<p>Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.</p>

<p>Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]</p>

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

<p>Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.</p>

<p>Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.</p>

<p>Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]</p>

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

<p>Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.</p>

<p>David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.</p>

<p>“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]</p>

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

<p>While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.</p>

<p>Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;</p>


Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.</p>

<p>The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.</p>

<p>Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.</p>

<p>“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.</p>

<p>“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”</p>

<p><img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" /></p>

<p>Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.</p>

<p>The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.</p>

<p>“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.</p>

<p>“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”</p>

<p><img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" /></p>

<p>Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.</p>

<p>“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.</p>

<p>The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.</p>

<p>“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”</p>

<p>The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.</p>

<p>The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.</p>


Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

<p>Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.</p>

<p>Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.</p>

<p>The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.</p>

<p>“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.</p>

<p>“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.</p>

<p>“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”</p>

<p>The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.</p>

<p>“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”</p>

<p>From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.</p>

<p>“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”</p>

<p>The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.</p>

<p>“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.</p>

<p>Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.</p>

<p>“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.</p>

<p>“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”</p>

<p>The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.</p>

<p>“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.</p>

<p>Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

<p>Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.</p>

<p>The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.</p>

<p>It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.</p>

<p>With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.</p>

<p>“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.</p>

<p>“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”</p>

<p><img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" /></p>

<p>GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.</p>

<p>“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”</p>

<p>Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.</p>

<p>“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.</p>

<p><img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.</p>

<p>Green praised local policy settings.</p>

<p>“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”</p>

<p>One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.</p>

<p>“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.</p>


One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

<p>It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.</p>

<p>Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.</p>

<p>Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be</p>

<p data-end="683" data-start="511">"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.</p>

<p data-end="882" data-start="690">"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."</p>

<p data-end="882" data-start="690">[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]</p>

<p>The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.</p>

<p>The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.</p>

<p>Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]</p>

<p>Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.</p>

<p>The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]</p>

<p data-end="247" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.</p>

<p>WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.</p>

<p>With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]</p>


WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Price Growth

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<p>Gold Coast dwelling prices have been tipped to perform next year with new data from SQM Research predicting a rise of between 7% to 11% due to a number of factors including a strong tourism dollar, low rental vacancy rates and high rental yields.</p>
<p>Managing director of SQM Research, Louis Christopher, said they lifted their investment rating for the Gold Coast from 3.0 stars issued in 2011 to 3.75 stars.</p>
<p>“Back in 2010 the Gold Coast housing market suffered a perfect storm of events that created a major dwelling price crash," he said.</p>
<p>"A lot of those events have now dissipated and right now, there are many favourable economic factors which are helping to improve the region.</p>
<p>"So we believe Gold Coast property investors are likely to enjoy good returns, both in rents and capital growth for up to the next three years.”</p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/22/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-22%20at%209.51.53%20AM.png" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Gold Coast tipped to perform in 2016: SQM Research

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<p><span>House price expectations fell in September according to the Westpac- Melbourne Institute Consumer House Price Expectations Index, which also found an annual growth in dwelling prices at just under 10% nationally.</span></p>
<p><span>The Westpac- Melbourne Institute Consumer House Price Expectations Index fell 6.1% from 132.7 in Aug to 127.3 in September.</span></p>
<p><span>According to the report the September fall was felt greatest in NSW, down 17%.</span></p>
<p><span>"Composite price measures based on all available private sector indexes shows annual growth in dwelling prices tracking at just under 10% nationally but varying enormously across geographies. Price growth is running closer to 20% in the Sydney market, showing a stark disconnect with the recent weakening in consumers’ price expectations," the report noted.</span></p>
<p><span>"While still more positive than buyer intentions, consumers’ house price expectations are also showing signs of waning.  The Index is now down 17%yr although it remains well above the 100 level indicating those expecting prices to rise still outnumber those expecting them to fall.</span></p>
<p><span>"Price growth is a reasonably firm 9%yr in Melbourne, but is only really keeping pace with inflation in Brisbane (2.6%yr) and is recording outright declines in Perth (–2.5%yr). With 75% of WA consumers picking prices to be flat or lower in 12mths, weakness looks entrenched."</span></p>
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<p><span>Westpac-MI House Price Expectations Index </span></p>
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<p><span>House prices: expectations vs actual by state </span></p>
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NSW house price expectations down 17%: Westpac's Red Book

