Brunswick is set for some of its largest apartments ever delivered with the upcoming new development Frith &amp; Howarth, where the apartments are around 20 per cent larger than what has come before it in the sought-after suburb.

Developer Young Group focused its design on Frith &amp; Howarth around size and scale, but within a boutique building, to create a mini neighbourhood within the mid-rise development. There are just 24 apartments in the mid-rise building on Victoria Street, a short walk to Brunswick Station and the cafe and dining strip along Sydney Road.

“We spent hours comparing what’s currently on the market so we could offer genuine points of difference,” Young Group says, pointing to room sizing, storage, and functional planning as key drivers behind the design.

All of the two-bedroom apartments in the building have been snapped up, with just the large three- and four-bedroom apartments, with the biggest floorplans and best outlooks, remaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134317 project_image_fid=354139]

Apartments open directly into open-plan living zones where full-height glazing draws light deep into the apartment. Sliding doors extend the space outward to terraces, many oriented toward the adjacent park or back toward the city skyline.

Kitchens sit within this central space, anchored by sculptural island benches that reference the building’s faceted exterior language. Storage is integrated across multiple layers, overhead cabinetry, concealed joinery, and, in larger configurations, dedicated sculleries or butler’s pantries.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134317 project_image_fid=354137]

The penthouse is the largest ever offered in Brunswick. The penthouse measures nearly 400 sqm all-up, with 242 sqm of internal space complimented by a further 149 sqm of terraces.

It spans the whole top floor and has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and parking for four cars.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134317 project_image_fid=354133]

Low maintenance resident amenity has been created in the form of a landscaped rooftop, complete with&nbsp;vegetable plots, outdoor cooking areas, and aflresco dining spaces, designed as a place for neighbours to gather outside of their homes.

“To enable connection with neighbours, generous rooftop gardens with communal spaces and outdoor cooking areas offer a chance to develop a sense of community,” says John Patrick, Principal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick Landscape Architects</a>.&nbsp;

“Private open spaces with a selection of native and exotic plantings and gorgeous city views on the rooftop create a high-end aesthetic, with a low maintenance lifestyle. The perfect balance, so that residents can enjoy a serene living space.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134317 project_image_fid=354134]

Sustainability is embedded at both the building and apartment level. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/frith-howarth-288-290-victoria-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Frith &amp; Howarth</a> is one of only a small number of all-electric residential developments in Brunswick, supported by solar infrastructure, EV-ready parking, and high-performance glazing. These measures sit alongside less visible systems such as rainwater reuse and high-grade insulation, reducing long-term operational costs while maintaining consistent internal conditions.

Positioned within walking distance of Brunswick Station, Route 96 trams, and established retail along Sydney Road and Barkly Square, the development balances access to transport with proximity to open space, a combination that has become increasingly difficult to secure in inner-city sites.

“These exquisite homes are nestled in a culturally diverse neighbourhood, with parklands and nature right on your doorstep,” says Young Group.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134317]

Joel Robinson

Frith & Howarth to deliver Brunswick’s largest apartments

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> in Brunswick is entering its final stages of construction, with the removal of the project’s last tower crane and the unveiling of the building’s full façade marking a significant milestone ahead of completion this coming spring.

The Park Street development, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>&nbsp;and Mirvac Design with landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jack-merlo">Jack Merlo</a>, is now largely structurally complete, with internal works progressing across the 169-apartment project opposite Princes Park.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/mirvac-construction">Mirvac Construction</a> Project Manager Sam Payne said the latest update reflects a transition from structure to refinement.

“Since our last update, all façade panels have been installed and the scaffolding and gantry has come down, unveiling the building in its full form for the very first time,” Payne said.

“A significant milestone was reached this month with the removal of our final tower crane, signalling the completion of major structural works and a pivotal step forward in the building’s transformation.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4802 project_image_fid=366856]

Apartments are now well advanced internally, with joinery completed to level eight and tiling to level six, alongside the delivery of a prototype apartment used to set the benchmark for the remaining residences.

This next phase coincides with the release of a completed furnished residence, styled by MCM House, and the introduction of private buyer tours, giving purchasers a clearer understanding of the finished product ahead of settlement.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> will comprise 169 one to four-bedroom apartments, with completion targeted for early spring. Interiors focus on natural materials and muted tones with two design schemes, while kitchens and bathrooms adopt a restrained palette anchored by stone, timber and textured finishes.

Bates Smart Director Jeffery Copolov said the project reflects a shared design direction centred on liveability and sustainability.

“Blending Mirvac and Bates Smart’s focus on wellness and sustainability, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> offers a new kind of conscious, elevated living in Melbourne’s inner north,” Copolov said.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> presents Mirvac's third parkside collaboration with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>&nbsp;in Victoria.&nbsp;Their previous collaborations delivered two of the city’s landmark apartment buildings: The Melburnian opposite Kings Domain and The Eastbourne on Fitzroy Gardens.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4802 project_image_fid=366857]

A key focus of the development is its landscape-led amenity offering. The central courtyard, spanning around 600 sqm, will feature established trees and planting grown off-site, alongside communal lawns and seating areas designed for everyday use.

