<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

<main data-perf-region="main">
Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

Interest Rates

<html><body>
The price growth for Australian houses will slow in 2015 to about 4%, Fitch Ratings has forecast.
Its Global Housing and Mortgage Outlook says an “affordability ceiling”, plus a potential interest rate rise in the medium term, will moderate the recent price growth.
Perth prices will not move, but prices in Sydney and Melbourne are forecast to rise between 3% and 4%.
House prices in Australian cities rose 8.9% in the 12 months to October 2014, it noted.
"However, the rate of growth has been slowing since it peaked at 11.5% in April," the report added.
 Price growth has been driven by continued record low interest rates and increasing investor demand in the Sydney and Melbourne markets. Annual growth rates to date have reflected a two- tiered market with the prices in Australia’s two largest cities outstripping other capital cities’ growth. 
Fitch expects that house price growth will moderate to around 4% in Sydney and Melbourne as rental yields become compressed and the prospect of further capital growth lessens. 
"Perth prices (3.4% annual) are expected to flatten as mining investment slows and prices in the other capital cities are expected to continue to grow at a moderate pace."
Fitch Australia’s managing director of structured finance, Ben McCarthy, said housing affordability had reached its peak in Australia.
“People just can’t afford to pay much more for housing,” he told the Australian Financial Review.
“At 4% growth, prices will still rise higher than people’s incomes.”
<div class="page" title="Page 28">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Capital cities which have experienced strong house price growth in the past 24 months (Sydney 26.2%, Melbourne 17.4%) will continue to experience affordability pressure, he noted in the report.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Australian property is among the most expensive in the world on almost all metrics, the report says.
<div class="page" title="Page 28">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Housing debt as a percentage of disposable income was 137% in 2Q14, which has been increasing steadily from 130% since 2Q12. 
Fitch expects lending net volumes to continue to grow as house prices increase at a moderate pace. Investment loan approvals are expected to continue to represent 50% of new lending (excluding. refinance loans) as investors compete with owner occupiers. 
Existing borrowers are expected to be cautious with higher-than-average household savings being maintained. 
It noted mortgage prepayments have been gradually increasing since the market low of 17.2% observed in March 2011 to 21.3% as at June 2014, according to the Fitch Dinkum Prime RMBS CPR. 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Nothing for Perth, but Fitch sees 4% price growth for Australia houses in 2015

<html><body>
The Westpac chief economist, Bill Evans still thinks February could be the best time for the RBA to start cutting rates.
"I don’t think that there is any doubt that they will cut rates in the first half of this year, it is just a matter of picking the timing," he told the <a href="https://www.finnewsnetwork.com.au/archives/finance_news_network108916?utm_source=Finance+News+Network%2C+FNN+Investor.&amp;utm_campaign=781b762d88-FNN_Investor_Daily_Morning_12_01_2015&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_93a5b03408-781b762d88-137686745" target="_blank">Finance News Network</a>.
"While most people are in denial that something could happen as soon as February I think February could be the best time for the bank to start cutting rates.   "The reason why February is a good time to do it, is that in February they also release their Statement on Monetary Policy and they are able to change their forecasts.
"And so, if they have cut rates at their February meeting they can provide a very detailed explanation as to why that has happened. 
"In February it will only be by about 25 basis points.
"I think we’ll see another cut this year, at the moment I favour March.
"Because I think in the second half of this year things will be starting to look better. The world economy will be starting to look a better place, particularly in China and the US.
"I think it will still be at 2%. But, by the middle of 2016 I think we’ll start to see things edging up."
</body></html>

Westpac's Bill Evans still expects February and March RBA rate cuts

<html><body>
Housing price growth had slowed a little, the December minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia noted.
But there continued to be considerable regional variation, with housing price growth strongest in Sydney.
"Members noted that credit to owner-occupiers was growing at a pace only a little above that of income, but that growth in credit to investors was considerably higher," the minutes said.
"The available data suggested that dwelling investment was likely to subtract a little from growth in the September quarter.
"However, building approvals and other forward-looking indicators of residential building activity continued to suggest that dwelling investment would contribute to growth in coming quarters. 
"Aggregate housing price growth had slowed a little."
The RBA board members noted that the strength in the housing market and data on retail sales, for example, indicated that household consumption growth was likely to have picked up a little from the pace recorded in recent quarters.
However, they recognised that the labour market had remained subdued and that this was restraining growth in labour income.
The unemployment rate had risen over the past six months, employment growth had been somewhat below the pace of population growth and wage growth had remained low in the September quarter.
The members also noted that conditions in the Australian residential mortgage-backed securities market were strong at present, with high levels of issuance and relatively tight pricing. 
"Competition in the deposit market had continued to ease and interest rates on certain savings accounts had declined noticeably over the past year or so. 
"Lending rates on the stock of outstanding housing and business loans remained at historically low levels," the minutes advised.
</body></html>

