<p>Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.</p>

<p>Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.</p>

<p>Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.</p>

<p>Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.</p>

<p>Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.</p>

<p>For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.</p>

<p>Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.</p>

<p>Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.</p>

<p>The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.</p>

<p>That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.</p>

<p>Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.</p>

<p>It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.</p>

<p>For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.</p>

<p>Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.</p>


Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

<p data-end="471" data-start="164">Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.</p>

<p data-end="777" data-start="473">The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.</p>

<p data-end="976" data-start="779">Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.</p>

<p data-end="1119" data-start="978"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.</p>

<p data-end="1399" data-start="1121">"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.</p>

<p data-end="1399" data-start="1121">"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."</p>

<p data-end="1605" data-start="1401">The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.</p>

<p data-end="1852" data-start="1607">The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.</p>

<p data-end="1852" data-start="1607"><img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" /></p>

<p data-end="2031" data-start="1854">Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.</p>

<p data-end="2299" data-start="2033">"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.</p>

<p data-end="2588" data-start="2301">Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.</p>

<p data-end="4143" data-start="3991">Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.</p>

<p data-end="593" data-start="417">Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.</p>

<p data-end="789" data-start="598">New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.</p>

<p data-end="1053" data-start="794">IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.</p>

<p data-end="4143" data-start="3991"><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a></em></p>

<p data-end="4143" data-start="3991"><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a></em></p>


First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

<p>Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]</p>

<p>Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]</p>

<p>Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]</p>

<p>A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]</p>

<p>Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]</p>


Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

<p>National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.</p>

<p>Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]</p>

<p>Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.</p>

<p>“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]</p>

<p>BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]</p>

<p>The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.</p>

<p>Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]</p>


Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

<p>The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.</p>

<p>Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.</p>

<p>The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]</p>

<p>Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.</p>

<p>"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.</p>

<p>"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.</p>

<p>"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]</p>

<p>Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.</p>

<p>"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.</p>

<p>"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."</p>

<p>One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.</p>

<p>Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]</p>


Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Residential Property

<html><body>
<p><span>As at the week ending 25 October 2015, a total of 240,384 residential properties were listed for sale across the country.</span></p>
<p><span>Just over 40% of these (103,852) were situated in one of the 8 capital cities. In comparison to the same period last year, total listings are -2.6% lower nationally and -1.9% across the capitals. Relative to last year, the latest data also shows that the number of new listings being added to the market is lower, despite the number of new properties advertised for sale increasing on a rolling four week basis for the last four weeks.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/10/28/Table.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="/images/2015/10/28/Table.jpg" alt="" width="569" height="126"></span></p>
<p><span>Sydney and Canberra are the only two cities where the number of new property listings over the most recent four week period was higher than at the same time last year, albeit by only 0.3% in Sydney, and 3.7% across Canberra. </span></p>
<p><span>This result comes from 9,552 new listings added to the market in Sydney over the four weeks ending 25 October, compared to 9,526 one year ago and 720 residential Canberra properties added to the overall stock available for sale, compared to 694 over the corresponding four weeks one year ago. In all other cities the number of new properties listed for sale are lower relative to last year, with the largest differential seen in Perth (-22.4%), Darwin (-13.6%) and Adelaide (-12.0%). In particular, the data for Perth and Darwin indicates that home owners are likely aware of the weak housing market conditions and are therefore less inclined to put properties up for sale.</span></p>
<p><span>In terms of the total stock pool, across the residential capital city markets the results are more varied when compared to one year ago.</span></p>
<p><span><strong>There are more listings this year compared to last year in: </strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span><strong>Darwin</strong>, 1,581 currently, 1,389 last year (+13.8%)</span></li>
<li><span><strong>Perth</strong>, 19,284 currently, 17,423 last year (+10.7%)</span></li>
<li><span><strong>Sydney</strong>, 22,564 currently, 21,609 last year (+4.4%)</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span><strong>All other remaining capital cities are showing less stock availability this year relative to one year ago:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span><strong>Hobart</strong>, 2,494 currently, 2,907 last year (-14.2%)</span></li>
<li><span><strong>Adelaide</strong>, 7,646 currently, 8,335 last year (-8.3%)</span></li>
<li><span><strong>Melbourne</strong>, 29,948 currently, 32,574 last year (-8.1%)</span></li>
<li><span><strong>Canberra</strong>, 2,184 currently, 2,370 last year (-7.8%)</span></li>
<li><span><strong>Brisbane</strong>, 18,151 currently, 19,288 last year (-5.9%)</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/images/2015/10/28/Combined-capitals.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/10/28/Combined-capitals.jpg" alt="" width="694" height="263"></p>
<p><span>Furthermore, last week we took a look at the current level of </span>housing supply<span> across each of the capital city markets. The analysis compares the absorption of stock by comparing the trend number of properties selling and the availability of stock for sale. The findings show that Perth and Darwin each have 6.8 months of housing supply on the market, the greatest of any capital cities, while stock levels in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne indicate less than 3 months’ worth of supply, showing that these housing markets are somewhat healthier than that of Perth and Darwin. On the flip side, Perth and Darwin’s market conditions are more favourable for those looking to buy a property with more choice and vendors becoming more willing to sell below the current list price to secure a sale.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/10/28/National.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/10/28/National.jpg" alt="" width="709" height="269"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Across the states and territories, the number of listings is lower than one year ago in all but two regions; Western Australia, where current stock levels are 7.1% higher than they were one year ago and Northern Territory, where the number of listings currently is 14.0% higher than over the same period in 2014. </span></p>
<p><span>At the other end of the scale, the Australian Capital Territory (-8.0%) and Victoria (-6.4%) are the two regions with the largest differential in listing volumes compared to one year ago, however, interestingly new listings across the Australian Capital Territory over the four weeks ending 25 October were higher than one year ago (+3.3%), while across Victoria they were -4.3% lower.</span></p>
</body></html>

