International developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/spg-land">SPG Land</a> is preparing to re-launch its long-awaited $1.5 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/paradiso-place-surfers-paradise-103-ferny-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Paradiso Place</a> development at Budds Beach, bringing a new price point to the Surfers Paradise apartment market.

The developer will release one-bedroom apartments from $825,000 and two-bedroom apartments from $1.24 million in the three-tower development.

According to Urbis, the starting price for the two-bedroom apartments is more than $400,000 below the weighted average sale price for comparable two-bedroom apartments in Surfers Paradise during 2025, which was pinned at $1.7 million.

&nbsp;

Urbis reported quarterly average sale prices for new two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments ranged from around $1.2 million to $1.7 million throughout 2025, peaking in the December quarter.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185853]

Paradiso Place is now moving into its formal sales campaign, with a limited early-release opportunity available ahead of the public launch.

The development will comprise 845 apartments across three towers rising 40, 41 and 44 storeys from a 1.15-hectare site spanning an entire city block. The towers will sit above a new retail precinct.

"Paradiso Place represents a rare opportunity in today's market, offering premium apartments at a price point that is significantly more competitive than anything else currently available," SPG Land Sales Director Brad McMahon said.

"When you look at comparable new developments across Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and the Southern Beaches precinct, buyers are typically paying hundreds of thousands more for a similar product.

"The scale of this project and the developer-builder construction model allows us to unlock efficiencies that smaller developments simply cannot achieve. We are passing those benefits directly to buyers, while still delivering a five-star residential experience with an unmatched lifestyle."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=374280]

Each of the three towers designed by Rothelowman will have its own podium, connected by an elevated skybridge network to create a beachside village for residents. The resident amenity has been designed to rival a five-star hotel, with private dining rooms, resident lounges and entertainment spaces.

McMahon said the pricing strategy was a deliberate response to the current market.

"What Paradiso Place offers is a unique balance, genuine value within a premium market. Buyers are not compromising on quality, design or amenity, they are gaining access to it at a more competitive price point at a time when prices across the Gold Coast continue to reach new highs."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=362498]

Located around 100 metres from the beach and within walking distance of the Surfers Paradise North light rail station, Paradiso Place occupies one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held beachfront precincts.

Construction is continuing to progress, with eight of the project's 112 foundation piles now complete. Excavation has also commenced on the first diaphragm wall panel, with the first concrete poured on 15 June, marking a key milestone in the project's early works program.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106566]

Joel Robinson

SPG Land launches $1.5 billion Paradiso Place at attractive price point

Luxury developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> has achieved a new Victorian benchmark for an off-the-plan apartment, with the sale of two penthouses at its ultra-exclusive Maison Savoy development in Brighton.

The two penthouses achieved a combined sale rate of $49,926 per sqm. Both transactions eclipsed the previous identified Victorian off-the-plan price-per-square-metre benchmark, set by the 449 sqm apartment at Como Toorak, which sold at $46,659 per sqm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366473]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/maison-savoy-brighton-150-esplanade-brighton-vic-3186">Maison Savoy</a>, Lowe Living's redevelopment of the former Brighton Savoy Hotel on absolute beachfront land at 150 The Esplanade, Brighton, has gained significant momentum since launching just eight weeks ago. Around 30 per cent of the project's 19 residences have already been secured, generating approximately $45 million in sales.

"Securing two of the three penthouse sales at this stage, within eight weeks of launching to market speaks to the confidence our clients place in Lowe Living," Lowe Living co-founder Emma Lowe said.

"They know we'll be with them through every stage of the journey, and that assurance is something we've worked hard to earn and never take for granted."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366474]

Lowe said Maison Savoy was conceived as a genuine alternative to a prestige Brighton home, combining house-scale proportions with the convenience, security and lock-up-and-leave appeal of apartment living.

Lowe Living co-founder Tim Lowe said the early sales success demonstrated the resilience of Melbourne's prestige market and highlighted the growing demand for house-sized apartments among ultra-high-net-worth buyers.

"The Melbourne market has definitely been tested in recent years, with interest rates and global economic factors all creating a period of uncertainty across the real estate sector. The sales success at Maison Savoy however demonstrates that confidence remains exceptionally strong at the top end of the market.

"The prestige market is being driven by long-term lifestyle decisions rather than short-term market sentiment, which continues to create a level of certainty that befits an absolute beachfront property in a blue-chip location like Brighton.

"Brighton's fundamentals remain among the strongest in Melbourne, with limited new supply, enduring demand from an overwhelmingly local owner-occupier market, and a rare combination of beachfront amenity and proximity to the CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=374378]

According to Cotality, Brighton remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held prestige suburbs, with an average ownership tenure of 15.3 years for houses and 12.3 years for units, while more than 73 per cent of homes are owner-occupied.

Tim Lowe said selling two of the project's three penthouses so early in the campaign was an uncommon result.

