Burgeoning developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/freecity">Freecity</a>&nbsp;is the latest to take on the booming North Sydney apartment market, one of the most popular suburbs with off the plan buyers.

They are taking a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/153-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">51-storey tower on Walker Street</a> to the NSW Government's&nbsp;Housing Delivery Authority, filing a State Significant Development Application for 300 apartments above a 150-room hotel. It will replace two commercial office buildings.

According to the Scoping Report prepared by Urbis, the development will "support the ongoing evolution of North Sydney by delivering a high-quality, mixed-use tower in close proximity to major public infrastructure."

They also said it “responds to the competing urban demands” of housing, hospitality, and employment.

<img alt="153–157 Walker Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="53e44b04-851c-496e-b90c-e4d77aa8f000" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Waler-St-Elevated-View-600x600.jpg?VersionId=fSDYrb1wJR.RVZVWo3wRUaw9n265x1Ka" />

The vertical program places hotel uses on levels one to six, activated by a retail arcade and hotel entry, while the upper levels contain communal amenity and transition spaces. The residential component will be delivered across levels 8 to 47 and includes a mix of one to three-bedroom apartments. Shared facilities include a rooftop lounge, dining space, and landscaped terrace with panoramic views.&nbsp;

The design also accommodates a publicly accessible through-site link connecting Walker and Little Walker Streets.&nbsp;

<img alt="Freecity" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26165ce9-e49d-4efb-9e9c-037392707d9f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_1.png?VersionId=lAet4uJy_uNw3nc2e6hBc6302r9Q1dUB" />

The built form continues to reflect the earlier design vision by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/architectus">Architectus</a>, with a distinctive two-volume massing: hotel podium stepping down to Little Walker Street, and the slender residential tower rising above. The architecture intends to balance North Sydney’s increasing urban density with solar access, view sharing, and a fine-grain public realm interface.

“The form has been sculpted to preserve sky view corridors and reduce visual bulk,” the Design Report by Architectus previously noted, highlighting view preservation and contextual integration.

Importantly, this latest iteration supersedes an earlier SSD pathway explored in late 2024 for a build-to-rent and hotel project. That alternative scheme has since been shelved following Freecity’s successful submission to the HDA’s new streamlined approval stream.

<img alt="153–157 Walker Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f70e4ee4-4599-411b-9fc1-802c4292819e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Littile-Walker_Elevated-800x600.jpg?VersionId=zhfw3NMg_jchSSWuUHJJg8.m.qhqZgYM" />

The site sits within the Victoria Cross Station State Significant Precinct and is expected to integrate with broader public domain upgrades around the Metro station, including new pedestrian links and plaza connections between Berry and Walker Streets.

&nbsp;

North Sydney has been one of the most indemand suburbs in Sydney, however it has struggled with supply. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA by Aqualand</a> was one of the only developments in market for several years, until the recent launches of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-173-179-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a>, which sold over $100m of sales in three hours, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-mclaren-north-sydney-45-mclaren-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The McLaren</a> by CASA.

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Freecity joins booming North Sydney apartment market with 51-storey tower proposal near Victoria Cross

Prolific Sydney developer Landmark Group is continuing to expand its growing development portfolio.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/landmark-group">Landmark Group</a>, which is progressing with a new Edgecliff project alongside current developments in Macquarie Park and Caringbah, is set to deliver rare new apartment supply in Lindfield, the affluent suburb on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. The projects form part of the NSW Government’s broader push to increase housing density around key transport hubs.

The developer currently has two proposals under assessment through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority. Together, they comprise nearly 400 apartments, 220 across a large 6,672 sqm amalgamated site spanning Trafalgar Avenue and Valley Road, and a further 173 apartments just 300 metres away on Middle Harbour Road.

The Trafalgar Avenue project, dubbed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lindfield-house-5-7-middle-harbour-road-lindfield-nsw-2070">Lindfield House</a>, is located around 500 metres from Lindfield train station. It will feature 220 apartments across three buildings. Architecture firm DKO, which designed the scheme, said in its submission that the façade strategy is guided by design principles promoting refined architectural expression, contextual sensitivity, and a human-scaled urban response.

