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

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Moodys

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Housing affordability for new mortgage borrowers in Australia, which improved over the year to March 2019, will continue to improve over the next 12 months, because of declining housing prices, according to Moody's Investor Service.
More affordable housing reduces the credit risks of newly originated mortgages, which is positive for new residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) backed by such loans.
The latest report noted the proportion of household income needed to meet repayments on new Australian mortgages - our measure of housing affordability - declined to an average 26.5% in March 2019, from 28.7% a year earlier.
Affordability improved because housing prices declined, while average incomes also increased modestly. We expect housing prices to continue to decline moderately over the next year, driving further improvements in housing affordability.
It noted that housing affordability improved in most cities. Housing affordability improved in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth over the year to March 2019, but deteriorated in Adelaide. The biggest improvement in housing affordability was in Sydney, where housing prices declined 10.7% over the year to March.
Sydney is the most sensitive to housing price, income and interest rate changes. We tested the impact of changes to housing prices, incomes and interest rates on housing affordability. Of all Australian capital cities,
Sydney is the most sensitive to changes in the three variables.
Housing affordability for new mortgage borrowers in Australia, which improved over the year to March 2019, will continue to improve over the next 12 months, because of declining housing prices.
More affordable housing reduces the credit risks of newly originated mortgages, which is positive for new RMBS backed by such loans.
Over the year to March 2019, the proportion of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments - our measure of housing affordability - declined on average in Australia, driven in large part by declining housing prices.
Australian households with two income earners taking out an 80% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage needed an average 26.5% of their monthly income to meet monthly mortgage repayments in March 2019, down from 28.7% in March 2018 and below the 10-year average of 28.7%.
Median housing prices declined by 6.5% over the year to March 2019, while incomes increased an average 2.8%, improving the affordability of new mortgages. Average headline mortgage interest rates increased slightly to 5.4% in March 2019 from 5.2% a year earlier, but this was outweighed by declining house prices and rising incomes.
We expect housing prices to continue to decline moderately over the next year, reflecting reduced credit supply by the banking sector and a seeming reduction in demand from households.
Accordingly, we expect housing affordability to continue to improve over the next year.
Housing affordability improved in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth over the year to March 2019, but deteriorated in Adelaide.
In Sydney, the proportion of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments declined 4.7 percentage points to 33.2% over the year to March 2019, the biggest improvement of any capital city, though Sydney remains the least affordable city for housing in Australia.
Median housing prices declined 10.7% in Sydney over the year to March 2019. We expect housing prices in Sydney to continue to decline and for housing affordability in the city to continue to improve over the next year.
In Melbourne, the proportion of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments declined to 29.4% in March 2019 from 31.6% a year earlier. Housing prices in Melbourne declined 5.3% over the year to March 2019, while average weekly incomes increased 3.2%. We expect housing prices in Melbourne to continue to decline over the next year, which is positive for housing affordability.
In Brisbane, the proportion of monthly income needed to meet monthly mortgage repayments declined by 1.3 percentage point to 22.5% over the year to March 2019. Housing prices declined 1.2% over the year.
In Perth, the proportion of income needed for mortgage repayments declined, albeit marginally, to 19.4% in March 2019, from 19.7% a year earlier. Perth is the most affordable capital city for housing in Australia.
In Adelaide, the proportion of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments increased moderately by 1.3 percentage point to 23.1% over the year to March 2019. Median housing prices in the city increased 4.6% over the year.
On average across Australia and in each capital city, housing affordability in March 2019 was better than the respective 10-year averages (Exhibit 1).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%201%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/4/15/exhibit%201%20.jpg" alt=""> 
The affordability of both houses and apartments improved in all cities except Adelaide, where the affordability of both types of dwelling deteriorated over the year to March 2019 (Exhibit 2).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%202a.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/4/15/exhibit%202a.jpg" alt="">
 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%202b.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/4/15/exhibit%202b.jpg" alt=""> 
Sydney most sensitive to housing price, income and interest rate changes
We tested the impact of changes to housing prices, incomes and interest rates on housing affordability. Of all Australian capital cities, Sydney is the most sensitive to changes in the three variables.
Sensitivity test 1: Housing price changes
Our sensitivity test shows that for every 10% change in housing prices, the percentage of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments changes by 2.6 percentage points on average in Australia.
In Sydney, the least affordable city, a 10% change in housing prices results in a 3.3 percentage-point change in the percentage of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments, the most of any Australian city.
Exhibit 3 shows the impact on housing affordability of (1) a 10% increase in median housing prices and (2) a 10% decrease in median housing prices.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/4/15/exhibit%203.jpg" alt=""> 
Sensitivity test 2: Income changes
Our sensitivity test shows that if average household income decreases by 5%, the percentage of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments increases by 1.4 percentage point on average across Australia. If average household income increases by 5%, the percentage of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments decreases by 1.3 percentage point.
In Sydney, a 5% decrease in household income results in a 1.7 percentage point increase in the percentage of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments, the most of any Australian city. A 5% increase in household income in Sydney results in a 1.6 percentage-point decrease in the percentage of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments.
Exhibit 4 shows the impact on housing affordability of (1) a 5% decrease in household income and (2) a 5% increase in household income.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%204.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/4/15/exhibit%204.jpg" alt=""> 
Sensitivity test 3: Interest rate changes
Our sensitivity test shows that for every 0.25 percentage point change in mortgage interest rates, the percentage of household income needed to meet mortgage repayments changes by 0.7 percentage point on average across Australia.
In Sydney, a 0.25 percentage point change in interest rates results in a 0.8 percentage point change in the percentage of household income needed to meet repayments, the most of any Australian city.
Exhibit 5 shows the impact on affordability of (1) a 0.25 percentage point interest rate increase, (2) a 0.25 percentage point interest rate decrease and (3) mortgage interest rates rising to the 10-year average of 6.1%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%205.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
 <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/2019/4/15/exhibit%205.jpg" alt="">
Housing prices, income and interest rates drive affordability
We measure housing affordability based on three inputs — median housing prices, average household income and standard variable mortgage interest rates (Exhibit 6).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%206.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
 <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/2019/4/15/exhibit%206.jpg" alt="">
Median housing sales prices decreased
Median housing prices decreased by 6.5% on average across Australia over the year to March 2019 (Exhibit 7). Median prices declined in Sydney (-10.7%), Melbourne (-5.3%), Perth (-5.3%) and Brisbane (-1.2%). Median prices increased in Adelaide (+4.6%).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%207.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
 <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/2019/4/15/exhibit%207.jpg" alt="">
Household income increased
Average weekly incomes increased moderately by 2.8% on average across Australia over the year to November 2018 (Exhibit 8).2 Incomes increased in all cities except Perth.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/15/exhibit%208.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/4/15/exhibit%208.jpg" alt=""> 
Alena Chen is Vice President at Moody’s.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Housing affordability rises in Australia as prices continue to fall: Moody's Alena Chen

