<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.</p>

<p>VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.</p>

<p>Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]</p>

<p>The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]</p>

<p>“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]</p>


Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

<p>Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.</p>

<p>Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.</p>

<p>What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.</p>

<p>The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.</p>

<p>Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.</p>

<p>For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.</p>

<p>Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.</p>

<p>Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.</p>

<p>That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.</p>

<p>Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.</p>

<p>The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.</p>

<p>Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.</p>

<p>Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.</p>

<p>The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.</p>

<p>The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.</p>

<p>That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.</p>

<p>Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.</p>

<p>The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.</p>

<p>Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.</p>

<p>For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.</p>

<p>The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.</p>

<p>The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.</p>

<p>Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.</p>

<p>For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.</p>

<p>That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.</p>

<p>Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.</p>

<p>Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.</p>

<p>What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.</p>

<p>And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.</p>


How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

<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>


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

Property Listings

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<p>Listings are up 2.2 percent in Melbourne on this time last year, which is the only capital city to have more stock for sale than last April.</p>

<p>Darwin sees the biggest drop in overall listings, down by 35.9 percent according to CoreLogic.</p>

<p>Other cities aren't too far behind with Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart all down more than 30 percent in stock levels of private treaty listings.</p>

<p><strong><em>Related article: <a href="/news/urbans-top-five-melbourne-apartments-with-5-star-hotel-amenities-for-sale-in-april-2021">Urban's top five Melbourne apartments with 5-star hotel amenities for sale in April 2021</a></em></strong></p>

<p>Perth is down 22 percent.</p>

<p>Sydney has the lowest stock dip, at 16 percent.</p>

<p>The chart includes house and apartment resale listings.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="379" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/cl_2021_cc_listings.jpg" width="644"></p>

<p>There are currently 83,000 property listings across the nation, which is 17 percent down on the same time last year.</p>

<p>The level of new stock, ie fresh offerings over the past four weeks, is not a consistent between the capitals.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=2772]</p>

<p><strong><em>Related article: <a href="/news/vic/april-2021-the-top-5-two-bedroom-apartments-for-investors-in-melbourne-under-800-000">The top 5 two-bedroom apartments for investors in Melbourne under $800,000</a></em></strong></p>

<p>Perth sees a 64 percent jump in vendors arriving in the market.</p>

<p>Melbourne, Darwin and Adelaide have also seen a spike in fresh listings.</p>

<p>Hobart has seen a contraction in vendors.</p>
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April 2021 sees far fewer overall listings than the same time in 2020

jchancellor

Melbourne is the only capital city with more listings than last April: CoreLogic

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<p>The number of national capital city established homes newly advertised for sale over the week ending February 7 surged by 11.5% compared to the previous week's total, according to Dr Andrew Wilson, chief economist at the property platform Archistar.</p>

<p>The latest data shows the national total new listings over 2021 so far have are now 7 percent higher than recorded over the same period in 2020.</p>

<p>Melbourne saw the biggest early February jump, up by 28.% followed by Sydney 15%, Adelaide 11.5% and Brisbane up 10%.</p>

<p>Dr Wilson noted newly listed home numbers for Perth however fell by 36% over the week clearly reflecting the impact of its recent coronavirus lockdown.</p>

<p>Melbourne also reported the most newly listed established homes for sale over the past week - 12.7% higher than Sydney’s total.</p>

<p>“Newly advertised listing numbers can be expected to continue to surge over coming weeks and track higher than last year’s results at the same time - particularly as the autumn home auction season gathers pace,’ Dr Wilson said.</p>

<p>“More listings will be good news for buyers offered more choices – but they can expect to pay higher prices in a hot market,” he added.</p>

<p>Archistar is an Australian property platform which combines architectural design with artificial intelligence to inform decision-making in property and is used by agents, developers, architects, government planners and homeowners nationwide.</p>

<p>.</p>
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The latest data shows the national total new listings over 2021 so far have are now 7 percent higher than recorded over the same period in 2020