Development Manager James Gardner said the outdoor spaces are central to the project’s lifestyle positioning.

“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> isn’t just a home, it’s a complete lifestyle offering, and the resident amenity is just one example of the elevated living experience the soon-to-be-complete building will be known for,” Gardner said.

The courtyard connects to a series of shared indoor and outdoor spaces, including a residents’ lounge, dining room, library and secondary west-facing garden area, designed as extensions of the apartments themselves.

Located directly opposite Princes Park and around four kilometres from the CBD, the development places residents within one of Melbourne’s most established inner-north precincts, with access to open space, transport and the retail and hospitality offerings of Brunswick and Carlton.

With façade works complete and landscaping and final finishes now underway, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/prince-parade-by-mirvac-brunswick-701-park-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Prince &amp; Parade</a> is moving into its most active construction phase, with permanent services and external works to be finalised in the coming months ahead of completion in spring.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4802]

Mirvac’s latest landmark, Prince & Parade Brunswick, enters final construction phase

Boutique Perth developer ADC has unveiled its latest project.

The developer, which focuses on bringing apartments to some of Perth's most premium inner-city and riverside suburbs, has launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/mos-lane-mosman-park-46-manning-street-mosman-park-wa-6012">Mos Lane</a>, 68 luxury apartments and townhouses in the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mosman-park-wa-6012">Mosman Park</a>.

<section data-scroll-anchor="true" data-testid="conversation-turn-124" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-69e027bc-1530-839b-a316-e9dad2cbd4d9-34" dir="auto">
Alongside the one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, the development will also include five two-level townhomes and two luxe penthouses. ADC is also introducing a significant retail offering for residents through Mos Lane Village, which will feature a wellness studio, fish and chips shop, barber, and florist, adding a layer of amenity not typically found in the predominantly residential Mosman Park area.

Construction has already commenced on the project, which sits just a short walk from the Swan River, Mosman Park Bowls Club, and Mosman Park Golf Course.

House Agency Directors Tom House and Lachlan McDonald say they are fielding the majority of buyer interest from local downsizers, as well as buyers with a long-standing affinity for Mosman Park.
</section>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364591]

Mos Lane will comprise two buildings; Samson House and Manning House, which have been designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nelson-koo">Nelson + Koo</a>, an emerging design consultancy specialising in the masterplanning and design of mixed use places and spaces.

The two buildings adopt distinct architectural responses to their surroundings. Manning House references the strong roof forms of nearby homes, with floorplates oriented to maximise light and long-range views, while Samson House is organised around a central atrium designed to bring daylight deep into the building and create a greater sense of openness.

At ground level, the inclusion of five townhomes introduces a typology more commonly associated with Mosman Park’s established streets, each with private courtyards and direct frontage, offering a transition between traditional housing and apartment living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364103]

Interiors have been led by Melbourne-based Hecker Guthrie, with an emphasis on practical, long-term liveability. Residences incorporate sculpted joinery, generous storage and flexible multi-purpose rooms that can adapt to changing household needs, whether for working from home, guest accommodation or additional living space.

Material selections draw on a restrained palette of textured stone, timber and neutral tones, with options for lighter or darker schemes. Detailing such as fluted glass, full-height joinery and integrated appliances is intended to balance functionality with a more refined residential finish.

Outdoor spaces are a consistent feature across the development, with balconies and terraces designed for dining and entertaining, and larger apartments incorporating outdoor kitchens. Orientation has been considered to allow residents to choose between morning or afternoon sun, while mature street trees and landscaped communal areas contribute to a softer streetscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364107]

Shared amenities are positioned to support both day-to-day convenience and occasional use. These include a private dining room with a caterer’s kitchen, alfresco entertaining areas, and a bookable guest suite for visiting friends and family. Additional practical features such as a resident workshop, storage facilities, car and pet wash areas, and concierge-style services for cleaning and dry-cleaning collection reflect a focus on usability.

Positioned between the Swan River and Cottesloe Beach, and within reach of schools such as Iona Presentation College and St Hilda’s Anglican School, the development is aimed at a broad buyer group, from downsizers seeking a lower-maintenance alternative to larger homes, through to local residents looking to remain in the area in a different housing format.

Mos Lane represents one of the more significant additions to Mosman Park’s limited pipeline, combining new housing supply with a village-style retail centre in a suburb where opportunities for large-scale redevelopment are relatively constrained.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=148957]

Living village precinct set for Mosman Park as ADC launches Mos Lane

An entity linked to I&amp;D Group Founder Ivan Filipović has filed plans for a new residential development at 188–202 Swan Street in Cremorne, targeting a prominent site within the tightly held Swan Street activity corridor.

