We have been waiting all year for the Mosman housing market to mount a formidable challenge to the market – this week it’s officially game – on. Three weeks ago there were 115 houses on the market, last week it increased to 133, this week on Domain it has jumped to 147 which is the highest number of houses we have seen throughout 2011. Given Mosman has (approximately) 4,900 houses,  is approximately (actually just under) 5 per cent of the total volume which is the exact target number and where the market should be under normal market trade conditions.

Next week’s inflation numbers will determine the RBA’s next rate move – The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has had a difficult task in 2011 balancing the cash rate given its projections that Australia faces elevated inflation over 2011, 2012 and 2013. So a string of good data might stop RBA from cutting rates: Economists although the “subdued”state of the housing market identified that prices had fallen 3 per cent over the year to August. So our housing destiny takes shape where it should be noted that we’re the richest nation on earth, according to a Credit Suisse report.

The Credit Suisse report also notes the European sovereign debt crisis is not expected to stop a new generation of millionaires emerging in the next five years, with the greatest wealth growth likely to occur in the booming Asia – Pacific (that would be Australia.)

BUY PRINT

We sent our Virtual Realty News eye in the sky Tim Mooney to capture The Trots given Hot to trot: latest inner west housing development a ‘game changer’. The Harold Park venue for the trots is  about to become one of Sydney’s largest inner–city housing developments – 1,250 new prestige apartments and terraces that will push up property prices (great news for the property markets). Mirvac is developing the site and will also be creating a 20 – hectare green belt linking Bicentennial Park to Blackwattle Bay.

Uncertainty clouds start of spring auction season grabbed my attention when the Westpac – Melbourne Institute quarterly house price expectation index fell to 9 in October, from a reading of 15.3 in the three months to July. This was its lowest level since May 2009, with doubts about the housing market lingering. This is a national measure so with interest, I noted that 38.7 per cent see prices rising in the next twelve months and 31.5 per cent see them unchanged. Almost one – third (29.8 per cent) predicted falls over the next year, so 70.2 per cent see prices increasing or remaining steady over the next twelve months. Quite funny that real estate is a long term hold not a short term play which was recently evidenced with the reality price failures of The Block and The Renovators on television.

Even the ‘World’s Greatest Treasurer’ was drawn into the debate with Wayne Swan telling the ABC that he doesn’t agree with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report which indicates Australia’s house prices are overvalued by ten to fifteen per cent. The RBA has plenty of room to move on Australia’s cash rate which presently sits at 4.75 per cent. Last week SQM Research disclosed that Australia has 362,793 houses for sale – Mosman contributed just 133 which was an increase of 24.3 per cent on the same time last year.

The last Census report in 2007 identified that in Australia, thirty per cent rent, so it was interesting to read the Australian Property Monitors – Rental Report where only Sydney recorded growth in unit median weekly asking prices for the quarter of 2.2 per cent.

Lower North Shore has it all for renters – but at a cost as rents soar in major cities as Sydney rents rocket by 13 per cent: report.We have a population in the fastest growth mode yet residential building down 5.3 per cent in June in  quarter. So do the mathematics about supply V demand.  It’s simple and a no – brainer. So Australia’s greatest property pest Steve Keen is back at it again – Property prices to fall 20% by 2013 yer’s end: Steve Keen. A property guru who sold his $500,000 (plus a bit) apartment on South Dowling Street based on his global financial crisis predictions that property prices would fall by 40 per cent back on September 2008.   In my opinion, in Australia, he is the court jester of real estate, but given the Sydney rental data we have published, he has in all probability decided to buy back in?

MOSMAN – 2088

• Number of houses on the market last week – 115
• Number of houses on the market this week – 133
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 78
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 86

CREMORNE – 2090

• Number of houses on the market last week – 16
• Number of houses on the market this week – 15
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 34
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 36

NEUTRAL BAY – 2089

• Number of houses on the market last week – 15
• Number of houses on the market this week – 17
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 80
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 83

For this week’s sales in Mosman real estate, Beauty Point real estate, Clifton Gardens real estate, Balmoral real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate, Cammeray real estate - Click Here

I have gone easy on Julia Gillard’s Fort Fumble or should that read Fort F*&! – up as the political hit has been arranged – it’s a Right mess for Julia Gillard as Labor factions fight. The powerful NSW Right which also destroyed NSW has allegedly activated another political assassination. Ironic they had the terminal finger on the trigger to remove Kevin Rudd and they now intend to do the same to their anointed replacement.

History shows that Australia’s property markets respond much better under the alternate government – maybe property buyers should read into that?

Cheers ^__^

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21.10.11Robert Simeon2 Comments »

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The only consistent trend since the GFC of 2008 has been that neither agents, buyers, nor vendors, have any real confidence that the future of the financial world is set for a recovery in the foreseeable future.  This has culminated into a confused market perpetuated by misinformation and rumour, resulting in the proverbial fence sitting i.e. don’t sell or buy now. Despite this general sentiment my experience is slightly different.  I am dealing with some very discerning vendors and buyers who are making this market work for them by taking advantage of the current conditions to achieve their personal goals for their families.  Where for most others, ‘negative perception is reality,’ these vendors and buyers are dealing with the real facts and are turning them into opportunity.

I am not talking the market up today, I am just trying to shed light and clarity for those who now consider that the property market exists in a deep fog and cannot see a clear path from which to make an educated decision.

BUY PRINT

MISINFORMATION is everywhere so make sure you are informed and not misled. For example:

Media two weeks ago (14th May) The Mosman Daily published that there were 243 houses listed in the last 4 weeks in Mosman over $3m. The fact is that in Mosman, there were actually only 80 houses (in total) on the market, in all price ranges.

Most purchasers constantly search properties via the Internet by price range, to fine-tune their selection.  Recently, a senior banker sent me his property analyst’s residential property report for Mosman, which was sent to thousands of their clients. It claimed that there were over 50 properties for sale at $5M plus and 10 properties at $10M plus. The facts at the time were that there were 16 at $5M plus and 3 properties over $10M. His mistake is a common one. Any specified price range can include properties at any price. For example any agent with say, a $3m property, can include it in a price search for properties at $5m and so on.

Vendors­ in Mosman, are most often told that every property should be auctioned and that their agency clearance rates are 90%. In 2010, Australian Property Monitors recorded around 330 house sales in Mosman, of which 49 sold via Auction. If we all agree that around 75% of all houses are initially placed on the market via auction, then the real auction clearance rate in 2010 was only 20%. So why, do most real estate agents rush to recommend an auction for every property they represent? We agree that some properties are ideal for auction, but most are obviously not, so vendors must seriously consider other selling methods if they are going to get the results they hope for.

THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER

Most vendors believe that now is not the time to sell but most do not realise that although there are less buyers, there is much less choice and ultimately most buyers will buy within three months rather than wait for years. Honestly, my most frequent buyer complaint is that there is not enough choice in their price range and many have been searching for over 6 months. Vendors believe the market has dropped appreciably over the last 12 months. Technically, market reports confirmed recently, that top-end properties dropped by only 3% last year. This negative trend isn’t significant enough for vendors to delay their decision to sell, given that most accept that this property market may show no capital gain for years to come and the financial proceeds of their house sale can be used better elsewhere, or to fund their re-purchase.

Many purchasers still want to believe that the incredible deal is yet to come, when the best deal is right in front of them. They have the right to dream, but they are reading negative Sydney property headlines and incorrectly applying them to our local market. They will tell me that half of Mosman is for sale, prices will drop by another 30%, interest rates will go through the roof, yet when you present them with the facts, they prefer to find comfort in their fantasy. For those who follow the market closely, there have been some poor sale results.  Most typically, the properties were either grossly over quoted initially, or are actually B Grade properties compromised in some way, were sold by poor agents, or a combination of all three.  We have also seen many strong results for the $2m to $15m price range and in the apartment sector. Money is out there, particularly for good property.

