Real Estate and Property Market News

Hundreds of new apartments are popping up across Sydney, but they're not for sale. This innovative "build to rent" model is simple: large, professionally managed buildings specifically designed for renters, not buyers. With 19 projects underway, areas like Parramatta, Ryde, and Canterbury-Bankstown are embracing this new approach.

While rising interest rates are a contributing factor, new research reveals a shocking truth: a record number of Australians are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments, and it's not just due to higher borrowing costs. The latest data shows that over 1.6 million homeowners, or 31%, are now "at risk" of mortgage stress.

Former Australian treasurer Wayne Swan has called on the nation's superannuation funds to play a "substantial role" in tackling the housing affordability crisis by investing in the construction of 40,000 homes. Swan, who now chairs super fund Cbus, argued that social and affordable housing could be a part of a "win-win" investment strategy for super funds and their members.

While capital cities witnessed a slowdown in growth, values in regional areas rose by 1.2% in the three months leading to January, compared to a mere 1% increase in major cities. This trend suggests a potential shift in the Australian property landscape, with regional areas becoming increasingly attractive options.

The Tasmanian election race heats up as Labour leader Rebecca White visited Rokeby to announce a $1,000 per household incentive program for landlords willing to invest in energy-saving upgrades like insulation, heat pumps, or improved glazing. However, to access the state funding, landlords must match the contribution, ensuring a shared commitment to improving energy efficiency in their properties.

Four years ago, the difference between a house and an apartment was a mere 16%. Today, it's a whopping 45%, with houses leaving units in the dust. The pandemic triggered a desire for space, pushing people towards detached dwellings. Combine that with rising interest rates and a rebounding market, and you have a recipe for a record-breaking "house premium."

A Melbourne entrepreneur, despite earning a six-figure salary, has rented her dream home for 22 years. Is homeownership becoming a pipe dream even for high-income Australians?

Rents have soared nearly 12% since 2022, with no end in sight. While Labour has taken some steps, including increased rent assistance and the Housing Australia Future Fund, these measures are seen as insufficient by many struggling renters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has thrown down the gauntlet to the Greens, daring them to vote against his government's Help-to-Buy scheme after refusing their demands for concessions on housing tax breaks.

The Queensland government has been dealt a hefty blow, ordered to pay $2.7 million to a Gold Coast couple who lost their dream home due to a fraudulent sale. The Brisbane Court of Appeal's unanimous decision marks a potential end to the Morecrofts' six-year ordeal, which began when their newly purchased house in Mermaid Beach turned out to be entangled in a family feud and ultimately deemed "fraudulently mortgaged by criminals."