The proposal seeks to redevelop the consolidated Swan Street landholding into a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/188-202-swan-street-cremorne-vic-3121">high-density mixed-use project</a>, replacing a series of existing commercial buildings with a significantly scaled residential outcome. The planning submission positions the development as a response to increasing demand for housing in well-connected inner-urban locations, particularly within established activity centres.

Plans outline the construction of a 14-storey building delivering 165 apartments above a four-level basement, alongside a ground-floor retail and commercial offering designed to activate the streetscape. A key feature of the scheme is a new north–south pedestrian link connecting Swan Street to Railway Place, intended to “enhance permeability and provide an active, publicly accessible connection through the site.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for Ivan Filipović-linked Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7332a8f8-dd2b-483d-b86e-320658838c84" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/cremorne.png?VersionId=cXm8vAaRdHh.LpYVbecrRkjckgu9mtAF" />

The development will retain part of the existing built form at 198–200 Swan Street, while the remainder of the site will be cleared to accommodate the new structure. Basement levels will provide 196 car spaces and 113 bicycle spaces, with vehicle access from Railway Place. Communal amenity is distributed across the building, including a shared outdoor area on Level 1 and a rooftop terrace for residents.

Ground level uses include retail tenancies fronting Swan Street and the pedestrian link, a residential lobby, and a flexible commercial space positioned to support community-oriented uses. The planning report notes this space “could be offered as a flexible space within the development for community groups,” supporting short-term or longer-term occupancy arrangements.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for Ivan Filipović-linked Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8208bf7b-cc67-485d-ad0f-1d73a74c907f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/cremorne%20lane.png?VersionId=69ctjC0txXv0zCHy7qQUpJyGwvPAT7gw" />

The site sits within the Swan Street Major Activity Centre, surrounded by a mix of retail, hospitality, and emerging residential development, and directly opposite tram services along Swan Street. East Richmond Station is located to the south, providing strong rail connectivity, while the broader Cremorne precinct continues to evolve as a mixed-use hub.

I&amp;D Group, founded by Ivan Filipović, is regarded as one of Victoria’s largest formwork contractors, partnering with major construction firms across large-scale public and private developments. The Swan Street proposal signals a move into development-backed opportunities tied to strategic inner-city sites.

First Look: Plans lodged for Cremorne apartment project on Swan Street

An ultra-luxury absolute beachfront tower on the Gold Coast’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/main-beach-qld-4217">Main Beach</a> has officially hit the market, having secured over $150 million in presales.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/le-r-ve-main-beach-3555-main-beach-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">Le Rêve</a>, delivered by developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/odus">ODUS</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/nazero">Nazero</a> in partnership with Metrics Credit Partners, comprises 40 opulent half and full-floor residences, perched directly on the dunes, starting from $7.45 million.

Pre-launch sales have achieved an average price tag of $8 million, highlighting strong demand from top-end buyers.

The 26-storey project at 3555 Main Beach Parade has development approval and is under construction, with completion anticipated by early 2028.

Occupying a 1,355 sqm site, Le Rêve enjoys double the beach frontage of most Main Beach towers, an incredible 30-metres, with generous 4.5-metre setbacks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112163 project_image_fid=357556]

ODUS director Byron Sakha said it offered a rare opportunity for wide, uninterrupted views that could never be built out, on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

“Le Rêve is French for ‘the dream’ and that’s what this location represents. We believe it is the best new development site anywhere on the Gold Coast; a dream site,” said Sakha.

“The apartments are located directly on the beachfront, with no roads or paths between, providing panoramic ocean views and direct access to the sand, and because it is elevated above the dunes, it also offers unrivalled privacy.

“We’ve worked with architect Bayden Goddard of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bgd-architects">BGD Architects</a> to enhance the original design, with a distinctive, elegant glass façade, world-class amenities, and the addition of eight residences. Le Rêve’s 30-metres of absolute beach frontage affords a view from virtually every room, and has allowed us to provide a grand 25-metre residents’ beachfront pool and private lawn.

“Buyers have recognised these opportunities are few and far between and have been quick to secure their place in Le Rêve.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112163 project_image_fid=357570]

The apartments start from nearly 300 sqm and range in size up to 900 sqm, with three or four bedrooms and multiple living spaces.

“The emphasis is on the view, with full-floor glazing, sleek glass balustrades and wrap-around balconies that are close to 4-metres wide, blurring the lines between inside and out, and inviting cooling ocean breezes,” Sakha added.

“The interiors epitomise understated luxury with natural materials, textures and tones including Taj Mahal stone, oak flooring, recessed LED lighting and high ceilings. Outside, its beautiful arched façade with glass balconies and double-storey curved podium will be complemented by lush, cascading landscaping that enhances Main Beach’s streetscape.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112163 project_image_fid=357567]

OTP Group Director James Elliott, who is selling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/le-r-ve-main-beach-3555-main-beach-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">Le Rêve</a>, said buyers were from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and predominately moving from luxury stand-alone homes or purchasing as a holiday home.

