<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]

Joel Robinson

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

Investors may soon find themselves with fewer reasons to buy established property and more incentives to look towards the new apartment market.

Proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions would see new and off-the-plan apartments retain access to the tax benefits, while established properties would miss out, creating a clear advantage for buyers purchasing newly built housing.

The policy direction aligns with what many developers have been saying for several years. Australia needs more housing supply, and governments are increasingly looking for ways to encourage investment into new stock rather than existing homes.

The challenge for investors is that suitable product is becoming harder to find.

For much of the last decade, one-bedroom apartments were the cornerstone of investor demand. They offered a lower entry price, strong rental appeal, and were a common feature across most apartment developments.

Today, the development pipeline looks very different.

Across both New South Wales and South East Queensland, developers are increasingly targeting owner-occupiers and downsizers, delivering larger two, three and four-bedroom apartments in response to changing buyer preferences. While one-bedroom apartments still exist, they now form a much smaller portion of many new projects.

That shift has created a shortage of investor-friendly stock, particularly in well-located projects close to transport, employment hubs and lifestyle amenity.

At the same time, rising apartment prices have pushed many new developments beyond the reach of traditional investors. On the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find new apartments priced around the $1 million mark, particularly those offering strong rental fundamentals and long-term growth prospects.

We've rounded up four new apartment developments where investors can still secure a foothold in the market for around $1 million or less.

<h2 data-end="1140" data-start="844">Flourish Soleira</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $1.07 million</h2>

Popular Palm Beach developer Sherpa is soon to officially launch its newest local apartment development, Flourish Soleira.

The one-bedroom apartments in the building were only offered to first home buyers rather than investors, and all of those have been snapped up. The two-bedroom apartments will start from $1.07 million, and the three-bedrooms, still a good investment given the popularity of Palm Beach for owner-occupiers, starting at $2,045,000.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

Flourish Soliera will comprise 153 apartments across two buildings, connected by a skybridge, the first ever delivered in the suburb.

True to Sherpa's booming Flourish brand of apartment projects, Flourish Soleira will have extensive rooftop amenity across both buildings including a&nbsp;wellness centre with gym, work from home, yoga, pilates, a&nbsp;heated pool, private dining rooms, pizza oven and barbecues, basketball court, and golf simulator.

<h2>Corallo, Palm Beach</h2>

Priced from: $841,500

Nearby Flourish Soleira is Changfa Group's beachfront-inspired Corallo development. They still have some one-bedroom apartments remaining, priced from $841,500.

The 105-apartment project on Palm Beach Avenue is otherwise dominated by larger two and three-bedroom residences, many of which are aimed at owner-occupiers and downsizers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112194 project_image_fid=808]

For investors, the appeal lies in Palm Beach's continued transformation from a laid-back beachside suburb into one of the Gold Coast's most sought-after residential markets. Residents at Corallo will be within walking distance of Palm Beach's surf beaches, the recreational amenity of Tallebudgera Creek, and the increasingly popular collection of cafes, restaurants and boutique retailers along the suburb's central dining precinct.

<h2>Corner House, Stones Corner</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $880,000</h2>

One of only two Brisbane apartment developments to make the list with prices under $1 million is DeMartini Fletcher's Corner House development in Stones Corner.

One-bedroom apartments start from $880,000 within the 88-apartment development, providing investors with exposure to one of Brisbane's most established inner-south locations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330594]

Stones Corner has long been supported by strong tenant demand due to its proximity to major employment and education destinations. The suburb sits less than five kilometres from Brisbane's CBD and is within easy reach of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Queensland Children's Hospital and several university campuses.

The project's location within a walkable urban village environment, surrounded by retail, dining and public transport infrastructure, continues to attract both professionals and healthcare workers seeking accommodation close to work.

Parkdrive Apartments, Chermside

Priced from: $749,000

The most affordable apartments across Brisbane's new and off the plan market are in Chermside where developer AusDev is selling one-bedroom apartments from $749,000, and two-beds from $929,000, at its recently launched Parkdrive development.

