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;

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Property News

<html><body>
There's an inflection point across the board, according to CoreLogic RP Data's head of research Tim Lawless, who looks at property markets across Australia.
The annual rate of growth has slipped to 8.7%, he advised.
You can watch the update <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6OoEyY81J8" target="_blank">here</a>. 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Video: CoreLogic RP Data's Australian housing market December 2015 recap

<html><body>
Melbourne had a clearance rate of 71% on the weekend compared to 64% last weekend.
It was 68% this time last year.
There were 1209 auctions reported to the REIV. 
The top sale was a five-bedroom, four-bathroom trophy home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-templestowe-121272546" target="_blank">28 Serpells Road, Templestowe</a>, which sold for $4.86 million, around $500,000 over reserve. 
The block cost $2.1 million in 2001. A record $27 billion worth of residential property has been sold by auction in Victoria, so far this year - up 27% ($6 billion) on last year.
TOP 5 HOUSES
1. 28 Serpells Road, Templestowe $4,868,000
2. 16 Hall Street, Brighton, $3,175,000
3. 2 Hoyt Street, Hampton $3,100,000
4. 5 Fairfield Avenue, Camberwell $2,840,000
5. 973-975 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North $2,800,000
TOP 5 BARGAIN HOUSES
1. 5 Blackwood Drive, Melton South $216,000
2. 8 Regency Place, Melton West $256,000
3. 59 Westcott Parade, Rockbank $260,000
4. 48 Mitford Crescent, Craigieburn $260,000
5. 22 Cyan Crescent, Officer $265,000
 
TOP 5 APARTMENTS
1. 32/125 Ormond Road, Elwood $2,320,000
2. 3/21 Grange Road, Sandringham $1,920,000
3. 2/11 Bevis Street, Bentleigh East $1,622,000
4. 1A Stewart Place, Richmond $1,575,000
5. 101 Eglinton Street, Kew $1,561,000
 
TOP 5 BARGAIN APARTMENTS
1. 2/14A Myrtle Grove, Preston $270,000
2. 62B Herman Road, Lalor $290,000
3. 15/2 Mckay Street, Coburg $290,000
4. 2/1 First Street, Parkdale $300,000
5. 1/432 Dorset Road, Boronia $300,000
Source <a href="/news">REIV</a>
</body></html>

Templestowe tops Melbourne's weekend auctions

<html><body>
Dalian Wanda, the Beijing-based conglomerate's hotel and apartment project proposal for Sydney's Circular Quay has received the City of Sydney Council unanimous approved.
Wanda's development proposal is for a 57-storey 184-apartment residential tower and a 179-room hotel at the 4040sq m site bounded by 1 Alfred Street, 19-31 Pitt Street and 31A Pitt Street.
The apartments will range from 50 sqm to 600 sqm in size.
Wanda plans to launch the apartments for sale next year.
Local architect Crone Partners' Greg Crone will be working with Kerry Hill Architects on the project which will commence construction in 2017 after the demolition of Gold Fields House at 1 Alfred Street.
</body></html>

Dalian Wanda gets Circular Quay project go-ahead

<html><body><div class="article__content">
<div class="parsys parsys-article-content-top">
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
 
Bain &amp; Company's Boston-based head of global banking Gerard du Toit forecasts the accelerating adoption of mobile banking services will result in accelerated bank branch office closures.
 
He suggests Australia's big four banks will come under pressure to close up to 30% of branches over the next three to five years.
 
"Visits to Australian bank branches were down almost 10% in the September quarter compared to the same period two years earlier, but the percentage of transactions done via a teller was still twice as high as in the most digitally advanced markets," Bain &amp; Company's Boston-based head of global banking Gerard du Toit told the Australian Financial Review.
 
"Everything suggests this market has more branches than it is going to need five years from now.
 
"It is hard to say how many closures there will be but global trends indicate a possible reduction of 10% to 30%". 
 
Bain &amp; Co's latest annual report on global trends found that the adoption of mobile banking services accelerated rapidly in the past year.
 
But it warns banks to get the technology right.
 