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<div>As a mainly passive investor in equities these days I must admit that I don't pay a huge amount of attention to the daily machinations of the share markets.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>That said, judging from the number of angst-ridden articles about why shares must be the way to go and definitely not property I'd say it's a fair assumption that Aussie share markets are now tanking again.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And taking a look at the charts, yep, pretty much.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Having briefly threatened to get back up to 6,000 after nearly eight years of trying the ASX 200 (XJO) is now deflating miserably again, all the way back down 5356.50.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The technicals are looking rather shocking too.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/17/imageChart.axd.gif" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/08/17/imageChart.axd.gif" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Property markets divergent</span></strong><br><br><span>Meanwhile, what's been happening in property markets since 2007?</span><br><br><div>The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released its latest <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/chart-pack/index" target="_blank">Chart Packs</a> during the first week of August recording the latest housing prices.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As I expected, beyond the financial crisis the rising tide of household debt could no longer lift all boats, and so far capital growth has been strongest in the two largest capital cities, but considerably weaker elsewhere. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Drivers of markets going forward will include jobs growth, population growth, real wages growth and foreign capital, among a number of other factors. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>Predictably the Sydney property market has been the clear standout, with house prices in round numbers having appreciated by <span>~</span>$400,000 (from <span>~</span>$550,000 to <span>~</span>$950,000), or more than a <span>~</span>70 per cent increase. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The line denoting Sydney would look far steeper if it wasn't for the fact the RBA switched from using a linear scale to a log scale at the end of the first quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2015/08/17/6bl-houspri-small.gif" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/08/17/6bl-houspri-small.gif" alt=""></div>
<div>
<div>At the other end of the scale, Adelaide's median house price has appreciated by around <span>~</span>$100,000 from <span>~</span>$350,000 to <span>~</span>$450,000, or close to a <span>~</span>30 per cent increase.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Regional house prices in aggregate showed the lowest price growth of under $100,000, the chart following a very similar trajectory to that of Adelaide. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In Brisbane median house prices are below their 2010 peak according to <em>CoreLogic-RP Data</em>(albeit only very marginally) but are now rising. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>For my money, Brisbane offers the best "value" of any of the capital city markets, though investors need to be particularly careful about what they are buying, for the reasons well documented here previously. </span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span><span>The trendline below which records investor loans on a 12mMA basis shows that Queensland investor lending in aggregate is now tracking at its highest level since April 2008 and rising.</span></span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span>Click to enlarge</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2015/08/17/A2.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Shares and property</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>I wouldn't get too bogged down in the whole shares versus property debate, given that these are two fundamentally very different asset classes, both of which have their place in an investment portfolio. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>For average investors equities are often best viewed primarily as an income investment (just as well given that there has been no capital growth for close to a decade). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>A fundie would justly argue that through skilful stock selection they can beat the market consistently, thereby justifying their fees. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>That's fair enough.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The same is true of property markets, really. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Median house price growth across Australia has been fairly mixed in recent years, with Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and Brisbane recording almost no nominal price growth at all since their respective 2010 peaks.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>That said, property investors can and do aim to beat median house price growth with quality asset selection.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I can think of at least a hundred ways in which it's possible to steal an edge on imperfect property markets, one of which is alluded to above - buying counter-cyclically. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Another way to manufacture growth is through renovation.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the long term a few other tactics might include buying property which is:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>-located within a 15 minute commute of the centre a large and growing capital city;</div>
<div>-in a land-locked suburb;</div>
<div>-within a 5 minute walk to a hard rail link or hub;</div>
<div>-comprised of a high land value; and</div>
<div>-an asset type which is in exceptionally high demand but has scarcity value.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There are a great many others, of course. </div>
<div> </div>
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<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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Steal an edge on imperfect property markets: Pete Wargent

