The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Sqm Research

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National residential property listings surged 2.2 per cent in January, according to figures released by SQM Research.
Numbers rose from 288,966 in December to 295,295 in January, an increase of just over 6,000 listings.
Figures were still 10 per cent down compared to last year however.
All capitals saw listings increase. The largest jump was in Sydney, whose listings grew by 5.1 per cent, closely followed by Hobart up 4.9 per cent.
<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/2020/2/4/SQM%20Jan%20listings.jpg" alt="">
SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher said the rise in listings was a surprise.
"The month of January traditionally records small falls in properties listed for sale as the market is still in a summer holiday mode however, the positive start in new listings shows vendors are now keen to sell and we could see further increases in the coming months.”
Asking Prices
Capital city asking prices dropped by 0.4 per cent for both houses and units in January.
The average asking price for a house is now $973,500, compared with $575,100 for units.
Housing asking prices are 5.5 per cent higher than they were this time last year, but unit asking prices are down 0.1 per cent.
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Residential property listings surge in January: SQM Research

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Figures released by SQM Research show a decrease in national residential property listings across all capital cities in December 2019. 
National residential property listings across capital cities show an overall 12 per cent decline in 2019.
In December 2019, listings decreased by 14.8 per cent, declining from 338,971 in November to 288,966.
"The month of December traditionally records falls in properties listed for sale as it is the start of the festive and summer holiday period, whilst November shows a surge in listings as vendors are keen to sell before the holiday season approaches," explains Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research.
"The recent devastating bushfires in NSW, Canberra and Victoria could also result in declines in property listings and impact property values in these regions in the coming months."
All capital cities saw decreases in property listings over the month with the most significant decrease experienced in Sydney with 28.7 per cent, followed closely by Canberra with 28.1 per cent.
Property listings in Sydney fell from 32,101 in November 2019 to 22,888 in December while Canberra saw a decline from 4,998 to 3,595. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/1/9/N2_Market_Month.jpeg" alt="" width="790" height="202">
Year-on-year listings similarly show declines for all capital cities with Sydney showing a decline of 30.1 per cent, followed by Darwin with 25.2 per cent, and with Canberra only recording an overall 14.6 per cent decline. Meanwhile, Brisbane is revealed as declining the slightest with only 8.4 per cent. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/1/9/N1_Stock%20Market%20Table.png" alt="" width="796" height="263" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;">
Stock on Market Table, SQM Research.
 
 
 
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Sydney vendors vacate market as December 2019 property listings decrease: SQM Research

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Average asking prices in capital cities only increase marginally in December 2019 according to SQM Research.
The capital city asking prices have increased by 2.4 per cent for houses and 0.8 per cent for units in December 2019 with the average asking price at the year end being $977,900 for houses and $577,600 for units. This is significantly lower than a year ago with the capital asking prices showing an increase of 5.8 per cent for houses and 1 per cent for units. 
Over December 2019, Sydney and Hobart were the only capital cities to show increases in both house and unit prices. 
Meanwhile, all other capital cities recorded increases in house prices but saw marginal declines in unit prices over the month. Perth, in particular, saw the greatest fall in the unit market with a 1.6 per cent decline while the city's house price increased by 0.3 per cent. Hobart's unit prices recorded the strongest growth of 2 per cent. Darwin continues to record declines in both house and unit prices of 2 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/1/9/N3_Asking%20Price.jpeg" alt="" width="915" height="693">
Weekly Asking Prices Index, SQM Research.
Overall, Melbourne shows the strongest price growth of 4.2 per cent for houses despite its decline in the unit market at 0.6 percent. Melbourne's median house asking price has now returned back to over one million dollars. This was last seen between the period of April and June 2018. The city's median asking price is currently sitting at $1,027,600. Following behind, the Sydney house market similarly climbed back to its 2017/2018 highs of over $1.3 million, records show a 2.4 per cent increase in asking house prices over December 2019. The current median asking house price in Sydney is $1,341,400.
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Capital cities average asking prices increase marginally: SQM Research  

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National residential property listings jumped over six percent in November, according to figures released by SQM Research.
They rose 6.3 per cent from 318,874 to 338,971.
Listings are still 6.3 per cent down on the same levels this time last year.
 
