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Featured Property

Dee Why home with panoramic views of the Pacific

A home in a world-class position and limitless views is for sale by James Smyth and Josephine Wolff of Smyth Estate Agents Freshwater.

International

The Economy

How did Donald Trump’s election victory affect buying Asian property?

The election of US President Donald Trump has created uncertainty in financial markets, affecting currency markets in our region, and influencing cross-border property transactions.

Queensland (Qld)Brisbane

Design

Court dismisses appeal against Hadid-designed Brisbane towers

The Queensland Planning and Environment Court has dismissed an appeal against the approval of Zaha Hadid's three-tower complex at Toowong, with the judge saying its "exceedingly high-quality architectural expression" would make a positive contribution to the site.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

The Economy

Sydney rental market remains tight

Sydney's vacancy rate held steady in April at only 1.7 per cent, indicating there are supply constraints in the rental property market.

Victoria (Vic.)Melbourne

Featured Property

An elegant Toorak home surrounded by serene gardens is on the market

An elegant family home in Toorak, Victoria, is for sale with Tim Derham and Jock Langley of Abercromby's Armadale.

National

The Economy

Investor borrowing moderating, even before latest tightening measures

Housing lending to property investors softened in March, says Malcolm Gunning, president of the REIA, even before regulators and banks tightened lending to investors and before budget initiatives aimed at property investment were announced.

National

People

Rich-list developer Tim Gurner enters smashed avo debate

Successful developer, Tim Gurner, told 60 Minutes that young Australians can't expect to spend $40 a day on smashed avo and coffees if they want to buy their own home.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

People

LJ Hooker Lower North Shore moves to Ray White

LJ Hooker Lower North Shore, one of the group's best performing offices, will join Ray White before the end of the financial year.

New South Wales (NSW)Sydney

Featured Property

Gracious Bellevue Hill estate 'Bonnington' for sale

The elegant home 'Bonnington', built in 1935, is for sale through Michael Dunn and James Dunn of Richardson & Wrench.

National

The Economy

Depreciation is a cash cow for farmers

Could you claim $149,187 from your rural property? Bradley Beer, CEO of BMT Tax Depreciation, shows how.

Pages

News Roundup

http://www.afrsmartinvestor.com.au/p/property/sea_views_below_gfc_top_4uWOGJoPbembgJ7f489x3L

Holiday home values below GFC highs

Australia’s holiday home hotspots are in the midst of their busiest season of the year but most are still recovering from post-GFC lows.

AFR Smart Investor

http://thenewdaily.com.au/life/2015/01/29/house-flipping-block-phenomenon/

The Block influence on house flipping

Property industry figures say television shows like The Block and House Rules are encouraging people to renovate homes with a view to selling them for profit, but the outcome isn’t always satisfactory.

The New Daily

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/26141158/tributes-flow-for-murdered-s-africa-family/

Engel & Volkers Australia mourn family

Martin van Breda, a South African who worked in Queensland for Engel & Volkers Australia, has been killed near Cape Town along with his wife and son. "A very sad time for the Engel & Volkers network with the loss of Martin van Breda, our thoughts are with everyone affected," the firm tweeted.

The West Australian

http://www.afr.com/p/property_industry_takes_aim_taxation_dezJ9wHzKyKlAdDlj2DYxO

Property industry takes aim at stamp duty

The property industry hopes the federal government's review of taxation will lead to the reform of a plethora of property taxes, including stamp duty. Real Estate Institute of Australia chief executive Amanda Lynch said the GST should be raised to 12 per cent to allow for removal of stamp duty.

The Australian Financial Review

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-28/get-ready-for-the-return-of-risky-mortgage-bonds-credit-markets

Subprime bonds are back

Seven years after the U.S. housing market triggered an economic collapse, the business of bundling riskier U.S. mortgages into bonds without government backing is gearing up for a comeback. Sydney-based bank Macquarie Group Ltd. are among firms buying up loans to borrowers who can’t qualify for conventional mortgages.

Bloomberg

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4169920.htm

SA developers back state amid concerns

The Wetherill state government has tried to promote desperately needed development in South Australia by providing new land and planning laws to encourage growth.

ABC Radio

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/booming-housing-market-could-see-a-devine-comeback-for-metro/story-fnko7zi0-1227200017593

A public return for Devine

The hot residential property market could see developer David Devine make a return to public markets. His privately held Metro Property Development is on track to generate $500 million in sales this year and has about $2.5 billion worth of projects under way in Brisbane alone.

The Australian

http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/there-s-a-sunny-future-ahead-for-rooftop-solar-pow

Solar soaring into the future

Solar energy is now a real alternative and considerable player in the power markets because over the past five years the world has seen a dramatic fall in the cost, particularly rooftop solar panels or solar photovoltaic power.

Architecture & Design