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Mortgage stress on the rise in Australia

More than half of households are contributing more than 30 per cent of their disposable household income - a common benchmark for financial stress - towards rent or paying off their mortgage.

Western Australia (WA)Perth

The Economy

Perth property market begins recovery in December quarter: REIWA

REIWA December quarter data in the key categories of median price, sales activity, listing levels and average selling days were all good news.

International

Design

Painting buildings white can help cool cities

Reflective surfaces, such as unploughed fields and brighter cities, can help lower temperatures during heat waves, according to new research.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane Gold Coast

Featured Property

A rare piece of paradise on Ephraim Island

A beachfront property on exclusive Ephraim Island is for sale through Vincent Chen of Re/Max Central Partners Brisbane.

New South Wales (NSW)

The Economy

Seachangers driving demand for Central Coast property: Colin Granger, George Brand Real Estate

"Our Sydney buyers think we're dirt cheap," says Terrigal agent, Colin Granger of George Brand Real Estate.

Tasmania (Tas.)

The Economy

"People are hurting" says Tony Collidge, REIT, on strong growth in the Tasmanian housing market

The huge positives in the Tasmanian economy have created a huge negative - a worrying shortage of housing, says Tony Collidge, president of the REIT.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Markets

Three-bedroom houses outperforming all other Melbourne property types: REIV

The increased proportion of owner occupiers in the market is driving greater demand for family homes, says the REIV.

Western Australia (WA)

Featured Property

A modern home with Balinese elements in a prestigious Margaret River location

A stunning home in Margaret River's most exclusive 'Wallcliffe Farms' estate is for sale through Paul Manners of Space Real Estate Cottesloe.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Markets

Open home numbers "encouraging and surprising": Josh Larsen, Di Jones

"A few of us have been surprised by the numbers" at open homes, says Di Jones' head auctioneer, Josh Larsen.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

People

Bridgeman Downs luxury acreage achieves near record price in only 30 days

An iconic luxury acreage in Brisbane's exclusive Bridgeman Downs has sold for $4.9 million through Place estate agent and managing director, Sarah Hackett.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/7/22/property/australia-still-hot-property-foreign-investors

Australia is still hot property for foreign investors

As the RBA’s latest minutes bemoan the Australian dollar’s decline as still inadequate, fresh evidence has emerged showing offshore buyers are snapping up Australian property at increasing rates.

Business Spectator

http://money.cnn.com/2015/07/22/real_estate/london-backyard-2-million/

Backyard sells for $2 million in London real estate boom

Even in London's white hot real estate market, this seems crazy.

CNN Money

http://www.afr.com/personal-finance/specialist-investments/forex/forexhappy-expats-help-fuel-australias-real-estate-market-20150721-gigvtb

Forex-happy expats help fuel Australia's real estate market

The Chinese aren't the only ones fuelling Australia's property boom, with expats forming a powerful new wave of buyers as they cash in on opportunistic foreign property gains and bring their money home. Local Australians are benefiting, too, as they seek to repatriate funds invested in distressed US property zones.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/tougher-restrictions-on-foreign-investment-has-done-little-to-halt-sales-to-overseas-buyers/story-fncq3era-1227450808649

Tougher restrictions on foreign investment has done little to halt sales to overseas buyers

The latest NAB Quarterly Australian Residential Property Survey found while foreign buyers were less active in new property markets, they had increased their presence in established markets, especially in Victoria.

news.com.au

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/features/list/bricked-in-architect-explains-the-allure-of-bricks

5 ways bricks influence the history and perception of Australian architecture

Brisbane architect Adrian Spence on why bricks have maintained their place in Australian architecture since white-settlement, and why they will continue to be used across the spectrum of buildings for years to come.

Architecture & Design

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/the-real-housing-crisis-facing-australia-isnt-the-real-estate-bubble--its-homelessness-20150721-gigt70.html

The real housing crisis facing Australia isn't the real estate bubble - it's homelessness

Yes, getting on the housing ladder is an issue. But we also need to ask what effect the growing cost of housing is having at the extreme end of the spectrum.

Brisbane Times

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI2ucw7hP34

Inside Nicole Kidman's Australian farm

Nicole Kidman invites Vogue to the land down under.

Vogue

https://theconversation.com/four-tax-policies-australian-house-prices-rest-on-44778

Four tax policies Australian house prices rest on

The issues of tax and house prices are colliding in new ways ahead of the release of the government’s options paper on tax reform later this year.

The Conversation