Mr du Toit said Australian banks should learn from the Netherland's ABN Amro which halved its branches over the past three years without losing market share having spent five years ago with branch staff focused on training customers, especially babyboomers up on how to use self-service options.
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Bank landlords face 30% branch office closure

<html><body>
More young Australians are taking to rent-vesting, a trend where young buyers – typically Gen Y, purchase their first property for investment purposes rather than living in it, says John McGrath in his latest blog in Switzer.
Rent-vesting is one of the most important emerging property investment trends in Australia today.
"Unlike the Gen X and Baby Boomer buyers before them, Gen Y is not willing to sacrifice their lifestyle in order to own real estate," McGrath says.
"While Gen X and the boomers didn’t mind purchasing in affordable locations on the outskirts of a city and often far away from work, beaches and CBD nightlife, Gen Y doesn’t want a bar of it. They certainly share their predecessors’ desire to own property but lifestyle is priority one."   
So they’re buying for investment first in affordable suburban areas while renting in the trendy inner city locations that are priced beyond their means, he says.
Other Gen Ys are remaining at home with mum and dad to save as much money as possible before flying the coop.   
These junior investors are typically buying in middle to outer ring suburbs where rental yields are strong and the bulk of the rent covers the mortgage, meaning little out-of-pocket expenses and minimal impact on their lifestyles while getting great start in property.
"Once you’re in the market, it becomes much easier to buy other properties (either more investments or the dream family home) down the track with accrued equity," he says.
"Hats off to these buyers. This is a fantastic example of markets evolving as property values rise and lifestyle areas become unaffordable for those just starting out in real estate."  
According to McGrath, Rentvesting really took off after the First Home Owner Grant changed. When it was first introduced, the grant was available for all types of first home properties. When the rules changed and the grant became only available to newly built or off-the-plan properties, the incentive for young people to buy their first property for owner occupation was reduced.
A recent Mortgage Choice survey shows rentvesting has increased from 21% of investors to 37% over the past 12 months alone.
McGrath lists two important trends among junior investors.
First, they are getting in early. Domain research shows the average age at which Gen Y buys their first property investment is 25 years compared to 35 years for Gen X and 45 years for Baby Boomers.
Secondly, junior investors are building larger investment portfolios than their predecessors, who typically aimed to own their own home outright with maybe one investment.
The reasons could range from trying to mitigate uncertainty over the future of the pension and the understanding that superannuation is unlikely to be enough on its own when they retire. Hence the need for income assets. 
 
For your free Property Observer eBook from RAMS, 12 tips for first-time buyers, covering everything you need to know when it comes to purchasing property, click here.
</body></html>

