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

<html><body>
Homeowners re-emerged from the summer break to list their property in a slowing market as listings across the nation rose in February by 4.6 percent to 317,984, according to SQM Research.
It was the nation's two biggest property markets, Sydney and Melbourne, that recorded the highest rise in listings.
They had a 19.3 percent jump in listings, closely followed by Melbourne at 19.1 percent.
Sydney’s listings are up by 22.3 percent from the same time last year, reflecting a large increase in properties available for sale as some homeowners seek to take profits given a slowing in the property market.
In contrast to other capital cities, listings were down in Hobart by 2.7 percent in February, to be down 31.8 percent from a year earlier, with a deep shortage of homes available for sale. 
Melbourne stock levels also remain down from last year by about 10 percent, though a shortage of properties for sales has eased in that city. 
Click here<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/3/6/sqm1.jpg" target="_blank"> to enlarge.</a>
<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/2018/3/6/sqm1.jpg" alt="">
In Canberra, listings jumped by 15.5 percent, to be up 5 percent from the same time last year. In Brisbane, stock on market rose by 2.4 percent in February while in Perth listings rose by 2.9 percent. Listings barely changed in Darwin with a rise of just 0.1 percent over the month, to be up by just 0.4 percent over the year.
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research said the rise was expected.
“The rise in February listings was expected as homeowners listed their properties with the new year well underway," he said.
"That helped to take the pressure off asking property prices, which were down in capital cities over the month to 6 March, especially in Sydney.
“We are also seeing increasing levels of stock hit the market in Melbourne, which may help to ease property price growth over the first half of 2018. 
“However, in Hobart, home seekers are frustrated by a steep shortfall of properties available for sale as a combination of sharp price rises and the small amount of residential property there keep listings down,” he said.
Asking Prices
Capital city average asking prices fell one percent for houses and 0.7 percent for units for the month to 6 March. The largest monthly fall came in Sydney, where asking house prices fell 1.5 percent and asking unit prices slipped 0.6 percent. Over the year, prices are up by 5.5 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively.
Gains too have moderated in Hobart, with asking price for units up by just 1.1 percent over the year after falling 1.3 percent over the month. Asking house prices rose by 5.7 percent over the year after falling 0.4 percent over the month despite the shortage of properties for sale.
Year-on-year, asking prices are up most in Melbourne, with asking prices for houses up 19.9 percent and unit prices up 13.7 percent.  Canberra too has recorded strong gains, with asking house prices up 16.6 percent over the year and asking unit prices up 7.8 percent. 
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/3/6/sqm2.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<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/2018/3/6/sqm2.jpg" alt="">
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Higher listings and lower asking prices in a slowing market: SQM Research

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The national residential vacancy rate was 2.2 percent in November, with the number of vacancies Australia-wide increasing to 70,795 – a slight increase on the month of October, according to SQM Research.
Hobart's vacancy rate continues to remain at a record low of 0.3%. Adelaide and Brisbane’s vacancy rates also remain unchanged from October at 1.4% and 3.4% respectively.
Canberra’s vacancy rate has increased marginally to 1.0% from 0.8% in October.
In the bigger cities, vacancies increased markedly in Sydney to 14,362 in November, up from 12,435 in October, giving a vacancy rate of 2.1%, up from 1.8% the previous month. Melbourne recorded marginal increases with the vacancy rate now at 1.8% with 9,872 rental properties available.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/12/14/sqm1.jpg" alt="">
Even in Perth, vacancies rose to 4.5% from 4.4% in October, and remains the highest of any capital city. Darwin’s vacancy rose from 2.6% to 2.8% over the month.
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research, said the small rises in vacancies are expected in November and December due to seasonality, and offer some relief to home seekers although those in Hobart and Canberra faced ongoing tight rental conditions and higher rents.
“Sydney has recorded a larger rise. Rising from 1.8% to 2.2% is material. Rises occurred across all regions in Sydney however, some of the larger month on month vacancy rises came from the Northern Beaches, Parramatta the Upper North Shore and especially the Hills District where vacancy rates rose sharply to 3.7%.”
 