“Central to this approach is a layered and sculptural composition, where massing, materiality, and depth are strategically modulated to create a dynamic and visually legible built form. The architecture is defined by a clear hierarchical organisation: a robust, grounded podium provides a strong interface with the public realm, while lighter upper tiers recede into the skyline,” DKO said.

<img alt="Landmark" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d934b639-becc-4778-9756-979a2d6ef514" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-10-22%20at%2010.41.27%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Ss4AdKdVpjArekAiir2213cjcWrAgBJz" /> 
The open courtyard between the buildings

DKO also designed the Middle Harbour Road project, which is closer to the station. The nine-storey building is "structured to respect the surrounding context and provide a clear urban transition."

“The design aims to respond to both the low-scale residential development of the heritage overlay precinct and the highway development immediately to the south in the North Sydney CBD”.

The mix of units is intended to serve both general market demand and key worker housing, with affordable housing apartments integrated at the lower levels. The proposed building steps from six to nine storeys as it ascends from the rear to the street front, creating a layered form that mediates between the different scales of surrounding built form.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Lindfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e051aae5-0174-48b4-a033-823eb2a0e333" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-10-22%20at%2010.30.12%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=OqU2XRPU9vr6id0hddHlfHXODOI7s99z" /> 
The Middle Harbour Road site

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/landmark-group">Landmark Group</a> has&nbsp;delivered more than 4,000 homes across Australia, with a future pipeline worth $5 billion. Among their pipeline of projects is a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-landmark-group-tries-again-with-edgecliff-tower-plans">new mixed-use development near Edgecliff Station</a>.&nbsp;

They are also have live projects in Macquarie Park, Caringbah, and Dee Why.

First look: Landmark Group to bring new apartments to Lindfield

From suburban apartment blocks to skyline-defining towers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a>’s journey over the past 26 years has been one of consistent expansion and scale. The last decade in particular has seen Deicorp become one of the most prolific developers in Greater Sydney. Now with a $3.5 billion pipeline and some of its boldest projects yet, the developer is taking on central Sydney, starting with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a>.

Deicorp founder Fouad Deiri started the company in 1999 initially working out of a small office in Hurstville, with a 21-unit townhouse project in Albert Street Newtown. With a small but capable team, they utilised their extensive construction industry experience to grow the scale and complexity of jobs to now having a team of more than 200 with more than 4,000 units currently under construction.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21809 project_image_fid=351911]

One of their most significant developments, Hyde Metropolitan, will arguably become one of their greatest feats, reshaping the city skyline at the southern end of Hyde Park.

Deicorp is already nearly five years into the development process. It was 2021 when they secured the Polding Centre, a 1970s, 24-storey office building on the corner of Liverpool and Castlereagh Street, from the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, following a six-month competitive process.

As per the City of Sydney regulations when developing within their council to the scale of such a building, the council undertook a competitive design process where architects put forward different designs and schemes for the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21809 project_image_fid=215742]

They settled on the proposal by renowned architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/candalepas-associates">Angelo Candelapas</a>, which would bring to life their vision to create one of the best new developments within the CBD.

“I cannot imagine anything more beautiful than the delivery of a building which can demonstrate a deep affection for our sun,” Angelo Candelapas said of the design. “It is a building with dramatic foyers and an oasis garden for the residents. These two facilities link to provide a sense of wellness and nature in the centre of the city.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21809 project_image_fid=215741]

Fouad Deiri said he had long admired the innovation and design language of Candelapas.

“Deicorp has deliberately partnered with some of Sydney’s most recognised and capable architects in the past and we understand the value of working with truly talented designers,” Deiri said.

There are just under 170 apartments on offer at Hyde Metropolitan, a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences, many with never-to-be-built-out views over Hyde Park and towards the Harbour.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21809 project_image_fid=215728]

Upon arrival, residents will be greeted by an eight-level-high private lobby with arched cathedral fenestrations, serving as a podium to the 55-level tower. The ground level will also host a high-end restaurant and cocktail lounge, very much in keeping with its vibrant streetscape.

