<p>New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.</p>

<p>It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.</p>

<p>With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.</p>

<p>The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.</p>

<p>Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]</p>

<p>Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.</p>

<p>"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.</p>

<p>"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.</p>

<p>Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.</p>

<p>That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]</p>

<p>Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.</p>

<p>Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.</p>

<p>"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.</p>

<p>"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."</p>

<p>Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.</p>

<p>"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]</p>

<p>The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.</p>

<p>Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.</p>

<p>That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.</p>

<p>"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]</p>


Joel Robinson

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

<p>A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.</p>

<p>The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.</p>

<p>The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.</p>

<p>The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.</p>

<p>Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.</p>

<p>"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.</p>

<p>"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."</p>

<p><img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" /></p>

<p>Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.</p>

<p>Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.</p>

<p>Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.</p>

<p>"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.</p>

<p>"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."</p>

<p>Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.</p>

<p>Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.</p>


Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

<p data-end="315" data-start="85">The long-planned transformation of Brisbane's historic Shafston Estate has taken another major step, with Capella Hotel Group announced as the luxury hospitality partner behind what will become Brisbane's first branded residences.</p>

<p data-end="499" data-start="317">The project, to be known as <strong data-end="376" data-start="345">Capella Residences Brisbane</strong>, is being delivered by Verso Projects at the landmark Kangaroo Point riverfront estate, with completion targeted for 2029.</p>

<p data-end="899" data-start="501">The announcement follows a series of planning changes to the project over recent years. The site was originally approved in 2023 for a 15-level, 37-apartment development designed by Rothelowman for Burgundy Group before Verso Projects took over the 10,070 sqm riverfront holding and lodged revised plans with Kerry Hill Architects to increase the development to a 25-level tower with 51 apartments.</p>

<p data-end="1154" data-start="901">The latest announcement confirms Capella Hotel Group will bring its branded residential offering to the project, marking just the second Capella Residences development globally after Seoul, and the group's first branded residential project in Australia.</p>

<p data-end="1387" data-start="1156">The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/23-castlebar-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Castlebar Street development</a> will centre around the restoration of the heritage-listed Shafston House, one of Brisbane's oldest residences, originally constructed in 1851 by Reverend Robert Creyke as a single-storey cottage known as Ravenscott.</p>

<p data-end="1387" data-start="1156"><img alt="Capella" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b9f4ce5-638f-4d6b-8082-3ca7e4b75fca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-09%20at%207.20.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=f7aeqsW_DzOJI4FymWb3lD8NptSfsP7q" /></p>

<p data-end="1611" data-start="1389">Capella said the project aligns with its focus on heritage-led developments, with the Brisbane estate combining the restored historic residence with a new luxury apartment tower and hospitality-inspired resident amenities.</p>

<p data-end="1823" data-start="1613">Residents will have access to the Capella Living Room, a concierge-led communal space inspired by the group's luxury hotels, alongside landscaped gardens, six swimming pools, wellness and recreation facilities.</p>

<p data-end="2042" data-start="1825">The broader estate will also include two riverfront homes, a six-berth private marina, porte cochère arrival experience, secure basement parking and a new section of public riverwalk along the Brisbane River frontage.</p>

<p data-end="2177" data-start="2044">The heritage Postal Depot Building will also be retained and repurposed as a guest house, in line with the revised development plans.</p>

<p data-end="2420" data-start="2179">The project represents another evolution for the site, which Kerry Hill Architects previously described as a rare opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's most significant heritage estates while creating a new benchmark for apartment living.</p>

<p data-end="2724" data-start="2422">"The Shafston Estate provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's finest heritage precincts and to reinstate residential use as a unique site perched on the edge of Kangaroo Point," Kerry Hill Architects said in its Urban Context Report accompanying the planning submission.</p>

<p data-end="2858" data-start="2726">"The project will celebrate excellence in sub-tropical residential design, setting a new benchmark for vertical living in Brisbane."</p>

<p data-end="3130" data-start="2860">Verso Projects, which now has an $8.5 billion development pipeline spanning more than 6,000 dwellings across apartments, townhouses, retail and commercial projects, said the partnership with Capella would elevate the development beyond a traditional residential project.</p>

<p data-end="3415" data-start="3132">"We feel honoured to be restoring Shafston Estate to its former glory, elevating it to new heights of luxury and excellence underpinned by Capella's distinctive service ethos and design philosophy, and making it a standout landmark in Brisbane," Verso Projects CEO Steve Laffey said.</p>

<p data-end="3658" data-start="3417">"By partnering with Capella, globally recognised for its refined approach to luxury hospitality and deep respect for cultural and historical context, we will elevate this project beyond a residential offering into a world-class destination."</p>

<p data-end="3820" data-start="3660">Capella Hotel Group President Roland Fasel said Brisbane's emergence as a global city made it the right location for the company's Australian residential debut.</p>

<p data-end="3961" data-start="3822">"Brisbane is a city on the cusp of something remarkable, and Capella Residences is our commitment to being part of that story," Fasel said.</p>

<p data-end="4083" data-start="3963">"The Capella residential experience is more than luxury. It is about a sense of belonging to a place with deep meaning."</p>

<p data-end="4227" data-start="4085">Private appointments have now opened for the project, with a display suite expected to open in late 2026 ahead of the planned 2029 completion.</p>


Capella to launch Brisbane's first branded residences at Shafston House, Kangaroo Point

<p>Lewis Land's latest apartment release within its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan is targeting one of the Gold Coast's fastest-growing buyer groups, with almost a third of apartments at Solis priced below $1 million.</p>

<p>The seven-storey building at Biggera Waters will comprise 91 apartments, including 24 one-bedroom residences starting from $778,000, a price point Lewis Land says is aimed squarely at first home buyers struggling to enter the Gold Coast market.</p>

<p><img alt="Harbour Shires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7486e37-22f6-4c92-b212-9b0622070b8f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=W8MJwJUCf6HkIyl_EVSksnd.QI6MZryY" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the developer deliberately allocated a significant proportion of the project to more affordable apartment types.</p>

<p>"First home buyers have been priced out of many parts of the Gold Coast, and we saw a clear opportunity to address this and play our part in a longer-term housing solution," Long said.</p>

