td>
<td class="s6">36</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Ringwood East</td>
<td class="s6">426</td>
<td class="s6">37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Forest Hill</td>
<td class="s6">600</td>
<td class="s6">38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="s5">Murrumbeena</td>
<td class="s6">549</td>
<td class="s6">39</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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