The resident amenity will sit on top of the podium and will feature a 25-metre pool, landscaped courtyards and gardens, a barbecue area, gym with a sauna, and a music room. Sales are being handled by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a>. SRM Director Dave Milton said Hyde Metropolitan will be "one of the preeminent Sydney residential developments on the southern end of Hyde Park."

Hyde Metropolitan is one of nine developments either under construction, in planning, or in market for Deicorp.

Their next project to launch, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a>, will be their first development on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. True to tradition, Deicorp has already commenced construction on Falcon &amp; Alexander, prominently positioned at The Five Ways junction, placing it a five-minute walk from the new Metro station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Village. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments will start from just under $1.3 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135323 project_image_fid=351946]

Deicorp will roll into 2026 with several more projects to launch to the market for the first time.

They have already cleared their massive 2.87-hectare site Zetland that borders Gunyama Park, where they will transform a former industrial site into <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-avenues-zetland-130-joynton-avenue-zetland-nsw-2017">The Avenues</a>, 624 apartments across nine buildings, curated ground-floor retail, purpose-built student housing, and build-to-rent dwellings delivered in partnership with Scape. It is one of the largest developments to be launched in Sydney’s inner south in recent years.

One of their most anticipated projects is the $1.8 billion Five Dock masterplan <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> (below), to be delivered in a joint venture with non-bank lender Metrics.

<img alt="Deicorp teams up with Metrics for $1.88 billion Kings Bay Village, Five Dock masterplan" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-08-14%20at%208.12.53%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_9z4I8B0EIzrXe3ldnXti1bSXCeoZi2W" />

Kings Bay Village will comprise 1,185 new homes, including 218 affordable dwellings for essential workers, along with 6,500 sqm of public open space and 14,700 sqm of vibrant retail and commercial offerings.

Add to that more releases at their <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/showground-pavilions-castle-hill-3-andalusian-way-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill Showgrounds</a> precinct, and their under construction projects in Rhodes and Parramatta, Deicorp is in the midst of adding a much-needed 3,000 new apartments to some of Sydney’s most sought-after postcodes.

Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/deicorp-teams-up-with-metrics-for-1-88-billion-kings-bay-village-five-dock-masterplan">Deicorp teams up with Metrics for $1.88 billion Kings Bay Village, Five Dock masterplan</a>

Deicorp dives into luxury as Sydney apartment development pipeline grows

A prominent corner in Wynnum’s central precinct could be reshaped under new plans from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/toore-developments">Torre Development</a>, with a development application now with council for a sculptural eight-storey apartment building combining residential, office, and recreation uses.

Situated at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-bay-terrace-wynnum-qld-4178">63 Bay Terrace</a>, the 2,014 sqm site lies at the intersection with Charlotte Street, within the Wynnum-Manly Neighbourhood Plan’s Wynnum central business district sub-precinct. The proposal seeks to deliver 78 apartments above ground-floor non-residential tenancies, with architecture by Plus Studio.

The proposed building will be a mix of 58 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom apartments spread across seven residential levels, crowned by a 914 sqm communal rooftop terrace featuring a pool, gym, sauna, and private dining areas.

Ground level activation is a key aspect of the design, with 771 sqm of office and indoor sport and recreation space proposed to reinforce the area’s major centre designation. The site will also deliver improved pedestrian amenity via a recessed entry plaza on Bay Terrace and a landscaped public realm along Charlotte Street.

<img alt="63 Bay Terrace, Wynnum" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4e5ef890-2f8f-4bbd-9ff1-57fa4e4360d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Wynnum%20podium.png?VersionId=7_if97F1KAYrTX2BQrNspFInEHwXcQRd" />

In their design report, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> described the form as “sculpted into a rhythmic wave, amplifying facade dynamism while merging interior life seamlessly with the city’s texture to evoke a fluid, immersive urban living experience”.

Vehicle access will be via Bay Terrace, with four basement levels accommodating 197 car spaces, including 177 for residents. Bicycle storage is also provided for 193 bikes.

