One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Mortgage Rates

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
Over the past month, we have seen a shift in cash rate predictions for 2019 from economists. Some see it holding throughout the year, some anticipate one 0.25 percentage points (pp) cut and major bank Westpac is now projecting two 0.25pp cuts to reach 1.00 per cent by year end.
Looking at these forecasts from a mortgage holder’s perspective, does it still matter if the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) holds or cuts the official cash rate given Australian banks have increased their rates in recent times independently of the cash rate?
Since August 2016, the RBA has held the official cash rate steady at a record-low 1.5 per cent; however, during that time the standard variable rate set by the banks has declined once and been lifted twice.
The history
The margin between the standard variable mortgage rate and the RBA’s official cash rate has widened over the past nine years.
At the peak of the post-GFC rate cycle, in November 2010, the RBA lifted rates by 0.25pp to 4.75 per cent. At that point in time, RBA data shows that the standard variable rate for owner occupiers was 7.80 per cent – a difference of 3.05pp compared to the official cash rate. A year later, the RBA dropped the cash rate by 0.25pp to 4.5 per cent and though the variable rate also fell to 7.55 per cent, the difference remained the same.
During the 12 months to November 2012, the cash rate was cut four times to sit at 3.25 per cent. In conjunction, the standard variable rate also fell, but not at the same pace, to 6.63 per cent. This broadened the gap between the two rates to 3.39pp.
Fast-forward to January 2019, the cash rate stands at 1.5 per cent and the variable rate is 5.37 per cent; the highest margin on record of 3.87pp.
The widening gap applies whether standard or discount variable rates are used; and in order to return to the margin of 3.05pp seen in 2010 the RBA would have to lift the cash rate by 0.25pp three times throughout the year.
Considering the Australian housing market is currently going through a period of adjustment and borrowers have been hit with rate hikes due to increasing interest rates in overseas markets, many economists are predicting that the RBA will cut the cash rate even further in an effort to achieve its inflation objective.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/3/6/RBA%20LJ%20Hooker.JPG" alt=""> 
Impact on mortgage rates
Although banks are generally expected to keep rates in-line with the RBA’s cash rate, it’s not guaranteed; as funding costs for mortgages are based on many economic and financial factors.
One factor is the strength of the Australian economy. Indicators like unemployment and GDP, which determines household wealth and drives changes in the Aussie dollar, influence the demand for home loans which can either propel rates higher or lower. Presently, the RBA is keeping an eye on household consumption, which accounts for approximately 60 per cent of spending in the economy.
Mortgage rates can also be influenced by the banks’ short-term borrowing such as bank bill swap and overnight cash rates, which impacts the funding costs of our major banks. If short-term borrowing rates are on the rise, banks could pass on that savings to mortgage holders by hiking interest rates.
Trends like a narrowing of the credit-deposit gap – the amount of borrowing compared to savings – is another factor impacting interest rates. An ongoing credit-deposit gap would add pressure to short-term funding; and again, the banks could pass that savings to mortgage holders.
In addition, global economies and financial markets impact the cost of funding for our local banks. These include government bond rates and the monetary policy settings of the world’s major economies. All eyes are currently on China as its economy has slowed more than expected and tensions with the United States squeezes finance to the private sector.
What it means for you
A report by Deloitte found that 41 per cent of Australian mortgage holders do not keep track of the cash rate or consider its impact on their home loan. And with the cash rate being at a record-low for 30 consecutive months, Australians can be absolved for underestimating its importance.
As illustrated, banks do not have to keep interest rates in line with the RBA’s cash rate. However, the cash rate will impact the cost of funding for the banks; sequentially, impacting mortgage repayments as banks pass on those costs to consumers. So yes, it’s still relevant for mortgage holders to stay up-to-date on the RBA’s monthly decision.
Despite the cash rate being kept on hold, the regulatory and economic environment has already triggered changes in mortgages rates; hence, why it’s vital for mortgage holders to also be across all major economic news - domestic and global.
MATHEW TILLER (pictured) is the head of research at LJ Hooker
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Is there still relevance in RBA rate watching? Matthew Tiller