<p>"That's why 24 of the 91 apartments being delivered at Solis have been designed and priced for the city's next generation of homeowners, quality one-bedroom apartments, half of which include an additional multipurpose room to maximise space and flexibility.</p>

<p>"This approach places 30 per cent of apartments in Solis under $1 million, and with close proximity to Harbour Town's future light rail extension connecting residents to the city's major employment and knowledge hubs, it's a win for buyers looking to secure their first property."</p>

<p><img alt="Sores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="550526d3-73ba-4710-9739-c5f4294a30ef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.29%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cQQdXHt9wS0UXwZEm5Py5bH_3kAmzyhu" /></p>

<p>Designed by BDA Architecture, Solis will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with residences ranging up to 232 sqm. Apartments feature generous balconies and contemporary finishes, while residents will have access to Harbour Shores' lagoon pool, clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga studio and sauna.</p>

<p>The focus on first home buyers resonated with purchaser Holly Humphreys, who said she and her boyfriend spent more than a year searching for their first property before shifting their attention from houses to apartments.</p>

<p>"We fell in love with the first house we bid on and got our hopes up, but after repeated knockbacks we learned not to get too attached," Humphreys said.</p>

<p>"We offered at the high end of price guides, but sales kept going even higher. That's where we really struggled and we needed to re-evaluate our budget and our expectations. Standalone houses were off the table, and we pivoted to apartments and townhouses."</p>

<p>Humphreys said it was encouraging to see developers recognising the growing demand from first home buyers.</p>

<p>"There's a growing number of young buyers looking to enter the market earlier because they understand that getting in now can make a real difference as prices continue to rise," she said.</p>

<p>"It's fantastic to see a developer recognise this and then actively take measures to deliver an apartment with us in mind."</p>

<p>Solis is the first development planned within the second stage of the Harbour Shores masterplan, with early works expected to commence in September 2026.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]</p>


Lewis Land targets first home buyers at latest Harbour Shores release, Solis

<p>Luxury apartment developer Abadeen has recorded $19.25 million in apartment sales across two of its Lower North Shore developments in the lead-up to the end of the financial year, headlined by the sale of a $6.75 million penthouse at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/koyo-crows-nest-5-rodborough-avenue-crows-nest-nsw-2065">KOYO in Crows Nest.</a></p>

<p>The transactions also included the sale of a newly completed three-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences in Cremorne</a> for $6.35 million, with the residence selling shortly after the project's first public inspections following completion.</p>

<p>The sales come as completed, owner-occupier-focused apartments continue to attract strong demand across Sydney's Lower North Shore, particularly from buyers looking for certainty and immediate occupancy.</p>

<p>The penthouse at KOYO spans 491 sqm across a single level and was designed by architect Koichi Takada. The development is one of Abadeen's flagship boutique projects in Crows Nest.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108800 project_image_fid=370093]</p>

<p>Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said buyer activity lifted noticeably in the lead-up to the end of the financial year.</p>

<p>"We saw a clear increase in enquiry levels, inspection numbers and buyer engagement across our completed projects leading into the end of the financial year," Brown said.</p>

<p>"Buyers have become far more decisive over the past six months. The combination of improving confidence, limited supply and the ability to physically inspect completed residences is creating strong competition for premium apartments in the best locations."</p>

<p>Brown says the&nbsp;response to Park Residences following completion has been particularly strong.</p>

<p>"Buyers want certainty and are responding positively to the opportunity to walk through a finished product, inspect the quality firsthand and move in immediately," Brown suggested.</p>

<p>"Projects such as Park Residences and KOYO demonstrate that when the product is exceptional and the location is irreplaceable, buyers are prepared to act quickly."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=370116]</p>

<p>Abadeen CEO Joe Tack said quality continued to differentiate projects in the current market.</p>

<p>"Today's buyers are incredibly discerning," Tack said.</p>

<p>"They are seeking larger floorplans, premium finishes, walkability, lifestyle amenity and confidence in the developer delivering the project. Well-designed boutique developments continue to outperform because they offer something genuinely difficult to replace.</p>

<p>"The enquiry we are seeing across our completed and recently completed Lower North Shore portfolio is very encouraging, and we expect this momentum to continue into spring."</p>

<p>The sales follow increased enquiry across Abadeen's Lower North Shore portfolio which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/northcote-collective-naremburn-2-northcote-street-naremburn-nsw-2065">Northcote Collective in Naremburn</a> which also completed recently.</p>


