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The Block 2020 episode 9 recap: Are Jimmy and Tam getting too much love from the judges?

As The Simpsons famously advise: “You don’t win friends with salad!”

But, on The Block, a gourmet barbecue is a sure-fire way to sweeten the relationship with the other competitors.

Still riding high from their trifecta of victories, Tam and Jimmy decided to splurge some of their $49,000 kitty on a $1000 fancy feast for their neighbours in the hope of squashing any sour grapes.

RELATED: Former Block contestant Carlene’s tips for using colour in your home

Jimmy and Tam host a BBQ to help the other contestants get over their three wins in a row.

Jimmy and Tam host a BBQ to help the other contestants get over their three wins in a row.

The laid-back couple wisely realised that their steady stream of wins and now bulging budget had put a target on their backs with the other contestants.

Everyone — including Harry, who had initially refused the invitation because he felt he had too much work to do to sit around shooting the breeze over snacks — certainly enjoyed Tam’s champagne, devilled eggs and array of cold meats.

So much so that they resolved to make it a weekly tradition. From now on, the winners will host a party for the losers on the night after judging.

But it would take a lot more than snags and alcohol to smooth things over entirely as the other teams, after surveying Tam and Jimmy’s winning ensuite, felt the Queensland duo were being treated a little too kindly by the judges, Shaynna Blaze, Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer.

Making matters worse, the other teams reckon Tam and Jimmy have been enjoying an advantage with their 1950s property because it has needed very little demolition work, meaning the couple could spend more time and energy purely on their renovation and styling rather than the messy grunt work of pulling out cupboards, walls and ceilings.

Harry was in a thunderous mood thanks to his ongoing lack of success and the formidable task that awaited him in Master Bedroom week.

Harry let's the expletives rip.

Harry lets the expletives rip.

Harry and daughter Tash went from famine to feast on the floor space front. Their guest bedroom was the smallest bedroom on The Block, but their master bedroom is by far the biggest. Unfortunately, with their work week reduced by a public holiday (which prevents the use of power tools on site), they were struggling for time to do justice to their epic project.

Their bedroom and walk-in robe will be a whopping 33 square metres, which is larger than most studio apartments and just the sort of lux sanctuary to make a would-be Brighton dweller bid up big at the coming auction.

The scale of the project had Harry so concerned that he spent too much time agonising over whether to pull the Hipages lever (which would enable him to have a squadron of tradies on site to assist him free of charge) or getting stuck into doing the work himself.

Adding to his frustration, he tarried too long to collect his timber from a waiting truck and the delivery guy elected to drop it down the block from The Block. Harry then had to spend what little time he didn’t have this week carting the timber to the building site — accompanied by an expletive-laden tirade.

When he finally sprang into action on prepping his room, Harry did such a thorough job with his demolition work that foreman Dan feared he’d left the house structurally unsound, with too little of the exterior wall left to safely hold up the roof.

“He should know the processes by now. It’s week three,” Dan said. “But he’s going backwards not forwards. There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day for Harry to get everything done. He needs 48 hours to a day, not 24.”

Keith on the rampage again

Keith thinking about how much he loves Benny Hill.

Dan appears to be becoming more and more like grouchy foreman Keith with every season.

Speaking of Keith, he wasn’t going to let Dan do all the heavy lifting on the negativity front. He pulled the pin on Jasmin and Luke’s demo work when he discovered they’d hurriedly pulled apart a wall that could contain asbestos.

Work on the site had to be halted for safety inspections and one of Keith’s lengthy and tedious lectures.

Even though the house was declared asbestos-free, Luke and all his tradespeople were forced to sit through another safety briefing to make sure that they had well and truly learned their lesson.

Demolition was giving George headaches (and some limp jokes about erectile dysfunction) as well.

With no work crews on site for the public holiday, George and Sarah got cracking together on their master bedroom. The couple were forced to start pulling down walls around an intricate plaster ceiling rose that they had salvaged and left on the floor to reinstall later.

