Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

Residential Market

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SQM Research's top ten most discounted list features one new property this week - 17 Turner Drive Guilderton, Western Australia.
According to SQM the property first came onto the market in August 2014, with asking offers above $630,000. In February 2015 the asking price was dropped  $500,000, with a further $50,000 recently knocked off of the price.
The <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/17-turner-drive-guilderton-wa-6041-2011338769" target="_blank">home has three bedrooms</a>, one bathroom, double garage, generous sized timber deck, detached boat shed, alfresco dining area at the rear and stunning timber floorboards.
<a href="/images/2016/02/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%208.21.32%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%208.21.32%20AM.png" alt="">
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

New entrant on SQM's top ten discounted properties list

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Stockland, the nation's largest diversified real estate investment trust, today reported an 8.1 per cent increase in first-half underlying profit to $313 million.
After the group settled 2,770 lots in the six months ended December 31, its chief executive, Mark Steinert said that favourable conditions in Sydney and Melbouurne saw the company ending its first half with a record number of contracts in hand.
"We've activated a high proportion of our residential land bank and we have sufficient depth to our projects in high demand corridors to underpin future organic growth," he said.
<a href="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2012.32.47%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2012.32.47%20PM.png" alt="" width="450" height="292">
Stockland delivered a 45 per cent increase in operating profit in its residential division.
Its material improvement in profitability was driven by new projects and market conditions.
With record contracts on hand, full year settlements are expected to be slightly above its through the cycle range of 5,000- 6,000 lots.
<a href="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2012.33.52%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2012.33.52%20PM.png" alt="" width="515" height="423">
The company said it adopted a disciplined restocking focussed on key urban markets - Craigieburn and Mickleham, Melbourne, consolidation ~1,000 lots; Rowville, Melbourne, stand alone medium density, 180 dwellings; Waterway Downs, Gold Coast, ~750 dwellings
Its sell outs included at Arve (Ivanhoe, Melbourne) with 150 townhomes under construction.
Stockland signaled it was bringing to market four additional projects in priority metropolitan corridors in 2H16: Schofields (Sydney); Macarthur Gardens (Sydney); Newport (Brisbane) and Pallara (Brisbane).
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<a href="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2012.35.06%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2012.35.06%20PM.png" alt="" width="597" height="501">
<a href="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2012.37.32%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-10%20at%2012.37.32%20PM.png" alt="" width="558" height="295">
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Stockland reports 8.1 percent increase in first-half underlying profit

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Median house prices fell in Perth in the quarter ended December from the comparable quarter a year earlier, although the results reflected trends seen throughout 2015, preliminary data from REIWA shows.
The December quarter showed the expected impact the Christmas and New Year period traditionally has on the property market, said REIWA President Hayden Groves.
“It’s not uncommon to see a fluctuation in the market at this time of year as it is typically a quieter time in WA real estate. Properties come off the market over the holidays and sales tend to drop off,” he said.
“We get a much clearer picture of how the market is travelling when comparing the data to the December 2014 quarter.”
Houses and units 
Perth’s preliminary median house price came in at $530,000 for the three months to December 2015.
“This is down 0.2 per cent on the revised September 2015 quarterly median and down five per cent when compared to the December 2014 median, however on an annual basis for the year to December 2015 Perth’s median house price held firm dipping just 1.8 per cent,” Groves said. 
Median price for units in the quarter fell 2.2 per cent from the year-ago quarter, though it was up 1.2 per cent to $435,000 over the quarter.
Further, 35 per cent of all house sales in the Perth metro area were in the $360,000 to $500,000 price range. 
“This shows us that first home buyers are still very active and recognise that there is an opportunity in the current market to take the step into home ownership,” Groves said. 
Sales volumes in the $500,000 to $750,000 price range weren’t far behind, making up 32 per cent of total sales volumes in the December 2015 quarter. 
Groves said activity in this bracket tended to be from current home owners who wanted to upgrade to their next home. 
Listings 
Listings for sale fell 3.8 per cent to 14,551 in the December quarter, following a peak of 16,969 in November. 
“It’s not uncommon for listings to drop off at this time of year as traditionally properties are taken off the market around the holiday period before returning to normal levels in the New Year,” Groves said.
“When we compare this figure to the December 2014 quarter we see, as was the case throughout 2015, listings are still higher than the long-term average.”
Sales volumes 
Sales volumes for the three months to December, however, fell sharply to 5,909 from 9,176 in the September 2015 quarter. 
“We estimate that once all sales have settled in the coming months the total number of dwelling sales in WA will come in at around 6,500 for the quarter,” Groves said. 
Selling days and discounting  
Average selling days in the Perth metro area were 59 days in the December quarter, again 13 days more than a year earlier.
“Additionally, 47 per cent of vendors needed to discount their asking price in order to sell in the December quarter, which is an improvement on the September quarter but higher than for the three months to December 2014,” Groves said.
Rental market 
Perth’s overall median rent price in the quarter came in at $400 per week, down $40 from a year earlier though it was steady on the September quarter.
For houses, it was $410, and for units $380. 
Rental listings increased to 9,532 in December from 8,267 in September, while the vacancy rate rose to six per cent. 
Investors were faced with short-term challenges, but it was a good time for tenants to secure a lease at more affordable prices.
“Migrations trends have changed rapidly in WA over the last six months and housing supply has increased. This has caused demand for rental housing to lessen putting downward pressure on prices. 
“The property market is cyclical and long term the projected population growth in WA is still expected to continue which will soak up stock and even out the imbalance we’re seeing,” he said. 
Regional WA 
Results were mixed across regional WA, with regions in the state’s north continuing to adjust, while those in the south were generally more stable. 
Top performers in the quarter were Augusta-Margaret River with 6.5 per cent growth to its annual median house price, followed by Blackwood with a modest increase of 0.7 per cent. 
Groves said the North West sub-region was still feeling the impact of the shift to production in the mining sector, with annual growth in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions declining 3.6 per cent and 26.6 per cent respectively. 
“These areas are experiencing an adjustment as construction slowed down significantly in a short period of time changing the employment requirements. However, when we look at the longer term growth rates for these areas we can see they have declined at a much slower rate,” Groves said.
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Perth house prices dip, rentals fall in December quarter: REIWA data

