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Create some extra splash this spring by claiming depreciation for your pool: BMT

What should you consider if you buy an investment property with a swimming pool? BMT Tax Depreciation looks at what can be claimed as depreciation.

The Economy

Investors, owner occupiers continue driving price gains in June quarter: REIA

Median property prices across Australia's capital cities continued to rise in the June quarter, according to the REIA Real Estate Market Facts report.

New South Wales (NSW)

People

Get to know David Moses, MD of award-winning builder Horizon Habitats

David Moses is managing director of building company, Horizon Habitats. He spoke to SCHWARTZWILLIAMS about the company's three wins at the recent Master Builders Association NSW Excellence in Housing Awards.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Featured Property

Elegant showpiece in prime Sydney Harbourside position

Michael Suttor-designed residence, footsteps to Gibson's Beach, a stroll to Watson's Bay: enjoy Sydney's best lifestyle. For sale through Ken Jacobs of Christie's International and Elliott Placks of Ray White Double Bay.

International

The Economy

Australia ranks 11th on Knight Frank's Global House Price Index

Knight Frank's quarterly survey of property prices in 55 nations puts Australia in 11th spot with 10.2 per cent annual growth.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

People

Get to know Clarence White, 2017 Australasian Auctioneering Championship finalist

His first auction was on a rainy day and the only bidder walked away before bidding had even begun, but today Clarence White is a two-time finalist in the Australasian Auctioneering Championships.

New South Wales (NSW)

The Economy

Short-term rentals can deliver three times normal rents: Di Jones

But over the last 12 months, Di Jones has noticed an increase in the number of people who have been 'burnt' using services such as Airbnb and Stayz.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

Featured Property

'Abian': Brisbane's finest apartment building

Abian has set the new standard in Brisbane luxury apartment living. Built by renowned developers, Sunland, Abian captures the River City's views of Botanical Gardens, Southbank, City Skyline and Kangaroo Point Cliffs. For sale by Hamish Bowman, Ray White New Farm.

Victoria (Vic.)

Design

A second bathroom can add six figures to the price of your home: REIV

Second bathrooms are adding six figures to sale prices in a number of Melbourne suburbs, according to new data from the REIV.

The Economy

One third of all home loans based on "lies": UBS

A UBS survey of 900 people who took out home loans this year, found that only 67 per cent said their application was "completely factual and accurate".

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-news-bc-australia-housing21-20150421-story.html

Mine bust halves home prices in Australia Outback

Australia is experiencing a two-speed housing market: while prices in Sydney have surged to records, the end of the mining boom is depressing home values in commodity-rich regions where prices once rivaled those in New York and London.

Chicago Tribune

http://www.smh.com.au/business/australian-property-seen-as-hot-destination-for-money-laundering-20150422-1mqpdn.html

Australian property seen as hot destination for money laundering

Australia needs to tighten safeguards against money laundering in its booming property market, which has attracted Chinese funds with likely links to corruption, an international anti-money laundering body said in a report.

The Sydney Morning Herald

http://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/housing-affordability-means-re-evaluating-the-australian-dream/story-fndban6l-1227313310496

Housing affordability means re-evaluating the Australian dream

The core issue is being able to afford a property in a location where first home buyers want to live. And the city’s outskirts, where homes are most affordable, are not those places. Chances are they can’t settle where they would like to. They would rather rent.

news.com.au

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/meet-the-aussie-startup-which-gives-businesses-the-same-technology-employed-to-track-serial-killers-2015-4

Aussie start-up helps real estate business

Australian startup Ruppells Griffon uses geospacial technology to help businesses understand their customers better or identify new sales opportunities, and real estate agents can use it to find trends in the rental property market.

Business Insider Australia

http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/mining-house-prices-heading-south-with-commodities

Mining house prices heading south with commodities

Property prices have plummeted in mining towns around Australia, closely tied to commodity prices according to a new report. Real estate valuers Propell have charted the significant losses in the housing market in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales over the past few years, with projections showing housing prices will continue to fall.

Australian Mining

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/plans-leaked-sydney-s-badgery-creek-airport-said-t

Sydney’s Badgery Creek Airport to commence construction next year

Confidential plans for Sydney's second airport at Badgerys Creek have been leaked, showing that the airport would eventually rival the size of JFK International Airport in New York.

Architecture & Design

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/qualitas-spends-80m-on-st-kilda-road-tower-20150422-1mqdjj

Qualitas spends $80m on St Kilda Road tower

Boutique real estate financier Qualitas has acquired a St Kilda Road office tower for $80 million with plans to convert it into a luxury $300 million apartment development targeted at downsizing empty nesters.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/house-price-growth-to-slow-next-year-nab/story-fn9656lz-1227313312530?utm_content=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=EditorialSF&utm_source=TheAustralian&utm_medium=Twitter

House price growth to slow next year: NAB

The national growth in house prices is tipped to hit 4.4 per cent by the end of 2015, before slowing next year. The National Australia Bank’s quarterly residential property survey predicts Sydney will lead the charge with house price growth of 7.7 per cent by the end of this year.

The Australian