“We are anticipating sales will continue to ramp up now we’re officially on the market and design enhancements have been finalised,” Elliott said.

“Le Rêve offers house-sized residences that take luxury living to the next level, in an unrivalled location, with exceptional onsite resident amenities.

“The facilities are some of the most unique on the Gold Coast, if not Australia-wide, with a huge beachfront pool and wellness amenities including a cold plunge pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym and yoga studio, along with a teppanyaki kitchen, and private residents’ lounge."

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Le Rêve development site was secured for $55.68 million in mid-2025.

ODUS and Nazero are also developing the adjacent 29-level La Mer tower in partnership with Metrics Credit Partners, which is earmarked for completion in late 2026. A fully completed prototype apartment is now available for private inspection.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112163]

Le Rêve Main Beach launches with $152 million in presales

Mortgage Stress

<html><body>
An estimated 828,000 mortgage holders were in ‘mortgage stress’ as Australia entered shutdown in March, according to new research from Roy Morgan.
This equates to roughly 18.2% of all mortgage holders, and  is a significant improvement on those considered to be in mortgage stress 12 months ago and represents the second-lowest level of mortgage stress in over a decade.
The findings were part of Roy Morgan’s latest Single Source Survey, which is based on in-depth interviews conducted with 50,000 Australians each year, including over 10,000 owner-occupied mortgage-holders.
The strong employment market leading up to the COVID-19 related shutdown in mid-March had kept incomes strong while at the same time the decline in interest rates to record lows over the past year has reduced mortgage repayments for many mortgage holders.
A large concern for Australia’s banks will be the impact of COVID-19 on the employment market.
Just over 2-in-3 mortgages rely on more than one income and the mortgage risk is typically very low for these mortgages.
The biggest driver of increased mortgage stress is a sudden drop in income – most often caused by the loss of a job and analysis shows that the impact of the loss of one income quadruples the level of risk for these mortgage holders.
Even a reduction in work caused by being stood down, or cuts to work hours, can have an effect.
A special survey undertaken by Roy Morgan shows that 10.5 million Australians have already reported a change to their employment status caused by COVID-19.
These impacts include having work hours reduced, being stood down, not having any work offered, being made redundant or having pay reduced for working the same number of hours – all of which clearly have a negative impact on income.
The proportion of mortgage holders classified as ‘At Risk’, or ‘Extremely at Risk’, is down on a year ago but those classified as ‘Extremely at Risk’ have increased after hitting a low in October.
In the three months to March 2020, 18.2% of mortgage holders were ‘At Risk’ (828,000), which is down from 21.5% (903,000) in March 2019.
Over the same period those ‘Extremely at Risk’ also decreased from 14.5% (594,000) to 12.6% (559,000), a drop of 35,000.
However, the number ‘Extremely at Risk’ hit a low of only 425,000 (10.7%) in October, following an RBA interest rate cut, and has since increased.
</body></html>

wdavis-8cCN98p7xp

Almost 20% of all mortgage holders suffered ‘mortgage stress' during March: Roy Morgan

<html><body>
The economic hit during the coronavirus pandemic will cause more severe stress in Australia's mortgage market than that experienced in the GFC, says S&amp;P.
Mortgage holders are likely to struggle to keep up with their repayments the ratings agency has warned.
Given the sudden and wide-ranging halt to economic activity, the number of borrowers who fall behind on their mortgages is set to rise.
The move by the big banks to expand hardship provisions for borrowers will mean some relief, the agency said.
<div class="in-content-ad">
<div id="adspot-1x1-pos-5" class="ad" data-google-query-id="CLb72b_ZuOgCFRryjwod7d4JEQ">
<div>
“We currently expect increases in arrears to be higher than during the 2008 global financial crisis, given the wide-ranging effects on the economy stemming from the sudden disruption to economic activity,” S&amp;P Global Ratings analyst Erin Kitson wrote in a note to clients.
She highlighted self-employed borrowers and those directly exposed to the disruption in economic activity.
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Coronavirus to cause more mortgage stress than the GFC: S&P

<html><body>
 Nearly one million Australians are suffering from ‘mortgage stress’, according to the results of a new survey.
However, the results of Roy Morgan’s Single Source Survey (Australia) are a slight improvement from 12 months ago.
The survey classified 20.8% (949,000) of mortgage holders as in ‘mortgage stress’, compared to 21.3% (974,000) last year.
The report said these people would be in difficulty if there were an increase in mortgage rates, an increase in costs, or an increase in unemployment.
Roy Morgan’s calculations accounted for household income, costs, and mortgage repayments.
The survey is based on face-to-face personal interviews with more than 50,000 Australians per annum, including over 10,000 owner occupied mortgage holders.
The level of mortgage holders at risk varied across the country, with Sydney and Western Australia the most ‘at risk’ areas at 26.4% and 23.8% respectively.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/22/Mortgage%20stress.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/2018/10/22/Mortgage%20stress.jpg" alt="">
Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director, Roy Morgan Research said:
“Our research shows that although fewer people have a home loan compared to 12 months ago, the average balance of their loans hasn’t declined. This indicates that loans aren’t being paid off quickly, potentially as a result of low interest rates and the use of redraw facilities to use funds for other purposes.
“The decline in the level of mortgage stress over the last 12 months is due to a marginal increase in the after tax household income as a result of reduced tax rates and a small reduction in the average standard variable rate from the RBA.
“With the potential for a number of major events to impact mortgage stress levels, such as the Finance Royal Commission, interest rates and declining home prices, the future direction of mortgage stress has considerable uncertainty.
“When rates eventually rise, existing mortgage holders who have borrowed in a low interest rate environment are likely to face increased levels of mortgage stress. The final impact however will also be determined by what happens to household incomes, which are currently showing very modest growth."
</body></html>