Selling trends are not seasonal but are tending to run in six monthly spikes. In our experience since the GFC, March/April is the 1^st peak and August/September have been the strongest sale periods. Buyers are taking longer to purchase as there is less property to choose from and the market is flat. This Spring market will start slightly earlier than usual to allow enough time to complete campaigns prior to September school holidays. There will not be a huge influx of property which will advantage the vendors with well priced property, selling to realistic purchasers. Spring is shaping up to be a strong sales period.

To help you in the coming period here are my top 10 tips for you to consider

• The only measure of a good result for those selling and re-buying in this market is the ‘change over cost’. So drop 10% of the sale price and try to buy even better.
• Since the GFC, sales levels may have halved but so have the buyers. Demand is still close to the level of supply, therefore prices will remain reasonably stable.
• The best agents all have the ‘gift of the gab’ but purchasers will remember 80% of what they read and 20% of what they hear.  Does your agent prepare quality written property documents, personalised to each buyer’s ‘property brief’ to close the sale?  If not and biased by misinformation, vendors are losing the best buyers.
• Currently, vendors can dominate by having a greater voice in this smaller property market.
• Vendors – not every house is best sold via auction, based on a real auction clearance rate of 20% in Mosman last year (Source APM). Quiz your agent’s rationale for the most effective method of sale for your property.
• Buyers – take a long term position in this market and look to get a good deal for an ‘A’ grade property rather than a better deal on a ‘B’ grade property, which will never have the same level of capital appreciation.
• The best agents should perform more as your informed ‘property advisor’ rather than just trying to make a sale at all costs. Working to place the right buyer in the right property, always achieves far more sales and at higher prices.
• Consider your agent’s track record closely since the GFC.  For example, 50% of our last 22 sales have been street records, so how does your preferred agent’s track record measure up in this market?
• Buyers – focus your property brief on measurable property credentials and not just emotion. Here’s a general list. Note, the best properties will have all or most of these credentials. Good views – desirable land size for your needs – ideal location – tranquil – privacy – best aspect – good potential: factor in any re-development costs, or totally finished, nothing to spend – strong capital appreciation
• The best Agency Internet platform will introduce the most qualified buyers to your property and many local agents only rely on domain.com.au or realestate.com.au. This is not good enough, as on the main real estate portals, your property competes with all properties. We measure all buyers 1^st point of inspection for each property and our own site at www.rwm.com.au commonly records nearly the same hits as realestate.com.au, with domain.com.au the strongest portal.

That’s enough from me and thankfully, my brother Robert will be returning to write next week’s edition. From our team, we wish you all good fortune in the property market. We look forward to meeting you and maybe we will sell you your ‘dream home’ this Spring.

For this week’s sales in Mosman real estate, Beauty Point real estate, Clifton Gardens real estate, Balmoral real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate, Cammeray real estate Click Here

Richard Simeon

Director

29.07.11Richard Simeon3 Comments »

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Welcome to your Virtual Realty News tenth Federal Budget edition – although yet again we were not invited to Canberra for the lock – down (funny that). The budget announcement conveniently blames the past and paints a rosy future. An abundance of spin on the positives, yet no mention of the negatives and sadly, there are plenty. Here is my reasoning which goes back to the election and the Rudd/Gillard government’s four budgets which get worse. The Government completely ignored Australia’s slowing growth, rising dollar to dominate budget preferring to take a totally opposite view.

The biggest problem facing the Rudd/Gillard Government is that it panicked during the global financial crisis, believing that the Australian economy was terminally ill. Less than twelve months later in 2009, Australia experienced just the one quarter of negative growth. The debt had to be paid back much sooner than expected so having a budget in surplus is not something that Labor has experienced. Simply put: the Government spent too much and is now hopelessly struggling to pay back its (our) debt.  Wayne Swan can’t say which year Labor achieved its last surplus. Wayne the answer is 1989 – 90. Of course the summer of disasters hit the budget, says PM although the Government failed to list the billions lost in waste schemes such as Pink Batts and BER blow outs in the budget.  Past – Treasurer Peter Costello wrote  An economy to die for – surely Swan could manage a better budget? “The budget has no coherence, no strategy, and no conviction.”

BUY PRINT

In his 2010 Federal Budget, Wayne Swan predicted a $40.8 billion deficit where in 2011 it came in at $49.4 billion. In 362 day’s time, Swan now has to deliver a budget deficit of $26.8 billion otherwise no chance of returning to a budget surplus in 2012/13. To achieve this Swan is banking on no more natural disasters here or abroad, the Australian dollar not getting any higher, a return of strong tax receipts by individuals and companies and a stronger real estate market. Also, reign in the out of control spending on asylum seekers and of course delivering that other debacle called a Carbon Tax.

As Alan Kohler wrote Budget 2011: Australia on a wing and a prayer “In other words, it’s a wing and a prayer budget – keep spending, let the deficit blow out, and predict with a straight face that the commodities boom will bail us out eventually.” Aside from that blunt assessment interest rates will have to rise, warns Reserve Bank of Australia as confidence in economy falling as Wayne Swan claims Government can make ‘substantial savings’. Although already, we are seeing Australian’s struggling to save due to the daily increase in cost of living.

Source: The Australian- order Bill Leak’s print

Let’s have a peek at the Sydney property market to see what’s happening and why it is being echoed across Australia. Budget and rates rise flagged to pinch households although we should be thankful that Wayne Swan’s budget left Negative Gearing alone. The latest house price data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms that most city markets slowed in the March quarter. Prices are falling – some suburbs still hot where Sydney house prices fell by 1.8 per cent during the quarter and the annual increase now sits at 0.8 per cent. It is most obvious that the Gillard Government simply does not understand housing affordability which is why it was completely ignored in the Federal Budget.

Forget the Gillard Government’s obsession with mining tax revenues, the largest employer in Australia remains the real estate industry. When the property markets are moving forward so is the economy so the Auction action graph clearly indicates just how much the property markets are contracting (not a bad thing for property prices). Nevertheless, a terminally ill indication for the economy given tax revenues for the State Government are collapsing.  Total value revenue was $430.9 million same time last year and $162.4 million last week.

Australia has waved goodbye to the Global Financial Crisis yet the latest data from Australian Property Monitors (APM) indicates that property prices are in decline across Australia.

SYDNEY MARCH QUARTER RESULTS

Source: Domain Property Monitors

• House prices fell in the March quarter by -0.4 per cent after recording growth of +1.1 per cent in the December quarter.
• Unit prices fell by -0.7 per cent over the quarter following a flat result in December.
• Sydney median house price is now $643,713 and the median price is $448,585
• Annual house price growth sits at +2.0 per cent and unit price growth is at +2.1 per cent, both trending downwards.

BUDGET OVERVIEW

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Wayne Swan admits China is key to returning to surplus a disgraceful summation directed at the ability of Australian business that is not mining reliant. Granted, a record $76 billion worth of spending in the booming resources sector where these decisions have absolutely no calibration with Wayne Swan policy. Wayne Swan is hedged into the Australian dollar remaining steady although Aussie dollar could hit $US1.70 by 2014, predicts money guru Savvas Savouri.

Households are being hit and when the Aussie dollar climbs they will all go to online shopping where they don’t have to pay GST on their overseas purchases.  Our retail market will then collapse Myer, DJ’s see glimmer of hope in retail sales. The Government failed to address in the Federal Budget – tax online shoppers, save jobs. Those with mortgages should be budgeting for a rate rise or two, three and four. Directors cool on carbon price and broadband which are neck and neck in the dumber and dumber policy announcements in Australia’s political history.

