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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.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/gender-pay-gap-hits-record-high/2558853/

Real Estate gender pay gap $28.7%

New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the national gender pay gap has risen to a record-high. The financial and insurance services industry had the highest gender pay gap (29.6%), followed by health care and social assistance (29.1%) and rental, hiring and real estate services (28.7%).

Sunshine Coast Daily

https://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/a/26456300/real-estate-agent-strips-down-to-sell-homes/

Agent strips down to sell house

Bellarine property agent Levi Turner has switched his suit and tie for swimmers in a promotional video where he sprints shirtless from the Barwon River to the back deck of the house he is trying to market.

Yahoo

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8213-govt-warned-that-real-estate-reforms-could-prove-costly?utm_source=Mortgage%20Business&utm_campaign=Mortgage_Business_Newsletter27_02_2015&utm_medium=email

Fees for foreign buyers say 'we don't want you'

Simon Henry, the co-chief executive of Juwai, a listings portal for China-based real estate investors, has labelled the government's proposed fees for foreign buyers "basically a $200 million stamp duty for offshore buyers, and stamp duties discourage investment.” Henry said, “The proposals say to foreign buyers, 'We don’t want you and we won’t treat you fairly’."

Mortgage Business

http://www.afr.com/p/business/financial_services/apra_chief_wayne_byres_flags_financial_OqsPVFCOmY7cnhu6fwfj5M

Warning over loans to property investors

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has warned banks that they must be prudent when lending to property investors. APRA chairman Wayne Byres told a Senate committee on 25 February 2015 that default risk increases when interest rates are low and house prices are high.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/made-in-china-with-asbestos-mba-raises-alarms

Asbestos warning from Master Builders Australia

Master Builders Australia have released an alarming media release warning the Australian design and construction industry to be wary of imported Chinese building products “laced with asbestos”.

Architecture & Design

http://thenewdaily.com.au/money/2015/02/25/facts-defy-claims-qld-fear-mongers-foreign-ownership/

Asian investors do not own vast tracts of Australian farmland

Claims that Chinese investors own vast tracts of Australian farmland are not supported by official data.

The New Daily

http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/how-a-cricketer-became-a-real-estate-agent-mick-malones-interesting-story-256459

From The Ashes to real estate

How a cricketer became a real estate agent: Mick Malone’s interesting story.

Cricket Country

http://www.afr.com/p/national/home_building_grows_stall_record_3vODpyODoKbZwqelPYQd6O

Home building grows to record in 2014

New figures show that $54.4 billion worth of residential dwellings were built across Australia during 2014, compared with $49.3 billion in 2013. Dwelling commencements in the December 2014 quarter topped $14.3 billion, an increase of 12.3 per cent.

The Australian Financial Review