The development is strategically positioned in one of Brisbane's largest employment and retail precincts, placing residents within easy walking distance of Westfield Chermside, The Prince Charles Hospital, St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside and the suburb's major bus interchange.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363782]

Already under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2028, Parkdrive benefits from Chermside's ongoing evolution into Brisbane's northern metropolitan centre. The suburb continues to attract significant public and private investment, supporting population growth and underpinning long-term rental demand.

For investors focused on yield and tenant depth, the combination of healthcare, retail and transport infrastructure within close proximity provides a strong foundation for occupancy and rental performance.

Investors to turn to new apartments after Federal Government changes spark hunt for Queensland's best $1 million apartments

A mix of Gold Coast locals, fly-in, fly-out purchasers from Sydney and Melbourne, and Brisbane-based families has driven early sales success at Broadbeach's newest apartment tower, Lumara.

The 26-level project, a joint venture between builder-developer 5Point Projects and Bourke Projects, comprises just 37 luxury residences and is attracting a buyer profile that is looking for exclusivity, above the most amenity-rich suburb on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=364156]

Jamie Bourke, Director of Bourke Projects, says every buyer secured so far intends to use Lumara as a lock-up-and-leave residence, combining holiday use with the ability to work remotely when required.

“The size of the apartments, both half- and full-floor options, and the different zones within the floorplans, lends itself perfectly to dedicated home office setups and multi-generational family holidays,” Bourke says.

That flexibility has become a key drawcard for affluent buyers seeking a second residence on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the ability to conduct business away from their primary home base.

The absence of holiday letting within the building has also resonated strongly with purchasers.

“This type of buyer doesn't need to generate holiday rental income,” Bourke says. “They're paying for exclusivity, privacy and certainty around who their neighbours are.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366491]

The strong demand comes amid broader shifts in the high-end apartment market following the Federal Budget announcements in May.

“We were already seeing strong enquiry from high-net-worth buyers, but that has only accelerated since the policy changes,” Bourke says.

“A lot of those buyers are looking to place more capital into premium lifestyle assets rather than investment-grade stock that has been targeted by the Federal Government.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366486]

Designed by Cottee Parker, Lumara adopts a slender, sculpted form with an emphasis on natural materials suited to its beachfront setting. The architectural approach draws on coastal influences, with a palette of stone, timber and concrete selected for durability and the ability to weather over time.

Apartments are limited to three and four-bedroom configurations, with a maximum of two residences per floor through the mid-levels and a selection of full-floor and dual-level homes in the upper levels. All apartments are oriented to the north to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and views across the ocean, city skyline and hinterland.

A two-level amenity offering is positioned high within the building on levels 20 and 21, conceived as a sky wellness retreat. Facilities include a magnesium pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, alongside more social spaces such as a private dining room, resident lounge, workspaces and outdoor barbecue areas integrated with landscaped greenery.

The uppermost levels are reserved for larger-format residences, including several full-floor homes and a dual-level penthouse with its own private wellness features and recreational spaces.

&nbsp;

To give buyers confidence, 5Point and Bourke commenced construction ahead of the apartments launching to the market, a sure-fire way to prove they mean business, and the building will be delivered. They are targeting a 2028 completion date.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150454]

Locals, interstate holiday makers, drive early sales at Lumara, Broadbeach's newest luxury apartment tower

Often when it comes to purchasing property, the biggest barrier to entry is the deposit. Buyers of established homes typically aim for a 20 per cent deposit to avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance, while most property transactions require around a 10 per cent deposit when contracts are exchanged.

The off-the-plan market works differently, with buyers typically paying a deposit during construction and settling the balance upon completion. As completion approaches at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/fabbrica-fitzroy-369-gore-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Fabbrica Fitzroy</a>, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace</a> is making it easier for buyers to secure a residence through a deposit-matching incentive. Purchasers need only contribute a five per cent deposit*, with Pace matching the remaining five per cent.

The offer comes as Pace unveils a completed display apartment and townhouse, now available for inspection by appointment ahead of the project's Spring completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371009]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/winwood-mckenzie-architecture">Winwood Mckenzie</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a>, Fabbrica draws on Fitzroy’s industrial and manufacturing history, incorporating references to the former Argyle Shirt Factory and Life Savers Confectionery Company that once occupied the site.

