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2209/25 Anderson Street, Kangaroo Point, is up for rent at $425 a week.

Landlords who stuck it out through Queensland’s latest period of rental oversupply are set to win after vacancy rates tighten across the state, sparking rent rises.

Figures released by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) show that the majority of the state is sitting on tight vacancy rates, with regional cities experiencing the first rent rises in years.

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REIQ head Antonia Mercorella said Queensland had a very high rental population at present (about 35 per cent), exacerbated by COVID-19.

As interstate migration grows post the pandemic, Ms Mercorella said she expected rental demand to rise further.

Regional areas are experiencing rent rises for the first time in years. Four-bedroom 18 Macquarie Street, Jensen, is for rent for $800 a week through Explore Property.

“When you think about how Queensland has fared and how much more affordable it is over Sydney and Melbourne, I think we are going to see more people, particularly from southern states, move here. There’s greater affordability, terrific liveability, demand will rise in the post COVID world.”

She said the tighter vacancy rates demonstrated the cyclical nature of the market.

“It was not that long ago that I was talking about very weak vacancy rates and weak demand and yet here we are, not long after, looking at a different picture.”

She said it was pleasing for landlords who have had to drop their rental asking prices in the past few years.

“It’s nice to see that those landlords are perhaps being rewarded. When you are in an area where vacancy rates are tight, it does mean competitive, limited supply and therefore higher rents and the chances of negotiating rent reductions are reduced.

“Most of Queensland is classified as tight now,” she said. “It definitely is more advantageous for the owner.”

Among the patterns that have emerged through COVID-19 is an increase in fly-in fly-out workers staying in regional cities to maintain jobs, and families moving to be closer together.

Ms Mercorella said there was a need for greater rental supply.

“So many renters do rely on private owners, and mum and dad investors to provide rental accommodation for them. It demonstrates a need to meet rental demand.”

One area where tenants have maintained the upper hand is in Brisbane’s inner ring, within 5km of the CBD, where the vacancy rate is comparatively weak at 3.9 per cent.

In those areas rents could get cheaper, according to Ms Mercorella, giving tenants the opportunity to lock-in good rates longer term.

“Certainly in those areas there is more availability,” she said. This is down to a higher level of apartments in those locations but also the fact that a lot of stock that was originally short-term holiday rentals have come into the long-term market.

“Because of COVID-19 and the inability of people to travel, some owners have decided to transfer from short-term lets to the long-term market. Then there are properties vacant because of students going back home to live with mum and dad and universities going online.”

Residential vacancy rates:

LGA Mar-20 Jun-20

Greater Brisbane 2.0% 2.0%

Brisbane LGA 2.1% 3.2%

Inner (0-5km) 2.7% 3.9%

Middle (5-20km) 1.8% 2.4%

Outer Brisbane² 1.8% 1.7%

Ipswich 2.0% 1.9%

Logan 2.0% 2.2%

Moreton Bay 1.7% 1.4%

Caboolture 0.8% 1.2%

Pine Rivers 2.0% 1.7%

Redcliffe 2.0% 1.6%

Redland 1.5% 1.3%

Mainland 0.9% 1.7%

Bay Islands 4.3% 1.2%

Gold Coast 3.0% 3.0%

Sunshine Coast SD 1.8% 2.0%

Sunshine Coast^ 1.4% 1.9%

Caloundra Coast 1.0% 1.4%

Maroochy Coast 1.4% 2.1%

Hinterland^ 1.5% 2.1%

Noosa^ 3.6% 2.4%

Fraser Coast 3.1% 1.2%

Hervey Bay 4.3% 1.6%

Maryborough 1.2% 0.4%

Cairns 3.5% 2.4%

Source: REIQ

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Stockland North Shore project director Andrew Astorquia.

A NEW and growing Townsville suburb is allowing first home buyers to get a purchase in the market.

