ME Bank

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Positive sentiment among those in the property market has reached an all-time high, since ME Bank first started its quarterly property sentiment report in 2019.

According to the report, conducted in January, Aussie property investors recorded a 15 per cent increase in positive sentiment over the quarter, with buoyed sentiment supported by expectations for residential property price increases, higher levels of market activity and government incentives.

The rise in positive sentiment was reported across all states and territories, with 72 per cent of those ‘looking to buy’ noting that stimulus measures have made buying or investing more attractive to them.

Combined with the current record-low interest rates, investing in a property is becoming an attractive option. As a result, ME’s head of home loans Claudio Mazzarella said to expect to see property investors back in full force this year.

<h2>Expectations for rising property prices</h2>

Property owners are less concerned about ‘COVID-19 impacting the value of their property’ according to ME’s report.

77 per cent of survey participants indicated they ME’s report ’expect to see property prices bounce back’ this year and 54 per cent of property owners and buyers predicted ‘prices will go up’.

“It’s clear from our latest Report that most Australians anticipate a strong uptick in residential property prices. The data also shows a general increase in people’s sense of wealth and financial confidence as a result of these price movements”, Mazzarella said.

With property <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/buying/first-home-buyer-trends-will-2021-be-the-renaissance-of-the-suburbs" target="_blank">experts recommending first home buyers take advantage</a> of the remaining months of the HomeBuilder grant and government incentives, first home buyers may need to get in now.

“The flip side to higher property prices is that it will make it harder for first home buyers to get their foot in the door. It will be important for new entrants in the property market to do their research,” said Mazzarella.

Raised level of activity is expected to continue over the coming months as 78 per cent of report respondents ‘expect there will be more residential real estate activity this season to make up for last year’.

Queensland reported the highest level of positivity in Australia, with 56 per cent in metro areas and 58 per cent in the regions. 
 

<h2>New off-the-plan apartments you can secure in Queensland</h2>

1. Cabana, Palm Beach 
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Three-bedroom apartments from $2,325,000

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Cabana offers a collection of 34 apartments, delivered by Ignite Projects and designed by Plus Architecture. 

Fringed with coconut palms and offering views over Palm Beach and the Gold Coast hinterland, Cabana boasts an exclusive residential living experience 
 

2. Chevron One, Surfers Paradise 
Address: 36-44 Stanhill Drive, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 
Two-bedroom apartments from $705,000

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Delivered by Bensons Property Group, Chevron One rises 41 levels, boasting views of the famous waterways and beaches of Surfers Paradise. 

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3. Miles Residences, Kirra Point 
Address: Corner Miles Street and Marine Paradise, Kirra QLD 4225 
Two-bedroom apartments from $795,000

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Designed by Woods Bagot, Miles Residences offer a collection of architecturally designed one, two and three-bedroom apartments, many with an additional multi-purpose room. 

The residence, delivered by the KTQ Group, is framed by Norfolk pines and situated upon Australia's rare north-facing beaches. 
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According to ME Bank's quarterly property sentiment report, Aussie property investors recorded a 15 per cent increase in positive sentiment over the quarter

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Is now the time to buy? Positive sentiment at an all-time high among property investors

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Property prices are expected to rise across multiple markets in 2021, according to ME’s head of home loans, Andrew Bartolo. 

He expects a resilient housing market that has weathered the economic pressures of COVID-19 together with lower interest rates will give homebuyers and investors’ confidence.  

According to a ME survey of 1,500 households conducted this month, 46 percent of owner occupiers expect the value of their dwelling to increase during 2021.

Only 5 percent anticipate a decline reflecting a substantial change from six-month prior when only 22 percent expected dwelling prices to rise and 25 percent expected them to decline.

Sentiment among those intending to buy or sell in the next 12 months will likely be "two-speed," he expects.

"Many will be looking to buy or sell as soon as possible, while others may delay their move until they feel more confident about their own personal finances and/or the economy.”

Buyer activity is expected to be up year on year due to so much of 2020 being affected by lockdowns and buyers and sellers waiting to see. 

“More investors will re-emerge in 2021 in search of income and capital growth.