"This sales result is a reflection of quality and understanding the local market. It's incredibly rare to transact the penthouses so early in a sales campaign in any project so to have sold two of the three penthouses at Maison Savoy so soon after launch, all in-house without any external sales agency appointed, is reflective of our careful consideration of our buyers' needs and lifestyle.

"This is knowledge that is accumulated not just from data and demographic analysis, but via a deeply embedded understanding of how this type of buyer wants to live and feel in their home. We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients personally, and over the last 10 years we have been able to refine our product offering by talking one-on-one with our clients about their design and floorplan preferences.

"Being a fully integrated developer-builder with an in-house design and sales team allows us to lead every part of the process and ensure the highest quality of product and service at every touchpoint. It's a really important part of our DNA and the recent sales success at Maison Savoy indicates that our clients and purchasers are resonating with this point of difference.

"It reinforces that demand remains strong for thoughtfully designed residences that offer rarity, lifestyle and long-term value in tightly held locations, which ultimately validates Maison Savoy's positioning as creating a new benchmark for house-scale, wellness-led apartment living on Brighton's beachfront."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366480]

The residences at Maison Savoy start from 295 sqm, with most enjoying uninterrupted views across Port Phillip Bay. The project sits moments from the Brighton Bathing Boxes, Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Middle Brighton Baths and Church Street's retail and dining precinct.

A key feature of the development is its private residents-only bathhouse, curated by the founder of Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse and modelled on traditional European bathing rituals and the award-winning Sorrento bathhouse.

The wellness offering includes a hydrotherapy pool, salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, foot activation zone and a Vichy rainfall bed, one of only a handful in Australia. Residents will also have access to a Technogym studio, lounge spaces and a dedicated concierge service offering everything from morning coffee delivery and restaurant bookings to dry cleaning and home coordination.

"Wellness-led design has become a defining factor for luxury buyers," Emma Lowe said.

"Purchasers increasingly value homes that enhance wellbeing through thoughtful design, private amenity, privacy and liveability."

The penthouse purchasers are now undertaking a bespoke customisation process curated personally by architect Pete Kennon and the Lowe Living team, one of the developer's signature service offerings.

Construction on the $160 million transformation of the former Brighton Savoy Hotel site commenced last month, with completion expected in early 2028. The project has secured funding from NAB alongside development partner Monark.

Just one penthouse remains available, along with a limited number of two and three-bedroom residences starting from $3.75 million.

Lowe Living currently has eight projects on the market across Melbourne and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, having grown a $1 billion development pipeline alongside a $350 million construction pipeline.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140818]

Lowe Living set new Melbourne off the plan apartment record

For more than three decades, Hyecorp has been delivering residential projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore, building a portfolio centred on design-led apartment living in some of the city's most established neighbourhoods.

Hyecorp recently launched the latest in its long line of apartment developments, Celine, a 29-storey tower on Archer Street in Chatswood. Like the majority of the developer's projects, Celine caters to a broad buyer demographic, offering a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, all designed with owner-occupiers in mind.

Functionality and flexibility are often buzzwords in the new apartment market, but they sit at the core of Hyecorp's design philosophy.

Hyecorp Joint Managing Director Stephen Abolakian says the developer understands it isn't designing apartments for today's needs alone, but for how buyers will live several years into the future.

"When we launch our projects we need to be aware that these developments aren't finished for several years," Abolakian says.

"That home office in the here and now might be a nursery by the time the project completes for a prospective buyer, so we need to think about how the apartment spaces function for future uses so there's longevity in the ownership."

Celine's architects, Fuse, followed the same philosophy, saying the design extends well beyond aesthetics.

"Celine focuses on timeless architectural form and functionality, with a strong emphasis on light, proportion and materiality. The design responds to the urban context of Chatswood while delivering calm, highly liveable interiors that feel both contemporary and enduring. The floorplans have been carefully resolved to maximise usability and outperform typical market offerings in terms of efficiency and liveability."

Most apartments incorporate multipurpose rooms designed for flexibility. Each includes an integrated desk and a standard Murphy pull-down single bed, allowing the space to transition from a home office or study to guest accommodation as needs change. The layouts have also been designed to maximise natural light, storage and overall functionality.

One and two-bedroom apartments feature Miele appliances, while three and four-bedroom residences are appointed with integrated Gaggenau appliances and Taj Mahal stone benchtops.

Buyers who purchase early in the construction process can also take advantage of Hyecorp's "Live Your Way" interior design service, allowing them to personalise finishes and tailor elements of their home to suit their own lifestyle. It's a feature designed to appeal to owner-occupiers who want their apartment to feel uniquely theirs from the day they move in.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362614]

While flexible floorplans have become a hallmark of Hyecorp's apartment design, the developer has also continued to place significant emphasis on resident amenity.

As buyers increasingly expect more from apartment living, shared spaces have evolved beyond a gym and barbecue area. They are now an extension of the home, providing spaces to relax, exercise, entertain and connect with neighbours.