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Property buyers can save big amounts of money if they shop around for the lowest variable interest rate home loan, a new analysis of rates has revealed. 
The Australian Financial Review says a property buyer shopping around for a $1 million home loan with a 20 percent deposit can save more than $6,800 in annual repayments by choosing the cheapest variable rate. 
They suggests a $1 million owner-occupier borrower has nearly 680 fixed and more than 340 variable interest rates to choose from.
Analysis by Canstar found that CBA's wealth package standard variable rate for a principal and interest loan of 4.52 per cent is more than 100 basis points higher than Easy Street Financial Services rate of 3.49 per cent, or about $569 extra in monthly payments.
Commonwealth Bank is the most expensive lender, while Westpac closed the gap when they <a href="/expert-insights/finance/westpac-is-the-first-of-the-big-four-banks-to-hike-out-of-cycle">hiked their rates out of cycle last week.</a>
Adelaide Bank and Suncorp followed, raising their rates by up to 40 basis points.
Suncorp, Australia’s sixth largest lender, lifted its variable rates for the second time in less than six months.
The changes at Suncorp will see all variable rate home loans increase 0.17% p.a. and small business loans increase 0.10% p.a, effective 14 September.
This follows on from its 28 March rate hike of up to 0.12%.
Suncorp Banking &amp; Wealth CEO David Carter said the decision to increase rates was based on the sustained increase in funding costs.
RateCity research director Sally Tindall said Adelaide Bank interest-only variable customers will be bruised by the fact their bank has delivered them one of the biggest out of cycle hikes so far.
“The message for Australian mortgage holders is now clear: Be prepared to shell out extra for your home loan or consider refinancing.
“Despite the hikes, banks are desperate to get new business in the door, throwing rock-bottom rates on the table, but only for new customers."
Tindall added it was best to "own at least 20 per cent of your home."
 
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Home loan discounts on offer for buyers willing to shop around

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<div>The Reserve Bank released its Board Meeting Minutes today for June 2018. </div>
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<div>I noted the other day that there was an addition in June relating to declining mortgage rates on outstanding loans. </div>
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<div>It was interesting to note that in today's release the wording was given a little tweak to add a bit more clarity, suggesting that mortgage rates on new housing are no longer falling. </div>
 
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUa5IBHKl30/Wyi8hJGD8LI/AAAAAAAAqqQ/uOGb4cMNgIYJvLI3hzpxqcC0W1ZQETVaQCLcBGAs/s400/RBA%2BTweak.jpg" width="392" height="400" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="704"></div>
 
<div>There was a bit of discussion about the positive impacts of immigration on the ageing population. Australia has experienced strong population growth over the past decade. Thanks to young migrants, notably the median age had declined in New South Wales and Victoria. There was a murmur of excitement due to there being no direct reference to the next move in rates being up.</div>
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<div>Not sure I'd read too much into that personally, although currency markets flickered a little!</div>
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<div>There was also a reference to wages being 'low and stable' which isn't wording that exactly screams imminent tightening, although there is reportedly some evidence of wage pressures in parts of the economy. </div>
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<div>In any event, reality is dawning on financial markets, with RBA meeting overnight indexed swaps looking increasingly skinny and now not pricing in a hike until 2020. </div>
 
<div class="separator"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKhJxLca4W0/Wyi8IWgEHSI/AAAAAAAAqqI/S7QL7LzI-4kS9hTrJTk-Uw1HH1ntXiVTQCLcBGAs/s640/OIS.jpg" width="640" height="406" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1240"></div>
 
<div>Source: Martin Whetton, ANZ</div>
 And a lot might change between now and 2020 - including the government. As you were.
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Financial markets now not pricing in a cash rate hike until 2020: Pete Wargent

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Canstar's weekly wrap of interest rates for owner occupiers puts the average standard variable rate at 4.43%.
The rates range from 3.39% to 5.73%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/5/23/principal.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to open in new window</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/2018/5/23/principal.jpg" alt="">
Interest only has an average 4.74% rate, with a range from 3.58% to just over 6%.
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<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/5/23/io-loans.jpg" target="_blank"><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/2018/5/23/io-loans.jpg" alt=""></a>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Interest rates for owner occupiers average 4.43% standard variable rate

