<p>When long-time Ivanhoe locals Graeme and Catherine, decided it was time to downsize, they weren’t necessarily in a rush.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Like many in their stage of life, they had started thinking about apartment living, but anticipated making the shift in two to three years.</p>

<p>That timeline changed when they visited <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">Candela</a>, a new boutique development by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>. The project ticked all the boxes they were looking for: location, quality design, and long-term lifestyle benefits, which prompted them to bring their decision forward.</p>

<p>“It was the right place at the right time,” they said. “We knew immediately it ticked all the boxes, and we didn’t want to wait.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=358855]</p>

<p>Their decision to downsize was driven by a combination of practical needs and lifestyle considerations. Their existing home, while much loved, had become increasingly difficult to maintain. It spanned multiple levels, included extensive front and back gardens, and was starting to show the wear that comes with age.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were looking for a more manageable lifestyle, one with less upkeep and more freedom. A brand-new apartment with no maintenance requirements and the ability to simply “lock up and leave” gave them peace of mind and a greater sense of control over their future.</p>

<p>Financially, the purchase made sense as well. The available stamp duty savings, strong price-to-value offering, and timing of the settlement suited their plans, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective. The apartment's design and inclusions further supported their choice.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357493]</p>

<p>The layout was both functional and flexible: three bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, a separate laundry, and a large open-plan living area. It gave them the freedom to host a family, accommodate guests, or set up a home office. The expansive balcony and elevated views added to the appeal, providing a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.</p>

<p>“It just had a really good flow,” Catherine noted, something they found lacking in many other apartments they’d considered, particularly in the established market.</p>

<p>Candela’s boutique scale was another deciding factor. With a smaller number of residences and a top-floor penthouse position, the couple felt the development offered the privacy and space they were looking for, without feeling isolated.</p>

<p>“We liked that it wasn’t a huge development. It felt well-balanced, modern but still with a sense of community, not overwhelming,” they said.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357508]</p>

<p>Equally important was the ability to remain in Ivanhoe, a suburb they know well and have deep roots in. After 46 years in the area, proximity to local parks, shops, and familiar faces mattered just as much as the apartment itself.</p>

<p>“We didn’t want to give up the community we’ve known for decades. Candela allowed us to upgrade our lifestyle while staying in the place we call home.”</p>

<p>With a Walk Score of 90, the village location supports a convenient, connected lifestyle. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/ivanhoe-vic-3079">Ivanhoe</a> Station is just a eight-minute walk away, and the neighbourhood offers access to parks, cafes, restaurants, and schools along Upper Heidelberg Road, all within easy reach.</p>

<p>Beyond the apartment, the couple also saw value in the broader vision for Candela, one that integrates residential living with public spaces and local amenities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The development introduces 58 new apartments as well as a mix of commercial and social spaces that integrate contemporary architecture with the suburb’s existing character.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At ground level, residents will find a charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating. Meanwhile, the rooftop garden offers a stunning vantage point for residents to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, host gatherings, or enjoy barbecues with family and friends. It's not just a place to live; it's a vibrant community where every moment is an opportunity to connect and create lasting memories.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]</p>


Staff Writer

Why Ivanhoe locals are choosing to downsize to Candela

<p>Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.</p>

<p>Project management and construction management firm Creative Vision filed the plans for the&nbsp;multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.</p>

<p>According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34797362-f3dc-4d84-8235-2657fc5f3bde" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Plan.png?VersionId=Uzckrz9tUpDQl5lX1_WMhjnv16bsr8wG" /></p>

<p>The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.</p>

<p>The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.</p>

<p>The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.</p>

<p><img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" /></p>

<p>The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.</p>

<p>Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.</p>

<p>Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.</p>


First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

<p>Leading Australian integrated property development group, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>, has released the signature penthouses crowning its landmark AURA by Aqualand precinct at 168 Walker Street in North Sydney, unveiling Il Magnate and La Divina as the largest and most luxurious penthouses in the suburb.</p>

<p>With prices anticipated to commence from $15 million, and each accompanied by a new Porsche Carrera 911 valued at over $500K, the residences mark the culmination of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA by Aqualand</a>’s decade-long journey and the beginning of its final sales chapter.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Their release follows more than $850 million in record-breaking residential sales and the building’s completion and occupation.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358868]</p>