At Celine, the resident amenity has been designed with a focus on wellness, centred on the level six podium. An infinity-edge swimming pool, spa, sauna and fully equipped gym are complemented by barbecue facilities and a residents' lounge, creating a range of spaces for relaxation, recreation and social connection above the streets of Chatswood.

Practical conveniences have also been integrated throughout the building, including EV charging provisions, smart parcel lockers, bicycle storage, a pet wash station and dedicated car wash bays, reflecting the project's focus on making everyday living as seamless as possible.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362633]

"Celine has been designed to deliver a refined residential experience that reflects the evolution of Chatswood into a premium urban centre,"&nbsp;Abolakian says.

"With over 30 years of experience delivering projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore, Hyecorp brings a deep understanding of what local buyers value. Every detail has been considered to balance luxury, functionality and long-term liveability. This is not just about apartments, but about creating a lasting residential address for discerning buyers."

Hyecorp, vertically-integrated builder-developer, is anticipating construction commencement later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149594]

Hyecorp brings 30 years of Lower North Shore experience to Celine in Chatswood

Burgeoning South East Queensland developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/frank-developments">Frank Developments</a> is continuing to pad out its capital city development pipeline.

The developer, led by Frank Licastro, has its sights set on Kingsford Smith Drive in Hamilton, where it is planning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/avela-60-kingsford-smith-drive-albion-qld-4010">AVELA</a>, a 166-apartment development across three towers that tier down from 28 storeys to 19 and 17.

The towers will rise above the iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel.

Frank has brought on Melbourne architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rob-kennon-architects">Kennon</a> to design the building, conceived as a “defining architectural marker where the airport corridor meets the inner city.”

<img alt="First look: Frank Developments plans sculptural AVELA for Brisbane's Breakfast Creek gateway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e787c64e-f0a4-4725-891e-e86b40ee5c5c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/AVELA.png?VersionId=1ulwuZ9w2vQ2td7v.J2zUI7Ih_DT4Kwz" />

Kennon describes the project as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

"Positioned at the northern gateway of Brisbane's primary CBD corridor, this project represents a singular moment in the city's urban evolution, one that will not come again," the architecture practice said in the documents submitted to the Brisbane City Council.

"Where the airport and world beyond meets the city, the building will rise as a sculptural landmark, a defining piece of architecture that signals arrival into Brisbane and anchors the connection between the city and the communities to its north."

<img alt="First look: Frank Developments plans sculptural AVELA for Brisbane's Breakfast Creek gateway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d572bf62-a98d-4847-95d0-889e3d3283e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/AVELA%20podium.png?VersionId=6.Ax4jBzTbY5ahm55iaMWNR03ODhDQSm" />

The development is centred around owner-occupier apartments, with a mix of two, three and four-bedroom residences designed to capitalise on city and river views.

Four basement levels accommodate resident parking, allowing the podium to prioritise pedestrian activity and public-facing uses like ground-floor retail, a cafe, a&nbsp;neighbourhood grocer, and a public accessible indoor pickleball court and event space.&nbsp;

There will be nearly 2,000 sqm of communal wellness and recreation facilities across three levels.

<img alt="First look: Frank Developments plans sculptural AVELA for Brisbane's Breakfast Creek gateway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5ac3cbf-3c11-4219-89f3-e12d9e0f9ffd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/AVELA%20podium%20A.png?VersionId=_.4zd1HLCKa1s6I_oxkY4NNqX6o3Yevn" />

&nbsp;

Frank Developments has increasingly focused on design-led residential projects across South East Queensland.

AVELA is Licastro's second on Kingsford Smith Drive following <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alba-92-kingsford-smith-drive-hamilton-qld-4007">Alba</a>, 85 apartments just down the road. The developer has <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/mira-61-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">MIRA</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/myst-burleigh-heads-270-the-esplanade-miami-qld-4220">MYST</a> on the Gold Coast, as well as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/murano-teneriffe-37-wyandra-street-new-farm-qld-4005">Murano</a> coming up in Teneriffe and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bel-air-33-oxlade-drive-new-farm-qld-4005">Bel Air in New Farm</a>.

Frank Developments plans sculptural AVELA for Brisbane's Breakfast Creek gateway

ASX-listed developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a>&nbsp;is continuing its push back into the new apartment market, filing plans for a prominent gateway site between Collingwood and East Melbourne.

The development giant, which moved back into the new apartment space when it announced Stanton Place in Sydney's Rosebery and have since filed plans for a 50-storey tower, are jumping into the off the plan Melbourne market.

They are hoping to create a mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/79-81-victoria-parade-collingwood-vic-3066">79-81 Victoria Parade</a>, replacing an existing commercial building with a scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/john-wardle-architects">Wardle</a>&nbsp;for 478 apartments,&nbsp;ground-floor retail, new public open spaces and a publicly accessible pedestrian laneway.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="72dbbca9-3918-4073-afad-a0c0c35be8e7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20pers.png?VersionId=bzMVUKKxvwuNK1m0v_td126Rgct32uk_" />

The design report identifies the public realm as a central driver of the proposal.

