Real Estate

Trends and updates on property markets, including residential and commercial sectors.

Real Estate
CoStar wins parental approval for $3bn Domain marriage
United States real estate information provider CoStar clearly liked what it saw when it looked under the bonnet at Domain Holdings, making an agreed offer that has won the ascent of the digital real estate company’s parent company, Nine Entertainment. Domain said it had entered into a binding Scheme Implementation Deed for CoStar to buy the 83.1% of Domain it does not already own by way of a Scheme of Arrangement, taking it private after eight years on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), if approved by shareholders. The offer of $4.43 per share, less any special dividend declared or paid after today, values Domain at an implied enterprise value of A$3.0 billion (US$1.92 billion). The Domain Board has unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme, without a superior proposal, and subject to an Independent Expert concluding it is in the best interests of shareholders. Nine, which owns 60% of Domain, has advised Domain it will vote in favour of the Scheme at a shareholders' meeting in mid-August, subject to the same conditions as the Board made. The offer was at a premium of 42.0% to the ‘undisturbed’ share price of $3.12 per share before CoStar made its initial offer on 21 February, 50.2
Real Estate
Revenue growth of over 15% for REA Group in Q3
Global online real estate advertising company, the REA Group has reported strong Q3 results with significant revenue growth and increased audience engagement across its platforms. REA Group Chief Executive Officer, Owen Wilson said: "REA delivered a strong third quarter result underpinned by double-digit yield growth as we continued to drive increased value for customers across our premium products. The first interest rate cut in 4 years, combined with expectations of more to come, spurred buyer demand and supported house price growth across the country. “These conditions encouraged sellers to bring properties to market with listings matching the very strong levels of this time last year.”Credit: REA GroupFinancial Performance Revenue for the nine months ended 31 March 2025: $1,247m, up 18% YoY. Q3 revenue: $374m, a 12% increase YoY. EBITDA excluding associates: $734m, up 19% YoY; Q3 EBITDA: $199m, up 12%. Free cash flow: $389m, a 21% increase YoY.Australian Market Australian revenue: $340m, up 11% YoY. Residential revenue increased by 12% for the quarter. National listings were flat YoY, but Buy revenue grew because of a 15% yield increase. Rent revenue rose with an 8% average price increase an
Real Estate
Prince of Dubai's penthouse fails to sell in Vancouver
A luxury Canadian penthouse linked to Dubai’s royal family has failed to find a buyer after 72 days on the market, with its CA$21 million (A$23.53 million) listing now expired. The Vancouver property, located at 1011 West Cordova St., was listed in January but removed from the market in April, according to Zealty.Credit: Fairmont Pacific RimThe Canadian penthouse is owned by Leemar Investments FZE, a Dubai-based venture capital firm reportedly managed by the director general of the Office of H. H. The Crown Prince of Dubai. The 6,480-square-foot penthouse, dubbed the “crown jewel” of downtown Vancouver, boasts three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and expansive views. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada highlighted its dramatic rooftop deck and private terraces, adding 2,582 square feet of outdoor space. Despite its prestige, the property failed to attract a buyer, raising questions about Vancouver’s high-end real estate market and foreign investment trends.Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty CanadaThe penthouse is part of the Fairmont Collection, which includes four properties linked to the prince, collectively valued at over $40 million. So far, this is the only unit reported as delisted, while the status of the remaining p
Real Estate
Lendlease expands Collins Wharf with waterfront tower
Lendlease has officially commenced construction on Ancora at Collins Wharf, a landmark residential tower hoping to redefine Melbourne’s waterfront living. Located at 971 Collins Street, Docklands, Ancora has already secured over 50% in presales, reflecting strong investor appetite for premium cityside properties. The 28-storey tower will offer uninterrupted views across Victoria Harbour, the Yarra River, and Port Phillip Bay, reinforcing its appeal among high-net-worth buyers seeking exclusive waterfront access. Ancora is Lendlease’s third residential development within Collins Wharf, following Regatta, which is already 85% sold and under construction. The broader Collins Wharf precinct will eventually deliver over 1,800 residences across six architecturally designed towers, surrounded by 5,000 sqm of parkland. Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece attended the groundbreaking event, saying, “The appetite for quality-designed residential living in Melbourne is insatiable. We’re pleased to see a development that opens the door to world-class lifestyle apartments surrounded by waterways and greenery while remaining within arm’s reach of the CBD. “Melbourne’s population is expected to swell to 142,000 residents by 20
Real Estate
ABS: National building approvals slump 8.8% in March
Australian building approvals fell sharply in March 2025, with broad declines across dwelling types and states, amid a continued slowdown in residential construction activity, despite a surge in non-residential projects. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the seasonally adjusted estimate for total dwellings approved declined 8.8% to 15,220 in March. Approvals for private sector houses fell 4.5% to 8,804, while private sector dwellings excluding houses - a category that includes apartments, terraces, and townhouses - slumped 15.1% to 6,104. “The falls were seen across all dwelling types in March with private dwellings excluding houses down 15.1%, and private sector houses 4.5% lower,” said Brock Hermans, ABS Head of Construction Statistics. State-level data showed declines in most regions for total dwellings: Tasmania fell 42.2%, Victoria lost 31.6%, Western Australia dropped 20.5%, and South Australia dipped 11.9%. In contrast, New South Wales added 19.6% and Queensland increased 5.8%. The number of private sector house approvals nationally fell 4.5%, following a 1.1% rise in February, and was 3.3% lower than the same month last year. Regionally, approvals fell in Victoria, down 10.0%, Que