Nearly one million Australians experiencing 'mortgage stress': Roy Morgan

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
With subdued and stagnant incomes, more Australians are feeling strapped for cash, and are being forced to dip into their savings to cover the rising cost of living expenses, ME’s latest Household Financial Comfort Report (HFCR) has revealed.
Empty nesters (50 years old and over) reported a record low in financial comfort.
“You may think that empty nesters would have fewer financial worries – most have paid off their mortgage, their kids have flown the coop, the majority are still working and some have voluntarily retired," consulting economist for ME, Jeff Oughton said.
"However, many are still concerned about current finances as well as worried about their life after work, expressing an 8% drop in comfort with their expected standard of living for retirement, as well as a 7% fall in their ‘comfort with savings’.
"Recent changes to superannuation in the past year appear to be significantly impacting this life stage."
The report also pinpointed students reporting a substantial decline in financial comfort of 15% to 4.18 since the last report.
“Students are always among those with the lowest financial comfort in each HFCR due to a lack of comfort with cash savings, investments, net wealth and their reduced ability to manage a financial emergency," Oughton said.
"However, this recording is a major negative spike and can be attributed to falls across most components that make up the Household Financial Comfort Index, in particular ‘level of debt’, ‘comfort with living expenses’ and ‘confidence in the handling a financial emergency’.
Oughton said more households are overspending to cover necessary living expenses and are drawing down on savings, with mortgage and rental stress remaining high.
“Comfort with short-term cash savings was the most notable component of the Household Financial Comfort Index to decline, seeing a 3% decrease to 4.93 out of 10 during the first half of 2018 – its lowest level in a couple of years.”
The report showed that households’ confidence to raise money for an emergency dropped three points below the average since the survey began, and fewer households reported they are saving. The estimated amount that Australians are saving each month decreased by just over 10% during the first half of 2018.
More Australians are also overspending – households who ‘typically spend all of their income and more’ increased 3points to 11% during the six months to June.
“Clearly, this is a potential tipping point. At the moment, Australians generally can dip into their savings to get by. However, some households may get to a point where there’s no more savings to draw from.
"Currently, around a quarter of Australian households have less than $1000 in cash savings,” Oughton said.
“If we see big negative shocks in the coming year, whether they are higher loan rates or an international trade war, then a lot more families will suffer increased financial stress.”
The latest report found that the cost of necessities continues to be the major financial concern for households, with more than half of households reporting it as their ‘biggest financial worry’, up seven points to 53% in June 2018.
Similarly, when asked why their financial situation worsened during 2017– 18, 44% of households said it was due to the cost of everyday items, an increase of four points since the previous report.
Consistent with ABS wage data, the latest HFCR data found nearly half of households (42%) still had the same income as a year ago, while a quarter (24%) reported income cuts and 34% received a raise. Unsurprisingly, ‘comfort with income’ declined in the past year by 2% to 5.61.
Oughton said similar to strengthening in the ABS jobs data, the report revealed increased confidence in people’s ability to find a job; however, high levels of job insecurity and underemployment remain. Around 23% of casual and part-time workers said they would prefer to undertake full-time work if they could.”
In the six months to June 2018, the report’s overall Household Financial Comfort Index went sideways from 5.49 to 5.44, once again indicating that the financial comfort of Australian households is not advancing.
Mortgage and rental stress still high, despite the housing market cooling.
The report revealed housing stress is still prevalent among Australian households.
For those with home loans, a broadly unchanged 45% of households reported to be contributing more than 30% of their disposable income towards mortgages during the past six months – a common indicator of financial stress
"The good news for renters is that financial stress has lessened somewhat during the past six months, thanks to thehousing market cooling and rents falling. While almost three-quarters (72%) of renters were previously contributing over 30% of their disposable income towards rent, this number dropped significantly to two-thirds (67%) in the most recent survey,” Oughton said.
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Empty nesters feeling financial discomfort: ME report

