Sydney prices are up by 4% in last 6 weeks, observes RP Data. Pete Wargent for the Property Observer is not surprised, despite rumours of falling housing market in the wake of interest rate slash in May.

There is an undeniable movement towards inner city living and cafe lifestyle. The trend that had picked up in all major international cities quite a while ago has come to Sydney a trifle late. The trend, nevertheless, is there to stay, writes Carlie Ziri for the Property Observer.

Low interest rates have ushered in a new era of property investment. Come to think of it, low interest rates and sustainable inflation is turning out into a global trend. For Australia, it might open the door to some well-leveraged property transactions, high nominal prices and further foreign investment, writes Pete Wargent for the blog Property Update.

Water is among the most generous elements of nature but the statement does not hold ‘water’ for the real estate portfolios. Terry Ryder for the ‘Property Observer’ notices that waterfront properties are no longer as desirable as they used to be. In fact, they may turn out to be a serious liability.

An ‘ABC News’ video uncovers a few dirty linens kept in the closet of local and state governments. Australia is suffering from a chronic housing shortage according to the video. Each year an average of about 200,000 new homes are needed, yet only about 150,000 are being built.