NT: Darwin continues to be only city in nation with falling house prices

The Valuer-General’s 2020 Property Market Movement report shows the median price for residential land on the Gold Coast increased by 4.8 per cent over the past year to $355,000.  Clear Island Waters was the standout suburb with a 20.6 per cent increase to $820,000 Queensland’s State Valuation Service area manager Greg Crowley said the results showed the market was still positive for most areas of the Coast. “One of the stronger areas was Clear Island Waters which showed a 20.6 per cent increase in median value,” he said. “It shows the strong demand for waterfront properties.” While Advancetown (67.9 per cent increase) and Austinville (34.2 per cent) recorded huge jumps, Mr Crowley said there wasn’t enough properties measured for an accurate representation. “They’re not a good measure of the overall market,” he said. Mermaid Beach, Parkwood, Molendinar and Arundel all decreased in value while 18 suburbs recorded no change. “This just shows a small price correction,” he said. “For those that remained unchanged it shows the market is stable.” Valuations were last issued for the Gold Coast in 2018. The full report will be up at 9am at www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/valuation/market-reports “This information will be used for local council ratings, state land tax and state land rental from June 20, 2020,” Mr Crowley said. BIGGEST WINNERS Advancetown, $1.175 million, 67.9 per cent increase (based on two properties) Austinville, $550,000, 34.2 per cent increase (based on one property) Clear Island Waters, $820,000, 20.6 per cent increase (based on 1072 properties) Currumbin Valley, $1.1 million, 18.3 per cent increase (based on 7 properties) BIGGEST LOSERS Mermaid Beach, $1.1 million, 4.4 per cent decrease (based on 1127 properties) Parkwood, $325,000, 4.4 per cent decrease (based on 2533 properties) Molendinar, $355,000, 4.3 per cent decrease (based on 1823 properties) Arundel, $335,000, 2.9 per cent decrease (based on 3017 properties) Source:x Gold Coast property: land valuations reveal winner... Gold Coast land valuations have jumped by almost five per cent across the city with one suburb soaring in value by more than 20 per cent. www.realestate.com.au

Melbourne’s first Super Saturday of auction action went off with a bang, with prices skyrocketing past reserve the epitome of the weekend’s success. The sale of a Parkville post office was signed, sealed and delivered after the buyer paid an almost $400,000 premium for the neo-gothic property. The 131-year-old landmark at 69 Fitzgibbon St sold to an owner-occupier for $4.04 million, making it the February 22 weekend’s top auction result. The still-operating post office will be looking for a new home, as the monthly lease will not be renewed once the property settles to allow the buyer to transform it into their dream home. A preliminary clearance rate of 81 per cent was recorded in Victoria from 629 results, according to realestate.com.au. The figure is down slightly on the previous week, which notched an 82 per cent success rate. Realestate.com.au predicts 1401 homes will head under the hammer in Victoria this week, 1326 of them Saturday, February 29. National Property Buyers director Antony Bucello said the auction clearance rate passed with flying colours on what was the city’s first weekend when a substantial amount of properties went under the hammer. “I predicted the year was going to start off with a bang and it has,” he said. “Make no mistake, the market is red hot and there are buyers everywhere. “Buyer confidence is very high and with such limited stock on offer to cater for the demand, expect more of the same over the coming weeks.” Source:x Melbourne auctions: first Super Saturday goes off ... The city’s first Super Saturday of auction action went off with a bang, with prices skyrocketing past reserve the epitome of the weekend’s success. Take a look at some of the best results. www.realestate.com.au

As a renter, there are few better feelings than finding a place you love in a suburb that fits like a glove. But often it can take some research to find a home for the right price. The latest data reveals last year’s cheapest rental suburbs within 10 km of the city.  Jarrod Scott, senior manager of Rent at realestate.com.au explains that for tenants, affordability is a major concern especially in areas like Melbourne where we’re seeing suburbs with vacancy rates at 2% or below. Scott says renting cheaper gets you one step closer to the holy grail of maintaining lifestyle whilst saving and these suburbs offer you the best of both by combining great affordability and proximity to CBDs. Below is break down the cheapest rental suburbs for houses within 10 km of the CBD for each state: Sydney - Canterbury, 2193 – $595Melbourne - Bellfield, 3081 – $415Canberra - Belconnen, 2617 – $420NT - Millner, 0810 – $400Brisbane - Rocklea, 4106 – $365Hobart - Risdon Vale, 7016 – $350Adelaide - Kilburn, 5084 – $330Perth - Westminster, 6061 – $300 Read more: x Cheapest rental suburbs of last year within 10km o... As a renter, there are few better feelings than finding an affordable place you love in a suburb that fits like a glove. We've done that homework for you. www.realestate.com.au

As per reports, the first month of 2020 saw the national housing value index increase by 0.9 per cent. Sydney and Melbourne saw the largest growth, increasing by 1.1 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, Hobart posted growth of 0.9 per cent, Brisbane with 0.5 per cent, Canberra with 0.3 per cent, Adelaide with 0.2 per cent and Perth and Darwin with 0.1 per cent. Read more: x January sees rebound for housing values New data from CoreLogic has revealed growth in housing values across every capital city for the month of January. www.smartpropertyinvestment.com.au

Want to be near the city but can’t afford the CBD’s median $450 per week in rent? Relax, we’ve got you covered. Here are the 10 cheapest suburbs to rent in within 10km of town. THE city has always been a huge drawcard for renters attracted by its employment, educational and lifestyle opportunities.But living in a capital city often carries a price tag that puts it out of reach of many. In Adelaide’s case, that median price is $450 per week for houses, and $440 per week for units, according to real estate.com.au. New data from realestate.com.au reveals the 10 most affordable rental suburbs within 10km of Adelaide. And Adelaide’s northern and western suburbs dominate the list, with seven of the 10 located there. The average of the 10 SA suburbs is $348, making it the second cheapest city in the nation to live within 10km of the city.Only Western Australia is more affordable, at $328.50.In Sydney it’s a staggering $647.50, while in the NT it’s $488.80. read more detailx Affordable Adelaide: Get the best of city life wit... THE city has always been a huge drawcard for renters attracted by its employment, educational and lifestyle opportunities. www.news.com.au

In Canberra, January brings thousands of public servants, military personnel and academics to the capital to start new jobs. Key points: The median rent for a house in Canberra is higher than in any other capital, while the ACT's unit rents are second only to Sydney's ACT rents are now rising three times as quickly as the national average Demand soars in January and February, when new public servants, academics and students arrive in the capital They'll soon be joined by even more students, enrolling at the city's universities. And they all need a place to live. Summer is the season of the property Hunger Games in Canberra, a relatively small city with a transient workforce. Read more..x The annual property Hunger Games begin in the city... It's January, when thousands of public servants, military personnel and academics move to the ACT. Let the battles begin. www.abc.net.au