The building’s architectural character is marked by curved balconies, horizontal banding at podium level, and lush greenery integrated throughout.

“Traditional developments in Wynnum typically feature above-ground car parking, a tiered 'wedding-cake' building form, no podium-level landscaping, and no rooftop amenities,” Mewing Planning noted in the DA, positioning this proposal as a departure from the norm.

The new development is Torre's second in the area, having recently completed Catalina, a more boutique building with 28 apartments.

There are only two new developments currently on the market in Wynnum: Panorama on Bay Terrace and Adena Residences on Sorrento Street, the latter of which is nearing completion.

First look: Torre eyes sculpted mixed-use apartment tower for key Wynnum corner

“We honestly never thought we’d have penthouses.”

That was the view from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ellipse-property-group">Ellipse Property Group</a>, developer of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/carrington-place-castle-hill-36-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Carrington Place</a>, Cas​tle Hill’s $850 million masterplanned community. Atrium, the project’s first stage, has been one of the Hills Shire’s most successful launches, with sales cutting across almost every buyer demographic. But it was one group in particular, downsizers, that shaped the next evolution of the development.

“Our large three-bedroom apartments, anything bigger than 135 sqm, were quickly getting snapped up,” says Puja Khanna, Ellipse’s Sales, Marketing and Design Associate Director. “We had a huge amount of interest from downsizers who were living in houses and used to having extra space. Many hadn’t wanted to leave because they couldn’t see themselves in a smaller apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89496 project_image_fid=353654]

That demand drove Ellipse to reconfigure layouts during the early stages of the construction phase. “At one point a buyer asked us to combine a two-bedroom and a one-bedroom into a 145 sqm three-bedroom. We applied that across the stack and created five more, they all sold very quickly.&nbsp; Then another buyer wanted something even bigger. We looked strategically at how to cater for this appetite and ended up redesigning the whole of the top level. Sixteen units became eight penthouses, each one unique in its design, configuration, or aspect.”

Ellipse’s new penthouse collection takes space and finishes to another level. Offering up to 334 sqm of indoor-outdoor living, they feature stone kitchens with central islands designed for entertaining, walk-in pantries, and a full suite of integrated Miele appliances and a Fisher &amp; Paykel fridge.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89496 project_image_fid=353655]

Living areas are anchored by luxury fireplaces, while expansive balconies and terraces include outdoor kitchens with bar fridges, sinks, and built-in barbecue benches. Bathrooms will feature large-format porcelain tiles, brushed brass fittings, frameless shower screens, and floating timber-toned vanities.

“We’ve already had a buyer secure one of the penthouses purely from a hand-sketch drawing,” Khanna says. “We worked with them for months to refine the specifications and inclusions. That consultation process has helped shape the rest of the penthouses — some even feature two separate living spaces.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89496 project_image_fid=353653]

Ellipse’s builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode Group</a>, an award-winning Tier 2 residential builder and one of the first to achieve a prestigious Gold iCIRT rating, is well advanced in construction at Atrium, which is expected to welcome its first residents in mid-2026.

There will be four stages to Carrington Place, delivering over 800 apartments alongside 20,000 sqm of outdoor recreation space. Plans include a one-kilometre boardwalk connecting to Fred Caterson Reserve, along with extensive landscaping and community amenity. Ellipse has recently launched Carrington Place’s second stage, Lily Lane, which will deliver 220 new apartments across two new buildings.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89496]

Ellipse Property unveils Atrium Penthouse Collection at Carrington Place, Castle Hill

Loan Repayments

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Mortgage deferrals prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to trend down, according to the latest figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Householders and small businesses who were struggling to make mortgage repayments at the onset of the pandemic are back paying down their home loans again.

Repayments are not being made on about 2 per cent of the value of total housing loans on issue, compared to the 10 per cent peak deferral tally, according to the Herald Sun.

According to the Australian Banking Association, home loan deferrals at Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank, ANZ, BOQ, Suncorp and Bendigo banks dropped 80 per cent between June and December last year, from 493,000 to 101,000.

