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National

The Economy

Buyers not deterred by long weekend, as strong sales continue

Despite it being a holiday weekend, last week saw a number of strong sale results around the country.

National

Design

Winners revealed for the 2017 Australian Interior Design Awards

Smart Design Studio’s Indigo Slam has received the Premier Award for Australian Interior Design, the country's leading award in the field.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

The Economy

Melbourne achieves record autumn auctions

While temperatures cooled across Melbourne, the city's auction market remained hot, with more homes sold at auction than during any other autumn.

Queensland (Qld)

Featured Property

Private Queensland beachfront estate for sale for $9.5m

'Trinity Beach Palace' is for sale through Simon J Cowan and Paul Arthur of Queensland Sotheby's International Realty.

National

The Economy

First-home buyers remain out in the cold, despite affordability improvements

The number of first-home buyers in Australia declined 11.2% over the March quarter, according to latest Adelaide Bank/REIA Housing Affordability Report.

International

The Economy

Australia 20th on Knight Frank Global House Price Index

Australia has risen 17 places to 20th on Knight Frank's Global House Price Index, which measures mainstream residential property markets around the world.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

McGrath takes 33 Millers Point apartments to market

Peter Starr is taking McGrath's largest Millers Point offering yet to market, with 33 apartments for sale in four buildings.

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

Featured Property

A Sanctuary Cove home with views across the river to a nature reserve is for sale

An architect-designed Sanctuary Cove home in a serene setting is on the market for $4,250,000 through Matt Gates of Ray White Sanctuary Cove.

National

People

Credibility and integrity: Cornerstones to securing development finance

Dan Holden of HoldenCAPITAL says the perception of honesty and trustworthiness is an essential driver of credit decisions.

National

Construction

Slow down in housing hits GDP

“A decline in housing investment and a decline in exports were the major factors contributing to the relatively subdued growth in the economy this quarter," says Shane Garrett, senior economist with the HIA.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/two-australian-property-groups-are-merging-to-create-a-massive-11-billion-real-estate-investment-trust-2015-2

$11 billion REIT

Two Australian property groups, Novion Property Group and Federation Centres, are merging to create Australia’s third-largest listed real estate investment trust. It would be one of the largest retail landlords in Australia.

Business Insider Australia

http://www.afr.com/p/construction_hiring_survey_builders_LBaXqSXw1UvEF4Op9HR1UL

More buildings and construction jobs

The latest Master Builders of Australia survey for the December 2014 quarter shows builders' hiring expectations rose in December to their highest level in seven years to pre-GFC levels. The construction industry is particularly benefiting from rising demand for housing in New South Wales, with an additional 65,400 jobs created in the state's building and construction sector in the 12 months to November 2014.

The Australian Financial Review

http://qz.com/337973/australias-inflated-housing-market-just-got-a-extra-burst-of-hot-air/

Oz housing market 'too hot'

Australia’s booming housing market is exhibiting some classic signs of a real estate bubble, says a Deakin University researcher.

Quartz

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8131-asic-targets-first-lender-in-mortgage-market-probe?utm_source=MB&utm_campaign=MBNewsflash03_02_2015&utm_medium=email

ASIC targets QLD lender

A Queensland-based lender, Wide Bay Australia Limited (Wide Bay), will improve its responsible lending practices following ASIC concerns with the way the group was assessing its customers’ suitability for home loans. The firm has been targeted as part of ASIC's wider focus on the lending industry’s compliance with responsible lending laws.

Mortgage Business

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8126-rba-losing-interest-in-house-prices-deloitte?utm_source=Mortgage%20Business&utm_campaign=Mortgage_Business_Newsletter03_02_2015&utm_medium=email

RBA not worried about housing, says Deloitte

In a business outlook note released yesterday, Deloitte Access Economics claimed that housing prices are becoming less of a concern for the Reserve Bank because of below-trend growth and larger forces at play in the global economy. The group is confident interest rates will remain on hold today.

Mortgage Business

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/property-powerhouses-sydney-and-melbourne-set-pace-on-price-rises/story-fniz9vg9-1227205558531

Sydney and Melbourne prices soar

The gap in Australia’s housing market widened in January with Melbourne and Sydney fuelling a 1.3 per cent rise in capital city prices while values fell in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

The Australian

http://www.afr.com/p/national/labor_pose_risk_to_real_estate_development_8t3S9vBUlRqSiWpZs1ZVnO

Property industry worried about Queensland

A Labor-led minority government in Queensland could spell trouble for property development in the state, warns Stephen Conry, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle. “The lack of result and the potential for a minority government is disappointing,” said Conry. “Lack of clarity brings lack of business confidence.”

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/frank-gehrys-most-beautiful-squashed-brown-paper-bag-opens/story-e6frgcjx-1227205620191

Gehry's first Oz building opens

The first Australian building designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, a $180 million business school at the University of Technology, Sydney, was officially opened on Monday.

The Australian