Keith, ever the prophet of doom, pointed out that the rose was at risk of being damaged by George’s one-man demolition work. George explained, however, that he had no choice because he had no tradespeople on site and the rose was too heavy and fragile to be moved by him and Sarah.

“I can’t get it up,” George lamented.

“Do you have trouble getting it up, George?” a sniggering Keith responded (I can imagine Keith was a big Benny Hill fan back in the day).

Jimmy and Tam's wardrobe requires a trip past a dunny

Getting to Jimmy and Tam’s wardrobe requires a trip past a dunny.

A war of the roses erupted when George joked to Sarah that he had thrown out the ceiling rose she had so carefully rescued for her new bedroom. Thankfully, he had stowed it safely in their beach box as she had muttered warnings of “instant divorce” if it had ended up in their skip. Remarkably, she didn’t shed a single tear during the heated exchange.

Things were far brighter for The Block’s resident winners. With $49,000 sitting in their bank account they have planned a bedroom with “all the bells and whistles” (that is TV renovation speak for a soaring cathedral ceiling and fireplace).

The duo also seemed hellbent on making their toilet the place to be seen.

They had to shelve plans for their bathroom to be separated from the bedroom by a glass wall that could be frosted for privacy at the flick of a switch when they discovered it would come at a cost of an eye-watering $16,000.

Their curious new plan now requires anyone wishing to enter the walk-in wardrobe to do so via the toilet. This means you could be caught with your pants down if your other half decided to visit the wardrobe to change his or her own pants.

MISSED AN EPISODE?

Episode 8 recap: Judges pull no punches on grieving Daniel and Jade

Episode 6-7 recap: Sack your builder: Keith slams ‘pathetic’ work

Episode 4 recap: Luke and Jasmin’s big stuff up

Episode 3 recap: “So two years ago”. Team’s boring room slammed

Episode 2 recap: Disappointment as Block houses are handed out

Episode 1 recap: Block 2020 tears start flowing early

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Rare chance to make a real difference with your next home buy

This is your unique opportunity to buy a highly-sought after new home and make a contribution to three great causes at the same time.

The sale proceeds from this rare two-bedroom apartment, with resort-like facilities will be donated to charity.

The estate owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, wanted the auction proceeds to be split equally across RSPCA, Beyond Blue and Cancer Council ACT.

Deceased estate at 60/23 Aspinall Street, Watson, ACT 2602 to give sale proceeds to charity.

A great apartment for a great cause.

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A generous move at any time, especially with all charities struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perfectly situated in one of the most resilient growth markets in the country, this 90 sq m plus internal flat at 60/23 Aspinall Street, Watson, ACT has had plenty of interest.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, get in quick because it goes to auction on Wednesday night.

The apartment features a double balcony, two carparks in a secure garage with direct access to the apartment, and a large master with ensuite.

“Watson is a beautiful location and close to many amenities while still having that suburban feel,” said sales agent Andrew Grenfell, from LJ Hooker – Dickson, who holds the listing with fellow agent Andrew Browne.

Deceased estate at 60/23 Aspinall Street, Watson, ACT 2602 to give sale proceeds to charity.

The 90 sq m+ internal space has attracted many eager buyers.

Deceased estate at 60/23 Aspinall Street, Watson, ACT 2602 to give sale proceeds to charity.

As has the double balconies and resort facilities.

“It’s nice and leafy at the foothills of the Mount Majura nature reserve but also close to everything including walking and bike tracks and good schools.

“It’s a fantastic white collar, green lifestyle to buy into.

“It’s at a good price point and there has been a lot of interest from first home buyers, families and investors.”

The apartment has a price guide of $345,000+ and features balconies at both ends with access to a tennis court, a salt water swimming pool and BBQ areas in the complex.

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Deceased estate at 60/23 Aspinall Street, Watson, ACT 2602 to give sale proceeds to charity.