Property listings starting to rise

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<p>SQM Research has calculated national residential property listings decreased in January by 2.9%, falling from 272,999 in December 2020 to 265,116. </p>

<p>Compared to 12 months ago, listings were down by 10.5%.</p>

<p>All capital cities experienced seasonal decreases in property listings over the month except for Perth which had a 0.1% increase in listings.  </p>

<p>The largest decrease was in Melbourne of 4.7%.</p>

<p>Year-on-year listings also show larger declines for most capital cities with the exception of Sydney and Melbourne, both recording increases of 4.5% and 21%, respectively.</p>

<p>Nationally, new listings (over the past 30 days) decreased by a 24% over the course of January with 16,234 less properties on the market. </p>

<p>Hobart’s new listings decreased by a significant 33.28%, followed by Canberra which decreased by 26%.  Sydney recorded the lowest decrease in new listings of 2%.</p>

<p>The month of January traditionally records falls in properties listed for sale as the market is still in a summer holiday mode. SQM’s Louis Christopher said.</p>

<p>“This year was no exception. </p>

<p>“However, when we consider the number of new listings compared to January 2020, there was a material rise in nearly all cities.</p>

<p>“This finding is consistent with the observed early start to the auction market over January and February,” he added.</p>
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Property listings decline in January: SQM Research

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<p>The traditional Christmas property listing decline saw listings fall -7.9 per cent over December, down from 296,267 in November to 272,999, figures released by SQM Research show.</p>

<p>Sydney drove the decline, down -18.3 per cent, although their 26,038 total listings in December 2020 was 13.8 per cent higher than it was in December 19 (22,888).</p>

<p>Listings in Melbourne were a huge 30.5 per cent higher than in December 2020 compared to 2019. They have 39,475 listings on the market compared to 30,247 12 months ago.</p>

<p>New listings were unsurprisingly down by 17 per cent nationally in December, with 13,680 less new properties listed for sale.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="564" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/sqm_december_listings.jpg" width="1200"></p>

<p>Sydney’s new listings decreased by 41.8 per cent followed by Melbourne which decreased by 27.1 per cent. </p>

<p>Hobart was the only capital city that recorded an increase in new listings of 0.8 per cent.</p>

<p>Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research said it's no surprise to see listings decline at this time of the year.</p>

<p>“The month of December traditionally records falls in properties listed for sale as it is the start of the festive and summer holiday period," Christopher says, adding however that activity was strong all the way through to the last weekend before Christmas.</p>

<p>He said this was unusual and likely reflected a degree of catch up from the property inspection restrictions earlier in the year.</p>

<p>"Going forward I believe listings activity is going to remain strong in early 2021 but could weaken on the wind up of Job Keeper in March 2021.</p>

<p>"We believe Job Keeper has provided support to the market over 2020.”</p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>
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New listings were down by 17 per cent nationally in December, with 13,680 less new properties listed for sale.

Property listings tail off in December, but activity strong through to Christmas: SQM Research

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<p>Auction volumes were down week on week across the combined capital cities, with a total of 1,185 homes scheduled for auction. The lower activity which we have historically noted over school holiday periods, returned a preliminary clearance rate of 65.1%. </p>
<p>Across Australia’s two largest auction markets, the lower activity across both cities saw the clearance rate improve.</p>
<p>There were 439 Melbourne homes taken to auction returning a preliminary clearance rate of 64.3%, which was higher than last week’s preliminary figure of 62.7% across 645 auctions, with a final result of 61%.</p>
<p>In Sydney, 563 homes were auctioned this week returning a preliminary clearance rate of 68.1%, higher than last week’s 66.9% preliminary result, when a higher number of auctions were held (644). The final clearance rate last week came in at 62.9%.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/7/6/CL%20JULY%207%20CC.JPG" alt=""></p>
<p>Over the past 12 months across the capital city markets every city has seen a decrease in total listings with Melbourne faring the best and Perth as well as Canberra being hit the hardest.</p>
<p>Across new listings however, both Melbourne and Sydney have seen large increases around 20% with the only other market seeing an increase being Perth.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

