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

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Price Growth

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The latest CoreLogic figures are likely to show price growth flat-lined in April with Sydney having its first monthly decline since December 2015.
Full-month figures due to be released on Monday will show the country's peak growth phase has possibly paused or passed.
CoreLogic head of research Asia Pacific Tim Lawless noted the CoreLogic hedonic home value index has virtually held steady over the first twenty-seven days of the month for the five city aggregate index, "with a subtle fall in Sydney values over the month to date." 
"Recent regulatory changes aimed at slowing the pace of investment and interest-only lending have pushed mortgage rates slightly higher and slowed the pace of investment demand. These changes appear to be having a dampening effect on housing market conditions."
" The softer results come after a strong re-acceleration in home values that has been evident through the second half of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017. 
"Recent regulatory changes aimed at slowing the pace of investment and interest-only lending have pushed mortgage rates slightly higher and slowed the pace of investment demand. 
"These changes appear to be having a dampening effect on housing market conditions." 
The figures had Sydney up 1.4 percent in March - up 18.9 percent over the 12-month period.
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The last decline in Sydney values came in the December quarter of 2015, with a 1.4 percent decline in November and a 1.2 percent fall in December, coinciding the first round of credit curbs.
Monday's report will include figures for the five mainland capitals. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Subtle fall in Sydney values in April: CoreLogic

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The Murrumbidgee council area is the top-performing market in the country, according to CoreLogic.
CoreLogic said when it comes to market growth the Riverina town is number one.
The area’s median house prices have ballooned in the past 20 years, recording a growth of 13 percent per annum.
Tim Lawless, CoreLogic’s director of research, attributed the growth to an influx of new housing and strong local economic conditions.
“Prices have moved from an extremely low base which can magnify the percentage change," he said.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/29/Chart-1.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/2017/03/29/Chart-1.jpg" alt="">
"Despite such a high growth rate over 20 years, the median prices is still less than $170,000.
“The vast majority of this growth occurred between 1998 and 2003 when the median price moved from slightly under $12,000 to $123,000 over this five year period.”
The most active suburb Coleambally recorded 18 sales in the past 12 months while 14 properties in Darlington Point changed hands in that period, CoreLogic RP Data showed.
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-darlington+point-122624202" target="_blank">7 Demamiel Street</a>, Darlington Point (above) has been listed for $209,000.
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-coleambally-122568658" target="_blank">39 Sandpiper Street</a>, Coleambally (below) had its price reduced to $215,000.
<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/2017/03/29/39%20Sandpiper%20Street.jpg" alt="">
Similarly a five bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-darlington+point-120988250" target="_blank">38 Kook Street</a>, Darlington Point (below) has been listed for $199,000.
<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/2017/03/29/38%20Kook%20Street.jpg" alt="">
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-darlington+point-124395470" target="_blank">13 Carrington Street</a>, Darlington Point (below) was recently sold for $164,000.
<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/2017/03/29/13%20Carrington%20Street.jpg" alt="">
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-darlington+point-124031414" target="_blank">17 Hay Street</a>, Darlington Point (below) was sold for $164,000.
<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/2017/03/29/17%20Hay%20Street.jpg" alt="">
Similarly a three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-coleambally-123401794" target="_blank">37 Sandpiper Street</a>, Coleambally (below) was sold for $115,000.
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Murrumbidgee LGA has highest growth market in the past 20 years

