The Real Estate Conversation

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The Economy

Is real estate becoming a battleground?

Growing numbers of young Australians might be locked out of the property market, but they're not taking it lying down.

International

How will new French president Macron affect property prices in France?

France has a new president, Emmanuel Macron, making it the perfect time to examine which president oversaw the biggest gains in French property prices.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Featured Property

Victorian Northcote home with architecturally designed modern extension

This historic Northcote home has been built for family life, with a focus on design and sustainability. It is for sale through Nicholas West and Charlie Barham of Nelson Alexander Northcote.

International

The Economy

How to manage your currency exposure when buying property overseas

Australians who are considering buying property overseas must consider how currency fluctuations will affect their investment.

National

The Economy

Auction clearances indicate real estate market could be drifting lower

The auction clearance rate of Australia's capital cities was 74.6 per cent last week, virtually flat with the previous week's result. But Sydney and Melbourne's clearance rates are in a downward trend, says CoreLogic.

Stamp duty charges prevent owners from selling

Stamp duty charges are preventing owners from selling, limiting the housing stock coming to market, and putting upward pressure on prices, according to new research from LJ Hooker.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

Featured Property

Modern Paddington extension respects tradition

A coveted Queensland home full of modern conveniences - including an automated irrigation system that responds to weather forecasts - is for sale by Tim Douglas of Place West.

National

The Economy

Great Australian dream still alive: KPMG

The great Australian home ownership dream is still alive, especially if you are a professional earning more than $70,000 a year, according to new research from KPMG.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

People

Get to know Gail Miller, former Olympian, now McGrath New Farm agent

Gail Miller has joined Sherrie Storor at McGrath New Farm, and says the lessons she learned as an Olympic athlete are integral to her success in real estate.

National New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

The Economy

LJ Hooker targets one of Australia's most lucrative markets

LJ Hooker is considering opening up to five new offices on Sydney's lower north shore in the coming months, as it seeks to revitalise its foothold in one of the nation's most lucrative markets.

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