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Hobart's vacancy rates remain at record low as national rate increases: SQM

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National residential listings rose by 3.2% to 334,594 in November 2017, with stock levels jumping in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide, as homeowners seek to take profits ahead of the summer break, latest data from SQM Research shows.
Canberra led listings with an 8.5 percent jump, followed by 5.9% in Adelaide, 5.6% in Sydney and  4.9% in Melbourne. 
Compared to a year earlier, listings are up 20.1% in Sydney, reflecting a large increase in properties available for sale, though in Melbourne stock levels are down 10.3% from a year earlier, SQM Research said.
In Brisbane, listings were up by 3.3% and in Perth they rose 3.4%. In Hobart, listings were up by 3.1% over November, but are still down 28% from a year earlier, reflecting a sharp shortage of properties available for sale in that city. 
“November listings usually jump ahead of the market slowing during the Christmas and New Year’s break, so the results are expected. That said, the year-on-year increase in Sydney is significant. Sydney now has the highest level of listings since October 2012,” said Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research.
“While there is a slowdown in Sydney, and to a lesser extent in Melbourne, we are still of the belief this is just a temporary stay, with a likely acceleration in market conditions next year based on an expansion in lending once again by the banks and still low levels of interest rates.” 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/12/5/SQM1.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/12/5/SQM1.png" alt="">
Capital city asking prices rose 0.5% for houses and 0.2% for units for the month to December 5. The largest monthly rise came from Canberra, where house asking prices rose 5.9%. 
In Melbourne, asking prices for units rose by 1.4%. Year-on-year asking house price gains were the strongest in Melbourne, with prices rising by 22.2%.   
Hobart had the strongest asking price gains for units, up 19.7% over the year.  
Only Darwin and Perth experienced price falls as the mining downturn continues to impact the property markets there, SQM said.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/12/5/SQMIndex.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/12/5/SQMIndex.png" alt="">
<h3>Key Points </h3>
<ol>
<li>National listings rose 3.2% during the month of November to 334,594 residential properties, but were down 3.7% over the year.</li>
<li>Listings rose the most in Canberra over the month, up by 8.5%, to be up 10.8% over the year.</li>
<li>Listings jumped in Sydney by 5.6% over the month, to be up 20.1% over the year.</li>
<li>Hobart recorded a monthly rise in listings of 3.1%, but they are down 28.0% over the year.</li>
<li>Capital city asking prices rose over the year to December 5 by 10.2% for houses and 6.0% for units.</li>
</ol>
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Property listings rise in November as owners seek profits before summer break: SQM Research

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<div>SQM Research calculated that national residential listings fell in October by 1.4 percent to 324,228, with stock levels decreasing in most capital cities.  Melbourne posted the biggest drop of 3 percent, but listings bucked the national trend in Sydney and Canberra. Listings also rose in Adelaide by 2.6 percent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were gains of 2.8 percent in Sydney and 5.3 percent in Canberra. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Compared to a year ago, listings were down by 4.6 percent across all Australian capital cities. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The biggest drop was posted in Hobart, with listings down by 25 percent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>SQM said Melbourne followed, with listings down by 11 percent, reflecting tight supply in those two cities.</div>
<div>
 <img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/9badbd870addb4af72206c2eb/images/aa0a339d-60f7-4b4e-b970-360f8ad07a83.png" width="482" height="228">
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"It is not unusual to record a slight decline in listings in October," Louis Christopher at SQM said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"The initial September spring surge in listings has run its course. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>"A second surge in November usually occurs prior to the market closing for the year, and so, we expect listings to rise again next month."  "There is no evidence of any major correction in any city, however the large year-on-year rises in Sydney are demonstrating a downturn," he added.. SQM noted capital city asking prices rose 1 percent for houses but were flat for units for the month to October 24. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The largest monthly rise came from Hobart, where unit asking prices rose 10 percent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div> In Melbourne, asking prices for houses rose by 1.7 percent, with a 1.3 percent rise in asking prices for units. Year-on-year gains were also the strongest in Melbourne, with both houses and unit prices rising 21 percent and 12.7 percent respectively.</div>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sydney's October listings surge are a sign of the downturn: SQM

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Residential listings across Australia rose in September 2017 by 3.1% with stock levels rising in most capital cities, led by a jump in Sydney and Melbourne, according to SQM Research’s latest figures.
Despite the rise in listings to 328,751, asking prices for homes rose during the month for all capital cities including the two largest cities, indicating that sellers have not yet adjusted to the slower market, the firm said.
Sydney’s housing market continued to rise year on year, with listings up by 12.3%, the biggest increase of any capital city. 
However, national residential property listings were down by 5.4%, with Hobart recording the biggest fall of -25.5% and Melbourne (-12.9%).
“We know policy makers including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) have been very focused on slowing the Sydney housing market down. To this end, it appears their efforts have worked,” said Louis Christopher, managing director at SQM Research.
“I think more and more sellers are coming to the market hoping to sell at the peak, or close to it. Yet they are coming to the market with very lofty pricing expectations, hence we have seen auction clearance rates fall and days on market increase. There will be many disappointed sellers in Sydney by the end of this spring selling season.”
Elsewhere, Hobart was the only capital city to record falls in listings for the month, falling by 3.9%, which suggests ongoing booming market conditions for the city. Perth and Adelaide are now recording year-on-year declines in listings, falling by 3.5% and 2.6% respectively.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/03/SQMSept.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/03/SQMSept.png" alt="">
Capital city asking prices rose 0.6% for houses and 0.2% for units for the month. The largest monthly rise came from Perth houses, rising by 1.3%. Hobart units recorded the largest monthly fall of 0.7%. 
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Annual growth in asking house prices has slowed in Melbourne from around 22% last month, to around 20% for the 12 months ended October 3, while growth in Sydney has slowed to just below 10%.
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Property listings rose in September by 3%: SQM Research

