<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.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

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;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

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;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“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;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“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;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

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.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

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.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

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.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

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.

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.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

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.

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.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

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.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

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.

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.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

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.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

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.

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.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

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.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

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.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

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.

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.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

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.

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;

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;

“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;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

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;

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;

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.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

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;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

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.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“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;

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

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;

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;

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”.

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;

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

<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.

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.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“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.”

<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" />

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.

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.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“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.”

<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" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“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.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“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.”

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.

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.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

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.

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.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“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.

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.

&nbsp;

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

Property Listings

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There are just 800 listings remaining on the Purplebricks website.
It was at around 1000 a fortnight ago, as vendors depart the UK-based disruptor for local estate agents.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/7/29/narre%20warren%20east.jpg" alt="">
The <a href="https://www.purplebricks.com.au/search/property-for-sale#?q&amp;location=&amp;page=1&amp;searchType=ForSale&amp;sortBy=2" target="_blank">remaining 800 offerings</a> range from around $2.9 million to $3.2 million at 30 Boundary Road, Narre Warren East (pictured above), a four bedroom, three bathroom house set on 6.47 hectares to $30,000 for Lot 30 Melvin Terrace, Pinery.
The 1012 square metre Pinery holding has been unsuccessfully offered to market multiple times over the past six years, with the asking price reaching $133,270 from 2014 - 2016.
According to their website, around 85 agents are still on deck.
In early May, Purplebricks Australia announced its intention to exit the Australian market.
Despite the newly-installed CEO Neil Tavender and Kenny Bruce having overhauled the pricing model, so that half the fee was paid upfront and half on completion of the sale, Purplebricks have been forced to abandon the Australian market.
The pressure on the Australian business was most clearly exposed when it reported an $18 million interim loss for the six months to October last year.
Vic Darvey, the Purplebricks Group CEO said in May that after much consideration it had "made the difficult decision to close the Australian business".
"We’ve been operating here for two and half years and, unfortunately, we have been unable to make the progress in the Australian market that we’ve wanted, despite the tireless efforts of our employees."
The Australian branch announced that they would take no further listings in Australia, but intended to finalise all existing agreements.
They announced their decision just a week after UBS said the company was<a href="/news/purplebricks-not-likely-to-make-profit-in-australia-until-2022-ubs"> not likely to make money in Australia</a> until 2022.
In the month prior to the shutdown it was forecast that Purplebricks would potentially have to close its Australian operations <a href="/news/purplebricks-australian-agency-may-need-to-be-abandoned-to-save-uk-mothership">to save the UK mothership</a>.
Michael Bruce, the group's founder and chief executive officer stepped down immediately following the announcement with Vic Darvey, previously Purplebricks’ Chief Operating Officer, being appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer and to the Board of Purplebricks.
While Purplebricks has sold more than 5000 homes since launching in Australia in September 2016, the company was spending about 84c in advertising to generate a dollar of revenue.
The Australian Financial Review has regularly revealed an exodus of estate agents along with allegations of a "toxic culture" within the company.
Over the weekend the London press reported Purplebricks is due to post losses of £51 million.
The Sunday Telegraph advised that the loss, for the 12 months to the end of April, will be unveiled when Purplebricks reports its results on Wednesday.
The ‘underlying pre-tax’ loss compares with £26m for the year before.
According to the Telegraph, the near-double loss comes after a “failed assault” on the Australian market and troubles in its American business, which has been under review.
However, says the newspaper, the company is “theoretically profitable” in the UK.
The founders, brothers Michael and Kenny Bruce, have both left the business.
Michael Bruce, who was also global chief executive, has been replaced by Vic Darvey, formerly managing director of Money supermarket.
The Bruces have sold their shares in Purplebricks to German publishing giant Axel Springer, now Purplebricks’ largest investor with a 27% holding.
Purplebricks shares closed on Friday at 99p, below the £1 launch price back in 2015.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Purplebricks Australian property listings shrink to just 800 homes for sale 

