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First-home buyer numbers are up but affordability worse: REIA / Adelaide Bank report

New Research from the REIA and Adelaide Bank shows the number of first-home buyers in the market increased during the December quarter, even though housing affordability declined.

International

Design

Why choose a natural swimming pool?

"Swimming in soft, natural water is untainted, pure joy," says Ralf Schmiel of natural pool specialist, gartenART - Australia.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Featured Property

Luxurious Killara home set amidst private manicured gardens

The full brick home showcases multiple casual and formal living zones, including a home theatre hub. For sale by Glenn Curran and Neo Wang of McGrath Lindfield.

National

Politics

Government inactivity contributes to affordability problems say HIA and Grattan

Both the HIA and the Grattan Institute are calling for urgent government action on housing affordability.

International National

Design

Three Aussie projects win top prizes at World Architecture News Awards

Three Australian projects won top prize in their category at the WAN awards, announced in London last week.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Politics

Prime minister launches City Deal for Western Sydney

Malcolm Turnbull, Gladys Berejiklian and eight Western Sydney councils have agreed to a co-ordinated plan for the region, including plans for Badgerys Creek airport, new bus and rail links, the Badgerys Creek "Aerotropolis", and an agribusiness precinct.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Featured Property

Bold, beautiful and bespoke in Brunswick

This one-of-a-kind, five-bedroom, period showpiece is set amid lush landscape gardens. For sale through Matthew Layburn of Nelson Alexander Brunswick and Carl Sacco of Nelson Alexander Preston.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

The Economy

It pays to work closely with buyers in the current market: Chris Hassall, Buxton Bentleigh

With property markets returning to more moderate levels, it pays to work closely with buyers to secure sales, says Chris Hassall of Buxton Bentleigh.

New South Wales (NSW)

Politics

REINSW to explain real estate reforms at 2018 Roadshow

Changes to training and licensing requirements in the real estate industry will be the focus of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales’ 2018 Roadshow series.

National

Politics

Transform state agency approval processes to lower new housing costs: Property Council

A new report has found that fixing inefficiencies in the approval processes of major housing projects could unlock $360 million in economic benefits, and help ease some of the pressure on property prices.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/national-association-of-building-designers-to-get

First female president for building designers association

The National Association of Building Designers has confirmed that Tamica Lewis and Sam Payne will take over as the new President and Vice President respectively.

Architecture & Design

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-07/harry-triguboff-billionaire-property-developer-building-meriton/6676962

Harry Triguboff: Billionaire property developer on building the Meriton empire and housing affordability

Harry Triguboff, or "High-Rise Harry", is Australia's third richest man and the visionary responsible for introducing affordable apartment blocks to inner-city Sydney. The self-made billionaire's company, Meriton, is Australia's largest residential developer.

ABC News

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/architect-nik-karalis-made-head-of-woods-bagots-global-operations/story-fnko7zi0-1227471556562

Architect Nik Karalis made head of Woods Bagot’s global operations

Nik Karalis sounds relaxed, and with good reason. It’s been two weeks since being promoted to head of architecture firm Woods Bagot’s global operations. Woods Bagot now has 14 offices in five regions throughout the world.

The Australian

http://www.perthnow.com.au/realestate/news/joe-hockey-orders-foreign-investors-to-sell-australian-properties/story-fnhlgriw-1227475417364

Foreign investors in Hockey's sights

Treasurer Joe Hockey has ordered the sale of six foreign-owned residential properties, including in Perth, and warned there are others in his sights. Mr Hockey announced on Saturday five investors from four countries have 12 months to sell their half-dozen properties in Sydney and on the outskirts of Brisbane and in Perth.

Perth Now

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/key-housing-issues-not-being-addressed-says-john-symond/story-fn9656lz-1227474432646

Key housing issues not being addressed, says John Symond

Australia’s market regulators have failed to address fundamental problems in the housing sector, according to Aussie Home Loans chairman John Symond, who this morning used a parliamentary inquiry to lash taxation arrangements and foreign buyers for driving first-home buyers from the property market.

The Australian

http://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/why-house-prices-dont-need-to-be-a-consistent-multiple-of-income/story-fncq3era-1227475132661

Should income keep pace with house prices?

It makes sense house prices should be linked to income. But if the graph creeps up, does that mean there’s going to be a housing crash?

news.com.au

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-08/investigations-into-illegal-foreign-investor-property-purchases/6682872

Investigations into foreign investors allegedly illegally buying Australian homes more than doubles

The number of investigations into foreign investors allegedly illegally purchasing Australian homes has more than doubled since June, Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey says. Mr Hockey said there were now 462 cases under investigation.

ABC Online

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/cba-tightening-up-on-property-developer-finance-20150804-gir2v0

CBA tightening up on property developer finance

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has tightened its lending to apartment developers because new capital requirements, and particularly the restrictions on lending to investors, increase the settlement risk at the end of the project.

The Australian Financial Review