<html><body>
Casula, Liverpool and Warwick Farm are among the Greater Sydney suburbs with the most number of households in stress, according to a blog update on Digital Finance Analytics (DFA).
In its October Mortgage Stress update, DFA had estimated more than 910,000 households across Australia to be now in mortgage stress, up from 905,000 in September.
Of these, more than 21,000 were in severe stress, up by 3,000 from the previous month. This equates to 29.2% of households. 
“We see continued default pressure building in Western Australia, as well as among more affluent household, beyond the traditional mortgage belts across the country,” said the Martin North blog.
The top 10 most stressed post codes in the region identified by DFA are: 
<ol>
<li>2170: Casula, Chipping Norton, Hammondville, Liverpool, Liverpool South, Lurnea, Moorebank, Mount Pritchard, Prestons, Warwick Farm. The sum of households in mild stress is 6,384. 
</li>
<li>2560: Airds, Ambarvale, Appin, Bradbury, Blair Athol, Bradbury, Campbelltown, Englorie Park, Gilead, Glen Alpine, Kentlyn, Leumeah, Rosemeadow, Ruse, St Helens Park, Wedderburn, Woodbine 
</li>
<li>2770: Bidwill, Blackett, Dharruk, Emerton, Hebersham, Lethbridge Park, Minchinbury, Mount Druitt, Shalvey, Tregear, Whalan, Willmot 
</li>
<li>2567: Currans Hill, Harrington Park, Mount Annan, Narellan, Narellan Vale 
</li>
<li>2171: Cecil Hills, Horningsea Park, Hoxton Park, Middleton Grange, West Hoxton 
</li>
<li>2800: Borenore, Cargo, Lucknow, March, Mullion Creek, Nashdale, Orange, Spring Hill 
</li>
<li>2570: Camden, Camden Park, Cawdor, Cobbitty, Elderslie, Ellis Lane, Grasmere, Mount Hunter, Nattai, Oakdale, Orangeville, The Oaks, Werombi 
</li>
<li>2259: Chain Valley Bay, Dooralong, Durren Durren, Gwandalan, Halloran, Hamlyn Terrace, Jilliby, Kanwal, Lake Munmorah, Lemon Tree, Mannering Park, Mardi, Ravensdale, Summerland Point, Tacoma, Tuggerah, Tuggerawong, Wallarah, Warnervale, Watanobbi, Woongarrah, Wyee, Wyong, Wyongah, Yarramalong 
</li>
<li>2768: Glenwood, Parklea, Stanhope Gardens 
</li>
<li>2176: Abbotsbury, Bossley Park, Edensor Park, Greenfield Park, Prairiewood, St Johns Park, Wakeley </li>
</ol>
</body></html>

South-west suburbs of Greater Sydney top households with housing stress: DFA

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
The proportion of residential mortgages more than 30 days in arrears is increasing with the national delinquency rate at the highest rate in five years.
But delinquencies have been in decline in New South Wales given good economic and labor market conditions.
Eight of the 10 regions with the lowest mortgage delinquencies in Australia were in Sydney, where housing market and economic conditions have combined to be highly supportive for borrowers.
Sydney's Eastern Suburbs headed the list followed by North Sydney and Hornsby, City and Inner South, Ryde, the Northern Beaches, Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury, the inner west and inner South West.
Mortgage borrowers in these best-performing regions are most likely to be employed in professional services industries, Moody's Investor Services noted.
"These occupations tend to pay higher wages and are more stable than mining and construction-related employment."
Moody's also noted rising Sydney house prices had supported mortgage performance, giving borrowers at risk of or already in arrears the easier option to sell quickly for a good price to repay their loans.
However, as house prices continue rising without a corresponding increase in incomes, housing affordability decreases and the risk of delinquencies and defaults rises.
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Moody's forecast continued weaker conditions in outlier states reliant on the mining industry, with high underemployment, and less favourable housing markets and income dynamics.
Six of the 10 worst regions across Australia — the Western Australia outback, Queensland outback, Mackay, Western Australia wheat belt, Mandurah and Fitzroy — have been among the worst performing regions in the country for the last four years.
The NSW state economy grew 3.8 percent over the year to March 2017, well above the national average of 1.6 percent.
NSW also has the lowest unemployment rate in the country since June 2015.
Although NSW's large and diverse economy shields us, we are sensitive to a slowdown in the housing market.
Our high household leverage poses a downside risk.
The large differential between house price and wage growth — particularly in Sydney where house prices have increased the most — means that households have had to take on more debt to fund home purchases.
While house prices in Australia have increased by an average of 30 percent over the three years to July 2017, average weekly earnings have increased just 4.99 percent.
Higher debt levels make households more vulnerable to economic or housing market shocks, Alena Chen, the Moody's VP senior analyst said.
She noted households had accumulated record levels of mortgage-related debt in the past few years.
But it should be noted the price growth ensure the proportion of people who have very high exposure to a fall in house prices – those with loan to valuation ratios above 90% – has also been declining over time.
The basic picture is one of prudent households, rather than a community of people gambling on house price rises, Rodney Maddock, Adjunct Professor of Economics, Monash University recently noted.
Retaining well paid jobs will be crucial to Sydney home owners.
This article first appeared in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 5">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="page" title="Page 13">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="page" title="Page 6">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Sydney jobs ensure it escapes the Moody's mortgage stress 

