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UK-based architect Foster + Partners reveals design for Sydney's tallest building

Circular Quay Tower and the regeneration of the northern end of the CBD will confirm Sydney's status as a global city, say the architects.

New South Wales (NSW)

Featured Property

Surf on your doorstep, sun all year round, festivals, fine dining - and a super-luxe home in Byron Bay

'Villa Gabrielle', a three-story, resort-style home on Byron Bay's Main Beach, is for sale through Sophie Christou of Raine & Horne Byron Bay.

The Economy

Auction clearance rate three weeks below 70%

Yet the market is still seeing strong results. A four-bedroom Melbourne home with a pool and tennis court sold for $7,650,00 last week through Abercromby's Real Estate Armadale.

National

The Economy

Melbourne leading real estate price gains, says REIA

Melbourne property prices were the fastest growing in the country during the March quarter, according to the latest data from REIA Real Estate Market Facts.

People

Pino Monaco to head residential building body, HIA

Pino Monaco has been elected the national president of the Housing Industry Association, the voice of the Australian residential building industry.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Featured Property

Three-storey penthouse in Sydney's historic Rocks on the market for $18m

A three-level, four-bedroom luxury penthouse in the celebrated Stamford Residences is for sale through Michael Lowdon of Ray White Residential.

National

Australian real estate gets its own Monopoly board

Orange ranks with Sydney Harbour as the nation's most prestigious locations on the new Australian Monopoly board.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

The Economy

Cooler weather slows NSW rental market: REINSW

Sydney vacancy rates edged higher to 1.8 per cent in May, but a rate below 2 per cent shows the market is still stressed, says John Cunningham.

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

Featured Property

Surfers Paradise home built for Matsushita family, founders of Panasonic empire, for sale

Originally designed by American architect Edward Larrabee for the Matsushita family, this iconic riverfront home is for sale through Robert Graham of Ray White Prestige Surfers Paradise.

National

The Economy

BMT’s top ten tips for tax time

Bradley Beer of BMT Tax Depreciation lists his top tips to help you make the most of your investment property at tax time.

Pages

News Roundup

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2015/02/24/australias-frothy-house-prices-make-another-cut-unlikely-at-least-for-now/

Australia’s frothy house prices make another cut unlikely–at least for now

Next week the reserve bank is likely to signal its intention to cut rates again–just not immediately.

The Wall Street Journal

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/24/idUSFit91508520150224

Increased Australian bank mortgage risk manageable, says Fitch

Fitch Ratings says Australian banks' generally strong loss absorption capacity leaves them well positioned to deal with increasing risks in their mortgage books.

Reuters

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/one-of-the-largest-real-estate-firms-in-the-world-may-be-up-for-sale-2015-2

One of the world's largest real estate firms possibly up for sale

New York-based property management company Cushman & Wakefield may be headed toward a sale. The Agnelli family, which owns the firm, is reportedly seeking a buyer in what could be a multi-billion dollar deal.

Business Insider Australia

http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/cause-alarm-properties-non-compliant/2555580/

More than one third of rented properties don't have correct smoke alarms

Figures compiled by Smoke Alarms Australia, Australia's longest-running residential smoke alarms specialist, after carrying out inspections in more than 140,000 residential properties Australia-wide show that over 1 in 3 (36%) properties managed by real estate agencies in Queensland require at least one of their smoke alarms to be replaced, and almost 1 in 4 (23%) have no working smoke alarms installed at all.

News Mail

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8196-non-major-sees-no-end-to-investor-appetite

No end to property investment boom, says ME Bank

ME Bank's national broker manager, Stewart Saunders, said that with interest rates continuing to drop, it is “definitely becoming attractive” for investors to enter the market, adding that in some areas they are almost able to positively gear properties.

Mortgage Business

http://www.afr.com/p/rate_bubbliness_brewing_in_shares_L4MAdRJTYpuqXc6W83UZYM

Rate bubbliness brewing in property

Expectations of further rate cuts and a lower Australian dollar are giving some fund managers reason to cheer financial markets higher. But others warn the bubble zone is closing in across shares, property and bonds.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-24/kwinana-urban-development-law-delay-sparks-concern/6257728

Developers and Gov at odds over Kwinana industrial area

There are concerns about delays to legislation designed to stop urban development encroaching on the Kwinana industrial area in Western Australia. Property developers have been at odds with the Government over its plans to enforce a legally binding buffer zone in the Kwinana industrial area to keep heavy industry and residential communities apart.

ABC News

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/woods-bagot-rejects-merger-offers-but-other-practi

Oz architecture firms boost global reach

Woods Bagot is not the only Australian firm increasing their global presence, and although they are openly rejecting international offers for mergers deals, other Australian firms are taking the merger and alliance approach in a bid to boost international reach.

Architecture & Design