RBA notes considerable regional price growth variation

<html><body>
With a number of experts now tipping a rate cut next year, 1300HomeLoan’s managing director John Kolenda is adding his voice to the crowd.
In fact, he notes that with significant drops to consumer confidence the evidence for a potential cut is becoming increasingly compelling.
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute survey of consumer sentiment is now at the lowest point in more than three years, he said.
This drop offsets a slightly better than forecast rise in the number of home loans in October – at 0.3%, 0.2% higher than expected.
“There’s growing expectations that the RBA will have to further ease its cash rate in the coming year due to deteriorating economic conditions and all eyes will be on how the retail sector fares over Christmas,” said Kolenda.
“Consumers are worried about the outlook for the economy and job security. Negativity about the federal government’s ability to get its budget measures through the Senate has also weighed on the minds of consumers.”
“Unlike other central banks around the world, the RBA has plenty of room to play with and the question may be when they have to act next on rates, not if,” he said, noting that the falling Aussie dollar may also cause a drop.
Yesterday <a href="/expert-insights/finance/nabs-alan-oster-says-30-chance-of-three-2015-rate-cuts">NAB’s Alan Oster suggested that up to three rate cuts may be seen next year.</a>
In October, <a href="/expert-insights/finance/interest-rates-expected-to-rise-for-three-years-here-s-when-the-first-hike-will-be-finder">every expert surveyed in Finder’s monthly Reserve Bank Survey tipped the next rate movement to be up</a>. Since then, the number of experts expecting a cut has been on the rise. Here are <a href="/expert-insights/finance/the-experts-who-are-now-predicting-a-2015-rate-cut">the other experts expecting a drop</a>.
</body></html>

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

1300HomeLoan adds voice to crowd of rate cut forecasters

<html><body>
The National Australia Bank (NAB) has joined the other banks to tip rate cuts in 2015 as it noted declining business confidence.
But its chief economist Alan Oster went further given rising nervousness that Australia will spend less and save more next year.
"What worries me there is that people are becoming less confident, they're less likely to employ and they're less likely to invest,"  Oster told Ross Greenwood's 2GB Money News last night.
So while NAB certainly expects two 25-basis-point cuts in the cash rate next year, it even countenances it could fall beyond this fresh record low of 2%.
"There will be at least two, and we haven't actually put it in a third, but if you gave me odds there's probably a 30 per cent chance," Oster said.
Adding that there won't be a technical recession next year, he suggested it very much depended on what happens with the currency, commodity prices and domestic demand.
Nonetheless he tipped the RBA would be be dragged kicking and screaming to cut rates, indicating a March rate cut would be the first, while other economists have tipped February.
"To some extent we were among one of the last to give up on the idea of cuts earlier this year," he told Greenwood.
</body></html>

NAB's Alan Oster says 30% chance of three 2015 rate cuts

<html><body>
For a period of time it seemed that everyone was expecting the next interest rate movement from the RBA to be a hike.
However five experts surveyed by finder.com.au have now changed their opinion, totalling eight experts expecting an increase.
The latest finder.com.au Reserve Bank Survey has eight leading experts predicting a possible drop next year.
<ol>
<li>Shane Oliver, AMP Capital 
</li>
<li>Scott Pape, Barefoot Investor 
</li>
<li>James Bond, Financial Services Council 
</li>
<li>Noel Whittaker, QUT Business School 
</li>
<li>Bill Evans, Westpac 
</li>
<li>Andrew Wilson, Domain Group 
</li>
<li>Stephen Koukoulas, Market Economics 
</li>
<li>David Scutt, Scutt Partners</li>
</ol>
The first five on this list have only recently altered their opinion on what the RBA is likely to do in 2015.
</body></html>

The experts who are now predicting a 2015 rate cut

<html><body>
Bill Evans, who has been cheekily dubbed the interest rate whisperer by the Daily Telegraph's business columnist Scott Rochfort, has issued a revised 2015 rates advisory.
"While we still expect rates to be on the rise in 2016 as the world economy gathers considerable momentum, we now expect the RBA to cut rates further in the early months of 2015 in an effort to bolster domestic demand and lower the AUD before evidence on the world economy becomes clearer around the middle of the year," he said.
"We now expect the RBA to cut rates by 25bps in February and again in March prior to another period of stability."
The surprise call came on late Thursday afternoon shortly after Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs made similar forecasts amid signs the slowing pace of economic growth in Australia.
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Evans noted on housing, the RBA has sensed a clear moderation in price appreciation in recent months. 
"The Bank also has some scope to use macro prudential tools to contain any further sharp upswing in investor housing activity, if it were to occur," Evans said.
"Of course the next Board meeting is not until 3 February and much could change over that period."
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Rates to drop, then rise in 2015: Westpac's Bill Evans

<html><body>
Peter Martin, the economics editor of The Age, says the Reserve Bank of Australia is stirring.
He was confidently advised the Reserve Bank board is considering cutting its cash rate when it next meets on 3 February next year.
"A cut isn't completely locked in and a lot can change in two months," he told his readers adding most of the arguments line up in favour of a cut.
"One is that a cut would boost the economy without stoking damaging inflation. 
"Another is that a cut would help bring down the dollar, which itself would boost the economy."
Martin maintains the "only cause for concern" was it might restoke an unsustainable real estate boom.
"The Bank has other measures in mind to deal with that including tougher lending standards for banks that lend to real estate investors," <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/why-the-reserve-bank-is-poised-to-cut-interest-rates-20141203-11ziz8" target="_blank">he advised</a>.
</body></html>

