The Real Estate Conversation

Sydney tops Knight Frank City Wellbeing Index for Australasia

When it comes to well-being, nothing beats a harbourside city, according to Knight Frank's Wellbeing Index

Victoria (Vic.)

Steady recovery predicted for Melbourne's new homes market

Influencing factors may still stall Melbourne's steady new homes growth, according to Terry Portelli, Managing Director of leading residential sales and marketing agency Red23

Have auction numbers reached their peak?

The number of auctions happening this Saturday are down by 52 per cent, according to CoreLogic

Best property lending coming from Mum and Dad

The Bank of Mum and Dad has increased by 41 per cent in the last two years, according to money expert Kirsty Lamont of Mozo

Property listings down, driving asking prices up

Figures released by SQM Research reveal annual national residential property listings have reduced while asking prices have increased significantly.

New South Wales (NSW)

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

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

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.

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.