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Ray White highlights Brisbane's affordability with smashed avo offer

Ray White is offering free smashed avo on toast for a year to the buyer of a $595,000 Sherwood townhouse, in a campaign that highlights just how affordable Brisbane is compared to other eastern state cities.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

People

Di Jones appoints specialist luxury agent, Chantal Hooper

Di Jones has appointed Chantal Hooper to join its Eastern Suburb’s team as a specialist luxury agent.

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

Featured Property

Contemporary waterfront Surfers Paradise mansion for sale

This Gold Coast home has water, mountain and city views, and is for sale through Elie Fakhri and Paula Fakhri of Joseph Douglas.

National

Construction

Can a lender stop my funding mid construction?

The short answer is yes, which can be disastrous for all concerned, says Dan Holden of HoldenCAPITAL.

National

Politics

Should you invest in the First Home Super Savers scheme?

The question for first-home buyers today is should you be investing in the government's new First Home Super Savers Scheme?

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Sydney will spend $8m on trees to cool the city

The City of Sydney will spend $8 million planting trees over 10 years to improve air quality, provide habitat for birds and wildlife, and beautify the city.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Featured Property

Warehouse conversion in South Melbourne for sale

This 1885 converted warehouse retains its original brick façade and is for sale through Oliver Bruce and Sarah Wood of Marshall White Albert Park.

National

Politics

Budget not enough to help affordability in Sydney, Melbourne, but good news for the rest of Australia

The budget's First Home Super Savers Scheme might alleviate some housing affordability pressures, but is unlikely to help first-home buyers who want to live close to the city in Sydney and Melbourne.

Real Estate Institutes back budget's focus on housing affordability

The REIA and the REIWA have welcomed the government's focus on affordable housing in the 2017 Federal Budget.

National

Politics

Housing measures in the 2017 Budget

"If a family or an individual has a roof over their head that they can rely on, then all of life's other challenges become more manageable." Scott Morrison, 2017 Budget speech.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.afrsmartinvestor.com.au/p/property/sea_views_below_gfc_top_4uWOGJoPbembgJ7f489x3L

Holiday home values below GFC highs

Australia’s holiday home hotspots are in the midst of their busiest season of the year but most are still recovering from post-GFC lows.

AFR Smart Investor

http://thenewdaily.com.au/life/2015/01/29/house-flipping-block-phenomenon/

The Block influence on house flipping

Property industry figures say television shows like The Block and House Rules are encouraging people to renovate homes with a view to selling them for profit, but the outcome isn’t always satisfactory.

The New Daily

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/26141158/tributes-flow-for-murdered-s-africa-family/

Engel & Volkers Australia mourn family

Martin van Breda, a South African who worked in Queensland for Engel & Volkers Australia, has been killed near Cape Town along with his wife and son. "A very sad time for the Engel & Volkers network with the loss of Martin van Breda, our thoughts are with everyone affected," the firm tweeted.

The West Australian

http://www.afr.com/p/property_industry_takes_aim_taxation_dezJ9wHzKyKlAdDlj2DYxO

Property industry takes aim at stamp duty

The property industry hopes the federal government's review of taxation will lead to the reform of a plethora of property taxes, including stamp duty. Real Estate Institute of Australia chief executive Amanda Lynch said the GST should be raised to 12 per cent to allow for removal of stamp duty.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-28/get-ready-for-the-return-of-risky-mortgage-bonds-credit-markets

Subprime bonds are back

Seven years after the U.S. housing market triggered an economic collapse, the business of bundling riskier U.S. mortgages into bonds without government backing is gearing up for a comeback. Sydney-based bank Macquarie Group Ltd. are among firms buying up loans to borrowers who can’t qualify for conventional mortgages.

Bloomberg

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4169920.htm

SA developers back state amid concerns

The Wetherill state government has tried to promote desperately needed development in South Australia by providing new land and planning laws to encourage growth.

ABC Radio

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/booming-housing-market-could-see-a-devine-comeback-for-metro/story-fnko7zi0-1227200017593

A public return for Devine

The hot residential property market could see developer David Devine make a return to public markets. His privately held Metro Property Development is on track to generate $500 million in sales this year and has about $2.5 billion worth of projects under way in Brisbane alone.

The Australian

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/there-s-a-sunny-future-ahead-for-rooftop-solar-pow

Solar soaring into the future

Solar energy is now a real alternative and considerable player in the power markets because over the past five years the world has seen a dramatic fall in the cost, particularly rooftop solar panels or solar photovoltaic power.

Architecture & Design