"Collingwood has limited access to high-quality parks and public open space, and the proposal delivers valuable new areas for respite, social interaction and fine-grain retail activity."

The development would deliver a diverse mix of housing, including studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside townhouse-style residences. Two basement levels are proposed beneath the development, providing resident and retail parking as well as extensive bicycle facilities.

Wardle's design draws heavily on Collingwood's industrial character, using articulated building forms, brickwork and robust materials inspired by the suburb's warehouse and manufacturing heritage. The built form has been broken into a series of smaller volumes to better respond to the surrounding streetscape while extensive communal gardens, rooftop amenities and shared resident spaces are integrated throughout the project.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7b2135ed-65df-4253-ad53-f216f06bd467" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20podium.png?VersionId=l1B6Hqn8zs772VxH6L1fDPg0KHshan9v" />

The planning documents describe the existing office building as offering little engagement with the public realm, with the redevelopment intended to create a more permeable and active neighbourhood destination.

"The proposed scheme presents a significant opportunity to deliver a vibrant retail plaza and a local neighbourhood hub serving both existing and future Collingwood residents."

The 79–81 Victoria Parade site occupies a strategic location about 1.5 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD, at the threshold between Collingwood and East Melbourne. It is well served by tram services along Victoria Parade and sits within walking distance of St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy Gardens, the Fitzroy activity centre and a broad range of employment, retail and hospitality destinations.

Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site

Robert Larocca

<html><body>
A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 70% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 67.3% last week and 70.2% this time last year.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Capital-City.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4273]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4274" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Capital-City-580x431.jpg" alt="National auction review - Capital City" width="580" height="431"></a>
The market performed to recent trend this week and results between now and the Labour Day long weekend should provide a clearer indication as to the state of the auction market this year.
In Sydney a preliminary clearance rate of 77.9% recorded compared to 80.6% last week and 80.2% last year. The Sydney auction market has not shown any sign of weakness following the stand out year in 2014.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4273]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4275" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Sydney-580x376.jpg" alt="National auction review - Sydney" width="580" height="376"></a>
In Melbourne the auction market improved following the lowest clearance rate in 26 months last week. The preliminary clearance rate was 67.4%, compared to 60.7% last week and 69.2% this time last year.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4273]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4276" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Melbourne-580x378.jpg" alt="National auction review - Melbourne" width="580" height="378"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 50.6% was recorded compared to 47.6% last week.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4273]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4277" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Brisbane-580x375.jpg" alt="National auction review - Brisbane" width="580" height="375"></a>
In Adelaide a preliminary clearance rate of 72% compared to 58.2% last week.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4273]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4278" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150216-Adelaide-580x387.jpg" alt="National auction review - Adelaide" width="580" height="387"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 72.2% was recorded compared to 67.9% last week.
In Perth a clearance rate of 33.3% was recorded.
</body></html>

rlarocca-zWhvjay44N

National clearance rate of 70% recorded for the weekend: Robert Larocca

<html><body>
A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 66.9% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 61.6% last week and 68.2% this time last year.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4245" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150209-Capital-City-580x431.jpg" alt="Auction market review - Capital Cities" width="580" height="431">
This weeks result compares well to the 2014 market when an overall clearance rate of 67.8% was recorded. It also broadly reflects the moderate growth recorded in home values this year.
The positive impact of the rate cut will take a few weeks to be apparent on a national wide scale as volumes are still low. If the rate cut is to encourage a few more active buyers and sellers it will also take a few weeks to be obvious.
In Sydney a preliminary clearance rate of 80.5% recorded compared to 77.9% last week and 79.5% last year. Compared to last year this is near identical start.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4247" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150209-Sydney-580x396.jpg" alt="Auction market review - Sydney" width="580" height="396">
In Melbourne a preliminary clearance rate of 61.4% was recorded compared to 66.3% last week and 67.5% this time last year. It is still early but results so far make it interesting to see which way the market goes as the year has started with lower auction volumes and clearance rates.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4246" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150209-Melbourne-580x385.jpg" alt="Auction market review - Melbourne" width="580" height="385">
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 45.6% was recorded compared to 43.3% last week.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4244" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150209-Brisbane-580x390.jpg" alt="Auction market review - Brisbane" width="580" height="390">
In Adelaide a preliminary clearance rate of 61.1% compared to 52.7% last week.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4243" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20150209-Adelaide-580x381.jpg" alt="Auction market review - Adelaide" width="580" height="381">
In Canberra a clearance rate of 62.8% was recorded compared to 72.7% last week, whilst for Perth a clearance rate of 35.7% was recorded.
</body></html>