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The REA Group has lifted third-quarter revenue seven per cent to $198.6 million.
It noted income from its Australian real estate classifieds business rose despite a drop in listings.
REA warned that the market conditions are "not expected to improve in the short term", with fourth-quarter revenue growth slowing as listing volumes given the distractions of the federal election as well as the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends in April.
The two holiday weekends led to a 22 per cent decline in national listings in April with Sydney down 39 per cent and Melbourne down 35 per cent, it said in its quarterly earnings update filed with the ASX on Friday morning.
The drop was described as "exaggerated."
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/10/REA-ASX.jpg" alt="">
REA, which is majority-owned by News Corp, saw national listings in the three months to December 31 decline nine per cent on the previous quarter, with Sydney dropping 18 percent and Melbourne falling 12 percent.
"It's almost a decade since we've seen market conditions like these, especially in Sydney where the decline has been the most pronounced," REA chief executive Owen Wilson said in the statement.
"With the banking royal commission now behind us and the federal election taking place next weekend, we expect less uncertainty surrounding the property market as we enter the new financial year."
REA had a record 84 million visits in March, which they calculated as three times greater than Domain.
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REA Group sees listings decline especially in Sydney and Melbourne

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Overall listings in Australia are down 3% over the past six months with Sydney driving the overall decline, according to the latest HY2019 financial report of the digital website, Realestate.com.au. 
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In January 2019 overall residential listings were down 11% with Sydney down 19% and Melbourne down 13%. 
The update to shareholders advised January is seasonally a low listings month therefore movements are not typically representative of the longer term. 
As previously advised, the rate of revenue growt.h is expected to exceed the rate of cost growth for both the second half and the full year, however, this will not be the case in the third quarter, it foreshadowed
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The report noted, that in the second half of FY19 listings may be impacted by federal and state elections.
Despite "unfavourable market conditions" REA profits were up 16% in Australia and 15% overall.
REA Group shares also had strong outcomes in HY19 with earnings per share were up 20%.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/8/REA%20GROUP.JPG" alt="">
The report also referenced ongoing declines in dwelling commencements.
REA Group reported monthly visits to realestate.com.au rose to 73.4 million, meaning it has nearly tripled views of its nearest competitor, Domain.
The new REA Group CEO, Owen Wilson said it was "an exceptional start to the year."
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In Australia, where revenue grew 15% to $443.2m for the half, the results were driven by an increase in revenue from the residential business of 16% to $302m and the inclusion of the Hometrack business.
"The result was delivered in unfavourable market conditions with national listings decreasing 3% (including listing declines of 10% in Sydney and 1% in Melbourne over the half). 
The revenue growth reflected the price changes which took effect from 1 July 2018.
The commercial and developer businesses achieved 10% revenue growth despite the continued decline in new project commencements, driven by an increase in project profile duration.
Tighter lending conditions and the uncertainty from the Financial Services Royal Commission on broker recruitment resulted in flat underlying revenue growth in its financial services business.
"These conditions are likely to continue for the remainder of the financial year further reducing settlement volumes and impacting revenue growth in the second half," Wilson said.
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Ryan O’Hara steps down from the REA Group Board, having been appointed to the board as a nominee of majority shareholder News Corp Australia in 2017.
The former CEO Tracey Fellows will remain on the REA board representing News Corp.
REA shares were down 3.95% this morning to $74.86.
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Real estate listings down 3% led by Sydney: REA Group

