A landmark former orphanage site in Surrey Hills could be transformed into a new residential community under plans lodged by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/antipodean-land-developments">Antipodean Land Developments</a> that would deliver 76 apartments and townhouses while restoring some of the suburb's most significant heritage buildings.

The burgeoninng Melbourne-based developer has submitted plans for the 9,158 sqm site at 1 Kent Road and 24 Durham Road, home to the former St Joseph's Home for Destitute Children, a historic institutional complex dating back to the late 19th century. The proposal seeks to adaptively reuse several heritage buildings while introducing two new four-storey residential buildings set within extensive landscaped grounds.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> and Kerstin Thompson Architects, the project has been conceived as a contemporary residential village embedded within a restored heritage precinct. The development team describes the design approach as "The Village in the Garden," with new buildings positioned among mature landscaping by OCULUS and significant heritage structures.

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44ec8c1b-c0b6-44ae-859e-5811b3e6a023" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29.png?VersionId=p.p1_KFh4iQoV4nisdnPfQBAsWNi7m79" />

The proposal would deliver 76 dwellings comprising a mix of apartments and duplex-style residences, significantly increasing housing supply on one of the largest privately held residential landholdings in Surrey Hills. The development includes 127 car spaces, 24 bicycle spaces and more than 1,000 sqm of communal amenity, with the existing chapel building earmarked for conversion into resident facilities.

According to the planning submission, the project centres on the restoration and adaptive reuse of the site's most significant heritage assets, including the original c.1889 St Joseph's building, the chapel designed by architect Augustus Andrew Fritsch, and the historic brick perimeter walls and entry gates. The proposal also incorporates the retention of other contributory buildings including the former infirmary and school building.

Tract Consultants, in the planning report accompanying the application, said the scheme had been shaped through extensive heritage analysis and design development.

"The shared vision for the Site by the project team has culminated in a scheme which successfully breathes life back into a historic site while delivering upon the objectives of Victoria's Housing Statement in a carefully curated and contextually responsive manner."

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7263b7d8-95ea-400f-9531-6ca7d22c3c33" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29.png?VersionId=4cR1tiWOsDpgxEOwZi5vVFcyvvOsYkIE" />

The proposal is being assessed under Victoria's Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway. As part of the application, three per cent of the project's residential development cost would be contributed to the Social Housing Growth Fund. The development would also provide a diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom residences targeting a broader range of buyers than typically found in Surrey Hills' detached housing market.

Sustainability initiatives include an anticipated 66 per cent BESS score, natural cross-ventilation to 80 per cent of apartments, 28 per cent deep soil landscaping and a canopy cover outcome exceeding local planning requirements. The proposal also sets aside more than 1,083 sqm for communal indoor and outdoor resident amenity spaces.

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33fad46f-fe26-4d0a-acfd-6b776e1c6a3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design.png?VersionId=D9F6WVSyYCtGvSUmith35LRp6R7PQkw_" />

Planning documents describe the property as one of the largest underutilised residential sites in Surrey Hills, arguing it presents a rare opportunity to introduce "missing middle" housing in an established inner-eastern suburb while preserving and revitalising a significant heritage precinct.

Antipodean Land Developments has built a reputation for design-focused residential projects across Melbourne, particularly in the medium-density sector. Previous developments include Neighbourhood in Brunswick East, delivered with Breathe Architecture, and Balfe Park Lane, designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects.

They've been very active in site acquisition as they build out their future development pipeline. They recently launched Thornubury House, 45 apartments above a mix of commercial, retail, and food and beverage tenancies, and have plans for a boutique project in Fitzroy and another <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/antipodean-plan-apartments-for-deepdenes-missing-middle-on-whitehorse-road">"missing middle" project</a> on Deepdene's Whitehorse Road.

Joel Robinson

First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/auyin-property-development">Auyin</a> is the latest to turn to the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program in an effort to secure approval for its long-planned, mixed-use project in Elsternwick.

In 2018, Auyin lodged plans with Glen Eira City Council for a 14-storey building, however Council approved a reduced eight-storey scheme. A subsequent VCAT appeal in 2019 upheld the eight-storey height limit.

The project was later amended to nine storeys, but Auyin is now seeking to revive something closer to its original vision. The developer argues that the planning context has evolved significantly over the past decade, particularly within the Elsternwick Activity Centre, where higher-density development has increasingly been encouraged along Glen Huntly Road.

The proposal would transform the 1,239 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/7-12-horne-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">7-15 Horne Street</a>, opposite Elsternwick Railway Station, into a 13-storey residential and retail development designed by CBG Architects, with 40 apartments

The site currently comprises three commercial properties.

<img alt="First look: 13-storey mixed-use tower planned for Elsternwick activity centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f465dd4-509b-4082-a669-0253b313914b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/elsternwick%20podium.png?VersionId=72frWi0SmQ5AVJ3ARRhX5ILUYObhTm7x" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 25 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom residences above 200 sqm of retail space at ground level. Residents would have access to a 90 sqm wellness facility, a 351 sqm communal indoor and outdoor terrace on the third level, and extensive landscaped areas throughout the development. A publicly accessible 135 sqm plaza would be created on the north-east corner of the site, providing seating, landscaping, and a new gathering space adjoining Horne Street.

