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Futuristic Chinese developer snaps up 363 hectares in outer Melbourne

Country Garden, the Chinese developer that plans to build 'Forest City' on four man-made islands between Singapore and Malaysia, has acquired a parcel of land in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, and intends to build 4,000 homes.

National

The Economy

New home building stalled in May

The construction of new homes has stalled, as developers wait for the record number of apartments due to come onto the market this year to clear.

Queensland (Qld)Sunshine Coast

Featured Property

A cutting-edge home on the waterfront at Sunrise Beach

A contemporary home right on Sunrise Beach is on the market for $6.25 million through Cameron Urquhart of Tom Offermann Real Estate.

National

The Economy

What can you buy around the country for the $797,000 median price of a Sydney apartment?

In Hobart, you can buy a five-bedroom house close to the city and with water views for around the same price as a one-bedroom apartment in inner-city Sydney.

International

Design

The largest home in the Hamptons is for sale, and it's as exquisite as it's big

As Americans enjoy their summer vacation, the biggest home in the most glamorous holiday location of all has just come onto the market.

National

The Economy

Fewer loans are being issued to investors

New data from the ABS confirms that investor lending is on a downward trend.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Featured Property

An Art Deco home in a converted Melbourne dairy is for sale

This Art Deco home in a former dairy, a landmark building in the area, is for sale by David Wood and Stephanie Evans of hockingstuart Albert Park for between $4.2 million and $4.6 million.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

The Economy

At $310,000, could this be the cheapest property in Sydney's eastern suburbs?

It's bright and sunny, it's freshly painted and has new carpet, it's in Sydney's fashionable inner-city suburb of Paddington. And it's on the market for $310,000.

International National

Design

25 Australian architects make World Architecture Festival shortlist

The shortlist for the World Architecture Festival has been revealed, and 25 Australian architects have made the cut.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

Featured Property

'Cremorne', built in 1905 high on Hamilton Hill, overlooks the Brisbane River and CBD

'Cremorne' - the immaculate estate that fuses history with award winning, contemporary design - is for sale for $6.35 million with Sarah Hackett and Damian Hackett of Place Bulimba.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/67032939/mortgage-debt-tops-200-billion

NZ mortgage debt tops $200 billion

Kiwis' mortgage debt has officially climbed past $200 billion, a mountain of borrowing which has doubled in the space of 10 years.

Stuff.co.nz

http://www.couriermail.com.au/realestate/youve-found-the-home-of-your-dreams-but-theres-no-price-tag-how-do-you-work-out-what-to-offer/story-fnihpmzi-1227257161613

You’ve found the home of your dreams, but there’s no price tag, how do you work out what to offer?

Not every seller wants to show their hand and in Queensland agents are not allowed to give price guides for properties going to auction. So how do you figure out just how much it is worth?

Courier Mail

http://www.afr.com/p/superannuation_savings_used_for_GQf6R5lLca2wuML7rjDxsN

Superannuation savings used for house purchases works in Singapore

In Singapore, an individual's super contributions are distributed between three separate accounts: an ordinary account that can be used to buy property and cover education costs; a medisave account that can be used to meet hospital and medical expenses; and a special account that is dedicated to expenses incurred in old age.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/06/australia-resources-impact-idUSL4N0W03QO20150306

Layoffs and empty streets as Australia's boom towns go bust

"For Lease" signs are everywhere in West Perth, the headquarters of many mining, oil and gas companies. The real estate market has also been hit in the coal country of Queensland.

Reuters

http://www.geekwire.com/2015/beyond-video-games-how-virtual-reality-is-transforming-real-estate/

How virtual reality is transforming real estate

Real estate developers and leasing agents are turning to virtual reality to let prospective buyers experience a space even when a building is still under construction, or has yet to break ground.

Geek Wire

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2015/03/05/the-20-richest-real-estate-tycoons-on-the-2015-forbes-billionaires-list/

Real Estate Tycoons On The 2015 Forbes Billionaires List

Of the 20 richest property moguls in the world, more than half (12) hail from Asian-Pacific nations. Seven are from Singapore, three from China, and one each from Singapore and Taiwan. Four of the wealthiest 20 property billionaires are American, three are from the U.K., and one is from the United Arab Emirates.

Forbes

http://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/were-interest-rates-not-cut-because-of-the-property-market/story-fndban6l-1227249202996

Were interest rates not cut because of the property market?

On the ground, real estate agents in Sydney and Melbourne saw a frenzied market in February but said it wasn’t just because of the record low rates.

news.com.au

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/greathomesanddestinations/in-hidden-real-estate-market-in-london-secret-agents-know-their-turf.html?_r=0

London's secret real estate market

There are more homes and apartments for sale in London than meet the eye in a sort of “secret” market. “Some people are reluctant to let their peers, professional or social, know they are looking for a property, and they don’t want the world to know about their wealth — or lack of it. Operating off market means they do not leave a digital footprint with images in agents’ windows and on property portals.”

The New York Times