KOYO penthouse headlines Abadeen's $19.25 million EOFY sales flurry

Residential Market

<html><body>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">According to the CoreLogic RP Data Stratified Hedonic Index, the most affordable quarter of suburbs recorded annual value growth of 6.6 percent compared to a 6.4 percent rise across the middle market, and a 7.0 percent rise across the most expensive suburbs. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">While the annual figures show the most expensive suburbs recorded the strongest value growth over the past 3 months, value rises have been more uniform and with little difference between the broad value-based segments of the market. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Across the most affordable suburbs, we’ve seen values move 1.8 percent higher over the March quarter followed by the most expensive suburbs move by 1.7 percent, and the middle market suburbs by 1.6 percent.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/04/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-21%20at%201.40.49%20PM.png" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="/images/2016/04/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-21%20at%201.40.49%20PM.png" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Home values across the city increased by 7.4 percent over the past year after annual growth peaked at 18.4 percent in July 2015 Over the past year the most affordable suburbs have seen values rise by 8.0 percent. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The middle market values are 6.6 percent higher and the most expensive suburbs have recorded value rises of 8.8 percent. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The annual rate of value growth is slowing across each segment, however the premium end of the market continues to record higher rates of capital gain.</span></p>
<p><strong style="line-height: 1.3em;">Sydney: </strong><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Home values across the city increased by 7.4 percent over the past year after annual growth peaked at 18.4 percent in July 2015. Over the past year the most affordable suburbs have seen values rise by 8.0 percent. The middle market values are 6.6 percent higher and the most expensive suburbs have recorded value rises of 8.8 percent.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The annual rate of value growth is slowing across each segment, however the premium end of the market continues to record higher rates of capital gain.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong style="line-height: 1.3em;">Melbourne</strong><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">: Recorded home value growth of 9.8 percent over the past year, down from a recent peak of 14.2 percent in September 2015. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The most affordable suburbs recorded value rises of 9.7 percent compared to 10.5 percent across the middle market and 10.0 percent across the most expensive suburbs. Growth is fairly steady across the affordable market but slowing across the middle and most expensive suburbs.</span></p>
<p><strong>Brisbane</strong>: Home values increased by 4.5 percent over the past year with the rate of value growth higher than it was a year ago. The most expensive suburbs recorded value growth of 4.6 percent over the past year compared to a 5.1 percent rise across the middle of the market.</p>
<p>The most affordable suburbs saw a 5.7 percent rise. Annual rates of growth are generally trending higher across each segment.</p>
<p><strong>Adelaide</strong>: Home value changes have been fairly steady having increased by 3.2 percent over the past year. The most expensive suburbs saw values rise by 3.2 percent compared to a 3.1 percent increase across the middle market and a 2.9 percent increase across the most affordable suburbs.</p>
<p>Across each segment growth is fairly steady with the rate of capital gain holding reasonably firm over the past twelve months.</p>
<p><strong>Perth</strong>: The only major capital city to see value falls over the past year, however, the annual rate of decline has started to improve, easing from - 4.1 percent in November 2015 to the current annual decline of -2.0 percent. Across the broad valuation segments, home values have fallen -0.5 percent across the most affordable suburbs, and are -1.5 percent lower across the middle market and 2.1 percent lower across the most expensive suburbs.</p>
<p>Across each segment values are still falling but the rate of decline in values has slowed.</p>
<p>The CoreLogic RP Data Stratified Home Value Index highlights the importance of looking beneath the broad headline figures.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/04/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-21%20at%201.42.39%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/04/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-21%20at%201.42.39%20PM.png" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Markets within a city can be performing quite differently to what the over-arching statistics for a capital city market shows, not only across valuation based segments of the market, but also across housing types and geographically.</p>
<p><span> </span><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Home value growth strongest in most expensive suburbs: CoreLogic RP Data's Cameron Kusher

<html><body>
<p>Utilising quarterly household income data from the Australian National University, CoreLogic has developed quarterly measurements of the ratio of property prices to annual household income.</p>
<p>This data is extremely valuable when looking to measure housing affordability.  The measure is available at a number of different geographies from SA2 regions (generally about the size of a suburb or group of suburbs) all the way up to GCCSA (capital city and rest of state) regions.  When looking at the analysis it is important to note that a higher ratio means housing is less affordable and a lower ratio indicates better affordability.</p>
<p>Note that CoreLogic will be releasing a range of affordability indicators over the coming months, including rental price to income ratio’s and the proportion of household income required to service a mortgage.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-1-3-527x580.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-1-3-527x580.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>With property prices varying greatly between each of the capital cities it is interesting to note that the variation in household incomes in nowhere near as large.  In March 2016, Hobart had the lowest median dwelling price at $337,250 and Sydney had the highest median price at $775,000.  Meanwhile, household incomes range from as low as $1,175/week in Hobart to $2,118/week in Darwin.  Obviously the differences in property prices and incomes impact on housing affordability, so let’s take a look at each of the capital cities and the ratio of prices to income over time.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-2-3-580x210.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-2-3-580x210.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>In March 2016 the ratio of house prices to annual household income in Sydney was 9.8 and for units it was 7.2.  Both property types are currently recording a record-high ratio. 12 months ago these ratios were recorded at 8.9 for houses and 6.8 for units. Note that the data goes as far back as September 2001 and at that time the ratios were recorded at: 6.0 for houses and 5.7 for units.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-3-3-580x206.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-3-3-580x206.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The ratio of property prices to annual household income in March 2016 for Melbourne were recorded at: 7.7 for houses and 6.1 for units.  The ratio for houses is currently at a record high while for units it peaked at 6.6 in December 2010 and March 2011 indicating an improvement in affordability for units since that time. </p>
<p>In March 2015, these ratios were recorded at 7.2 for houses and 6.0 for units. Affordability has deteriorated over the year for each property type however, detached housing affordability has deteriorated much more rapidly than units. In September 2001 the ratios were recorded at: 4.6 for houses and 4.8 for units.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-4-3-580x207.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-4-3-580x207.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Unlike Sydney and Melbourne, the ratio of property prices to household income is falling in Brisbane, indicating improving housing affordability.  In March 2016, the ratios were recorded at 6.1 for houses and 4.9 for units.  12 months earlier the ratios were recorded at 6.1 for houses and 5.1 for units.  Brisbane housing was at its least affordable in September 2008 when the ratio of prices to household income were recorded at: 6.7 for houses and 5.7 for units.  In September 2001 the ratios for Brisbane were recorded at: 3.7 for houses and 3.8 for units.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-5-3-580x206.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/07/08/Chart-5-3-580x206.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The ratio of property prices to household income for Adelaide peaked in December 2010 at 7.1 for houses and 5.9 for units.  In March 2016 the ratios were recorded at 6.5 for houses and 5.1 for units.  Affordability changed little over the year with the ratios recorded at 6.5 for houses and 5.3 for units in March 2015.  In September 2001, the ratios were recorded at 3.9 for houses and 2.9 for units.</p>
<p><a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Chart-6-1-580x206.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-7066" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Chart-6-1-580x206.jpg" alt="Chart 6" width="580" height="206"></p>
<p>With Perth property prices falling, the ratio of prices to household income is also improving.  In March 2016, the ratio of prices to income was recorded at 6.0 for houses and 4.7 for units and a year earlier the ratios were 6.3 for houses and 5.1 for units.  At its peak in June 2007 the ratio of house prices to household income was 7.4 and for units the peak of 6.3 was recorded in December 2007.  In September 2011 the ratios of property prices to household income were recorded at 3.7 for houses and 3.3 for units.</p>
<p><a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Chart-7-580x207.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-7067" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Chart-7-580x207.jpg" alt="Chart 7" width="580" height="207"></p>
<p>Although Hobart has the cheapest capital city property prices it is not the most affordable capital city housing market.  In March 2016, the ratio of property prices to household income was recorded at 5.8 for houses and 4.7 for units compared to 5.9 and 4.4 respectively a year earlier.  At its least affordable the ratio of prices to income was recorded at 6.5 for houses in September 2010 and 5.2 for units in March 2011.  In September 2011 the ratios were recorded at 3.1 for houses and 2.5 for units.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-7068" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Chart-8-580x206.jpg" alt="Chart 8" width="580" height="206"></p>
<p>Based on a ratio of property prices and household incomes Darwin is currently the most affordable capital city housing markets with ratios of 5.2 for houses and 4.2 for units.  Affordability is improving in the city as property prices fall with these ratios recorded at 5.5 for houses and 4.3 for units a year earlier in March 2015.  At their peak over the September and December quarters of 2010 the ratio of house prices to income was 6.0 and the ratio for units was 4.7.  In September 2001 these ratios were recorded at 3.2 for houses and 2.7 for units.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-7069" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Chart-9-580x205.jpg" alt="Chart 9" width="580" height="205"></p>
<p>In Canberra there is a divergence in results with houses becoming less affordable while affordability for units is remaining unchanged.  In March 2016, the ratios of prices to income were recorded at 5.8 for houses and 4.0 for units compared to 5.5 for houses and 4.0 for units a year earlier.  Canberra houses are at their least affordable level on record while units were their least affordable in December 2010 when they had a ratio of 4.4.  In September 2001 the ratios for Canberra were recorded at 3.6 for houses and 2.7 for units.</p>
<p>Outside of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra housing affordability is improving with each capital city having a current ratio which indicates affordability has been worst in the past.</p>
<p>The problem is that almost 2 out of every 5 Australians live in either Sydney or Melbourne and these two cities have also been the epicentres of employment and economic growth over recent years. Deteriorating housing affordability in Sydney and Melbourne impacts on significantly more people than deteriorating housing affordability elsewhere around the country.</p>
<p>This measure of affordability provides a high level overview of the relative housing affordability across the capital cities, but it is important to remember that geographically across each city the affordability story can be dramatically different. </p>
<p>Furthermore, this analysis does not take into consideration interest rates which can make housing affordability more affordable.  While interest rates are undoubtedly a consideration for buyers, they must also consider that interest rates can fluctuate dramatically over the life of a mortgage.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.</em></p>
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Property price to income ratio is rising in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra but flat or falling elsewhere: CoreLogic 

