Interest rate cuts fail to lift frail housing

Simon Johanson Housing looks set for a subdued start to the year with builders dashing hopes that the sector will fill the hole left when the mining industry comes off the boil.

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Australian housing 'severely unaffordable'

Simon Johanson Australia still has the most unaffordable housing markets in the world despite two years’ of stagnant or falling house prices, according to a Demographia survey.

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Where it's cheaper to buy than to rent

Simon Johanson Only a handful of suburbs in Melbourne and fewer than 50 in Sydney are cheaper for aspiring owners to buy a home in than to rent.

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Pricey CBD ranks 6th in global retailer cost

Simon Johanson Melbourne has the sixth most expensive prime retail market in the world, research shows.

Small deals have medium impact in a year to forget

Simon Johanson A late flurry of small deals has capped off a year in which private investors dominanted.

Mammoth doubles its city efforts with twin towers

Simon Johanson Malaysian property developer Mammoth plans to put its mark on Melbourne's horizon.

Development pair keep things nice and close

Simon Johanson Tim Gurner and Danny Ciarma believe they have a formula for development success.

Bricks and mortar look a super solution

Simon Johanson Falling returns on cash deposits may accelerate a push into property by SMSFs.

Chinatown restaurant expands into Southbank

Simon Johanson The owners of Crystal Jade will open another high-end restaurant in the Southbank precinct.

Developers in the zone on new industrial landscape

Simon Johanson Development site values have doubled in the Montague precinct of Fishermans Bend.

Retail centres cautious but optimistic on sales

Simon Johanson Shopping centre managers remain cautious as survey finds signs of a recovery in retail spending.

Unit sales boost flagging housing market

Simon Johanson A big jump in apartment sales boosted the housing market last month but has not diminished calls for more interest-rate cuts to help the ailing sector.

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What gloom? 'Rental spike' on the horizon

Simon Johanson A squeeze in future supply of premium new office space will lead to a rental spike and keep the market afloat over the next two years, industry insiders say.

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Big names may not have very far to look for a change of scenery

Simon Johanson Two large prospective tenants are believed to be looking for office space in Melbourne.

More councils require keeping architects for length of projects

Simon Johanson Local councils are increasingly using ''conditional permits'' on larger, more complex inner-city buildings that require developers to retain the architect for the life of the project.

Demand for land, but not in Melbourne

Simon Johanson Demand for residential land is set to rise around the country, but not in Melbourne or Adelaide, a respected forecaster says.

CBD becomes foodie's nirvana

Simon Johanson The global credit crunch is turning Melbourne into a fast-food city.

Seedbank gets splash of H2O

Simon Johanson Horsham will be the site of a new seedbank being designed by H2O architects.

It's Sunshine of your love as developers turn gaze to west

Simon Johanson Sunshine is a suburb that hasn't always lived up to its name.