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Selling Houses Australia is back for its eighth series and starts in Ballarat.
Vendor Karen has bought an apartment off the plan in the city and wants to sell her family's old home. 
The average time on market for a house in Ballarat is 78 days, according to CoreLogic RP Data, but this one has taken longer. 
Designer Shaynna Blaze and landscaper Charlie Albone will be improve the home for Andrew Winter to sell.
Selling Houses Australia on the LifeStyle channel was watched by roughly 160,000 each episode last year, the shows record. 
The first episode focuses on Ballarat before moving on to Queensland and WA.
They head to New South Wales for the fifth episode in Stroud and the sixth in Baulkham Hills.
The full episode list is below
- <a href="https://www.lifestyle.com.au/tv/selling-houses-australia/episode.aspx?id=9283527" target="_blank">Episode 1. Ballarat, VIC</a>
- Episode 2. Forest Lake, QLD
- Episode 3. Yallingup, WA
- Episode 4. Mudgerraba, QLD
- Episode 5. Stroud, NSW
- Episode 6. Baulkham Hills, NSW
- Episode 7. Leongatha, VIC<a class="P" href="https://www.lifestyle.com.au/tv/selling-houses-australia/episode.aspx?id=9283527"> </a>
- Episode 8. Ascot Vale, VIC
- Episode 9. North Haven, SA
- Episode 10. Bayswater, VIC
- Episode 11. Maitland, NSW
- Episode 12. Yass, NSW Part One
- Episode 13. Yass, NSW Part Two
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Ballarat stars in season return of Selling Houses Australia, on the LifeStyle channel

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Radio host Michael Wipfli is calling time on his leafy east brick Victorian-era Melbourne home he shares with wife Lisa.
The Nova FM breakfast presenter bought the Armadale property for $1.48 million in 2010 but it seems the pair want more space after it was announced in December that they are expecting their second child.
The renovated property features three bedrooms, the master bedroom having an open fireplace, walk in wardrobes and an ensuite.
A tessellated tiled verandah and a traditional arched hall were the original features maintained during the modern renovation.
A new stainless steel and solid timber kitchen leads to a rear landscaped courtyard.
Listed through Jellis Craig's Simon Dale, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-armadale-121713266" target="_blank">90 Sutherland Road</a> is expected to bring in over $1.7 million at its February 20 auction.
According to CoreLogic RP Date, the median house price in Armadale is $1.83 million. 
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Radio host Michael Wipfli to sell