Finally, electricians fear set-box installation flop think Pink Batts. When it was announced that Australia was moving to digital, the Aussie dollar was at $0.68 cents.  It is now coasting near US$1.08 cents. Television prices have halved and Julia Gillard just acquired $300 million plus of useless set – top boxes that could never be sold given the Aussie dollar’s rise and rise.

Can Wayne Swan reduce the deficit to $26.8 billion by the next Federal Budget?  Of course he can (as sure as deposed Premier of NSW, Kristina Keneally, will be the next NSW Premier!!!   Work experience does not always apply to elected politicians, especially when it comes to understanding economics.

Cheers ^__^

This week’s sales Mosman real estate, Beauty Point real estate, Clifton Gardens real estate, Balmoral real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate, Cammeray real estate Click Here

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13.05.11Robert Simeon7 Comments »

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However, (for some) there will be strong consequences along the way – which is always the case when governments artificially inseminate markets in an attempt to prop them up in uncertain financial times. One only has to look closely at the cash rate movements at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to see the storm clouds on the horizon after the RBA slashed the cash rate to 3.00 per cent in April 2009. And bear in mind that it was 7.25 per cent in March 2008. At or about the same time, Governments at both state and federal levels were promoting the First Home Buyers Grant (FHBG). First time purchasers locked in a fixed rate as shelter from the ongoing rental increases under cover of Stamp Duty inducements in the form of grants. One does not need to be Einstein to calculate that the cash rate will be significantly higher when the fixed loan agreement expires. Yet for some strange reason, the banks are blamed.

The “Big Four” banks have recently announced the removal of the much despised exit fees so now customers have freedom of choice to shop around. Maybe Fort Fumble’s treasurer Wayne Swan would like to explain why he approved Westpac’s acquisition of St George Bank and the CBA’s acquisition of Bank West? Instead we read Treasurer Wayne Swan flags change to four – pillars policy “the government is determined to see a new pillar in the banking system, particularly based on our mutual sector.”

If St George and Bank West were still individual entities they would be pillars five and six and the building societies and credit unions would fill positions seven, eight, nine, ten etc. Instead we see Independents back Greens’ bank bill which is nothing more than a misguided attempt to overhaul banks. The bill follows weeks of debate over the size of bank chiefs’ pay packets, interest rate hikes, high fees and the power of the big four banks. Here we go again, with more political posturing and a memory vacuum, when we consider that these very same bank chiefs positioned their respective pillars to be world’s best, during the global financial crisis. Unlike other countries, Fort Fumble was not required to bail them out and ironically today, they are bailing out on them!

The double exit strategy – excuse me for laughing as I have just read The best price signaller in the land by Peter Costello.

BUY PRINT

One thing for sure with property prices, is that there will always be waves of hysteria coupled with those who like to make waves. If you can’t ride it stay on the sand – Virtual Realty News

“Now that both sides of politics have decided to crack down on the evil practice of price signalling we might as well ask who does it and why. Because some people may not be aware that the biggest price signaller is not the Commonwealth Bank or Westpac or any of the other “evil” commercial banks. The biggest price signaller in the interest rate market is the Reserve Bank, the one the government owns.” Said Peter Costello. Of course the banks need more consistency given banks slower to lift deposit than interest rates where the more money they hold as deposits, the greater the control they have over the costs of funding. Hardly an instrument to entice depositors!

Rising wages ‘outpace growth’ the warning comes as new figures show wages are increasing at their quickest rate in two years. Business groups highlighted the potential for the $43 billion National Broadband Network to “exacerbate skill shortages and drive up wages”. Personally, I am yet to meet a supporter of this broadband ‘white elephant’. I’m definitely not a supporter and believe the money could be much better spent on hospitals, rail and roads. When I look at our Google Analytics for our website which includes Virtual Realty News it reveals the Connection Speeds – 39.97 per cent use DSL, 26.16 per cent are on Cable, 24.5 per cent are Unknown, 5.92 per cent use T1 and 1.72 per cent are on Dialup (once upon a time we were all on Dialup). For the NBN project to provide a return on capital, Fort Fumble requires over 8,000,000 million Australian to sign up. Talk about ‘the impossible dream’!

Here is why Australia can ill afford another “white elephant” as Kevin Rudd shared the blame for Labor’s errors. Addressing a business function earlier this week Mine boom biggest shock, says Treasury Ken Henry. Dr Henry said the current mining boom was between three and four times bigger than the last big boom in the 1970’s, which pushed inflation up to 17.5 per cent. Inflation is currently running at 2.80 per cent. Reserve Bank of Australia says the boom to run for 20 years as the tally of resource projects with mining firms’ commitments, soars to $133bn. At your service, our economy’s a work in progress by Ross Gittins from the Sydney Morning Herald “The structure of our economy is set to change over the 2010s, creating winners and losers and plenty of complaints. So it’s worth remembering the economy’s structure has been changing continuously since the gold rush”. Which brings us to The boom is back, and this time we may avoid the bust or will we? If we do survive we are going to need plenty of help from those banking “four pillars”.

Treasury’s move from mining to real estate during the week, was more a case of undermining the Department of Bricks and Mortar – Treasury sounds the alarm on ‘property bubble. Treasury has privately sought reassurance from its analysts that prices are not artificially high and that Australia does not face the kind of house price collapse that has hit Britain and the USA. Maybe they should read RBA intervened to avert housing slump given Aust mortgage market seen stable in third quarter. Total construction work done in Australia, fell 2.1 per cent in the September quarter. Our population is growing and building is declining!

So let’s see what is happening to Mosman prices for houses and units.

Source: Australian Property Monitors

Source: Australian Property Monitors

The Dyson Austen Top Ten Prestige Residential Survey 2010 Q3 July – September prepared for the Real Estate Institute of NSW, will be released this weekend – so here is a sneak preview for our Virtual Realty News subscribers. We thank Simon Feilich from Dyson Austen for the early scoop (being a subscriber has advantages).

The total value of the survey has increased forty two (42) per cent from the previous quarter thanks to the record breaking $52 million sale at 100 Wolseley Road Point Piper. The Eastern Suburbs dominate the results, recording ninety per cent of the recorded sales – a phenomenal effort. The graph that I always look forward to viewing is the highest value and total value of Top Ten transactions per quarter from 2004 to 2010 to see how our markets are aiming up. “Quarter 3 2010 recorded the fourth highest quarter on record – the main driver in this quarter is the almost ten (10) per cent increase in the equity market in July 2010” said Simon Feilich. All in all a very strong message for our top-end property markets.

So for those who are huffing and puffing about property prices, don’t forget that in every back garden you will always find swings and roundabouts.

Cheers ^__^

This week’s sales Mosman real estate, Beauty Point real estate, Clifton Gardens real estate, Balmoral real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate, Cammeray real estate Click Here

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26.11.10Robert Simeon7 Comments »

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Actually not that different with the three P’s that pertain to property – position, position and position. Throw in politicians and bankers and what we have is the 2010 equivalent of economic soup that is murky and far from palatable. During the global financial crisis (GFC) Westpac and the Commonwealth banks wrote approximately eighty (80) per cent of all mortgages which explains why today, collectively, they own the largest mortgage books. Alan Kohler wrote on The Drum that banks only have themselves to blame which has caused a stir given many consumers are losing faith in our pillars of society. Of course, there has been plenty of gratuitous PR advice for our friends in banking although the politics of banking was intelligently addressed when Janet Albrechtsen wrote in The Australian – Let’s hear the positive story from the banks.

Plenty of rhetoric this week as home owners angered by increases in interest rates then news broke that the Big Four banks to dump exit fees as backlash grows against lenders. Then late this week ANZ raises rates, scraps exit fees at or about the same time as ASIC bans banks from double – dip mortgage exit fees which means banks that charge customers to establish a mortgage, will no longer be able to apply contentious exit fees. Too early to say who will get the last laugh with this announcement – possibly bank establishment fees will rise? Certainly the four new P’s won’t change.