The design adopts a four-storey podium that references the finer-grain character of the surrounding streetscape, with the upper tower recessed behind generous setbacks on all boundaries.

<img alt="First look: 13-storey mixed-use tower planned for Elsternwick activity centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e637e763-2abc-4c34-a0aa-5c7ad36fae18" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/elsternwick%20open.png?VersionId=J1AoOpZgTyaF.KeeFSX6lMjEScX8KKRi" />

A key element of the proposal is the reconfiguration and widening of the surrounding laneways. Vehicle access would be retained from Lois Lane, with upgraded pedestrian connections linking Ross Street and Horne Street. The development would provide 58 residential car spaces, two retail car spaces, and 52 bicycle spaces across two basement levels and ground-floor facilities.

Architecturally, the building draws inspiration from the established character of Elsternwick Village. The façade combines dark charcoal brickwork, textured concrete, bronze-toned metal detailing, and extensive planting integrated into podium and tower levels. The design also incorporates a chamfered corner treatment and publicly accessible plaza intended to strengthen pedestrian activity around the station precinct.

Elsternwick's last new development completion was&nbsp;EVA Elsternwick by Pitard late last year. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a> is working away on its nature-led neighbourhood, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick Gardens</a>, on Gordon Street, with its first stage expected to complete next year.

First look: Auyin seeks mixed-use apartment project in growing Elsternwick Activity Centre

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/otium-parkdale-123-125-como-parade-east-parkdale-vic-3195">Otium Parkdale</a>, the 13-residence boutique development by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/huxtable-property">Huxtable Property</a>, has entered its final stages of delivery, with completion expected within the coming month and more than half of the residences sold.

The Como Parade East project is nearing the finish line at a time when opportunities to purchase new apartments in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parkdale-vic-3195">Parkdale</a> remain exceptionally limited. Fewer than 10 per cent of dwellings in the bayside suburb are apartments, making developments like Otium a relatively rare addition to a market traditionally dominated by detached housing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134974 project_image_fid=5427]

The three-level development comprises 13 residences, including ten two-bedroom apartments and three larger three-bedroom homes, all positioned above a secure basement car park.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/almeida-architects">Almeida Architects</a> with a strong connection to its coastal surroundings, Otium combines red brick, exposed concrete and dark metal detailing with integrated landscaping and greenery. Expansive glazing, generous balconies and terraces have been incorporated throughout the design to maximise natural light and reinforce indoor-outdoor living.

Inside, the residences feature engineered European oak flooring, natural and reconstituted stone benchtops, Bosch kitchen appliances, ducted heating and cooling, lift access and secure entry systems. The larger three-bedroom residences on the upper level have been designed with house-like proportions, while the two-bedroom apartments prioritise functionality, flexibility and low-maintenance living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134974 project_image_fid=5421]

The project is now in its final stages, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/labco">Labco</a> completing the remaining landscaping and external finishing works following the completion of the residences' interiors.

Otium's location within the heart of Parkdale continues to underpin its appeal. Residents will be just steps from local cafés, restaurants, shops and the newly elevated Parkdale Station, while the beach is less than a kilometre away.

With the project tracking ahead of schedule, buyers can currently secure a residence with a five per cent deposit and benefit from settlement terms of up to eight months. The advanced stage of construction also provides buyers with the opportunity to walk through the near-complete residences and experience the quality and finishes firsthand ahead of completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134974]

Otium Parkdale enters final month before completion as rare apartment opportunity nears sellout

A new boutique apartment development is entering the market in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chermside-qld-4032">Chermside</a>, with Brisbane-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ausdev">Ausdev</a> bringing 33 residences to a well-connected pocket of Brisbane's north.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/parkdrive-apartments-chermside-25-sammells-drive-chermside-qld-4032">Parkdrive Apartments</a>, at 25 Sammells Drive, will comprise a mix of one- and two-bedroom residences positioned within walking distance of Westfield Chermside, The Prince Charles Hospital, and Bradbury Park.

Established in 1989, Ausdev has a long-standing presence across both development and construction, with Parkdrive Apartments representing its latest residential project in Brisbane's northern suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363778]

The development has been designed around open-plan living and natural light, with residences featuring stone benchtops, timber cabinetry, BOSCH appliances, and private balconies that extend the living areas outdoors.

Kitchens are positioned as the centrepiece of the homes, incorporating natural material palettes and integrated appliances, while bathrooms have been designed with a focus on functionality and understated finishes.

Residents will have access to a communal barbecue and entertaining area on Level 3, providing shared outdoor space within the development. Secure parking and lift access are also incorporated into the building.

The project will deliver a limited collection of 33 apartments, with one-bedroom residences priced from $749,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363782]

Beyond the building itself, the location places residents within easy reach of several of Chermside's key amenities. Bradbury Park is around 350 metres away, while Westfield Chermside is approximately 1.3 kilometres from the site. The Prince Charles Hospital is located within 750 metres, and the Chermside Bus Interchange is around 1.5 kilometres away, providing connections across Brisbane.