smiller-vwPjRHTkST

Less stock added to the market than last year: CoreLogic RP Data's Shana Miller

<html><body>
<p>The Reserve Bank of Australia released its Financial Aggregates data for January 2016, which showed credit growth of +6.5 percent in the year to January 2016, a steady increase on the +6.1 percent recorded for the year to January 2015.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA2.jpg" alt=""></p>
<div>Total annual housing credit growth has slowed a bit from its recent peak of +7.47 per cent in November 2015 to +7.33 per cent in January 2016, reflecting in part the shift in composition of lending from investors to owner-occupiers. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Investor credit growth is now well below APRA's arbitrary +10 per cent threshold at just +7.9 per cent and consistently slowing from +11 per cent in June, meaning that theoretically major banks could in due course start to ramp up lending into this sector should they feel the urge to do so. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Of course, any such move would be dependent upon a range of regulatory factors, and whether APRA has the appetite to loosen its throttle.<br><br>Meanwhile owner-occupier annual credit growth recorded another significant jump in surging to a 64 month high of +6.95 per cent, with homebuyers looking to take advantage of attractive mortgage rates.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>Deposit growth seems to present few headaches for banks right now. While term deposits have been understandably less popular in the prevailing low interest rate environment, total deposits with banks have expanded in a robust manner over the year to January. </span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA3.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA3.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Business credit</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Business credit grew by +6.2 per cent in the year to January 2016, up from +5.5 per cent in the year to January 2015. It is as yet unclear whether this is the end of the uptrend for business lending growth, or a blip in the upwards trajectory. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Housing credit</span></strong><br><br><span>The chart below shows how lenders in the housing market have conveniently managed to shift almost seamlessly away from investment lending to owner-occupier credit, with a bit of reclassification jiggery-pokery along the way.</span><br><br><span>In fact, the data submitted by lenders makes it look as though the chart has been drawn up on an Etch-A-Sketch.</span>
</div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA5.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA5.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Total housing credit continued to push beyond $1.53 trillion, growing at an annual pace of +7.33 per cent, although naturally there are marked differences between the states and capital cities, with some faring much better than others.<br><br>There have been a few pro-equities articles today discussing "plummeting" lending and investors "leaving the market in droves".<br><br>That's interesting, but it's not what I'm seeing. Don't forget that housing credit expanding at a pace of +7 per cent implies a doubling in outstanding credit over a decade.<br><br>It's all in the marketing, I guess.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/RBA6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/03/RBA6.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Credit growth was fairly steady in January, with owner-occupiers continuing to pick up the baton from investors within the housing sector.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A key question going forward will be whether having managed to push investor credit growth below its preferred +10 per cent threshold APRA releases its grip on investor lending at all. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As APRA's data last week showed, the overwhelming majority of property buyers these days have substantial deposits, the question is whether tougher criteria are to be maintained surrounding mortgage serviceability. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Another key factor could be movements in the cash rate, with interest rate cuts potentially set to stimulate demand for mortgage borrowing further, although it appears likely that lenders would hold back 10bps to15bps of a prospective 25bps interest rate cut.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Adding to the parts of GDP we already know such as net exports, the Business Indicators released by the ABS this morning including inventories (-0.4), wages (+0.5), and company profits (-2.8), each suggested that headline GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2015 is likely to be weak. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>These GDP partials may prove to be another tack in the coffin for the next movement in interest rates being down. </div>