BUY PRINT

Is the landscape at Circular Quay about to change? Special deal on city skyscraper as a giant residential tower, double the size of any other building in Circular Quay, is expected to be approved soon. The site Gold Fields House is set to become a luxury apartment block that will tower 191 m above Circular Quay making it Sydney’s eighth tallest building. Sydney has only one of the top 10 tallest buildings in Australia – which prompts the discussion for progress of our capital city.

Australian Property Monitors released its House Price Report for September 2010 and here are the key findings:

• National median house prices remain effectively unchanged at +0.1 per cent for the quarter with annual house price growth slowing to +11.5%
• Most capital cities experienced falls in prices over the quarter; however the major markets of Melbourne and Sydney bucked the trend recording positive quarterly house price growth
• National price units (excluding Tasmania) have fallen slightly, down -0.4% for the quarter, with annual growth falling sharply to +6.5%
• Unit prices have fallen in all cities except Melbourne, with Brisbane experiencing the largest price decline, falling -2.8% for the quarter

Source: Australian Property Monitors

SYDNEY

• House prices increased slightly by +0.7% in the September quarter, which is the third consecutive quarter of slowing growth.
• Unit prices have started falling for the first time since 2008, recording -0.1% for the quarter.
• Sydney’s median house price is now $634,346 and the median unit price has fallen slightly to $436,714.
• Annual house price growth sits at +11.3% and unit price growth is at +7.3%, both trending downwards.

Weak demand made for rate surprise all things considered the clearance rates are positive, although the most important conclusion would be that prices are flat lining. It is only natural that auction clearance rates fall on rate rise and we are seeing anecdotal sales evidence. One interesting observation in Mosman at present, is that private treaty sales are producing the highest volume.

Here is the comparative analysis for Mosman houses:

Mosman Houses 2009 – 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009

• Total sold – 322
• Private Treaty – 281
• Public Auction – 41
• Total Value Sold – $815,649,751
• Median price – $2,094,000
• Average price – $2,564,936
• Highest price – $13,200,000 (RWM)

Mosman Houses 2010 – 1 January 2010 to 10 November 2010

• Total sold – 292
• Private Treaty – 219
• Public Auction – 73
• Total Value Sold – $639,048,555
• Median price – $2,100,000
• Average price – $2,468,570
• Highest price – $12,600,000 (RWM)

It should be noted that with the 2010 house sales, that the vast majority of sale prices are yet to be recorded, so we expect this year’s total value for houses sold, to be considerably higher $750,000,000 approximately. For example, this week, RWM recorded the second highest house sale for Mosman in 2010 which is yet to be recorded. Here is the Macquarie Research Economics Forecast where it should be noted that the banks have already moved the cash rate to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Macquarie Research Forecast for Quarter 1 – 2011. So what we now have is an official cash rate and a real cash rate, which I will call the “real, official cash rate” – ROCR!

So to the four new P’s – polls, populism, performance and of course profits which continue to stymie our Forts Fumble and Crumble. The politician who should have been Premier of NSW, Blacktown MP Paul Gibson ‘Fed up’ NSW Labor MP quits so now thirteen (13) Labor MP’s have announced their retirement in the past two months. Paul Gibson “we’ve moved from platform and policy and pursued a poll driven agenda.” Fort Crumble is shambolic and an embarrassment where Transport Minister John Robertson has already called his transport removalists to grab the now vacated seat. Thirteen, with more to come as powerbroker Joe Tripodi quits. Premier Kristina “Bambi” Keneally has (unofficially now) been placed on the endangered species list due to a lack of interest – polls, populism, performance and no profit.

A perfect dismount from the strangest election ever – You can say that again! The four new P’s continue to dominate as Julia Gillard losing ground to Tony Abbott, News poll shows given the continuance of Labor’s policy woes pile up. No doubt we will be hearing and reading plenty more about this in the months to come. Fort Crumble continues to disintegrate – polls and populism shape public perceptions. Fort Fumble relies on the hope factor – Swan’s numbers looking rubbery when more ‘courage’ needed in spending cuts, says Access Economics. Polls, populism, performance and of course profits continue to threaten the capability of Fort Fumble.

Back in 2000, Virtual Realty News subscriber sales sat at zero when we launched our online platform. Today, they sit at $998,770,220 so we are now $1,229,780 from breaking the $1,000,000,000 mark.

Unfortunately, this week’s $10.000 million plus Balmoral sale did not qualify – another big week of local sales which suggests a strong run of property transactions through to Christmas.

Cheers ^__^

This week’s sales Mosman real estate, Beauty Point real estate, Clifton Gardens real estate, Balmoral real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate, Cammeray real estate Click Here

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12.11.10Robert Simeon5 Comments »

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Plenty of negative sentiment about the property markets at the minute – so try telling somebody who cares, given purchasers and vendors appear a thousand miles apart (for the moment anyway).

Last week, I wrote that July can be a lost property month as so many are away on holidays. This is echoed with website traffic where Unique Visitors are busily visiting other sites such as beach resorts and or snowfields. Sour outlook for house prices as investors are the only source of growth in market which is interesting given investors tend to only play when they identify a buyer’s market. Clearance rate slumps as supply surges where it was reported “Sydney’s auction clearance rate plummeted at the weekend with just 49 per cent of properties selling – the poorest result for 18 months.”

To confuse the issue further home loans up for first time in eight months which is a clear sign of market recovery. “The number of new owner – occupied home loans rose 1.9 per cent in May, the first increase in eight months. Lending to housing investors continued its recent surge, rising 2.6 per cent in value, and has now swelled by 35 per cent since early last year. No doubt investors are circling First Home Buyers who are feeling the strain of increased funding costs.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its lending finance approval data this week – lending remains subdued, easing bubble fears. The average in 2009 was $53.14 billion per month, compared to $65.67 billion per month in the pre – crisis year of 2007, meaning $12.53 billion less coming into the economy per month via lending institutions. At the current growth rate, total lending, at $51.58 billion in May, would take another six years to regain the high point of $70.63 billion reached at the end of 2007. I am not sure that we need to reach the high point anytime soon as borrowers told to pay down debt given the cash rate overtime will go up not down. In 2007 we saw borrowers lock and load debt where today, it is the complete opposite of lock and unload debt.

BUY PRINT

Business conditions hold steady given interest rates remain attractive as well as strong job growth, this identifies that Australia has solid business fundamentals. It should be noted that I am referring to businesses not governments. One of the biggest global bond managers Pimco rated Australia as a top investment destination so the outlook from a business perspective looks sound. Although that scenario could quickly change as banks face pressure over cost of lending and look likely to raise rates. Contrary to what the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) suggests, the banks are becoming increasingly triggered happy to reprice their mortgages – banks to cool on rate rises until after poll.

As a business we rely strongly on the Macquarie Economics Research data as an economic compass for our advice to purchasers, vendors and subscribers to Virtual Realty News. So let’s look at its economic forecasts, where the key issue is how long will rates remain on hold? Throw in a likelihood that banks could increase rates independently and the heat comes back into the market again.

The Macquarie Economics Research – Outlook for the September quarter 2010 identifies both calm and choppy waters ahead. The common denominator is quite simple (for me anyway) based on the above forecast, simply put: excessive debt is dangerous. This would explain why in our real estate market demographic we see bonuses being paid directly back into reducing debt levels. Leveraged lending on speculative investments is today a thing of the past, as households have all but ruled out those global financial crises – margin calls. A clear message: to borrow within not without.

Sydneysiders have always been proud that collectively our property markets are the benchmark for the Australian property industry, however for the very first time this is about to change. Our state Government – Fort Crumble (the most incompetent in Australia’s history) will show you why with the following graph.