<p>The Richards Stanisich-designed 284 sqm Il Magnate and 224 sqm La Divina penthouses, collectively known as The Icons of AURA, are conceived as grand luxury homes rather than apartments, with expansive proportions, elevated materiality and curated identities that reflect their status as one-off residences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Il Magnate features a grande master suite, complete with substantial walk-in dressing area and ensuite, three other bedrooms, second ensuite and another bathroom, powder room, open plan kitchen, scullery, substantial dining area and generous living room divided by a feature fireplace, and a multifunction wintergarden, which is ideal for a study and adjoining office breakout space. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the La Divina residence offers the same amenities, sans the powder room, on a slightly smaller alternate floor plan configuration.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358863]</p>

<p>Each occupies half of AURA by Aqualand’s topmost 28th level, comes with four secure car spaces and pairs sweeping Sydney Harbour panoramas with large-scale living spaces, refined detailing and a level of craftsmanship and amenity rarely offered in the North Shore market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Penthouse residents will also receive Etymon’s ‘Black Key’ private concierge and lifestyle management service, an invitation only offering providing the ultimate in bespoke personalisation, including a range of everyday discrete services, from dinner party management, grocery deliveries, pet feeding or plants watered, dinners, snacks and coffee deliveries, event ticket sourcing, right up to organising travel visas and international airfares. Rarely seen in Australian properties, the service provides residents the benefits of living in a world-class luxury hotel-style home, akin to The Ritz, or the Waldorf Astoria.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358862]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>’s Director, Kirsten Stanisich, said the studio set out to craft residences that feel profoundly considered, contemporary and deeply connected to their setting.</p>

<p>“From the outset, we approached these penthouses with the sensibility of a grand Parisian residence - generous in scale, elegant in proportion and designed to feel more like a handcrafted home than an apartment," Stanisich said.</p>

<p>“Their elevated position and sweeping harbour outlook informed every decision, creating a rare connection between urban sophistication and natural calm. We shaped each space with expressive materiality, sculptural forms and bespoke detailing that invite touch and interaction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The result is a pair of residences defined by volume, light and an inherent softness - refined, flexible and deeply personal. These penthouses are unlike anything else in North Sydney, offering a sanctuary of true luxury framed by some of the city’s most remarkable views.”</p>

<p>For Aqualand’s Head of Sales &amp; Marketing, Alex Adams, the collaboration with Porsche underscores the shared ethos behind the residences.</p>

<p>“Aqualand’s collaboration with Porsche underpins both brand’s sharing an obsession with craftsmanship, design excellence, and enduring value," Adams said.</p>

<p>“Our penthouses are created for those who appreciate the finer details and expect the extraordinary at every touchpoint. Including a Porsche simply extends that experience beyond the residence - it’s a continuation of the lifestyle our buyers already live.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292862]</p>

<p>Aqualand’s Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the penthouses represent both the pinnacle of AURA by Aqualand and an important design benchmark for the company’s future pipeline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“These stunning penthouses reflect the purest expression of Aqualand’s design ambition," Lin said.</p>

<p>“The unparalleled design intent makes them not only the glistening crown of AURA by Aqualand, but the crown of North Sydney itself. They’re essentially a thank you gift to a burgeoning community that deserves this level of quality and architectural consideration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We’re leveraging the unrivalled standard set here as the foundation for what comes next, including our upcoming Anderson Street, Chatswood; 15 Blue Street, North Sydney and Central Barangaroo projects. Purchasers of these penthouses will essentially be living inside the blueprint of Aqualand’s future.</p>

<p>“These landmark residences demonstrate how far North Sydney has evolved and the strength of demand for highly curated, bespoke luxury homes. They’re more than penthouses, they’re legacy residences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“With AURA by Aqualand now a thriving new precinct with residents well and truly settled, and our in-house world-class lifestyle amenity activated, Il Magnate and La Divina represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure an extraordinary piece of North Sydney’s future.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=30959]</p>