The development comprises 85 residences, spanning low-maintenance apartments through to larger-format townhouses with private street access and double lock-up garages, a relatively uncommon offering in Fitzroy’s higher-density apartment market.

Pace says the project has been designed to appeal to buyers seeking inner-city convenience without sacrificing space, flexibility, or amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371016]

Inside the residences, Winwood Mckenzie has focused on adaptable layouts and integrated detailing, with features including custom joinery, and concealed storage solutions. The material palette leans into warm, tactile finishes intended to complement the building’s industrial architectural language.

Fabbrica’s rooftop amenity is a key part of the project offering. Spanning around 800 sqm, the communal rooftop includes a private dining room, communal kitchen, lounge spaces, work-from-home zones, and outdoor dining areas overlooking the Melbourne CBD skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371017]

Landscape architecture studio Acre has introduced a layered rooftop garden designed to soften the urban setting while creating a more communal environment for residents.

The Fitzroy location also positions residents within walking distance of Brunswick Street, Smith Street, parks, cafés, galleries, and public transport, while remaining only minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. The project has an enviable Walk Score of 96.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371025]

Pace, which is also delivering the project as builder, has developed more than 100 projects across Melbourne over the past three decades. The vertically integrated approach has become increasingly common among developers seeking greater control over construction delivery amid broader market pressures affecting the apartment sector.

The strikingly contemporary Gore Street development is now around 70 per cent complete, with purchasers expected to move into their new homes in Spring 2026. A limited number of residences remain available under the current deposit match offer.

*Conditions apply in relation to the deposit match offer.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139552]

Pace offers five per cent deposit match at Fabbrica Fitzroy ahead of Spring completion

Sydney developer Hyecorp's roots on the Lower North Shore stretch back three generations, and that deep understanding of the market continues to shape where and how it develops today.

From high-rise towers to boutique apartment projects, the family-run developer has built its reputation by focusing on a part of Sydney it knows intimately. Founded by Michael Abolakian in the early 1990s, Hyecorp is now led by his sons Stephen, Troy and Patrick.

Stephen Abolakian, joint managing director alongside Troy, has spent more than two decades in the business, overseeing development, planning, finance, marketing and sales.

Abolakian says the developer's disciplined focus on where it chooses to operate has been, and continues to be, one of Hyecorp's greatest strengths.

“We know the buyer profile exceptionally well,” Abolakian says.

“The demographics between places like Willoughby, Chatswood, St Leonards and Roseville are very similar. There are nuances between suburbs and projects, but culturally and from a buyer perspective, there’s a strong overlap.”

That buyer has historically been overwhelmingly owner-occupier driven.

Unlike many Sydney apartment developers that have traditionally relied heavily on investor demand, Hyecorp’s projects have typically attracted downsizers, upsizers, rightsizers and family owner-occupiers seeking long-term homes rather than short-term investments.

“Historically, investors have been a much smaller portion of our demand profile,” Abolakian says.

“We design for owner-occupiers. We don’t design for yield, we design for comfort, amenity, family living and long-term usability.”

That philosophy extends well beyond apartment layouts.

From landscaping and communal gardens to shared amenities and circulation spaces, Hyecorp’s developments are designed around how people actually live, something Abolakian believes has become increasingly important in Sydney’s apartment market.

“There was probably a period where having an approved project in market was enough,” he says.

“There wasn’t as much competition and if you built it, buyers would come. That’s no longer the case.”

“There’s more supply in the pipeline now, particularly with TOD precincts and low and mid-rise reforms opening up opportunities across Sydney. Buyers have more choice, so if you get the product wrong, they’ll simply go elsewhere.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=311393]

The shift has forced developers to become more sophisticated in how they approach apartment design, particularly as owner-occupier expectations continue to rise.

For Hyecorp, that means thinking beyond who the buyer is today and designing for who they may become in five or 10 years' time.

“People buying now often aren’t moving in for several years,” Abolakian says.

“You might have a young couple buying today, but by the time they move in they may have children, older children, or changing lifestyle needs. You’ve got to think about how families evolve.”

That thinking also shapes Hyecorp’s approach to amenity, which positions wellness at the forefront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362634]

While resort-style facilities have become increasingly common marketing tools across Sydney apartment developments, Abolakian says the challenge is ensuring amenities are genuinely usable and appropriate for the scale of the project.