Parkdrive Apartments adds to the growing residential pipeline in Chermside, a suburb that continues to evolve as a major retail, healthcare, and transport hub for Brisbane's north.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152125]

Ausdev introduces boutique Parkdrive Apartments to Chermside's growing centre

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/skymark-group">Skymark</a>'s boutique Cronulla development Solis has secured a 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy through Resilience Insurance, providing buyers of the 16-residence building on Ewos Parade with structural and waterproofing protection that extends a decade beyond the building's completion.

Currently under construction and due for completion in late 2027, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/solis-cronulla-8-ewos-parade-cronulla-nsw-2230">Solis</a> is one of a small number of new developments in the Sutherland Shire to carry Resilience LDI coverage, a distinction that carries increasing weight as buyer confidence in the off-the-plan sector continues to be shaped by how developers stand behind their product.

Latent Defects Insurance, which entered the Australian market in 2022 when Resilience Insurance was approved to offer the cover, protects buyers against major structural or waterproofing defects for ten years post-completion. Unlike traditional statutory warranties, it operates as a first-resort policy, if a covered defect arises, the insurer responds directly, without the buyer needing to pursue the builder or developer through a lengthy claims process.

Resilience Insurance CEO Corey Nugent has noted that the product addresses something fundamental to the new apartment market.

"The overarching feedback from prospective buyers in the new development space is that they want more confidence and assurances around the quality of the build," Nugent says.

"Resilience Insurance Latent Defects Insurance not only gives them complete peace of mind for 10 years, but it shows the developer they are buying from is standing by their product."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370898]

For Solis, the Resilience LDI policy adds a meaningful layer of accountability to an already considered project. The development comprises nine two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom residences, including one dual-level three-bedroom apartment, across a five-storey building on Ewos Parade, positioned between Shelly Beach and South Cronulla.

Garden apartments connect directly to private landscaped courtyards, while upper-level homes capture beach views to the east from level four and above.&nbsp;

All 16 residences include at least one balcony or courtyard, and select apartments on the upper floors feature bar areas and secondary flexible living spaces.

Hiba Sander, Managing Director of Skymark, says Solis offers a rare balance, nestled between the quiet beauty of secluded beaches and the lively charm of South Cronulla's esplanade.

"It's a place to choose your pace and live gracefully, seaside'," Sander says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370900]

The architecture, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ida-design-group">IDA Design Group</a>'s Michael Trinh, draws from the natural erosion patterns of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/cronulla-nsw-2230">Cronulla</a>'s sandstone headlands, translating the organic forms of the coastline into soft curves, pavilion-style massing, and a material palette chosen for longevity in a salt-tinged environment.&nbsp;

Textured natural stone, soft renders, and timber-look battens reference the tones of the surrounding cliffs, while the building has been oriented to maximise natural light and passive ventilation, with primary living spaces facing north and east to capture morning sun and sea breezes.

"At Solis, our aim was to create architecture that feels quietly confident, grounded in natural materials like stone and timber, and elevated by light and landscape," Trinh says.&nbsp;

"The buildings are designed to sit gently within their coastal surrounds, with expansive glazing and abundant greenery creating a seamless dialogue between inside and out."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370897]

Interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hot-black">Hot Black</a> carry the same material language through to every room. Kitchens feature integrated Gaggenau appliances, sculpted stone benchtops, and Lo &amp; Co joinery, while bathrooms feature natural stone, timber, and brushed metal finishes.&nbsp;

Hot Black Founder and Design Director Sophie Safrin describes the intent as one of considered restraint: "At Solis, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to create a timeless coastal retreat, calm, refined, and effortlessly liveable. From natural finishes to seamless indoor-outdoor flow, Solis offers a quiet elegance that's deeply connected to its surroundings.

The landscape, designed by Julian Brady of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/sitedesignstudios">Site Design Studios</a>, treats green space as an integral part of the resident experience rather than an afterthought.&nbsp;

"Gentle curves and layered native plantings mirror the ebb and flow of the ocean," Julian Brady says, "creating a serene connection between architecture and place."&nbsp;

Coco Republic has provided bespoke furniture packages tailored to the project's coastal palette.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370899]

Skymark has an established track record in the Sutherland Shire, with a portfolio spanning Cronulla, Woolooware and Burraneer that includes Isla, Sylva, Bask, Shells, Sula and Mist. Securing LDI on Solis reflects a broader shift in how the developer is positioning its buildings to buyers, at a time when Resilience Insurance expects the policy to become mandatory in New South Wales by 2028.

