REAL ESTATE

Despite housing loan rates showing signs of improvement, economists predict that numbers will again slow down in the coming months as mortgage interest rate rise.

The Green Building Council of Australia's (GBCA) has made changes to its Green Star building rating tool by revising two credits into the system to measure storm water and commuting mass transport.

Southeast Queensland residential market prices are expected to stay steady at least in the short-term says a CB Richard Ellis report.

Australia's overall construction sector prices were considered inconsistent this year although Melbourne's performance outshone the rest based on a survey conducted by real estate consultant Davis Langdon.

Housing affordability in Australia posted the largest annual decease since the beginning of the decade, a new report shows.

The Australian retail market faces challenging times ahead as rising interest rates, utility bills and rents strain sales.

Buyers are expected to flock the sale of mixed-use waterfront site at the Promenade located in the Kingston Foreshore development.

The prime retail building located on 136 Bourke Street in Melbourne sold for US$2,478,000 and attracted seven serious bidders to the auction.

The New South Wales housing code has widened the conditions for its 10-day approval process leading to more money and time saved for homeowners.

THE Property Council of Australia, Tasmanian Division and the Master Builders Association Tasmania (MBT) have joined forces to push the Tasmanian government to action to make the necessary changes to their planning agenda and implement a single residential planning development code.

Owners of mixed-use buildings will no longer be required to disclose their NABERS energy rating .

Real estate sales are forecast to wind down this month as sellers temporarily shelve properties and come back to the market with readjusted prices next year.

Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) declared support for revisions of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) made by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Brisbane City Council has approved the demolition of a 150 year old building on Albert Street for a proposed 13 storey office block.

Self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) investors are looking into opportunities in real estate to make use of the advantages of investing in such a fund.

Self-managed super funds are fueling demand for small offices that can be purchased using the fund structure.

As the year draws in to a close, property auctions are still steady despite more properties being offered for sale.

One of the largest bed linen and product wholesaler in the country, Bianca Enterprises bought an office/warehouse site in the northern suburbs of Melbourne for US$2.1 million.

The Melbourne apartment construction boom continues as more monthly building approvals for units have been registered started June, almost double the number for the same period in 2009 reported the Bureau of Statistics.

New laws were proposed in parliament to allow the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 to cater to industry needs better.

Brisbane City Council's proposed plan to develop South Brisbane that includes allowing buildings 12 storeys high was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia.

The Australian government's National Urban Policy discussion paper, Our Cities: Building a Productive, Sustainable and Liveable Future, garnered support from the Property Council of Australia.

The North South Wales government has gone ahead in approving the draft proposal for a subdivision spanning the Pacific Highway to Hearnes Lake and Sandy Beach.

First home buyers remain active in the market although their numbers have dropped by more than 50 percent based on figures presented by the Office of State Revenue.

The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has made their own suggestions to improve flexibility of the the government's proposed First Home Savers Account.

Housing prices in Australia's Gold Coast are dropping by as much as 30 percent with increasing properties up for sale and rising unemployment and interest rates hurting the major tourist destination.

Real estate consulting firm, CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (CBRE) bagged the award for being the "Best International Property Consultancy" of the year during the International Property Awards held in London on Saturday.

Investor confidence in Melbourne's prime industrial sites are picking up as more developers speculate on increased demand.

A fast food complex located Sydney suburb, Bonnyrigg , was sold to a local investor for US$1.8 million including a initial net yield of 10 percent.