Stockland’s North Shore housing community is experiencing a boom in buyers making the most of the State Government’s $15,000 First Home Owner Grant and the $25,000 HomeBuilder grant with the $5000 regional boost.

Justin Bonner, 25, is one of many buyers purchasing land to build in the family-orientated suburb.

Justin Bonner made the most of the First Home Buyers Grant, plus the Home Builders Incentive and bought a block at North Shore. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The first homebuyer was drawn to North Shore for its access to shops, and the chance to stay close to family. “I have previously been living in North Shore with my sister who built with AP Williams,” Mr Bonner said.

He plans on using the same builder to construct his new home the street over from his sister.

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“It’s a four bedroom place with a theatre, so technically a five bedroom,” he said.

“It was way too good to pass up (the grants). It’s just nice to have your own place.”

Stockland project director Andrew Astorquia said the grants put first home buyers in Townsville in a purchasing position like never before.

“Stockland’s North Shore is ideal for first home buyers looking to break into the property market, with an abundance of services and amenities available,” he said.

“Close to schools, shopping, dining, parks, bushland trails and transport networks, North Shore is a 13km drive to Townsville’s CBD, has easy access to the northern beaches and boasts nine kilometres of walking and cycling trails.

Stockland North Shore project director Andrew Astorquia.

“We’ve found that most first home buyers are looking for a four-bed home with two bathrooms, a double garage and a spacious backyard.”

Treasurer and Infrastructure Minister Cameron Dick said the Regional Home Building Boost and first homeowner grants were part of a suite of construction programs designed to help stimulate the Queensland economy.

“As part of this $267 million construction package, the $100 million Works for Tradies program will further stimulate housing construction, supporting up to 240 jobs and delivering much-needed social housing on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Wide Bay, Moreton Bay, Toowoomba and Ipswich,” he said.

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Woodlea Estate by VIP and Mirvac is among those to sign up for a new Neighbourhood Watch program aimed at stopping crime starting in new estates.

A dozen Victorian housing estates have signed up for a Neighbourhood Watch program specifically designed for new communities.

With a focus on shielding residents from today’s more prevalent crimes, including number-plate theft and door-to-door scammers, its backers also hope it may help speed the recovery from COVID-19.

Neighbourhood Watch chief executive Bambi Gordon said the Building Community Together initiative had already achieved positive outcomes after a year working with developers to build relationships in new streets and bolster perceptions of safety and security at new estates.

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“The research shows that if we know the people around us, we feel safe,” Ms Gordon said.

“And a lot of people have moved from another country and are buying their forever home.

“So the program can also help to break down barriers to police, which is helpful for people who have come from countries where police aren’t the friendly, wonderful people they are here.”

Homes without tall fences or landscaping to block vision to the street can deter criminals.

Ms Gordon said with more people working from home, COVID-19 had given many new communities a chance to spot scammers going door to door and alert others in the area.

“I’m also hoping we will see some street-based business networks starting up as well, from people working from home or those who have become unemployed,” she said.

A key part of the program is promoting visual connections with the neighbourhood, and encouraging residents to consider this when building fences and landscaping front gardens.

“We think that big fences and pulling our blinds down protects us, but that encourages those who see it as an opportunity to quickly and quietly break into a home,” Ms Gordon said.

“The criminals can also see if the area looks well cared for, or has a lot of lines of site from homes.”

Lotus Living’s Jubilee estate in Wyndham Vale has also signed up for the program.

Mirvac and Victorian Investments and Properties’ 711ha masterplanned Woodlea community at Aintree was among the first to sign on for the program.

Sales manager Lora Armstrong said they had partnered with Neighbourhood Watch to help build a sense of community among the development’s existing 5000 residents.

“And with the onset of COVID-19, community engagement and improvement is even more important,” Ms Armstrong said.

“When you move to a new suburb you don’t have that established community … so it can feel lonely.”

She added that things like parks — the estate now has nine — were also vital for building personal connections between residents while kids and dogs played in them.