No interest rate cut impact on auctions, yet: Robert Larocca

<html><body>
Residential dwelling values in Melbourne returned to trend in January with a 2.7% rise recorded by CoreLogic RP Data in the latest home value indices results.
This sets the Melbourne property market up for another stable year with moderate value increases likely, particularly in the detached house market. Melbourne home owners have seen stable growth in values for two years now and are more likely to record a profit when selling now.
House values in the city grew the strongest with a 2.8% rise compared to 1.7% for units. This takes the growth in values over 12 months to 7.5% for houses and 2.7% for units.
The rise in property values will be welcomed by vendors seeking to sell over the summer and in autumn as it suggests the poorer performance recorded in November and December last year was a consequence of high supply levels in spring and summer.
Demand is not limitless and there is still some caution from buyers.
Based on settled sales the median price of a house in the past three months was $613,000 and $480,000 for a unit.
The performance of the auction market provides little indication of the markets health due to the very low auction numbers in January and their geographic diversity. Volumes are likely to rise strongly over the next few weeks.
Melbourne continues to have the lowest rental yields in Australia with 3.2% for houses and 4.2% for units. This does not appear to have a negative impact on investors who are happy to wait for capital gains.
Melbourne’s ‘Mega suburbs’!
<ul>
<li>Reservoir is the largest suburb in Melbourne</li>
<li>Gilderoy is the smallest suburb in Melbourne</li>
<li>The are 12 suburbs in Melbourne with over 10,000 houses</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/glen-waverley-railway-station-300x199.jpg"></a>Most weeks when the highest volume of auctions are listed, the suburbs of Reservoir, Glen Waverly and Mount Waverly come out near the top.
Auctions may well be a popular method of sale in these suburbs but their appearance in the list is more likely due to the fact that they are three of Melbourne’s largest areas.
Melbourne’s progressive growth over the past 180 years has seen suburbs planned and developed in many different ways. Sometimes geography provides natural borders and sometimes the common ownership by one developer provided the impetus for the naming or borders. Sometimes names and borders have even moved.
As a result Melbourne suburbs vary from 13,741 houses in Reservoir to 18 in Gilderoy. At more than 67km from the CBD the small ‘suburb’ of Gilderoy is more representative of it being a town than a considered decision to create a small suburb.
There are 12 suburbs in total that have more than 10,000 houses. Each is bigger than medium-sized regional centres such as, Mildura, Shepparton and Warrnambool and without outlying suburbs.
Those 12 suburbs are Reservoir, Frankston, Glen Waverly, Berwick, St Albans, Pakenham, Point Cook, Werribee, Mount Waverly, Hoppers Crossing, Craigieburn and Sunbury. Interestingly many of those were once separate towns which have now expanded considerably as they have become more proximate to the cities outer edge. As many of those are still being developed they are likely to grow further.
The vagaries of place naming and suburb size become even more obvious when the case of Croydon is considered.  On its own, Croydon is a large but not massive suburb with 7,293 houses. But once neighbouring Croydon North, South and Hills are considered, its size grows to 12,446 houses.
When buying in larger suburbs it is therefore sensible to consider where specifically a home is as factors such as distance from a train station, park or school may vary considerably. The form of housing may vary as well.
Auction buyers to benefit from interest rate cuts
This week’s interest rate cut will provide a boost to the auction market over the coming month and deliver a welcome reprieve for buyers looking to reduce costs. Not only will buyers enjoy the increased purchasing power, sellers will welcome the unexpected boost to the market in the middle of their marketing campaigns.
This week, there are 1,218 auctions expected across Australia, with 824 of these scheduled for in capital cities. This is compared to 502 last week and 927 for the same week last year. The primary reason for lower auction volumes in capital cities is due to 36 per cent fewer auctions in Melbourne.
In Sydney 317 auctions are expected compared to 154 last week and 362 this week last year.
In Melbourne 214 auctions are expected compared to 102 last week and 335 this week last year. The main activity this week in Melbourne will be found in the eastern suburbs with 9 auctions in Mount Waverley and 8 in Glen Waverly. In Portarlington, near Geelong, there are also 9 auctions expected.
There are 99 auctions expected in Brisbane compared to 85 last week and 98 this week last year. This highest level of activity will be found outside Brisbane with 180 auctions scheduled across the rest of Queensland. For example, the most auctions in any one suburb in Queensland will be in Surfers Paradise where 9 are expected.
In Adelaide there are 86 auctions expected. This is slightly lower than the 102 last week but higher than the 70 on the same week last year.
In Canberra the volume of auctions is higher than last week and this time last year when there was 50. There are 69 expected this week.
In Perth 30 auctions are expected compared to 24 last week and 43 this week last year.
The highest volume of auctions will be in Port Macquarie (NSW) where 10 are expected.
 
