Brisbane

Brisbane Property Market Update – August 2020

The latest Corelogic Data shows overall dwelling values in Brisbane declined -0.1 per cent, but houses were stable and the decline came from the unit sector, down -0.3 per cent. Since January, Brisbane house values have reported an increase of 1.6 per cent, despite the pandemic, and yet unit values have slipped -1.8 per cent.

This stability has been seen in Brisbane, despite very early predictions from many of price falls across all Australian markets. The price changes in Melbourne have been more pronounced, with -4 per cent coming off the value of houses and -2.2 per cent off units over the last three months. On this basis, it seems that the performance of the housing market is intrinsically linked to the number of coronavirus cases in a particular region and the subsequent policies in place around social distancing. Stage 4 shutdowns seem to have had a big impact in Melbourne.

That said, in Brisbane, despite small cluster outbreaks from time to time, our strict border control measures appear to be keeping the virus under control. Most of us are able to return to the labour market, sentiment is fairly strong and we seem to be able to move around with a certain degree of freedom. This is all very positive for our local property market as well.

According to SQM Research, listing volumes are still 9.7 per cent lower in Brisbane than they were 12 months ago, and in the last month alone (between July and August 2020) listing volumes were down a further 5.1 per cent so we expect transactions volumes will remain low for some time yet, simply due to limited supply.

New research from realestate.com.au has revealed that Queensland property seekers are the most confident buyers in Australia. In Brisbane the suburbs with the highest views per listing according to realestate.com were as follows:
• Ashgrove Qld 4060
• Kalinga Qld 4030
• Chandler Qld 4155
• Holland Park Qld 4121
• Tarragindi Qld 4121
• Stafford Heights Qld 4053

We can confirm from being on the ground that these areas have strong demand from buyers with many properties going to multiple offer very soon after being listed. These are some of the areas that are outperforming, with upward pressure on prices. The high number of buyers, combined with limited listings, tends to have this effect.

The rental market in Brisbane remains resilient also at this time. We are seeing the vacancy rate at a city level continuing its downward trajectory, after an initial spike from March to April 2020.

Since then, rental markets have tightened, with many markets across Greater Brisbane experiencing the tightest vacancy for many years. We are also seeing multiple applications from prospective tenants being submitted on properties for rent, illustrating the shortage of quality rental properties available.

There remain some “at risk” locations in certain pockets of Brisbane. For example, postcode 4000 (which includes the Brisbane CBD) has a local vacancy rate of 13 per cent, which is extremely high-risk for an investor who may be looking at buying into that market.

While there is no evidence of distressed properties coming to the market in Brisbane, there continues to be talk about the economic cliff that is apparently ahead of us. Once JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments ease, and mortgage repayment deferrals stop, perhaps some people may need to sell as they are no longer able to hold their property. We remain of the opinion that different markets around Australia will be impacted in different ways.

According to a recent NAB announcement, Australian Home Loan deferrals are broadly in line with the total portfolio spread. This means the exposure of some states to potential “forced selling” is much less than other states around the country.

Queensland makes up approximately 17 per cent of the total number of NAB Home Loan facilities and 16 per cent of the total Home Loans that have been deferred across Australia. Compare that with NSW/ACT, which makes up 38 per cent of the total portfolio but 40 per cent of the total deferrals, and Vic/Tas, which makes up 31 per cent of the total portfolio and 32 per cent of the total deferrals. Then there is WA and SA/NT with much lower exposure again.

This provides a greater level of confidence for property owners and property buyers in Brisbane, given our exposure is a lot less than other locations around Australia.

Shane Oliver, AMP chief economist, also updated his forecasts recently for Australians’ property market. His thoughts are that Sydney and Melbourne are more exposed to price falls given their higher dependence on international migration, higher debt-to-income ratios, higher price-to-income ratios and greater investor penetration.