Other participating estates in Melbourne’s west include Jubilee in Wyndham Vale, Elements in Truganina, Atherstone in Strathtulloh, and Harpley in Werribee.

The Olivine estate by Mirvac in Donnybrook also has Neighbourhood Watch programs running with residents.

To the north, the Aurora community in Wollert and Olivine and Kinbrook estates in Donnybrook are involved; to the southeast, Berwick’s Alira community and Officer’s Arcadia estate.

The Point in Point Lonsdale on the Bellarine Peninsula is also part of the program.

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Kirsty and Ben Morland with Evie, 9, Max, 7, and Isla, 5, at their home on Brisbane Corso, Yeronga, which they are selling. Image: Josh Woning.

TO SAY Brisbane builder Ben Morland has a soft spot for Yeronga’s most famous street would be an understatement.

The owner of design and construction firm grayHAUS grew up in Brisbane Corso and has built six luxury houses in the street — including his own dream home.

“My parents built our family home here when I was in my early teens,” Mr Morland said.

“When I moved away, I earmaked this street as somewhere to live and stay in.

This house at 352 Brisbane Corso, Yeronga, is for sale.

“I drove past one day and a sign was up for sale (in the street) and I said to Kirsty; ‘We’re buying that house’.”

The Morlands subdivided the riverfront block and built two houses on it.

They built their current home at 352 Brisbane Corso on one and sold the other to rugby league coach Wayne Bennett.

The home is a design masterpiece, with a heavy use of concrete.

Mr Morland and his wife, Kirsty, along with their three children, moved into their modern masterpiece on 610 sqm some 18 months ago.

“I went above and beyond here,” he said.

“My lovely wife and I had many a robust conversation about the design for about 12 months.

“We always knew we were going to make this the family home, so we had the time to get it right.”

The kitchen is the centre of the home at 352 Brisbane Corso, Yeronga.

The house is a mid-century modern masterpiece, featuring suspended concrete floors and floor-to-ceiling glazing, offering unobstructed views of the swimming pool, fireplace, outdoor dining area and backyard.

Mr Morland said his wife kept telling him to ‘soften it down’, when it came to the design features.

“I love this house,” he said. “I love how open and free-flowing it is.

“And the street appeal. It has that elevated aspect and is flood-free, which is a plus in Yeronga.”

This mid-century modern design is signature to grayHAUS.

But it’s time for a change and the Morlands have an itch to build a new project on acreage.

“Our kids are super active and they need more room to run amok,” Mr Morland said.

“The house would suit someone who had extended family, or an older family with teenagers as there’s a terrific, fully self-contained apartment on the lower level with its own access.

“I had a vision of creating a great house with a connection to the space where the kitchen was in the heart of the home to enjoy Queensland living.”

The property is scheduled to go to auction next month.

Mr Morland said the family would miss living in Brisbane Corso, particularly being close to the river and the parklands.

“The Corso is an active hub of Yeronga, with a great community feel,” he said.

“I like Yeronga because it’s off the beaten track a bit — close to Brisbane but … this little bubble off the main road.

“It’s a tightly-held suburb. A lot of homes will sell to locals in the area, and a lot offmarket.”

Ray White New Farm Principal Matt Lancashire and prestige agent Christine Rudolph are marketing the Morlands’ property at 352 Brisbane Corso.

This house at 352 Brisbane Corso, Yeronga, is for sale.

Mr Lancashire said the property in Brisbane’s millionaire’s row was “the hottest new arrival” to the Brisbane Corso when it was built in 2018.

“This mid-century home has a contemporary twist and the grayHAUS team have invested an insane level of detail into creating this welcoming family home, with a layout designed to flow effortlessly between spaces, where raw materials are offset by warm timber elements,” Mr Lancashire said.

Ms Rudolph said the kitchen was at the heart of the home in a seamless integration of living areas.