Source: Australian Property Monitors

Senior Labor figures face annihilation – “Secret polling shows state Labor is facing a near wipe – out at the next election, with seven ministers and former Premier Nathan Rees among 28 MPs likely to lose seats. Polls by Labor and unions showed a 15 per cent swing against the Keneally Government statewide.” Fort Fumble due to their inability to provide infrastructure have driven residents to other States and Territories – Melbourne close to overtaking Sydney in price stakes. With annual population growth in Victoria running at 2.2 per cent, compared to NSW at 1.7 per cent, driving demand, it’s not hard to imagine Melbourne seriously challenging for the crown of Australia’s most expensive median priced city in the near future.

It will be a fascinating run into Christmas for both political and property voyeurs. The Colmar Brunton survey is always an interesting read Bubble – burst fears rise where investors are expecting house prices to remain flat or possibly fall. A very interesting read as well is show us your ticker, Gillard, before you force us to vote. Then our non – elect Prime Minister has to hose down the stoush where Paul Keating unleashes on Bob Hawke: I carried you through years of ‘Malaise’.

Julia Gillard announced that if elected the failed Emperor Kevin Rudd will sit on the front bench – I doubt she will hand him the Insulation Portfolio.

Steve and Richard have returned back from holidays so over to them.

I’m looking forward to road testing my iPad under my umbrella on the beach in Thailand as well as reading RISE OF THE RUDDBOT. Given what transpired at the Press Club yesterday PM Julia Gillard accused of double deal where it very much looks like the Labor Party is witnessing the Revenge of The Emperor – and it’s looking ugly.

Back in three weeks to cover the federal election which is taking more turns than a Winter Olympics.

Why is Mosman the strongest real estate market in Australia? Mosman is way out in front which, explains ladies and gentlemen, why, Mosman is Australia’s ‘numero uno’ municipality.

Just announced Federal Election – August 21.

Got a plane to catch,

Cheers ^__^

This week’s sales Mosman real estate, Beauty Point real estate, Clifton Gardens real estate, Balmoral real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate, Cammeray real estate Click Here

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16.07.10Robert Simeon7 Comments »

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I would say yes, given the global financial crisis (GFC) in the Australian vernacular was an “easy come – easy go” experience where we experienced just the one quarter of negative growth. If you remain somewhat confused as to where the property markets are headed, don’t be.  It appears that everyone else is too. International Monetary Fund sounds warning on property bubble in Asia – Pacific and it was reported that Australia is not immune from a potential property bubble. The report said “in Australia, a combination of rapid interest rate cuts and the extension of the first – home buyers grant ensured that property remained robust during the worst of the financial crisis. Most recently, there has been a 13 per cent jump in median home prices to the end of February.” Then “the IMF report comes amid evidence the resilience in house prices has caught the eye of the Reserve Bank (RBA) Minutes of the Reserve board’s April meeting, when it announced the fifth rate rise since October, showed members noticed the property market’s continued buoyancy despite new home loans falling”. Evident with Sydney auction clearance rates graph courtesy of Australian Property Monitors.

RBA eyes May rate rise which I believe is odds – on, having read the minutes of its April 6 board meeting where they will move the official cash rate from 4.25 per cent to 4.50 per cent. Home truths on the whys and wherefores of the property market which identifies the property conundrum: housing is the biggest market in Australia – yet there is no central database that records transactions and prices. “Housing markets in the United States and Britain lost 40 per cent of value from their 2007 peaks and are only tentatively recovering, that Australian market appears only to have dipped slightly in 2008 (the pain was contained to the top end) before shooting up in the past 12 months.” Now the biggest clue “banks have changed their attitude. Where they used to push 100 per cent loan – to – valuation ratios (LVRs) now they lend 80 per cent over the value of the asset before demanding a swag of fees (usually labelled lenders’ mortgage insurance).”

BUY PRINT
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I love challenging Tim, who called me this week and asked “what shot do we need?” I responded, “The Emperor (Kevin Rudd) got his Health Reform approved so we need a smiley face. Can you shoot Luna Park, Ripples restaurant, North Sydney swimming pool, and a ferry at Luna Park wharf?” The man is pure genius! Tim again, exceeded our expectations – his shots make for great Christmas cards too.

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Macquarie’s Robertson sees easing in house price gains where with his latest note to clients Mr Robertson said “anyone with their eyes open is aware that usually low funding costs over the past 12 – 18 months powered a good part of the double digit house – price gains that have excited so much comment and talk of “bubbles”. Economists baffled by robust property market given after five interest rate increases in seven months they wonder how auction clearance rates remained so high for so long, along with rising median house prices. “It’s a bit of a puzzle,” said Macquarie Bank’s senior economist, Brian Redican, who once worked at the Reserve Bank. “You wonder how auction clearance rates remain very high along with house prices themselves.” Which takes me to the real estate ring of confidence – remember Aussies would bet on two flies climbing a wall.

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Prestige home market lies becalmed, Median prices up in Sydney – but not as much as in Melbourne and Penthouse sales hit bargain basement had Sydney Morning Herald property editor Jonathan Chancellor a very busy journalist this week. “Sydney’s $5 million plus prestige residential market has stalled. The number of sales this year sits at slightly above the low levels recorded during the trough of the global financial crisis. There have been 45 sales higher than $5 million during the first quarter of the year, a small rise on the 44 sales in the March quarter last year. Volumes are well down on the 74 sales in the 2007 March quarter, and 63 in the 2008 March quarter.” Richardson & Wrench Mosman & Neutral Bay (RWM) recorded 5 of the recorded 63 sales. Subscriber sales jumped to $942,854,220 this week.

Australians’ insatiable appetite will continue although it must be noted that home loans, power and now gas – the family budget squeeze is on given NSW families will have to find an extra $3,000 in their annual budgets by the middle of next year as the soaring cost of living consumes an additional three weeks of the average worker’s wage. Even though land prices are growing at their fastest rate since 2004. No data: foreign buyer property puzzle which by coincidence identifies a twelve month anniversary since The Emperor abolished the acquisition by foreigners of Australian real estate. At 6:38 pm on April 21 I received this notice REA as well as a increased number of emails from Russian buyers agents looking to acquire residential properties.

Foreign men of property move in which demands an answer as to exactly why The Emperor approved this policy change – without consultation. Given home – ownership dream dims for Gen – Y where NSW ‘s dire housing shortage has been exposed by figures revealing that the State needs an extra 120 homes every week to keep up with population growth. To make matters worse, the average rental  of a Sydney house  is approximately $110 more a week than it was five years ago. So Fort Fumble wastes billions on pink batts and the building education revolution – and now it is taking on health? Back to Luna Park and that “Big Dipper” which resonates with Kevin 07. Although not alone – NSW still nation’s basket case, say analysts – the NSW economy continues to be the worst  in the nation and  analysts say, the government must urgently introduce initiatives to stimulate growth in housing construction, business investment and jobs.

As quick as a flash, The Emperor hightailed it to Tasmania rifts open in Kevin Rudd’s health plan given the rethink on insulation scheme over safety fears which then transformed into a junior minister Greg Combet announcing troubled insulation grants get the chop resulting in another taxpayer initiative $2.450 billion down the gurgler. Interesting that The Emperor was all over the stage announcing this – then hides when it is cancelled.

Bob Hawke and John Howard debate our future where the combined consensus was to remove states/territories from all forms of government.

Congratulations to Jacqui and Mike Rowland – Smith who this week delivered a brother for young Will – mother and baby are both healthy and happy.

Cheers ^__^

This week’s sales Mosman real estate, Beauty Point real estate, Clifton Gardens real estate, Balmoral real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate, Cammeray real estate Click Here

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23.04.10Robert Simeon1 Comment »

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Big statement you may say – well we didn’t say it RP Data’s Property Pulse revealed “Premium properties provide higher returns but volumes have remained relatively low in 2009”. It then went on to say “for cashed – up buyers the premium housing market could be poised to deliver excellent returns in the future.” A comprehensive property report that tracks Australian municipality machinations from 1999 through to 2009. What is interesting to observe, is exactly how the global financial crisis impacted property markets. We have published all the graphs in this week’s edition.