Joel Robinson

Aqualand launches North Sydney penthouses with free Porsche Carrera 911

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> Beach has quietly evolved into one of the Sunshine Coast’s most complete coastal lifestyle precincts, defined not just by proximity to the ocean, but by how residential living, local retail and everyday amenity are stitched together.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gardner Vaughan Group’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask Bokarina</a> now represents the final residential chapter in that transformation.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333360]</p>

<p>Over recent years, the Bokarina Beach precinct has taken shape as a walkable, community-oriented neighbourhood, anchored by beachfront access, Lake Kawana to the west, and a growing mix of cafés, specialty retail and public open space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With Zinc Bokarina already delivered next door by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG), Bask is the last opportunity to buy a brand new apartment within the precinct, effectively rounding out a fully formed coastal village.</p>

<p>GVG has positioned Bask to strengthen that lifestyle framework. Ten ground-floor retail spaces are planned beneath the residences, extending Bokarina Boulevard’s existing activity and reinforcing the area’s everyday convenience, from casual dining and coffee to local services, within a short walk of the beach.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333359]</p>

<p>The residential component comprises 135 apartments across two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, with a clear shift toward larger three- and four-bedroom layouts and penthouses. That mix reflects a maturing buyer profile in Bokarina, where demand is increasingly led by owner-occupiers and active downsizers seeking space, permanence, and connection to place rather than short-term coastal accommodation.</p>

<p>Design and amenity have followed the same logic. Residents will have access to a heated plunge pool, gym, private dining room with a full kitchen, landscaped communal gardens with barbecues and a firepit, and a shared herb and vegetable garden, facilities intended to support daily use rather than resort-style turnover. Pet-friendly features, including a dog wash bay, acknowledge both buyer expectations and the area’s dog-friendly beach, located around 250 metres from the site.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333366]</p>

<p>“Bokarina has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most desirable beachside communities, and Bask represents the very last chance to buy new in this location,” GVG Director Sam Gardner said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our focus has been to create spacious, functional apartments that meet the needs of locals who want to downsize without compromise, as well as those seeking a full-time coastal retreat.”</p>

<p>Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Kawana, Bask apartments have been oriented to capture outlooks toward the water or the Glass House Mountains, reinforcing the project’s connection to its natural surroundings. With parks, beachfront paths, hospitals, retail and public transport already in place, Bask arrives at a point where the broader precinct is no longer emerging, but established.</p>

<p>Construction is expected to complete in Q3 this year, with apartments ready to move into this Spring.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=141609]</p>


Bask to complete Bokarina’s Sunshine Coast lifestyle precinct as final apartments are released

<p>Property development giant <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/avid-property-group">AVID Property Group</a> is approaching completion, and sell-out, of its Surry Hills apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-rathbone-23-47-flinders-street-surry-hills-nsw-2010">The Rathbone</a>.</p>

<p>The Flinders St project has sold well over half of its 32 apartments, which will sit above two retail spaces.</p>

<p>Now hitting the market are the final 14 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, which start from $1.15 million. AVID is targeting a mid-2026 completion.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5947 project_image_fid=51208]</p>

<p>AVID General Manager New South Wales Danny Boubli said as more apartments are introduced to increase housing options in inner-city areas, homebuyers are searching for a &nbsp;sense of belonging in addition to location, convenience and value.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There are very few opportunities for new developments in Surry Hills, and since acquiring the site, we’ve even seen one early purchaser merge two apartments plans together, reflecting the demand for a spacious, premium offering in a prime location,” Boubli said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Demand has been strong since we launched to market – we don’t see these final apartments staying on the market for long.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Architectural firm Studio SC has designed the building which pays homage to the former 1900s Rathbone Terraces that once sat on the 990 sqm island site.</p>

<p>Boubil said the team has made every effort to create "truly liveable apartments", through&nbsp;functional floor plans, security, storage, and the inclusion of quality fittings.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5947 project_image_fid=51207]</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sustainable design has also been implemented throughout the development, with natural light flooding each apartment, ventilation throughout, extensive landscaping and where possible, materials with a high level of recycled content and low volatile organic compound paints have been used. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Apartments range in size from 57 sqm for the one-bedrooms to the large-scale 165 sqm three-beds which are priced at $2,575,000.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5947]</p>