“There’s a series of more private areas including a study, three lounge rooms, and a four-car basement with storage and a self-contained office/apartment,” Ms Rudolph said.

The home of Susie O’Neill at 401 Brisbane Corso, Yeronga, is for sale.

The property is scheduled to go to auction on Saturday, September 5, at 3pm.

Brisbane Corso is also home to Olympic swimming great Susie O’Neill, who is also selling her property at 401 Brisbane Corso.

Other residents include former Olympian turned property developer Mark Stockwell and owners of the racehorse, Winx.

The post Brisbane builder selling his own dream home on the river appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Proximity to Victoria University has pushed Footscray’s Federal Street to the top of Melbourne’s most in-demand streets for tenants.

The small strip that’s dominated by weatherboard homes and townhouses emerged ahead of Fraser Court, Jacana, and Dawson Street, Reservoir, on realestate.com.au’s list of streets with the most views per rental listing since 2017.

Hocking Stuart Yarraville director Leo Dardha said the rental market in the inner west had been “holding up fairly well” prior to the stage four lockdown.

“It’s a super affordable place to rent 6km out of town,” Mr Dardha said.

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Federal Street, across the carpark from VU, was the top rated street. Picture: Jay Town

A home on Newell St, one of Footscray’s finest.

He added Newell Street — which realestate.com.au named as another of Melbourne’s tenant hot spots — was “one of Footscray’s prize locations”.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said the majority of tenants prioritised convenience in their rental searches, rather than luxury.

“The streets renters look at tend to be more attractive to young people and frequently quite close to universities and tertiary education,” Ms Conisbee said.

“They might be in suburbs that are fun to live in and super cheap.”

Runners job along the Merri Creek Trail, which attracts tenants to the inner north. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Melbourne’s inner north was strongly represented in the data, with Murray Road, Coburg, and Koormiel Lane, Fitzroy North, featuring in the top 10.

Walshe & Whitelock property manager Kate Pizzichetta said the region was still relatively affordable but retained inner-city lifestyle perks.

“We rent to a lot of families around that area,” Ms Pizzichetta said. “A lot of those parents would be the young people of 10 to 15 years ago that were living in those yuppie areas but now have kids. It’s still inner city but it’s got the right amount of suburbia.”

MELBOURNE’S MOST POPULAR STREETS FOR TENANTS*

Federal Street, Footscray

Fraser Court, Jacana

Dawson Street, Reservoir

Willanjie Court, Bundoora

Murray Road, Coburg

Koormiel Lane, Fitzroy North

Florence Place, Sunshine West

Warbla Street, Dandenong North

Dandenong Road, Caulfield East

City Road, South Melbourne

Scarlet Drive, Bundoora

Ormond Street, Brunswick

Asquith Street, Kew

Norwood Court, Bundoora

Edsall Street, Highett

Second Avenue, Brunswick

Newell Street, Footscray

Little Eastment Street, Northcote

Queen Street, Fitzroy North

Hennessy Street, Brunswick

*Source: realestate.com.au, from July 2017 to June 2020. Ranked based on average views per listing. To be included, streets had to be within 30km of the CBD, and have a minimum of five listings and two tenanted properties over the three-year period.

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@jackboronovskis

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This circa 1901 house at 24 Meakin Street, East Geelong has only had three owners.

AN East Geelong heritage home that counts a city mayor and prominent athletics figure among its former owners is ready for its next chapter.

The Federation-era weatherboard house at 24 Meakin Street has been listed for sale for only the third time its 120-year history.

‘Morningsyde’ was home to former Geelong mayor Bervin Purnell during his time in office from 1949-1952.

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The Federationn-era house is rich in period detail.

Mr Purnell, a prominent businessman, was also an instrumental in the formation of the Geelong Guild Athletics Club and used his cabinet making skills to design built-in furniture that remains at the house today.