Gen Y make early entry into property through rent-vesting: John McGrath

<html><body>
What’s your property worth?
<a href="https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/" target="_blank">Property Value</a>, launched in July by CoreLogic RP Data, is an online tool for buyers and sellers to estimate the value of a property in Australia, benchmark against comparable properties for sale or rent and even look up the history over the past 30 years to see what that property has previously sold for.
More than 800,000 people have used <a href="https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/" target="_blank">www.propertyvalue.com.au</a> so far, which works out to 66,000 user hours invested.
CoreLogic RP Data is giving away one week free access to Property Value - redeemable at:
<a href="https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/xmas" target="_blank">www.propertyvalue.com.au/xmas</a> (Valued at $49.00 the offer is for one x log in per individual, valid for one week. The offer expires on January 1).
The offer also includes access to new site additions including: local schools with Naplan scores, development approval data for properties, streets and suburbs, scatterplot charting and access to charting the return on a $100 investment for any two suburbs over the past five years.
“Property Value provides more data coverage and decision-making tools than any other offering and it also works brilliantly on mobile,” CoreLogic RP Data head of consumer Paul Argus said.
“It’s a great tool for anyone looking to buy or sell property, particularly investors. Every street and property holds its own profile. Suburbs can be compared side by side and estimated rent and yield scores can be assessed.
“A perfect scenario showcasing the functions and attributes housed in the Property Value site, and included below, is our extraction around picking and comparing the best performing suburbs over time,” he added.
Assisted by CoreLogic RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher, the data used highlights a few things.
Firstly, while capital city figures tell a broad story, “the experience across individual suburbs can be vastly different,” he said.
This is highlighted by the NSW example. “Most people would have anticipated that a market like Mosman would have outperformed Parramatta, however, this hasn’t been the case. It actually highlights that new investment in a region generally has a positive impact on housing demand and subsequently property values,” Kusher said.
“The data also highlights that picking winners in the market is very difficult which is why investment in the housing market should be a long-term investment not a punt on short-term gains.”
See below - real-time examples broken down as follows:
• NSW – Premium vs. up and coming (Mosman vs Parramatta)
<a href="/images/2015/12/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-11%20at%2012.16.47%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/12/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-11%20at%2012.16.47%20PM.png" alt="">
• QLD – Brisbane inner city vs Gold Coast (Newmarket vs Southport)
• VIC – Toorak vs Canterbury (premium suburbs)
<a href="/images/2015/12/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-11%20at%2012.18.12%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/12/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-11%20at%2012.18.12%20PM.png" alt="">
• WA – Battle of the beaches
<a href="/images/2015/12/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-11%20at%2012.21.02%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/12/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-11%20at%2012.21.02%20PM.png" alt="">
NSW – Premium vs. up and coming (Mosman vs Parramatta)
• Would turn $100 into $185 over 5 years if invested in Parramatta
• Compared to $125 if invested in Mosman
VIC – Toorak vs Canterbury (premium suburbs)
• Toorak was ahead until the last few months where Canterbury growth has increased significantly
• $100 invested in Canterbury in Dec 2010 would yield $135 today
WA – Battle of the beaches
• Returns on Scarborough investment overtook Cottesloe in Dec 2013
• $100 invested in Cottesloe in Dec 2010 would yield $95 today
QLD – Brisbane inner city vs Gold Coast (Newmarket vs Southport) 
<a href="/images/2015/12/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-11%20at%2012.23.28%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/12/11/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-11%20at%2012.23.28%20PM.png" alt="">
• Neck and neck over last 5 years with Southport experiencing a dip in 2012 followed by recovery in 2015
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Propertyvalue.com.au is giving one-week free access