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National residential listings only declined marginally by 0.03% in January 2019 to 328,089 from 328,203 in December 2018, according to figures released by SQM Research.
The figures show both Sydney and Melbourne were down 2.3%, whilst Canberra dropped 2%. 
However, all other capital cities had marginal increases in residential listings for January. Hobart recorded the largest increase at 1.4%.
Seasonally it is normal for large listing declines to be recorded in January as the property market goes into hibernation for the holiday period.
So SQM Research's Louis Christopher regards the minimal declines as a weak result for the market.
Compared to a year ago, national listings rose 8%, with Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra’s year-on-year listings increasing the most - Melbourne up 42.3%, Canberra 24.6% and Sydney 22.3%.
Year-on-year results for Hobart shows a yearly decline of 1.9%, with residential property listings dropping from 2,362 in January 2018 to 2,318 in January 2019. Darwin also experienced yearly declines of sale listings of 0.6%.
Louis Christopher, Managing Director of SQM Research said, “listings in January recorded a very minor decrease, with some cities actually recording increases."
"This is abnormal and concerning. It implies that vendors had a terrible spring selling season with most still trying to move their properties in January."
"Many have not been able to sell. We are now expecting a surge in listings over February,” he added.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/5/SQM%20chart%201.JPG" alt="">
(Source: SQM Research)
SQM also found that capital city asking prices for units and houses declined by 0.4% and 2.2% respectively, for the month to 5 February 2019.
Unit asking prices are now $572,800 and houses $915,900.
The largest monthly decline was in Sydney, where house asking prices declined by 1.7% but did manage a modest 0.3% increase in house prices.
Hobart posted increases in both unit and house asking prices over the month, 1.7% and 0.1% respectively.
However, both unit and house asking prices declined in Brisbane and Melbourne over the month.
Darwin experienced a notable 5.5% increase in unit prices.
Year-on-year capital city asking prices also experienced declines of 2.6% for units and 6.2% for houses.
Year-on-year Hobart continued to show the strongest growth for both houses and units with a 4.0% increase in houses and 7.0% for units.
Canberra also experienced yearly growth with 2.7% increase in houses and 3.8% increase in units.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/5/SQM%20Chart%202.JPG" alt="">
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Both national property listings and capital city asking prices declined in January: SQM