Sales at Solis are launching soon through Ray White Projects, with an official event scheduled for 11 June. Enquire for more information.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150499]

Skymark takes out 10-year Resilience Insurance LDI at Solis Cronulla

Rent

<html><body>
<div>The REINSW has noted a rise in vacancy rates in the NSW coastal regional city of Newcastle, up from 3.4 per cent to 4.6 per cent.</div>
<div>
 The Hunter also saw a rise from 3.1 per cent to 3.9 per cent, the April 2015 Real Estate Institute of New South Wales data revealed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It has been suggested the spike reflects unemployment rates of 8.4 per cent at Newcastle or even higher around the Hunter region at 11.8%, according to the ABS.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<h2>Unemployment Rates by Labour Force Region, April 2015 (15+) (%)</h2>
<div>
<table class="DataTable" border="1" rules="all" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<th scope="col">Labour Force Region</th>
<th scope="col">Unemployment Rate</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Northern Beaches</td>
<td>2.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby</td>
<td>3.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Sutherland</td>
<td>3.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Eastern Suburbs</td>
<td>3.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury</td>
<td>4.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Capital Region</td>
<td>4.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Inner West</td>
<td>4.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Outer West and Blue Mountains</td>
<td>5.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - City and Inner South</td>
<td>5.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Parramatta</td>
<td>5.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Far West and Orana</td>
<td>5.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Central Coast</td>
<td>5.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Riverina</td>
<td>5.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Outer South West</td>
<td>6.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Blacktown</td>
<td>6.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Ryde</td>
<td>6.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - South West</td>
<td>7.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney - Inner South West</td>
<td>7.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Coffs Harbour - Grafton</td>
<td>7.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mid North Coast</td>
<td>7.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Central West</td>
<td>8.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Illawarra</td>
<td>8.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New England and North West</td>
<td>8.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Murray</td>
<td>8.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Newcastle and Lake Macquarie</td>
<td>8.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven</td>
<td>8.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Richmond - Tweed</td>
<td>8.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hunter Valley exc Newcastle</td>
<td>11.8</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It is a lot tighter south of Sydney Wollongong saw vacancies rise 0.8 per cent in the month to 1.8 percent.
<div> </div>
<div>There was a 0.3 per cent increase in the Illawarra to 1.3 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Sydney vacancy rates remained stable in April 2015, tightening in the inner and middle ring, but recording an increase in vacancy rates in the outer.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Newcastle's worrying high rental vacancy rate: REINSW

<html><body>
Once again we need to ask the question: where in this nation of "chronic housing shortages" is the rental growth?
The latest Rental Report from Domain Group records virtually no rental growth in the capital cities in the September quarter. And, in annual terms, rental performance ranges from weak to nothing to negative.
The report covers the rental market for houses and for apartments in each of the eight capital cities. That's 16 rental markets in total, and in the past 12 months half of them have recorded falling rents or no growth.
The best performance in an Australian capital city is in Hobart, according to these figures, with a 4% rise in the median asking rent for units and a 3.3% rise for houses. That's a very anemic result, but it's the best in the nation apparently.
If you believe the constant rhetoric from the developer lobby, Sydney has the nation's most serious shortage of housing – yet in the September Quarter the median rent for houses did not change and the median rent for apartments fell 1%.
In annual terms, house rents in Sydney have grown a meagre 2% and apartments rents 3.1%.
The position in all the other capital cities is weaker than that.
Perth's rents have dropped around 6% in annual terms for both houses and apartments. In Canberra, the median rent for apartments is down 5% and for houses it's dropped 2.7%.
Darwin is down 2.9% (houses) and 1.8% (apartments).
Overall it's a very pallid performance and one that's inconsistent with claims of "a chronic housing shortage crisis", one that apparently demands urgent action from government.
The federal inquiry into the non-existent housing affordability problem, the one that is based on an Australian Bureau of Statistics miscount of first-home buyer numbers, is being fed a series of wish lists from groups representing builders and developers.
The common theme is that if you give developers everything they've ever wanted, they'll go away and build lots of dwellings and affordability will be miraculously transformed.
Economists, journalists and other commentators across Australia have bought the "chronic shortage" storyline and so it's accepted as fact by many people.
But there's a lack of evidence to support the idea and plenty of data that suggests the claim is nonsense – including rental performance.
The performance of rents has been so poor, yields have fallen in virtually every capital city market in the past 12 months. Only Hobart has managed to lift rental returns.
I continue to believe that the most pressing issue for markets around Australia is the opposite one, one of emerging over-supply in key locations.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au. You can email him or contact him on twitter.
 
</body></html>

terryryder-YECXbqmri2

If there's a housing shortage, where's the rental growth?

<html><body>
How expensive does it get to rent a house in Victoria? Well, suburb median advertised weekly rents recorded by RP Data provide an interesting picture.
Here are the eight most expensive suburbs in which to rent a house in Victoria.
<ol>
<li>
<a href="/news">Toorak</a> Median advertised weekly rent:$830 At present, rentals are available from $795 per week per week to $3,000. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Brighton</a> Median advertised weekly rent: $820 At present, rentals are available from $370 per week to $5,000 per week. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">East Melbourne</a> Median advertised weekly rent: $795 At present, rentals are available from $450 per week to $2,650 per week. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Sandringham</a> Median advertised weekly rent: $750 At present, rentals are available from $335 per week to $950 per week. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Hampton</a> Median advertised weekly rent: $725 At present, rentals are available from $325 per week to $2,000 per week. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Middle Park</a> Median advertised weekly rent: $700 At present, rentals are available from $475 per week to $1,950 per week. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Portsea</a> Median advertised weekly rent: $700 At present, rentals are available from $260 per week to $1,750 per week. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Beaumaris</a> Median advertised weekly rent: $700 At present, rentals are available from $500 per week to $1,500 per week.</li>
</ol>
 