Property Pulse Highlights

• Sydney’s Mosman leads the nation with the highest number of house sales priced at $1 m or higher.
• Sydney and Melbourne featured equally in the top 20 suburbs for $1 m plus house sales in 2009.
• The Western Suburbs of Perth holds two of the top performing suburbs in the analysis.
• For units, the Sydney suburb of Pyrmont led the charge with 95 unit sales priced at $1 m or higher (that’s only 22 per cent of all Pyrmont sales in 2009,highlighting the wide variety of unit product in this inner city suburb).

BUY PRINT

The Sydney Morning Herald’s property editor Jonathan Chancellor wrote last Saturday, “Mosman turns up auction heat”. “Mosman has led the resurgence in auction activity with 100 listings in the first quarter, up from 43 during the same period last year. The pricey suburb’s 67 per cent success rate bettered the dismal 37 per cent clearance rate during the eye of the global financial storm.”

Each week we publish the weekly sales results and I would add that (some) agents have been doctoring the results of auctions which were passed in then, hey presto, two to four weeks later the very same properties reappear as ‘Sold – Auction’ (never let the facts get in the way of a good story).

Across Sydney, agents conducted 4560 auctions in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 2960 over the same period in 2009 (according to Australian Property Monitors). The previous record was 4330 in 2008 so by all accounts Mosman again, is up and up and we can predict with confidence, that despite interest rate increases, consumer sentiment should not wane despite rate pain.

Source: RP Data

These are telling graphs that (historically) identify 2007 as being the all time peak property performance year. Take the 4330 auction record quarter in 2008. You will note that there was hardly any impact on the 2008 sales results simply because just a minority found new owners. The majority recorded a zero sales result. In 2010 we have seen new Sydney record auction volumes and this time around , agents are matching vendors with purchasers. That said, in 2010 there is a distinct possibility that the previous record sales results posted in 2007 will be surpassed, because top – end property markets are now re-activating. This explains the lengths we (RWM) go to on a weekly basis, to accurately cover our demographic property market. It also endorses the fact that we have the number one online Mosman newsletter and are positioned as the number one Mosman agency with Australia’s greatest number of database real estate subscriber sales $943,479,220.

Source: RP Data

Source: RP Data

10% rates on the way proved to be a interesting headline last Sunday. The only problem is, that consumers get it and Fort Fumble (Federal Government) doesn’t. Suffice to say: when in an election year, keep buying votes. Rory Robertson, Macquarie’s interest rate strategist, says a booming labour market could force the RBA’s hand. “If the economy keeps on growing like this, we will hit the previous highs in the cash rate.” Mr Robertson went on to say, “we already have a template of what happens when the economy grows strongly – we saw it before the Lehman Brothers collapse in 2008 – so we know how the Reserve Bank responds to the threat of inflation. It hiked aggressively back then, and it is doing the same now.”

On the one hand we have the Reserve Bank of Australia telling us to curb spending while Fort Fumble keeps spending at record rates. In search of an answer I went School building program won’t stop: govt Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard says the $16 billion school building programme won’t be suspended, pending an investigation, because it would mean job losses?

Don’t waste the boom, Mr Rudd where Alan Kohler wrote on his Business Spectator “In Australia, according to the ABS, there is now $133 billion worth of construction in the pipeline – the greatest investment boom in history.” Looks like our Education Minister needs educating on exactly what is happening in Australia.

Oh dear! Miss Prissy Julia Gillard hires a banker to unearth schools stimulus. A Mosman banker too! Undoubtedly, the findings will make for great reading. Personally, I don’t blame the builders given they were asked to quote for the building works and Miss Prissy approved the quotes.

What annoys, is that yet another $14 million has to be spent to correct political incompetence – on top of insulation, schools and border protection. The list goes on and today, Australian taxpayers are fast becoming a modern day version of a human ATM.

House prices plateau as buyers flee in droves – buyers are deserting the Sydney property market at the rate of 1000 a month, causing real estate professionals to predict an “exhausted market” where prices plateau for the rest of the year. This will definitely happen in many areas although it won’t happen in Mosman. Official figures show the number of loans to buy houses in NSW slipped from in September to just 14,300 in February after sliding in each of the past five months. The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures identify February as the worst month for home loans since 2001. Nationwide, just 2174 people borrowed to buy new homes, a figure that also reflects the low number of new homes on offer. School canteens override Construction slides as affordability worsens.

Alan Kohler from Business Spectator has a great ability to simplifying things and again, he brilliantly achieved this, when he wrote this week Deflating the credit bubble myth. “That’s why everyone keeps getting the property market wrong even the bulls have been surprised at its strength.”

“Anyway, a plateau this year would hardly be surprising, in fact another 12 per cent rise in the national median house price in 2010 would be staggering, and would see the RBA cash rate closer to 6 per cent than 5 per cent by early 2011.” My prediction is a cash rate closer to 6 per cent by Christmas given clearance rates in Sydney last week hit 70.7 to 73 per cent. Melbourne recorded 75.5 to 85 per cent – clearance rates above 80 per cent are considered a boom market.

Something I been saying for years!

Rising support to abolish state governments no doubt when the respective premiers read this the fear factor of incompetence overrode hospitals takeover on critical list. Four in ten voters favour abolishing state governments, seeing them as the least – effective level of government and increasingly looking to Federal Government to fix health and other problems. Fort Crumble had yet another outstanding week for leadership Blame game begins on F3 traffic chaos and Losing bidder won ferry contract. All part of The Emperor’s (Kevin Rudd) daily growing pains trouble Rudd in Big Australia.

Back to Mosman – our cutest and newest resident celebrated his one month birthday this week.

Happy Birthday “Pathi Harn” (Miracle) – The Emperor is praying for one too, because he knows that voters have memories like elephants!

Cheers ^__^

This week’s sales Mosman real estate, Beauty Point real estate, Clifton Gardens real estate, Balmoral real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate, Cammeray real estate Click Here

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16.04.10Robert Simeon4 Comments »

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In real estate we speak about position, position and position. Sometimes when politicians appear on television, their position can be an embarrassment because, although they can talk the talk, they can’t walk the walk! The Emperor (Kevin Rudd) found himself in that exact position when he appeared on Q&A – Monday night on that ABC at Old Parliament House, Canberra. Journalists had an absolute field day (as did viewers) “At the end of the day, the kids caned Kevin on Q&A” by David Penberthy in The Punch (another great daily online read). I well remember noticing this point. “One of the funniest things about the show was how so many of the young people in the crowd smirked in amusement at Rudd’s Ruddisms – “there’s no magic wand”, “but you know something”, and the ever – present “at the end of the day”, and his use of hand gestures and the sweeping arm to explain the scary arrival of the GFC.” He was trying to gild his lily which wilted after approximately five minutes of prudent interrogation by our country’s future leaders!

They say “nothing makes it harder to remember campaign promises than getting elected” and The Emperor would have observed that his Fort Fumble is now under greater scrutiny and attack from all sides. The Daily Telegraph ran the following stories “Kevin Rudd’s 795 days of empty promises” and “Kevin Rudd’s report card: could do better”. A tough week for The Emperor or is it just that politicians make headlines running for something or running from something?

No doubt he will be very fit by the time he takes us to the polls this year given so many empty promises have glaringly emerged with our “economic conservative” Prime Minister. Joe Hockey fared much better as “Giant Tinkerbell” tutu, magic wand and crown.

