State Of The Nation Compiled By Kevin Lee of Smart Property Adviser

www.smartpropertyadviser.com.au E: kevin@smartpropertyadviser.com.au T: (02) 9980 1311 M: 0416 083 995

Disclaimer: This document is a compilation of recent articles published in the media. The media sources are quoted beneath their respective article capture. Smart Property Adviser does not claim to be the author of any articles included within this document.

Property treasure-hunters hit Clifton Beach

CLIFTON Beach has been labelled a "hidden treasure" by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. Properties on Clifton Rd, Arlington Esplanade and Stevens St topped the list

for the highest house sales in the 12 months to March in the Cairns region. 5 July 2013. More.

Opinion: Gen Y can’t rush investing with super The property market could be in for a quick succession of ‘panic buying’ following new rules for how Aussies can spend their super on property investments. This is according to Oasis Property CEO Gavin McPherson, who argues that the changes could see younger people viewing self-managed super funds as an easy way to get into property investing. 5 July 2013. More.

Cardboard box for rent in Darwin draws calls A CARDBOARD castle has become an internet sensation after it was jokingly put up for rent - but the acute accommodation situation in Darwin means people have

called with serious enquiries. 3 July 2013. More. Real Estate: Will a cost-effective renovation add value to WA homes?

TO renovate or not to renovate? That is the question West Australians are asking more than any other homeowners in the country. For those wondering

whether a quick, cost-effective update will add value to their home, the experts share their tips on what to do and what not to do. Claire Bickers reports. 3 July 2013. More. Natalie Bassingthwaighte's Elwood period investment property sells at auction A big crowd turned out on Saturday for the weekend auction of Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s Elwood period investment property. Five bidders fought it out from a starting bid of $850,000 followed by a vendor bid of $1 million. 2 July 2013. More.

Seaside lot a real beacon in exclusive market

THE last block of land underneath Aireys Inlet's Split Point Lighthouse is for sale, giving buyers a rare opportunity in the exclusive precinct. 4 July 2013. More.

Real estate market at start of a new growth cycle: John McGrath Estate agent John McGrath says Sydney’s recovery is well underway, with increasing buyer demand and strong prices being achieved across all property types under $2 million. He has noted weekend clearance rates have been consistently above 70% for several months and that home loan applications are rising. 4 July 2013. More. Adelaide hotel studio has reserve of just $10,000

Well, for as little as $10,000 a Gouger St property, in the heart of the city, could be yours. Lindsay Warner and John Williams of Harcourts Brock Williams will tomorrow

auction two hotel rooms in the BreakFree Directors Studios, one with a $10,000 reserve and the other a $20,000 reserve. 2 July 2013. More. Crazy attitudes underpin our relationship with real estate: Catherine Cashmore You have to question the pure insanity that surrounds Australian real estate – you have to live here and experience it to truly believe it, because I’d challenge you to find another country where the subject receives the same intense level of pre-occupation. 2 July 2013. More. Rudd's luxury property portfolio miles from Struggle Street

KEVIN Rudd's multi-million-dollar property portfolio represents a huge wealth divide between the PM and Labor's working family voters in mortgage belts. Mr Rudd

owns luxury homes in Canberra, Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast. In total, they're estimated to be worth more than $10 million. It includes a $1.4 million block in Brisbane's well-heeled Norman Park that he bought two years ago with a plan to build a million-dollar-plus home for visitors. 2 July 2013. More.

Issue # 046 July 5th, 2013

State Of The Nation Newsletter

E: kevin@smartpropertyadviser.com.au T: (02) 9980 1311 M: 0416 083 995 Disclaimer: This document is a compilation of recent articles published in the media. The media sources are quoted beneath their respective article

capture. Smart Property Adviser does not claim to be the author of any articles included within this document.

If you would like to voice your opinion on any article you have read in the State Of The Nation Newsletters or elsewhere that has concerned you, please send the article and your opinion on it to us and we will include it in a future issue of the State Of The Nation. Send your opinion to kevin@smartpropertyadviser.com.au

House price rises set to gather pace in Brisbane AFTER years of sluggish growth, Brisbane's median house price is tipped to jump by 17 per cent in the next three years. According to economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel's latest Residential Property Prospects report, Brisbane's median house price is about $440,000, only 2 per cent higher than it was at the same time last year. The predicted increase would lift the median house price to about $514,800. 2 July 2013. More. Property market on the climb Home approvals across Perth have almost doubled in less than a year as evidence mounts that low interest rates have kick-started a nationwide lift in the property market. On top of relatively muted price rises and improving housing affordability, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have confirmed the long-awaited boost to the home sector. 5 July 2013. More. Gladstone property market hard to predict in long term LIKE any region, Gladstone's property market is determined by demand and supply. But the question is, do professionals predict a boom or bust for property within the next few years? CQUniversity professor of regional economic development John Rolfe does not foresee a huge boom or bust for the region. 4 July 2013. More. Property market rebounds in June with values up 3.8% for the 2013 financial year Capital city property values rose 1.9% in June led by gains in Sydney and Melbourne, according to the RP Data-Rismark Home Value Index. Sydney dwelling values rose 2.7% over June to a median of $580,000 with Melbourne values up 2.3% to $512,000. 1 July 2013. More. Property prices rise, heralding 'recovery'

Median house prices in Brisbane have recorded their first annual increase in over two years, according to a major report heralding signs of market

recovery. Buying affordability has also improved, with the estimated median peak house price of $440,000 still four per cent lower than the previous high in 2010 and the best level since 2003. 1 July 2013. More. Property commentators focusing too much on price Residential property commentators are placing far too much emphasis on price, according to property advisory group Matusik Missive. “Far too much commentary about the residential property these days focuses on price. Very little is actually said about sales,” 4 July 2013. More.

$A higher after RBA comment branded a joke The Australian dollar is higher after a comment from Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens that caused the local currency to fall to a three-year low was dismissed as a lighthearted remark. At 1700 AEST on Thursday, the local unit was trading at 91.06 US cents, up from 90.62 cents on Wednesday. Mr Stevens told a business function on Wednesday that the RBA had deliberated for "a very long time" before deciding to leave the cash rate at its record low of 2.75 per cent on Tuesday. 4 July 2013. More. Weakness in Australia’s residential construction industry set to continue says HIA

According to the Housing Industry Association, the voice of Australia’s residential building industry, the RBA had the option to reduce rates and deliver badly needed support to businesses and households but by failing to move, the weaknesses in the residential construction industry will merely

be prolonged. 3 July 2013. More. Employment statistics are an important indicator for residential property: Michael Matusik Another great forward indicator with regard to the future health of the residential market – and in particular new housing construction – is employment growth. Now, I used to ‘full-time’ employment growth. 4 July 2013. More.

Controversy Corner

Queensland real estate agent jailed for $412,000 trust bust Estate agent Michael Wilkes has been sentenced to five years' jail for misappropriating $412,796.40 from trust accounts while operating inner-city Brisbane real estate agencies. The sentence was handed down on May 22 by the Brisbane District Court. 2July 2013. More.

Some Parting Advice

“Currently in Australia, we are experiencing record low interest rates across both variable and fixed rate options, with more cuts predicted

to come over the next 10-12 months!.”

Until Next Time… Kevin Lee