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Australia's major lenders are set to join the trend towards cutting their interest-only mortgage rates.
Australia's big four have been losing market share to smaller lenders since they needed to meet APRA's 30 percent cap on interest-only loans.
Commonwealth Bank, Australia's largest mortgage lender, has already cut a range of fixed rate interest-only home loans by up to 50 basis points.
The loans range from one to four years.
Matt Comyn, the incoming Commonwealth Bank CEO, recently highlighted plans to rebuild interest-only market share after over-shooting the regulatory 30 per cent target and ending in the low 20s.
Canstar's group executive for financial services Steve Mickenbecker told the Australian Financial Review to "expect others to follow."
Montgomery Investment Management portfolio manager Stuart Jackson told the AFR non-bank financial institution (NBFI) lending appears to have taken up the slack of property buyer demand.
"This is not great news because either the macro-prudential restrictions put (the banks) at a competitive disadvantage to the NBFIs, resulting in ongoing reductions in market share, or the risks to the financial system that the macro-prudential regulations are intended to fix are not addressed due to the shift in lending demand to the NBFIs," Mr Jackson said.
Westpac have selectively began cutting rates while ANZ are also expected to follow.
ING, Macquarie Bank and Virgin Money have reduced rates on their interest-only products, while Bankwest, Homeloans.com and BlueBay Home Loans also recently cut rates.
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<h2> </h2>
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Banks set to follow CBA mortgage rate cuts to regain marketshare