The Age economics editor says RBA considering February 2015 rate cut

<html><body>
With the Reserve Bank leaving rates on hold for all of 2014, 1300HomeLoan’s managing director John Kolenda says that we can expect them to stay low into 2015.
The last 15 consecutive meetings have resulted in no change to the current record low rate of 2.50%, Kolenda says we can expect this period of stasis to last until “well into” next year.
However, will they drop even further off an already low base?
“I’m sure we’ll see official rates kept at the current level for the foreseeable future with the possibility of the RBA taking its cash rate down if the domestic economy continues to under-perform,” Kolenda said.
“The RBA still has plenty of room to play with and if unemployment remains high and consumer and business sentiment subdued going into the New Year then we may see further easing,” he said.
For a rate cut to happen, Kolenda points to the necessity for an uptick in economic conditions. He said that a weaker Australian dollar also reduces the chance of an uptick.
He’s not the only one who thinks another cut is a potential outcome.
Australian Property Monitors’ <a href="/expert-insights/finance/domain-groups-andrew-wilson-predicts-rba-will-cut-rates-further">Andrew Wilson has noted the chance for one more rate cut</a> in the past two months of Finder’s Reserve Bank Survey, and this month he was <a href="/expert-insights/finance/three-experts-tip-interest-rates-to-fall-further-finder-rba-survey">also joined by Market Economics’ Stephen Koukoulas and David Scutt from Scutt Partners</a> in expecting this outcome.
And <a href="/expert-insights/finance/deutsche-bank-tips-two-rate-cuts-in-2015-as-house-price-growth-eases">Deutsche Bank economists believe that the RBA are actually set to drop by 0.5% of cuts</a> in 2015 to a historic low of 2%.
{mijopolls 67}
</body></html>

Will interest rates fall further in 2015?

<html><body>
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has once again held the overnight cash rate at 2.50%.
The decision to keep the cash rate at its record low was widely anticipated by financial and property experts. The overnight cash rate last changed in August 2013, when it was lowered 25 basis points from 2.75% to 2.50%.
ME Bank general manager, Markets, John Caelli predicted rates would stay unchanged this month.
"We expect the Reserve Bank will hold the cash rate on Tuesday, 2 December 2014," Caelli said before this afternoon's announcement.
"The RBA is unconcerned about inflation, and both unemployment and the dollar remains high.
"The next cash rate change will likely be upwards and occur in the second quarter of 2015," he said.
Michelle Hutchison, head of public relations and Money Expert at comparison website Finder.com.au said the decision comes as no surprise, "as all 37 leading experts in the finder.com.au Reserve Bank Survey were forecasting the cash rate would hold at 2.50%".
The Finder survey's respondents largely predicted interest rates will rise next year.
"The property market is expected to continue rising though 2015, while most of the 37 experts on the panel (64%) are expecting the same number of first home buyers to hit the market. This is concerning because it's the lowest level of first home buyers we've ever seen. 
"In fact, the latest Housing Finance figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) analysed by finder.com.au shows that the proportion of first home buyers hit a new low of 11.98% out of all home loans financed in September 2014. There were 6,339 first home buyer loans financed in September – 1,760 fewer loans financed compared to September 2011 when the cash rate was 4.75% and before it began to fall (from November 2011)," said Hutchison.
According to LJ Hooker chief executive Grant Harrod, the historically low rates mean the property market may keep active over the traditionally slow holiday period.
"It's not only good news for the retail sector before the Christmas spending rush, but will also be welcomed by those who are considering purchasing next year,'' said Harrod.
"Many home owners will be making a New Year's resolution to list their property for sale while it still remains in favour of the sellers, and today's decision will add to their confidence."
This year, LJ Hooker recorded a 11.2% increase in spring home appraisals from spring last year.
"There has been a lot of speculation about when rates will rise and as a result we expect many home owners who have been sitting back watching the market are likely to act in the early part of 2015,'' said Harrod.
"They will want to make the most of this period of stability before it potentially becomes a buyers' market.''
LJ Hooker National Research manager Mathew Tiller said consistent low rates have lead to increases in sales.
"It should be a pretty solid summer and New Year period for the property market with a lot more stock on the market,'' Tiller said. The agency has several auctions scheduled for the weekend prior to Christmas.
"Real estate is as popular as ever so we are expecting to see large numbers at open inspections over the coming months.''
Of today's rate decision, CoreLogic RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher said: "With home value growth continuing to moderate in November and dwelling and work approvals recently slipping, there may be some concern that the housing market alone is not providing enough economic stimulus as the mining and resources investment activity subsides and commodity prices fall. Nevertheless, the RBA has again kept official interest rates on hold this month."
</body></html>

Interest Rates

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Interest Rates

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News