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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The WA city of Albany is the top performer in regional property for the sate over the previous financial year.</span></p>
<p><span>Median house prices in the Albany Urban Area grew 5.3% to $389,750. </span></p>
<p><span>Other performing suburbs  included Bayonet Head, up 8.8 % to a median of $397,000, Mount Melville, up 5% to $380,000, and Spencer Park, up 4.9% to $350,000. </span></p>
<p><span>Yakima had the greatest number of house sales at 52, with a median price of $388,750.</span></p>
<p><span>Barry Panizza, REIWA’s branch chairman for Albany, said the lift in median price over the last year really only brings us back to where we were five years ago because the market has been weak for that long.</span></p>
<p><span>"It’s encouraging to think that we might now be returning to a better position of forward growth and it gives buyers and sellers a bit more confidence," Mr Panizza said.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The second best performing regional centre was the Busselton Urban Area, with suburb Abbey recording a median price of $625,000, up 15.7% over the year.</span></p>
<p><span>Goldfields/Esperance had 3.1% growth and Kalgoorlie growth was up 7.6% growth to $317,500. Piccadilly had a 20.2% lift to $375,000. </span></p>
<p><span>Karratha’s median price fell 32.3% to a median of $440,000, Port Hedland down 12 % to a median of $880,000  and South Hedland median fell 4.6% to $711,000.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/14/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-14%20at%2011.52.14%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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Albany tops regional WA results in 2014-15 financial year

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<p><span>Mirvac Group's Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz forecasts Sydney's fast house price growth is close to ending.</span></p>
<p><span>And she anticipates volumes of home sales could fall away by 15%.</span></p>
<p><span>"Previous cycles would suggest that activity, i.e. volume of sales, will moderate for a year or two by 15%, but importantly we don't believe this will lead to price falls rather we expect price growth to moderate away from the double-digit growth rate that it has been experiencing."</span></p>
<p><span>She suggested the recent Australian Prudential Regulation Authority crackdown had been a "blunt" measure.</span></p>
<p><span>Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz has presided over a record $2 billion in residential sales in the past year at Mirvac.</span></p>
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Mirvac's boss sees less Sydney sales volume ahead

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<h3 class="timeline-header"> </h3>
<p>The villa and townhouse market and older homes with decent land on the water about 10-15km from the Sydney CBD are peaking investor interest due to proposed upgrades to transport and commercial infrastructure.</p>
<p>Ramsgate Beach, just past Sydney's airport, is one such region, according to <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">PRDnationwide research analyst Thomas Doyle, </span>who<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> said m</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">edian growth for houses in </span>the<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> area is consistently greater than 20%.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">"So when talking about at $700K, three- bedroom in the early 2000s, you’re now talking about a $1.1-$1.5m property in 2015, on a parcel that has capacity for further development," said Mr Doyle.</span></p>
<p><span>“We are finding buyers and investors purchasing villas/townhouses under $1m. Due to so many people looking to buy into the area and also wanting to purchase a home for less than $1m, we have noticed a significant increase in villa/townhouse prices due to being priced out for the standard freestanding home.</span></p>
<p><span>“While Sydney prices continue to soar, there are terrific comparable homes in Ramsgate and surrounding suburbs such as Bexley North. The growth in these areas looks a long way from ending.” </span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/08/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-11%20at%207.25.03%20PM.png" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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Sydney's southern suburbs ripe for property investment