Business loan deferrals dropped almost 90 per cent from 228,070 to 25,497 at the seven banks during the same time period.
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Repayments are not being made on about 2 per cent of the value of total housing loans on issue, compared to the 10 per cent peak deferral tally

jchancellor

COVID-19 based mortgage deferrals trending lower

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EXPERT OBSERVER
It's like deja vu all over again! 
<div id="post-body-5346701206206902946" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>The historic ratio of household debt to disposable income was once again revised down, but the trajectory remained up. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>And in the end, we ended up back in the same old place, with an Aussie household debt ratio still at 1.9x disposable income. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Note that the impact of tax and rate cuts has yet to flow through fully to these figures, so behavioural patterns could change going forward. </div>
 <div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1JICRVccs4/XY2p48YKbqI/AAAAAAAAx_E/iSC6SMuc62Yj4H-65nfDIT5IdyvUEI7mQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/RBA1.jpg" width="640" height="378" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1366"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The 'record high' headlines will naturally follow in due course, although the ratio was ostensibly about 200 per cent a couple of years ago - before previous revisions were pushed through - and the growth in housing credit has since been crunched lower (to record lows for housing investors, at zero growth). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The bulk of Australia's household debt remains concentrated in the upper two income quintiles, while net of a huge surge in prepayments the debt-to-income ratio is pretty much unchanged since 2006. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Treasurer Frydenberg was also lightning quick off the mark to highlight that the value of assets was 5x that of the debt. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Meanwhile the ratio of household interest payments to disposable income continued to fall and sow sits well under 9 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This ratio is now some 33 per cent lower than at the 2008 peak, and trending lower (it was also higher in the late 1980s than it is today):</div>
 <div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9EkMGT4dH4/XY2p49HieWI/AAAAAAAAx_A/AJhLZqxNtjAwS6pUx5zeVs07A6IQAmC-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/RBA2.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1404"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Interest rates have since fallen further in the September quarter, so further declines are in the post.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There has been some mortgage stress, even in spite of the household interest payments ratio being down by a third, mainly experienced in Western Australia and largely related to the forced interest-only mortgage reset. <div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzDI0RPnsOI/XY245qcXHRI/AAAAAAAAx_k/poT5fkvt4uYJppj8l-6cjZan2M6BGJG3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/sandp.jpg" width="640" height="360" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1422"></div>
 That said, S&amp;P expects arrears to fall as repayments have become easier.  <div> </div>
<div>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>. </div>
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Interest repayments continue to get easier: Pete Wargent

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The Agency have renegotiated their debt repayment terms, with a repayment due today extended by two weeks.
They advised their shareholders that their current funder, Macquarie Bank, "remained supportive of the company and expressed an interest to extend the current debt facility."
The repayment will now be due April 9.
The Agency have also been in discussions with other credible debt providers regarding refinancing of its primary bank debt, with an update expected near the next repayment date.
All non-commissioned staff at The Agency will now see their hours cut, effective mid-April, given the reduced workloads due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
Things have never been busier given they have 4500 tenants.
The Agency thanked the Federal Government for the new Job Keeper program which allows companies to access $1,500 per fortnight per employee should The Agency's turnover decline by 30 per cent.
They may well be bracing for the prospect, with The Agency's managing director Paul Niardone saying the new initiative will assist them in keeping their team employed and potentially lessen the time they will be working to reduced hours.
Mr Niardone said it is clear there is a need for immediate measures so The Agency continue to deliver their selling and management goals.
“We do not want to follow the example of other large companies and stand down the workforce to ride this crisis out", Mr Niardone said.
"We want to avoid staff reduction as much as possible and avoid causing anyone the additional stress of having to find a job in what is already a trying time.
"What we do want to do is work together to ensure that we support each other and remain in employment.” 
They advised the business continuity measures have been supported by the "vast majority of its staff".
“It is not just about ensuring the business and all its staff can successfully navigate this period of uncertainty, but that we use this time to reinforce our systems and practices and ensure we are well positioned to take advantage of what in time will become an improving market," Niardone said.
The Agency's share price spiked last week, up ¢2 to ¢6 a share. Shares are currently trading at ¢5, reflecting a $15 million market capitalisation.
The Agency boasts a rent roll valued at $23.5 million and mortgage book valued at $5.2 million.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