<div> </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>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Owner-occupiers lead housing lending: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<div id="post-body-4955982737537404109" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>Building Approvals declined by 5.2 percent in May to be 9.2 percent lower than a year ago in seasonally adjusted terms. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Somewhat optimistically the "trend" result is still recording a rise, but it does appears that the peak of the building approvals boom has now passed. </div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="/images/2016/07/05/BA4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/07/05/BA4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><div>A couple of observations.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Firstly, although this was clearly a weaker result than last month's bonanza - one which probably at last signifies the beginning of the end for this construction cycle - the hyperbole in reporting can get overblown.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were after all some 19,706 dwellings approved in May (in original terms) - down from a massive 20,612 in April - historically very high numbers, and higher than had ever been seen until the last quarter of 2014.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Whether or not all of these dwellings all get built is another matter. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In rolling annual terms total approvals fell to 233,900 down from a peak of 240,130 in October 2015, comprising of 117,300 houses and 116,600 units, townhouses and apartments. </div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="/images/2016/07/05/BA5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/07/05/BA5.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">City by city</span></strong><br><br><div>At the capital city level, approvals in Melbourne have recorded four very strongly monthly readings in a row, taking annual detached house approvals for the Victorian capital up to a fresh cyclical high of 25,600 (a crunching 57 per cent more than Sydney over the same period). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>This chart is worth noting when folk talk about a so-called "oversupply" in Sydney - a lasting oversupply not quite so easy to achieve at the city level when you are building so few detached houses into romping population growth. </div>
<br><a href="/images/2016/07/05/BA3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<img src="/images/2016/07/05/BA3.jpg" alt=""><br><br><div>The monthly decline in approvals was driven by huge declines in attached approvals in Sydney (from 3,777 to 2,900) and especially Brisbane (2,500 to 1,062). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>That said, there were some sneaky upwards revisions totaling more than 1,800 additional dwellings to previously reported figures, and three quarter of these related to New South Wales and Queensland. </div>
<br><a href="/images/2016/07/05/BA2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<img src="/images/2016/07/05/BA2.jpg" alt=""><br><br><div>Overall, although it's a volatile data series it does look as though the unit and apartments approvals boom has passed its peak.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Approvals in Western Australia have now been trending down since September 2014, which should help to bring the rental market back into equilibrium in due course. </div>
<br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">High rise declines</span></strong><br><br><div>This cycle has been characterised by the approval of greater volumes of 4+ storey dwellings than ever before, with more than 70,300 approved over the past year alone - an astonishing 57 times more than we saw in 1992.  </div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="/images/2016/07/05/BA6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/07/05/BA6.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The most recent data suggests that high approvals are starting to wane, though, especially in Victoria where a glut of high rise approvals was pulled forward into 2015.  </div>
<br><a href="/images/2016/07/05/BA1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<img src="/images/2016/07/05/BA1.jpg" alt=""><br><br><div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall, another very strong result, but there are now multiple indicators suggesting that the peak of the construction cycle is all about upon us.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>One of these days we'll all be able to say we called it!</div>
<div> </div>
<div>All eyes will be on the Reserve Bank of Australia at 2.30pm, in particular to determine the wording of their policy statement.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Will an easing bias be reinstated ahead of a possible August interest rate cut?</div>
<div> </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>
</div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div class="post-footer"> </div>
</body></html>