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<p><span>The house market is securing greater price growth in regional Victoria than unit price growth, according to the REIV's June quarter data.</span></p>
<p>Regional</p>
<table dir="ltr" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
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<col width="152">
<col width="152">
<col width="156">
<col width="132">
<col width="119">
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Regional Victoria"]'>Regional Victoria</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jun-15 Quarter"]'>Jun-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quarterly change"]'>Quarterly change</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mar-15 Quarter"]'>Mar-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual change"]'>Annual change</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,346000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$346,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.015]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>1.5%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,341000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$341,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.063]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>6.30%</td>
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<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit and Apartment"]'>Unit and Apartment</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,257500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$257,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,-0.015]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>-1.5%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,261500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$261,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.03]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>3.00%</td>
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<p><br><span>The median prices are seasonally adjusted and annual change are based on rolling annual figures.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span> House prices, Regional centres</span> <br><br></strong></p>
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<td> </td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jun-15 Quarter"]'>Jun-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quarterly change"]'>Quarterly change</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mar-15 Quarter"]'>Mar-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual change"]'>Annual change</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"City of Greater Geelong"]'>City of Greater Geelong</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,411250]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$411,250</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.003]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>0.3%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,410000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$410,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,-0.013]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>-1.3%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"City of Greater Bendigo"]'>City of Greater Bendigo</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,338250]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$338,250</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.004]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>0.4%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,337000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$337,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.01]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>1.0%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"City of Ballarat"]'>City of Ballarat</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,317250]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$317,250</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.023]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>2.3%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,310000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$310,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.054]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>5.4%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong><br></strong><span><span>Note: regional median prices are based on 12 months ending the quarter</span></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Median-Prices/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2015%20Q2%20Jun/Median%20price%20Regional_June%20Q%202015.ashx" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a></p>
<p> <img src="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Median-Prices/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2015%20Q2%20Jun/Median%20price%20Regional_June%20Q%202015.ashx?h=422&amp;w=700&amp;as=1" alt="" width="700" height="422"><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Median-Prices/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2015%20Q1%20Mar/Chart_Mar15medians_Regional.ashx"></a><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Median-Prices/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2014%20Q4%20Dec/Chart_Dec14medians_Regional.ashx"></a><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Median-Prices/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2014%20Q3%20Sep/Chart_Sep14medians_Regional_EMiNcV6J.ashx"></a></p>
<p><span> This graph shows median house and unit prices in Regional Victoria over the past decade in seasonally adjusted terms.</span></p>
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Ballarat leads regional price growth: REIV

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<p>Property investors in Sydney and Melbourne are the most optimistic nationwide about short term growth in dwelling values with 63% and 73% respectively believing values will rise in the next six months.</p>
<p>Just under half (48%) of respondents to the <span>CoreLogic RP Data Nine Rewards Consumer sentiment survey</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> expect home values to rise in the next six months, compared with 49% over the previous quarter. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Of those who think values will rise, 78% consider it will be by less than 5%. 12% of respondents think home values will fall over the next six months.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Less than 20% of respondents in Perth, regional Western Australia and regional South Australia expect a rise in values. </span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-25%20at%201.24.51%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-25%20at%201.24.51%20AM.png" alt="" width="787" height="342"></p>
<p>Do you believe home values will rise, fall or remain stable over the next 12 months.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-25%20at%201.27.20%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-25%20at%201.27.20%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-25%20at%201.27.30%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-25%20at%201.27.30%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p><em>Source: CoreLogic RP Data Nine Rewards Consumer sentiment survey</em></p>
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Property investors in Sydney, Melbourne most optimistic: CoreLogic RP Data