<html><body>
Leading mortgage insurer Genworth has cautioned that rising home lending rates may further increase mortgage stress in mining-focused regions such as Queensland and WA.
The insurer sounded the caveat at a presentation of its half-yearly results, which showed a sharp 34.7% fall in its net profit after taxes at $88.7 million
Banks have been making out-of-cycle rate increases amid tighter regulatory conditions and efforts to rein-in investor lending.
CEO Georgette Nicholas noted the “challenging market dynamics, including elevated mortgage delinquencies in resource-exposed regional economies and a smaller high loan-to-value ratio (LVR) market” while reaffirming its full-year outlook. 
The latest Census data showed that mortgage stress had eased, but even a small interest rate rise could send many households, and even the economy, back onto struggle street.
Mortgage stress is defined as spending 30 per cent or more of household income on home loan repayments.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthProfit.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthProfit.png" alt="">
Genworth, which has about 30 per cent share of the mortgage insurance market, said there was an increase in the number of delinquent loans relative to a year ago. 
An increase in new delinquencies, particularly in Queensland and Western Australia, although in a slower pace, lifted its overall delinquency rate.
It said the “performance in Queensland and Western Australia remains challenging and delinquencies are elevated due to the slowdown in those regional and metropolitan areas that have previously benefited from the growth in the resources sector”.
However, New South Wales and Victoria continue to perform strongly, although job losses in Victoria's manufacturing industry had contributed to a slight rise in mortgage delinquencies there as well.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthDeliquency.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthDeliquency.png" alt="">
 <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthDeliquencyState.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthDeliquencyState.png" alt="">
While economic conditions have moderated recently as the economy continues to transition away from the mining investment boom, the insurer expects house price growth to moderate in 2017 following regulatory measures to slow the growth in investment lending and limit the flow of new interest-only lending. 
Mortgage interest rate increases, particularly for investor and interest only loans, and recent changes to minimum bank equity requirements may also impact price growth this year, it said.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthInterestRates.png" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12.16px;">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthInterestRates.png" alt=""> 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthInvestor.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/03/GenworthInvestor.png" alt="">
It said weaker activity in Queensland and Western Australia was continuing to offset growth in New South Wales and Victoria. 
"The national unemployment rate remained steady at 5.6 per cent in June 2017 and key labour market indicators remain mixed. The underemployment rate continues to be elevated, implying a greater degree of spare capacity in the economy than indicated by the unemployment rate alone," Genworth said in a note to investors.
"Wage growth is also subdued, especially due to the transition away from mining-led activity and low actual and expected inflation. These labour market dynamics are increasing the instance of mortgage stress in certain regional economies and Genworth expects these trends to drive elevated mortgage delinquencies in these regions in 2017."
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Insurer Genworth says rate hikes could increase mortgage stress in mining-fed economies

<html><body>
Half of the top 20 suburbs in Australia that are under mortgage stress are in Victoria, which is a "serious problem", according to a report by the Grattan Institute.
The report's data, which was based on the latest census, found Wollert, which is about 27 kilometres north of Melbourne's CBD, had the highest percentage of houses under mortgage stress in the nation, at 23 per cent. But sales appear to be humming along nicely.
Roxburgh Park is a close second at 20.9 per cent.
Wollert's median house price sits at $478,000, with listings and sales showing no signs of stress. 
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-wollert-125667318">39 Pine Park Drive</a>, Wollert (below) was listed for July auction with hopes between $470,000 to $515,000.
It was sold earlier for a stronger $540,000.
Built in 2013 the block of land was sold in 2011 for $212,000.
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-wollert-125419758">30 Vanin Street</a>, Wollert (above) has been listed for $525,000.
It was last sold in 2012 for $192,000.
<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/2017/07/11/39%20Pine%20Park%20Drive.jpg" alt="">
A five bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-wollert-125694010" target="_blank">13 Pine Park Drive</a>, Wollert (below) was sold this month for $695,000. The agent's pre-auction estimate of its selling price was $680,000 to $740,000.
<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/2017/07/11/13%20Pine%20Park%20Drive.jpg" alt="">
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-wollert-125698470" target="_blank">7 Ludeman Drive</a>, Wollert (below) was sold earlier this month for $601,000.
Built in 2012, it was last sold in 2014 for $365,000 and the block of land was sold in 2010 for $193,000.
<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/2017/07/11/7%20Ludeman%20Drive.jpg" width="700" height="425">
Mortgage stress is defined as any household that spends 30 per cent or more of its income on loan repayments.
"Mortgage stress is particularly acute on the suburban fringes of our major cities, especially Victoria," Grattan Institute Fellow Brendan Coates said.
"Places like Roxburgh Park in the north, Cranbourne West, Burnside Heights and so on, have quite significant mortgage stress.
"I do think this is a serious problem," he told the ABC.
The top 10 most stressed suburbs are:
<ol>
<li>Wollert, VIC (23%)</li>
<li>Roxburgh Park – Somerton, VIC (20%)</li>
<li>Upper Yarra Valley, VIC (20%)</li>
<li>Chullora, NSW (20%)</li>
<li>Mickleham – Yuroke, VIC (20%)</li>
<li>Cranbourne West, VIC (19%)</li>
<li>Burnside Heights, VIC (19%)</li>
<li>Lawson, ACT (19%)</li>
<li>Byford, WA (19%)</li>
<li>Forrestdale – Harrisdale-Piara Waters, WA (19%)</li>
</ol>
The report goes on the say that across the nation, many households could find themselves in trouble if the economic environment changes even slightly.
Just a two percent rate rise "would create more stress than 17pc rate in 1989," the institute has suggested.
</body></html>