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Core Logic measures housing affordability in four different ways, the methodologies of which are detailed below:
<ul>
<li>The ratio of median dwelling prices to median gross annual household income. Utilising median household income data which has been modelled by the Australian National University Centre for Social Research and Methods (ANU) and median dwelling price data from CoreLogic we determine the ratio of dwelling prices to household income over time. For example, a dwelling price to income ratio of 5 implies that the typical household will spend five times their annual gross income to purchase the typical dwelling outright within the same region. 
</li>
<li>The number of years of gross annual household income required for a 20% deposit. Using the ANU’s modelled household income data we provide a measure of affordability for those households that don’t yet own a home. This analysis looks at how many years of a household’s annual gross income is required to pay a 20% deposit, based on the median priced dwelling. For example, a city where the median dwelling price is $600,000, a 20% deposit would equate to $120,000. If the median household income was $100,000, the deposit would comprise 1.2 years of the gross annual income for the household.  
</li>
<li>The proportion of household income required to service an 80% loan to valuation ratio (LVR) mortgage. This measure is based on mortgage serviceability and is more applicable for households that already servicing a mortgage. Assuming the owner has borrowed 80% of the median selling price (i.e. they had a 20% deposit) and are making their mortgage payments based on the discounted variable mortgage rate for owner occupiers (4.5% as at June 2017), we measure the proportion of annual household income required to service the mortgage. For example, for a region with a median dwelling price of $600,000, the typical loan amount based on an 80% LVR would be $480,000. Based on the current discounted variable mortgage rate and annual household income of $100,000, the household would be dedicating 32.0% of their gross annual household income to servicing the mortgage. 
</li>
<li>The proportion of gross annual household income required to pay the rent. Utilising household income data and the median weekly rent we measure what percentage of household income is required to service their rental payments. For example, a household with $100,000 annual gross income who is paying $600 per week in rent would be dedicating 31.2% of their annual gross household income to pay their rent.</li>
</ul>
The latest data to June 2017 indicates that, despite the cash rate remaining stable at record lows, housing affordability has generally worsened over the most recent quarter. The changes in affordability at a national level are detailed below: 
<ul>
<li>Dwelling price to household income ratio The national dwelling price to household income ratio was recorded at 6.8 in June 2017, with a higher ratio for houses (7.0) compared with units (6.3). The ratio increased over the quarter for houses and units however, 15 years ago the ratios were much lower at 4.5 for houses and 5.1 for units. The measure for houses is currently at an historic high while for units it has moderated slightly from a high of 6.5 in early 2015. 
</li>
<li>Years of household income required for a 20% deposit A 20% deposit was equivalent to 1.36 years of gross household income at the end of June 2017, with the figure recorded at 1.40 years for houses and 1.26 years for units. At the same time in 2002 it took 0.92 years to save a 20% deposit, 0.89 years for houses and 1.02 years for a unit. As the cost of housing has increased and household income growth has slowed it has become increasingly challenging for some segments of the market to raise a 20% deposit which has required a longer period of savings in order to enter the housing market. 
</li>
<li>Proportion of household income required to service an 80% LVR mortgage At the end of 2016-17 financial year it took 36.2% of the median gross annual household income to service a mortgage, with the proportion higher for detached houses (37.2%) and lower (33.7%) for units. Although mortgage rates have fallen over the past year, the ongoing increases in dwelling prices and low level of household income growth means serviceability has deteriorated. Despite the higher reading over the June quarter, mortgage serviceability is currently at similar levels to what was recorded in early 2004, highlighting how lower interest rates have made it easier for home owners to service and pay off their mortgage debt. 
</li>
<li>Proportion of gross annual household income required to rent a home Over the past 15 years there has been very little movement in the proportion of household income required for rent. This highlights that increases in rental costs are constrained by movement in household incomes. At the end of June 2017, 27.6% of the median gross annual household income was required to pay rent with the figures similar for houses (27.2%) and units (27.6%) across the country. The data also highlights that despite historic low interest rates, it generally remains cheaper to rent than to take out a mortgage in many areas.</li>
</ul>
For the purposes of this analysis we have just focussed on two metrics, the dwelling price to household income ratio and the proportion of household income required to service an 80% LVR mortgage.
Dwelling price to household income ratio
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-10/2017-10-30-blog_img1.png" alt="2017-10-30--affordabilityblog_IMG1" width="570" height="344">
The above charts highlight how much of the deterioration in housing affordability, based on a dwelling price to household income ratio, is occurring in Sydney and Melbourne. Five years ago Sydney’s ratio was 6.7 times and Melbourne’s was 6.5 times, fast forward to June 2017 and the ratios sit at 9.1 times and 7.5 times respectively.
Over the past five years, median dwelling prices in Sydney have increased by 59.6% and Melbourne prices are 29.9% higher. Meanwhile, Sydney household incomes are 18.4% higher and Melbourne household incomes are up 13.2%.
Outside of Sydney and Melbourne, most other capital cities have actually seen very little change in affordability over the past five to ten years based on this metric. This highlights that while deteriorating housing affordability is viewed as a national problem, Sydney and Melbourne (where 40% of the population live) is very much the focal point.  
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-10/2017-10-30-blog_img2.png" alt="2017-10-30--affordabilityblog_IMG2" width="570" height="343">
Proportion of household income required to service an 80% LVR mortgage 
This analysis takes into consideration mortgage rates and the impact of changes in them over time. Keep in mind that this analysis relates more to the cost of servicing a mortgage so is related more so to someone that already owns a property whereas the price to income ratio is more about the cost of entering the housing market.
This analysis highlights that not only is it more expensive to enter the market in Sydney and Melbourne but once you own a home the mortgage currently eats up a much larger chunk of household income than it does elsewhere.
Mortgage rates for owner occupiers are at historic lows however, someone buying under these conditions would still be spending 48.4% of their gross annual household income to service that debt in Sydney and 39.9% in Melbourne. Of course, these figures have been higher peaking at 54.4% in Sydney in March 2008 and at 49.1% in June 2008 in Melbourne.
Importantly, in March 2008 mortgage rates sat at 8.7% and in June 2008 they were 8.85% compared to rates of 4.5% in June 2017. Outside of Sydney and Melbourne the cost of servicing a mortgage is much lower but again, it is important to remember that mortgage rates for owner occupiers are at historic lows and likely to start moving higher at some stage, potentially in 2018 or 2019.
The data presented highlights that housing is expensive across the country and that over recent years housing affordability has deteriorated however, much of that deterioration has occurred in Sydney and Melbourne where the pace of capital gains has far exceeded growth in household incomes.
The latest CoreLogic Home Value Index data shows that dwelling value growth is slowing however, moderate falls are unlikely to result in a significant improvement in housing affordability. As mentioned, despite mortgage rates for owner occupiers tracking at record lows, servicing a mortgages is taking-up a large proportion of household incomes in Sydney and Melbourne. 
Should mortgage rates start to rise without a commensurate rise in household incomes it will mean that households will have to spend an increasingly greater proportion of their household income to service their mortgage. If that was to occur it would likely impact on other areas of the economy, particularly with regards to areas of expenditure such as retail trade.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Mortgage rates for owner occupiers are at historic lows: Cameron Kusher

