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Have your say: draft superannuation laws to tackle housing affordability pressures

The superannuation measures announced in the 2017 Federal Budget aimed at alleviating housing affordability pressures have been put into draft legislation, and are now available for review and comment on the Treasury web site.

International

People

Meg Ryan sells industrial-chic loft in 1880s SoHo building for AU$12 million

After five months on the market, Meg Ryan has found a buyer for her industrial-chic loft in a classic Soho building.

Queensland (Qld)Sunshine Coast

Featured Property

Castaway Beach's 'Salt and Sand' delivers an island lifestyle on the mainland

'Salt and Sand' is a large, flexible beach house, master built by Glen Watson Building & Design, and now for sale through Tom Offermann Real Estate Noosa Heads for $2.395 million.

Victoria (Vic.)

People

It's not a house, it's a home: 'Castle' house sells for $40,000 as relocatable home

The modest three-bedroom weatherboard cottage that won the hearts of the nation in the 1997 hit comedy, 'The Castle', sold for eight times the reserve price on Wednesday afternoon.

National

The Economy

Low inflation data suggests interest rates likely to remain low: REIA

Inflation rose 0.2 per cent in the June quarter, making an annual increase of 1.9 per cent, suggesting that interest rates will remain low for some time, says Malcom Gunning, president of the REIA.

New South Wales (NSW)

People

Laing+Simmons marks 50 years at awards night

Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie was office of the year, D’Leanne Lewis was top income producer, and Laing+Simmons Double Bay was the top income producing office, all achievements celebrated at Laing+Simmons' annual awards night on the weekend.

New South Wales (NSW)

Featured Property

Bronte Beach House: walk out the back gate to one of Sydney's most beautiful beaches

A four-bedroom home on Bronte Beach, with panoramic beach views from almost every room and close to buzzing Bronte village, is for sale for $12 million through Grant Dale and Simon Platt of Unique Estates Australia.

National

Design

Homes designed for the telecommuter: is this the future of home and work?

SCHWARTZWILLIAMS takes a look at a new type of home, where work and home life happen under the same roof.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Design

Gurner working with council on Wellington Street amendments, responds to councillor comments

Tim Gurner spoke to SCHWARTZWILLIAMS about his Koichi Takada-designed, Wellington Street development in Collingwood, and about the "unhelpful" comments from councillor Steve Jolly.

Politics

Sirius stands as court rules against NSW government

The Land and Environment Court found that former heritage minister, Mark Speakman, did not properly consider the heritage significance of the brutalist Sirius building.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8188-macquarie-confident-it-will-avoid-wrath-of-regulator?utm_source=Mortgage%20Business&utm_campaign=Mortgage_Business_Newsletter23_02_2015&utm_medium=email

Macquarie confident it will avoid wrath of regulator

Macquarie Bank is adamant it will not be targeted by APRA for growing its investor lending by more than 75 per cent in 12 months. Speaking at an operational briefing following the release of its December quarter figures last week, Macquarie group head of banking and financial services, Greg Ward, said he did not believe the bank will be targeted by the regulator since it is “too small”.

Mortgage Business

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-20/real-estate-agents-are-desperate-to-understand-millennial-homebuyers

Selling to the next generation

Real estate agents are desperate to understand millennial homebuyers.

Bloomberg

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/46311167.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Rising US dollar strengthening real estate market in Dubai

Regional and international investors are the key drivers of the UAE real estate industry, aided by the maturity of the market, and all this will contribute to further growth of the sector. The strong dollar is cooling the market and weeding out short-term investors. Rental yields in Dubai are still one of the most lucrative worldwide as well as ROI on buying.

The Economic Times

http://www.afr.com/p/devine_profitable_as_sale_lingers_KqXGKtjueUM4X9BuMRerkL

Devine profits up while sale negotiations

Australian-listed residential developer Devine, which is negotiating with potential buyers, has reported a pre-tax profit of $A10 million for 2014. The company lost $A85 million in 2013. Prospective buyers include AVJennings and private equity adviser Proprium Capital Partners.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/realestate/news/modest-merrylands-home-gets-122m-at-auction/story-fni0cly4-1227224306489

$1.22 million for modest house

A modest two-bedroom house in Merrylands in Sydney's western suburbs sold under the hammer for $1.22 million, earning its owners $400,000 in about 18 months

Paramatta Advertiser

http://www.inman.com/2015/02/18/international-portal-lamudi-raises-19-million/

Emerging market portal will bolster presence in Latin America, Asia

Lamudi, a rapidly growing international real estate portal with a focus on emerging markets, has raised $19 million to strengthen its presence in Latin America and Asia.

Inman

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/news-Did-Hong-Kongs-amazingly-punitive-stamp-duties-work-2303

Stamp duties on foreigners reap rewards for Hong Kong government

The Hong Kong government racked up in the excess of HK$37.7 billion (US$4.86 billion) revenue from stamp duties in 2014. Stamp duties imposed on foreign property buyers, purchasers of a second home and short-term speculators have been a major contributor. The revenue from stamp duties is likely to go up to a whopping HK$70 billion (US$9.02 billion) this year, prompting real estate industry professionals to demand relaxations.

Global Property Guide

http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/18/china_mogul_enemies/

Chinese real estate mogul criticises Xi Jinping government

Ren Zhiqiang, a 64-year-old real estate mogul and outspoken blogger with 29 million followers on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo, has accused the Chinese government under Xi Jinping of steamrolling over private property rights, among other criticisms.

Foreign Policy