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Property downsizing

This Month

Making a noise: Gemlife chief financial officer Ashmit Thakral, director Gregg Piercy and CEO Adrian Puljich, ring the bell to start the company’s life as a publicly traded entity.

GemLife debut now ASX’s seventh listing success in two weeks

The property developer raised $750 million in the biggest IPO of the year, with stock in high demand as investors look for new opportunities after a dry spell.

June

Undated handout pic of GemLife housing.

Overseas investors pile into ‘safe haven’ GemLife’s $750m IPO

The land lease operator’s initial share sale taps the need for affordable housing for downsizers and the demand of investors to buy into Australian housing.

Former NAB Chief Economist, Alan Oster

What NAB’s former chief economist learnt when he sold the family home

After three decades as NAB’s chief economist, Alan Oster retired in March. Soon after he sold the family home. This is his advice.

March

At age 71, you can access your super and make tax-free lump sum withdrawals.

I’m 71 with $253,000 in super. How can I boost my balance quickly?

Here’s how downsizers can immediately add $300,000 to their retirement savings.

Melanie Evans, CEO, ING Australia at the Financial Review Banking Summit held at The Hilton Hotel in Sydney.

Slash stamp duty to encourage retirees to downsize: ING

The bank’s local chief executive, Mel Evans, said shorter-term solutions to housing affordability were needed until more new properties hit the market.

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February

Lendlease flagged the $118 million EBITDA earnings boost from settlements at the Residences Two tower at its One Sydney Harbour development.

Lendlease counts on Baby Boomer demand for luxury apartments

CEO Tony Lombardo says the builder, developer and investor is looking firmly at downsizers, because interest rates don’t bother them.

The two-bedroom, apartment at 203/22 Birdwood Avenue in northern Sydney’s Lane Cove sold by private treaty for $1.4 million.

The buyers who saved money with a 5-day purchase

A downsizing couple was desperate to secure a new home and get simultaneous settlement. Then they found this apartment.

January

Artist’s render of GreenFort Capital’s planned 422-home land lease community at Gowrie Junction in Toowoomba. 

GreenFort Capital buys two Queensland land lease sites

The fund manager wants to balance its housing offering for downsizing over-50s with other sectors such as retirement and build-to-rent.

December 2024

The two bedroom, one bathroom, one car park unit in a building of eight at 2/38 Boundary Street in northern NSW’s Tweed Heads sold by private treaty for $850,000.

‘Shoebox’ apartment sells for $850,000 in less than a day

With supply crunched, this 41-square-metre unit sold at a rate similar to those on nearby Millionaires’ Row.

So, you want to retire to Tuscany?

The idea of moving to Italy is alluring for retirees – la dolce vita, the food, the wine, the beauty, the prices. Just check these practicalities first.

October 2024

Simon and Sandy have just sold their Leabrook home for a second time, having moved out of it and then buying it back in 2022.

Couple makes $2m selling the same home twice in a decade

It seemed like a good idea to go back to their old family property, but this empty-nester couple discovered it wasn’t what they had hoped it would be.

High-rise housing in Sydney’s Rhodes.

Sydney doesn’t have enough three-bedroom apartments for Boomers

Many empty-nesters are staying put in their large houses or competing with young families and professionals for modern three-bedders with lifts.

A downsizer super contribution can be made regardless of your total super balance.

Four tips for upsizing super with downsizer contributions

If you’re 55 or over, you may be able to make a downsizer superannuation contribution to boost your retirement savings by up to $300,000.

September 2024

The six-unit block of apartments with scope for a 10-storey building on the same site at 1199 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach, sold for $10 million.

The $1.5m sale that shows Gold Coast buildings and people are ageing

Housing stock is being recycled on a key part of Australia’s coastline. But sales that make sense on paper aren’t always easy to achieve.

Assembly Funds Management (AFM) Louis O’Loughlin, Head of Investments Tim Meurer, CIO and Tom McDonald, Founder and Director at Elka Capital.

Assembly goes into land lease with $350m fund

The fund manager tapping funds from high net worth investors and family offices is aiming for a 10-plus community portfolio with up to 2000 homes.

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August 2024

John Carfi.

Ingenia reveals five-year plan for settlements growth

The developer of affordable accommodation for downsizing Baby Boomers wants to focus its own capital on the core land lease business.

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with car park at 12/20-24 The Parade in inner-western Sydney’s Russell Lea sold at auction for $1,063,000.

The $1m apartment downsizers wouldn’t touch

It had stairs – lots of stairs – faced south and needed a ton of work. But first home buyers fought hard for it.

Lendi’s data showed that it took a big four bank about 20 days to discharge a mortgage.

Investor borrowing picks up to a two-year high

Vacancy rates have risen and rent growth is slowing, but Australia’s tight housing market is attracting investors, especially as confidence about interest rates grows.

July 2024

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Actuaries call to include family homes above $2.1m in pension test

The Actuaries Institute suggests it’s time to slay the sacred cow that is the family home.

Lifestyle Communities managing director James Kelly.

Fight over Baby Boomer housing takes toll on developer

The Melbourne-based developer and landlord faces the twin battles of a slowing market and criticism of a fee structure that other companies do not use.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/property-downsizing-1mrj