Approvals decline  for Sydney and Brisbane units: Pete Wargent

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><img alt="" src="/images/2016/06/22/D819360E-D22F-45A0-950B-1527D8EA443823.png"></p>

<p>SPONSORED POST</p>

<p>Rental properties make money for investors through income and capital gains, both of which are taxable.</p>

<p>Depending on your annual income from investments, wages and other sources, tax can eat up a sizable chunk of your returns.</p>

<p>One way to minimise your tax bill is to ensure you’re claiming all of the deductions you can on your investment property.</p>

<p>Expenses you incur due to owning a rental property can be o set against the income the investment brings in.</p>

<p>If the deductions add up to more than the income, you can offset set the tax loss against earnings from other sources. If the income is higher than the total value of deductions, you must pay tax on the excess. </p>

<p>Most of the income you’ll receive from your investment property will be rent paid by tenants. Other property-related income is also taxable, such as insurance payouts for damage to the property or lost rent, and rental bond you’ve retained to pay for damage caused by tenants.</p>

<p>The Australian Taxation Office has strict rules about what costs and expenses you can and can’t use to reduce your tax bill. For example, you can only claim expenses for the period that your property was rented or available for rent.</p>

<p>You can claim some expenses in full in the tax year in which you incurred them but others must be claimed over a number of years.</p>

<p>CLAIM IN FULL NOW</p>

<p>The long list of expenses you can claim straight away includes:</p>

<p>• Interest on your mortgage</p>

<p>• Strata fees</p>

<p>• Council rates</p>

<p>• Water bills</p>

<p>• Repairs and maintenance</p>

<p>• Pest control</p>

<p>• Property management costs</p>

<p>• Advertising for tenants</p>

<p>• Land tax</p>

<p>• Legal expenses</p>

<p>• Bank charges</p>

<p>• Administration costs such as phone bills, stationery and postage.</p>

<p>You can claim a tax deduction this year on expenses you’ve prepaid such as insurance and interest on your mortgage for the coming nancial year.</p>

<p>CLAIM OVER TIME</p>

<p>Some costs must be claimed over several years. Charges for establishing a mortgage are usually claimed over five years, for instance. Assets that wear out and need to be replaced periodically – such as carpets and hot water systems – need to be depreciated with the cost claimed over their useful lifespan. </p>

<p>You may also be able to claim capital works deductions, which cover the property’s construction costs, including the home itself, carports, sealed driveways and fences, and items that are fixed in the building such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets.</p>

<p>DON’T CLAIM AS EXPENSES</p>

<p>You can’t claim the cost of buying and selling the property or any initial repairs that are needed before you can rent it out. These costs are factored into the profit, or capital gain, you make when you sell.</p>

<p>These lists are not exhaustive. If in doubt, check with a tax professional. </p>

<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>To download a free ebook on new financial year taxation tips for property investors, click here.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<p><span> </span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