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<p>Kudos to the NSW government by becoming the first elected government in NSW to achieve a cash positive financial position – quite amazing that never before has this been achieved.</p>
<p>The words ‘debt free’ don’t exactly go hand in hand with governments these days as we have become too accustomed to the monetary phrases of debt and deficits.</p>
<p>NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian confirmed this week that NSW would post a $4.7 billion surplus in 2015/16 which just so happens to be $1.3 billion more than predicted in the June budget just four months ago. Still a massive turnaround from 30 June 2015 when net debt sat at $5.5 billion to a $57 million surplus as at 30 June 2016.</p>
<p>No doubt reassuring for the government who pledged a further $20 billion in infrastructure at the 2015 election, which includes a second harbour crossing. Now to a big property decision which is the elephant in the room in the form of stamp duty. Sydney’s new market which is the tens of thousands of new apartments under construction which have handsomely rewarded the government in the form of stamp duty. There would be significant question marks over foreign purchasers completing once these projects are finished.</p>
<p>It is worth noting that the treasurer is expecting stamp duty growth of 4.4 per cent per annum over the next four years whilst also predicting stamp duty revenue would hit $8.9 billion in 2016/17. As to that prediction I offer just two words – Good Luck! </p>
<p>Investors would be no doubt observing the recent commentary by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) who noted “growth in rents is the slowest for decades”. So one then can only presume that the bait rent projections provided to the tens of thousands of off – the – plan buyers have next to no chance of coming to fruition? Furthermore, these rental projections play an intricate role in determining the amount of borrowings leveraged against each investor property.</p>
<p>According to realestate.com.au figures numbers of Chinese buyers looking to buy in Sydney have fallen by 9 per cent over the past twelve months. Many (including myself) expect these numbers to keep falling as a direct result of the NSW government’s recently introduced Foreign Investor Surcharge.</p>
<p>NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian has announced that the June 21 NSW Budget will include the introduction of foreign investor surcharges on stamp duty and land tax on residential real estate.<br>The measures are expected to raise more than $1 billion over four years and will fund essential services across NSW. “These new measures will ensure NSW’s property market continues to be an attractive destination for international investors while making sure that we are able to fund vital services into the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.</p>
<p>This initiative has not gone down well with foreign investors. One only has to look at what happened to the foreign buyer tax in Vancouver which saw a very hot market transition almost immediately to a frozen market overnight once the 15 per cent tax was announced. For example, property prices collapsed 33 per cent in September from a year ago.</p>
<p>Now for some other very big questions that are being asked and answered within the real estate industry currently that do require special consideration.</p>
<p>When you look back at the history of real estate in Australia a distinct observation has been the popularity of real estate franchises. In 2016 we have seen the lowest volumes of stock levels ever seen before, for example this week in Mosman there are 32 houses for sale, in 2015 there were 49, in 2014 82 and in 2013 there were 119 houses on the market that week.</p>
<p>Now a franchise office that operates within the one allocated postcode simply can no longer survive on these reduced stock levels as salespeople will look for work with businesses that offer unlimited or much larger farming areas. There has also been heated discussions about franchise fees which are performance based much like income tax. The more you sell the larger the franchise fee – in 1994 we went over to a flat fee so many franchise offices are demanding that fee structure.</p>
<p>Somewhat ironic that stamp duty was a blessing in disguise for the NSW government’s finances yet it is the reason why fewer homes are now on the market as owners have opted to invest the amounts they would pay in stamp duty into renovations. This also means that the selling cycle changes will blow out significantly as home owners will stay much longer in the principal place of residence.</p>
<p>So from Christmas on you can expect many franchise offices to rebrand (and no I’m not talking about my office) simply because we are seeing fewer and fewer properties on the market. Change is inevitable although it takes a long, long time to see tax changes from elected governments. Ping: The Henry Tax Review and NSW stamp duty to name just two examples.</p>
<p>In the meantime, businesses will re-calibrate and make the economic decisions required to stay afloat and progress down that path of longevity. I predict major changes to the Australian real estate franchise landscape from 2017.</p>
<h4>MOSMAN – 2088</h4>
<p>Number of houses on the market this time last year – 49<br>Number of houses on the market last week – 32<br>Number of houses on the market this week – 34<br>Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 60<br>Number of apartments on the market last week – 32<br>Number of apartments on the market this week – 34</p>
<h4>CREMORNE – 2090</h4>
<p>Number of houses on the market this time last year – 13<br>Number of houses on the market last week – 15<br>Number of houses on the market this week – 13<br>Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 23<br>Number of apartments on the market last week – 15<br>Number of apartments on the market this week – 13</p>
<h4>NEUTRAL BAY – 2089</h4>
<p>Number of houses on the market this time last year – 9<br>Number of houses on the market last week – 5<br>Number of houses on the market this week – 7<br>Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 23<br>Number of apartments on the market last week – 22<br>Number of apartments on the market this week – 22</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>ROBERT SIMEON is a director of </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM" rel="nofollow">Richardson Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay</a> </em><em>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. </em></p>
<p><em>He has also been writing real estate blog </em><em><a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News" rel="nofollow">Virtual Realty News</a> </em><em>since 2000.</em></p>
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It’s time for some very BIG property decisions: Robert Simeon