Proceeds will go to charities RSPCA, Beyond Blue and Cancer Council ACT.

The median value of a two-bedroom unit in Watson is $356,000.

Canberra home values have been one of Australia’s best performing during COVID-19 and over the past year. The national capital was one of only three major cities, along with Hobart and Darwin to enjoy positive home value growth over the month of August (0.5 per cent) and over the last quarter (1.3 per cent), according to CoreLogic data.

National downhill champion Michael Ronning
competing in 1997 National Championships
at Mt (Mount) Majura, Canberra.
Cycling A/CT
Mountain Bike

The property is close to the bike trails of Mt Majura. Picture: supplied

Dwelling values have risen 6.9 per cent over the last 12 months, second only to Sydney’s 9.8 per cent rise and ahead of Melbourne’s 5.9 per cent increase.

“Watson is one of the suburbs where we have seen apartment prices hold and even grow in value recently,” Mr Grenfell said.

“It’s a great area and a great opportunity.”

“This home is ideal for all types of buyers. At this practical price this could be a great investment, it could attract first home buyers, families, downsizers and any others looking for easy living or a healthy investment.

photographs of Canberra for Australian feature.. Canberra city centre

Watson is a short drive to the Canberra city centre

“This property will sell due to the reasonable price guide and the estate is motivated to get the money to the charities as soon as possible.

The generous donation to charity, gives it further appeal.

“Working on a sale like this hits very close to home, many of us in the office have felt the effects of these charities work,” Mr Grenfell said.

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“It is a proud moment to see a transaction like this happen knowing that the funds will be used to provide care and assistance to those who need it.

“It’s been aa really testing year and these charities have been hit hard. They do a lot of great things and help a lot of people in need, so it’s great they will receive the proceeds.”

The property goes to auction this Wednesday, 9 September, at 6:00pm.

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Married At First Sight’s Cameron Merchant and Jules Robinson buy home in Cromer

33rd Annual ARIA Awards 2019 - Arrivals

Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant have bought their first home together. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The Married At First Sight success story Cameron Merchant and wife Jules Robinson have bought their first home ­together. They’ve spent $1,806,000 on their family home in Cromer.

Settling just weeks ­before the pair welcome their first child in mid-September, the four bedroom home is getting a quick makeover. However, the couple have ­apparently chosen not to find out the gender of their baby, which has limited choices for the nursery by their decorators, The Block duo Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie.

MORE: Sam Armytage secures sale of Southern Highlands weekender

The couple paid just over $1.8m for the home.

Supplied Editorial 19 Maas Street, Cromer, NSW 2099

The modern kitchen.

The four-bedroom, three bathroom, northern beaches house last traded for $1,075,000 in 2014.

It had recently been a $1300 a week rental before its sale by Belle agent Nick Duchatel, who sec­ured a pre-auction deal.

Cromer has 40 properties currently for sale on realestate.com.au, which puts its four bedroom median price at $1.65 million. Based on five years of sales, Cromer has seen a compound growth rate of 6.6 per cent for houses.

Supplied Editorial 19 Maas Street, Cromer, NSW 2099

Open plan living with bright interiors.

Supplied Editorial 19 Maas Street, Cromer, NSW 2099

The home last traded in 2014.

The buy comes after Merchant sold his one bedroom Kirribilli apartment for a loss. It fetched $926,000 post-auction having been bought for $941,000 in 2017, just before he took part in the Channel 9 show in 2018. Merchant retains an investment in Dee Why’s Grand Reef complex which cost $720,000 in 2014. The Cromer property was bought by the couple, who married last November, although Jules’ co-ownership has been registered under her maiden name.

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Melbourne lockdown auctions: Silent start to spring selling season

Only 11 homes sold under the hammer during Melbourne’s first weekend of September, starting the spring selling season in almost complete silence.