po-LsXgBTHBmX

New financial year tax tips for property investors

<html><body>
<p><em>Dear Margaret,</em></p>
<p><em>I wonder if you can help I don't really know we're to start, we live in South Australia and my mother wants to transfer her home over to me.</em></p>
<p><em> I have been living and caring for my mother for 16 years after my father died. What would be the cost to transfer the house to me? What do I need to do?</em></p>
<p><em>Ellen </em></p>
<p>Dear Ellen </p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">When someone thinks of property and tax, they normally think about the relationship that those two have for investors, and the impact of taxation rules on property investors. </p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">However there are many aspects of tax law which become applicable to owner occupiers or owners of property which are not rented out which are often overlooked. This can create a real tax nightmare at a later date.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">It may seem that transferring a home into the name of a child is a simple matter, however it can have far reaching consequences which must be thought through before it occurs.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">The first consideration is stamp duty. Where a family transfer occurs, the only transfer which is exempt from stamp duty is between spouses.  Generally, a transfer from a parent to a child will attract stamp duty, levied on the market value of the home, even if no money changes hands on the transaction.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">The second consideration is tax.  While there is no tax to pay on this transfer, since it was your mother’s principal place of residence, in some cases of family transfer, where the property was an investment property for the parents, capital gains tax responsibilities can pass to the child along with the property.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">In your case, being in South Australia, the transfer of the property will attract stamp duty pursuant the Stamp Duties Act 1923 (SA). As you are receiving the property, this must be paid by you. The stamp duty payable on the transfer will be charged ad valorem, which means that it will be charged based on the market value of the interest transferred. So the amount of the stamp duty payable will depend on the value of the property.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal">You can get a lawyer to draw up a document which allows this transfer – a contract for sale should not be necessary, and that lawyer can also arrange for the transfer.  So, in addition to paying the stamp duty, you will pay for the legal costs of both drawing up the agreement to transfer the land plus any government and statutory charges applicable in your state for the title transfer.</p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span>Have a property question? </span><span><em> </em><a href="mailto:%20&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20/n%20&lt;/script&gt;&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%20&lt;/script&gt;This%20email%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%20&lt;/script&gt;" target="_blank"><span><em>Ask Margaret!</em></span></a></span></p>
</body></html>

mlomas-KC9MUPZ6Ca

Transferring a property to a sibling: Ask Margaret

<html><body>
<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released their biennial survey of household income and wealth earlier this week.  </p>
<p>The release has a huge amount of valuable data but at least initially I thought it was pertinent to look at the dwelling tenure data.  </p>
<p>The information is provided from 1994-95 up until the latest release (2015-16).</p>
<p>The tenure data is premised upon who is currently residing in the property, this is important to understand because when we look at the proportion of residents who own without a mortgage for example this doesn’t necessarily represent the total number of dwellings owned outright.  The reason being that some of those properties that are occupied by renters may be owned outright by the person who is renting that property out.</p>
<p>Click to enlarge</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/22/2017-09-18-articleimage1.png" alt=""></p>
<p> <br>As at the 2015-16 release 30.4% of households were lived in by someone that owned that property outright.  </p>
<p>This figure was lower than the 31.4% in 2013-14 and as the above chart shows it has been steadily trending lower over recent years.</p>
<p>In fact, at the peak throughout the timeframe shown, 42.8% of households had no mortgage in 1995-96.  This is an interesting statistic when you consider than many people suggest that lower mortgage rates result in improved housing affordability.  </p>
<p>In June 1996 the standard variable mortgage rate was recorded at 9.75% compared to a mortgage rate of 5.4% in June 2016.  The ongoing decline in mortgage rates has pushed dwelling values higher and although it has made servicing mortgage debt easier it has not led to a greater proportion of the population living mortgage free.</p>
<p>Click to enlarge</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/22/2017-0918-articleimage2.png" alt=""></p>
<p> <br>With fewer households owning their home outright, there has been an increase in the proportion of households that live in a home that they own and still carry mortgage debt.  In 2015-16, 37.1% of households had mortgage debt which has increased from 35.8% in 2013-14.</p>
<p> At its low point over the period highlighted on the chart, 28.1% of households had mortgage debt in 1995-96.  Since 2003-04, there has consistently been a higher proportion of households with mortgage debt than those without.</p>
<p>Click to enlarge</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/22/2017-09-18-articleimage3.png" alt=""></p>
<p> <br>As the rates of outright home ownership have fallen there has been a rise in the proportion of households which are rented.  </p>
<p>Whereas outright home ownership has continued to fall and ownership with a mortgage has risen, it is interesting to note how the proportion of rental households has actually declined since the last survey.  </p>
<p>The latest data shows that in 2015-16, 30.3% of households nationally were rented compared to 31.0% in 2013-14.  Back in 1994-95 only 25.7% of households were rented.  </p>
<p>Click to enlarge</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/22/2017-09-18-articleimage4.png" alt=""></p>
<p> <br>As the prominence of renting has increased over time, the responsibility to provide rental accommodation has increasingly fallen on private citizens rather than the public sector.</p>
<p>At its peak in 1995-96, 6.0% of households were rental properties which were rented from state housing authorities, by 2015-16 this figure had fallen to just 3.5%.  This is an important consideration for governments when considering potential changes to investment policies such as negative gearing.</p>
<p>Governments are clearly not as involved in providing housing as they have been in the past, if private citizens or companies are going to be responsible for providing that housing it is likely they will require some incentives other than just the rental income, escpecially considering how low rental yields are across Australian cities.</p>
<p>The charts presented highlight how home ownership is continuing to decline which is leading to a greater proportion of the population either being in mortgage debt or renting.  </p>
<p>As the population ages this can create challenges especially if an increasing number of Australians are retiring but still carry mortgage debt.  It also highlights that simply building more homes is not necessarily a solution to increasing home ownership rates.  </p>
<p>As we’ve seen over recent years during a housing construction boom first home buyer levels have been at near record-lows and housing investment levels have hit all-time highs.  Arresting the decline in home ownership in Australia will be no easy feat however, the data indicates that simply building more housing won’t necessarily solve the problem particularly if it isn’t at a price point which is reachable for lower and middle income earners.  </p>
<p>We would expect that over the coming years, the rate of home ownership will continue to fall especially given we have seen dwelling values continue to climb since June 2016.</p>
<p><span>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him </span><a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a><span>.</span></p>
</body></html>

ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Home ownership rates continue to fall: Cameron Kusher

<html><body>
<p>A wave of new waterfront opportunities is now available at Pelican Waters’ prestigious residential precinct The Quays, on the doorstep of an emerging world-class marina and marina village.</p>
<p>Pelican Waters land specialist Jackie Dalton said the boutique, two-storey sites had generated broad appeal among young families, couples and retirees.</p>
<p>“Buyers are drawn to the incredible lifestyle benefits and the freedom of reflecting their individual tastes through contemporary, bespoke home designs,’’ she said.</p>
<p>Six unique waterfront sites are currently on the market ranging in size from 380 sqm to 475 sqm, and priced from $495,000 to $620,000.</p>
<p>“Enquiry for waterfront land has remained strong throughout 2020, and we expect demand to be high for the final remaining land at The Quays. This is likely to be the last land to be released anywhere in Pelican Waters until early next year,’’ Ms Dalton said.</p>
<p>The Quays offers the last available tidal waterfront lots at Pelican Waters, with future waterfront releases to be behind a lock and weir system.</p>
<p>The fully-functioning marina and boatyard will include a boat stacker with 160 spaces for boats up to 10m long plus 125 wet berths catering for vessels up to 13m.</p>
<p>Associated facilities and services will include a boat lift, shipwright, marine mechanics and electricians, anti-fouling service, boat detailing and chandlery plus amenities such as fuelling, sewerage pump, café and users’ lounge.</p>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Pelican Water's The Quays release final waterfront residential sites