New listings soar across Melbourne and Sydney: CoreLogic

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<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<div>A quick look at today's arrivals and departures figures. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Well, it's a bit like the famous old chart chronicling 1,001 days in the well-being of a Thanksgiving turkey.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Chinese short-term arrivals into Australia fell to a seasonally adjusted total of just 19,500 in February, to be down by about 90 per cent. </div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6i1Av1jlptY/XpaY17aaUAI/AAAAAAAA1O4/101Tn39UUQw_-P0YcoS3-TsyQN-nZEV1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/China.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6i1Av1jlptY/XpaY17aaUAI/AAAAAAAA1O4/101Tn39UUQw_-P0YcoS3-TsyQN-nZEV1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/China.jpg" width="640" height="354" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1447"></a></div>
<p>Ouch.</p>
<div>There were still some 72,500 international arrivals for the purposes of education in the month, but February is normally one of the two months of the year wherein far higher numbers are expected, as students are typically expected to return from their Xmas break.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And it was not so this year, as many international students were stuck in China or elsewhere. </div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeXFrYQDY6A/Xpa-UDHYKVI/AAAAAAAA1Pg/LSoyrsL_PFcFBq3Dzi4CLb_i2Tv4c9AtgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/A3.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1388"></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>Australia has long seen its economy juiced by relatively high intake resulting from net overseas migration, international students, and tourism from China and other parts of Asia. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>To date, there's been less impact showing up in the figures for permanent and long-term movements.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Indeed, there were still some 97,840 permanent and long term arrivals in the month, and only 32,930 long-term departures, although the next intake is often higher than this in sunny February. </div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mkdk1MBywwg/Xpa9GHqK5aI/AAAAAAAA1PY/qxn4apeYbIkrv_iGpZS-z2yuVw52bMJBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/A1.jpg" width="640" height="368" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1395"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>These figures will naturally slow through the remainder of Q1 and Q2, however. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Thus while the economy might see a staged re-entry to business trading, things can't really 'return to normal' until the borders can be opened again, which must obviously take time. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Out of interest, the IMF is forecasting a very strong rebound for Australia's economy in 2021 - faster than the US, UK, Germany, Canada, or France - though how they actually arrived at these figure is anyone's guess. </div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lG7XeYPpXJc/XpbmleYO-jI/AAAAAAAA1QA/xc0cVVG5gXsrOWZmtShtXxNqO8HIOs9rACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMF.jpg" width="640" height="346" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1398"></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Source: Joiner, IFM Investors</em></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>A sceptic might justifiably ask how their 2020 forecasts are tracking so far...</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Listings down</span></strong></div>
<p>There's not been too much sign of forced selling in the housing market just yet, with new listings all but cut in half.</p>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzr9yrwd84U/Xpa3PsmxG2I/AAAAAAAA1PQ/sX72dYuvdc40IQ0nLSSBnI2KrKNTjKzsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/EVmOH_7UMAErMCP.jpg" width="640" height="376" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="828"></div>
<p><em>S</em><em>ource:</em><em> My Housing Market</em></p>
<p>Resi construction is also forecast to all but dry up this year, with annual dwelling commencements tipped to dip below 100,000 over the coming quarters (UBS), which would the lowest rate of new supply since 'at least 1960' (h/t Scutty).</p>
<p>In fact, we're still seeing plenty of competition for the limited amount of new stock in blue chip areas, and even some examples of prices going above price guides.</p>
<p>It's extremely doubtful that's the case in outer suburban areas or regional hubs, though, as rising unemployment and underemployment begin to bite</p>
<p><strong>PETE WARGENT</strong><em> is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</em></p>
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International arrivals at multiyear lows: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>In what feels like a repeat of the pre-election period from 2019, there's really not much new stock coming to the capital city housing markets right now.</p>
<p>SQM Research showed that this has been reflected in tighter stock levels across the country as at April 2020, with all capital cities recording substantial year-on-year declines. </p>
<p class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1EMCEYVnE9o/Xrd9IoMV84I/AAAAAAAA1pY/U9Ev7hxZbiUOzGWnQKfMQ8FqNffTkHvUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/SQM1.jpg" width="640" height="372" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1363"></p>
<p>CoreLogic also reports the lowest level of supply in years. </p>
<p class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAywSqFu4mo/Xrd9-heUtvI/AAAAAAAA1pk/c-0u1ixbaY0OBJ2GO-X4wzempH65CNNsACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/CL1.jpg" width="640" height="386" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1120"></p>
<p>We're still actively searching for properties despite the logistical challenges, and a character home came up for sale on Brisbane's northside this week, which looked as though it may be of some interest for one of our clients. </p>
<p>Saturday open homes aren't allowed just yet, although they will be again very soon given that Queensland is fairly consistently reporting zero new cases of COVID-19 now.</p>
<p>Actually, with the exception of the Cedar Meats cluster in Victoria, Australia is recording close to zero cases per day, while ICU cases have declined to just 17.</p>
<p><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7EGm6iwarc/XreUQkA59HI/AAAAAAAA1pw/03OrdAGUMg4j0OeoAtCVRWiWHkBMEI1zQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/CV1.jpg" width="640" height="362" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1408"> </p>
<p>Agents can, however, take people through in groups of up to half a dozen at a time. </p>
<p>This particular house had 27 groups through yesterday and was locked away under offer before the day was out. </p>
<p>Huh.</p>
<p>Pro tip: call your bank and ask for a lower mortgage rate, as there are some extraordinarily attractive deals out there now, starting from a low 2-handle. </p>
<p><strong>PETE WARGENT</strong><em> is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</em></p>
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Listings tighten across the nation, a pre-election repeat: Pete Wargent