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House values are to continue to lead the property market downturn in 2019, according to Moody's Analytics.
Across the eight capital cities, house values are set to decline 7.7% in 2019, a sharper correction than apartments which are forecast to see a 4.3% hit.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/9/Moodys1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.
<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/2019/4/9/Moodys1.jpg" alt="">
House prices have declined over 9% since their peak in late 2017, while apartment values are down around 6% from the peak, according to CoreLogic.
House values in Sydney declined 5.5% in 2018 and are forecast to fall a further 9.3% in 2019. Apartment values are set to decline 5.9% in 2019.
Melbourne's house price decline has been more accelerated than Sydney's, and its sharp downturn is reflected in the forecast for its house values in 2019.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/9/Moodys-Houses.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.
<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/2019/4/9/Moodys-Houses.jpg" alt="">
Moody's suggest values will decline 11.4% across Great Melbourne, with apartments to fall 5%.
The worst is over for Brisbane, according to Moody's, with house values to see a correction in 2019.
There will be strength in East Brisbane, offset by declines elsewhere.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/9/Moodys-Units.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.
<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/2019/4/9/Moodys-Units.jpg" alt="">
There's also good news for the Brisbane apartment market, Moody's forecast. Values are tipped to recover 0.9% in 2019.
It's not such good news for Perth, where house values are like to decline 7.6% in 2019.
Adelaide’s housing market will continue its stable run, with house values forecast to rise 1% in 2019 after a 1.9% gain in 2018.
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Houses to be hit harder than units in 2019 downturn: Moody's Analytics

