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National

People

Get to know 'thought leader' Douglas Driscoll, CEO of Starr Partners

Douglas Driscoll, CEO and owner of boutique agency Starr Partners, says he is living the dream.

International

People

Take a peek at Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis's new Californian beach house

When the Hollywood sweethearts want to get away from it all - a six-bedroom beach house in Carpinteria, only a couple of hours from LA.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Featured Property

A family haven only a stone's throw from Broadway

An industrial-style home in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Glebe is for sale through Duncan Gordon of Raine & Horne Newtown.

National

The Economy

Navigating the ever-changing oceans of development finance

When Dan Holden began compiling HoldenCAPITAL's Elite Property Developers Product Guide, the numbers showed how important non-bank lenders have become on the development finance scene.

Western Australia (WA)

The Economy

The most affordable suburbs in Western Australia's South West

The towns of Withers and Usher are "hidden gems" says REIWA councillor Joe White.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Politics

Vic government introduces new laws to protect Yarra River

New Victorian legislation identifies the Yarra River and the land it flows through as one living, integrated entity, the first time in Australia such a declaration has been made.

Victoria (Vic.)

Featured Property

Watch the sun set over the ocean at your very own vineyard

‘Views and Vines’ is a productive six-acre vineyard in Drysdale with a grand homestead perfect for entertaining large groups. The property is for sale through Lee Martin and Chris Bartley of Bellarine Property Barwon Heads.

Politics

NSW budget fails to deliver: REINSW

The NSW government has failed to help those wanting to buy property, says John Cunningham, president of the REINSW.

New South Wales (NSW)

The Economy

Southern Highlands the favourite alternative for Sydney families: Di Jones

The Southern Highlands has become the favourite alternative for Sydney renters and buyers alike, with more affordable homes and lifestyle drawing families to the region.

People

Get to know Ben Khong, sales agent with Cranecorp

Ben Khong is a sales agent with property developer Cranecorp. With a background in fashion, he loves working with the developer's design teams, and takes the 'two ears, one mouth' approach when dealing with his clients.

Pages

News Roundup

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2015/02/24/australias-frothy-house-prices-make-another-cut-unlikely-at-least-for-now/

Australia’s frothy house prices make another cut unlikely–at least for now

Next week the reserve bank is likely to signal its intention to cut rates again–just not immediately.

The Wall Street Journal

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/24/idUSFit91508520150224

Increased Australian bank mortgage risk manageable, says Fitch

Fitch Ratings says Australian banks' generally strong loss absorption capacity leaves them well positioned to deal with increasing risks in their mortgage books.

Reuters

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/one-of-the-largest-real-estate-firms-in-the-world-may-be-up-for-sale-2015-2

One of the world's largest real estate firms possibly up for sale

New York-based property management company Cushman & Wakefield may be headed toward a sale. The Agnelli family, which owns the firm, is reportedly seeking a buyer in what could be a multi-billion dollar deal.

Business Insider Australia

http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/cause-alarm-properties-non-compliant/2555580/

More than one third of rented properties don't have correct smoke alarms

Figures compiled by Smoke Alarms Australia, Australia's longest-running residential smoke alarms specialist, after carrying out inspections in more than 140,000 residential properties Australia-wide show that over 1 in 3 (36%) properties managed by real estate agencies in Queensland require at least one of their smoke alarms to be replaced, and almost 1 in 4 (23%) have no working smoke alarms installed at all.

News Mail

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8196-non-major-sees-no-end-to-investor-appetite

No end to property investment boom, says ME Bank

ME Bank's national broker manager, Stewart Saunders, said that with interest rates continuing to drop, it is “definitely becoming attractive” for investors to enter the market, adding that in some areas they are almost able to positively gear properties.

Mortgage Business

http://www.afr.com/p/rate_bubbliness_brewing_in_shares_L4MAdRJTYpuqXc6W83UZYM

Rate bubbliness brewing in property

Expectations of further rate cuts and a lower Australian dollar are giving some fund managers reason to cheer financial markets higher. But others warn the bubble zone is closing in across shares, property and bonds.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-24/kwinana-urban-development-law-delay-sparks-concern/6257728

Developers and Gov at odds over Kwinana industrial area

There are concerns about delays to legislation designed to stop urban development encroaching on the Kwinana industrial area in Western Australia. Property developers have been at odds with the Government over its plans to enforce a legally binding buffer zone in the Kwinana industrial area to keep heavy industry and residential communities apart.

ABC News

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/woods-bagot-rejects-merger-offers-but-other-practi

Oz architecture firms boost global reach

Woods Bagot is not the only Australian firm increasing their global presence, and although they are openly rejecting international offers for mergers deals, other Australian firms are taking the merger and alliance approach in a bid to boost international reach.

Architecture & Design