<html><body>
Whilst property markets closely watch what can directly influence market sentiment in 2016 we should be watching very closely what will indirectly affect the market and just how big these influences may be.
I can nominate six (6) such influences that I believe will have significant repercussions on how we should be approaching the markets.
<h5>1. Illegal Property Acquisitions</h5>
I find this topic quite fascinating given I have always been of the belief that this practice is (or was) huge and I have not changed my opinion. In May, 2015 the then treasurer Joe Hockey set aside 60 investigators from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) stating that from their initial investigations “they are just at the tip of the iceberg.”
Fast forward seven months where this week the ATO announced that it was now investigating an estimated 31 million records from 1985 to 2015. This order applies to all states and territories for not only sales transactions but also all rental agreements, landlords, weekly rents, length of lease and rental bonds. The biggest investigation into Australian real estate since 1993 when the ATO moved records to computer technologies and every real estate agency in Australia was forced into providing every transaction record.
So from this point forward I’m going to call this the “Please Explain Inquiry” given the ATO obviously believes that they have uncovered interesting irregularities.
It should also be noted that the Department for Rip Van Winkle otherwise known as the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) have just appointed former ASIO director, general David Irvine, to the board. Two very big announcements in the space of a week – watch for some big announcements in 2016.
<h5>2. Underquoting Reforms in NSW</h5>
Not before time from 1 January 2016 real estate agents must quote the likely selling price at the figure(s) that appear on the Agency Agreement. The fines and penalties for failure to do so are severe. The NSW Government Office of Fair Trading will be out in force next year policing their prized new legislation that is a major win for consumers and ethical agents. This will also cause major problems for the habitual agents who love nothing more than buying listings through valuing properties at ridiculous prices. . Expect to see plenty of naming and shaming in 2016.
<h5>3. Off – The – Plan Purchases</h5>
It would be an understatement to suggest that investors are not skittish and squirming about their recent property acquisitions. What remains to be seen is how many pull the plug and walk – away from their purchases believing that Sydney’s apartment investment markets are facing a massive correction in 2016.
Again the NSW government has been busy rushing through more property legislation stopping developers cancelling existing contracts – sunset clauses, because the apartment prices have increased significantly. That loophole has been now shut for good.
<h5>4. Council Mergers</h5>
An announcement regarding the mergers is just days away although I am reliably advised that Mosman will not be forced into a merge and will stand alone. Having said that it will lose all powers regarding new apartment development approvals and this now will be handled by the state government.
<h5>5. 2016 Federal Election</h5>
They say that the Melbourne Cup stops the nation – well a federal election can stop the real estate markets. We can expect to hear plenty in 2016 about what’s now off the table and what’s now on the table. Two words will play a massive part and I’m not talking about negative gearing. No tax reform will be the keywords in 2016 although at this stage its anyone’s guess to what extent and just what lengths the Turnbull government will go. Whatever the case this will be a major distraction in 2016 where I’d love a dollar every time I hear the words Goods &amp; Services tax – GST.
This now leads me to the very big X Factor for 2016.
<h5>6. X Factor</h5>
The premier must have been reading my blogs with a new report from the NRMA confirming that planning is in the early stages to see a rail line from Sydney’s northern beaches through Mosman to Cremorne and Neutral Bay to the Sydney CBD.
The other key recommendation is for a tunnel under the Spit Bridge connecting with Seaforth and the Warringah Freeway linking up with the new harbour tunnel which eventually will connect to the WestConnex.
The report stated – “For decades, the northern beaches and the lower north shore has been the Bermuda triangle of transport infrastructure, where plans have come and gone to disappear without a trace.” It then went on to say “The chronic neglect has left our roads badly congested and buses at or over capacity. We believe the government must now take this opportunity to put the region back on the agenda as part of its overall drive to improve infrastructure across Sydney.”
The report revealed that Spit Road and Military Road were two of the worst in Sydney with higher traffic than Parramatta Road. On an average weekday, 70,000 vehicles use the Spit Bridge, 80,000 use Military Road and approximately 64,000 use Parramatta Road at Camperdown.
So you can expect to see high rise along Military Road and even more high density around the new suburb train stations.
Thank you for joining us in 2015 and we will be back with Virtual Realty News in 2016 – our 16th year. From all of us at Richardson &amp; Wrench Mosman/Neutral Bay we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
<h5>MOSMAN – 2088</h5>
• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 84
• Number of houses on the market last week – 55
• Number of houses on the market this week – 53
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 59
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 51
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 42
<h5>CREMORNE – 2090</h5>
• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 11
• Number of houses on the market last week – 11
• Number of houses on the market this week – 6
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 20
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 17
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 15
<h5>NEUTRAL BAY – 2089</h5>
• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 10
• Number of houses on the market last week – 8
•Number of houses on the market this week – 7
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year– 34
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 30
*Number of apartments on the market this week – 26
ROBERT SIMEON is a director of <a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM" rel="nofollow">Richardson Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay</a> and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985.  He has also been writing real estate blog <a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News" rel="nofollow">Virtual Realty News</a> since 2000. 
</body></html>

robertsimeon-hRNTwJyXkQ

Plenty of x-factor on the 2016 property menu: Robert Simeon

<html><body>
Savills Australia has announced the promotion of Graham Postma to Managing Director, Western Australia, effective April next year.
His appointment follows the recent announcement that the current managing director Paul Craig, will move into the role as Chief Executive Officer of Savills Australia &amp; New Zealand.
Currently the Director of Office Leasing in WA, Graham will continue to lead the commercial leasing team whilst assuming the responsibilities of managing director.
Graham has been a key member of the WA leadership team for the past 13 years, having specialised in commercial leasing for more than 23 years.
</body></html>