"Record low interest rates will drive momentum across the market.

“Strong first home buyer activity will also continue, after a brief dip in property prices.

"Historically low interest rates, stamp duty exemptions, government grants and the absence of foreign investors will continue to propel first home buyers into action.”

He expects early 2021 is expected to be a bumper property season that will rival the traditional spring frenzy as buyers respond to a late surge in auction listings. 

“Topping the property trends in 2021 is the desire for ‘urban village’ living, related to the significant increase of professionals working from home," he noted.

“While there are still many challenges including unemployment, job insecurity and lower immigration, we’re seeing some positive signs: improved consumer confidence, stronger auction clearance rates, more transactions, and falling loan deferrals – generally considered proof of a healthier market."
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Property prices are expected to rise across multiple markets in 2021, according to ME’s head of home loans, Andrew Bartolo

jchancellor

Property prices to rise across multiple markets in 2021: ME’s Andrew Bartolo. 

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ME Bank has apologised to customers after 2,500 mortgagors were affected by a “system error” that led to borrowers being charged a higher interest rate without adequate notice.
On 17 April 2018, Members Equity Bank (ME) announced that it was raising its variable home loan interest rates, The Adviser website noted.
Under the changes, ME’s standard variable rate for owner-occupier principal and interest (P&amp;I) borrowers with an loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of 80% or less increased by 6 basis points to 5.09% p.a. (comparison rate of 5.11% per annum).
Variable rates for investor principal and interest borrowers increased by 11 basis points, while rates for interest-only borrowers increased by 16 basis points.
According to ME CEO Jamie McPhee, the changes were brought in as a result of increasing funding and compliance costs.
While the bank did publicise the rate change two days before it was due to take effect, Martin North at the Digital Finance Analytics website suggested usual practice is for a mortgagor to be notified 20 days in advance of an interest rate change.
According to the bank, however, a “system error” led to customers being charged the new rates on 19 April without the adequate time warning.
A ME spokesperson said that the “proper process” is for ME to write to customers to notify them their repayments are going up “but not to increase their repayments until at least 20 days after they get that notification”.
“Unfortunately on this occasion, due to a system error, we increased the home loan repayments immediately for about 2,500 owner-occupier and investor customers — about 1% of our home loan accounts.”
The bank reportedly detected the “error” the following day (20 April) and “immediately intervened to ensure no additional customers were affected”, the spokesperson said.
“We are clearly very sorry for the error and the impact it has had on customers,” the CEO said.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Bank apologises for overcharging 2500 mortgagors

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ME Bank has announced they will be passing on the full RBA rate cut to variable home loan customers.
The announcement comes three days after the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/finance/99292-rba-cut-official-cash-rate-to-a-historic-low-1-25" target="_blank">RBA rate decision</a> and comes into effect on 27th June 2019.
On the day of the RBA rate decision all of the Big Four banks as well as a number of smaller lenders announced cuts of varying size.
Both <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/finance/99378-nab-joins-cba-in-full-0-25-rate-cut-to-historic-lows" target="_blank">NAB</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/99374-cba-announce-full-rate-cut-after-june-rba-meeting" target="_blank">CBA</a> announced they will be passing on the full rate cut. But <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/finance/99349-anz-first-to-pass-on-part-of-june-2019-rba-rate-cut" target="_blank">ANZ is only passing on a cut 0.18 basis points</a>, something Treasurer Josh Frydenberg especially disapproved of stating, “I think the ANZ has let down its customers."
<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/finance/99381-westpac-to-cut-by-0-2-but-more-for-io-borrowers" target="_blank">Westpac was the last of the big four</a> to announce they were cutting rates, following the RBA's decision they announced their rate cuts late on Tuesday of 0.20 basis points.
ING, the nation’s fifth largest home loan lender chose to pass the full 0.25 per cent cut on to their variable rate customers, effective 25 June 2019.
Popular banks that have yet to announce their intentions include HSBC and AMP.
 