“If amenities are done right, they can materially improve the living experience,” he says, adding however that if you&nbsp;overdo it or get it wrong, you can end up with facilities nobody uses that simply create ongoing strata costs.”

That balance is something Hyecorp is aiming to strike with projects like Roseville Avenue, one of the group's upcoming Lower North Shore developments, which Abolakian describes as bringing a resort-style living experience into a metropolitan setting.

“It’s about creating something that feels special without being excessive,” he says.

“Good gardens, quality apartments, thoughtful amenity. Creating that resort feeling in a metro location.”

<img alt="Hyecorp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13c4c0f3-b1b7-44cf-9344-0b3d1d07797a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-02%20at%2012.14.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=9OLWjyj2bYkDV35F78WJnyMSPfc2bJ2z" />

The focus on owner-occupier product comes as Sydney’s apartment market continues to navigate a difficult development environment.&nbsp;For Hyecorp, maintaining an in-house operating model across construction, sales, marketing and development management has become increasingly important in navigating that environment.

“We’ve always believed in keeping a lot of the process in-house,” Abolakian says.

“It creates efficiencies, but it also creates quality control. You can make faster decisions and ensure the end product stays aligned with the original vision.”

Despite the challenges, Abolakian believes demand for quality owner-occupier apartments across Sydney remains strong beneath the surface, particularly across established Lower North Shore suburbs where downsizers continue to seek new housing options close to existing communities.

“There are definitely people waiting,” he says.

“Once some of the broader uncertainty settles, whether that’s the global environment or some of the local economic noise, I think the right projects will perform very strongly.”

Hyecorp currently has three residential developments on the market across Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;Audrey, St Leonards, positioned opposite Newlands Park, is nearing completion and preparing to welcome its first residents, with the project now almost sold out.

Hyecorp has also recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine Chatswood</a>, an architectural tower, while continuing to deliver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet Roseville</a>, a more boutique scale of development with just 34 apartments.

Why Hyecorp continues to back Sydney's Lower North Shore apartment market

Residential Listings

<html><body>
Listing a property at too high a price could be a costly mistake in the current Sydney market, especially if you need to sell.
But getting as close to your asking price or even more is important to feeling good about any property listing.
In an emerging slowing or falling market, the mismatch between asking and paid prices is likely to be at its highest, possibly due to pride or naivety.
To arrive at the right listing price, it's wise to research the recent sales.
These were your recent competition, so your estate agent should be able to prepare a comparative market analysis of comparable homes, detailing the initial price, how much the home actually fetched, and how long it took to sell.
Sales so far this year are relevant, but look back to 2017 to understand how prices are trending.
Don't just appraise the prices on the handout or the computer, best also go and see how your offering stacks up against the sold stock.
A drive by the homes provides a curbside appraisal, and you ought be popping in to open houses so you can get a better sense of what buyers are paying.
Pricing was less of a challenge in the recent hot markets when the scarce inventory triggered enthusiasm among overly keen buyers.
Discounting on asking prices is however normal, and CoreLogic currently puts it at 5.6 percent for private treaty sales that are taking around 31 days. This time last year it was a 4.1 percent required discount after just 27 days on market. 
Houses in the UK have been selling at around three percent discount.
The biggest recent Sydney gap I've seen between asking price and selling price was over 20 percent. They wanted $27 million and took $21 million in Sydney's pricey east.
But is is happening in suburbs all over Sydney.
No wonder buyers reckon the market is falling their way, so it might be wise for vendors to marginally underprice to get ahead of the curve.
Especially if you are upsizing and have secured something at say 10 percent off.
Any price indication needs to ensure you gain maximum buyer interest.
Certainly if you don’t get any interest or offers in the first week or so, especially for auction listings, then it's likely you’ve priced too high.
Much of the pricing process relies on trust in your knowledgable estate agent.
You want honest advice from day one, so don't fall for the agent who volunteers an extraordinary potential sale price simply to get your listing.
Check their own asking price to sale price track record as these agents will seek to crunch your expectations sooner or later.
This week saw a forecast that Sydney house prices are likely to fall 4.2 percent this year, although Moody's Analytics said the correction would be short-lived, with prices set to recover a modest 0.9 per cent next year.
It's best remembered that our property market is fluid and complex in actual individual outcomes. Property pricing is, after all, emotional not prescriptively scientific.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
 