<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/2019/12/3/SQM%20stock%20table%20November.jpg" alt="">
Darwin was the only capital not to experience a listing increase. Their listings are now over 12 per cent down over the year.
Listings in Hobart rose nearly 12 per cent, while Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra all saw listings grow by over 10 per cent.
Canberra is the only capital with listings higher than the same time last year.
Sydney's listings went up by just over seven percent, and are over 19 per cent down on this time last year, the most across the country.
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Hobart lead property listings surge in November: SQM

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Most of Australia’s capital cities will benefit from the interest rate cuts and loosening of credit restrictions, even Perth which has been in a long term slump, according to Christopher’s Housing Boom and Bust Report for 2020, released today by SQM Research.
In every scenario barring the worst case, Scenario 4, a doomsday scenario, Perth is expected to see price growth.
<img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/9badbd870addb4af72206c2eb/images/4df1a5ab-58ab-48eb-be7c-da10730ccd12.png">
As a result of the improved international outlook and an existing recovering in mining investment, the city of Perth will finally record price rises next year after a prolonged housing downturn. The forecast is for Perth dwelling prices to rise between 3% to 6%.
In the base case forecasts, what SQM view as the most likely scenario, there are no changes in interest rates and no intervention by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
Louis Christopher, when referencing a long term perspective, "better value can definitely found in other markets that aren't Sydney and Melbourne such as Perth and Brisbane."
SQM Research also anticipates an ongoing recovery in the Brisbane and Perth rental markets in 2020, he noted.
<a href="/expert-insights/buying/sydney-house-prices-could-jump-14-per-cent-in-2020-sqm-research">Sydney</a> and <a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbourne-house-prices-tipped-to-rise-by-up-to-15-per-cent-sqm-research">Melbourne</a> look set for the largest recovery, with Hobart and Canberra next up, followed by <a href="/expert-insights/buying/perth-real-estate-finally-set-for-price-growth-in-2020-sqm-research">Perth</a> and <a href="/expert-insights/buying/brisbane-housing-market-will-see-growth-in-2020-sqm-research">Brisbane</a> while Adelaide and <a href="/expert-insights/buying/darwin-the-only-city-forecast-for-falling-real-estate-prices-in-2020-sqm-research">Darwin</a> look set for minimal growth, or a loss.
Read the <a href="https://sqmresearch.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9badbd870addb4af72206c2eb&amp;id=944878d0b0&amp;e=0aab96dc54" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">Christopher’s Housing Boom and Bust Report</a> here.
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Perth real estate finally set for price growth in 2020: SQM Research

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Sydney house prices could make their way back above their 2017 peak next year, according to a new report by SQM Research.
Christopher's Housing Boom and Bust Report 2020 forecasts Sydney prices to grow between 10 per cent and 14 per cent, if factors in the most likely scenario come to fruition.
Their base scenario forecasts are built on if there are no further rate cuts in 2020, that the economy recovers and there is no APRA intervention until at least late 2020.
<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/2019/11/14/SQM%20sceanrio%20forecasts.jpg" alt="">
Sydney house prices dropped peak to trough around 15 per cent since late 2017, with the slowdown coming to an end in June.
Since then, according to CoreLogic, there have been 5.3 per cent gains over the last four months. 
“The Sydney and Melbourne housing markets have recorded a sharp turnaround in the 2nd half of 2019 following on from the surprise result of the Federal Election, interest rate cuts, the loosening of credit restrictions and ongoing strong population growth rates," SQM Research boss Louis Christopher says.
"These factors are expected to drive the national housing market into 2020. In a close call, APRA is expected to not immediately intervene despite the strong price rises."
Christopher suggests however that long term, Sydney and Melbourne markets look vulnerable and forever reliant on cheap credit.
""Sydney and Melbourne are rising from an overvalued point," Christopher says.
"Housing debt, while falling compared to GDP over 2019, is still very high.
"Better value can definitely found elsewhere such as Perth and Brisbane”, Christopher added. 
Melbourne house prices are forecast to <a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbourne-house-prices-tipped-to-rise-by-up-to-15-per-cent-sqm-research">see up to 15 per cent growth</a>. 
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Sydney house prices could jump 14 per cent in 2020: SQM Research