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GUEST OBSERVER
CoreLogic’s Accumulation Index looks at the total returns from the housing asset class factoring in the change in the value of the dwelling and the gross rental return from the property.
The CoreLogic Accumulation Index shows that nationally, the total returns from the housing asset class over the 12 months to August 2017 were 13.2%.  Because the return is calculated from value change as well as the gross rental yield, you tend to find that houses have a superior value growth performance while units offer superior rental returns.  
Over the past year, total returns for houses nationally have been recorded at 13.5% compared to a 12.0% return for units.  Over the 10 years to August 2017, the annual total returns for housing nationally have been recorded at 8.8%, split between 8.9% for houses and 8.5% for units.
<h3 class="text-align-center">Annual total returns from the housing asset class, National</h3>
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/20/2017-09-18-image1.png" alt="">
Total housing returns have generally been superior in capital cities to regional markets however, in the 2008 and 2010-11 downturns, returns slumped by a greater magnitude in the capital cities.  Over the past decade, combined capital city annual total returns have been recorded at 9.3% with returns of 9.5% for houses and 9.0% for units.  Over the 12 months to August 2017, total returns have been recorded at 14.0% for houses and 12.3% for units.  Like the national chart, the recent data for the combined capital cities shows that total returns have started to slow.
<h3 class="text-align-center">Annual total returns from the housing asset class, combined capital cities</h3>
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/20/2017-09-18-image2.png" alt="">
Regional markets are also beginning to see total returns slow however, the returns over recent years have generally not been as strong as those across the combined capital cities.  Over the past 12 months, total returns have been recorded at 11.7% for houses and 10.2% for units.  Over the past decade, annual total returns for housing outside of the capital cities have been recorded at 7.0%, 7.2% for houses and 5.6% for units.
<h3 class="text-align-center">Annual total returns from the housing asset class, combined regional markets</h3>
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/20/2017-09-18-image3.png" alt="">
Hobart has recorded the strongest annual growth of all capital cities over the past year and it also has some of the highest rental yields which has meant it has had the strongest total returns.  Total returns for houses over the past year have been above 10% in each of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.  For units, double-digit total returns have been achieved over the past year in each of Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.  Units in Darwin were the only capital city property type to achieve negative returns over the past year.
<h3 class="text-align-center">Annual total returns from the housing asset class, individual capital cities, to Aug-17</h3>
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/20/2017-09-18-image4.png" alt="">
With capital growth now appearing to have peaked and rental yields at record lows it is reasonable to expect a further moderating of total returns over the coming months.  
The other important thing to consider when looking at total returns is the calculation of the rental income.  Although rents are increasing in many areas, the assumption in a gross rental yield calculation is that the property is occupied for 52 weeks of the year.  In some parts of the country this is increasingly difficult to achieve and it can eat into the investment returns.
The total returns data, particularly for the past decade, shows why housing investment has been so popular and hit record highs.  
Returns have been fairly consistent and less volatile than equities however, the ongoing strength and the evidence of a recent slowdown should give investors pause for thought.  
With mortgage rates starting to increase for investors, record-high levels of new housing supply and value growth slowing, housing investors shouldn’t assume that the types of returns seen over recent years will continue to be replicated going forward.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Total returns from housing are starting to ease: Cameron Kusher

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Interest rates for investment lending continues to see an upward movement for both principal and interest and interest only mortgages, according to latest data from comparison website Canstar.
There was a 46 basis point difference between the average home loan rate with principal and interest. While the average basic variable rate for owner occupiers  was 4.27 percent, for investors it was 4.73 percent.
For the more popular standard variable rate, the difference was 44 basis points, the data revealed. While for owner-occupiers, the average standard variable rate was $4.48 percent, investors are being charged 4.92 percent on average, the data revealed.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/08/CanstarOwnerOccupier.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/08/CanstarOwnerOccupier.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/08/CanstarInvestorPI.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/08/CanstarInvestorPI.png" alt=""> 
Both comparisons were on a loan size of $350,000 and a loan-to-value ratio of 80 percent. The data was a snapshot of between 31 July and 4 August.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/08/CanstarOwnerInterestOnly.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/08/CanstarOwnerInterestOnly.png" alt=""> 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/08/CanstarInvestorInterestOnly.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/08/CanstarInvestorInterestOnly.png" alt="">
Banks have been increasing interest rates in response to higher capital requirements and also to rein-in interest-only lending because of the risks from high household debt.
They have also moved on investor loans after regulatory measures to rein in property prices, especially on the East Coast. 
  