 
 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Asking price realism and flexibility needed for successful property listings

<html><body>
Monthly national residential listings fell January 2018 by nearly 5%, according to SQM Research.
Listings dropped to 303,901 across the country, a total of a 6.2% decrease over the year.
The fall is not surprising, says SQM Research managing director Louis Christoper, given January is typically the quietest month of the year.
"Year-on-year, listings are much higher in Sydney, with more homeowners happy to list their properties compared to one year ago, and take profits.In Canberra, listings fell 6.2% while in Adelaide listings dropped 5.8%," he said.
"In Brisbane, stock on market fell by 3.9% with more modest falls in Perth of 2.1% and 1.3% in Darwin. In Hobart, listings were down by 2.6% over the month of January.
“Looking forward, with interest rates still at low levels and a possible expansion in lending by the banks, we expect a year of modest prices gains in Sydney and most other capital cities.
“The auction clearance rate results and the asking prices over the remainder of February will give us some good insight in terms of how the market has opened. While we did record a strong lift in asking prices in January, it has been based on a lower count of listings, so I will not read too much into the rise at this stage.”  
Melbourne was the only double digit monthly change in January, with listings dropping a near 14% from 28,895 to 24,881.
Sydney's listings have dropped 7% while Canberra and Adelaide each saw declines of around 6% in the month. Perth recorded the lowest monthly change with 2% listings decrease.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="77">
City
</td>
<td width="77">
JAN 2017 Total
</td>
<td width="77">
DEC 2017 Total
</td>
<td width="77">
JAN 2018 Total
</td>
<td width="77">
Monthly change %
</td>
<td width="77">
Yearly change %
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
Adelaide
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          15,675
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          16,588
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          15,620
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-5.8%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-0.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
Brisbane
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          28,511
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          30,040
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          28,882
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-3.9%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
1.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
Canberra
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            3,003
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            3,527
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            3,307
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-6.2%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
10.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
Darwin
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            2,037
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            2,055
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            2,028
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-1.3%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-0.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
Hobart
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            3,333
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            2,426
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
            2,362
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-2.6%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-29.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
Melbourne
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          28,249
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          28,895
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          24,881
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-13.9%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-11.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
Perth
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          25,804
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          25,277
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          24,735
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-2.1%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-4.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
Sydney
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          21,633
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          28,103
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
          26,150
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-6.9%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
20.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="77">
National
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
        323,904 
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
        319,192 
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
        303,901 
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-4.8%
</td>
<td nowrap width="77">
-6.2%
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
The highest stock decrease from this time last year was in Hobart, with houses flying off the shelves.
Hobart's listings have dropped nearly 30% from 3,333 to 2,362 since this time last year.
Despite a near 7% monthly decrease, Sydney has 21% more stock than last January.
Canberra has the second highest stock increase, up 10%.
Melbourne's near 14% monthly change in the last month has contributed to its 12% decrease on amount of listings from this time last year.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sydney's 2018 listings hangover from unsold 2017 listings

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The flood of Sydney private treaty listings remains high, as spring sales come to a conclusion.
But fresh listings in late spring are down, suggesting there is an end in sight, according to the CoreLogic data. 
The total of 26,559 offerings represents a 19.2% rise from the same time last year.
Nationally overall stock is up 1.9%.
Three of the capitals, especially Hobart, have far less stock than this time in 2016.
 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/11/29/Capital%20city%20listings.jpg" alt="">
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Glut of Sydney private treaty listings remains but end may be nigh: CoreLogic