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ME Bank to pass on full RBA rate cut

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ME Bank has announced it will cut interest rates for all existing variable home loan customers by 0.15%, after passing on the full RBA rate cut in June.
The effective date for the latest reduction in variable home loan rates is 23 July. 
ME bank said, "In setting interest rates ME considers the needs of all stakeholders while ensuring the pricing of all products remains sustainable."
Just hours after the RBA announced they are further dropping the cash rate by 0.25% today, non-bank lenders were slashing rates ahead of the Big four.
<a href="https://www.athena.com.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5J_mBRDVARIsAGqGLZCKwKfQxKUvNT0g33wrh6Kg2oBRfwJBwNSWn4iuj0nJVqF2uEWWJ6EaAqxjEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Athena</a> home loans announced it will be passing on the full rate cut.
Another passing on the full rate cut with rates as low as 2.89% is Reduce Home Loans.
Both Reduce Home Loans and Athena's cuts are effective immediately.
Reduce Home Loans was awarded Australia’s Cheapest Home Loan by Money magazine in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Resimac and subsidiary State Custodians have both announced they will be passing on the full July RBA rate cut, effective July 24.
The <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/finance/100665-big-four-face-non-bank-lender-rate-cut-blitz">Big Four</a> were slower facing a blitz of quick cuts from non-bank lenders, however they have all announced their proposed rate changes which can be seen below.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/3/July%20Big%204-1.JPG" alt="">
(Source: Ratecity.com.au)
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ME Bank announces July home loan rate cuts

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ME Bank has announced a historic rate cut, slashing its 2 year fixed home loan rate to 3.43% p.a. – the lowest rate ever offered by the bank.
ME’s 2-year fixed rate is available to home loan customers with a Member Package (for owner occupiers paying principal and interest with an LVR &lt;80%).
The bank has made further rate cuts across its fixed home loan range by as much as 30 basis points.
The changes come into effect on the 18th June 2019.
ME Bank previously announced they will be passing on the full RBA rate cut to variable home loan customers.
The announcement came three days after the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/finance/99292-rba-cut-official-cash-rate-to-a-historic-low-1-25" target="_blank">RBA rate decision</a> and was to come into effect on 27th June 2019.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/18/ME%20Bank%20new%20rates.JPG" alt="">
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ME Bank cuts fixed home loan rates to record low of 3.43 per cent

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Online home loans are offered by banks and lenders that do not have branch access or employ staff to meet with customers in person. 
More often than not, the trade-off is getting cheaper interest rates and paying lower ongoing fees. 
While most banks and lenders are governed by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), some online lenders are not governed by the APRA. 
Nonetheless, all online lenders must adhere to a set of guidelines by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) which means, though you won't have any in-person banking service, you will still have consumer protection rights which includes the right to make a complaint through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
There are a growing number of online lenders in the Australian market, the main ones being <a href="https://www.clickloans.com.au/" target="_blank">Click Loans</a> (3.76 per cent comparison rate per annum), <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/" target="_blank">ME Bank</a> (3.44 per cent), <a href="https://www.statecustodians.com.au/" target="_blank">State Custodians </a>(2.85 per cent)<a href="https://www.statecustodians.com.au/" target="_blank">,</a> <a href="https://www.ubank.com.au/home-loans" target="_blank">UBank</a> (2.84 per cent),<a href="https://tictoc.com.au/" target="_blank"> Tic:Toc</a> (2.8 per cent) <a href="https://australianmortgage.com/" target="_blank">Australian Mortage Marketplace (AMM)</a>, and <a href="https://www.loans.com.au/" target="_blank">loans.com.au</a> (2.8 per cent) to name a few. 
Like most home loans, online home loans require applicants to submit paperwork proving their eligibility for a loan. 
At <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/home-loans/" target="_blank">ME Bank</a> for instance, the below are required:
1. Proof of Identity
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/3/9/5_IDENTITY.jpg" alt="">
 