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<div>Relax everyone. </div>
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<div>I've been to China for a week, and I've got everything sussed.</div>
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<div>Alright, I'm only joshing, there are of those pieces doing the rounds already, and I don't have too many original insights today.</div>
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<div>The trip did give me some food for thought, however, about the future of Australia's largest capital cities.</div>
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<div>In my home country of England, the capital city London has never really embraced high-rise living.</div>
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<div>But as the Asian Century progresses it seems likely that some Australian cities will increasingly do so. </div>
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<div>Here are a five things that we might expect to see more of...</div>
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1 - Higher construction costs</span></strong><br><div> </div>
<div>Construction costs - and particularly land remediation costs - have become more expensive in Australia over time.<br><br>I looked here previously at some of the reasons why.  </div>
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<div>Construction techniques and equipment are relatively cheap in China. And it shows (oops-a-daisy!)...</div>
<br><div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2 - Reclaimed land?</span></strong></div>
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<div>In Hong Kong, over the past two decades about 60 square kilometres of additional land has been created, particularly in prime waterfront sites on Victoria Harbour.</div>
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<div>However, legislation has been passed to protect the harbour from encroaching land into the precious and highly valued harbour space.</div>
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<div>We could see some similar trends playing out in Australia.<br><br>Indeed, land reclamation and remediation on the Hungry Mile was an integral part of Lend Lease's flagship Barangaroo project.<br><br>Overall, though, land reclamation on a large scale would likely be opposed in Australia, I feel. </div>
<br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">3 - Lagged delivery of infrastsructure</span></strong><br><br><div>One of the most noticeable things in China, particularly when you see the mainland, is that when something needs building...it gets built!</div>
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<div>China needs a bridge - a bridge gets built. China requires a highway or an airport - a highway or an airport gets constructed.</div>
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<div>Perhaps this is one of the benefits of living in a surplus country.</div>
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<div>By contrast the delivery of infrastructure in Australia always seems to lag, sometimes horribly so.<br><br>Left to its own devices, the market seems to focus on building residential dwellings, but not enough other infrastructure.</div>
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<div>And when stuff does eventually get built, people still carp and complain.<br><br>Look at the extremely successful Gold Coast Light Rail project, for example, which notched up a rip-snorting 14 million trips in the year to 30 June ahead of the forthcoming Olympic Games. And people are still whingeing about it!<br><br>Australia's 10 year bond yield recently hit its lowest level in history, so it's potentially a great time to borrow and build.<br><br>But we'll have to wait and see what Prime Minister Turnbull thinks about that, and whether the electorate has the appetite for debt.</div>
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4 - Extreme inner city land prices</span></strong><br><br><div>With a highly concentrated population, prime location development sites in Hong Kong can now be worth up to an extraordinary HK$5 million per square metre.</div>
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<div>Inner Sydney has seen some breathtaking prices paid by Chinese investors and developers in recent years for development sites, but nothing remotely on this scale.</div>
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<div>Sydney's population is only 5 million today, but that number if projected to double over the course of this century. So, one day...</div>
<br><div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 - Higher density living</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>We tend to think of Australia's capital cities as being 'dense', essentially because they aren't towns, and because employment tends to be centralised and the traffic is therefore often so bad.<br><br>But with the exception of  handful of suburbs, in global terms Australia's urban populations are in fact anything but dense, as soon as you move away from their central cores. </div>
<br><div><a href="/images/2016/08/15/sp-so-230413-graph7.gif" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/08/15/sp-so-230413-graph7.gif" alt=""></div>
<br><div>Even in the largest capital cities in Australia there are plenty of sites which can still be developed for residential dwellings. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>And if land supply is short, we can also build up as well as out.</div>
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<div>China has a number of large cities that provide example of how much denser city living can become over time. </div>
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<div>BTW the term MOAR, as written in the headline, is internet slang and a combination of the words more and roar.</div>
<br><p><span><em>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>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>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>.</em></p>
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Building MOAR high rise: Pete Wargent