It came as a ban on private property inspections was extended through to October 26, causing concern the traditional selling season would be put on hold entirely.

Despite the quiet weekend, successful sales were recorded for all but two of the 13 auctions reported to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.

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3 Allison Road, Mont Albert North was one of just 13 auctions on the first weekend of spring.

A Mont Albert North house at 3 Allison Road was one of the houses that succeeded in the tough auction conditions.

Ray White Blackburn director Peter Schenck said there were five registered bidders who pushed the sale price to $1.17m.

“To have it sell for above $1m, when a week ago buyers were saying they wouldn’t pay more than $1m, is amazing,” Mr Schenck said.

“It proves that buyers are out there and auctions are the way to go to get premium results.”

It sold for $1.17m.

There were five registered bidders competing for the property.

It was the third property the auctioneer had sold via an online sales platform during coronavirus lockdown.

Private sales are still being sealed across the city, with two Doncaster East units sold by Phillip Webb last week.

The agency’s Doncaster East sales consultant Harry Fares said 1/11 Dehnert Street sold for $795,000 after it was advertised with an $835,000 asking price.

1/11 Dehnert St, Doncaster East sold via private sale.

The unit transacted for $795,000.

There were 16 offers on the properties across 108 days, mostly from first-home buyers and investors.

Another unit at 2/243 Blackburn Road sold last week after just 32 days on the market. There were three offers on the property before it sold slightly below its $530,000-$580,000 price guide for $510,000, according to CoreLogic.

Big results have been recorded by homes amid stage four lockdown restrictions.

2/243 Blackburn Road, Doncaster East sold after just 32 days on the market.

In August, a Fairfield house at 36 McGregor Street soared $350,000 above reserve to $1.45m.

Jellis Craig Northcote’s Sam Rigopoulos said there were more than 20 registered bidders for the three-bedroom house.

He said a “scarcity of stock” and remaining buyer demand would help boost the market once restrictions lifted.

36 McGregor Street, Fairfield sold in August for a $350,000 premium.

Plenty of potential inside the Fairfield house.

Another lifestyle property at 105 Arcadia Avenue in Mickleham sold for $2.05m last month, making it one of the suburb’s most expensive homes.

The Eleet Wyndham City director Sahil Kakar said the four-bedroom house passed in at auction for $1.8m in October last year, when the market was much stronger.

“Nothing in Mickleham has been sold for this price that is less than three acres (1.2ha), so it has set a record by that measure,” Mr Kakar said.

105 Arcadia Avenue, Mickleham sold for $2.05m

The property scored one of Mickleham’s most expensive sales.

“We did an off-market campaign for two months before putting it on the market, which generated a lot of good leads and offers, but nothing as close to what the owners wanted.

“By the end of the campaign we had four buyers interested, who all bid over the phone … the ones who bought it were able to walk through the house about five days before stage four restrictions hit.”

Scoring a deal during stage four coronavirus restrictions had spurred on inquiries from other local vendors, who were keen to sell once restrictions were eased, Mr Kakar said.

READ MORE: Melbourne lockdown: REIV road map response criticised as ‘callous’

Lower migration due to closed borders could have disastrous impact on inner city sales

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Noosa ground floor apartment sparks bidding frenzy

The Cove, Unit 1, sold under the hammer over the weekend.

When bidding opened at $4.8m for this Noosa apartment, the final price was always going to be eye-watering, especially with half the bidders dialling in from lockdown in Victoria.

A total eight bidders registered to bid on Apartment 1 at Noosa’s prestigious Little Cove, which sold over the weekend after a whopping 38 bids were cast.

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The kitchen of the apartment which sold for a whopping $6.3m.

Agent Nic Hunter from Tom Offermann Real Estate said “the strong opening bid of $4.8m set the pace on the sun-drenched balcony just 30m from Little Cove beach”.

“We had a lot of interest 130 email enquiries and hundreds of phone calls on the property, eight registered bidders on the day, six of whom were very active right up to $6m,” he said.