Savills promote Graham Postma to WA GM

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
As I write this (December 2015), house prices have fallen in most major capital cities for the first time in several years.
In fact, the CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index for November 2015 showed that home prices fell by 1.5% across Australia's capital cities over the month, with five of the eight capital cities showing declines.
So, what does this mean?
In my opinion, and also that of the ANZ and several other financial institutions around the country (thankfully), is that housing markets in Australian capital cities will cool, not crash in 2016.
The actions of APRA and subsequently the banks have achieved the desired result by dampening prices through tighter investor lending conditions.
1. My Prediction for 2016: The CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index will show an average decline of between 5% and 10% for Australia’s capital cities over 2016.
 The Turnbull Government will be re-elected at the 2016 Federal Election.
Whilst the Prime Ministerial ‘musical chairs’ appears to be over, the music hasn’t fully stopped for the Australian public.
The timing of the next federal election is unknown at this stage, however according to the Constitution, must be held by no later than 14 January 2017.
Pollsters are suggesting that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull may capitalise on his ‘honeymoon’ ratings and call an early election, potentially as early as March, however the PM has affirmed he is in no rush.
"I'm expecting it to be about this time (next year), well perhaps November is getting a bit late, I would say around September, October next year is when you should expect the next election to be," Turnbull told reporters in November 2015.
2. My Prediction for 2016: I’ll take a stab and say Saturday September 25, 2016 with the Coalition comfortably elected.   Interest rates will remain stable whilst the economy shows modest growth.
December’s GDP growth results came as a surprise to many analysts, with Australia's economy showing signs of picking up momentum by registering 2.5% growth over the past year.
Despite this being the fastest economic growth in 18 months, it is still below the economy's long-term trend of 3.5% - a sign of continued patchiness in the economy. Subsequently, it’s hard to envision any material change in interest rates over the course of 2016.
3. My Prediction for 2016: The Australian economy will record GDP growth of 2.5% - 3.0% over the course of 2016 and interest rates will remain unchanged or increase by a maximum of 25 basis points.   Architectural excellence and innovation will define success.
It goes without saying that 2015 has been a year of architectural excellence in property. As markets have accelerated, so have the expectations of a building’s occupants. Whether it is skyscrapers inspired by ‘Beyonce’s curves’, the world’s smartest office building or a retail experience so authentic that a young Melbourne architect took out the top global gong, success is being defined by the ability to experience and inspire.
4. My Prediction for 2016: Architecture will expand to be branded, experiential and intelligent.   New, disruptive technologies will shake up our industry.
The next 12 months will feature some genuine game changers that excite and inspire me like nothing else in the industry.
I genuinely believe that our sector - largely unaffected by the disruption we have seen in the travel or media industries, for example -  will experience an inflection point over the coming year.
Just think about this for a moment. These four trends – prefabrication, crowdfunding, 3D printing and virtual reality – are all at a point of their evolution where the products are fundamentally proven but the everyday impact is yet to be felt. 2016 will be the year where the next “UBER” hits the Australian property sector.
5. My Prediction for 2016: One (if not more) of the four trends above will become ubiquitous and fundamentally change the way we do business.   The globalisation of real estate markets has just begun.
The flow of offshore capital into Australian property markets reached historical highs in 2015, largely due to a significant increase in Chinese investment in residential real estate.
Despite the sometimes xenophobic rhetoric underpinning the national conversation, one thing is clear: the fundamentals haven’t changed and certainly won’t change for at least a generation.
We are at the start of our “Asian century” and foreign direct investment will only grow.
6. My Prediction for 2016: Foreign direct investment in Australian residential and commercial property will grow.   Governments start to wake to the demographic and environmental challenge.
There continues to be a strange disconnect between the rhetoric of our national leaders, Federal and State Governments’ policies and the sobering demographic and environmental challenges that confront the Australian economy over the next few decades.
An ageing population and climate change sit at the center of this monumental challenge.
With a change in Prime Minister and the installment of a more moderate and pragmatic government, perhaps 2016 will be the year in which public policy catches up with the needs of the public.
7. My Prediction for 2016: Major policy reform platforms will be established around tax, health and the environment.
Adam Di Marco is publisher and founder of <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com" target="_blank">TheUrbanDeveloper.com</a>. Adam is also a director of Brisbane-based investment, management and development firm, <a href="https://www.marquette.com.au/" target="blank">Marquette Properties</a>.
<div> </div>
</body></html>

10% price declines possible amid 7 predictions for Australian property in 2016: Adam Di Marco

<html><body>
The award winning mortgage broker N1 Finance, partnering with Seekahome Pty Ltd, has created a mobile and tablet only application which allows property owners to create rental listings for free in as little as 90 seconds.
The application, titled 'Snailapp', allows landlords to source their own tenants through and a engage with them directly through the apps messenger service.
Roughly 1.8 million households rented a property, according to Australian census data and with average management fees around 5 per cent and an average property price of $500,000 across all states, landlords are paying $1,100 a year in property management fees.
Managing Director of N1 Finance Ren Wong said that even with a conservative estimate of 600,000 properties managed by agents in Australia, the addressable market for DIY rental apps would be $660 million.
Snailapp is available now on iOS and Android. 
</body></html>

Property News

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Property News

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News