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EAC rebrands, introduces new video marketing tools

Estate Agents Co-Operative has rebranded its business, and brought in a range of new technologies to lower costs and boost services for its agent members.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne Collingwood

Featured Property

A Collingwood warehouse conversion where elegant meets industrial

This boutique apartment with stunning interiors in Melbourne's Collingwood is on the market with Damian Ponte and Rick Daniel of Nelson Alexander Brunswick for between $1.1 million and $1.2 million.

National

The Economy

How to prepare for higher interest rates

With the Reserve Bank signalling the cash rate is headed higher, borrowers are advised to prepare for higher rates by calculating how they will be affected, paying off debt now while rates are low, and considering fixing, says Patrick Nolan of ME Bank.

Western Australia (WA)Perth

The Economy

Auctions achieve quicker sales in Perth

It takes around 70 days to sell a property by private treaty in Perth, says Hayden Groves, president of the REIWA, but sellers who go to auction are achieving sales in as few as 28 days.

Queensland (Qld)

Featured Property

Miri Miri: nestled on rainforest edge 330m above sea level commanding Gold Coast views from Currumbin to Stradbroke Island

Hand-crafted contemporary home enjoys open fire-pit, outdoor bathroom amongst 8.5 hectares on the edge of the rainforest in the Tallebudgera Valley; boasts its own rainforest, bush tracks, creeks and waterfalls, and is home to koalas and wallabies. It is for sale through Scott Keatley of Ray White Mermaid Beach.

International

Design

Traditional French influence combines with Bali calm and tranquility

The 535sqm Bali villa features tropical design and the best of French classic lifestyle. A sleeping pavilion looking over the 18m swimming pool, and lush green lawns form part of this large 1,377sqm plot. For sale through Julien Hug of Exotiq Property.

People

Di Jones Woollahra agent draws on Bollywood and acting background for novice auctioneering win

Emma Brown-Garrett, a sales agent with Di Jones Woollahra, has secured a place in the state final of the REINSW Novice Auctioneers Competition.

International

People

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson lists Texas holiday home for sale

The former ExxonMobil CEO has listed his Horseshoe Bay, Spanish-style beach house for US$3,975,000 (AU$5 million).

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne Brighton

Featured Property

Imaginative Brighton East home by SAAJ Design with lush gardens and leafy golf-course views

This innovative home owned and designed by architect / industrial designer team, SAAJ Design, is for sale by Justin Follett and Marcus Heron of Follett & Co, and has a price guide of between $2.4 million to $2.64 million.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

The Economy

Why is Melbourne's property market outpacing Sydney's?

Affordability, higher investor interest rates, and migration patterns favour the southern city.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/lasalle-wary-of-hot-ma-sector/story-fnko7zi0-1227223191602

Australia’s hot real estate investment trust sector

The investment house LaSalle Investment Management, which is a unit of global real estate services firm JLL, has been tipped as a bidder for the $9 billion Investa Property Group platform, potentially with the support of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

The Australian

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/feb/17/uk-mortgage-lending-landlords-first-time-buyers

More investors got mortgages in UK

Mortgage lending to UK investors purchasing rental properties soared in the last quarter of 2014, far outstripping the growth in lending to first-time buyers, according to figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

The Guardian

http://www.afr.com/p/business/property/forgotten_sydney_suburbs_has_more_EwRRXS7E3N2qPsSmr8LcsI

Forgotten Sydney suburbs create property millionaires

Rising house prices and roving developers on the hunt for a bargain are making millionaires in a new swag of Sydney suburbs offering affordably priced development opportunities.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8169-cba-reveals-home-loan-digitisation-plans?utm_source=Mortgage%20Business&utm_campaign=Mortgage_Business_Newsletter17_02_2015&utm_medium=email

CBA wants to digitise mortgage process

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia plans to harness the power of digital to improve mortgage origination. “There are multiple obstacles in Australia to reaching this goal, but that doesn’t mean it’s unachievable,” said CBA general manager of group lending services Dan O’Neill.

Mortgage Business

http://www.afr.com/p/national/apprenticeship_numbers_may_have_8ysT6OoOmfAaugpQPRc9CL

Building boom boosts apprenticeships

Figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research show that trainee commencements increased by 5,300 to 31,700 in the fourth quarter of 2014. Commencements in carpentry, plumbing and other traditional trades rose by 1,600 to 21,500.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.smartpropertyinvestment.com.au/opinion/13974-7-tips-for-success-in-the-perth-property-market

7 tips for success in the Perth property market

The size and significance of the Western Australian residential property market has been highlighted by new ABS figures - so investors would be wise to take another look at Perth.

Smart Property Investment

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31471427

Foreigners banned from ownership in South Africa

Foreigners will be banned from owning land in South Africa under new proposals outlined by President Jacob Zuma. Locals will have limits set on the size of their farms under the proposals.

BBC News

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/executive-living/home-design/property-booms-create-nation-of-millionaire-homeowners/story-fn6njxlr-1227217583304

Nation of millionaire homeowners

There are at least 790,000 real estate millionaires in Australia and more are created daily as the number of million-dollar-plus properties continues to soar. Sydney has the lion’s share of the nation’s $1m-plus properties, taking 57 per cent, followed by Melbourne’s 28 per cent, Perth with 8 per cent, Brisbane with 5 per cent and Adelaide on 2 per cent.

The Weekend Australian