“From there two basically pitched for the property further and further with bids of $50,000 increments up to the successful Melbourne-based buyer being the last man standing at $6.3m. It was a fantastic response to what is a gloriously positioned property.”

The appeal was “absolutely about the location”, he said.

“That was the number one appeal for all these bidders,” he said. “It was a property that people have been waiting for. for a long time. The successful bidder actually missed out on the sale of the penthouse three years ago.”

Seconds from the beach and a close walk to some of the best features Noosa has to offer.

The ground floor unit in the luxury complex saw two bidders register from the Sunshine Coast, one out of Brisbane, one out of New South Wales and four register out of Melbourne.

“A lot of people are rebooting their thoughts on the next five years with themselves and their extended families, and the lack of opportunities to travel internationally.”

“A lot of people in the high end are looking to find a position in Noosa which ultimately once we clear these COVID-19 restrictions is just three hours from Melbourne door-to-door. Melbourne buyers have always had a strong interest in Noosa and even more so at the moment.”

The apartment was listed as having three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a single garage with “a private garden entrance, no stairs and no close neighbours except for koalas in the eucalypts near the easterly terrace”

At a massive 300sq m, the apartment is the largest in The Cove complex where the resort has 23 luxury holiday apartments, a pool, outdoor entertaining and BBQ facilities for guests.

Property such at Apartment 1 in such a prime position in Noosa came up “very rarely”, Mr Hunter said.

“One thing we noticed in prime spots is a lot of owners repeatedly say to us that they will hand them down to their family. A lot of people are buying for their future generations to enjoy.”

Mr Hunter has five buyers still on the hunt in the $5m price range for Noosa property.

Other bidders were still on the hunt in the $5m price range, he said.

“We’ve got five other cash buyers left over (from the auction) who are seeking a similar quality property and position in Noosa.”

Mr Hunter said the buyers were looking for opportunities that were an easy walk to the water or facilities, no matter whether it was an older or a newer property.

Agency principal Tom Offermann said the sale capped off a strong week for his team where two properties broke the $10m price tag.

He said the Apartment 1 sale “highlights how much confidence there is in the Noosa market, especially when you consider that seven other buyers with over $5 million to invest have walked away empty-handed”.

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Channel 7 Sunrise presenter Sam Armytage sells Southern Highlands weekender

Sam Armytage has sold in the Southern Highlands.

Channel 7’s Sunrise presenter Sam Armytage has sold her Southern Highlands weekender.

She has secured a $3.1m off-market buyer for the Burrawang cottage, in a deal well up on her $2.2m purchase price from three years ago.

Armytage also sold her North Bondi home for $3.15m in July, just a month after her June engagement to Richard Lavender, a Quirindi-born equestrian ­businessman.

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It would suggest Armytage intends living with her fiance at his longtime Berrima estate elsewhere in the Highlands. He celebrated his 61st birthday on Saturday with Sam turning 43 on Friday.

Supplied Editorial 21 Church Street, Burrawang, NSW 2577

It sold for $3.1m.

Supplied Editorial 21 Church Street, Burrawang, NSW 2577

The property has an open-plan kitchen and dining area.

The couple met at a friend’s 60th birthday party in the Highlands in April last year.

There’d been no development application to the five-bedroom, five-bathroom cottage during her brief ownership, although she did change the name from Pear Tree Cottage to Churchill.

The two-hectare property, which sold through Di Dixon at Belle Property Bowral, has an open-plan kitchen and dining area overlooking paddocks with post and rail fencing.

Supplied Editorial 21 Church Street, Burrawang, NSW 2577

A relaxing spot.

SOCIALS/Jan Logan the Merindah Collection Launch

Armytage is expected to live in Berrima with her fiance Richard Lavender. Picture: Richard Dobson

Her redundant North Bondi home was sold to chef Greg Anderson and his wife Patricia Nunes, who had been looking for a new home since selling their St Ives home for $2.08m.