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Australian mortgage delinquencies, which increased over the year to November 2018, will continue to increase through 2019, according to Moody's Investors Service latest delinquency report.
"Mortgage delinquencies will continue to increase over 2019, because of high debt levels, subdued wage growth, the conversion of a large number of interest-only mortgages to principal-and-interest loans and declining house prices," says Alena Chen, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Analyst. 
"However, delinquencies will remain low overall, given the rate of economic growth and low unemployment, which will continue to support borrowers' ability to meet their mortgage repayments," says Chen. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/moody%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge
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The proportion of Australian residential mortgages that were more than 30 days in arrears increased by 0.13 percentage point to 1.58% over the year to November 2018.
Mortgage delinquencies increased in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory over the year to November 2018, but declined in Queensland.
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In NSW, the delinquency rate increased to the highest in five years, though it remains relatively low compared with most other states and territories and NSW's long-term average.
Regions with exposure to the mining sector continued to dominate the list of areas with the highest delinquencies. 
Moody's semi-annual delinquency map report provides a detailed analysis of the rate of residential mortgage arrears at a national, regional and postcode level in Australia. 
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Mortgage delinquencies set to continue rising through 2019: Moody's

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Moody's Investors Service says that the 30-plus day delinquency rate for prime Australian residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) increased in the fourth quarter of 2018.
It tips they will likely continue to rise moderately amid declining house prices, high levels of debt, and the conversion of interest-only mortgages to principle and interest loans. 
The 30-plus day delinquency rate for prime RMBS increased to 1.58% in December 2018 from 1.49% in September 2018.  
The increase was driven in part by declining house prices, with house prices in Australia declining by 6.3% for the 12 months to February 2019, and by 10.4% and 9.1% in Sydney and Melbourne.  
Moody's expects prices will continue to decline moderately through 2019, while record-high household debt – at 191% of annual gross disposable income – will also contribute to a moderate increase in delinquencies.  
"Nevertheless, we expect the increase in mortgage delinquencies to be limited, while defaults and losses will remain low, as continued GDP growth and low unemployment will continue support borrowers' ability to meet mortgage repayments," says Alena Chen, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Analyst.  
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/3/22/RMBS%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
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Specifically, Moody's forecasts real GDP growth of around 2.5% in both 2019 and 2020, and for Australia's unemployment rate to remain relatively stable at 5.5% over the same period.  
"Mortgage delinquencies will likely increase over the short term in areas hit by the far north Queensland floods in February 2019, as borrowers may lose income or face costs while dealing with the aftermath of the disaster," adds Chen.  
However, Moody's says this is unlikely to translate into a material increase in defaults, given that insurance payouts, government assistance and financial hardship arrangements entered into with lenders will ease the burden on borrowers.
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Australian RMBS delinquencies to rise as house prices fall: Moody's

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Moody's Investors Service says that mortgage delinquency rates in Australia will increase moderately through 2019.
It has been broadly stable over the past 12 months. Within the 20 postcodes with the lowest mortgage delinquencies in Australia, eight were in Sydney and seven in Melbourne.
"Softening housing market conditions — particularly in the key states of New South Wales and Victoria — combined with high household leverage, higher interest rates and the conversion of interest-only mortgages to principal and interest repayments, will push up delinquency rates," says Jacqui Dredge, a Moody's Analyst.
"Nevertheless, macroeconomic conditions will remain supportive, such that the increase in delinquencies will prove moderate."
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Moody's analysis is contained in its report on the RMBS mortgage delinquency market,
The proportion of Australian residential mortgages that were more than 30 days in arrears registered 1.58% in May 2018 compared with 1.62% in May 2017.<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/29/moodys%202.jpg" target="_blank"> </a>
Delinquencies fell moderately in all states except New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) over the year to May 2018.
Moody's report also says that Western Australia and Queensland dominate the list of worst performing regions.
Specifically, seven of the 10 regions with the highest 30-plus delinquency rates in May 2018 were in either Western Australia or Queensland, impacted by the after-effects of the mining boom unwinding.
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Home loan arrears to rise moderately in 2019: Moody's

