Property

New home sales in Western Australia increased by 11 per cent in 2013 but housing experts say construction levels still haven't caught up with pent-up demand.

SPECIAL REPORT: Associations are filling the market with events for business people, leading some to request additional venues.

SPECIAL REPORT: More national and international conventions are choosing to come to Perth, adding a boost to tourism and industry and catalysing a big change at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The granting of planning approval for a $400 million apartment project in Port Hedland has focused attention on environmental issues facing the Pilbara town.

The office vacancy rate in Perth’s central business district has jumped sharply higher to 10.8 per cent, research by Jones Lang LaSalle has found.

Plans for a major industrial hub at Forrestdale are gathering momentum, with planning approvals granted and manufacturing giant Hitachi preparing to start construction on a new $100 million headquarters.

Leading property developer Nigel Satterley has hit back at claims the first home owners grant is a policy failure, arguing the grant has provided an ongoing boost to the Western Australian housing market.

Finbar Group has repositioned its stalled Port Hedland apartment project, announcing today that it has obtained ministerial approval to build more than 700 apartments in a 10-storey tower near the town centre.

More than 20,000 Western Australians bought their first home in 2013 in another sign of strengthening activity in WA's residential construction sector.

Apartment developer Finbar has issued half-year after tax profit guidance of about $19 million, a figure that represents a $5 million increase on the previous corresponding period.

A rise in home loan approvals during November means there won't be another interest rate cut, an economist says.

Sales of new homes across Australia have jumped to a two-and-a-half-year high, adding fuel to hopes a recovery is underway in the residential construction sector.

The founder of failed property investment group Westpoint, Norm Carey, will lose his real estate agent certificate after the Commissioner for Consumer Protection took the matter all the way to the Court of Appeal.

A strong rise in house building approvals is an encouraging sign of economic growth ahead, as low interest rates continue to stimulate the housing market.

The long-hoped-for recovery in Australia's residential construction sector may finally be underway, with low interest rates driving the fastest expansion in new home building since 2005.

International resorts giant Westin will gain a foothold in Perth’s hotel market, with BGC Development unveiling a $500 million development plan for the old Perth Fire Station site on Hay Street.

Perth house blocks in new developments shrank by 9.2 per cent over the year to September, with the average size of a block sold declining to 415 square metres.

Stockland has announced a $116 million redevelopment of its Baldivis shopping centre with plans to quadruple the size of the centre.

The Western Australian Cricket Association and Ascot Capital have confirmed they will no longer go ahead with a $500 million redevelopment of the WACA ground after the developers failed to hit pre-sales targets for apartments.

Design proposals for the new Perth Stadium have been received from three private sector consortia – Confidem, Evolution and WESTADIUM – with a panel to announce the successful bidder for the project in mid-2014.

Retail property in Kalgoorlie-Boulder is reeling from the flow-on effects of the mining services slowdown, with empty shops in the city’s historic heart of Hannan Street reaching decades-high level

Karratha is undergoing a transition as more families move to town, attracted by the improved infrastructure and new housing developments.

Perth-based Cedar Woods Properties has purchased a 6.5 hectare infill site in Melbourne's south east for $23.5 million.

GDI Property Group and Charter Hall have formally launched investment offers this week, giving wholesale investors an opportunity to buy a stake in two major Perth office buildings.

Contractor Brierty has secured a new residential land development contract in the Northern Territory worth up to $100 million.

Higher demand for new housing is placing further pressure on the state's land supply, as a new report finds land sales are tracking at more than 40 per cent above the 10-year average.

An ample supply of industrial land coupled with softening conditions in the resources sector could lead to downwards pressure on rents, new research has found.

Proposed changes to planning regulations in the City of Stirling threaten to derail the state government’s efforts to boost affordable housing.

Diploma Group has developed a new remuneration package for managing director Nick Di Latte with a lower base pay but new performance incentives as it prepares to face shareholders at its annual general meeting next week.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has permanently banned a former broker from engaging in any financial services activities, following her jailing for defrauding 24 investors of more than $4 million.

Emco Building has won an $11.1 million contract from the Department of Education to build additional teaching facilities at Ashdale College in Darch.

Apartment developer Psaros has substantially expanded its operations after gaining financial backing from private equity investment groups Dorado and Alceon.