</body></html>

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

The eight most expensive suburbs in Victoria to rent

<html><body>
In March 2009, the median advertised rent for a house in Melbourne was $379 per week compared to $442 this year.
This has equated to a rise of 16.6% over five years. Surprisingly there are a number of suburbs where renters have not faced comparable rises and there are even some suburbs where rents have actually dropped.
Three of the four suburbs where rents have fallen are growth suburbs; Doreen, Mernda and Sandhurst. These suburbs are unique cases as the supply of homes is very strong resulting in distortion in the data compared to more established areas.  In this case it has resulted in reductions in the advertised rent.
Advertised rents in Doreen have dropped by 6.4% over five years, similar to nearby Mernda which recorded a fall of 5.9%. Sandhurst rents dropped by 2.6%.
Rents have also fallen in Ormond and barely changed in Toorak; both suburbs have comparatively expensive houses and this highlights a trend of poor growth in rents in expensive suburbs.
With very low yields in the more expensive suburbs investors are more motivated by the strong capital growth that can be found and renters in this price bracket are clearly in a very different market to the majority of renters in Melbourne.
Other similar suburbs in the top 20 for low rental growth are Canterbury, Wonga Park, Caulfield, Ashburton and Hawthorn East.
This highlights that by targeting certain areas renters can find homes where rents do not continually rise.
<table style="width: 460px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="139">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
Change in advertised rents in five years - Houses
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">DOREEN</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
-6.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">MERNDA</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
-5.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">SANDHURST</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
-2.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">ORMOND</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
-2.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">TOORAK</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
0.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">ELTHAM NORTH</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
0.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">CANTERBURY</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
0.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">DANDENONG SOUTH</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
1.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">WONGA PARK</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
1.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">BLACKBURN</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
2.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">CAULFIELD</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
2.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">BROOKFIELD</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
3.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">ASHBURTON</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
3.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">HAWTHORN EAST</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
4.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">LYNDHURST</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
4.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">OAK PARK</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
4.5%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/linh_rom/" target="_blank" data-track="commentUserNameClick" data-action="follow" data-rapid_p="34">Hai Linh Truong</a>/Flickr.
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rlarocca-zWhvjay44N

Melbourne suburbs where rents have dropped over past five years

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There was no rental growth for landlords of inner Melbourne one bedroom apartments, and often rentals are falling.
The median one bedroom rent stayed steady at $350 a week during the March quarter in the inner Melbourne ring, which is suburbs within a 10 kilometre radius of the CBD, <a href="/news">according to the REIV</a>.
But Southbank one bedroom rentals fell 3.8% to $500 a week. The Docklands drop wasn't as severe down 0.4% to $428 a week.
Frankston with an 8.1% jump in rents to $200 a week for the typical one bedroom went again the overall metropolitan Melbourne trend which had a 2.4% growth to $340 across Melbourne.
Fitzroy saw a fillip too, jumping 8.1% to a typical $431 a week rental for one bedroom offerings.
The typical middle ring suburb - set between 10 and 20 kilometres of the CBD - had one bedroom rentals typically at at $271 a week, with outer Melbourne at $220 a week.
Median one bedroom rents fell in Camberwell, Glen Iris, Kew, Malvern and Malvern East. But the small falls were not just in the east, with drops in Footscray, Caufield North and Murrumbeena.
There was no change in rents in Toorak, Brunswick, West Melbourne, Carnegie, South Melbourne, Fitzroy North and Yarraville.
On the price front, inner Melbourne one bedroom apartments gained 1.4% in the March quarter to a $370,000 median, <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Median-Prices/Median-prices-by-bedroom/1-bedroom-units" target="_blank">according to the REIV</a>. There had been a 4.6% five year annual capital growth.
Middle Melbourne one bedroom units moved ahead by 2.3% in the quarter to $312,000, having recorded a 5.5% annual price growth over the past five years.
Outer Melbourne was the only region where the March quarter growth exceeded the five year growth, with 7.8% price growth to a $275,000 median one bedroom price, reflecting 7.3% annual capital growth over the past five years.
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No inner Melbourne rental growth for one bedroom apartment landlords