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Over the three months to October 2018, more than three quarters (75.4%) of properties that sold transacted for less than their original listed price.
By comparison, over the same period, 7.0% of properties sold for their originally listed price with the remaining 17.6% selling for more than the originally listed price.
Over the past decade, even in periods where dwelling value growth was quite strong, the majority of properties sold nationally continued to sell for less than the original list price, highlighting that even during the boom times vendors will need to be flexible on their price expectations and buyers will seek out room to negotiate.
Since the middle of 2015, which is prior to value growth starting to slow but at a time where credit availability was tightening and transaction volumes were starting to fall, the share of properties selling for less than the original list price has been trending higher.
Geographically the rising trend of a greater share of properties selling with a discount is being driven by the Sydney and Melbourne markets where buyers have endured a long period of low advertised stock levels, rapidly rising prices and intense FOMO (fear of missing out).
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC.JPG" alt="">
As housing market conditions have weakened, buyers have more stock to choose from and far less urgency.
They are gaining more leverage, negotiating harder and a growing proportion of vendors are selling at prices lower than their original advertised price.
Outside of Sydney and Melbourne the trends are quite different, with the proportion of properties selling below the original list price holding reasonably firm.
Hobart, where housing market conditions have been strong relative to the other cities, is the exception, with an ongoing reduction in the proportion of properties selling below the original list price.
Across the combined capital cities, 73.6% of properties sold for less than list price over the past 3 months compared to 21.5% for more than list price.
Between 2013 and 2015 value growth was particularly strong and at that time a relatively high proportion of properties were selling above their list price.
It’s a very different story across the combined regional markets over recent years with very few properties selling above the original list price.
At its peak, 18.1% of properties sold in excess of the original list price, by comparison over the past three months 78.9% sold for less than their original list price and 13.0% sold for more than the original list price.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC%202.JPG" alt="">
Sydney has been one of the strongest markets for value growth over recent years however, a big spike in listings and tighter credit conditions has made selling much more difficult.
At one point in mid-2015 more than three quarters of properties sold for more than the original list price.
Fast forward to the current market and 83.3% of properties are selling for less than the original list price compared to 13.3% selling above the list price.
Sydney vendors are now discounting their asking prices by 7.3% on average in order to make a sale, compared with only 5.4% a year ago.
At the peak in October 2015, 25.8% of properties in Regional NSW sold for more than the original list price highlighting that over recent years selling conditions were never quite as strong as those in Sydney.
Over the past 3 months, 82.0% sold for less than the original list price while 9.8% sold in excess of that price.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC%203.JPG" alt="">
Melbourne is currently seeing 76.3% of properties selling below the original list price which is the highest share in at least 12 years.
As recently as April last year, when values were rising at a double-digit annual rate, 34.4% of properties were selling for less than the original list price.
By comparison today, only 18.7% of properties have sold over the past three months for more than the original list price and vendors are, on average, discounting their prices by 6.1% to make a sale.
There has never been a particularly large share of properties selling above their original list price across Regional Vic.
Currently, 9.5% sell for the original list price, 77.5% sell below list price and 13.1% sell above.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC%204.JPG" alt="">
Brisbane’s housing market has seen very little value growth over the past decade and as a result a majority of properties has consistently sold for less than the original list price.
Over the past three months, 65.7% of properties sold for less than the original list price compared to 28.8% selling in excess of the list price.
Vendors are discounting their asking prices by an average of 5.7% in order to make a sale, which is roughly the same level of discounting relative to the same time last year.
The weakness that has been evident across parts of Regional Qld, especially those areas associated with the mining and resources sector, has seen a significant majority of properties over recent years sell for less than the original list price.
Over the past 3 months; 76.5% of property sales were less than the original list price compared to 17.0% selling for more.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC%205.JPG" alt="">
When the Adelaide market was experiencing surging values in 2007 more than 60% of properties were selling above their list price however, over recent years, with housing values holding reasonably steady, very few properties have sold above the list price.
Over the past 3 months; 72.8% have sold below the list price and 21.3% have sold above the list price.
The ongoing weak housing conditions in Regional SA means that in terms of the original list price most purchasers have bought at a discount to that figure.
Over the current period; 86.3% of properties sold for less than the list price and 5.9% sold for more than the list price.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC%206.JPG" alt="">
The ongoing weak housing market conditions in Perth over the past decade has meant that the majority of properties have sold for less than the original list price.
At their peak in mid 2011 (a time at which values were declining), 90.2% of properties sold for less than the originally listed price.
Over the past three months; 76.8% of properties sold below list price which is slightly lower than a year ago but still elevated and 19.0% sold in excess of the list price.
Housing conditions in Regional WA have been weaker than those in Perth culminating in almost all properties selling for less than the originally advertised sale price.
Over the past three months; 84.4% sold for less than their list price and only 9.9% sold for more than their list price.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC%207.JPG" alt="">
As value growth has strengthened in Hobart, an increasing share of properties have sold for above the initially advertised price.
This is a function of relatively few properties for sale and values rising at an almost double-digit rate over the past year.
Over the past three months; an historic high 74.6% of sales have occurred in excess of the listed price compared to 21.7% below the list price.
As the rate of dwelling value growth is accelerating across Regional Tas, an increasing share of properties are selling in excess of the initially listed price.
Over the past 3 months; 34.8% of properties sold in excess of the list price compared to 55.9% selling below list price and 9.4% selling at list price.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC%208.JPG" alt="">
With dwelling values falling for a number of years, very few properties in Darwin sell for more than the originally advertised sale price.
Over the past three months; 86.5% sold for less than the list price and 7.7% sold for more than the list price.
Reflecting the tough selling conditions, Darwin vendors are discounting their prices by an average of 11.7% in order to make sale which is substantially higher than any other capital city.
Regional NT is experiencing stronger housing market conditions than Darwin and subsequently a higher share of sales are occurring above the originally listed price.
Over the past three months; 16.7% sold for more than the list price and 70.8% sold below the list price.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/15/PP%20CL%20CC%209.JPG" alt="">
A much higher share of properties in Canberra are selling at their original list price (14.4%) compared to other regions across the country.
Canberra is also seeing a relatively high proportion of properties selling above the list price (44.3%) although it is trending lower as sales below list price lift to 41.4% of all sales.
The recent decline in sales above the original list price is reflective of the softening housing market conditions across the city.
The data highlights the importance of setting an appropriate asking price on a listed property, and allowing some room for negotiation on the property transaction.
Finding the right balance can be a fine art.
Although the list price is often (not always) known a sale is a negotiation and as this data shows very few properties actually sell for the original list price.
As a result most properties end up selling below their original list price except in very strong markets such as Sydney and Melbourne over recent years and Hobart currently.
The data also shows that in very strong markets, vendors and real estate agents are at times not able to accurately gauge what price a property will sell for with many selling above the list price.
Equally in weak or falling markets a heightened number of properties only sell after the initially targeted sale price is reduced.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