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Melbourne house owners on track for another year of growth: Robert Larocca

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In many respects the Melbourne auction market last year was better than in 2013. 
Auction volumes rose 19.7% compared to last year, however the clearance rate fell a small degree from 69.2% to 68.4%.
While there is a great degree of interest in data associated with the auction market, what exactly should buyers be looking at to help inform their judgement?
Firstly, when undertaking market analysis it is important to get as much information as possible and understand the data in context, after all the sale of a new home means something different to the sale of an established one.
Auctions can provide a rich source of information, even if you are not bidding.
Auctions account for around one in five sales in capital cities and nearly one third in Melbourne.
With that in mind there are three important things for buyers to look at from auctions;
<ul>
<li>Number of Buyers:</li>
</ul>
The number of active buyers is a slice of the people you are competing against in a given area. If you go to enough open houses and auctions you will get a feel about how strong demand is in an area and that will affect the price you need to pay..
<ul>
<li>
Sale Price (or passed in amount):
</li>
</ul>
Buyers will be able to compare the sale prices with their expectations of price, even if it is passed in. This information will help you make informed judgments about the market when bidding on the home you want. You can then see this data the day after, however it’s far better to turn up and see it live.
<ul>
<li>
Local Auction Conduct:
</li>
</ul>
Auctions can be a high-pressure event, as a result the more you attend the more used to the process you will get which in turn will help you stick to your budget and strategy. Attending auctions in the area you aim to buy in will allow you to become acquainted with the styles of different auctioneers and the level of competition in the area.
Key facts
<ul>
<li>Attendence at auctions important for buyer research</li>
<li>Clearance Rates – in 2014 these fell to 68.4%</li>
<li>Auctions increased to take advantage of rising market</li>
</ul>
January has seen a fairly typical commencement to the auction market with only 419 auctions held. The market moves up a notch this week with 800 expected across Australia and 391 in capital cities.
The volume of auctions in capital cities should rise to exceed 1,000 in the middle of February, as most real estate agents need to allow a reasonable marketing period for the property.
It is also fairly typical to see the majority of auctions outside the capital cities and that is the case this week.
The highest volume of auctions is expected in Adelaide with 97. There are 94 expected in Sydney, 80 in Melbourne, 24 in Perth and 21 in Canberra.
Before the auction market increases significantly in volume it is useful to reflect on how 2014 ended. On a national basis there 101,444 auctions held in capital cities, the first time ever the volume has exceeded 100,000.
Melbourne had the most auctions with 44,089 and just exceeded Sydney for the most sold. The most significant shift in 2014 was the growth in the Sydney auction market. If this is sustained this year it will be difficult for Melbourne to retain the title of the “auction capital”.
The highest clearance rate for 2014, 74%, was recorded in Sydney.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-01-29-capital-Low-volume-of-auctions-this-week.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4230]"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4231" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-01-29-capital-Low-volume-of-auctions-this-week.jpg" alt="Capital Low volume of auctions this week - CoreLogic RP Data blog" width="604" height="304"></a>
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How buyers can use auction results to be better buyers: CoreLogic's weekend auction preview

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The latest CoreLogic RP Data Pain and Gain Report  compares the sale price with purchase price for all homes sold in the most recent quarter and for which there is comprehensive data available.
Note: The report does not cover developer sales.
The central message of the <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news/pain-gain-report-released-for-the-september-2014-quarter" target="_blank" title="Read the Pain and Gain report">Pain &amp; Gain Report</a> is  that owners are more likely to make a profit if they hold the property for a reasonable length of time, especially when the upfront impost of stamp duty and other transaction costs are taken into account.
For example, nationally, 3.3% of sellers made a 100% profit selling within one year of buying and almost passed this mark by half after 10 years of ownership.
In the September quarter last year, 6.5% of sellers in Melbourne made a loss in nominal terms. This was a slight improvement on the 6.6% in the June quarter and a substantial improvement on the 7.4% a year ago.
On a more local basis there are two ways of looking at the data; the proportion of sellers that made a profit and the gross profit made. Obviously the total profit made was higher in the more expensive municipalities. For example the highest profit was recorded in Boroondara at $232 million. By comparison the total profit in Brimbank was $66 million.
The other way of assessing the data looks at the proportion of owners who made a profit. Of municipalities wholly within the metropolitan area Knox topped the list with 98.6%. It was followed by Monash on 97.4%, Casey with 96.6% and both Glen Eira and Whitehorse with 96.4%.
Interestingly this demonstrates that through medium to long-term ownership a profit can be found in more than just the most expensive parts of Melbourne.
Key facts
<ul>
<li>35.7% of sellers made a 100% or higher profit 
</li>
<li>Sellers in Boroondara made the highest total profit of $232 million 
</li>
<li>98.6% of sellers in Knox made a profit</li>
</ul>
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Profits can be found in more than just the expensive parts of Melbourne: Robert Larocca