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Rental growth has been flat in most areas over the first quarter of 2014 while property prices have surged, leading to lower yields on investment properties, according to RP Data.
Units in Hobart made the biggest rental gains in the quarter, rising by 4.7% to $280 a week.
Rent for units in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney also increased slightly over the quarter, by 1.4%, 1.3% and 1% respectively.
Adelaide was the only capital city in which detached houses made rental gains. The median rent for a detached house in Adelaide increased by a 1.5% to $345 in the quarter.
Rents in the other capital cities were flat or declined in the quarter, dampening rental results for the 12 month period.
Darwin units were the strongest performers of capital city properties for the 12 months to the end of March, with rents rising 5.8% to a weekly median of $550. Rents on Sydney units gained 4.3% to reach a median of $490 a week.
Rent for detached houses in Melbourne and units in Brisbane also made reasonable gains over the 12 months to March, appreciating 2.7% and 2.6% respectively.
Perth and Canberra were the weakest capital city markets over the 12 months to March.
Rents for houses in Perth fell 2%, while rents for units dropped by 4.3%.
Detached houses in Canberra achieved 5.8% less rent, and the median rent for units fell 4.7%.
“With home value growth comparatively strong we are seeing a deterioration of rental yields in most capital cities,” RP Data analyst Cameron Kusher said in a statement.
“We expect that rental growth is likely to continue at moderate levels over the coming year, due largely to the climbing demand for housing which is highlighted by escalating sales transactions nationally.”
Over the year to the end of March, house prices in Sydney rose by 16.41% and units gained 12.17%, according to the RP Data-Rismark Daily Home Value Index: Monthly Values.
In Melbourne, house prices rose by 11.94%, while unit prices appreciated by 8.95%, the index showed.
RP Data Quarterly Rental Review to end March 2014
 <img src="/images/2014/04/14/zoe%20april%2014%20one.png" alt="">
Source: RP Data
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zfielding-GvX3Uq9KTa

Rental growth flat while property prices surge: RP Data

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Across the March quarter, the national median weekly asking rent for houses increased by a subtle 0.2%, with unit rents increasing by 1.7%, however the picture is mixed across the country, explains Australian Property Monitors’ latest statistics.
<img src="/images/2014/04/10/apm-chart-april-10-one.gif" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/04/10/apm-chart-april-10-two.gif" alt=""> 
Source: Australian Property Monitors 
SYDNEY
National housing rents for the year ending March saw Sydney retain strength as the most expensive major capital for tenants, with median weekly asking house rent over the March quarter sitting at $500, and units at $490, explains APM’s senior economist, Andrew Wilson. As discussed yesterday, Sydney’s expensive rental market will come as no surprise to anyone looking to live there.
Despite this, Sydney’s house rents have remained flat for 12 months, “indicating underlying affordability barriers constraining rental growth,” said Wilson.
Sydney unit rents, however, continue to rise driven by the affordability advantages of units over houses and the growing preferences for apartment living and inner–city locations. Based on current trends, unit rents will be on parity with house rents sooner rather than later in 2014.”
MELBOURNE
Pointing to the recent rend of rising house rents, Melbourne has seen some of the best performance of all the capital cities – up 4.1% over the year, with the March quarter seeing a 1.3% increase.
“Melbourne unit rents have staged a revival after a lengthy period of subdued growth,” he said.
“Despite March quarter increases in rents, Melbourne remains relatively affordable for tenants with only Adelaide recording lower rents of all the mainland capitals.”
BRISBANE
However, the picture differs when looking at Brisbane, where the market was weaker over the March quarter, with house rents staying flat and unit rents actually dropping by 1.3%.
“Over the year ending March 2014, no growth was recorded in unit rents, however, house rents rose by +2.6%. Significant numbers of new inner city apartments continue to place downward pressure on rental growth,” said Wilson of the yearly statistics.
Note: Wilson explained that in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, a low number of first home buyers could be responsible for creating some demand-based rental pressure, however increased supply with investor activity and new apartment building should impact rental growth in these cities.
Rental yields also have some interesting implications across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. In the latter two capital cities, yields remain the lowest of all capitals for units and houses, however Melbourne appears to see some increases in yield suggesting weakness in price growth for inner city apartments. Brisbane, however, provides the highest gross rental yield of all the major capitals.
ADELAIDE
Currently, Adelaide is the most affordable of all mainland capitals, with subdued rental growth over the March quarter. In fact, over this period house rents fell by 1.4% and units remained flat.
PERTH
In Perth, the quarter recorded flat rents for house and units, as the “market continues to adjust after the unsustainably strong rental growth seen in the first half of 2013,” he said.
“House rents in Perth are now down by -2.0% over the year with no growth in unit rents,” said Wilson.
DARWIN
Despite flat rents for houses and unitsover the March quarter, a 7% increase over the year ending March was recorded.
HOBART, CANBERRA
Flat or falling rents for houses and units were recorded over the March quarter.
 <img src="/images/2014/04/10/apm-chart-april-10-three.gif" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/04/10/apm-chart-april-10-four.gif" alt="">
Source: Australian Property Monitors
Further mixed results for all capital cities are expected through 2014, as price growth moderates in most capitals, explained Wilson.
“Choppy capital city rental market performances over the March quarter reflects, to some degree, the uplift in home buying activity which was driven by sharp improvements in housing affordability over the past year,” he said.
“With prices growth likely to accelerate this year, expect increased house investor activity although yields may weaken.”
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Melbourne and Sydney show strength, as rest of the country’s rents dip