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Australia’s largest body of professional buyer’s agents is warning homebuyers and investors to ‘think local’ when it comes to property predictions for 2016.
It has urged buyers to base their buying decisions on supply and demand rather than potential hotspots.
The Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) president Rich Harvey listed some no go zones in capital cities across Australia.
He noted conflicting property predictions suggesting prices in various locations will rise or fall could confuse buyers into making the wrong investment decisions.
“The problem with any forecast is trying to sum up the direction of a diverse range of property markets into a single figure or hotpot,” said Harvey.
“Australia has over 15,000 suburbs and there are more than 700 suburbs in Sydney, more than 540 in Melbourne and around 450 in Brisbane.
“So to say that Sydney will rise by four per cent can give a misleading perception to a novice investor thinking that buying an over-priced off-the-plan apartment in Zetland will actually see price growth in their property.
“That poor investor may well see a five per cent decline in the value of their property due to the rapid increase in supply in that local market.”
Harvey recommends buyers and investors need to look at the individual drivers of supply and demand within a smaller zone and at a suburb level.
“While the overall predictions give you some comfort that property is a good asset class, it is far better to think long-term and become an expert in the local housing market and make informed decisions accordingly,” he said.
“In markets where values are escalating quickly, it’s a potential minefield for buyers who feel under pressure to buy.
“Buyers need to ensure they understand the local growth drivers of supply and demand and that they are in the right price pocket for that particular location. “A buyer’s agent can help analyse the data quickly using the best valuation tools available and guide buyers through the property maze with minimum stress.”
The REBAA recommends the following property investments to avoid in 2016:
Brisbane Brisbane Avoid: High density apartments in the CBD, West End and Fortitude Valley. Recommend: Character houses in low density, established areas with good schools, transport and lots of renovation activity.
Sydney
 Avoid: High density off-plan apartments in Mascot, Zetland, and some pockets around Parramatta and Rhodes with potential for oversupply as record building approvals take shape. Sydney still fundamentally under-supplied, but a short-term spike in units coming to market will depress rents. 
Recommend: Blue chips suburbs with strong growth potential: Eastern suburbs North Shore, inner west. Suburbs with lifestyle appeal, new transport infrastructure, growing population and continuing gentrification.
ACT 
Avoid: High density apartments either existing or off the plan in most areas. 
Recommend: Small boutique existing townhouse developments. Homes in established areas with access to good schools - inner north, inner south, Belconnen and Woden areas.
Melbourne 
Avoid: High density apartment blocks. Much like the Sydney market, avoid areas like Docklands and possibly Fisherman’s Bend and other areas that are being oversupplied with new, high-rise apartment blocks. 
Recommend: Low density developments that are well built with manageable ongoing running costs. Land is in short supply, so if you can afford to buy property in a good, well-serviced location with some land, then do that.
South Australia 
Avoid: Off-the-plan apartments in the Adelaide CBD. 
Recommend: Properties with development potential in middle-ring suburbs continue to increase in popularity. Also character properties with renovation potential in good suburbs on the “fringe” of upmarket established locations.
Tasmania 
Avoid: Lifestyle properties away from major population centres for income investment. Great if you plan to live there but not the best choice for a good performing long-term investment.
Recommend: Character properties in the inner city Hobart suburbs such as North Hobart, New Town and West Hobart are in very high demand with buyers out stripping supply. This shortage of supply is impacting on higher prices. A wellpriced renovator in these areas could be extremely beneficial. Also buying on the fringes of these suburbs is worth considering.
Western Australia 
Avoid: Developing suburbs on the outer northern and southern metropolitan fringes of Perth where there is currently an oversupply which is expected to continue for the next 12 to 18 months. Likewise the Perth unit market is looming for an oversupply for the next 12 months to two years. 
Recommend: Houses in a 10-20km radius of Perth with reasonable land holdings and rentable older houses. Likewise suburbs where there have been zoning changes and infrastructure spending can still provide opportunities for good buying. 
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Property investor no-go warning: Avoid Brisbane CBD, the Valley, Docklands and Zetland: Rich Harvey

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Homeowners trying to sell their homes on their own — for-sale-by-owners (FSBOs) — are courted by emerging disruptive websites.
Most of them want to save money on real estate commissions, rather than because they feel they don’t need a professional to sell their home.
Recent data from a National Association of Realtors survey in the United States shows that less than 10 percent of FSBOs actually sell.
The Inman site listed some of the top reasons why FSBOs fail in real estate.'
1. Owners do not know how to screen potential buyers and fail in the closing process.
2. Owners fail to solve buyer’s queries.
3. Owners don’t understand the concept of ‘golden time’, as according to this concept, homeowners get the most money for their homes shortly after of putting the property on the market. 
4. Owners fail to understand the contract procedures.
5. FSBOs don’t know how to handle the home building inspection findings.
6. FSBOs incorrectly price their homes too high.
7. FSBO homes lack exposure.
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Property 101: Why for sale by property owners fail