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Data released by SQM Research has revealed the number of national residential vacancies was 75,733 homes in July 2017, giving a national vacancy rate of 2.3 percent, down from 2.4 percent in June.
The vacancy rate remained very tight at 0.5 percent in Hobart, down from 0.7 percent a month earlier, while it was slightly lower in Sydney at 2.0 percent, down from 2.1 percent.
Vacancies were steady in Melbourne at 1.7 percent, but are down from 2.1 percent a year earlier.
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Managing Director of SQM Research, Louis Christopher, said while vacancy rates had remained largely steady in Melbourne and Sydney, the numbers reflected still tight rental markets in those cities, where high costs mean many people are spending 30% or more of their income on rents.
“Our data shows that asking rents in Melbourne for house and units are up 4.6% and 5%, respectively, over the year to August 12, well above the inflation rate. 
"Excessive population growth is driving rents higher in that city, as well as house prices.
“On this front, I agree with Dick Smith and other economists on proposed immigration cuts.
"The surge in population is the primary reason why the RBA’s warnings last year and earlier this year of an oversupply in Sydney and Melbourne have not materialised.
“I suspect surging population growth is also the reason why APRA’s actions in 2015 to slow the investor market place in order to take the heat out of the Sydney and Melbourne market only worked temporarily.
"If we do not address this issue in the manner  required, it is unlikely housing affordability is going to materially improve from this point.
"Indeed, affordability could further deteriorate in the form of higher rents and higher house prices with the only other remedy being aggressive interest rates rise from the RBA,” Mr Christopher said.
“Meanwhile, Hobart is now experiencing very tight conditions.
"Vacancies are just 0.5% and market rents have effectively risen by over 10% in the last 12 months.
Unfortunately, few developers will build in Hobart due to the high transportation costs of moving materials across from the mainland plus the historical risks attached to the local economy,” Christopher said.
Asking Rents
While asking rental growth for houses has moderated slightly, the asking weekly rent for a three-bedroom house in Sydney sits at a high $729, leading all other cities.
For units, it sits at $520. Over the year to August 12, asking rents for houses in Melbourne rose 4.6%to $508 while for units, asking rents sit at $399.
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National vacancy rates decline during July period: SQM

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National residential listings fell in July 2017 by 5.1 percent to 316,748, with stock levels down in all capital cities during July according to SQM Research.
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM said Hobart led the drop in property listings at 10.5 percent, followed by a 7.4 percent fall in Melbourne.
"Listings in both cities were down sharply from a year earlier, keeping upward pressure on asking house and unit prices," he said.
"Compared to a year ago, national residential property listings were down by 9.0 percent.
"There was some seasonality in the numbers, which contributed to the drop in listings. June had an extra weekend while July did not.
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"That can make a big difference as each Friday there are several new property listings that enter the market, and so we think June listings were overinflated by this fact.
"Sydney residential property listings fell 5.7 percent as vendors await the spring selling season and sit on the sidelines during the winter period.
"Stock is still in short supply in some cities, particularly in Hobart and Melbourne.
"This has helped to push up asking prices for houses and units in those cities to well over the double digits, with Melbourne’s asking house price growth leading the nation at almost 22 percent over the year to August 1.
"We also probably saw more first home buyers enter the market in July, with Victoria and NSW introducing grants for first homebuyers from July 1, which will push up demand on property and prices."
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National residential listings fall in July: Louis Christopher

