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Is it really a case of "buyer beware" in Tasmania?

While some experts are warning buyers to be careful in Tasmania, as the island state's booming housing market is reportedly headed for a slow deceleration, agents from Knight Frank Hobart say the 'human side' of the market is being overlooked in favour of statistics.

National

Design

7 Stunning Australian church conversions

For cathedral ceilings, original stained glass windows and plenty of old-world charm, you can't really go past a church conversion. We take a peek at some of the most spectacular church conversions in Australia - 'take me to church' indeed.

Victoria (Vic.)

Politics

Major social housing project gets green light in Victoria

The Andrews Labor Government has green-lighted a major social housing project, that is set to deliver 100 new social housing homes to support the most vulnerable members of the community.

Queensland (Qld)

Featured Property

Fall in love with 'Botanica Whitsundays'

This lavish oceanfront residence has won awards and accolades as a destination wedding and events venue for up to 100 guests. For sale by Carol Carter of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty - Gold Coast.

National

The Economy

Housing finance numbers confirm market feedback, says REIA

Housing finance figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the number of loans for housing has continued to decline over the last eight months, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA).

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

The Economy

Savvy homeowners cash in on high capital growth suburbs in Brisbane

Savvy property owners have made huge cash gains after investing in a number of Brisbane suburbs which have recorded high capital growth, new research from Place Advisory reveals.

National

People

Here’s why you didn’t get the job, according to a real estate recruiter

Ever wondered why you didn't get the job? Virginia Brookes from Resolver Recruitment reveals why you may have missed out on that job offer.

New South Wales (NSW)

Featured Property

Hunter Valley charm: solid stone cottage with guest house

Located in the heart of Pokolbin, this home includes its own unique wine tasting space, a separate guest house and spa retreat, within walking distance of Hunter Valley wineries. For sale by Peter Dehnert of McElwaine Property East Maitland.

Victoria (Vic.)

The Economy

Victoria home to most affordable suburbs in nation, says report

The state of Victoria is home to some of the most affordable suburbs around the country, a recent report by CoreLogic has found.

Victoria (Vic.)

Politics

VIC state government announce $10m to upgrade Bendigo public housing

Public housing tenants in Bendigo will benefit from $10 million in improvements to public housing estates, thanks to an Andrews Labor Government boost to regional public housing.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/29/this-city-is-worlds-riskiest-for-property-bubble-ubs.html

London world's riskiest city for property bubble: UBS

UBS said that property in all European cities now exceeds fair valuation, with London the most overvalued market on the continent and the city most at risk in the world for another housing bubble.

CNBC

https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy/2015/10/31/chinese-investment-and-extradition/14462100002571

Chinese investment and extradition

The unending extradition issue illustrates Australia’s deep ambivalence to our economic relationship with China: Australia wants the goods they send us, but we’re suspicious of the provenance of capital inflows and dubious about its benefits.

The Saturday Paper

http://architectureau.com/articles/nightingale-slapped-down-by-tribunal-thats-lost-the-plot/?utm_source=ArchitectureAU&utm_campaign=e9d7d33ff7-AAU_2015_10_27&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e3604e2a4a-e9d7d33ff7-40540417&mc_cid=e9d7d33ff7&mc_eid=d865be39ad

Nightingale rejected by tribunal that’s ‘losing the plot’

Roz Hansen, planning expert and chairperson of the Victorian government’s Ministerial Advisory Committee for Plan Melbourne, said the decision was “pretty concerning.” “The site actually ticks all of the strategic boxes in terms of the integration of land use, transport, particularly active transport, and [when] we get caught up on the fact that a development doesn’t have two or three car park spaces, my view is we’re losing the plot,” Hansen said.

Architecture AU

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/index.html?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&mode=premium&dest=http%3A//www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/housing-market-tipped-to-soften-further/story-fn9656lz-1227586672607&memtype=anonymous

Housing market tipped to soften further

Australia’s housing market is expected to soften further, with price growth and rents scaled back in most states, according to a sentiment survey released by National Australia Bank.

The Australian

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/global-architecture-firm-benoy-names-first-australian-projects-in-perth-and-mandurah/news-story/3c400cb923b06c13672f4de17b6e6151

Global architecture firm Benoy names first Australian projects in Perth and Mandurah

UK architecture firm Benoy has named its first Australian projects in WA. Working closely with Melbourne developer Federation Centres, Benoy will complete the redevelopment and expansion of two retail centres — Mandurah Forum and Galleria Shopping Centre in Morley.

Perth Now

http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-firms-vie-to-buy-starwood-hotels-1445968609

Chinese firms vie to buy Starwood Hotels

At least three big Chinese companies are competing to win Beijing’s approval to bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., according to people with knowledge of the discussions, setting the stage for what could be the largest-ever Chinese takeover of a U.S. company.

The Wall Street Journal

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/us/in-drought-ridden-california-the-classic-lawn-loses-ground.html?ref=realestate&_r=0

In drought-ridden California, the classic lawn loses ground

With help from public rebates, yards are being redefined as grass gives way to less thirsty materials, including decomposed granite.

The New York Times

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/dataroom/lj-hooker-seeks-22m/story-fnjw8txa-1227586064867

LJ Hooker seeks $22m

The owners of LJ Hooker and its advisers, Citi and Morgans, are believed to be making attempts to secure $22 million ahead of the company’s initial public offering to pay down part of a $61m loan to Macquarie. The real estate chain, which is chaired by Janusz Hooker, the grandson of the company’s founder, has aspirations to list on the Australian Securities Exchange around March next year, just months after the anticipated float of rival McGrath Estate Agents.

The Australian