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The Westpac Melbourne Institute Consumer House Price Expectations Index has continued to firm, rising a further 7.5 percent since October, according to the Red Book January 2017 report.
At 149.6 the index is back near the highs of early 2015.
A strong majority of consumers nationally expect prices to rise over the next 12 months with 13.2 percent predicting double digit growth and 49.7 percent expecting single digit increases. Just 26.2 percent expect prices to hold with 10.9 percent predicting price declines.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/03/wes-3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Price measures are now giving a more consistent messages on actual price growth with all showing a lift and two of the four major measures suggesting gains tracking at a 10 percent annual pace over the second half 2016.
Consumers in NSW and Victoria remain considerably more bullish on price growth. The biggest lift in expectations over the last three months has been in WA (+18.7 percent) followed by NSW (+7.2 percent).
While the latter looks to be responding to a renewed quickening in price growth, the shift in expectations in WA looks more tentative.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/03/wes-4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Price expectations have been much weaker in WA as actual prices out west have recorded persistent declines.
Although WA consumers now look to be anticipating a stabilisation, similar expectations in mid 2016 proved premature and the latest firming has yet to be reflected in any moderation in actual price declines.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Buyers expect property prices to keep rising in 2017: Westpac

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Combined capital city dwelling values rose 0.7 percent for January with Sydney recording the highest annual capital gains with dwelling values up 16 percent over 12 months according to CoreLogic.
CoreLogic's Hedonic Home Value Index for January 2017 found since the growth cycle commenced in June 2012, Sydney dwelling values have increased by a cumulative 70.5 percent.
Tim Lawless, CoreLogic head of research said the largest month-on-month gains were recorded in Hobart (+1.4 percent), Sydney (+1.0 percent) and Melbourne (+0.8 percent).
"On a quarterly basis, the CoreLogic January index results confirmed that all capital cities recorded a rise in dwelling values, with Hobart in the lead, recording a 5.8 percent rise in dwelling values over the three months to the end of January. Sydney (+2.7 percent) and Melbourne (+2.4 percent) also posted strong increases over the rolling quarter," he said.
"The annual trend in dwelling value appreciation remained steady when compared with last month.
"The annual growth rate across the combined capital cities was 10.7 percent over the twelve months ending January 2017, compared with 10.8 percent over the previous rolling twelve month period.
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“While the growth trend in smaller cities such as Hobart can show higher levels of volatility, clearly the Hobart housing market is now well into its growth cycle. Strong housing market conditions are being driven by positive affordability of housing, as well as improving economic conditions and stronger migration trends.” 
"For Perth and Darwin, the rise in dwelling values over the rolling quarter may hint at a bottoming of the downturn, evident since 2014.
"Since dwelling values peaked in these markets they have reduced by a cumulative 7.7 percent in Perth and 7.5 percent in Darwin through to January 2017. Perth dwelling values were 2.1 percent higher over the past three months and Darwin values were up 1.8 percent.
“Buyers still have a great deal of leverage in these markets, with listing numbers remaining high, long selling times and high rates of discounting. However, in another indication that conditions may be moving through the bottom of the cycle, transaction volumes moved higher across both markets prior to the seasonal downturn in December and January, whilst the average selling time reduced from previously higher levels. With economic and demographic conditions remaining weak in these markets, a recovery in dwelling values is likely to be a slow process.” 
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 "Gross rental yields slipped to a new record low across the combined capitals index in January, with the gross yield on a house now recorded at 3.20 percent, falling from 3.50 percent a year ago and 4.12 percent five years ago.
"The gross yield on a unit also reached a new record low in January, recorded at 4.01 percent across the combined capitals; down from 4.25 percent a year ago and 4.86 percent five years ago.
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“While rental yields plumb new lows, investment in the housing market has been consistently ratcheting higher which implies that investors are speculating on further capital gains in the housing market."
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Sydney's price growth gets even stronger in 2017 with opening 16 percent annual gain