Over recent years, Brisbane’s growth has been underwhelming compared with Sydney and Melbourne, for example. While the other capitals experienced amazing capital appreciation, Brisbane property values remained quite flat. This is because local drivers of supply and demand vary considerably between different locations. Different property markets behave in different ways during various market conditions, so there is no reason to expect the outcomes to differ considerably throughout this pandemic.

Brisbane properties are more affordable and our income-to-debt ratio is a lot lower. The amount of our take-home income that we spend on our mortgages here in Brisbane is also a lot lower. Property markets around the country are all responding differently as a result of the pandemic, and at this stage we remain optimistic about the performance of Brisbane in the months ahead.

This article is republished from www.smartpropertyinvestment.com.au under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Brisbane

Mapletree Makes $114m Move on Blackstone’s Brisbane Estate

Another logistics asset has changed hands in southern Brisbane, with Mapletree swooping on Blackstone’s distribution centre for $114 million in Brisbane’s busy industrial and logistics market.

It’s the second Blackstone Brisbane asset to change hands in the past week, following the divestment of its 18-hectare Acacia Ridge site to ESR for $90 million.

The Woolworths anchored property, located at 338 Bradman Street, spans two buildings comprising 55,000sq m and sits on an approximate 110,000sq m land parcel in an established industrial and logistics precinct, 18-kilometres south of Brisbane city.

The property is fully leased, and is expected to generate an initial yield of 4.9 per cent.

Woolworths Group leases 84 per cent of the property, which supports its operations in Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Property fund manager Mapletree is the first Asia-focused logistics REIT in Singapore, listed on the Singapore Exchange in mid-2005, and is managed by Mapletree Logistics Trust Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mapletree Investments.

The latest buy boosts Mappletree’s Brisbane holdings to three properties, following its $105 million purchase of a Coles distribution centre in Heathwood in 2018, and a newly built A-grade Inala facility purchased this year in June for $21.25 million.

It now has a total of 13 properties across Australia.

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a major uptick in online shopping, particularly in the food, beverage and grocery sector.

Mapletree says the Acacia Ridge location is well-positioned to benefit from infrastructure developments, specifically, the $8.4 billion high-capacity inland freight rail connecting Melbourne and Brisbane which is expected to increase rail freight between the two cities, due to be in operation in 2026.

The property is expected to be completed by the end of the financial year 2021, subject to the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board’s approval.

This article is republished from theurbandeveloper.com under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Brisbane

Construction of Brisbane’s first new and highly anticipated golf course in 70 years has begun

Construction of the long awaited Minnippi 18-hole championship public Golf Course and club in Cannon Hill is underway after receiving approval from Brisbane City Council earlier this year.
The golf course stretches between the Fursden Road playing fields at Carina and the hill beside Cannon Hill Shopping Centre.

The golf course will be the first of its kind for the area and will have everything for golf beginners to championship professionals, with a standard championship length 18-hole game, two nine-hole courses and a shorter six-hole course.
The 125 hectare site which the public golf course is being built on is located on the unused Brisbane City Council land on the western side of Bulimba Creek, east of Creek Road and north of Fursden Road at Cannon Hill. Bulimba Creek separates the development site from the existing Minnippi Parklands recreation area.

Along with construction delivered by one of Australia’s biggest construction companies, BMD, Council have planted 80,000 native trees on the site. The golf course is effectively an expansion of the Minnippi Parklands at Tingalpa and will remain in public hands and be operated by the council.

This year’s pandemic has seen a tough year for construction, however the golf course moves ahead into its next stage, which will provide a great boost for local jobs and supplier opportunities. The course surrounds and brings a picturesque backdrop to Azure Development Group’s recently completed residential enclave, Cornelia Edition.

Cornelia Edition is an exclusive gated community offering 31 luxury golf course terraces with resort-style amenities for residents. Primely located in the East Brisbane suburb of Cannon Hill, the terraces interact directly with the new golf course and benefit from the areas diverse and amenities with a strong community feel.