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<p>Well, the Andrews Labor Government is really throwing the kitchen sink at the regional Victorian housing market. </p>
<p>Two days ago, it was announced that there will be a $20,000 first home owners grant for buyers in regional Victoria: </p>
<p>"The First Home Owner Grant will be doubled in regional Victoria, helping thousands of Victorians buy their first home...the Grant will increase from $10,000 to $20,000, commencing 1 July 2017."</p>
<p>The increased grant will also be available to first home buyers building homes valued up to $750,000.</p>
<p>With some first home buyers struggling to get into the Melbourne market, the most clear-cut beneficiary of this policy will be the Geelong housing market being located ~45 miles south-west of the state capital. </p>
<p>Around 17,000 persons presently commute from Geelong to Melbourne daily, about 12,000 by road and the remainder by train.</p>
<p>The other likely beneficiaries will be the 'B cities', being the housing markets of Bendigo and Ballarat respectively.</p>
<p><strong>Stamp duties waived</strong></p>
<p>Going an inflationary step further, the Andrews Labor Government chimed in again over the weekend with another price-boosting policy:</p>
<p>"Stamp duty will be abolished for first home buyers for purchases below $600,000, helping thousands of Victorians find their first home, as the Andrews Labor Government tackles housing affordability head on.</p>
<p>Those buying a home valued between $600,000 and $750,000 will also be eligible for a concession, applied on a sliding scale. </p>
<p>The exemption and concession will apply to both new and established homes, in a move that is expected to help 25,000 Victorians find their first home."</p>
<p>This is also very significant, particularly given that Victoria has more punitive stamp duties than New South Wales and a number of other states and territories.</p>
<p>Some buyers with a 5 per cent deposit will also be afforded the opportunity to co-purchase a dwelling with the government from next year.</p>
<p><strong>Timing blunder?</strong></p>
<p>How the above measures will serve to boost entry level prices in the regional housing markets of Victoria is clear enough. </p>
<p>What may be slightly less obvious is that since the grant will only become applicable for contracts signed from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2020,  by telegraphing the policy changes months in advance the government has perhaps inadvertently presented opportunistic investors a window within which to hoover up entry level stock.</p>
<p>In a similar vein the ALP's election pledges to restrict negative gearing deductions and remove the capital gains tax 'discount' have to some extent drawn more investors into the market in order to beat any potential future deadline.</p>
<p>These newly-announced measures are therefore potentially a mixed blessing for the first home buyers in Victoria.</p>
<p>On the one hand the announcements make entering the market potentially easier by offering both a $20,000 grant and a stamp duty exemption.</p>
<p>On the other hand, those unable or not feeling compelled to buy are all but certain to see entry level prices gravitate higher. </p>
<p>Finally, if all of the above wasn't enough meddlesome manoeuvring, Treasurer Morrison noted that the Coalition is working on a housing affordability package of its own, with all to be revealed in the May budget. </p>
<p><strong>The wrap </strong></p>
<p>Evidently this will be a boost for regional Victorian housing markets. </p>
<p>It's worth noting that such measures may inflate housing markets by a greater magnitude than the apparent dollar value of the twin benefits, since market participants can potentially use greater leverage as a result of needing a lower deposit and requiring no savings for stamp duty.</p>
<p>It's not hard to envision prices in Geelong moving 20 to 30 percent higher by June 2020, particularly in the sub-$600,000 bracket.</p>
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<p class="p1"><span class="s1">PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">AllenWargent</span></a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s2">blogger</span></a>.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s3"><em>His latest book is </em><a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank"><span class="s2"><em>Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</em></span></a><em>.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span></p>
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Threefold boost for Geelong housing market: Pete Wargent

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<div>Earlier this year I wrote about the extent to which Chinese investment in Australian real estate has mushroomed over the past few years.</div>
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<div>Unfortunately the Foreign Investment Review Board is not due to release its 2015 Annual Report for some time, and furthermore not all states release full disclosure of foreign land ownership.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>One state which does so is Queensland, and indeed its Annual Report for the 2015 financial year was released only this week.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Foreign Ownership of Land Register (which requires disclose of the ownership of freehold or leasehold land) provided further evidence that Chinese investment in Queensland has absolutely exploded, with the value of annual acqusitions soaring by more than 170 per cent in the space of only two financial years from $323 million to $873 million. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>This accounted for a greater value of investment than all five of the other major countries disclosed combined.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/11/QLD.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div><img src="/images/2015/11/QLD.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Urban focus</span></strong></div>
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<div>The data shows that while British interests continue to own the greatest land <em><strong>area</strong></em> in Queensland, Chinese investors have been very much focussed on the acquisition of urban land, in particular locations in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Indeed, Chinese investors accounted for a thunderous 63 per cent of foreign interest land acquisitions on the Gold Coast in 2014-15.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Meanwhile, foreign interest land acquisitions in Brisbane for the financial year were overwhelmingly mopped up by investors from China (37 per cent), Singapore (33 per cent), and Hong Kong (8 per cent).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The value of foreign land acquisitions in the financial year away from Brisbane and the Gold Coast was considerably lower.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/11/QLD2.jpg" target="_blank">Click enlarge</a></div>
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<div><img src="/images/2015/11/QLD2.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<div><span>The interest of Chinese investors in Australian property is set to scale unprecedented heights in 2016, but the impacts of this are not always well understood.</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div>
<p><span><em>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>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>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>.</em></p>
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Chinese investment in Queensland explodes: Pete Wargent

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<p><span>Auction activity will rise this week, with CoreLogic currently monitoring a total of 2,301 capital city auctions, representing a 20 percent rise in activity compared with last week (1,920). </span></p>
<p><span>Despite the week-on-week rise, the number of capital city auctions compared to last year remains remarkably lower, given 2,792 were held over the same week last year.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/05/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-26%20at%203.44.12%20PM.png" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/05/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-26%20at%203.44.12%20PM.png" alt=""></span></p>
<p>One of the significant differences when comparing this year to last year is the activity in Sydney. One year ago, over the week there were 1,149 Sydney auctions, while this year there are currently 732 scheduled. In Melbourne, the difference is less noticeable, with 1,110 scheduled for this week, compared to 1,248 one year ago. </p>
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<p>The busiest individual suburb for auctions this week is Melbourne’s Glen Waverley, where a total of 25 residential properties will be taken to auction. Reservoir (19), Craigieburn (16) and South Yarra (16), also in Melbourne, follow on from Glen Waverley as the busiest auction suburbs this week.</p>
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<p><span>Summary of last </span><span>week’s </span><span>results: </span></p>
<p><span>After recording a preliminary clearance rate of 70 percent last week, the final auction clearance rate revised down slightly, to 68.9 percent across 1,765 auction results. </span></p>
<p><span>The two largest auction markets of Sydney and Melbourne recorded the strongest clearance rates last week, at 73.2 percent and 70 percent, respectively, followed by Adelaide (68.8 percent) and Canberra (67.2 percent). </span></p>
<p><span>Results from last week show that across Queensland, auction clearance rates remained within 10.5 percentage points across the three main auction markets of Brisbane (50.9 percent), the Gold Coast (44.1 percent) and the Sunshine Coast (54.6 percent). </span></p>
<p><span>Regional New South Wales auction clearance rates were relatively similar to what was seen across the </span><span>state’s </span><span>capital city, at 71 percent for Hunter and 70.4 percent for Wollongong. The Geelong clearance rate of 70 percent across 20 auction results was the same as Melbourne, at 70 percent across a much more substantial 797 results. </span></p>
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Auction activity will rise this week: CoreLogic RP Data's Shana Miller