Surfs Up! As too are wobbegong attacks although I did chuckle when a witness described the shark as a Great White – although these surfers look unperturbed whilst catching waves at Manly Beach

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Tim Mooney Photography

So from politics, let’s move to property and performance where we mark the report card for Cremorne house results from 2007 to 2009 (next week we examine Neutral Bay houses).

CREMORNE PROPERTIES SOLD REPORT – (House and Semi only)

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1 JANUARY 2009 to 31 DECEMBER 2009

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• Total number offered – 91 (Mosman 334)
• Total number of sales recorded – 87 (Mosman 303)
• Total value sold – $157,197,000 (Mosman $668,966,377)
• Public Auction – 25 properties to a total value of $38,727,500
• Private Treaty – 62 properties to a total value of $118,469,500
• Median Price – $1,450,000 (Mosman $2,000,000)
• Average Price – $1,871,392 (Mosman $2,397,728)
• Highest Sale – $13,500,000 (RWM)

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CREMORNE PROPERTIES SOLD REPORT – (House and Semi only)

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1 JANUARY 2008 to 31 DECEMBER 2008

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• Total number offered – 96 (Mosman 360)
• Total number of sales recorded – 80 (Mosman 287)
• Total value sold – $164,864,550 (Mosman $774,865,612)
• Public Auction – 24 properties to a total value of $48,531,000
• Private Treaty – 56 properties to a total value of $116,333,550
• Median Price – $1,650,000 (Mosman $2,000,000)
• Average Price – $2,113,648 (Mosman $2,738,041)
• Highest Sale – $8,280,000 (RWM)

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CREMORNE PROPERTIES SOLD REPORT – (House and Semi only)

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1 JANUARY 2007 to 31 DECEMBER 2007

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• Total number offered – 100 (Mosman 456)
• Total number of sales recorded – 96 (Mosman 412)
• Total value sold – $223,006,433 (Mosman $1,182,372,720)
• Public Auction – 28 properties to a value of $52,452,600
• Private Treaty – 68 properties to a value of $174,861,433
• Median Price – $1,700,000 (Mosman $2,300,000)
• Average Price – $ 2,347,436 (Mosman $2,869,836)
• Highest Sale – $15,000,000 (new Cremorne record)

Source: Australian Property Monitors

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SUMMARY CREMORNE HOUSE PRICES FROM 2007 TO 2009

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Note that for Mosman and Cremorne in 2008 and 2009, the years of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), Richardson & Wrench Mosman & Neutral Bay (RWM) posted the highest recorded sales for each year. During the GFC, Cremorne traded as usual 2009 – 87 sales, 2008 produced 80 sales and 2007 recorded 96 sales. Mosman bunkered down 2009 – 303 sales, 2008 – 287 sales and 2007 – 412. It should also be noted that Cremorne posted the highest sale in 2009 at $13,500,000 over Mosman $13,200,000 (both vendors are Virtual Realty News subscribers).

So Mosman property and performance was back in the spotlight this week when it made the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald . “No more withdrawal symptoms as bankers again splash the cash” and “A bonus is a must, says the real estate crowd” . I would add that our 2010 market is too early to call – a key clue for subscribers to our daily email alerts will be our under offer and sold alerts – our website is now the Mosman sales barometer.

Peter Martin from The Sydney Morning Herald sent another warning to The Emperor when he wrote “Interest rate rises in Labor hands” – “The head of the Reserve Bank has held out the prospect of continuing low interest rates, as long as Labor sticks to its pledge to restrain spending.” Which is highly unlikely in an election year although I did chuckle when I read, “Joyce link between rates, ‘gross over-simplification’, says Henry”.

Somewhat ironic, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) saying that Labor again accumulated debt and the Howard regime paid it off in seventeen years of unprecedented economic growth. This again points me to the Henry Tax Report which is as mysterious as a government grant from The Emperor in a Liberal seat – it never happens. Makes one wonder just why this report (six weeks since its release) remains highly confidential.

What is not confidential is that RWM no longer offer properties for rent. Our total focus now is on sales and Agentpoint has delivered what I consider the smartest homepage in the real estate industry.

We are proud to further develop our online business – as our business is your business.

Cheers ^__^

For this week’s recorded Balmoral real estate, Mosman real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate and Cammeray real estate sales www.rwm.com.au/news/

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12.02.10Robert Simeon3 Comments »

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There is no doubting the volatility of home prices and this became more evident when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decided not to increase the official cash rate. The new money in our property markets is under serious threat. So too, are the financial institutions which can ill afford a reverse in property prices. These very markets were in growth mode during the global financial crisis when the established (old money) property markets went into actual decline. The RBA is now faced with a real estate conundrum as is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) with reporting accuracy.

Christopher Joye wrote in Business Spectator this week “ABS overstates house price growth” – “the ABS’s median price numbers are being artificially inflated by the fading of first timers, who are being replaced by up graders buying more expensive homes.” Which is exactly what happened in Mosman last year as the market awoke from the GFC (from June onwards) as did the majority of top-end property markets. Joye wrote “While the ABS results will no doubt trigger the inevitable media excitement, the hard empirical fact is that Australian homes have been recording consistent capital growth of about 2 – 3 per cent per quarter since the start of 2009. It is comforting to note, however, that Australian house price growth has not outpaced the growth in household disposable incomes since around 2002.”

The building in the bottom left hand corner is the clue where Sydney Ports are located – a magnificent heritage building on Sydney Harbour identifying our rich history

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Tim Mooney Photography

Understandably the media ran amok (trying to get those rivers of gold running again) with the ABS figures – Australian house price index rose 5.6 per cent in the December quarter and the September quarter was upwardly revised to 4.4 per cent. ABS figures in the year to December identified that the house price index rose 13.6 per cent. The only problem is, that ABS figures are not considered as accurate as the other data aggregators.

So let’s take a look at Australian Property Monitors – Domain Property Data (our preferred data aggregator given that they list the actual property addresses for all the properties contained within this report) revealed for Mosman house sales in 2009 – 2008 – 2007 a comparative analysis where you can be the judge.

MOSMAN PROPERTIES SOLD REPORT – (House and Semi only)

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1 JANUARY 2009 to 1 DECEMBER 2009

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• Total number offered – 334
• Total number of sales recorded – 303. (31 still unrecorded)
• Total Value Sold – $668,966,377
• Public Auction – 62 properties to a value of $94,857,000
• Private Treaty – 241 properties to a value of $574,109,377
• Median Price – $2,000,000
• Average Price – $2,397,728
• Highest Sale $13,200,000 (RWM)

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MOSMAN PROPERTIES SOLD REPORT – (House and Semi only)

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1 JANUARY 2008 to 31 DECEMBER 2008

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• Total number offered – 360
• Total number of sales recorded – 287
• Total Value Sold – $774,865,612
• Public Auction – 65 properties to a value of $126,645,250
• Private Treaty – 222 properties to a value of $648,220,362
• Median Price – $2,275,000
• Average Price – $2,738,041
• Highest Sale $14,700,000 (RWM)

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MOSMAN PROPERTIES SOLD REPORT – (House and Semi only)

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1 JANUARY 2007 to 31 DECEMBER 2007

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• Total number offered – 456
• Total number of sales recorded – 412
• Total Value Sold – $1,182,372,720
• Public Auction – 132 properties to a value of $292,042,000
• Private Treaty – 280 properties to a value of $890,330,720
• Median Price – $2,300,000
• Average Price – $2,869,836
• Highest Sale $22,500,000 (new record price)

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Next week Cremorne House and Semi sales

SUMMARY MOSMAN HOUSE PRICES FROM 2007 to 2009

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It is interesting to extrapolate data post GFC. In 2007 the number of houses offered to the marketplace was 456 and in 2008 the number offered, fell -21 per cent to 360. In 2009, we witnessed market consolidation when 334 houses were offered at a – 7 per cent decline. One must not forget that in 2008 and 2009, scuttlebutt had property voyeurs believing that more than half the houses in Mosman were available for sale (this would equate to approximately 2,500 homes as against the recorded 360 and 334 respectively). Thank goodness one Mosman agency has the technology and desire to set the record straight.