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Lu Lu Pallier from Sydney Sotheby's International Realty, has noted Chinese buyers are finding it increasingly difficult to get money out of the country.
Her comments to the Australian Financial Review comes as Beijing tightens foreign exchange controls in a bid to support its weakening currency.
Lu Lu Pallier said she had detected it in recent weeks that clients were having difficulty moving money offshore.
"It is getting harder for them to send money out...I've been told since the start of the year it has tightened up," she said.
The Shanghai-born Ms Pallier said Australian properties priced below $5 million would be the hardest hit as buyers often did not already have their money already offshore.
"These people don't have other ways, like through their business, to get money out of the country," she noted.
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Chinese buyers' pool for Australian property set to tighten

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Finance commentator, and Channel 7's Sunrise breakfast host, David Koch has released his predictions for the 2016 housing market suggesting continued Gold Coast price growth.
He and his wife Libby ranked their 2015 forecasts giving themselves up to a "B" for their overall economic predictions which included a Gold Coast property market rebound.
David or 'Kochie' had been highly critical of the Gold Coast in recent years, advising property investors to <a href="/expert-insights/investing/kochie-to-property-investors-avoid-catastrophic-gold-and-sunshine-coasts">avoid the "catastrophic" Queensland coast in early 2012</a>.
<a href="/news/qld/gold-coast-basket-case-a-good-bet-for-property-bargains-david-koch">He was back in mid-2013</a> with further criticism of Gold Coast investment.
A slower population growth and a tightening of lending criteria for investors will offset low interest rates in 2016 across the country.
But they see further growth in the Gold Coast.
They claim there will be a definite slowdown in Sydney and maybe a slight fall under 10 percent but there will be no crash.
Perth and Brisbane are expected to improve with Melbourne to slow but stay positive.
Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra are predicted to be flat, according to their recent News Ltd column.
"Much will depend on whether investment property sales dry up as a result of lower price growth and falling rental yields.
"If investors withdraw it will take demand pressure out of the market and prices will soften," the couple advised.
Their 2012 strong call still sees them attract local opprobrium. 
The Ray White Surfers Paradise boss Andrew Bell couldn't resist a slight shake of the head when he referred to the 2012 Koch call, and his current call, during his update to the auction crowd yesterday.
“Stacked up against Sydney and Melbourne, the Gold Coast is very affordable and because we’re still coming off a fairly low base there is more room for capital growth," Bell said.
He noted property investors were responding to this with about 50 per cent of our registered bidders were from interstate.
Bell referred to SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher who has forecast growth of up to 11 per cent in Gold Coast prices.
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David Koch forecasts continued Gold Coast market rebound

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GUEST OBSERVER
While the economic outlook for 2016 is weak, there are still locations across Australia that provide good investment opportunities.
With the latest Onthehouse.com.au data, I have identified the top 10 areas to watch in the year ahead, based on strong growth performance, cyclical growth expectations, upcoming developments and historical growth patterns.
While Sydney has been the clear growth winner in recent years, it is in a downswing of its current growth cycle so it is not on the Top 10 list. However, Regional NSW is set to be the winner in 2016, with four regional NSW cities topping the list.
Queensland also has a strong presence on the list, with a total of four metro and regional centres making the Top 10.
The following table lists the Top 10 cities to watch in 2016. 
<div class="meta"><a href="/images/2016/01/14/Table_1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div class="meta"><img src="/images/2016/01/14/Table_1.jpg" alt=""></div>
 