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Gordon, the ACT suburb, has been pinpointed in the latest Residex Predictions Report as the nation's top growth prospect.
The list identifies 109 suburbs and towns nationally that are most likely to deliver better than average growth over the next five and eight years.
The report ranks the top 109 suburbs where predicted capital growth is forecast to be between an average of 4.0 percent and 11.1 percent per annum over the next five years, and between an average of 5.1 percent and 8.4 percent per annum over the next eight years.
Based on Residex’s predictive model, the best performing suburb has been identified as Gordon in the ACT, 28 kilometres south of Canberra, where house values are predicted to grow by an average of 8.4 percent per year for the next eight years.
The median house value in Gordon is currently $576,662 and the median value growth was a strong 5.6 percent in the year to October 2016.
For that median price a four bedroom home, such as the one at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-act-gordon-124363650" target="_blank">53 Wootton Crescent</a> (above), is available for $575,000.
Similarly a three bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-act-gordon-123890790" target="_blank">6 Price Place</a> (below) has been listed for sale for $589,000.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-17%20at%2011.41.06%20AM.png" alt="">
Examples of houses that have been sold at Gordon includes a three bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-act-gordon-124211006" target="_blank">11 Flegg Crescent</a> (below) that was sold for $565,000.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-17%20at%2011.42.33%20AM.png" alt="">
Similarly a three bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-act-gordon-123469498" target="_blank">10 Lawlor Place</a> (below) was sold for $405,000.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-17%20at%2011.46.59%20AM.png" alt="">
The report is a valuable starting point for property investors researching where to buy next, Kylie Davis, Residex head of marketing said.
“The suburbs listed in the report are the ones that we would expect to perform well in future years based purely upon the statistical patterns that the Residex algorithm has identified in their historical growth rates,” said Tim Lawless, CoreLogic’s Asia Pacific Research Director.
“Residex’s predictive model doesn’t allow for new developments, changing demographic patterns, improved infrastructure or any other such factors and these can have a substantial impact on the capital gain prospects across a suburb or town.”
The December report is the first Predictions Report compiled by Residex since the business was purchased by CoreLogic in 2016, and uses the combined data resources of the two businesses.
The data is drawn from median values using the CoreLogic automated valuation model, rather than median sales prices. This is an important distinction as it takes into account the value of all properties within the suburb, not just those that have transacted across the period. This makes it a more reliable and stable indicator of values across the region.
The suburb of Pemulwuy in NSW held the number two spot with house values expected to provide an average of 8.34% growth per year over the next eight years. Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast came in third position with an average of 8.29% growth anticipated per year over the next eight years. Houses in Middle Swan ranked fourth while houses in Brighton, Tasmania ranked fifth.
In the national report, 107 suburbs had top predictions for houses while there were two suburbs for units. Across the country, 60 of the top 109 suburbs were in regional Australia and 49 were in city areas.
Broken down by state, 16 were in the ACT, 39 suburbs were within NSW, 15 were in Queensland, there was 1 from SA, 13 from Tasmania, 6 from Victoria and 19 from WA. Separate reports are also available for Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
Mr Lawless said the report was not definitive and other suburbs could also perform strongly. Investors should conduct their own additional research before deciding to commit to a purchase.
“As with any forward looking analytic, the reports are predictions, not a guarantee of future growth, and taking into consideration your own personal circumstances is vital,” Mr Lawless said.
Get your full copy of the <a href="https://www.residex.com.au/top-100-predictions-report?utm_source=blog.residex.com.au&amp;utm_medium=article-link&amp;utm_campaign=kd-160117" target="_blank">Residex Predictions Report here</a> for $195 per state or $250 for the national report.
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Gordon ranked as the best price growth prospect in the country by Residex