Sold properties in 2007 came in at 412 and dropped -30 per cent in 2008 to 287 then in latter 2009 we saw an interesting turnaround where sales increased to 303 – a +5.5 per cent increase. The same patterns can be observed in ‘total value sold’ statistics when the total in 2007 was $1,182,372,720. This fell -34.5 per cent in 2008 to record $774,865,612. In 2009 we started to see the recovery when total sales were $668,966,377 (this represents a -14 per cent decline). We expect these figures to move back into the black in 2010.

THE AUCTION v PRIVATE TREATY DEBATE IN MOSMAN

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This is amazing data and before we move further, I must advise that every suburb reports different rates of success. The Eastern Suburbs have very strong auction markets and Mosman is one of the worst performing auction markets in Sydney.

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Mosman – 2007

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• Total sales – 412
• Auction – 132 (32 per cent)
• Private Treaty – 280 (68 per cent)

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Mosman – 2008

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• Total sales – 287
• Auction – 65 (23 per cent)
• Private Treaty – 222 (77 per cent)

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Mosman – 2009

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• Total sales – 303
• Auction – 62 (20 per cent)
• Private Treaty – 241 (80 per cent)

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Makes you wonder why so many Mosman agents keep recommending auction? I know that regular blogger Patricia will find these statistics of great interest.

So where to in 2010 and what will happen to Mosman house prices? I asked Steve Patrick, one of the most respected agents in Mosman what would happen and here is his response. “After a twenty (20) per cent fall in our market from the highs of 2007 to the end of 2009 (actual registered sales on several properties substantiate this figure), I believe the market bounced back somewhat in the order of five (5) to ten (10) per cent.) The last few months of 2009 confirmed this trend where house prices have now stabilised.

There is renewed confidence in the local property markets from buyers, albeit with caution, where I see our market moving steadily over the next six months with small (but more importantly), steady upward growth. Supply and demand will be the key factor going forward as it always has been. Rarely in my past twenty plus years working in Mosman, have I seen an over -supply, even when the GFC was at its historic peak.”

So there you have it! The Mosman online real estate bible has spoken. This weekend marks our first 2010 experience of buyer reaction/response at our upcoming open houses.

We trust that the data contained within this edition of Virtual Realty News will greatly assist you with your market determination. Rest assured, you will read it first with only one Mosman Agency!

See you on our blog where the Mosman debate continues.

Cheers ^__^

For this week’s recorded Balmoral real estate, Mosman real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate and Cammeray real estate sales www.rwm.com.au/news/

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5.02.10Robert Simeon14 Comments »

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The cocoon of life in Australia has never before been under greater scrutiny where many await the findings of the Henry Tax Review recommendations (reportedly 10 centimetres thick). Just what remains to be seen is, exactly what comes first? And just who will be indentified as swimming in those new “rivers of gold” that will allow The Emperor (Kevin Rudd) to stimulate his fast growing budget deficit. It would be difficult to imagine his “financial conservative” tag re-emerging!

The Late Kerry Packer once said “Now of course I am minimising my tax. And if anyone in this country doesn’t minimise their tax they want their heads read. Because as a government, I can tell you you’re not spending it so well that we should be donating extra.”

Welcome back to our first 2010 edition – where we celebrate our tenth year of Virtual Realty News (VRN) arriving weekly into your inboxes. Your scribe has somewhat mixed emotions relating to the year(s) ahead. Fort Fumble (Federal government) simply put; has a cash flow problem.

2009 produced just one election – Queensland. 2010 however, offers four elections being three state; Tasmania and South Australia in March and Victoria in November. The Emperor will also contest his second term which no doubt will be the taxing election given he has now frozen his (failed) climate cap for an economic sombrero! Rubbing hard on that inflation genie (growing from within) no need for predictions as 2010 will be either The Emperor ruling the roost or morphing a feather duster. Interest rates, inflation and our banks to name just a few are threatening and indeed most inclement. For example, this week Westpac withdrew from the home loan market when RAMS (Australia’s largest mortgage broker) was reined in (no loans) until Westpac gets its funding issues in order – what a message that sends to our property markets (especially to first home buyers).

Tim Mooney Photography

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Again, Australia’s finest aerial photographer Tim Mooney, will be showcasing his amazing captures with each and every edition of VRN. No wonder Prince William declared that he would like to buy a residence in Sydney – he spent plenty of time cruising Mosman foreshores and who could argue with this view. It is a fact that ‘Balmoral’ is very well known within the Royal family!

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The global financial crisis (GFC) dealt the death knell for every state and territory in Australia – all of which are now trading in budget deficit. Only Western Australia and Queensland can return to the black due to mining royalties.

Without the benefit of hindsight it appears more than likely that in five years time, state and territory governments will simply be made redundant given their inability to manage infrastructures within their electorates (did Henry pick that?) Fort Crumble (NSW government) is Australia’s finest example of incompetence personified – it’s still going backwards and has been doing so for well over a decade. At least our property markets are back on the road to recovery having posted a most impressive December quarter report card adding to the intrigue for the March 2010 results.

As strange as it may seem, if you cast your mind back prior to the GFC where, for housing prices to shake and move it could only start at the top-end. Australian Property Monitors (APM) identified that this is exactly what happened over the December quarter where average prices nationwide, recorded an average 12.1 per cent increase. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised the cash rate – an unprecedented three consecutive months to finish 2009 at 3.75 per cent. Next Tuesday, when the Board meets for cucumber sandwiches and English breakfast tea, the cash rate will move to 4.00 per cent in another effort to curb our exuberance for bricks and mortar (the result of cash splashes and government gifts for first home buyers) – a false economy!

The latest RBA figures identify that consumers spent more than $20 billion on credit and charge cards in November (December figures not in yet) so do the maths as the average Australian credit card debt now sits at $3,196.00. Consumer confidence that is currently at near record levels, is in for some shock treatment, thanks to irresponsible government intervention. The top – end was slow, contracted and non responsive to the GFC, because these home owners were smashed in the recession of the early nineties. Now those who were too young to remember will have their turn and this is highlighted by the Westpac retreat this week from the home loan market.

As a result of overcast economic conditions during the GFC, landlords were aware that a paying tenant was a viable business model where APM identified that houses increased 2.2 per cent and apartments 2.4 per cent in the December quarter. With the economic clouds now clearing (given that in 2007 and 2008 rents rose by an average 12 per cent) the rental amnesty is now over and they will again be up, up, and away in 2010. Don’t forget that Australia’s immigration intake (rightly or wrongly) is the highest of any other country on the planet. Despite new construction remaining in the doldrums as consumption/immigration grows, the “lucky country” is failing miserably in the accountability stakes.

I make no apologies for my dislike of politicians (generally) especially when during a worldwide economic downturn, they sugar coat the economy with taxpayer monies. The Westpac decision this week flew under the political radar – quite conveniently.

Although, I do love the irony! The Henry Tax Review will target high income earners and they in-turn will benefit financially from the government- promoted property debutants. Interest rates are heading north – government intervention and opportunity knocks.

A pleasure to welcome Andrew Blaxland to the RWM fold. We have been chasing him for years and he is a perfect mix for our culture. Subscriber sales have jumped to $892,854,220 and hopefully our business model will record the magic billion this year (Australian record). In 2009 we led the market and this won’t change in 2010.

Welcome back friends and foes, it will be action packed for property voyeurs!

Cheers
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For this week’s recorded Mosman real estate, Cremorne real estate, Cremorne Point real estate, Neutral Bay real estate and Cammeray real estate sales www.rwm.com.au/news/

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29.01.10Robert Simeon6 Comments »