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The top 10 Melbourne suburbs ranked by growth in house values in 2014 were dominated by some of the cities most expensive suburbs and they were located south of the Yarra.
Overall, the Melbourne housing market produced a near repeat of 2013 with house values rising by 8.4% and units recorded a rise of 1.1% as a result of high levels of supply; particularly in the inner city highrise market.
<a href="/news">Armadale</a>, <a href="/news">Caulfield North</a> and <a href="/news">Kew </a>experienced the highest growth in house values and this is reflective of a number of factors including that the strongest rate of value growth being recorded in the middle and upper segments of the market.
The appearance of <a href="/news">Box Hill</a> in the Top 10 highlights the continual popularity of the group of suburbs around <a href="/news">Balwyn</a> and <a href="/news">Mont Albert</a>. Over the last decade these suburbs have provided the best capital gains for owners. These suburbs have broad appeal for myriad reasons such as close proximity to local amenities such as parks, a range of transport choices, local shopping nodes and accessibility to the central business district.
At a broader level, the fundamentals of the Melbourne property market remain sound. A major contributor to these fundamentals is the positive impact on housing market from supportive monetary policy in the form of a record low interest rate. Furthermore, ongoing strong overseas migration to Victoria and a record high influx of residents moving to the state from the rest of Australia also helps to support housing demand.
House value growth slowed from 3.8% in the September 2014 quarter to just 0.8% over the final quarter of 2014. My big question for the summer and autumn markets is whether this was simply due to higher levels of supply or the start of a softer trend.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/melbourne-property-values-table1.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-4157 size-full" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/melbourne-property-values-table1.jpg" alt="" width="694" height="586"></a>
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South of the Yarra dominates Melbourne's top suburbs for house value growth

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According to CoreLogic RP Data, Melbourne now has 52 suburbs with a median house value in excess of $1 million – the data covers the 12 months ending in September.
Melbourne’s most expensive suburb remains <a href="/news">Toorak</a>, with a median house value of $2.92 million. The median sale price, which reflects the prices paid over the last year has for the first time, exceeded $3 million. This indicates a slightly more expensive segment of Toorak has been selling over the last year.
Toorak will clearly be the city’s first $3 million dollar suburb, its just a matter of when.
There are three other suburbs with medians in excess of two million: <a href="/news">Deepdene</a>, <a href="/news">Canterbury</a> and <a href="/news">Kooyong</a>.
From sales volumes perspective, the highest was in <a href="/news">Brighton</a> followed by <a href="/news">Balwyn North</a>, <a href="/news">Kew</a>, <a href="/news">Glen Iris</a> and <a href="/news">Camberwell</a>.
Putting aside the cost, the million dollar suburb that proved the easiest to buy into was Deepdene were 14% of houses sold in the last year. In contrast <a href="/news">Fairfield</a> was a tightly held suburb with only 2.8% of houses selling.
Two new suburbs in the list are <a href="/news">Prahran </a>and <a href="/news">Williamstown</a>. The median value of a house in Williamstown – the second suburb in the west to reach this level was $1,002,000. Prahran’s median for a house is now $1 million.
There are 565 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 531 for the same time last year. This is the last week for the year in which there are expected to be a substantial volume of auctions. Until early February next year there will be a small number of auctions weekly, mostly outside of the metropolitan area.
With one week to go this year the auction market has seen more homes sold by more people. The clearance rate for 2014 is likely to be marginally lower, around 68.6%, than 2013 when it was 69.2%. With one week to go there have been 43,298 auctions held, 17.8% more than last year and 29,632 homes selling.
Weeks with over 1,000 auctions used to be a rarity, but with 22 occurring this year they are now a regular feature of the market.
In the private sale market conditions continue to be healthy for sellers. On a citywide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale was stable at 31 days over the last week and vendor discounting was also stable at -5%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 14 December: 68.6%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 21 December: 565</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 14 December: 31 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 14 December: -5% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 1.3% lower in month ending 14 December (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
Photo of Chapel Street, Prahran courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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Prahran joins million dollar club in Victoria: Melbourne auction preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 65.2% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 63.7% last week and 65.1% this time last year.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Capital-City.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4123]"><img src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Capital-City-580x426.jpg" alt="National Auction Comments | Capital City" width="580" height="426"></a>
The market may have cooled since the start of spring but that won’t prevent the overall clearance rate for 2014 exceeding last year. In 2013 the capital cities clearance rate was 66.2% and with one week to go this year it is 67.9%. With the exception of Melbourne and Perth the clearance rate has risen in each capital city. More people have sold more homes at auction this year.
In Sydney a preliminary clearance rate of 71.2% recorded compared to 66.1% last week and 72.2% last year. The Sydney auction market has delivered very good outcomes for sellers this year with a higher clearance rate and number of sales. The clearance rate for 2014 is likely to be close to 74.4%, higher than 72.7% last year.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4123]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4125" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Sydney-580x392.jpg" alt="National Auction Comments | Sydney" width="580" height="392"></a>
In Melbourne a preliminary clearance rate of 65.9% was recorded compared to 66% last week and 64.9% this time last year. The clearance rate for 2014 is likely to be marginally lower, around 68.5%, than 2013 when it was 69.2%.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4123]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4126" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Melbourne-580x390.jpg" alt="National Auction Comments | Melbourne" width="580" height="390"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 47.3% was recorded compared to 39.7% last week. The overall clearance rate in Brisbane for 2014 is likely to be 45.8%, higher than 41.5% last year.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4123]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4127" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Brisbane-580x390.jpg" alt="National Auction Comments | Brisbane" width="580" height="390"></a>
In Adelaide a preliminary clearance rate of 57.5% compared to 56.6% last week. The overall clearance rate for 2014 is likely to be 61.9%, higher than 56.5% last year.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4123]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4128" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141215-Adelaide-580x384.jpg" alt="National Auction Comments | Adelaide" width="580" height="384"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 59.5% was recorded. The overall clearance rate for 2014 is likely to be 55.9%, higher than 52.3% last year.
In Perth a clearance rate of 33.3% was recorded. The overall clearance rate for 2014 is likely to be 41.1%, lower than 46.5% last year.
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Sydney auction market has delivered very good outcomes for sellers this year: National auction wrap