The Agency secure two week extension on financing as staff hours get cut

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Housing affordability in the June quarter 2016 improved to levels last seen seven years ago according to the latest Adelaide Bank/REIA Housing Affordability Report.
The report found the proportion of median family income needed to meet average loan payments was 29.4 percent, the best level since June quarter 2009, according to REIA president Neville Sanders.
He said affordability improved through more favourable interest rates and modest increases in income.
"Most states and territories saw improvements in housing affordability. The only quarterly decline was seen in the Australian Capital Territory while no change was recorded in New South Wales and Queensland," he said.
“Victoria recorded the greatest improvement across the country with the proportion of income required to meet average monthly loan repayments decreasing by 1.7 percentage points to 31.0 percent. 
“The lending figures show that owner occupiers are the dominant force in the moderating market in which the growth of investor activity has abated following the introduction of macro prudential measures. Disappointingly the proportion of first home buyers appears to be on a downward spiral and is at its lowest for over two decades. Western Australia has the largest proportion of first home buyers in the owner-occupier market nationally. 
“The quarter also brought good news for renters with rental affordability improving as the proportion of the median family income required to meet median rents declining from 25.1 percent in the March quarter to 24.8 percent in the second quarter of 2016. The Northern Territory saw the best improvement, followed by South Australia and Tasmania.” 
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

June quarter housing affordability levels improve

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Budgewoi on the New South Wales central coast is Australia’s worst performing suburb when it comes to missing housing loan repayments, according to research published yesterday.
The latest Australian Mortgage Delinquency by Postcode report by Fitch Ratings found Tasmania is the worst performing state for mortgage repayments, replacing Queensland with an average delinquency rate of 1.33%.
Overall, the average mortgage default rate in Australia hovered at around 0.99% for the month ending March, which is up 9% since September 2014.
Of the top 20 worst-performing postcodes, the majority are in metropolitan regions.
However, metropolitan suburbs performed better on average than their rural and regional counterparts.
This is particularly the case for states such as Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory due to the downturn in the mining industry.
James Zanesi, director of Fitch Ratings Australia, told SmartCompany that national arrears rates are currently very low.
“They are extremely low and probably due to the current situation Australia is in,” Zanesi says.
“This means very low interest rates, unemployment at an acceptable level and the economy which is really strong and house process as well. So we have a situation where arrears can’t improve that much as you’ll always have mortgage defaults due to divorces … and other unexpected circumstances.”
Zanesi points out while Queensland has been the worst-performing state for mortgage repayments since about 2012, it is interesting to see Tasmania take out the top spot.
“This is reflecting the high unemployment rate and the slow housing market,” he says.
“The housing market in Tasmania has been overall the same during the last three years and especially if you look over the past decade.”
Looking forward, Zanesi says if house prices start to slow down there will be certain areas that will suffer more.
“This means areas such as the west of Sydney or others hit by strong house prices will start to have an increase in arrears,” he says.
Here are the 20 worst performing suburbs when it comes to mortgage repayments:
 
<ol>
<li>Budgewoi NSW</li>
<li>Kingston QLD</li>
<li>Petrie QLD</li>
<li>Corio VIC</li>
<li>Greenacre NSW</li>
<li>Melton VIC</li>
<li>Hampton Park VIC</li>
<li>Laidley QLD</li>
<li>Salisbury SA</li>
<li>Ballajura WA</li>
<li>Goodwood TAS</li>
<li>Jimboomba QLD</li>
<li>Green Valley NSW</li>
<li>Bundamba QLD</li>
<li>Aldinga SA</li>
<li>Parafield Gardens SA</li>
<li>Mount Isa QLD</li>
<li>Claremont TAS</li>
<li>Hoxton Park NSW</li>
<li>Lalor VIC</li>
</ol>
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