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Sydney the second-best place in the world to visit, according to U.S. News

Sydney has been ranked second in the 'World's Best Places to Visit' by U.S. News, which says the city is "both a laid-back beachside town and a thriving metropolis".

New South Wales (NSW)

Featured Property

Soak up the serenity of this pavilion-style home in the Byron hinterland

'Beyond Byron' is an architect owned-and-designed home with spectacular views of the valley. The home is for sale for $2.8 million with agent Nicolette van Wijngaarden of Unique Estates Australia.

National

The Economy

Experience matters: HoldenCAPITAL

An experienced development finance broker, like Melvin Seeto of HoldenCAPITAL, can attract competitive pricing and terms from lenders.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

Construction

Construction to begin soon on Brisbane residential tower 443 Queen Street

The Brisbane apartment tower 443 Queen Street, which features subtropical design and units promoted as 'houses in the sky', will close its display office on 23 July, as the developers prepare for construction.

National

Politics

Rental contracts are being amended to restrict subletting tenants

There are good reasons for landlords to require written permission for tenants to sub-let their properties, says REIA president, Malcolm Gunning.

Queensland (Qld)

Featured Property

On top of the world: 'Eagles Nest' Port Douglas has views from the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree

A 1,000sqm immaculate Port Douglas home is for sale with Callum Jones of The Pink Company Port Douglas for $4.25 million.

National

The Economy

2016 Census: what does it tell us about housing in Australia?

The data in the 2016 census confirms trends we already know about: the population is growing strongly, fewer people own their homes, more people are renting, and household size is shrinking.

National

The Economy

The best and worst suburbs to buy off the plan

Waterloo in NSW, inner-city Melbourne, and Fortitude Valley in Queensland are higher risk areas to buy off-the-plan apartments, according to new research from Risk Wise Property.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Construction

Tim Gurner to expand into offices

Tim Gurner, best known for residential property development, has revealed plans to develop a $90 million office tower.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Featured Property

Ornate Victorian home with sleek contemporary addition creates a timeless investment

An attractively renovated Brighton home in a quiet cul-de-sac is for sale through Justin Follett and Marcus Heron of Follett & Co for $2.45 million.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/rea-attacks-fairfax-model-for-real-estate-site/story-e6frg996-1227220641375

Media rivals tussle over real estate portals

News Corp's REA Group, owner of realestate.com.au, has criticised Fairfax Media, owner of Domain, over the launch of a new online real estate business owned by Domain and real estate agents.

The Australian

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/32935-australian-hedge-fund-bets-1-billon-on-zillow-trulia

Big money in real estate portals

One of Australia’s largest hedge funds, Caledonia Funds, is betting big on the future of online real estate in the U.S., to the tune of more than $1 billion. Caledonia Funds disclosed that it currently owns nearly 20% of Zillow and more than 27% of Trulia.

Housing Wire

http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/02/13/australia-china-banking-idINL4N0VN2GV20150213

Chinese-owned bank coming to Oz soon

A Sydney-based investment management company is planning to set up the first privately-owned Chinese bank in Australia, catering to the rising numbers of wealthy Chinese people living and investing in the country, a senior executive said on Friday.

Reuters

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8170-major-bank-announces-new-ceo?utm_source=MB&utm_campaign=MBNewsflash16_02_2015&utm_medium=email

New ANZ boss

ANZ today announced that Mark Whelan will succeed Philip Chronican as CEO Australia reporting to Chief Executive Officer Mike Smith with Mr Chronican intending to pursue a non-executive career following a distinguished 32-year career in banking.

Mortgage Business

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2015-02/12/content_19561001.htm

Chinese investors shifting focus

A Knight Frank study shows Chinese investors have been moving from core office and residential developments into leisure and industrial assets when they seek opportunities in overseas realty markets. In 2014, Australia recorded the strongest growth in inbound real estate investment from China, with a rise of more than 60 percent year-on-year.

China Daily

http://www.afr.com/p/mirvac_on_track_as_first_half_profit_olWNfyCTD7BQ1TH8EbvWOP

Mirvac benefiting from residential boom

Mirvac Group has posted a 2014-15 interim operating profit of $A231.2m, which is 15.5 per cent higher than previously. CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz says the group benefited from the strong residential property market in Sydney.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.wsj.com/articles/australias-byron-bay-has-beaches-grazing-animalsand-rising-real-estate-values-1423762537

Byron Bay's hot real estate

A growing group of home buyers wooed to Byron Bay. While many homeowners buy property as vacation homes, real-estate agents say more people are moving here full time because of Byron Bay’s geographical setup.

The Wall Street Journal

http://www.afr.com/p/bankstown_enjoys_next_wave_of_growth_FkpGo0XInBPocOnDjmNhMN

Bankstown enjoys next wave of growth

Bankstown in Sydney's west is set to catch up with the rest of the city's strong real estate market, as two properties worth more than $90 million hit the market in the coming weeks. Bankstown experienced one of the highest increases in residential land values– 29 per cent – across the Sydney metro region in 2013-14.

The Australian Financial Review