The four-bedroom house is on a 1166sq m corner block just moments from Eastern Park.

Hayeswinckle, Newtown agent Rachel Taylor has set a price guide of $1.2m-$1.3m ahead of an online auction scheduled for August 29.

The vendors have updated the kitchen/meals area with Miele appliances and timber cabinetry.

And kept the period detail in the formal loungeroom, which has a box bay window and open fireplace.

Ms Taylor said the property’s rich history and its beautiful established gardens made it a once-in-generation opportunity.

“The garden is absolutely to die for and it’s all a credit to the current owner,” she said.

“He’s an avid gardener and he has maintained it.

“And the high ceilings and the original fireplaces are definitely a standout for me.”

The house has formal lounge and dining rooms, a study, a large sunroom and two bathrooms, plus an enclosed veranda where the original owner’s children used to sleep.

This sunroom is the perfect place to take in garden views.

The current owners have added a deck off the kitchen.

Ms Taylor said the old maid’s quarters had been converted into kitchen/meals area that adjoins a deck for outdoor entertaining.

The property once included two neighbouring blocks and still has the shed where the first owners, the Riches, kept a horse and buggy.

The corner block paves the way for the addition of a new double garge with access off Gurr St.

The vendors, who bought the house from Mr Purnell and his wife 44 years ago, said it had been a wonderful place to raise their three children and a collection of pets.

“It will be the (new owners’) treasure and their joy,” she said.

“It’s just beautiful to look out the windows and see the garden.”

Mr Purnell is credited with helping secure runner John Landy’s place in Australia’s 1952 Olympic team through a silent fundraising campaign.

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1/14 Bayside Drive, Lauderdale. Picture: SUPPLIED

FOR the urban professional seeking a relaxed lifestyle, minimal upkeep and easy beach access – this Lauderdale townhouse could be perfect.

Positioned on the hillside at Bayside Drive, this home blends easily with the desirable neighbouring homes in this often envied corner of the suburb.

The elevation allows the property to drink in breathtaking views across the bay and over to Mount Wellington as well.

It has a commanding presence coupled with a peaceful location; it is a property that will be a treat for your senses.

Modern marvel.

Quite the vista.

Doing the dishes won’t be a chore.

Throughout the three-bedroom home there are quality fixtures and fittings coupled with a timeless elegance. The tones are modern and neutral, which will give the new owner the chance to put their own interior design stamp on it and transform the property from townhouse to townhome.

The floorplan stretches comfortably across two levels.

The top floor is home to an open living area that would be an entertainer’s dream come true.

Expect clean lines, eye-catching flooring, unobstructed water views and quality Smeg appliances.

Located off the dining room is an elevated outdoor entertaining area – 3.8m x 7m – with glass balustrades and views over Roches Beach and out towards Ralphs Bay.

The living zone is also home to an impressive kitchen with big views, double sinks, sleek tapware and an island bench that would make a comfortable breakfast bar if desired. There is a ton of bench and cupboard space, plus views to the rear of the property via a window where most homes often position a splashback – beautiful.

A lovely bonus in this area is the study nook.

Ideal for summer.

Pull up a chair.

The master bedroom is located towards the front of the home with wonderful views out across Roches Beach. The master has a substantial walk-in robe and exquisite ensuite.

Downstairs, vehicle accommodation will never be a problem with the property offering a carport and a single attached garage with internal access.

The home’s lower level includes a formal entrance that leads into a hallway that guides the homeowner toward the two bedrooms, both with built-in wardrobes.

The master bathroom is on this level and it is striking with its luxurious tub, tiles and a shower with a rain showerhead.

Stylish sophistication.

Goodnight.

The laundry and another toilet are on this level also.

Per realestate.com.au, Lauderdale’s median house price has been steady in the past year and is up by almost 40 per cent compared to three years ago.

No.1/14 Bayside Drive in Lauderdale is priced at $750,000 and listed with Exceed Property.

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