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Mortgage rates for investors show rising trend: Canstar

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A regional bank has joined the big banks in raising home loan interest rates for investors.
Tasmania-based MyState said it had increased its rates for residential investors by 25 basis points for its variable rate residential investment loan and by 10 bps on its 1, 2, 3 and 5 year fixed residential investment loans
The new rates will be for new and pipeline customers with loans contracted on or after 21 June, according to the Australian Broker.
The bank also announced it was reducing the loan-to-value ratio for residential property investors, capping it at 50 percent.
This will allow MyState to manage its investor portfolio responsibly and is in response to new regulatory requirements, the bank’s head of broker Paul Herbert said in a note sent out to brokers.
The change applies to all new residential investment loans.
Other changes introduced by MyState include additional fees for specific loan applications including a:
• $200 additional valuation fee (charged for each additional security)
• $200 company/trust fee (charged when a borrower is a company or trust or acting as a trustee for a trust)
The fees will affect new lending applications from 28 June and have been brought in to reflect additional cost and time or establishment, Herbert said.
Earlier this week, MyState Bank chief executive Melos Sulicich had said investors were listing their properties on Airbnb because of a lack of hotel accommodation. 
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Tasmania's MyState raises home loan rates for investors

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According to the latest housing finance data release for March 2017 there was $33.2 billion in finance commitments over the month. 
The monthly value of commitments increased by 0.9 percent to be 5.3 percent higher year-on-year. 
While the value of commitments to investors has slowed over recent months, owner occupier demand lifted slightly in March 2017.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/24/chart-1-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click 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/2017/05/24/chart-1-2.jpg" alt="">
The data shows that in March 2017, the $33.2 billion in housing finance commitments comprised of $20.2 billion to owner occupiers and $13.0 billion to investors. 
The value of owner occupier commitments increased by 0.9 percent over the month to be at its highest level since June 2016. 
Investor demand also rose over the month, up 0.8 percent however, it remains well below levels from a few months ago. 
Looking at recent monthly data it suggests that demand from owner occupiers has been reasonably steady while the level of demand from investors has eased. 
Keep in mind that this data pre-dates the most recent policy announcement from APRA; over the coming months there are likely to be a number of headwinds for investors in the form of: higher mortgage rates, reduced availability of interest-only lending and changes to depreciation benefits for plant and equipment on investment property for new purchases. 
Given this we would expect that investor demand is likely to fall further over the coming months.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/24/chart-2-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click 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/2017/05/24/chart-2-2.jpg" alt="">
Owner occupier demand continues to be fueled by purchases of established housing stock while refinance activity continues to fade. 
The $20.2 billion in housing finance commitments to owner occupiers consisted of $1.8 billion for construction of dwellings, $1.1 billion for purchase of new dwellings, $6.1 billion for refinancing of established dwellings and $11.1 billion for purchase of other established dwellings. 
The value of lending for construction and purchase of new dwellings has remained at fairly consistent levels over the past year and a half. 
The value of refinancing has been trending lower since it peaked in December 2015 and it is now at its lowest level since July 2015. 
At the same time, demand for purchases of established dwellings is trending higher and is at its highest level since September 2015.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/24/chart-3-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click 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/2017/05/24/chart-3-2.jpg" alt="">
Mortgage demand from investors overwhelmingly comes from investors buying established housing rather than new housing. 
The $13.0 billion worth of commitments in March 2017 consisted of $1.1 billion from construction of dwellings and $11.9 billion from established housing. 
The $1.1 billion in commitments for construction was 6.1 percent higher over the month while the $11.9 billion for established housing is 0.3 percent higher over the month. 
The value of lending for investors for established housing is now down -4.6 percent from its most recent peak two months ago and -12.5 percent lower than its historic peak in April 2015.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/24/chart-4-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click 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/2017/05/24/chart-4-2.jpg" alt="">
Comparing established housing to new housing continues to show that the bulk of housing demand is coming from established housing stock. 
Over the month, 85 percent of mortgage demand (excluding refinances) was for established housing stock ($23.0 billion) with the remaining 15 percent ($4.0 billion) for new housing stock.
The data is pointing to ongoing weaker demand from the investor segment of the market and refinances from owner occupiers slowing while demand from owner occupiers for established housing stock is trending higher. 
With the lending environment continuing to change, particularly for investors, we would expect that demand from investors will continue to wane. 
Higher interest rates, the rationing of the availability of interest-only lending and reduced negative gearing benefits is likely to weigh on investor demand over the coming months.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
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