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<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>The number of new listings being added to the combined capitals housing market has seen a hefty 44% rise from the depths of the winter slowdown in early July through to the first week of October, however that hasn’t been enough to push fresh listing numbers in line with previous years.  The number of new capital city listings over the past twenty eight days was tracking at the lowest level for this time of the year since CoreLogic started tracking real estate listings in 2007.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2019-10/new_and_total_listing_capital_cities.png" width="600" height="399"></p>
<p><br>22,939 fresh real estate listings were added to the capital city housing markets over the past twenty eight days; 13% lower than the same time last year and 15% below the thirteen year average.   <br><br>New stock levels are down across every capital city, with the largest fall in Darwin where newly advertised listings are 36% lower than a year ago and 63% below the highs recorded in 2007.   Darwin housing conditions have been weak since the middle of 2014, so its understandable that home owners would be reluctant to list their property under such challenging selling conditions.  </p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2019-10/new_and_total_listing_capital_cities_chart.png" width="600" height="370"></p>
<p><br>The same logic can’t be used for stronger markets though.  Properties in Hobart are averaging just 28 days to sell and homes are selling, on average, in less than fifty days across Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, yet vendors seem to be lacking confidence to put their home on the market with new listing numbers down in these cities also.  Auction clearance rates remain high across the main auction markets and prices are under renewed upwards pressure.<br><br>So why the lack of new listings in cities where housing market conditions are picking up.   It’s reasonable to expect there would be some level of pent up demand amongst home owners who were unwilling to sell during the downturn and were waiting for selling conditions to improve.<br><br>Potentially a partial explanation can found in persistently low levels of consumer sentiment.  The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment recorded its lowest reading since mid-2015 in October.  With Australians increasingly concerned about their finances and the economic outlook, it may be the case that prospective vendors are choosing to sit on their hands until they feel more confident.  A property transaction, whether it be an option to sell or buy, is a high commitment decision that is much harder to make during periods of uncertainty. <br><br>Another explanation is the recency of the improved market conditions.  Capital city dwelling values were still trending lower only three months ago and the change to more positive conditions wasn’t widely anticipated.  Realistically it can take some time for home owners to get their affairs in order and prepare their property for sale.  With this context, a lag between the improved market conditions and a more substantial rise in new listings isn’t all that surprising.  </p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2019-10/capital_city_listing_summary.png" width="600" height="342">Capital City Listing Summary</p>
<p><br>Another barrier that may be preventing a more significant lift in listing numbers is high transaction costs, especially if the home owner is downsizing or upgrading which would incur a stamp duty payment.<br> <br>With market activity rising, active buyers are becoming more competitive across a shallow pool of listings which is adding some urgency to the market.  With increased competition, vendors are regaining some of the leverage they lost through the housing downturn and buyers could be feeling the first pangs of FOMO as they see properties selling faster and prices rising. </p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2019-10/monthly_sales_combine_capital_cities.png" width="600" height="282">Monthly Sales, Combined Capital Cities</p>
<p><br>Historically the seasonal peak in new listing numbers is around the second week of November, so there is still some time for the spring / early summer listing season to ramp up.  If the market recovery continues at the same pace as the last few months its almost certain that more home owners based in the markets showing strength will take advantage of the renewed level of buyer demand.</p>
<p><em><em><strong>TIM LAWLESS</strong> is the CoreLogic head of research</em></em></p>
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tlawless-5VLUrbAk9s