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The most recent update to the list of million dollar suburbs in Melbourne has seen 50 reach or exceed that mark.
This is an increase of one on last month with <a href="/news">Caulfield East</a> joining the list. The median value of a house in that suburb is now $1,002,366. Prior to Caulfield East the other recent additions were <a href="/news">Fairfield </a>and <a href="/news">Aberfeldie</a>. Those additions meant that Melbourne now has million dollar suburbs in the north, east, south and west of the city.
The list is headed by the usual suspects; <a href="/news">Toorak</a>, <a href="/news">Deepdene</a>, <a href="/news">Canterbury</a>, <a href="/news">Kooyong</a> and <a href="/news">East Melbourne</a>.  The median house value in <a href="/news">Toorak</a> is now $2.85 million and unlike the majority of million dollar suburbs this number has fallen over the last year.
The suburbs next in line do not contain many surprises but can also tell us a lot about housing values in Melbourne.
The suburbs that are within $20,000 of the million dollar mark are <a href="/news">Prahran</a>, <a href="/news">Carlton North</a>, <a href="/news">Port Melbourne</a>, <a href="/news">Williamstown </a>and <a href="/news">Bentleigh</a>.
Bentleigh is quite typical of the next group of suburbs that will join the list. It would have been quite surprising a few years ago to think of Bentleigh houses costing this much but with 97 selling for over a million in the last 12 months it now a regular feature of the area.
A cursory glance at the ‘for sale’ advertisements shows a suburb undergoing significant change with an increase in multi unit dwellings replacing the older homes on what are now large blocks. These homes coexist with a mixture of styles that are clearly proving to be very popular with buyers.
There are 1,338 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 1,270 for the same time last year. The most auctions will be found in <a href="/news">Bentleigh East </a>with 29.
Auctions are generally more popular in the most expensive segment of the market and some suburbs have been recording multiple sales in the ultra expensive category.
A review of suburbs ranked by the number of sales valued at more than $2 million over the last year shows that three had more than 100; <a href="/news">Brighton</a>, Toorak and <a href="/news">Kew</a>. <a href="/news">Camberwell</a>, Canterbury, <a href="/news">Balwyn</a>, <a href="/news">Hawthorn </a>and <a href="/news">Malvern </a>had between 50 and 100. Outside of the leafy inner east there were some interesting results in <a href="/news">Hampton</a>, <a href="/news">Elwood</a>, <a href="/news">Ivanhoe </a>and <a href="/news">Richmond </a>had between 10 and 20 sales over $2 million.
On a citywide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale was stable at a very low 31 days over the last week and vendor discounting remained stable at -4.8%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 9 November: 65.5%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 16 November: 1,338</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 9 November: 31 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 9 November: -4.8% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 4.3% higher in month ending 9 November (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Bentleigh soon to become a million dollar suburb: RP Data's Melbourne weekend auction preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 63.7% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 68.7% last week and 68.3% this time last year.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Capital-City.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3952" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Capital-City-580x421.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Capital City" width="580" height="421"></a>
It is interesting to note that due to an increase in the popularity of auctions more homes have been sold in Sydney at auction this year than Melbourne. This is the first time this has occurred. After this week there have been 24,590 auction sales in Sydney and 24,336 in Melbourne.
In Sydney market a preliminary clearance rate of 69% recorded compared to 75.6% last week and 76% last year. After a fortnight of mild improvement the ongoing high volumes are clearly having an impact with a lower clearance rate this week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3953" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Sydney-580x385.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Sydney" width="580" height="385"></a>
In Melbourne there was a preliminary clearance rate of 63.8% recorded compared to 69.6% last week and 68.1% this time last year. The market is shifting in favor of buyers at the right time of the year with a high volume of auctions expected between now and Christmas.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3954" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Melbourne-580x382.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Melbourne" width="580" height="382"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 45% was recorded compared to 45.3% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3955" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Brisbane-580x386.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Brisbane" width="580" height="386"></a>
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 61.3% compared to 57.4% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3956" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Adelaide-580x388.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Adelaide" width="580" height="388"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 50.6% was recorded.
In Perth a clearance rate of 56.3% was recorded.
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Robert Larocca

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