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Brought to you by
<img src="/images/marketing/frasersProp_black_rgb.jpg" height="50px">
Planning how to rent out an off the plan apartment is similar, if not the same, to other forms of property investment strategy, however some developers may offer a rental guarantee on the new purchase.
Developers generally offer a rental guarantee for the first year or two, however many property professionals warn against buying into a development that offers a rental guarantee.
iProperty Plan director Mark Armstrong says by accepting a guaranteed rent level, investors are insulated from market forces.
“As newer properties come on to the market and tenants have a wider choice of places to live, the market rent for a property could fall,” says Armstrong.
Market analyst <a href="/guides">Catherine Cashmore</a> says the rental guarantee is always factored into the sale price of the apartment.
Cashmore says rental guarantees can be between 5% to 7%. If an investment has a gross return of 6% and the developer guarantees $300 a week rent, the purchase price would be $260,000.
But if the market rent is in fact $250 a week, the property is really worth $218,000, resulting in investors paying 19.2% over the market value.
“Once the guarantee expires, the unit’s yield will revert back to market forces,” says Cashmore.
Armstrong says once the guarantee expires, investors will need to have sufficient cashflow to hold the property during periods when the property is not tenanted.
Property 1 real estate agent Garth Rothwell says rental guarantees are good for overcoming fear of loss due to a vacancy period but in reality, all rents are guaranteed.
“I guarantee there will be people willing to rent a unit, it just comes down to how much rent they are willing to pay.
“Guarantees that are offered by the developer and are above market value are bound to fail, as proven in the past, as they are unsustainable over the medium to long term.
“Rent guarantees based on market value for a period of one to three years can be beneficial for investors to overcome the fear factor and help the investor with cash flow in the initial years of the purchase,” says Rothwell.
“Ultimately it comes down to how the rent guarantee is funded.”
Off the plan apartments can be advertised for rent prior to settlement but Rothwell says the investor will require the developer’s permission to advertise early, as the developer will have to authorise access to conduct inspections.
“If the unit is leased prior to settlement, the developer is entitled to the rent collected prior to the settlement date.
“If a guarantee is in place, the developer will already have this process in place,” says Rothwell.
For investors wanting to rent out their new apartment, Rothwell advises to price the unit at market value, not emotional value.
“Investors should be prepared to trade off $10 to $15 per week in rent to get a better tenant sooner, or alternatively a tenant with a small pet may pay more.
“The investor needs to identify the type of tenant they wish to attract, familiarise themselves with relevant facts regarding pets, body corporate rules and on site management,” says Rothwell.
Rothwell advises that a pre-purchase/settlement inspection is organised from a licensed building inspector and that a detailed initial inspection report is completed.
“Complete all guarantees for stoves, ovens, dishwashers and air conditioners and ensure a landlord’s insurance policy is in place to cover loss of rent due to malicious damage and a basic contents policy to cover any dispute about building or contents,” says Rothwell.
As with any property investment, research is the key to ensure the numbers add up and that all the correct measures are taken to safeguard investors and their property.
{rsform 49}
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ntrotman-Et3xWpamVh

How to: Rent out an off the plan apartment

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Can anyone explain the absence of rental growth in our major markets?
Are we not suffering from a housing shortage crisis, with an accumulated undersupply of hundreds of thousands of dwellings?
Can the economists who speak constantly of this dwelling shortage explain how three of our eight capital cities recorded declines in house rentals in the March quarter, while four others recorded no growth?
Can the Housing Industry Association, the great champion of the shortage theory, explain why four of the capital cities recorded marked declines in apartment rentals, while two others recorded no change?
Do the laws of supply and demand no longer apply to residential property, such that Perth, Canberra and Hobart now have house rentals lower than a year ago (6% lower, in the case of the national capital), Sydney and Darwin have recorded zero growth, and only one city has recorded annual growth of more than 3%.
<blockquote>
The only capital city experiencing a boom worthy of the name is Sydney – which was overdue after a decade of under-performance.
</blockquote>
Out of eight capital city house markets and eight apartment markets, there is only one instance of solid annual growth in median asking rents – a 7% rise in Darwin’s apartment market.
Otherwise, according to the March Quarter Rental Report from Australian Property Monitors, it’s a story of stagnation or decline in residential rents in the capital cities.
This result, which is similar to the outcomes with rental reports from previous quarters stretching back to 2012, runs counter to the notion of shortages.
It’s also inconsistent with the idea of a national property boom, with markets rising as “a blistering pace”, as the ABC’s News 24 morning program misinformed us recently.
And speaking of research evidence that makes nonsense of claims about market performance, I continue to disbelieve the notion of a booming Melbourne market and I note similar sentiments expressed by SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher this week.
Christopher’s research on the number of residential properties listed for sale in each of the capital cities shows there are exceptionally high levels of supply available in Melbourne.
Melbourne currently has about 44,500 residential properties listed for sale. To put that into perspective, Sydney has only 24,200 properties listed.
This can be explained, partly at least, by the extraordinarily high levels of inner city apartments being marketed.
Christopher writes, “There are no new trends that have come out of the data this month - other than we note that Melbourne still has an elevated amount of listings in the market and so this has made us sceptical of recently-reported large increases in dwelling prices for that city.
“There is also further evidence that Melbourne vendors overall have struggled to lift their asking prices.”
Notions that the Melbourne market is rising strongly have been created by rubbery figures from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and the rude haste with which RP Data spits out statistics under the “publish and be damned” principle.
In my view, the only capital city experiencing a boom worthy of the name is Sydney – which was overdue after a decade of under-performance.
You can contact Terry via <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. 
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If the market's so hot then where's the rental growth?