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CoreLogic's head of research Tim Lawless estimates that there were around 465,500 dwelling sales over the 2016 calendar year, which was 8.7% lower than a year ago and 3.8% lower than the ten year average.
“Lower sales aren’t necessarily due to lower housing demand," he said.
"In most markets, the slowdown in turnover is more attributable to a shortage of stock available for sale rather than a lack of buyer demand.
"Low stock levels have fuelled a sense of urgency amongst buyers and contributed to short selling times and minimal discounting from vendors.”
Looking ahead across 2017, Mr Lawless noted that the housing market is likely to face some headwinds that may result in a moderation in growth rates.
“Mortgage rates were already trending higher towards the end of 2016, despite any movements in the Reserve Bank cash rate; higher mortgage rates have the potential to quell housing demand, especially considering the record-high levels of household debt which implies consumers are highly sensitive to changes in the cost of debt.
“We’re also seeing high levels of supply weighing down the rate of capital gains in the unit sector.
“With the peak in unit construction due over the coming year, potentially lower unit valuations relative to the off-the-plan contract price, may cause some disruption to the settlement process.”
Additionally, CoreLogic's Tim Lawless noted that regulators may consider implementing policies aimed at reducing investment activity in the housing market.
Based on ABS housing finance data, investors have been progressively increasing their share of mortgage demand since the May and August rate cuts last year. The latest data shows investors now comprise 49% of mortgage demand, excluding refinanced loans.
Mr Lawless said with rental yields at record lows, it is logical to assume investors are largely speculating on future capital gains in dwelling values and disregarding the low yield profile.
"If housing market investment activity does reduce, it has the potential to mitigate some of the upwards pressure on home values.
“Organic factors may also contribute to a reduction in buyer demand and growth rates such as fewer buyers who can afford high housing prices, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne where values have increased substantially more than in other cities.
“Consumer confidence may also affect buyer demand."
Lawless said there is a high correlation between consumer confidence and housing turnover.
"So if confidence measures continue to track lower we can expect consumers to be less willing to make high commitment decisions such as purchasing a property.
"While we expect 2017 dwelling values to rise at a lower rate than in 2016, there is still potential for further growth across Australia’s housing market.
"“Smaller capital cities such as Canberra and Hobart have demonstrated an accelerating growth trend and recent CoreLogic data suggests that Darwin and Perth may be approaching, or moving through the bottom of the downturn.
“Lifestyle markets are also becoming more popular as tourism improves and home owners look to leverage their new found equity,” Mr Lawless said.
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Headwinds ahead in 2017 for housing, but price growth still forecast: Corelogic's Tim Lawless

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Housing price growth of between 2 and 4 percent is expected in Melbourne in 2017 supported by growth in detached house prices of between 5 and 6 percent.
Paul Bloxham, HSBC chief economist as an oversupply is expected in the apartment market, particularly in the inner city
"We doubt that oversupply in the apartment market will have much effect on the detached house market, given the lack of substitutability," he said.
"Like Sydney, tighter prudential settings and a pull-back in foreign demand are expected to weigh on prices, particularly of apartments. "
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Melbourne's detached housing price growth to near six percent: HSBC's Paul Bloxham makes 2017 forecast 

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<div>
GUEST OBSERVER
Sydney and Melbourne continue to show solid house price growth while Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth are much weaker.
Even within cities there is divergence, with oversupply in some apartment markets, while detached house markets lack supply.
We forecast national housing price growth to slow from 7 percent in 2016 to 2-5 percent in 2017; trends across and within cities to vary.
<a href="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.23.38%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.23.38%20PM.png" alt="">
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Still cooling, but with divergence across markets
It has always been a misconception to refer to Australia as having one housing market. After all, Australia's population is strewn across a whole continent and each region is affected by different forces. The cycles in Western Australia and Queensland have been driven by mining, while the south-eastern states have larger services sectors.
<a href="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.25.11%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.25.11%20PM.png" alt="">
Being a currency union, there are clear unifying features, such as the common currency, interest rates and federal fiscal policy and free movement of labour, among other things. As a result, over recent decades, a key rule of thumb has been that mortgage rates drive the national housing price cycle. But this relationship has become more complicated recently, thanks to an unusually large cycle in commodity prices, persistent low global and local interest rates, rising foreign buyer activity, and increased use of prudential settings to tame the lending market.
<a href="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.26.12%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.26.12%20PM.png" alt="">
A key driver of trends over the past five years has been the rebalancing of growth towards the housing and services sectors, supported by the lower interest rates and AUD following the end of the mining boom. This has driven a substantial ramp-up in housing prices in Sydney and Melbourne since mid-2012, up 66 percent and 49 percent, respectively. Over the same period, housing prices in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth have risen by only 19 percent, 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
<a href="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.27.20%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.27.20%20PM.png" alt="">
The worrisome pace of Sydney and Melbourne price growth, particularly in 2014 and 2015, motivated a tightening in prudential settings, starting in late 2014, which has seen some moderation in loan growth. As a result, both cities saw housing price growth slow from double-digit growth last year to high single-digit rates this year. We expect low single-digit rates of housing price growth in these cities in 2017, although trends are expected to vary across the apartment and detached house markets.
<a href="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.28.25%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-25%20at%2012.28.25%20PM.png" alt="">
A national apartment building boom, which has been part of the rebalancing act, is likely to deliver some oversupply in the Melbourne and Brisbane apartment markets, which is expected to see apartment price falls in these markets. Detached dwelling markets across the country are set to see further price growth, albeit moderating.
 <a href="https://www.about.hsbc.com.au/hsbc-in-australia/management-team" target="_blank">PAUL BLOXHAM</a> IS CHIEF ECONOMIST (AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND) FOR HSBC. 
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Low single-digit rates of housing price growth in 2017 for Sydney, Melbourne: HSBC's Paul Bloxham