Melbourne suburb, Wollert the most mortgage stressed in the country

<html><body>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/64293/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Newly released analysis from Roy Morgan reaffirms that it is the lowest-income households that face the highest mortgage stress. And, contrary to what many might expect, the worst stress is not in Sydney and Melbourne, where property prices have hit record highs.
The Roy Morgan report estimates that 18.4 percent of Australian households are experiencing mortgage stress, a situation where over one-third of their income goes towards servicing a home loan.
Mortgage stress can lead to many complex social issues. It is considered one of the underlying causes of the Global Financial Crisis.
For many households affected by mortgage stress, defaulting is the last resort. Yet, as the mortgage-servicing pressure increases, so does mortgage risk.
Mortgage risk, the chance of a borrower defaulting, has increased to 83.2 percent for households earning under $60,000 per year. It is, however, virtually non-existent for households earning more than $150,000.
<h2>Income is more important than interest rates</h2>
The Roy Morgan report highlights the importance of income, more so than house prices and borrowing costs, to mortgage stress. In fact, interest rates would need to more than double to match the impact of a loss of income on housing stress.
The previous peak in mortgage stress was in 2008-09, a period of high interest rates and bubble-like price growth in Sydney and Melbourne.
This time around, record low interest rates appear on the surface to be counter-balancing the default rate. Yet this is tied to a stagnation in income levels.
House prices and income levels moved in step until 2013. While house prices have continued to increase, household income levels have flattened since then, when the cash rate dropped to a historic low of 2.75 percent. The cash rate is now even lower at 1.50 percent, with further cuts forecast.
The troubling prediction from this is that mortgage stress among Australian households is set to remain high, despite the current low interest rates.
<h2>Widening inequality</h2>
As home ownership concentrates among wealthier households, this report also shows that higher-income households are more resilient to increases in interest rates. This means, too, that home ownership increasingly requires a dual income.
The owner-occupied home is often referred to as the largest single asset that most households own. In countries like Australia and the USA, home ownership is promoted by government and linked to many aspects of future wellbeing. However, as recent HILDA analysis shows, owner-occupied households are becoming far less common.
The “Great Australian Dream” is expected to apply to only a minority of households next decade. With those in the already most marginalised parts of society most affected by mortgage stress, a change in the structures that incentivise home ownership is required to minimise the growing inequality gap.
<h2>Pockets of pain</h2>
The limitation with national averages is that pockets of pain are brushed over. The report drills into state-by-state analysis and metro vs regional comparisons.
While the largest mortgages across the country, averaging over $300,000, are in Sydney, mortgage stress is highest in Tasmania and South Australia.
Mortgage stress in Tasmania and South Australia sits well above the national average, as do their unemployment figures, 6.5% and 6.9% respectively, against a national average of 5.7%. Households in regional areas are also facing more acute mortgage stress than their city counterparts.
<h2>The housing market underpins the Australian financial sector</h2>
Regulators aren’t taking any chances. With nearly $1 trillion in outstanding mortgage debt, double the pre-GFC level, the 2014 Financial Systems Inquiry identified that mortgages are now a significant systemic risk. In a recent speech on the prudential regulator’s outlook, APRA general manager Heidi Richards stated that “the housing market now underpins our financial sector”.
APRA has been tightening the lending standards of the big banks. Effective from July 1, the big banks have been required to apply higher “risk weightings” to residential mortgages. These determine the amount of capital held against assets to limit the likelihood of insolvency.
The silver lining to this otherwise depressing analysis is that the risks to financial stability are relatively low. Home ownership concentrated amongst wealthier households actually means there is a high degree of aggregate resilience to changes in future interest rates and incomes.
However, the report’s focus is on current incomes. To brace for a true housing market downturn, the key will be monitoring employment and income statistics – unemployment rates as well as hours.
Danika Wright is lecturer in finance, University of Sydney and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/danika-wright-121868" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

Mortgage Stress

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Mortgage Stress

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News