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Residential listings across Australia rose in September 2017 by 3.1% with stock levels rising in most capital cities, led by a jump in Sydney and Melbourne, according to SQM Research’s latest figures.
Despite the rise in listings to 328,751, asking prices for homes rose during the month for all capital cities including the two largest cities, indicating that sellers have not yet adjusted to the slower market, the firm said.
Sydney’s housing market continued to rise year on year, with listings up by 12.3%, the biggest increase of any capital city. 
However, national residential property listings were down by 5.4%, with Hobart recording the biggest fall of -25.5% and Melbourne (-12.9%).
“We know policy makers including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) have been very focused on slowing the Sydney housing market down. To this end, it appears their efforts have worked,” said Louis Christopher, managing director at SQM Research.
“I think more and more sellers are coming to the market hoping to sell at the peak, or close to it. Yet they are coming to the market with very lofty pricing expectations, hence we have seen auction clearance rates fall and days on market increase. There will be many disappointed sellers in Sydney by the end of this spring selling season.”
Elsewhere, Hobart was the only capital city to record falls in listings for the month, falling by 3.9%, which suggests ongoing booming market conditions for the city. Perth and Adelaide are now recording year-on-year declines in listings, falling by 3.5% and 2.6% respectively.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/03/SQMSept.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/03/SQMSept.png" alt="">
Capital city asking prices rose 0.6% for houses and 0.2% for units for the month. The largest monthly rise came from Perth houses, rising by 1.3%. Hobart units recorded the largest monthly fall of 0.7%. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/03/SQMResearch1.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/03/SQMResearch1.png" alt="">
Annual growth in asking house prices has slowed in Melbourne from around 22% last month, to around 20% for the 12 months ended October 3, while growth in Sydney has slowed to just below 10%.
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Property listings rose in September by 3%: SQM Research

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<h3 class="post-title entry-title">Sydney and Canberra listings crept higher in the lead-up to the spring selling season, taking national listings a little north over the month of August from 316,748 to 318,825, according to SQM Research. </h3>
<div id="post-body-7780315564848738704" class="post-body entry-content">
Asking prices in Sydney nevertheless moved higher than a month earlier, both for houses and units. 
Nationally total listings are -4.3 per cent lower than a year ago, however, driven by excessive annual declines in the firing Melbourne and Hobart housing markets. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/07/newb.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/07/newb.jpg" alt="">
Both monthly and annual listing numbers are also now in decline in Perth, suggesting that it's only a matter of time now before prices begin rising again in Western Australia, especially in light of the commodity markets rebound. 
Listings in Melbourne have now broadly fallen from ~50,000 to ~30,000 since 2012, with listings a massive -15.3 per cent lower year-on-year, suggesting that house prices will continue to surge in the Victorian capital. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/07/newB2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/07/newB2.jpg" alt="">
In Hobart listings have plummeted some -20.2 per cent lower since August 2016, with now just 2,520 listings across the entire capital city market and a surfeit of willing buyers, both locally and from interstate.
House prices are recording gains of ~15 per cent per annum across Greater Hobart.
Simon Pressley, founder of Propertyology, notes that gains in inner metropolitan Hobart have been tracking at closer to ~20 per cent per annum.  
Supply sluggish
Hobart is a relatively small capital city of about 225,000 persons. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/07/newB3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/07/newB3.jpg" alt="">
Normally, one would associate such a rapid run-up in demand and house prices with a decisive supply response.
Hobart is not a mainland city, however, and some larger developers may be a little more reluctant to get involved, due to logistics and cost.
To date the increase in dwelling approvals has been muted to say the least, suggesting that the Hobart price boom will likely continue well into 2018. 
SQM sees more first homebuyers entering the market in New South Wales and Victoria, drawn in by first homebuyer grants, but more stock likely to be hitting the market too.
GDP to be solid
In other news, the current account deficit widened in the second quarter to $9.6 billion on weaker commodity prices - albeit from a tremendously improved position - while net foreign debt declined for another quarter. 
Exports exceeded imports, however, and are expected add +0.3 percentage points to GDP growth when the national accounts are released today.
Furthermore there was a very strong +2.2 per cent increase in public demand, set to add another +0.5 percentage points to GDP. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/07/A1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/07/A1.jpg" alt="">
Thus, despite the significant drag from inventories, Westpac now expects quarterly GDP growth to be around +1 per cent. 
And with a negative quarterly print to drop off in due course, GDP growth now seems likely to surge into the end of 2017.
One other interesting point of note for the phantom rate hike brigade to take note of, the Reserve Bank Governor noted in his dinner speech that the Board had considered the merits of lower rates still, but appears to have held off to allow the heat in the Sydney housing market to ease (which it now has). 
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Hobart mounts full-scale property boom