With cities such as Wollongong and Newcastle being considered as re-homing areas for displaced Syrian refugees, Tasmania continuing to pick-up its tourism market and Queensland boasting some large development projects, there are many emerging areas showing positive economic potential.
Here is my quick breakdown of why each identified area made the list...
City of Gosford, NSW
Suburbs within the City of Gosford enjoy a spill-over of wealth from Sydney in the form of residential investment and from tourism to the lakeside city. Despite enormous growth in 2015, regional NSW tends to lag a little behind Sydney. This is supported by historical growth patterns, therefore growth could continue into 2016.
Lake Macquarie Region, NSW
Lake Macquarie is popular with tourists who are seeking a quick getaway from Sydney, as it is only a two-hour drive from the Sydney CBD. The area contains suburbs with very affordable dwellings, some with strong rental yields. For owner occupiers, the area is popular with retirees and has a growing health care sector to support quality of life.
City of Newcastle, NSW
Newcastle has undergone tremendous development in the last few years. This has partially been the result of people and businesses being priced out of Sydney and seeking more affordable rent in a nearby city. As a result, the Central Coast has transformed over the last few years. Newcastle and Wollongong have also been named as areas to relocate Syrian refugees, which would encourage population growth and increase demand in the economy for a range of services; provided refugees are set up with adequate resources.
City of Shellharbour, NSW
The City of Shellharbour is another regional NSW area that is set to benefit from the Sydney wealth spill-over. Shellharbour is also home to the established City of Wollongong, which has excellent educational and medical facilities, as well as a beautiful coastal setting.
City of Whittlesea, VIC
This is more of a cyclical evaluation; where lower value properties are expected to follow the high end. It's also worth noting that as population growth remains high over the next decade (particularly in Melbourne as approximately one-third of migrants settle in Victoria), anywhere within reasonable distance and commute time to the CBD is likely to see long-term growth. Stockland survey data also suggests that Sydney buyers were registering their interest in Melbourne property, suggesting the appeal of Melbourne will continue in 2016 as residual wealth from Sydney is transferred to the relatively affordable Melbourne market.
Brisbane Metropolitan, QLD
Growth in Brisbane is expected to be partially out of cyclical movements. Historically, Brisbane usually peaks in capital growth after the Sydney and Melbourne markets. As Melbourne is likely coming into peak growth now, Brisbane could see higher value increases in 2016. It is worth noting that this could be mitigated by increases in home loan interest rates and slowed economic growth both globally and in Australia, plus slowed rates of migration to Queensland, which fell by approximately 22 per cent in the year to June 2015.
However, an increase in tourism may drive employment; attracting migration and dwelling demand in the future. According to Tourism Research Australia, Brisbane was the third top holiday destination of overseas visitors, followed by the Gold Coast, with the Sunshine Coast also featuring in the top 10. There are currently also large development programs happening around Brisbane, including a casino at the Queens Wharf site. It is worth making the distinction that this may not be a long-term growth driver, but if you are only looking at movements for the next few years then this area has potential.
City of Logan, QLD
The City of Logan is a growth centre, conveniently located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Enormous development projects have been approved in the region, particularly in Beenleigh, where the town's CBD is set to see new residences, commercial offices, a new theatre, medical centre and café precinct. However, the highest growth potential is likely to be in surrounding suburbs where values remain relatively affordable.
Greater Hobart, TAS
Tasmania has presented some surprising growth results in 2015. The Hobart CBD and surrounding suburbs in particular have drawn many tourists. Hobart is regarded for its historic charm, with many heritage buildings preserved. Tasmania also has highly regarded produce, which, combined with trade subsidies provided by the federal government, will help to boost exports from Tasmania. As tourism and hospitality pick up in Tasmania, popular centres like Hobart could see further capital growth from employment, affordability and dwelling demand in 2016.
Gold Coast, QLD
According to Tourism Research Australia, the Gold Coast was the fourth most visited destination by tourists in the year to September 2015. The Gold Coast has also recently outperformed growth in both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, suggesting the booming value of this area.
The Gold Coast is also set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Chairman of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, Nigel Chamier, has claimed that preparations for the games are under budget and ahead of schedule, enabling new sports facilities to be trialled in 2017. The government expects $2 billion worth of contracts across the Gold Coast and in other parts of the south-east corridor, in preparation and execution of the Games.
Finally, major residential developments are occurring in the Gold Coast CBD, including The Ruby Towers development, which is expected to be complete in six years time. Although the city centre has seen recent escalations in value, a spill-over of growth may also be expected in nearby suburbs such as Oxenford, Helensvale and Robina.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
As developers anticipate strong migration and affordability to drive dwelling demand, there has been increased construction activity on the Sunshine Coast. Part of the more general cyclical trend, which may see the south-east of Queensland see steady growth in the area, the Sunshine Coast also achieved steady capital growth over 2015. New developments in the region include a University Hospital set to open in late 2016.
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<div class="meta">Eliza Owen is the market analyst for Onthehouse.com.au. She can be contacted <a href="https://www.onthehouse.com.au" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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