In the last quarter 75% of properties sold for less than their original listed price: Cameron Kusher

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
<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>
 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>
 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>
From a year earlier, Melbourne listings are up by 24.3 per cent, suggesting very slow sales activity in the Victorian capital.
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Melbourne stock surge: Pete Wargent

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Figures by SQM Research reveal national residential listings fell slightly in October 2018 to 335,014 from 335,854 in September.
Compared to a year ago, national listings rose 3.3%, boosted by a big increase in Melbourne, where listings also bucked the national trend and increased 5.9% in October.
Over the year, the stock available for sale in Melbourne jumped by 24.3%. 
In Sydney, property listings rose by 2.4% over the month to be up 18.2% higher from a year ago.
Listings also jumped by 10.3% in Canberra over the month while asking house prices also continued to rise in the nation’s capital, compared to drops in Sydney and Melbourne. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/6/SQM%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/11/6/SQM%201.jpg" alt="">
Source: SQM Research
In Hobart, listings rose 0.6%, but remain down 12.9% from a year ago, reflecting a shortage of properties available for sale there.
In Perth, stock on market fell 1.1% in October, while Darwin’s listings dropped 4.9%. In Adelaide, listings dropped 3.2%. Listings were flat in Brisbane over the month. 
Louis Christopher, Managing Director of SQM Research, said a slight drop in listings is normal October after a rise in September listings.
"It is typical to record a slight decline in listings in October after an initial Spring jump in September," said Christopher.
"A second surge is usual in November, before the property market slows down for Christmas, and so we expect listings to rise again this month. 
"Having said that, listings were significantly up in Melbourne, creating large recorded rises over the year, which is illustrative of the downturn Melbourne has entered into.
"In Sydney too, listings are up compared to a year earlier, as well as Canberra, as more vendors consider selling."
Asking Prices
Capital city average asking prices were steady for houses at $939,200 while unit asking prices fell 0.4% to $569,500 over the month to 6 November.
Asking house prices in Sydney fell again, by 0.3% to $1.30 million, to be down 2.8% from a year earlier. Unit prices too fell by 0.4% to $702,700, as the property market continues to correct in Australia’s biggest city. 
Melbourne asking house prices fell again to $959,200, though unit prices were up 0.5% to $553,100. Canberra’s asking house prices in contrast rose by 0.7% over the month to 6 November to be up 12.7% from a year ago, the greatest growth of any capital city. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/6/SQM%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/11/6/SQM%202.jpg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/6/SQM%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/11/6/SQM%203.jpg" alt="">
Source: SQM Research
 
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Property listings slip modestly in October: SQM Research

