Hot Property: Biggest headlines this week - 1

To compile this list, not only are we taking a look at the week’s most-read stories and the news that matters to you, but we are also curating it to include stories from our sister platforms that could have an impact on your investment journey.  

1. Update on Melbourne’s housing market

Herron Todd White’s latest month in review has provided insight into how the city is faring.

“While demand has remained fairly steady for properties in some areas, rental property markets have felt the pinch in the past few months. Latest statistics show that Melbourne housing values have dropped 1.1 per cent, the numbers of owner-occupiers had increased in demand by 0.5 per cent and demand from investors has dropped by 0.3 per cent.”

Flagging that not all suburbs are created equal, the Herron Todd White research breaks down Melbourne’s hotspot areas to understand which suburbs are faring better than others.

2. South-east Queensland becomes state hotspot

South-east Queensland has recorded its strongest monthly sales in more than five years.

According to Oliver Hume national head of research George Bougias, the south-east Queensland land market recorded 1,110 sales in June after dropping to just 273 sales in April. Further, the total number of sales for the June quarter came in at 1,910, up from 1,518 in the March quarter.

The results show that the federal government’s HomeBuilder scheme and state government grants are fuelling buyer demand: “There are still plenty of buyers with stable incomes who are more than happy to take advantage of the numerous grants and incentives available.”

3. ‘You’re not buying into a city, you’re buying into a suburb’

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella has issued a statement to property watchers following research being released that showed Queensland’s rental market continues to face tight conditions. Such figures only reinforce the necessity for current and prospective buyers to consider the rental data, including vacancy rates, of the suburb they’re interested in.

“Our rental market has changed from its historical role as a transitional housing sector for people moving into home ownership or social housing to a long-term housing sector for a significant number of Queensland households.”

4. RBA backs move to axe stamp duty

On Friday (14 August), Philip Lowe, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, told the House of Representatives standing committee on economics that he would support the scrapping of stamp duty as part of a broader tax reform agenda to support the economic recovery effort.

“[Stamp duty] is a tax on mobility, people moving location… If we’re looking for an economy that’s dynamic and vibrant, we want to remove taxes on mobility.”

5. FHBs helping ‘pick up the slack’ amid COVID drag  

First home buyers (FHBs) have reserved approximately 65 per cent (6,500) of places available in the second phase of the FHLDS since the second round commenced in July, Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar has said.

He called it “a reflection of the market’s resilience to the COVID-19 crisis”.

6. How to win the battle of control with the banks

Of around 25 million Australians, 2.2 million own one investment property, 460,000 own two, and around 19,000 own more than six. From this, I figure that the top 19,000 investors own many more than six properties each. So, what are these people doing that all the others aren’t? Cam McLellan asks.

7. AFL legend returns to roots with industry debut

Jason Akermanis, who some may know better as Brisbane Lions footballer “Aker”, has been announced as joining the Ray White Ascot team.

The new role also marks a return to Queensland for the Brownlow medalist and 248-game AFL veteran, who hasn’t lived in the Sunshine State for more than a decade.

8. Stage 4 restrictions can’t slow down St Kilda sales

A St Kilda real estate agent has recorded a mammoth $13 million in sales in just seven days, despite stage 4 lockdowns wreaking havoc across much of Melbourne City.