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<div>The Detailed Labour Force figures reported that Greater Sydney's unemployment rate fell to just 4.8 percent in April. </div>
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<div>When tracked in rolling annual terms to smooth out the monthly volatility, Sydney's unemployment rate has been cascading lower for 26 beautiful months now.</div>
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<div>The unemployment rate in Melbourne has also been trending lower for 17 months, although the unemployment rate in Brisbane has stopped falling for the time being after an impressive run. </div>
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<div>Across most of the capital cities ex-Sydney unemployment rates seem to be converging to around a 6 per cent level, neither great nor amazingly bad.<br><br>Adelaide has been the outlier on this measure.</div>
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<br><div>Over the past two years New South Wales and Victoria (read: Melbourne) have created more than 85 per cent of net new employment (+333,000 jobs), although Brisbane has had a more than decent past 12 months (+34,900 jobs). </div>
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br></span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Residex April update</span></strong><br><div>
<br>CoreLogic is reporting that Sydney's median home value has increased by 6.9 percent over the last quarter, the figure perhaps skewed higher by the running of some new parameters.<br><br>
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<div>In its monthly market update Residex reported that Sydney's median house price increased by 0.4 percent month of April to $1,046,000.  </div>
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<br>This is 10.6 per cent higher than one year ago, although the median looks to be struggling a bit to break new highs now.</div>
<br><div>Despite various gloomy predictions and talk of oversupply, Sydney unit prices increased by 1.3 per cent in the harbour city over the thee months to April to be 10.5 per cent higher over the year.<br><br>The median Sydney unit price is now at a new record high for unit prices anywhere in Australia of $695,000.<br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dichotomy</span></strong>
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<div>How is this occurring despite lower stock turnover and somewhat lower mortgage finance in New South Wales?</div>
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<div>Without generalizing too much, the inner suburbs (where most units are located) are seeing feisty activity, but many of the outer or secondary suburbs are struggling. </div>
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<div>You can witness this trend in auction clearance rates, with the eastern suburbs, lower north shore, city &amp; south, and northern beaches sub-regions continued star performers. </div>
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<div>As you move away from the prized inner suburbs the market begins to look a little sketchier, while some areas are in all likelihood experienced declining prices.</div>
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<br><div>Remember that the reported median price is a midpoint of the frequency distribution, but it doesn't necessarily reflect what is happening across all markets.</div>
<br><div>Elsewhere, Residex reported that over the year to April there have been solid increases in house prices in Melbourne (10.8 per cent) and Brisbane (5.3 per cent). </div>
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<div>Residex noted that value declines in resources regions, although ongoing, appear to be easing.</div>
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<div class="post-footer"> 
<p><span><em>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>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>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>.</em></p>
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Sydney apartments surge: Pete Wargent

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<p class="Body">If you rely on mainstream media for your news, you probably won’t be aware of this: there has been a significant improvement in housing affordability in Australia recently.</p>
<p class="Body"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">In fact, my reading of the HIA’s Affordability Report for the March Quarter is that the Housing Affordability Index for Australia is now the best it’s been in five years. In some parts of the nation, the situation is the best it’s been in 13 years.</span></p>
<p class="Body">Affordability nationally improved 2.7 percent in the March Quarter, compared to the December Quarter, despite slightly higher interest rates.</p>
<p class="Body">Affordability is significantly better than it was five years ago, because interest rates are much lower (notwithstanding the recent out-of-cycle increases), average earnings have been gradually rising and price growth (meaning changes in the national median dwelling price) has been relatively muted, despite three years of big growth in Sydney.</p>
<p class="Body">Very little was said about this in Australia’s major newspapers. They’re simply not interested in facts that conflict with their cherished storylines about an affordability crisis, young Australians being priced out of the market by foreign investors and negatively-geared Australian investors, and the Great Australian Dream being dead.</p>
<p class="Body">A long-standing joke in journalistic circles is that you never let the facts get in the way of a good story. A good story is, by definition, a negative one. If it bleeds, it leads. If something comes along that doesn’t fit the formula (for example, portrays a positive scenario or contradicts beloved beliefs), bury it.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p class="Body">So we have a situation where the national affordability index portrays a strong position but few people realise it. The national median dwelling price has decreased and average earnings have risen. The situation would be better were it not for major banks lifting their mortgage rates.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p class="Body">That’s the average national situation. As the HIA report points out, “the differences in affordability across and within states are still considerable”.</p>
<p class="Body">In aggregate, affordability improved 4.1 percent in the eight capital cities in the March Quarter, with a lesser improvement in the regional areas.</p>
<p class="Body">Sydney’s quarterly improvement was considerably larger than the national average. It recorded an 8.9 percent increase in affordability, while Perth was 4.9 percent better and Darwin 4.4 percent.</p>
<p class="Body">Sydney’s affordability is now at its most favourable since the March 2015 Quarter. Price growth has stopped and incomes have risen. But it still has some way to go before it gets in line with the national average situation of being the best in over five years. Regional NSW, on the other hand, needs only a marginal improvement to achieve that.</p>
<p class="Body">Melbourne’s affordability index has improved with a slight reduction in the median dwelling price and increases in earnings, but remains 4.4 percent less favourable than a year ago.</p>
<p class="Body">Brisbane’s affordability position, on the other hand, has deteriorated because the median dwelling price is up and average earnings are down (slightly).<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p class="Body">But in Perth the affordability index improved 4.9 percent in the quarter and 9.9 percent for the year, because prices have been falling and incomes, surprisingly perhaps, have risen. Perth’s affordability position, and that of Western Australia generally, is the best it’s been for a long time. “Statewide affordability in WA is at its most favourable since the final quarter of 2003,” the HIA report says.</p>
<p class="Body">The position has improved also in Hobart and Tasmania. There the economy has been making notable strides and income growth is well above the national average. The HIA notes: “For Tasmania as a whole, affordability has reached its most favourable level since late 2003.”<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p class="Body">In the Northern Territory, the housing affordability index is 11.3 percent better than a year ago. And it’s better than it’s been any time in at least the past five years. Darwin’s index has improved 13.9 percent compared to a year ago. The Darwin market peaked more than three years ago and prices have been trending downwards since then, but average earnings have been rising.</p>
<p class="Body"><em>Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></em></p>
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Significant improvement in housing affordability: Terry Ryder

