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Auction activity increases ahead of Easter

More than 2200 homes were taken to auction across the combined capital cities last week, with every city except Canberra experiencing an increase in auction volumes from the same time last year.

Victoria (Vic.)

People

Belle Property announces merger with hockingstuart

Boutique real estate brand, Belle Property has merged with leading Melbourne-based group, hockingstuart as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the brand’s reach into Victoria.

Western Australia (WA)

People

Research reveals WA apartment preferences

Research released last week by WA Apartment Advocacy shows that location, “lock and leave” and mobility ranked as the top three reasons why WA apartment livers had chosen to buy their current apartment.

Queensland (Qld)Gold Coast

Featured Property

Smart executive living in Isle of Capri

Offering stunning waterfront entertaining options, this contemporary home features a full outdoor kitchen, beachfront, pool, pontoon and panoramic views over Surfers Paradise. For sale by Eddie Wardale and Michael Kollosche of Kollosche.

National

People

TPMAA toasts new graduates

Another batch of budding property managers have graduated from The Property Management Academy Australia.

National

People

How to deal with changes in your career plan

Careers don't always go to plan. Virginia Brookes of Resolver Recruitment shares her tips on how to get back on track in the job world.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Featured Property

The Board Room: iconic Melbourne grandeur

One of Melbourne’s most noteworthy town residences, this magnificent apartment combines classical architecture, heritage interiors and stately luxury. For sale by Ross Savas and Jamie Mi of Kay & Burton South Yarra.

Design

9 Golf Homes to make you Green with envy

With beautiful, natural surrounds, open spaces, and numerous active lifestyle opportunities, it’s no wonder that many people love to live near a golf course. We take look at some of the best Australian Golf Homes, as seen on Luxury List.

Western Australia (WA)

Featured Property

Perth Riverside entertainer with private putting green

With room for even extended family, this sophisticated Attadale residence accommodates 8 spacious bedrooms, including a private, fully self-contained apartment. For sale by Nick Wallace of Mack Hall Real Estate Applecross.

National

Politics

REIA launches election campaign to raise awareness of policy issues

The Real Estate Institute of Australia has stepped up the fight against Labor's proposed changes to negative gearing, launching a new campaign to coincide with the election date announcement.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.afr.com/business/banking-and-finance/confessions-of-a-china-banker-it-was-all-a-bit-dodgy-20160512-gou4be

Confessions of a China banker: 'it was all a bit dodgy'

By mid-2013 all the focus was on China. There was plenty of money to be made, but for credit and compliance officers within Australia's big four banks it required a different appetite for risk than they were accustomed to.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.domain.com.au/news/the-truth-about-cats-and-dogs-in-strata-buildings-20160512-gopt7n/

The truth about cats and dogs in strata buildings

Slightly pet-friendlier bylaws are to be included in the new strata legislation.

Domain

http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/why-the-banks-stopped-funding-chinese-investors-20160512-gothtu

Why the banks stopped funding Chinese investors

Westpac stopped lending to non-resident home buyers last month after their share of the bank's new mortgage lending jumped from 5% to 15% in about three years.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.afr.com/personal-finance/the-one-thing-property-investors-cant-afford-to-scrimp-on-20160429-gohvns

One thing property investors can't afford to scrimp on

It's natural for buyers to seek ways to trim their costs. One obvious area is the pre-purchase building inspection.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/auburn-councillor-ronney-oueik-fined-3600-for-illegal-building-works-20160510-goqkys.html

Auburn councillor Ronney Oueik fined $3600 for 'illegal' building works

A property developer and Liberal politician on Sydney's most controversial council has been fined just $3600 for building an apartment block with too many bedrooms, from which he made millions.

The Sydney Morning Herald

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/robert-gottliebsen/dramatic-shifts-herald-a-new-era-in-residential-property/news-story/da9146edc2ade0b8fbc3d5cf0af714a1

Dramatic shifts herald a new era in residential property

The level of Chinese buying of Sydney apartments has fallen dramatically, but there has been a surge in Australian buying of existing and ‘off the plan’ apartments, says Robert Gottliebsen.

The Australian

http://www.afr.com/business/legal/investment-banker-oliver-curtis-pleads-not-guilty-to-insider-trading-20160511-gos6vk

Curtis used insider trading profit to fund Bondi pad

Investment banker Oliver Curtis used a $1.4m insider trading profit to fund the purchase of Bondi beach pad, court told.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/bernard-salt-demographer/ebb-and-flow-of-overseas-migration-is-key-to-property-prices/news-story/ff29be2168eb2e17f4b51d817b30be4d

Ebb and flow of overseas migration is key to property prices

The demand for residential property in our two biggest cities is being sustained not by strong overseas migration, but by interstate migration flows, says Bernard Salt.

The Australian