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The country's top academic couple, University of Melbourne vice-chancellor Glyn Davis and wife, vice-chancellor at Monash University Margaret Gardner, have sold their Melbourne CBD apartment.
The Bates Smart-designed 35 Spring Street apartment that cost the couple $3.24 million off the plan just last year went to private mid-week auction.
There was price guidance of $3.45 million to $3,795,000.
Abercromby's agents Jock Langley and Sam Goddard have not revealed the price secured for the 34th floor three bedroom, two bathroom apartment that came with two terraces with views that span to the Dandenong Ranges.
Davis and Gardner are well regarded as the ultimate power couple, acting as the vice-chancellor's of two of Australia's largest and most highly ranked and esteemed universities.
Davis has been vice-chancellor and Principal of the University of Melbourne since January 2005 and is the Professor of political science in the faculty of arts.
Gardner has been vice-chancellor of Monash University since 2014 having previously worked at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology for nine years in the same role.
She has served in executive positions with Deakin University, Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology.
This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian Mansion Australia section.
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Academic couple sell Melbourne CBD apartment

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Results released by SQM Research reveal national residential listings rose in June 2017 by 3% to 333,805, with significantly more stock hitting the market in Melbourne and Sydney over the month.
But listings in Melbourne were down sharply compared to a year earlier, which helped to lift asking house prices by an impressive 22.1%.
Compared to a year ago, national residential property listings were down by 3.3%.
While listings rose in most capital cities, big drops in Hobart and Melbourne pushed down the average across the nation.
The sharp drop in Melbourne listings of 12.7% over the year to June 30 is a stark contrast to the 12.3% jump in Sydney residential property listings as some vendors took advantage of strong price gains in the Harbour city to take profits on their properties before the end of financial year.
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research, said the listings data highlights that more properties were available for sale in June, helping to explain the downward trend in auction clearance rates over the month.
“Compared to May, we saw more homes being listed for sale,” Christopher said.
"At the same time, investors are retreating in the face of higher mortgage rates, which is helping to take some pressure off property prices in Sydney, with asking prices for houses and units down over the month.
“But in Melbourne, we are seeing continued strong growth in asking prices for units and especially for houses, which are up a staggering 22.1% over the year to June 27, with stock still in short supply.”
The table below indicates that over the month ending 27 June, asking prices for houses jumped in Melbourne and Hobart, helping to push up the average asking prices across the nation.
However, asking prices fell in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth, where higher stocks levels in all those cities contributed to downward pressure.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/04/Chart-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/07/04/Chart-2.jpg" alt="">
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National property listings rebound in June: SQM

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MiSale, an online startup that connects people selling their homes directly with buyers, is launching into New South Wales and Victoria following its success in Queensland.
The MiSale platform has facilitated close to $12 million in sales, saving users potentially $293,000 in commissions, since its launch earlier this year in Queensland, it said in a media release.
The startup is part of the growing trend of online selling platforms like Purplebricks, which offer a cost-effective model by doing away with the traditional agent fees. 
“At zero cost and with no real-estate agents and their associated commissions, users can sell their home independently on the platform, taking control of all aspects of the selling and buying process,” said the media release.
MiAgent also offers an aided service, offering an agent assistance package for $2,999.
The startup says the service comes with “no commissions and no lock in contracts”.
MiSale offers a simple and seamless alternative for home buyers and sellers, with 
Its services, including conveyancing, solicitors, mortgage brokers and legal minds, are all accessible on its platform. 
MiSale also allows its users to list their homes on realestate.com.au for free.
Co-founder Ewen Malcolm said the easy-to-use platform facilitates the conversation between seller and buyer.
“Selling your home is a process that has been covered in smoke and mirrors for many years, with pages of paperwork and litigation. MiSale’s freemium model is aimed at reducing the barrier to entry for even the most skeptical person. Users have nothing to lose, there is absolutely no risk involved,” said Malcolm.
“We have some strong goals, targets and blue sky ideas in the pipeline, so our expansion to Eastern Australia is only the beginning for the business.” 
The average commission on homes sold in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales was 2.47 per cent, 2.13 per cent and 2.11 per cent, respectively, the release said quoting LocalAgentFinder data.
In Sydney and Melbourne, where median home prices are already very high, this works out to  thousands of dollars which users of MiSale can potentially save while selling their properties.
He said real estate agents needed to re-skill themselves as technology continues to cut out the middle-man for the industry. 
“There will always be disgruntled people when you disrupt a system, but this is the way the world is moving, so agents can either get on board and prosper or be left behind,” Malcolm said.
He said several real estate agents were willing to come on-board to help with the additional support some customers need with buying or selling. 
“Not everyone is well spoken and confident, and agents can offer strong value in this respect,” he added.
Australian home buyers are increasingly turning to the internet to research their future homes. Research by National Association of Realtors found that 90 per cent of prospective home buyers are looking online to find their perfect home.
 