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Results released by SQM Research reveal national residential listings rose in June 2017 by 3% to 333,805, with significantly more stock hitting the market in Melbourne and Sydney over the month.
But listings in Melbourne were down sharply compared to a year earlier, which helped to lift asking house prices by an impressive 22.1%.
Compared to a year ago, national residential property listings were down by 3.3%.
While listings rose in most capital cities, big drops in Hobart and Melbourne pushed down the average across the nation.
The sharp drop in Melbourne listings of 12.7% over the year to June 30 is a stark contrast to the 12.3% jump in Sydney residential property listings as some vendors took advantage of strong price gains in the Harbour city to take profits on their properties before the end of financial year.
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research, said the listings data highlights that more properties were available for sale in June, helping to explain the downward trend in auction clearance rates over the month.
“Compared to May, we saw more homes being listed for sale,” Christopher said.
"At the same time, investors are retreating in the face of higher mortgage rates, which is helping to take some pressure off property prices in Sydney, with asking prices for houses and units down over the month.
“But in Melbourne, we are seeing continued strong growth in asking prices for units and especially for houses, which are up a staggering 22.1% over the year to June 27, with stock still in short supply.”
The table below indicates that over the month ending 27 June, asking prices for houses jumped in Melbourne and Hobart, helping to push up the average asking prices across the nation.
However, asking prices fell in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth, where higher stocks levels in all those cities contributed to downward pressure.
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National property listings rebound in June: SQM

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National residential listings increased marginally by 0.5% to 324,041 over the month of May 2017, results released by SQM Research reveal.
The data reveals Sydney, Brisbane and Darwin posted the highest monthly increase in listings, up 5.9%, 3.2% and 3.0%, respectively. 
However, property listings fell in Hobart and Melbourne over the month. In Hobart, listings dropped 5.7% and Melbourne 1.2%.  
Over the year, listings were down in all capital cities except Canberra and Sydney which increased 2.7% and 2.0% respectively.
There were steep drops of 18.9% in Hobart and 19.5% in Melbourne over the year which reflects very robust market conditions in these two cities.
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Louis Christopher, SQM Research's managing director, said the listings data suggests the national market was still relatively strong.  
"Normally, May listings increase over April due to the multiple holiday periods in that month," he said.
"So a 0.5% list for May is actually quite modest.
"The Sydney rise of 5.9% is a little on the weaker side and I also note the monthly decline in asking prices of 1% for that city.  
"While it is still too early to call a slowdown in Sydney at this stage, we are watching this market closely as there has been increasing evidence of a possible slowdown.
"Meanwhile the listings activity and asking prices out of Melbourne suggest there were very robust market conditions throughout May.  
"To record a 1.2% decline in listings plus a near 6% surge in asking prices for houses is about as strong as it gets."
The table below indicates that over the month ending 6 June, asking house and unit prices recorded marginal decreases in Sydney, Darwin, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Hobart and Melbourne posted gains.  
Nationally, asking house prices showed no growth and unit prices recorded a decrease of 0.4%
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Modest rise in national listings suggest ongoing strength: SQM Research

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The rise in the number of unreported auctions could mean bad news for the property market, according to SQM Research. 
“In life, there is a tendency to want to report good news but not so much the bad news,” says Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research in its latest newsletter.
And over the years this “primal tendency” has compromised the voluntary reporting of auction results, he says.
This could suggest there is more bad news in the property market, notwithstanding any surge in listings which may make it difficult for auction reporting teams to compile the results before the day is out.
In this regard, I thought it worthwhile republishing some historical auction numbers from this year, 2015 and 2012.
A comparison between the data from earlier this year and 2015 is striking, particularly for Sydney. In 2015, the Sydney market was rising at its fastest rate in 30 years. 
The numbers give you an understanding of relative unreported rates during the best of times verses the current times where last weekend, nearly 30 percent of auctions were not reported. 
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In 2015, auction clearance rates were higher and unreported auction rates were lower. Volumes were also about 10% lower – perhaps making it easier for the auctions collection team on the day.
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<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/31/SydAuctions2012.png" alt=""> 
Turning the clock back to 2012 – a time when the Sydney and Melbourne housing markets were nearing the end of a two-year downturn, auction clearance rates were lower. However, auction reporting rates were higher and improving. 
Auction data on Melbourne is not available, he noted.
Overall, the evidence suggests that home prices are still rising in Sydney and Melbourne. However, clearance rates are off their peaks and unreported rates have been rising, particularly in Sydney. Listings are also higher, suggesting more vendors may be thinking the property market is at its peak or close to it.
“In my opinion, clearance rates need to be lower than current levels before a peak and new downturn can be called.  
“We need to see clearance rates fall to around mid 60 percent for Sydney and high 60 percent for Melbourne. We are not close to those levels yet even after making an adjustment for unreported rates,” says Christopher.
So, prices are still going up in those markets but “we are getting close to a top and perhaps the major banks passing on the bank levy might just be the point which creates a trigger for a slowdown” concludes Christopher.
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