The three-bedroom North Bondi home had been listed with a $2.8m guide having been bought by Armytage for $2.15m in 2014, just as the Sydney price boom was kicking in to gear.

Supplied Editorial 21 Church Street, Burrawang, NSW 2577

She owned it for three years.

She has been spotted inspecting eastern suburbs rentals given her commitment to be in Sydney for the breakfast show four days a week. Her television career began in 1999 and she joined Seven after having impressed executives during her coverage of the 2003 Canberra bushfires.

Armytage grew up in the high country, Snowy River territory, on historic Bolaro Station.

With additional reporting by Joel Robinson.

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Melbourne lockdown: REIV road map response criticised as ‘callous’

Victoria’s peak real estate body has been urged to retract its “callous” reaction to the state government’s continued lockdown of the sector, which social advocates say uses tenants as “collateral damage”.

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria responded to the government’s road map for reopening announcement on Sunday by advising its members to “refuse to negotiate rent reductions” with tenants in COVID-19 hardship.

REIV president Leah Calnan said the organisation would instead be advising tenants to “make their own inquiries with Consumer Affairs Victoria”, until the state government engaged in “genuine consultation” with the real estate industry.

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Estate agent shaking hands with his customer after contract signature

“Good faith” rent reduction agreements have been a key part of protecting tenants from homelessness during the pandemic.

The REIV particularly wants physical inspections of Melbourne homes to be reinstated sooner than the October 26 date advised by government, arguing “without inspections, buying and leasing cannot proceed”.

Ms Calnan said the “disastrous” road map announcement coming just days after Victoria’s moratoriums on evictions and rent price hikes was extended to March 28 was a “double whammy” for the real estate sector.

“This is not about making one party a victim, it’s trying to rebalance the rights for both landlords and tenants,” she said.

Victorian Council of Social Service chief executive Emma King urged the REIV to “retract this misguided, callous and dangerous directive”, as it would increase hardship for tenants.

“Rent reductions and deferrals are a key part of protecting tenants from eviction and homelessness during COVID-19 — a process agreed to by the National Cabinet,” Ms King said.

“That system is reliant on good faith negotiations between tenants and landlords.

“Intentionally undermining this process is a kick in the guts for renters.”

Ms King said it was important landlords understood if they refused to carry out a good faith negotiation with their tenant, they would still be compelled to enter into CAV’s formal dispute resolution.

VCOSS chief executive Emma King is urging the REIV to retract its directive to property managers.

Bricks & Mortar head of property Madeleine Cahill said while she respected the REIV and valued “how they’ve rallied behind” the real estate industry during the pandemic, refusing to negotiate rent reductions would only perpetuate issues within the sector.

“It’s crucial for property managers to conduct themselves professionally (and) advise our clients on all their options,” she said.

“Landlords can make the decision (about rent reductions) for themselves.

“I’ve even had landlords call me to get on the front foot about offering a reduction, knowing the industry their tenants work in and expecting they’re doing it tough, and on the basis their own cash flow is great.”

Landlords are only able to access land tax discounts being offered by the government if they agree to reduce rents for hard-hit tenants.

Consumer Action Law Centre director of policy and campaigns Katherine Temple tweeted on Sunday that Victoria’s tenants “shouldn’t be treated as collateral damage in the fight between landlords and government”.

“Thankfully, the CAV dispute resolution service is available to help sort out these rent reduction negotiations,” she said.

Sad evicted roommates moving home complaining

Victoria’s eviction moratorium has been extended into 2021. Source: iStock

And the newly formed Renters And Housing Union described the REIV’s move as “reckless” and “in bad faith”.

RAHU secretary Eirene Tsolidis Noyce urged the government to take “immediate action … to ensure the safety and security of thousands of Victorian renters” by enacting an amnesty on rental payments for tenants with no income due to COVID-19 and penalties for landlords and real estate agents who “infringe upon renters’ rights”. RAHU also wants all rental debts accrued due to the pandemic to be forgiven.