Cornelia Edition brings resort living inspired by the Palms Springs lifestyle with resident amenities including a large resort-style pool, outdoor lounge, fireplace, and open leisure area with a selection of terraces enjoying uninterrupted views of the parklands.
Residents of Cornelia Edition will benefit from the lush green views of the high end golf course by having a direct interface to one of the holes and the natural amenity of the community. Parks, connected bikeways and the convenience of good public transport provides residents with a peaceful and easy lifestyle.

Construction on the exclusive housing enclave has completed and work on the golf estate is expected to be finished in 2022.

This article is republished from urban.com under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article

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Nicholas Failla

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Brisbane

Novotel Brisbane sold to offshore group JLL

Further hotel transaction activity points to continued investor confidence with the Novotel Brisbane sold by CDL Hospitality Trusts (“CDLHT”) to Amora Hotels & Resorts for $67.9 million by JLL.

In further signs of continued investor confidence in the Australian hotel sector, the Novotel Brisbane has sold by CDL Hospitality Trusts (“CDLHT”) to Amora Hotels & Resorts for $67.9 million.

The transaction was brokered off-market by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.

Prominently situated on the north-eastern edge of the CBD next to Central Railway Station and only a short walk from many of the city’s key demand generators, the Novotel Brisbane features 296 guest rooms, full-service restaurant and bar, café, ballroom and function rooms, 70 car parking bays, an outdoor swimming pool and gymnasium. The property is currently leased until early 2021 at which time it will be rebranded and owner operated by Amora Hotels & Resorts.

Mr Vincent Yeo, Chief Executive Officer of CDLHT’s managers, said, “As part of our proactive asset management strategy, the divestment of Novotel Brisbane allows us to recycle capital to maximise long-term value for Stapled Securityholders.” CDLHT’s managers intend to utilise the proceeds from the divestment mainly to repay existing borrowings, which will further strengthen CDLHT’s balance sheet and enhance its financial flexibility through increased debt headroom, or fund acquisitions if suitable opportunities arise.

Raja David, Director/Owner Representative, Amora Hotels & Resorts, said “We are absolutely delighted to enter the Brisbane market through the acquisition of such a well-known hotel. This property will perfectly complement our existing portfolio and help to further accommodate the needs of our loyal guests. We are now looking forward to the rebranding and exploring further expansion opportunities for our Australian network.”

Peter Harper, Managing Director – Head of Investment Sales Australasia, said “The sale of the Novotel Brisbane is another clear example that high-quality hotel real estate remains sought after across Australia, despite the obvious short-term challenges ahead. This transaction follows our recent sale of the Vibe Hotel Melbourne for a reported $108 million and with several other assets in the market we expect to announce at least another $300 million of deals before year end.”

He added, “Six months on from the initial impact of COVID-19, its apparent that there is a two-tier market emerging. Given how tightly held the Australian hotel market has historically been, many investors are taking a long-term view and largely seeing the current environment as an opportunity to acquire previously ‘unobtainable’ assets. As such, investment grade hotels in good condition and locations are still seeing strong investor demand and this competitive interest is helping to maintain capital values. Whilst many purchasers were hoping to see wide-spread heavy discounts to pricing, the reality is that we are only seeing this for assets that are situated in secondary locations, require significant capex or considered likely to be the last to fully recover.”

Mike Batchelor, CEO Asia Pacific, said “Offshore investors have always been attracted to the Australian hotel market and this is even more evident in the current environment where the country

is clearly viewed as a flight to quality destination due to its strong investment fundamentals, the way our Governments have handled the COVID-19 crisis relative to other nations and a very positive medium to long term outlook.”

“Our team of 90 across Asia Pacific are currently constantly fielding interest and enquiry on Australian hotels, be it for existing sale offerings or the search for off-market opportunities. Pleasingly, it’s not just from the traditional capital source markets of Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, but increasingly also emerging markets such as Thailand and Vietnam,” he noted.

This article is republished from thehotelconversation.com under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.