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Melbourne and Hobart lead the nation in year on year residential asking property price growth for October according to SQM Research with median house prices in Melbourne up 13.3 percent to $792,000 and units 5.4 percent to $458,200.
Year on year median asking prices in Hobart for units are up 21.7 percent and house prices up 9.8 percent. 
Louis Christopher, SQM Research managing director, said the number of Australian residential property sale listings fell in most capital cities during the month of October 2016, led by declines in Melbourne, with only Canberra and Perth reporting rises.
<a href="/images/2016/11/03/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-03%20at%201.07.40%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/03/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-03%20at%201.07.40%20PM.png" alt="">
"The number of national residential property listings fell 2.1 percent in October to 339,922 new listings, to be down 6.5 percent from a year earlier," he said.
"While Sydney median asking house prices are up to $1,165,100, vendors for now appear to have been willing sellers at these levels and have not pushed harder.
"Prices in Darwin and Perth are still falling, with the median asking price for a house in Perth at $682,800, 5.2 percent lower than this time last year, and $620,900 in Darwin, down 6.6 percent from a year earlier. 
"Sydney property listings fell 1.4 percent in October, to be down 7.3 percent from one year ago, reflecting a lack of supply which is keeping upward pressure on property prices.
<a href="/images/2016/11/03/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-03%20at%201.07.51%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a> <img src="/images/2016/11/03/Screen%20Shot%202016-11-03%20at%201.07.51%20PM.png" alt="">
"In Melbourne, listings are down 10.4 percent from a year ago, while they are down 18.2 percent in Hobart, again pressuring housing prices higher.
“The shortage of properties for sale in Melbourne and Hobart is creating upward pressure on property asking prices, while growth in asking prices has cooled slightly in Sydney. Quite frankly to see listings fall during what is normally a month that records seasonal surges, is a concern to me."
 
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Year on year asking price jump for Melbourne, Hobart: SQM Research

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Springvale in Victoria is the suburb with the fastest house price growth, according to Investar’s latest market report.
The website states that Springvale’s growth has increased by 29% compared to last year.
This is followed by Keysborough in Victoria which had a growth of 27% with Harrington Park and Rosemeadow taking equal third place with 25%.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="76">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
State
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Dwelling type
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Bedrooms
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Median listing price
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
1 year change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="76">
Springvale
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
House
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
$600,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
29%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="76">
Keysborough
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
House
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
4
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
$791,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
27%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="76">
Harrington Park
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
House
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
4
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
$910,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
25%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="76">
Rosemeadow
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
House
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
$500,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
25%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="76">
Berkeley Vale
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
House
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
$472,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
24%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
An example of a house priced around the $600,000 median in Springvale is one that has four bedrooms at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-springvale-123623822" target="_blank">29 Lee Avenue</a> (above) that was recently sold for $602,000.
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