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The quick turnaround in the housing market looks to be more prolonged than many forecast according to new research from SQM Research.
In the new 'Christopher's Housing Boom and Bust Report 2020', Melbourne house markets could climb up to 15 per cent.
The report offers four scenarios that could play out over 2020, with the base case the most likely.
Should the cash rate remain at 0.75 per cent and there be a recovery in the economy, as well as no intervention from APRA until late 2020, then house prices in Melbourne will return to the peaks of late 2017.
Sydney gains are likely to be slightly more modest, with <a href="/expert-insights/buying/sydney-house-prices-could-jump-14-per-cent-in-2020-sqm-research">gains forecast up to 14 per cent</a>.
<div><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/2019/11/14/SQM%20sceanrio%20forecasts.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div>
“The Sydney and Melbourne housing markets have recorded a sharp turnaround in the 2nd half of 2019 following on from the surprise result of the Federal Election, interest rate cuts, the loosening of credit restrictions and ongoing strong population growth rates," SQM Research boss Louis Christopher says.
"These factors are expected to drive the national housing market into 2020. In a close call, APRA is expected to not immediately intervene despite the strong price rises."
Christopher notes however he has some misgivings on the sustainability of the new recovery.
"Sydney and Melbourne are rising from an overvalued point. Long term, our two largest housing markets look vulnerable and forever reliant on cheap credit. Housing debt, while falling compared to GDP over 2019, is still very high.
"Better value can definitely found elsewhere such as Perth and Brisbane”, said Christopher.
Nationally SQM believe dwellings will rise between seven per cent and 11 per cent.
At the most unlikely end of the scale, scenario four, if rates were cut to 0 and quantitative easing begins, then house prices in Sydney and Melbourne could be flat, or see marginal gains.
</div>
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Melbourne house prices tipped to rise by up to 15 per cent: SQM Research

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The national residential rental vacancy rate remained steady in October at 2.1 per cent 
The total number of vacancies across the country is now at 69,951, up two per cent from October 2018's 67,337 vacant dwellings 
Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart recorded minor decreases in vacancy rates over the month, dropping 0.1 per cent.
<img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/9badbd870addb4af72206c2eb/images/a62dd82f-9411-474a-b41b-850868305569.png" width="600" height="229">
Source: SQM
Both Brisbane and Canberra increased by 0.1 per cent, with Melbourne remaining steady at 2.0 per cent.
Hobart continues to have the lowest vacancy rate in the country at 0.5 per cent, although Adelaide is not far behind with a low 0.8 per cent vacancy rate.  
Sydney and Darwin recorded the highest vacancy rate, both at 3.1%.
 
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Vacancy rates remain steady in October: SQM Research

<html><body>
National residential property listings increased in October by two per cent, according to figures from SQM Research.
They ticked to 321,754, up from 318,874 in September. 
Listings are still down nearly five per cent compared to 12 months ago.
All states were up over October, apart from Darwin where listings dropped 2.4 per cent.
The biggest jump was in Sydney, with listings up over four per cent in October, however the harbour capital also has the biggest gap to its stock levels last year, down 19 per cent.
Canberra saw the second highest stock level increase, just behind Sydney, to be one of just three capitals with stock levels higher than they were 12 months ago.
<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/2019/11/6/SQM%20research%20listings.jpg" alt="">
Source: SQM Research
Sydney's total listings still sit behind Brisbane, with Melbourne having the most stock on the market in October.
Sydney's fresh stock however is considerably closer to Melbourne's number of listings as we head in to summer. 
<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/2019/11/6/SQM%20days%20on%20market.jpg" alt=""> Source: SQM Research
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Real estate listings rise mid-spring: SQM Research