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Mortgage delinquencies and defaults are more likely to occur in outer suburbs of Australian cities than inner-city areas, according to Moody's Investor Service.
They suggest that this is because of the lower average incomes and weaker credit characteristics in these suburbs.
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On average across Australian cities, mortgage delinquency rates are lowest in areas within five kilometres of the CBD and highest in areas 30-40 kilometres from CBDs (below).
Moody's suggest this trend is likely to continue into the foreseeable future with little changing in way of incomes and credit characteristics.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/10/Moodys1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
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In most Australian capital cities, delinquency rates are highest in areas the furthest away from the CBD (below).
Sydney's delinquency rates grow steadily the further away from the CBD the property is, however in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, delinquency rates in suburbs closest to the city centre are slightly higher than those a little further out.
This is due to the high share of mortgages on investment properties in areas closest to the city.
Within five kilometres of the Melbourne CBD, delinquent investment loans account for 57% of all mortgage delinquencies.
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Incomes and socioeconomic conditions are lower in outer suburbs, while credit characteristics are weaker.
Average incomes are lower in outer suburbs than in inner-city areas, while socioeconomic conditions are also typically weaker in outer areas. These factors increase the likelihood of mortgage delinquencies and defaults, particularly in the event of an economic downturn. 
In all Australian capital cities, average incomes decline with distance from the CBD (below), a fact that reflects the higher proportion of people employed in low-skilled jobs in these areas.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/10/Moodys3.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
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Mortgage delinquencies are higher in city's outer suburbs: Moody's

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<div>Moody's Investors Service says that its outlook for the Australian real estate investment trust (A-REIT) industry is stable, except for the retail segment, which faces a challenging operating environment.</div>
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<div>The growth in operating income will remain strong, and they expect aggregate comparable net operating income growth of 3% to 4% for their 16 rated A-REITs during the next 12-18 months</div>
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<div>Moody's Investors Service expect the office segment will see the strongest income growth, followed by industrial and retail.</div>
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<div>Low office vacancy rates in Sydney and Melbourne make these cities "a landlord's market."</div>
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<div>Moody's forecast for operating income growth of 3%-4% will be driven by low vacancy rates and strong demand on the back of favourable economic conditions.</div>
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<div>GPT Group, Mirvac Group and Dexus have the highest exposure in this segment and will likely record the highest growth over the next 12-18 months.</div>
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<div>Strong demand underpins solid growth in the industrial segment, and Moody's expects operating income growth of about 3%, with Sydney being the strongest market.</div>
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<div>Dexus, Goodman Group, Mirvac, Goodman Australia Industrial Partnership and Stockland Group will be the main beneficiaries according to Moody's analysis.</div>
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<div>Moody's Investors Service stated the retail segment is facing structural challenges on sluggish consumption and online sales growth.</div>
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<div>"Nevertheless, higher quality retail space remains resilient, and Moody's expects operating income growth of 2.0%-2.5%," it noted.</div>
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<div>"Well-located shopping centers that attract a deep pool of potential tenants and are underpinned by non-discretionary spending, or that are destination hubs, will continue to perform well," they added.</div>
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<div>Scentre Group, GPT, Mirvac and Vicinity Centres will benefit from these factors, while other centers, with a high level of discretionary spending exposure, will underperform, based on their latest data.</div>
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Moody's suggest outlook for A-REITs is stable, but retail face challenges