Real Estate
New Zealand's property market gains momentum
Home values in Aotearoa New Zealand rose 0.3% in April, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase as market confidence builds. The Cotality Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) hit $819,096, its highest level since June 2024 but still 16% below its January 2022 peak.Regional Markets Show Broad-Based Growth Major centres saw steady gains, with Kirikiriroa Hamilton leading at +0.8%, followed by Ōtautahi Christchurch (+0.5%) and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (+0.3%). Smaller increases were recorded in Ōtepoti Dunedin, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, and Tauranga (+0.1%), showing broad but measured improvement. Different Property Types Join the Recovery The upturn is now spreading across housing segments, with standalone houses rising 1% and townhouses up 0.9% since January. Lifestyle properties saw a modest 0.2% gain, suggesting varied recovery speeds across property types. Economist warns against over-optimismCotality NZ (formerly CoreLogic NZ) Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson acknowledged the ongoing recovery but urged caution. “Clearly, lower mortgage rates have been a strong support for property values in recent months, giving more buyers the confidence and ability to enter the market. Perhaps in a slightly perverse
Real Estate
Housing prices continue to rise across Australia
The national Home Value Index recorded a third-straight month of growth in April according to Cotality (formerly known as Core Logic). Dwelling values grew 0.3% to a record high, adding around A$2,720 to the median value of an Australian dwelling over the month. Cotality’s research director, Tim Lawless, said the rise was likely influenced by rate cuts in February and global tariff uncertainty. “Household confidence slipped in April, with the US’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcements and the upcoming federal election causing uncertainty,” he said. “It is likely this may be causing some buyers and sellers to delay their decisions.” All capital cities saw increases, with the highest rises in Darwin (up 1.1%) and Hobart (up 0.9%). Despite steady growth across the country, it has eased from the 0.4% rise in March, with sentiment and auction clearance rates slumping throughout the month. Melbourne and Sydney recorded the lowest growth, only rising 0.2%. Regional cities also outpaced capitals overall, with a 0.6% increase. Related contentNational house prices lift in April and expected to keep rising amid rate cuts
Real Estate
Canberra named Australia's safest city
Canberra has been ranked as Australia's safest city, as part of a new study ranking over 400 cities internationally. The danger rating for each city was calculated according to user-submitted crime ratings across the last six-and-a-half years, and compiled by Compare the Market Australia. Canberra won the top spot as safest in Australia and 49th globally, with a crime index rating of 26.8 out of a possible 100. Adelaide and Hobart came in second and third respectively in the nation, and 92nd and 100 worldwide, with crime index ratings of 32.8 and 33.7. Sydney followed just behind, sitting in the 104th global position with a crime rating of 34.1 and Brisbane at 36.9 and a ranking as the 121st safest city globally. Melbourne sits further down with a rating of 43.8, and a global ranking of 171. At the complete other end, Townsville was named Australia’s most dangerous city with a crime index rating of 61.8, the 58th most dangerous city globally.
Real Estate
APAC commercial real-estate hits new quarter high
Commercial real estate investment in Asia Pacific has hit a new first-quarter high, bypassing 2022 levels, according to research by real estate consulting firm JLL. The company's data showed commercial investments totalled US$36.3 billion last quarter, rising by 20% year-on-year, and marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth, despite global trade unrest. All property sectors saw higher investment, except industrial & logistics. Overseas investors were flocking most to office, logistics, and living assets, with global capital sources making large investments in office and retail, and Singaporean investors making moves in office, logistics and overseas hotel assets. Japan also kept its top spot in the region for receiving foreign investments, with a 20% year-on-year increase in commercial real estate investments, the highest Q1 level in five years for the nation. “The continued growth in Asia Pacific commercial real estate investment is a testament to the region's strong fundamentals and attractiveness to global capital," adds Stuart Crow, CEO, Asia Pacific Capital Markets, JLL. “While short-term tariff-induced market volatility might give investors cause for temporary pause on large deal activity, property i