<html><body>
Data released by SQM Research has revealed the national residential vacancy rate edged lower to 2.1% in September 2019, down from 2.2% in August, with the number of vacancies dropping in most cities. 
The SQM Research data suggest the number of vacancies Australia-wide sat at 71,404 properties.
Sydney’s vacancy rate dropped to 3.2% in from 3.4% in August with 22,762 properties available for rent.
Melbourne’s vacancy rate was steady at 2.0% with 11,599 rental properties available while in Brisbane, the vacancy rate fell to 2.3% in September from 2.5% with 7,880 properties available for rent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/10/15/vacancies%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge:
 <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/2019/10/15/vacancies%20.jpg" alt=""> 
Source: SQM Research
SQM’s calculations of vacancies are based on online rental listings that have been advertised for three weeks or more compared to the total number of established rental properties.
SQM considers this to be a superior methodology compared to using a potentially incomplete sample of agency surveys or merely relying on raw online listings advertised. 
Canberra’s rental market remained tight, with the vacancy rate falling to 1.0%, down from 1.2%.
Hobart’s rate rose was steady at 0.6%.
Perth’s vacancy rate edged lower to 2.7% from 2.9% in August, but is well down from 3.6% a year ago.  
Darwin’s vacancy rate was steady at 2.9%, but well down from 3.6% a year ago. Adelaide's fell slightly to 0.9% from 1.0%.
Louis Christopher, Managing Director of SQM Research, said: “It was a better month for leasing in August, especially in the cities of Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.
 “Sydney also had a relatively good month as well, but vacancies in Sydney still remain elevated and are still predicted to rise before the year is over. Perth and Brisbane are likely to continue to record falls in vacancies over the short to medium term due to current low dwelling completion activity verses increased underlying demand.”
Asking Rents
Despite the rise in vacancies, capital city asking rents for houses were steady over the month to 12 October 2019 at $544 a week.
Unit asking rents, however, fell 0.7% to $435 a week. Over the year, asking rents for houses rose fell 1.4% while unit asking rents slipped 0.5%. 
Despite the upward pressure on the vacancy rate and falling rents in Sydney, the asking rent for a three-bedroom house in Sydney remains the highest nationwide at $672 a week and $496 a week for two-bedroom units.
Asking unit rents were down 0.3% in Sydney over the month while asking house rents fell 0.6%.
Asking rents in Melbourne for houses rose 2.0% over the month to $527 a week while asking rents for units fell 1.0% to $411.
<table style="width: 324px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="6" valign="top" width="324">
SQM Research Weekly Rents Index
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="171">
Week ending 12 Oct 2019
</td>
<td valign="top">
Rent
</td>
<td valign="top">
Chg on prev wk
</td>
<td valign="top">
Rolling month % chg
</td>
<td valign="top">
12 mth % chg
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Sydney
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
671.6
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.6  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.7%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-6.0%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
496.3
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.3  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.3%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-3.2%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
527.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.4%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.5%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
411.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-1.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-1.8%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
1.2%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Brisbane
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
462.4
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-1.4  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.8%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.4%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
379.2
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.2  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.3%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.6%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
443.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.6%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
4.4%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
336.7
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.3  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.3%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
4.8%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Adelaide
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
396.5
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.5  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.7%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.4%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
309.6
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.4  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.8%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
3.6%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Canberra
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
615.2
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.8  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.0%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-1.4%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
462.1
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.1  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.6%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
4.4%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Darwin
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
519.1
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-4.1  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
1.2%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.8%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
381.6
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.6  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.4%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-3.8%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Hobart
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
435.4
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-2.4  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-1.7%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.3%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
403.6
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
4.4  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-2.1%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
11.7%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
National
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
442.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-1.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.2%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
363.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-2.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.8%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.3%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="81">
Cap City Average
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
544.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
2.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-1.4%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
435.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
0.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.7%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap>
-0.5%  
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: <a href="http://www.sqmresearch.com.au/" target="_blank" style="text-align: left;">www.sqmresearch.com.au</a>
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