AVID launches final apartments at The Rathbone, Surry Hills

Land Prices

<html><body>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/melbourne-land-sales-hit-fastest-pace"></a></h3>
<div id="post-body-3574513154739070757" class="post-body entry-content">The trend result for new motor vehicle sales rose to 101,083 in July, the highest on record.</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content"> </div>
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<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/17/B1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br><br><div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/08/17/B1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><div>The recent surge has largely been accounted for by Victoria, where new units sold are +4.4 per cent higher year-on-year in seasonally adjusted terms at 28,349.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Victoria is the home of arguably the most vibrant economy in the country right now: Greater Melbourne.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>South Australia has also been improving steadily, with seasonally adjusted new vehicle sales +8.1 per cent higher over the year at 6,269.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In annualised terms, New South Wales has racked up 397,652 unit sales, which is the highest figure ever recorded for any state. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/17/B2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/08/17/B2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><div>Sports utilities continue to dominate the sector, and are all set to overtake passenger vehicles as the most popular choice over the months ahead, which has been an extraordinary progression. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/17/B4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div> </div>
<div>Meanwhile production continues to plummet as the domestic auto industry winds up, and the overwhelming bulk of new vehicles going forward will be imported. </div>
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<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/17/B3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall, these were more strong numbers indeed for new vehicle sales, with the Victorian economy once again shining.<br><br>This is leading in turn to a starburst of population growth and demand in Melbourne.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Oliver Hume reported that the average time on market for vacant land sales in Melbourne continued a precipitous drop from 200 days in Q4 2012 to a fresh all-time low of just 30 days in Q2 2017. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Blocks have never been snapped up at anything like this speed before across the history of the data series. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Demand has been strong locally, with anecdotally even some Sydneysiders now relocating to Melbourne for cheaper housing. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The median price of land in Metropolitan Melbourne increased by +2.3 per cent in the quarter to $268,000 according to Oliver Hume, with the average lot size declining.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Land prices per square metre increased by $14 to $654. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">AllenWargent</span></a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">blogger</span></a>.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s3"><em>His latest book is </em><a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank"><span class="s2"><em>Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</em></span></a><em>.</em></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/melbourne-land-sales-hit-fastest-pace"></a></h3>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Melbourne land hits fastest sales pace on record: Pete Wargent

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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">At the end of 2015, the median price of vacant land across the combined capital cities was recorded at $265,000 while the median land price across the combined regional markets was $156,000. </span></p>
<p>A $109,000 (69.9%) price difference between regional and capital city prices is now the largest differential on record for both.</p>
<p>It also goes some way to explaining the differences in the cost of built form (houses or units) in the capital cities relative to non-capital city areas. Over the past year, capital city vacant land prices have increased by 4.0% compared to a -5.2% fall in prices in regional areas.</p>
<p>At the end of 2015, the median lot size for capital city vacant land was 466 sqm having increased by 3.6% over the year. Across regional markets the median land size was a much larger 809 sqm having increased by 8.3% over the past year. </p>
<p>Land sizes have fallen over time in capital city and regional markets however, lot size compression has been much greater in capital cities. To put this in perspective, median lot sizes have fallen at a rate of - 2.5% annually in capital cities over the past decade compared to falls of -0.5% per annum in regional markets. </p>
<p>Across the combined capital cities the median rate/sqm for vacant land was recorded at $552 at the end of last year. At the same time the rate was a substantially lower $179/sqm in regional markets. Capital city rates/sqm has fallen by -2.5% over the past year while in regional markets they are -12.4% lower.</p>
<p>The fall in capital city rates/sqm is due to the increase in land sizes while in regional markets it is due to both prices falling and land sizes increasing over the past year.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/03/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-10%20at%2012.41.40%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/03/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-10%20at%2012.41.40%20PM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>As can be seen in the tables outlining the key vacant land statistics across each of the state capital cities, Sydney’s median land price ($410,000) is substantially higher than the other capital cities. Compared with the second most expensive city, Perth, at $299,000, Sydney’s median land price is more than $100,000 higher. The two cities which have seen the highest rates of housing value growth in recent years, Sydney and Melbourne, have also recorded an exceptional increase in median land prices over the past year at 20.2% and 23.5% respectively. Although Sydney is the most expensive on a rate per square metre basis, vacant land in Perth is the nation’s most expensive by virtue of the fact that only Adelaide has smaller lot sizes. </p>
<p>Today’s data provides valuable insights into the reasons why housing costs in the capital cities is so high. In a market like Sydney for example, if the typical land costs $410,000 it is difficult to imagine being able to buy the land and build a home for less than $550,000. </p>
<p>With housing affordability now back on the national political agenda it is likely we will see renewed focus on the high cost of developable land in our capital cities. Reforms to reduce the cost of the vacant land would go a long way to improving housing affordability, particularly for new homes. Of course the other alternative is to encourage greater economic development of regional areas where the cost of housing is significantly lower than it is in the capital cities.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/03/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-10%20at%2012.43.35%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/03/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-10%20at%2012.43.35%20PM.png" alt=""></p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.</em></p>
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Land prices on the increase: Cameron Kusher