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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Sydney’s three years of price growth has dragged the city up the capital city rankings for long-term capital growth, but only as high as fourth. </span></p>
<p>Six months ago, it ranked sixth among the eight capital cities and still lags behind Perth, Melbourne and Darwin. This is for average annual growth in house prices over the past 10 years, which we survey regularly for the Capital Growth Superstars report.</p>
<p>Fourteen of Sydney’s Top 20 suburbs have long-term growth rates below 8% per year - not nearly good enough to make the Top 20 lists for Melbourne, Perth or Darwin.</p>
<p>No suburb in the vast Sydney metropolitan area has a double-digit growth rate. The best is Pemulwuy (median price $720,000) in the city’s western suburbs, with a long-term growth rate of 9.5% per year. Most of the suburbs in the Top 20 have growth rates in the 7.0% to 8.0% range.</p>
<p>At first glance, it appears that the Top End suburbs dominate Sydney’s Top 20 list, as 19 of the Top 20 (all except Pemulwuy) have median prices above $1 million. But, in fact, these are mostly suburbs a tier below the top end. </p>
<p>In Sydney, the 15 most expensive suburbs all have median house prices above $2 million. None of the 20 most expensive suburbs (all with median prices above $1.9 million) make the Sydney’s Top 20 list for long-term capital growth. Most of them have growth rates below 5% per year.</p>
<p>Sydney’s Top 20 is dominated by 15 suburbs in the $1 million to $1.5 million range, which is Sydney’s second tier market.</p>
<p>This is a change from other surveys in the past three years, which have strongly featured the cheaper end of the Sydney metropolitan market. The growth of the past 2-3 years has elevated some of the more expensive areas.</p>
<p>The outstanding precinct is the Ryde LGA on the lower North Shore, which has four suburbs in the city Top 20. Ryde is the only municipality with more than two suburbs in the Top 20. Its four top suburbs are Eastwood, Ryde, Denistone East and West Ryde, all with median prices in the $1.1 million to $1.3 million range.</p>
<p>The prestige end of the market, suburbs with median house prices above $2 million, continues to deliver poor capital growth rates. Indeed, three of the most expensive suburbs of Sydney are included in the Bottom 20 list of suburbs with the worst growth rates in the city.</p>
<p>Vaucluse (median $3.4 million), Palm Beach (median $2.6 million) and Clontarf (median $2.5 million) all have growth rates of 2.1% per year or less. Clontarf’s 1.3% grow rate means it would take 55 years for property to double in value (compared to eight years for Pemulwuy, which has Sydney’s best growth rate).</p>
<p>There are four other million-dollar suburbs on the Bottom 20 list.</p>
<p>The worst precinct in Sydney for capital growth is the Sutherland LGA in the south of the metropolitan area – it has four suburbs (Burraneer, Bundeena, Lilli Pilli and Illawong) on the Bottom 20 list, all with growth rates below 2% per year.</p>
<p>Sydney’s Top 10 for long-term capital growth is:-</p>
<p>1 Pemulwuy 9.5%</p>
<p>2 Waitara 9.2%</p>
<p>3 Homebush 8.7%</p>
<p>4 Burwood 8.6%</p>
<p>5 Bondi 8.0%</p>
<p>6 Darlington 8.0%</p>
<p>7 Hurstville 7.8%</p>
<p>8 North Willoughby 7.8%</p>
<p>9 Haberfield 7.6%</p>
<p>10 Hurlstone Park 7.6%</p>
<p><em>TERRY RYDER is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a> </em></p>
<p class="Normal"><span>Terry was recently joined by </span><em>Property Observer</em><span> editor at large Jonathan Chancellor for a webinar on why research is the key to successful property investing in 2015. You can download slides and audio from the webinar </span>here<span>.</span></p>
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Sydney's top 20 suburbs for growth rates: Terry Ryder

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<p><span>House price growth accelerated during the March 2015 quarter as turnover fell 5.2% from the previous quarter, marking the third decline for land transactions in three consecutive  quarters.</span></p>
<p><span>Housing Industry Association chief economist Harley Dale said the combination of escalating residential land values and a related decline in sales volumes is not a good combination.</span></p>
<p><span>"The combination of significantly reduced turnover and strong price growth suggests that supply bottlenecks in residential land are intensifying," Mr Dale said.</span></p>
<p><span>"That is pricing new home buyers out of the housing market and capping the construction cycle at a lower level than would otherwise be the case.</span></p>
<p><span>According to the quarterly HIA CoreLogic RP Data Residential Land Report the residential land price in Australia increased 4.1% in March when with the previous quarter, up 8.2% from the same quarter last year. The amount of residential land transactions dropped 5.2% and is 17.6% lower than the same quarter last year.</span></p>
<p><span>CoreLogic RP Data research director Tim Lawless said the number of vacant land sales peaked over the June 2013 quarter and have since reduced by almost 30," Mr Lawless said.</span></p>
<p><span>"To see the price of land consistently rising over the same time frame suggests low supply is the main driver of this price growth rather than a slowdown in demand.</span></p>
<p><span>“Higher land prices translate to more expensive housing which is an unfortunate circumstance for those looking to purchase a detached house. Sydney stands out as the most expensive land market with a rate per square metre of $678, followed closely by Perth with a rate per square metre of $664.” </span></p>
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<p><img src="/images/2015/07/20/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-20%20at%201.57.38%20PM.png" alt="" width="812" height="459"></p>
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<p><a href="/images/2015/07/20/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-20%20at%201.57.46%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="/images/2015/07/20/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-20%20at%201.57.54%20PM.png" alt=""></span></p>
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