Ms Tsolidis Noyce said renters in severe hardship may even be “forced to skip meals” due to further delays in rent reduction mediation.

The Victorian Government has been contacted for comment.

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samantha.landy@news.com.au

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August 7th REA Insights Weekly Commercial Search Report, 2020

Search volumes on realcommercial.com.au fell moderately again last week.

The volume of searches for commercial properties for sale fell by -1.5 per cent last week, following a -1.5 per cent fall the previous week.

For sale search volumes at the end of last week were -5.0 per cent lower than their peak, however, they were 14.2 per cent higher than they were over the same week last year.

Western Australia (2.6%) and Tasmania (3.5%) were the only states in which search volumes rose last week, with the largest declines occurring in Australian Capital Territory (-6.9%) and Northern Territory (-3.6%).

While the overall decline in for sale searches from the peak has been moderate, Australian Capital Territory (-15.2%) and Victoria (-13.5%) have recorded the largest falls and Northern Territory (-3.6%) and New South Wales (-4.3%) the smallest.

For sale search volumes are higher than they were a year ago across all states, with the largest increases in Northern Territory (98.5%) and Australian Capital Territory (71.3%) and the smallest in Victoria (1.7%) and New South Wales (17.4%).

Lease search volumes fell for the second consecutive week last week, down -1.0 per cent following a -2.5 per cent fall the week prior. Although lease search volumes are 18.5 per cent higher year-on-year, they have fallen by -12.3 per cent from their peak.

Victoria (2.3%), Western Australia (1.9%) and Tasmania (8.7%) were the only states in which lease search volumes rose last week, while Australian Capital Territory (-10.0%) and Northern Territory (-4.2%) recorded the largest falls.

Queensland (-8.0%), Western Australia (-7.7%) and Tasmania (-9.7%) are the only states to have recorded declines in lease searches from their peak of less than 10 per cent.

Victoria (-27.8%) and Australian Capital Territory (-20.5%) have recorded the largest falls.

On a year-on-year basis, Victoria is the only state with fewer lease searches than a year ago (-4.9%).

Growth in Australian Capital Territory (2.2%) has been modest, while the largest increases have occurred in Tasmania (39.6%) and Western Australia (27.4%).

As the economic weakness drags on, particularly in Victoria, I would expect businesses will increasingly focus on saving costs with regards to their accommodation. Although search volumes have eased I expect they will remain higher than a year ago as businesses continue to closely monitor the availability of properties listed for sale and lease.

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Lower migration due to closed borders could have disastrous impact on inner city unit sales

Dwindling migration is set to drag Australian population growth to a 103-year low with potentially disastrous results for the housing market.

Property research group CoreLogic warned the slowdown would have an impact on construction, rents and off-the-plan apartment sales.

Group head of research Tim Lawless said the construction sector was particularly exposed.

Fewer overseas arrivals would reduce housing demand which in turn would stall new projects, he wrote in CoreLogic’s latest Property Pulse.

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Big warning for unit bargain hunters

Lower migration could have the added effect of causing a protracted drop in rents within inner city areas considering overseas arrivals normally make up a large share of the tenants.

Falls in rents could also force down prices as there would be fewer investors willing to purchase units they may struggle to tenant.

This would increase “settlement risk” for buyers of units sold off-the-plan – a situation where the value of a property drops below the purchase price in the time it takes to get built.

rpdata Research Director Tim Lawless pictured in Sydney on Monday.

CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless.

But Mr Lawless added these impacts would not be evenly spread, with Melbourne and Sydney to be the worst affected.

Nearly 85 per cent of overseas migration last year flowed into capital cities and three quarters of the that movement went to Sydney and Melbourne.