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My findings reveal that while capital city dwelling values may well be falling, the market is responding with fewer new listings.
However, total listings remain elevated compared to other recent years when housing conditions were much stronger.
For this analysis, I researched listings across each of the past seven years.
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/27/Listings%20DCs.JPG" alt="">
The x-axis represents the time of year and the y-axis shows the number of properties listed for sale.
This representation of the data allows for a comparison of where listings are at any point in time to the corresponding time in other years.
Another point of note is that the listings data tends to be highly seasonal.
Listings fall dramatically during Christmas and New Year and then pick up through autumn.
They then tend to fall during the Winter and rise substantially coming into Spring, then remain elevated until late in the year.
Listings across the combined capital cities over the 28 days to 22 July 2018 saw 21,849 new properties listed for sale and 108,436 total properties listed for sale.
The number of new listings were -6.7% lower than the previous year and total listings were 7.2% higher.
New listings are lower than they’ve been at this time of year, any year since 2012.
Total listings are higher than they’ve been at this time of year since 2012.
Melbourne (pictured below) – Over the past 28 days there were 6,821 new properties listed for sale and 30,029 total properties for sale. Compared to a year ago new listings are -4.8% lower and tracking at the lowest level for this time of year since 2014. Total listings are 10.5% higher than a year ago and are also the highest they’ve been since 2014.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/27/Listings%20Sydney.JPG" alt="">
Adelaide – Over the past 28 days there were 1,646 new properties listed for sale and 7,798 total properties listed for sale. New listings are -8.5% lower than a year ago and the lowest they’ve been at this time of year any year since 2012. Total listings are -2.8% lower than they were a year ago and the lowest they’ve been at this time of year since 2014.
Perth – With 3,007 newly listed properties over the past 28 days, new listings are -1.0% lower than a year ago and haven’t been this low since 2012. Total listings are somewhat different with 20,618 listings which is 1.7% higher than last year but lower than 2016 and higher than every other year since 2012.
Sydney (pictured below) – There were 5,601 new properties listed for sale over the past 28 days which was -13.1% fewer than a year ago but slightly higher than the number in 2016. There were 26,103 total properties listed for sale which was 21.7% higher than last year and the most for sale since this time in 2012 when CoreLogic was tracking 29,366 properties on the market.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/27/Listings%20Melbourne.JPG" alt="">
Hobart – Over the past 28 days there were 344 new and 951 total properties listed for sale. The 344 new listings was up 8.5% on a year ago and the highest at this time of year since 2013. The 951 total properties listed for sale is -23.6% lower than a year ago and sitting at an historic low level.
Darwin – There were 176 new properties listed for sale and 1,446 total properties for sale over the past 28 days. New listings are -3.3% lower than a year ago and while they are slightly higher than in 2016 they are lower than every other year since 2012. Total listings are -11.8% lower than a year ago and are lower than they have been over each of the past 3 years.
Canberra – Over the past 28 days there were 465 new properties listed for sale which was -18.4% fewer than a year ago and the lowest number of new listings at this time of year since 2016. There were 1,753 total properties listed for sale which was -4.9% lower than a year ago and the lowest at this time of year compared to each year since 2012, except for 2016.
Brisbane (pictured below) – The 3,789 new properties listed for sale is - 3.2% lower than a year ago and the fewest new listings since this time of year in 2012. There are 19,738 total properties listed for sale which is 1.2% higher than a year ago and the highest at this time of year since 2012.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/27/Listings%20Brisbande.JPG" alt="">
Across most capital cities the number of new listings is lower than they were a year ago, this is likely a response to reduced demand for housing currently, as a result potential vendors are holding off bringing stock to market.
At the same time, in softer markets such as Sydney and Melbourne, total listings are much higher than over recent years highlighting that although fewer new listings are entering the market the stock that is for sale is proving more difficult to sell.
The real litmus test for the housing market will be what happens in Spring, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. If, as usually occurs, new listings ramp-up and a lot more stock becomes available for sale this could create further downwards pressure on values. Don’t be surprised though if with tightened credit and an already weakening housing market that Spring this year is a lot more muted than what we’ve seen over recent years.
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New property listings shrinking in response to market weakness in capital cities: Cameron Kusher