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<p>The median lot value in Australia rose by another 3.3 percent in the September 2016 quarter.</p>
<div id="post-body-7885676193843177499" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>The Housing Industry Association (HIA) reported that the median lot value hit at a record high of $243,585. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Since June 2012, the median lot value has increase by 28 percent or nearly $54,000.<br><br>
</div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/16/HIA.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a></div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/16/HIA.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator">Source: (HIA)</div>
<br><div>The picture around the country was mixed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Land values in the Kimberley have well and truly crashed by 74 percent from the prior comparative period, for example.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>At the other end of the scale Sydney's <strong><em>median</em></strong> lot value is not approaching $1,000 per square metre. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Perhaps this is not all that surprising given that volumes were down by nearly 30 percent in Sydney year-on-year, with a dearth of shovel-ready land being made available. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The next most expensive city for vacant land prices is Perth at $701/sqm.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The volume of lot sales increased to 1,121 in the quarter, following some low volumes in previous quarters. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Indeed, volumes were still some 7 percent below their 2015 peak, according to the HIA. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall, capital city land sales rose by about 10 per cent in the year to September 2016, reflecting higher demand and generally stronger economic conditions, while volumes across regional Australia posted a gain of just 1.1 percent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of </em><a href="https://allenwargent.com/"><span class="s2"><em>AllenWargent</em></span></a><em> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and </em><a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/"><span class="s2"><em>blogger</em></span></a><em>. </em>
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Where the capital city land prices are rising the most: Pete Wargent

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<p class="post-title entry-title">EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<div>Property transaction volumes have been crippled in recent months.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But one key dynamic has not changed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The capital cities continue to create hundreds of thousands of the most favourable employment opportunities...and there still ain't any more well-located land.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Capital city vacant land prices increased by a massive 16 per cent to a record high of $336,124 over the year to June 2018, as supply fails dismally to keep pace with demand. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>This was much faster than the 5 per cent increase for regional lot values. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney may still have the highest land price at $477,250 at the end of the June quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But Melbourne recorded faster growth, with the median land price per square metre exploding another 27 per cent higher higher over FY2018. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney's median vacant land price per square metre is now $1,100, ahead of Melbourne at $885.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Price pressures are still strong in the residential land market, according to HIA.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>They found that the price and number of vacant residential lots sold increased across the state capital cities in the June 2018 quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The weighted median residential lot price for Australia's state capitals increased by 3.8% to $336,125 in the June 2018 quarter to be 15.5% higher over the year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Melbourne saw the strongest price surge with vacant residential land in Melbourne jumping 26.5% over the year to the June 2018 quarter.</div>
<p class="post-body entry-content">Tim Lawless CoreLogic' Research Director agreed with this sentiment stating upwards pressure on capital city land values will continue. </p>
<div>He found construction costs are also rising faster than inflation.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And accordingly, the future price of new detached housing will be "inevitably higher" according to CoreLogic analysis.</div>
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Capital city land price boom continues: Pete Wargent