Spring hasn't quite sprung for real estate listings: Tim Lawless

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<p class="post-title entry-title">EXPERT OBSERVATION</p>
<div>A big jump in listings in Melbourne and Canberra this month, with Melbourne's available stock now comfortably exceeding 39,000, according to SQM Research's latest data and media release.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were small declines in October for Brisbane, Adelaide, and notably Darwin and Perth.</div>
<div>
<br>But the two major capital cities are well up from last year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28-ipGfRnqI/W-DpkBGNtnI/AAAAAAAAssA/T0C2fxMYRVY1XCtva9nrk-Ijs1nJBnIeACLcBGAs/s1600/SQM1.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28-ipGfRnqI/W-DpkBGNtnI/AAAAAAAAssA/T0C2fxMYRVY1XCtva9nrk-Ijs1nJBnIeACLcBGAs/s640/SQM1.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1375"></a></div>
<div>
<br>It took a bit longer to get there, but Melbourne has now well and truly joined Sydney with its slowing market, with stock levels leaping 5.9 per cent higher in the month of October alone.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3AiiL_6oLo/W-Dpkbv6LhI/AAAAAAAAssE/VWGYlMduTKUq5m_Tfp7jcGYyZQUr1vfVwCLcBGAs/s1600/SQM2.jpg"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3AiiL_6oLo/W-Dpkbv6LhI/AAAAAAAAssE/VWGYlMduTKUq5m_Tfp7jcGYyZQUr1vfVwCLcBGAs/s640/SQM2.jpg" width="640" height="376" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1360"></a></div>
<p class="post-body entry-content">From a year earlier, Melbourne listings are up by 24.3 per cent, suggesting very slow sales activity in the Victorian capital.</p>
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Melbourne stock surge: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>There's not been too much sign of forced selling in the housing market just yet, with new listings all but cut in half.</p>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzr9yrwd84U/Xpa3PsmxG2I/AAAAAAAA1PQ/sX72dYuvdc40IQ0nLSSBnI2KrKNTjKzsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/EVmOH_7UMAErMCP.jpg" width="640" height="376" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="828"></div>
<p><em>S</em><em>ource:</em><em> My Housing Market</em></p>
<div> </div>
<p>Resi construction is also forecast to all but dry up this year, with annual dwelling commencements tipped to dip below 100,000 over the coming quarters (UBS), which would the lowest rate of new supply since 'at least 1960' (h/t Scutty).</p>
<p>In fact, we're still seeing plenty of competition for the limited amount of new stock in blue chip areas, and even some examples of prices going above price guides.</p>
<p>It's extremely doubtful that's the case in outer suburban areas or regional hubs, though, as rising unemployment and underemployment begin to bite</p>
<p><strong>PETE WARGENT</strong><em> is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</em></p>
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