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Across Australia, it's not a secret that rent has generally been ticking upwards - much to the dismay of renters - with revealingly stronger growth in some areas than others.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics details show that Western Australia is the state that has grown more than any other, with a 77% uptick from 2006 to 2011. In 2006, it was recorded at $170 per week, however in 2011 it was noted as $300.
Speaking of growth in the statistics, the ABS director of rural and regional statistics, Lisa Conolly, said that while Western Australia overall grew the most, the area with the biggest uptick was in Queensland.
This was a terrifying headline figure of 570% growth over the period in Weipa, in Queensland's far north, and the picture overall looks fairly drab on the surface for renters.
<blockquote>
Rental costs increased from $191 in 2006 to $285 in 2011 - an increase of 49%. Mortgage repayments have increased 39% during this time.
</blockquote>
"Rental costs have also increased by twice as much as wages with the median weekly household income increasing from $1,027 in 2006 to $1,234 in 2011, up 20%," she explained.
However, Conolly said that it wasn't quite the unexpected drastic growth, for Weipa at least, that the figure suggests.
"Local government areas in Western Australia recorded some of the biggest growth in median rent payments in Australia, with eight out of the 10 fastest growing regions located in Western Australia. However, Weipa, in far north Queensland, came in at the top, reflecting a change from employer owned housing to private rental arrangements," recorded Conolly.
Despite this, in what will come as a surprise to almost no one, it remains local government areas (LGA) in Sydney that record the highest rent. And, as can be attested by the overwhelming 'red' on all of the zoomed in capital cities, it's costly to rent in Australia's capitals.
 
LGAs with the highest rent: (Note: the suburb linked to each LGA is that closest to the relevant council chambers. For more specific suburb data, you can use our free data tool here) 
New South Wales and ACT
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/nsw.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Ku-ring-gai</a> - $575 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Woollahra </a>- $550 per week</li>
</ul>
The LGA in New South Wales with the fastest growth over the period was <a href="/news">Gwydir</a>, and it was noted that while areas outside of the capital city had lower overall rental payments, they showed the most significant growth over time.
The ACT was noted as having the highest median rent overall across Australia - recorded at $380 per week. The<a href="/news"> Queanbeyan</a> area grew from $185 per week in 2006 to $289 per week in 2011, a 56.2% increase.
Western Australia
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/wa.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Cottesloe</a> - $450 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Perth</a> - $440 per week</li>
</ul>
The fastest growth costs in Greater Perth occurred in <a href="/news">Serpentine-Jarrahdale</a>, which doubled from $155 per week to $306 per week, or a 99.4% rise, however it is noted that the LGA has one of the highest proportion of home ownership (with a mortgage) areas across the country, with just 14.7% rentals.
Victoria
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/vic.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Melbourne</a> - $400 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Bayside</a> - $390 per week</li>
</ul>
The LGA across the state with the fastest growth was <a href="/news">West Wimmera</a>, despite maintaining a lower rent than other LGAs. In Greater Melbourne, <a href="/news">Maribyrnong</a> saw the fastest recorded growth with a 64.7% increase to $280 per week from $170 per week.
Queensland
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/qld.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Brisbane</a> - $350 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Gold Coast</a> - $350 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Redland</a> - $350 per week</li>
</ul>
In Greater Brisbane, <a href="/news">Somerset</a> was one of the fastest growing, rising 60% to $240 per week, from $150 per week.
Northern Territory
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/nt.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Darwin</a> - $360 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Palmerston</a> - $360 per week</li>
</ul>
The LGA with the fastest growth across the territory was <a href="/news">Palmerston</a>, which grew 89.5% over the recorded period.
South Australia
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/s.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Adelaide</a> - $320 per week</li>
</ul>
The fastest growing LGAs across South Australia included <a href="/news">Peterborough</a>, and <a href="/news">Southern Mallee</a>, which both saw a 66.7% uptick, while in Greater Adelaide it was <a href="/news">West Torrens</a>, 54.4% growth to $247, from $160 per week, that took out the growth record.
Tasmania
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/tas.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Kingborough</a> - $275 per week</li>
</ul>
The fastest growing LGA in Tasmania was in the <a href="/news">Central Highlands</a> and the <a href="/news">Tasman</a>, with a 60% uptick. In Greater Hobart, <a href="/news">Brighton</a> rose 58.1% to $185, from $117 per week.
 
Conolly reminded viewers of the statistics that the cost of renting in a region can change due to a number of factors.
These may include:
<ol>
<li>Workforce demand</li>
<li>Population growth or decline</li>
<li>Changing tenure arrangements</li>
</ol>
"Nationally, rental costs increased by more than mortgage repayments with the median weekly household rent rising from $191 in 2006 to $285 in 2011 - an increase of 49%. Whereas mortgage repayments have increased 39% during this time," she said.
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