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Figures released today by SQM Research reveal national residential listings rose 1.9% in June 2018.
Total listings went up to 331,407 led by a jump in Brisbane properties hitting the market.
Strong rises were also posted in Sydney and Melbourne, with greater stock in those cities pushing down asking house prices.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/4/SQM%20.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/4/SQM%20.JPG" alt="">
Property listings rose 3.8% in Brisbane in June, while in Sydney listing rose by 3.0% from May to be up 25.0% from a year earlier.
In Melbourne, listing rose by 2.3% to be up 7.7% over the year to June 30.
In Canberra, listing rose by 1.1%, 11.0% higher than a year ago.
Listing were steady in Hobart, but they are 25.8% lower than a year earlier, with a property shortage still prevailing there.
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research, said "A greater supply of properties for sale has emerged in most capital cities compared to a year ago, however, that has weighed on asking property prices, especially in Sydney and Melbourne".
“We are seeing more property being listed in Sydney and Melbourne compared to a year ago, which is pushing down asking house prices in both cities and even in Hobart, price growth has slowed despite the ongoing shortage of properties for sale there,” said Christopher.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/4/SQM%20%202.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/4/SQM%20%202.JPG" alt="">
Capital city average asking prices fell 1.4% for houses to $962,600 while unit asking prices rose just 0.2% to $580,600 for the month to 3 July.
Sydney led the losses, with asking house prices falling 1.4%. Over the year, asking house prices were down by 0.2% to $1.35 million, reflecting a slowdown of the property market in the nation’s largest capital city.
In Melbourne, asking price for houses fell 1.3% over the month and rose 6.4% over the year, lower than 20%-plus levels a year ago.
Hobart’s growth in asking property prices is cooling too despite a fall in listings, with house prices up by 2.4% over the month to 3 July and up just 5.7% over the year, also down from 20%-plus gains a year through 2017.
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National property listings rise while asking house prices slide in big cities : SQM

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Sydney buyers are certainly spoilt for choice, but there are emerging signs the listings surge of the past year is waning.
There are 27,000 properties currently for sale by private treaty across the Sydney market.
That's a lot on offer, indeed around 25% more than last May, according to CoreLogic.
Interestingly the 7,000 fresh listings in the past month sits 10% down on the same time last year.
That suggests the last ditch rush to sell is slowing after Sydney's cooling conditions have grabbed the headlines and ebbed into realistic conversations. 
There ought be an increased realisation among prospective vendors that the chance to cash in at peak prices has likely passed.
Vendor expectations are increasingly not being met, except for premium listings across the suburbs. A-grade stock is still selling well, through private treaty and at or before auction.  
Many of the 27,000 current private treaty offerings will not be sold this time around because their vendor missed the market peak that they hoped to capitalise on.
They might linger on websites and in estate agent windows, but pointlessly if they aren't repriced to sell in the current and emerging market.
These listings will hang around making up the estate agent's expansive inventory as we head into the winter hibernation.
Stale listings are much harder to sell since the keenest knowledgable buyers have typically moved on after their initial marketing. 
These stale listings ideally need to be withdrawn to try another time.
Meanwhile the number of sales has eased according to official NSW Office of State Revenue data. 
In March there were 16,950 property transfers, the quietest for four years as buyers become pickier, taking their time without the fear of missing out.
Last March, which didn't have the Easter interruption until mid-April, had 19,500 transfers. The March stamp duty revenue for the state government was $642 million compared to $701 million.
There were 49,000 sales in the first three months of 2018, compared to 52,000 early last year, with the soon to be advised April tally to help the state government shape its upcoming budget.
If these early readings become a marked trend, there won't be anywhere near as much revenue available for the government to spend.
The discussion about the listings and sales in the market is premised that there is choice for all participants.
Certainly arrears and mortgagee sales are at low levels.
The elephant in the room is bank lending which has increasingly restrained buyer capacity.
Just this week the Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Guy Debelle indicated there was a "risk" of even further tightening in lending standards ahead.
"This may have its largest effect on the amount of funds an individual household can borrow, more than the effect on the number of households that are eligible for a loan," he noted while adding that has implications for house prices."
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph. 
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