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Villa World to build 500 new homes in Melbourne's north-west growth corridor

Residential property developer Villa World has bought two sites in Melbourne's outer suburb of Plumpton, where it is expected to build 500 affordable to mid-priced homes.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

Featured Property

Ultra-modern Brisbane home with concrete tunnel entrance for sale

This stunning Ascot residence with a secret Batman-style tunnel is for sale through Tyson Clarke and Stephen Weber of Queensland Sotheby's International Realty.

National

The Economy

Buyers not deterred by long weekend, as strong sales continue

Despite it being a holiday weekend, last week saw a number of strong sale results around the country.

National

Design

Winners revealed for the 2017 Australian Interior Design Awards

Smart Design Studio’s Indigo Slam has received the Premier Award for Australian Interior Design, the country's leading award in the field.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

The Economy

Melbourne achieves record autumn auctions

While temperatures cooled across Melbourne, the city's auction market remained hot, with more homes sold at auction than during any other autumn.

Queensland (Qld)

Featured Property

Private Queensland beachfront estate for sale for $9.5m

'Trinity Beach Palace' is for sale through Simon J Cowan and Paul Arthur of Queensland Sotheby's International Realty.

National

The Economy

First-home buyers remain out in the cold, despite affordability improvements

The number of first-home buyers in Australia declined 11.2% over the March quarter, according to latest Adelaide Bank/REIA Housing Affordability Report.

International

The Economy

Australia 20th on Knight Frank Global House Price Index

Australia has risen 17 places to 20th on Knight Frank's Global House Price Index, which measures mainstream residential property markets around the world.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

McGrath takes 33 Millers Point apartments to market

Peter Starr is taking McGrath's largest Millers Point offering yet to market, with 33 apartments for sale in four buildings.

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

Featured Property

A Sanctuary Cove home with views across the river to a nature reserve is for sale

An architect-designed Sanctuary Cove home in a serene setting is on the market for $4,250,000 through Matt Gates of Ray White Sanctuary Cove.

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