The Real Estate Conversation

Depreciation and off-the-plan properties

Investors who are looking to purchase a new property often look at buying off-the plan, says BMT Tax Depreciation.

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

Tightened lending rules see new home sales plunge

New home sales fell by 14.9 per cent in the final quarter of last year, dropping to their lowest level in seven years, according to the Housing Industry Association of Australia (HIA).

Featured Property

"Heaven on earth" in the Currumbin Valley hinterland

Get away from the rat race in this stunning hinterland retreat nestled in the Currumbin Valley. For sale by Mishy Canning of LJ Hooker Palm Beach.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne Collingwood

Sellers expected to wait until late February to begin auctioning properties

Australia's auction market has gotten off to a slow start this year.

New South Wales (NSW)

Politics

Renewed calls for stamp duty reform in the wake of REINSW figures

A report commissioned by the Real Estate Institute of NSW has revealed the top 50 suburbs where the most stamp duty is paid, prompting CEO Tim McKibbin to speak out against the the way the tax is calculated.

People

Get to know Scott McElroy

In his more than 25 years with hockingstuart, Scott McElroy has been deeply involved in the early days of Melbourne's push into large residential projects, and the adaptation of large industrial buildings for residential use.

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

Featured Property

Hamptons inspired excellence in Robina

Live the Hamptons lifestyle in this dreamy Robina abode. For sale by Renee Morgan of Queensland Sotheby's International Realty.

Western Australia (WA)Perth

"No good news" in latest housing finance figures

The number of home loan approvals fell by 0.9 per cent in November, and economists warn the weakness in the housing market is likely to be felt for some time.

Perth market showing signs of life

With the median house price lifting, REIWA President Damian Collins is optimistic about Perth's property market.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/state-government-considers-reopening-parramatta-jail-20160310-gng3mc.html

5 homes to buy if you won last night's Powerball jackpot

Won the Powerball jackpot last night? Here are some of the most amazing homes from around the country to spend your winnings on.

Pages

News Roundup

Baird says major Parramatta redevelopment will proceed - despite thoughts of reopening neighbouring jail

The state-heritage listed jail was closed in 2011, but the government is now analysing the costs of re-opening it in a bid to deal with record numbers of inmates and overcrowding in prisons.

The Sydney Morning Herald

http://www.afr.com/opinion/bis-shrapnel-why-limiting-negative-gearing-would-push-up-rents-20160309-gnf5y9

BIS Shrapnel: Why limiting negative gearing would push up rents

Most of the concern about housing has focused on affordability for owner occupiers. And that is a challenge. Our concern is affordability for renters.

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/exlittle-projects-ceo-michael-fox-emerges-with-new-jv-costafox-20160218-gmxccf

Ex-Little Projects CEO Michael Fox emerges with new JV CostaFox

Fox says the Sydney market has more room for prestige homes.

https://theconversation.com/how-negative-gearing-changes-can-bring-life-back-to-eerily-quiet-suburbs-55750

How negative-gearing changes can bring life back to eerily quiet suburbs

While curbing negative gearing would ease house prices in the short term, in the longer term some suburbs will benefit as empty housing comes onto the market. The synergies of higher-density, mixed-use development within reach of good public transport will then come into play.

The Conversation

http://www.apimagazine.com.au/2016/03/women-deserve-respect-on-building-sites/

Women deserve respect on building sites

Challenging the CFMEU to do better in their treatment of women on building sites is important, according to Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia.

Australian Property Investor

http://www.wsj.com/articles/spanish-colonial-once-owned-by-cary-grant-goes-on-the-market-1457622960

Spanish Colonial Once Owned by Cary Grant Goes on the Market

The onetime Palm Springs home of Hollywood actor Cary Grant is going on the market for $3.495m. Mr Grant lived in 'Las Palomas' for about 20 years from the 1950s to the 1970s.

The Wall Street Journal

http://www.afr.com/news/politics/government-goes-negative-on-negative-gearing-20160308-gne326

Government goes negative on negative gearing

Having ditched its own plans to touch negative gearing, the government has decided to mount a full-blown assault on Labor's policy throughout the federal election campaign with the claim that it will 'cripple' the economy and crash the markets.

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/housing-boom-rewards-sydney-melbourne-home-owners-with-equity-boost-20160309-gnejee

Housing boom rewards Sydney, Melbourne home owners with equity boost

The recent housing boom has given home owners in Sydney and Melbourne a boost, with surging values raising the levels of equity they enjoy in their homes.