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Australian Capital Territory (ACT)Canberra

Canberra's remediated Mr Fluffy blocks attracting good prices

Nearly 1,000 remediated blocks of land will be sold in Canberra, as the government cleans up after the Mr Fluffy asbestos scandal.

International

Sustainability

US bomb shelters sell out, reports LA Times

There has been a run on sales of bomb shelters in the US, in the wake of President Trump's "fire and fury" comments targeted at North Korea.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne Fitzroy

Featured Property

The elegant Victorian: 'Clifton Villa', a double-frontage terrace in Clifton Hill

Victorian elegance meets cutting-edge style at 'Clifton Villa', a double-fronted Melbourne terrace. For sale through James Pilliner and Stewart Kyle of Nelson Alexander Fitzroy.

National

The Economy

Where are Australia's most popular places for first-home buyers?

Though Queensland has the highest percentage of first-home buyers overall, Melbourne's 3029, which includes suburbs Truganina and Hoppers Crossing, is the most popular post code.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Markets

Melbourne - is it really the world's most liveable city?

Melbourne is a highly liveable city, but that doesn't mean it's without its problems.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Agents

Di Jones expands into Inner West

Di Jones Real Estate is expanding its presence into Sydney's Inner West with the hiring of two new agents, Charles Milburn and Chris Williams.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

Featured Property

New York pizazz in Bardon, Brisbane

Elitha Bouwer, owner of Visionarie Homes, managed this Bardon renovation, creating the ambience of a five-star hotel, says Sacha Hennessey agent with Place West.

National

Tax

These missed deductions add up

BMT has created a list of assets that property investors commonly overlook when claiming depreciation, including garden sheds, exhaust fans, garden watering systems, garbage bins, intercom systems, door closers, and shower curtains.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

The Economy

Melbourne the 'World's Most Liveable City' for seven years, while Sydney remains outside the top ten

The Economist has rated Melbourne as the world's most liveable city for an incredible seventh year in a row - while Sydney remains in 11th position.

National

Auctioneers

Australasia’s best auctioneers to compete at 2017 Australasian Auctioneering Championships

All finalist names have been revealed for the 2017 Australasian Auctioneering Championships which will be held in Adelaide this year, hosted by the REISA.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/global-appetite-rising-for-australian-penthouses-after-25m-sale-20150408-1mgrvu

Global appetite rising for Australian penthouses

Australia's reputation as a global luxury property destination has been enhanced after an ultra-wealthy China-based businessman paid a record $25 million for a 750-square-metre Melbourne penthouse on the very top of Australia 108 – the Southern Hemisphere's tallest tower, being developed by Singapore's Aspial corporation.

The Australian Financial Review

http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2015/04/07/placester-raises-15-million-to-polish-real-estate-agents-web-presence/

Startup enables agents to get their own digital platforms

Boston-based Placester Inc. has developed a marketing-automation platform that gives real-estate agents and brokers tools to build websites and mobile sites for $10 per month. The company’s service also helps the agents promote their properties through online advertising.The company has now raised $15 million Series B round to double its head count and roll out new products.

The Wall Street Journal

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/blueprintforliving/the-end-of-the-mcmansion/6359438

Tiny houses spell the end of the McMansion

After all these years, the Australian love affair with the McMansion is finally having a midlife crisis. Let's just say one of us does not need space. Our houses are finally getting smaller.

ABC Radio National

http://www.afr.com/markets/commodities/rba-surprises-markets-again-by-holding-rates-20150407-1mg3sg

RBA surprises markets again by holding rates

The Reserve Bank of Australia held back from a widely expected cut in official interest rates, caught between falling prices for Australia's main commodity exports and surging property prices.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/why-a-chinese-officials-idea-to-support-the-property-sector-is-good-news-for-australias-iron-ore-miners-2015-4

Why a Chinese official's idea to support the property sector could be good news for Australia's iron ore miners

The Chinese economy is slowing. With the 7% official growth target for 2015 already looking shaky, policymakers in Beijing are worried enough to reverse many of the structural barriers erected in recent years to slow rampant property speculation. Last week we saw the release of new rules making it easier for investors to buy a second and subsequent home.

Business Insider Australia

http://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/8343-tumbling-rates-fuel-refi-boom?utm_source=Mortgage%20Business&utm_campaign=Mortgage_Business_Newsletter08_04_2015&utm_medium=email

Tumbling rates fuel refi boom

Falling interest rates are driving demand for refinancing as borrowers consider whether they are paying too much for their mortgage.

Mortgage Business

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/china-investment-may-cool-off/story-fn9656lz-1227293403522

China investment may cool off

The rapid pace of Chinese investment in Australian residential property may begin to slow as the deregulation of China’s mortgage market tempts mainland investors to bring their money home. BIS Shrapnel managing director Robert Mellor said Chinese investors would have less of an appetite to invest overseas because it has recently become easier to do in their home market.

The Australian

http://www.yourmortgage.com.au/article/aussies-increasingly-choose-variable-rates-198878.aspx

Aussies increasingly choose variable rates

Aussies remain optimistic that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will continue its cash rate cuts, figures from Mortgage Choice claim. Consequently, more borrowers are now opting for variable rates - as opposed to fixed - as they expect even lower rates from the RBA at some point this year.

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