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<div>The Housing Industry Association (HIA) released its Land Report for the December 2015 quarter, which showed that land prices continued to soar through 2015. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The median lot price in Australia ripped +5.2 percent higher in the three months to December alone to $234,600. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the last half decade median lot values have increased by about +22 percent, while lot sizes have also been shrinking, meaning that land prices per square metre have been increasing sharply. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/04/21/HIA.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<img src="/images/2016/04/21/HIA.jpg" alt=""><br><div> </div>
<div>This has not been regional Australia phenomenon through this cycle, with price rises driven overwhelmingly by the capital cities (although Adelaide's lot prices actually decreased in the year to September 2015). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The same dynamic was in evidence this quarter, with capital city land prices screaming another +6.6 percent higher in just three months, while the number of transactions tightened again by a further -2.3 percent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>That said, there are two "regional" locations which have experienced solid population and employment growth, and now have elevated and rising land prices, being the Sunshine Coast ($272,000) and the Gold Coast ($230,500). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The coastal areas of south-eastern Queensland are enjoying the lower dollar and increasing tourism, particularly from China as far as I can tell.  </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As you can see in the chart above, it's clear that supply isn't keeping pace with demand, with the number of lot sales actually declining by -1.6 percent in the December quarter. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Transaction levels have been fading for nearly two years now despite rampant demand.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Indeed vacant residential land sales crashed lower in Sydney (-22.3 percent) and Brisbane (-20.1 percent) on supply restrictions in the quarter, although there were increased sales volumes in some other capital cities. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Through the course of 2015 vacant land sales dived by 14 percent, and by a staggering 19 percent in the capital cities, where demand is actually higher. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The HIA noted that the dynamic of falling sales and rapidly rising prices points to supply bottlenecks.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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Capital city land prices through the roof: Pete Wargent

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<p><span>The South East Queensland (SEQ) land market experienced its strongest monthly sales in more than five years in June with the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder scheme and State Government grants underpinning buyer demand. </span></p>
<p><span>Total land sales in June were 1,110, compared to 273 in April – more than 400 percent increase.</span></p>
<p>Prices remained relatively stable during the quarter, falling 0.8 percent to a median price of $248,000 compared to the March quarter.</p>
<p>In the 12 months to the end of June, prices rose 1.5 percent. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/8/20/SEQ%20LGA%20Median%20prices.JPG" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>:</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/8/20/SEQ%20LGA%20Median%20prices.JPG" alt=""></p>
<p>In terms of sales in each region, Moreton Bay moved into the top spot in the South East Queensland land market, taking 26 percent market share. For the first time since March 2016, neither Logan nor Ipswich have claimed the largest portion of sales. </p>
<p>Logan managed to push Ipswich to third place and achieved 24.9 percent of sales while Ipswich collected 24.7 percent, only a handful of sales separated the two regions. This is the first time that Ipswich has been outside of the top two since early 2015.</p>
<p>After dropping to just 273 sales across the south east in April as lockdowns closed sales offices and dented economic confidence, the market roared back to achieve 1,110 sales in June.</p>
<p>The total number of sales for the June quarter was 1,910, up from 1,518 in the March quarter and the strongest quarterly sales since December 2017. </p>
<p>The data was compiled by Oliver Hume Research by analysing nearly 2,000 transactions across more than 150 projects across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redland local government areas. </p>
<p>Oliver Hume National Head of Research George Bougias said the HomeBuilder grant, combined with record low interest rates, was driving the demand from first and second home buyers. </p>
<p>“Despite the Coronavirus shutdowns and their economic impact, there are still plenty of buyers with stable incomes who are more than happy to take advantage of the numerous grants and incentives available,” he said. </p>
<p>“These are the right incentives at the right time and will keep thousands of tradies in jobs as homes begin to spring up on these blocks in the next few months.</p>
<p>“The first half of 2019 was a tough time for the SEQ land market but there was a solid recovery underway towards the end of the year and right up until the lockdowns commenced in the final two weeks of March,” he said. </p>
<p>"With the restrictions lifted and the great incentives in place the pent-up demand is returning.” </p>
<p>The $25,000 HomeBuilder grant combined with $15,000 first home buyer grant from the State Government, means eligible buyers can access $40,000 to help them get on the property ladder. Other incentives, including the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS), can save buyers thousands more on top of the grants.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