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Online selling platform MiSale launches in NSW and VIC

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SQM Research posted its listings figures which suggested "ongoing strength" in the housing market. 
Listings were somewhat higher in the month in Brisbane and Sydney (though miles below the peak of around 44,000 in the case Sydney). 
Melbourne's market continues a multi-year trend of tightening since 2012, while Hobart arguably has the tightest market of all of the capital cities.  
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/07/SQM1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<div id="post-body-7453053517917161107" class="post-body entry-content">
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/06/07/SQM1.jpg" alt=""></div>
 <div>Indeed, both Melbourne (-19.5 percent) and Hobart (-18.9 percent) have recorded enormous year-on-year declines in total stock listings. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/07/SQM2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
 <div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/06/07/SQM2.jpg" alt=""></div>
 <div>Melbourne recorded a massive near 6 percent uplift for houses in the month, for a 22.6 percent annual increase. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Melbourne housing market is performing extremely bullishly, echoing out-performance in the local economy.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It's also worthy of note that the annual change in listings in resources cities has flattened, after increasing for a long period of time. </div>
 
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
</div>
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Listings suggest ongoing strength: Pete Wargent

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Weekend Sydney auctions are lower than previous weeks with Melbourne recording the year’s lowest auction clearance rate of 76.6 percent.
The clearance rate in Sydney for the weekend cam in at 75.9 percent, lower than the previous weekend’s 76.9 percent according to Domain's Andrew Wilson.
He said in Sydney, weekend results could still be considered a strong one for sellers, but record numbers of May listings have clearly acted to cool the red-hot autumn results of recent months.   
"Fittingly Sydney is heading into winter on a cooler note, recording a clearance rate of 75.9 percent on Saturday which was lower than the previous weekend’s 76.9 percent," he said.
"Sydney recorded a run of lower clearance rates over May, with no weekends making it over the 80 percent mark, unlike the previous three months when these boom-time results were plentiful.
"Weekend clearance rates averaged 76.4 percent over May which is down on the 79.5 percent averaged over April. 
"Recently lower clearance rates have clearly been influenced by a record-breaking flood of listings deluging the local market as sellers rushed in to take advantage of the still robust market conditions. 
"Sydney has averaged 735 auctions over each weekend in May, which is clearly a record for the month, with the previous high of 702 set over May 2015. The winter market begins next weekend with a June record of nearly 800 homes listed for auction.  
"After record numbers of listings being auctioned every weekend, Melbourne’s market had to hit a roadblock eventually.
"Over the weekend Melbourne recorded the year’s lowest auction clearance rate of 76.6 percent.
"The previous weekend recorded 79.7 percent, while over the same weekend last year the clearance rate was 75.2 percent.
 "A flood of late autumn listings is clearly impacting the local market providing buyers with more choice and sellers with more competition as they try to capitalise on strong conditions.
"On Saturday 1143 homes were listed for auction in Melbourne which was just above the previous weekend’s 1113 auctions and well ahead of the 1067 listed over the same weekend last year.
"Saturday’s auction numbers were the second highest ever recorded for a May weekend and just below the all-time record of 1147 set on May 31 2014.
"Melbourne has averaged 959 auctions over each weekend in May which is clearly a record for the month with the previous high of 927 set over May 2015.
"The winter market commences next weekend with a June record of nearly 1050 homes listed for auction."
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