<html><body>
<p>Four times per year we get the unbridled pleasure of the official residential property price indexes.</p>
<div>Here, then, is a 60-second overview of the June 2017 quarter figures. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The total value of Australia's dwelling stock rose by +$631 billion or +10.4 per cent to $6.72 trillion in the 2017 financial year. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>That now represents a +53 per cent increase in dwelling stock value from the $4.4 trillion recorded at the end of 2011. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I'd take the data series back further, but since it only begins in Q3 of that calendar year, I can't.</div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/A1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/21/A1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The annual stock value gains were mainly driven by the two most populous states. New South Wales (+$336 billion) and Victoria (+$215 billion) accounted for some 87 per cent of the total increase. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/Aus%20Dwelling%20Stock.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div>
<br><div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/21/Aus%20Dwelling%20Stock.jpg" alt=""></div>
</div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>Detached houses have outperformed attached dwellings on average since 2003, reflecting rising land values and a relative scarcity of this dwelling type in the thriving, landlocked suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne.</div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/A3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/21/A3.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>Over the June 2017 quarter the attached dwellings index performed strongly, however, helped along by the +11.7 per cent year-on-year gain for attached dwellings in Sydney (with the harbour city retaining a healthy weighting for that dwelling type). </div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">City by city</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were strong quarterly residential price index gains in June 2017 for Sydney (+2.3 per cent) and Melbourne (+3 per cent), with those two capital cities recording a twin +13.8 per cent annual increase. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Reserve Bank of Australia noted in its September Board Minutes released today that Sydney market conditions had eased in recent months, as reflected in softer auction clearance results and various other timelier measures. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Annual price growth in Hobart notched up a pacy +12.4 per cent - with more to come later in the year - while there was steadier price growth in Canberra, Adelaide, and Brisbane. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Perth and Darwin recorded further declines, but the pace of decline has slowed, and more timely measures suggest that conditions appear to be levelling out somewhat in these resources capitals. </div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/Resi%20Price.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/21/Resi%20Price.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
<div>The mean dwelling price in Australia increased by $51,700 or +8.2 per cent in FY2017, to hit a record high of $679,100.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In New South Wales, the mean dwelling price rose to $903,700, possibly helped along by the sale of Sydney's most expensive house in the second quarter of the calendar year (the 'Elaine' estate in Point Piper, which transacted for a lazy $75 million or so - punchy). </div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/A4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/21/A4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>Finally, the number of dwellings increased by +2 per cent or +190,500 over the financial year to 9,906,100.<br><br>That's now well ahead of the rate of the official population growth, as the supply response hits its straps. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>There was a substantial increase of +2.35 per cent in Queensland's dwelling stock in FY2017, or +45,500 additional dwellings, reflecting the high volume of apartment completions in inner city Brisbane and elsewhere. The state population probably gr<span>ew by <span>~</span>75,000 over th</span>e same period. </div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/21/A5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/21/A5.jpg" alt=""></div>
<p> </p>
<div>In absolute terms there was a robust uplift in the total dwelling stock of New South Wales (+50,900) and Victoria (+53,500), although in Victoria's case even this record rate of new dwelling construction is not keeping up with rollicking population growth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>As always, the interesting stuff is in the detail, but the overview shows that Melbourne's housing market was still powering along in the second quarter of 2017, while Hobart will glide into top gear in the latter half of the calendar year. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<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 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>
</div>
</body></html>