“Overseas migrants are generally centred around the CBD … or transport hubs such as Parramatta in Sydney or Clayton in Melbourne,” Mr Lawless said.

“The impact of the sharp fall in overseas arrivals can already be seen in surging inner city rental advertisements, with rental listings more than doubling across some key inner city unit precincts.

Aerial view of the Sydney CBD

There is a long pipeline of new residential projects within inner Sydney. Picture: John Feder

“The rise in available rental stock in these precincts is already weighing on rental income.

“Every capital city is showing a larger fall in unit rents relative to house rents through the COVID period to-date, with a more significant difference in Melbourne and Sydney.”

Sydney and Melbourne unit rents were down an average of more than 4 per cent since March, Mr Lawless added.

With rents reducing the ability of landlords to service their mortgages, there could be more distressed listings within inner Sydney and Melbourne.

“A higher proportion of (new) units may settle with a valuation lower than the contract price,” Mr Lawless said.

“Many of the aforementioned inner city precincts are toward the end of a surge in new apartment supply …

Parramatta Square 5

Lower population growth could result in fewer new projects down the line. Picture: John Fotiadis

“Many of these yet-to-be completed projects will settle while rental vacancies remain high and rents are falling, which may put downward pressure on property values.”

ABS building activity data showed there were more than 50,000 units under construction across NSW at the end of March, and just over 45,000 across Victoria.

Mr Lawless said lower population growth would affect the market for some time.

The outlook for overseas migration remains highly uncertain and dependent on international borders reopening and, potentially, travel agreements being negotiated between countries.

Recent forecasts from Treasury indicated annual population growth across Australia is set to slow from around 1.4 per cent pre-COVID to 0.6 per cent through the 2020/21 financial year.

Inner Melbourne attracts Australia’s highest numbers of new arrivals.

That implied Australia’s annual population growth will reduce from around 350,000 in 2019 to 154,000 over the year ending June 2021 – a reduction of 56 per cent relative to 2019 levels.

This would be the lowest rate of population growth since 1917.

The post Lower migration due to closed borders could have disastrous impact on inner city unit sales appeared first on realestate.com.au.

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Kayla Itsines’ South Australian home attracting attention across the country

Fitness guru Kayla Itsines has put her SA home on the market.

All eyes are on fitness guru Kayla Itsines’ jaw-dropping South Australian home, which has been listed for sale just weeks after her shock split from finance Tobi Pearce.

The former couple’s five-bedroom Malvern home was the most viewed property on the market across the state and the second most viewed around the country on realestate.com.au last week.

It is for sale without a price tag through Harris Real Estate agents Henry Gower Tillett and Georgie Todd, who were contacted for comment.

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The property is a character home that’s been updated. Pic: realestate.com.au

Feature fireplaces can be found throughout. Pic: realestate.com.au

It has five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Pic: realestate.com.au

Property records show the character home on a 3193sqm block, which is one of the biggest in Malvern, was built in 1925.

It has been restored to its former glory and modernised inside, with feature fireplaces and decorative fretwork paying homage to its original character.

An open kitchen, family and dining room forms the centrepiece of the home, while there is a formal lounge room and formal dining room.

A pool, tennis court, entertainment pavilion, cellar, home theatre and guest studio are among its standout features.

Property records show Itsines bought the house in 2017. Pic: realestate.com.au

It’s for sale without a price tag. Pic: realestate.com.au

It also has a pool and tennis court. Pic: realestate.com.au

It also has a CCTV security system, built-in surround sound, a phone-controlled video intercom and gated entry.

Best offers for the home will be accepted until noon on September 30, unless it sells before then.

Property records show Itsines bought it in February 2017 for a multimillion-dollar price.

She and Pearce, who share an 18-month-old daughter and long professional history together, are selling it after announcing in August that they had made the “difficult decision” to part ways but would remain good friends.

The post Kayla Itsines’ South Australian home attracting attention across the country appeared first on realestate.com.au.