The Real Estate Conversation

NSW Government stamp duty relief a welcome announcement: HIA

Victims of the recent NSW bushfires will experience a stamp duty reprieve from the NSW Government, says the HIA

Housing affordability declines despite rate cuts

As interest rates continue to shrink on home loans, the ability for people to buy their own home also reduces, according to REIA Housing Affordability quarterly report.

Customers need to know what mortgage is best: Joust

Do your homework on your mortgage to ensure you're paying on the best home loan, said Joust founder Mark Bevan

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

People

Real Estate Institute of Australia CEO has left the building

After five years, REIA CEO Jock Kreitals has resigned his post, leaving the organisation in good stead.

People

High-Profile Southern Gold Coast Agent Joins Forces with Kollosche

Troy Dowker, who has amassed over $600 million in sales in his illustrious career, is the latest in a string of luxury agents to align with Kollosche.

Western Australia (WA)Perth

Featured Property

Whole floor Raffles sub penthouse offers 360 degree Perth views

Renovated last year, this Applecross apartment occupies approx. 586 sqm with views across the river and the CBD. For sale by Nick Wallace of Mack Hall Real Estate.

Queensland (Qld)

People

Better Homes and Gardens continues growing in Queensland

Gympie is the latest Queensland town to benefit from the growth of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate with principal Niki Meads

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/mining-states-hit-by-sharp-drop-in-home-loan-activity-says-afg/news-story/92e2a73ceab8665463d9107610655302

Capital gains rebound across the Australian housing market

CoreLogic's latest findings show a trend of growing capital gains which are being felt at the auction sites, according to Nick Lennan of McGrath Coogee.

Victoria (Vic.)

Politics

REIV calls on State Government to hold off on pet laws

Concerns that new pet legislation will cause confusion, long delays and the risk of homeless pets has Gil King of REIV asking for a delay.

Pages

News Roundup

Mining states hit by sharp drop in home loan activity, says AFG

The country’s biggest mortgage broker has revealed a sharp decline in home loan activity in Western Australia and the NT.

The Australian

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/define-affordable-housing-before-solving-the-crisis-20170111-gtpvm1

Define affordable housing before solving the crisis

Australia's housing developers can deliver much needed affordable housing.

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/from-offices-to-serviced-apartments-as-industry-offers-solid-returns-20170111-gtplqp

From offices to serviced apartments as industry offers solid returns

Sydney executive leasing outfit Furnished Operators has become the latest group to lodge plans to convert office space into executive serviced apartments.

http://www.domain.com.au/news/apartment-supply-now-on-the-slide/

Apartment supply now on the slide

The recent record boom in new apartment development is waning generally, although results vary significantly between cities.

Domain

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/hotels-and-leisure/improving-tassie-tourism-picture-brings-in-luxury-hotel-chain-20170111-gtpxdp

Improving Tassie tourism picture brings in luxury hotel chain

Tasmania's growing appeal as a top tourism destination is bearing fruit, with US hotel chain Hyatt to open its first hotel in Hobart in 2019.

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/nsw-planning-reforms-are-just-noise-if-change-is-not-enforced-developers-20170110-gtovnb

NSW planning reforms are just noise if change is not enforced

Developer Austino Property Group has spent nearly two years dealing with two separate councils to build 600 apartments in Sydney's Epping, and is still waiting for approval.