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Australian RMBS delinquency rates will rise moderately over coming quarters, with high debt levels and higher interest rates putting pressure on mortgage borrowers, according to the latest RMBS report from Moody's.
This is despite delinquency rates being broadly stable over the three months ended 30 June 2018.
The 30+ day delinquency rate for prime RMBS was 1.52% in June 2018, compared with 1.5% in March 2018 and 1.6% in June 2017.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/24/RMBS%20Moodys.JPG" alt="">
For prime RMBS issued by major banks, the 30+ day delinquency rate was 1.58% in June 2018 compared with 1.57% in March.
For regional banks, it remained flat at 1.99%, while for prime RMBS issued by other authorised deposit-taking institutions, the delinquency rate was 0.57% in June, compared with 0.51% in March.
The 30+ day delinquency rate for non-conforming RMBS was 3.16% in June 2018, compared with 3.05% in March 2018 and 3.41% in June 2017.
Moody's noted, "over coming quarters, we expect delinquencies to increases moderately, given Australia's record-high household debt, which amounts to 190% of annual gross disposable income."
High debt increases the risk of delinquencies, especially in a rising interest rate environment.
The report stated, "in late August and September, a number of Australia's major banks raised home loan interest rates, though we do not expect this round of rate rises to result in a significant increase in mortgage delinquencies, given that labour market conditions remain favourable and the rate increases were small compared with buffers built into home loan serviceability assessments."
A large number of interest-only mortgages are due to convert to principal and interest loans over the next two years, which will contribute to an increase in delinquencies over this period, according to Moody's data.
Banks originated a significant volume of interest-only loans in 2014 and 2015.
The five year interest-only period for these mortgages will end in 2019 and 2020.
The report also stated, "when interest-only loans convert to principal and interest, borrowers have to make higher monthly repayments, which can lead to delinquencies."
"On the positive side, economic and labour market conditions in Australia will continue to support borrowers’ ability to meet mortgage repayments over the next year, meaning that the increase in delinquencies will be moderate," they suggested.
Moody's forecasts real GDP growth of around 2.9% for calendar 2018 and 3% for 2019.
Australia's unemployment rate was 5.4% in June and we expect it will remain relatively stable at 5.6% by the end of 2018 and 5.5% at the end of 2019
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Australian RMBS home loan delinquencies to rise moderately over 2018: Moody's

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The Australian housing market will continue its downward correction on a national basis through 2018 and most of 2019, according to the CoreLogic-Moody’s Analytics Australian Home Value Index Forecast.
They see trends that will show a degree of diversity at the city and state levels. 
Sydney values, which Moodys predict will fall 5.1 percent this year, will only rise 0.6 percent in 2019.
National values are forecast to fall by 1.6% year on year in 2018, following a 9.5% gain in 2017.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/9/17/house-values.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
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In the rest of New South Wales outside of Sydney, demand has increased as areas show better affordability.
The Central Coast, which has benefitted from Sydney's soaring house prices, is forecast to escape the correction. 
Moody's sees a 3.6 percent rise in 2018 and eight percent in 2019.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/9/17/softer%20housing.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
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The growth in house values in Melbourne is forecast to decelerate sharply - after a 12.5% rise in 2017 - to 0.3% in 2018, on the back of declines in inner Melbourne areas. 
Recovery is elusive in the near-term, with Melbourne house values forecast to fall 0.2% in 2019.
House values across Brisbane are forecast to see a mild 1.5% gain in 2018, with strength in West Brisbane and Inner Brisbane offsetting declines in South Brisbane. 
Despite stabilising commodity prices, house values in Perth – whose economy is very much tied to the mining industry -- will likely decline by 1.9% in 2018, followed by a further 0.5% retreat in 2019. However, a slow recovery is likely in 2020 as the local economy improves thanks to population growth.
Meanwhile Adelaide’s housing market will have a stable run, with values forecast to rise 1.5% in 2018, after a 4.9% gain in 2017. Hobart’s housing market is likely at the end of its bull run. 
While values are forecast to rise 11.3% in 2018, they will fall 0.3% in 2019. 
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