Not being able to meet and greet you in person means that online lenders will need proof that who they're lending to is you. 
Applicants will need at least 100 points of ID upon application. 
ME Bank recommends, "A passport is a good start, plus a combination of your driver's licence, bank cards, Medicare card or birth certificate." 
2. Paperwork 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/3/9/business-office-entrepreneur-professional.jpg" alt="" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;">
Not everything online is more convenient, and the paperwork required for an online home loan is a prime example. 
ME Bank required its applicants to have: 
<ul>
<li>At least three consecutive payslips;</li>
<li>A copy of your latest PAYG Summary or Notice of Assessment from the ATO; </li>
<li>Any bank statements showing other income, like Centrelink payments;</li>
<li>Your accountant's details, if you're self-employed; and </li>
<li>Evidence you've saved for a deposit. </li>
</ul>
In addition, paperwork regarding your financial position is needed because being eligible for a home loan is not solely based on how much one earns. 
This set of paperwork is necessary in assuring lenders that you can afford to repay your loan. Therefore, ME Bank also requires:
<ul>
<li>Any other loans or debts you have, like car finance or personal loans; </li>
<li>Assets in your name; and</li>
<li>An estimate of your living expenses.</li>
</ul>
Most lenders will also require you to have a clean credit report prior to approving your finance, so a copy of your cred report will also be important. 
Last but not least, the final piece of paperwork is a statement from you about the security for your loan, which in laymen terms means the home you are applying a loan for. 
You will be required to supply details in writing of the property, and include the signed contract of sale.
If you're building, you'll need a council permit and your fixed-price builders contract. 
Like most of the prior procedures, this is to assure lenders of where the money is going, and whether it is a secure investment. 
3. A Solicitor or Conveyancer
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/3/9/5_LAWYERS.jpg" alt="">
Last but not least, towards the end of the application, you will be asked to provide details of your solicitor or conveyancer. 
ME Bank explains, "Having your legal professional lined up before you're ready to apply for a loan will speed up the paperwork."
ME Bank is an online bank founded in 1994, and is owned by a group of approximately 30 Industry Super Funds. 
Around 5,000 of Australia's 11,000 mortgage brokers are accredited with ME Bank, so it is crucial that you ask your mortgage broker if they offer ME's home loans. 
Online home loans also have a selection to choose from, so it is recommended that aspiring borrowers shop around to see which is most suitable. 
State Custodians for instance offer the below:
<ul>
<li>Low Rate Home Loan; </li>
<li>Investment Home Loan;</li>
<li>Fixed Rate Home Loan; </li>
<li>Interest Only Home Loan; and</li>
<li>Low Rate Line of Credit </li>
</ul>
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What you need to know when getting an online home loan: ME Bank

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Confidence in the Sydney property market has continued to grow, according to a survey from ME Bank
ME Bank's latest Quarterly Property Sentiment Report, which survey's 1,000 Australians already in the property market, has seen sentiment in the NSW capital soar over the last few quarters.
In the second quarter 2019, only 24 per cent of respondents thought values in the NSW metro area would increase in the next 12 months.
There was a sentiment spike in Q3, but the biggest jump was between Q3 and Q4. Now 57 per cent think values will rise.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/11/12/ME%20Bank%20senitment.jpg" alt="">
There's similar confidence in the Melbourne area too. 57 per cent of survey participants believe values will rise in the next 12 months.
Andrew Bartolo, ME's general manager home loans, said the past three months have been a critical time for the property market.
“After a period of price declines in Australia’s key property markets, consistent house price increases over the past three months have created a much-needed period of stability, providing more certainty that early price increases weren’t simply a blip in the data.
There wasn't a large spike in sentiment from the first home buyer camp, which Bartolo says suggests the recent house price movements may have marked the end of a unique opportunity to buy ‘at the bottom’.
"The recent uptick in first home buyer activity recorded by the ABS may represent the scramble to get in while they can due to renewed affordability pressures as prices rise," Bartolo noted. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/11/12/Property%20sentiment%20ME%20Bank.jpg" alt="">
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“The surge in optimism about houses prices over the past six months reflects just how much the external environment has changed since ME launched its first Quarterly Property Sentiment Report in April. 
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“With a relatively solid spring selling season and a number of months’ worth of house value growth under the belt - according to CoreLogic data - there’s more confidence that the upward trajectory of prices will continue, albeit modest increases.”
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Sydney real estate sentiment continues to rise: ME Bank survey

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ME Bank's latest quarterly report found that Australia's rising house prices are not deterring first home buyers, and instead buyer sentiment has flipped 180º. The surge of first home purchases is accelerating the increase in property values due to competition in the market. 