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<p><span>Many doomsday predictions have been dumped on regional cities in the wake of adverse events. Few of those forecasts have come to pass.</span></p>
<p>When negative events sour the economy of a regional city, the community mobilizes. Civic, business and political leaders take action. The apparently doomed city fights back, recovers and often reinvents itself.</p>
<p>The latest to have a premature death proclaimed, Townsville and Whyalla, follow a long line of notable examples of cities about which their death was greatly exaggerated. They include Newcastle, Wollongong and Geelong.</p>
<p>Newcastle was widely considered to have suffered a mortal wound when BHP shut down in the late 1990s. It fought back and is today one of Australia’s largest and strongest regional cities. Its economic strength and diversity has been sufficient to withstand the negative impacts of the recent downturn in the coal sector.</p>
<p>When Bluescope Steel seriously downsized in 2011, it was declared the end for Wollongong. I recall one newspaper headline which predicted a 50% decline in property values. In contrast to that rather extreme forecast, Wollongong’s property market has shown strong growth in recent years. </p>
<p>What many failed to realise is that Wollongong was no longer a smoke-stake town dependent on steel furnaces for its prosperity. It had been reinventing itself for years, with education, IT and tourism the key sectors.</p>
<p>Similar things are true of Geelong, once a factory town but now a modern city where the biggest employers are the health and education sectors. The decision to locate the national headquarters of the NDIS in Geelong has created a new industry sector, with related businesses keen to locate nearby.</p>
<p>So the impending closure of a car plant, while an adverse event many would prefer did not happen, can be absorbed by this growing economy without too many side-affects. Geelong continues to be the strongest Victorian property market outside of Melbourne.</p>
<p>Now we have Townsville apparently on its deathbed because another of Clive Palmer’s extravaganzas has gone belly up.</p>
<p>When this story exploded in January I wrote: “The latest Australian regional city to inspire a premature obituary is Townsville in the wake of the decision by political and business buffoon Clive Palmer to shed 237 jobs at his Queensland Nickel refinery.</p>
<p>“As has become common in the wake of such events, the media coverage has been a tad over the top since the announcement. I’ve seen reports predicting devastation of the local economy. One suggested Townsville would become ‘a ghost town’.”</p>
<p>The story has moved on since then, with the refinery business collapsing. That’s a hit to the Townsville economy, particularly as it was struggling a bit beforehand. But it’s far from terminal.</p>
<p>Townsville is a very resilient place. It has one of the most diverse economies in regional Australia, with strong elements of government administration, education, tourism, the military, the resources sector and manufacturing.</p>
<p>And lots of positive news has emerged more recently. Some seriously major enterprises have stepped forward to help take up some of the economic and employment slack created by Clive’s latest brain explosion.</p>
<p>The economic and defence deal between Australia and Singapore means $2.25 billion in new defence infrastructure will be built in Queensland, including in Townsville, which already has a big military presence through its RAAF Base and recently-expanded Army base.</p>
<p>In the past week came the announcement of “Australia’s biggest solar farm” covering 200ha just outside Townsville, with Origin Energy signed up to buy the electricity generated from 2017 to 2030.</p>
<p>A $400 million maintenance contract for Queensland Rail will be shared between UGL in Townsville and Downer EDI in Maryborough, reportedly at the behest of the State Government.</p>
<p>The State Government says it has fast-tracked almost $200 million worth of infrastructure spending in the Townsville area to boost the economy in the wake of the nickel refinery collapse, while $75 million in Federal Government funding will help establish the new Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia in Townsville.</p>
<p>If you add together all those positives, and subtract the nickel refinery negative, I see it as a net gain for the city of Townsville.</p>
<p>Whyalla in South Australia will take a hit if attempts to rescue the Arrium steel business are unsuccessful. Arrium, formerly OneSteel, is a big chunk of Whyalla’s economy and is in voluntary administration.</p>
<p>But is this the end for SA’s biggest regional city? I would suggest not. Like Townsville, Whyalla has been attracting plenty of positive announcements in the past few weeks.</p>
<p>Oz Minerals is advancing its $975 million Carrapateena copper mine expansion and it wants to build its $150 million Concentrate Treatment Plant at Whyalla. The mine expansion will create 800 jobs and it’s hoped many of the workforce members will be sourced from Whyalla.</p>
<p>BHP Billiton continues to work on its alternative plan for development of the Olympic Dam resource and said in April it hoped to include Whyalla in the new project plans (put together after the previous $30 billion scheme was shelved because it was too expensive).</p>
<p>And there is hope for Arrium in the announcement that 15,000 tonnes of its steel will be used for a $620 million road project, the Darlington Upgrade Project, in Adelaide.</p>
<p>The Federal Government has handed Arrium at $80 million contract to replace around 1200km of rail lines for federal agency ARTC.</p>
<p>Arrium is also a chance to attract steel orders from the recently-confirmed Federal Government project to build 12 submarines in Adelaide.</p>
<p>I’ve been getting lots of emails from people who own real estate in Whyalla. I would suggest those who panic and sell in the wake of recent negative headlines will regret it later.</p>
<p><em>Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></em></p>
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