South East Queensland land market has strongest sales in five years with HomeBuilder scheme

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<p>Demand for residential land around Sydney has soared over the last six months, according to independent valuer and advisor m3property.</p>
<p>They say the reduced cost of debt, easier access to finance, smaller lots, and apartment market woes have been behind a noticeable pick up in demand for Sydney residential land in the last six months.</p>
<p>There was also a marginal price increase in the six months to June.</p>
<p>M3property's latest market report, Sydney Land Market Recovery, found land take-up had increased dramatically since the Federal election.</p>
<p>Jennifer Williams, national director of research, at m3property, said while take-up rates for land had averaged zero to two lot sales per month over the period September 2018 to May 2019, post-election take-up had accelerated to three to four lots per month and, in Sydney’s growth regions, six to eight lots per month according to proximity to railway stations.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">"The take-up rate has accelerated markedly since May and there are a number of factors at play, not the least being the typical pre-election market paralysis and an election campaign characterised by much debate about housing issues including negative gearing and affordability," Williams said.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">"Since the election APRA’s removal of the 7 per cent serviceability cap on residential home loans and the fall in the official cash rate from 1.5 per cent to 0.75 per cent have aided the borrowing power of most applicants.</span></p>
<p class="p5"><span class="s1">Williams suggested smaller, and more affordable, lot sizes of 250 to 300 sqqm – lot sizes averaged 454 sqm at June 2019 - pent up demand, and an increase in the median Sydney house price, had also been drivers of a general market uptick, which had seen a modest land price rise over the first half of 2019 of 0.94 per cent.</span></p>
<p class="p5"><span class="s1">Associate director residential development at m3property Ben Toole said negative apartment market publicity had also been behind some owner-occupiers’ decisions around a new preference for houses as a safer alternative.</span></p>
<p class="p5"><span class="s1">"The cladding and construction flaws issues have been major negatives for the apartment market and not surprisingly those issues have affected consumer sentiment around what is, for most people, the biggest investment they will ever make.</span></p>
<p class="p5"><span class="s1">"I have no doubt the apartment market will recover but for now it is one of a number of factors behind a significant resurgence in the take-up of land in Sydney,’’ Toole added.<span class="Apple-converted-space">   </span></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">He said while the rate of take-up had been highest for land in close proximity (two kms) of existing railway stations, the rate of sales was also dependent on developer reputation, the size of the subdivision, choice of lots and the stage of subdivision development.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">Toole said there was still room for growth – take-up rates remain below levels reached in 2016 and 2017 – and particularly in areas where infrastructure was at the most advanced levels.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/11/27/Sydney%20land%20values.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">"The North West Growth Region has seen greater demand than the South West due to established transport services, including the introduction of the new Northwest Sydney Metro, while areas such as Box Hill, Schofields (Pictured top, the <a href="/news/clear-skies-ahead-for-akuna-vista-development-at-schofields-aerodrome">Akuna Vista development</a>) and Marsden Park have seen higher sales rates and higher prices due to both a greater number of estates and more completed estates.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">"While overall price points in the South West are slightly lower than the North West, areas such as Leppington and Austral are achieving higher price points due to the Leppington railway line,’’ Toole said.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The report found Greater Sydney was likely to see an undersupply of dwellings over the next five years based on the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s forecast of the completion of 191,550 dwellings over the five years from 2018/19 to 2022/23.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The numbers equate to 38,300 homes per year, a significant 22 per cent rise on the previous five years when 157,250 new homes were completed, but less than the required 39,600 houses per year should the average household size in greater Sydney remain at the same level as the last Census, Jennifer Williams said.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">"If the 198,030 additional houses are required, as an extrapolation of the Census data suggests, then Greater Sydney is likely to see an undersupply of dwellings over the next five years.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">"This is likely to result in a continued reduction of lot sizes in the Sydney region and increased lot prices over the five-year outlook,’’ Williams said.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"> </span></p>
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