Australia's mean dwelling price rises 8 percent to $679,100

<html><body>
<p>Much has been written on Hobart’s market, now one of the strongest among the capital cities - but there’s more to the Tasmanian real estate up-cycle than the capital city.</p>
<p>Launceston also has a strong market and is now one of the leading markets in regional Australia.</p>
<p>Several Launceston suburbs have recorded double-digit median price growth in the past 12 months.</p>
<p>Launceston (the suburb within the city of the same name) recorded 16% growth in its median house price, Newstead rose 17%, Mayfield 11%, Mowbray 9% and Prospect Vale 8%.</p>
<p>There were some spectacular growth numbers in the city’s unit market as well, but median price data for units can be distorted and misleading. The median unit price for East Launceston is up 28%, but it’s unlikely values have risen to that degree.</p>
<p>The figures suggest the stock shortage seen in Hobart is also evident in Launceston. In January there were 1,900 listings for the Launceston area on realestate.com.au, but a recent check shows just 1,350 homes for sale.</p>
<p>Launceston prices have risen on the back of increases in sales activity, as revealed by the Spring survey for The Price Predictor Index by Hotspotting.</p>
<p>Launceston has eight suburbs with growth markets, while the nearby West Tamar LGA has three.</p>
<p>Affordable Invermay (median house price $230,000) is an example of the rising activity in this region. Its sales levels have grown from 19 to 22 to 24 to 29 to 34 to 37 in the past six quarters.</p>
<p>Launceston is a substantial regional city with a population around 80,000 and one with many historical features.</p>
<p>It’s the commercial hub for northern Tasmania’s agricultural and pastoral activities which, in recent years, have evolved from the growing of apples to viticulture.</p>
<p>Wool is also an important industry while $130 million has been spent on the Meander Dam and irrigation infrastructure to support the agricultural sector, according to the Meander Valley Council.</p>
<p>But agriculture and history are not the only parts of Launceston’s character - it has a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, minerals and resources, commercial shipping, tourism and educational facilities.</p>
<p>Pharmaceuticals manufacturing earns the region about $130 million each year. Tasmanian Alkaloids, located near Westbury, is the largest exporter of thebaine and oripavine (both opiates from which codeine and morphine are derived) used in the world.</p>
<p>The company employs 200 local people including scientists and engineers, while about 500 Tasmanian farmers are contracted to produce 50% of the world’s licit opiate supply.</p>
<p>With the signing in April of the Launceston City Deal by the Federal Government, State Government and City of Launceston, the city’s future prospects have strengthened.</p>
<p>The five-year plan will ensure investment in serious infrastructure, the headline act being the $260 million redevelopment and relocation of University of Tasmania’s main Launceston campus to Inveresk.</p>
<p>The new campus is projected to increase economic output in the local community by $360 million a year over 10 years, with an estimated direct and indirect economic impact of $965 million during the construction phase.</p>
<p>It is projected to create 2,760 jobs, including 430 jobs during construction. It will provide the capacity to grow student participation by 10,000 students by 2030, including 1,500 international students, and will eventually house 16,000 students, researchers and staff.</p>
<p>Against that backdrop, interest in Launceston real estate from interstate investors is rising – and with it, house prices.</p>
<p><span>Terry Ryder is the founder of </span><a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a><span>. You can </span><a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy38821%20=%20'ryder'%20+%20'@';%20addy38821%20=%20addy38821%20+%20'hotspotting'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'au';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'/''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy38821%20+%20'/'%3E');%20document.write(addy38821);%20document.write('%3C//a%3E');%20//--%3E/n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'" target="_blank">email him</a><span> or follow him on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></p>
<p class="BodyCopy"> </p>
</body></html>

terryryder-YECXbqmri2

More to the Tasmanian real estate up-cycle than Hobart

<html><body>
<p>The Sunshine Coast’s population is ageing, according to a recent report from valuation firm Herron Todd White.</p>
<p>ABS statistics show that 42 percent of the population is between 40 and 70 years old.</p>
<p>The March report found that the impact that this population segment is having on the market is sizeable.</p>
<p>“Then throw in the empty nesters and this downsizer market grows even more. This market is pretty clear about what it wants. They don’t want the hassle of looking after large homes and yards. They want the flexibility of being able to socialise with friends, play golf, go fishing and travel,” the report continues.</p>
<p>“The biggest change we have seen has been lot sizes and densities in new estates on the eastern side of the highway close to the coast.”</p>
<p>Sales specifically of new allotments of less than 450 square metres have grown to almost 60 percent of all new allotments sold during 2017-18.</p>
<p>These changes are reflected by the average size of new vacant residential allotments sold reducing from 824 square metres in 1998-99 to 467 square metres in 2017-18.</p>
<p>This has not only benefited downsizers, but the improvement in affordability has helped with buyers entering the market.</p>
<p>“These small lots have produced some really efficient home design with some great spaces,” the report added.</p>
<p>Master bedrooms to the ground floor and provisions for passenger lifts or even installing them have become serious options for two level homes as has just building a smaller single level, according to the report.</p>
<p>When looking at units, one of the biggest demand segments for existing or new units is larger permanent occupancy style apartments.</p>
<p>Permanent occupancy style product has become increasingly popular as they are typically located in close proximity to the coast, close to cafes and restaurants with two car basement parking.</p>
<p>“When we move towards the older established coastal areas, densities have changed by the growing presence of duplexes and infill townhouse developments. These 600 plus square metre sites are effectively being split into small lot housing with results being similar to the smaller lots found in estates. As the coast continues to grow, we will continue to see these demographic forces,” the report concluded.</p>
</body></html>

Residential Property

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Residential Property

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News