The report, conducted at the beginning of January, found that more than half (51%) first home buyer respondents are planning to buy property within the next 12 months. This confidence in the market is even despite 92% of all respondents agreeing that housing affordability is a big issue in Australia.

Urban's data further reinforces ME Bank's findings, with 45% of first home buyers making the most property enquiries over the December/January period, compared to next home buyers (39%) and investors (16%).

In November, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/new-urban-data-shows-next-home-buyer-property-enquiries-overtake-first-home-buyer-interest">Urban reported</a> that Next Home Buyers were the most proactive in their property search; however, this sentiment has appeared to have shifted within the space of two months.

<h2>The innate fear of "missing out"</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/shutterstock_146162657.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/shutterstock_146162657.jpg?itok=O4SjbC4K" width="580"></a></figure>ME Bank's General Manager Andrew Bartolo explains that fear of missing out could be a potential reason for the sudden increase in first home buyers' uptake in residential property.

"The recent property price recovery has likely nudged first-home buyers to get in while they can – as though it's now or never – and has created a sense of FOMO," Bartolo says.

"<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/guides/how-australia%E2%80%99s-interest-rate-cuts-could-impact-first-home-buyers">Low-interest rates</a> and commentary in the market for the support of first-home buyers may have also contributed to an increase in home-buying intentions."

In November last year, there were even a number of first home buyers who <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/first-home-buyers-camp-overnight-to-secure-affordable-property-in-geelong">camped overnight to secure property</a> at Victoria's Halcyon Armstrong Creek, 84 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD.

<h2>Purchase with diligence (rather than haste) to be rewarded</h2>

Increased first home buyer competition is not an unexpected market change. We observed the same trend occur in both <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/new-urban-data-shows-next-home-buyer-property-enquiries-overtake-first-home-buyer-interest">2019</a> and <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news/share-purchases-first-home-buyers-has-lifted">2018</a>, which goes to show the ebbs and flows of the tumultuous property market. While there is discussion across the market suggesting <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/guides/five-reasons-why-now-could-be-a-good-time-to-buy-off-the-plan">now is the best time to buy property</a>, many industry experts have weighed in on the importance of buyers purchasing property at a time that is right for them, rather than being tempted to race into a sale.

<blockquote>
"While it may be tempting to get into the market now before prices are predicted to keep rising, it's important to think long-term. Picking the peaks and troughs of the housing market is difficult - buy when it's right for you, at a price you can afford, and get advice from a professional."
</blockquote>

Andrew Bartolo, ME Bank General Manager

In addition to Andrew's advice, due diligence is a critical process when purchasing any property – and one that takes time. A decision made with haste could mean buyers neglect vital aspects of their due diligence research because of time constraints. 

<h2>Property seekers are looking for more variety of housing stock</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/shutterstock_500241331.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/shutterstock_500241331.jpg?itok=bOn2tP46" width="580"></a></figure>Buyer requirements are changing, providing an excellent opportunity for developers to think creatively about their future projects. According to ME Bank's report, almost 1 in 2 respondents identified a lack of choice available on the property market. This means buyers could be making sacrifices regarding their home and its location. Many first home buyers are <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/overwhelming-sales-statistics-last-week-reveal-reinstated-confidence-in-the-off-the-plan-market">moving to the outer suburbs</a> of Australia's major cities due to housing affordability. 

Developers are encouraged to accommodate the burgeoning market with a broader range of apartment offerings and take a more future-focused approach. This could involve creating more flexibility and customisation within each floorplan, projects with a more sophisticated integration within the community, more practical amenities (worksheds, vegetable gardens, co-working spaces etc.) or even '<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/buying/rent-with-an-option-to-buy-the-housing-model-helping-first-home-buyers-into-the-property-market">rent with the option to buy</a>' developments.

It'll be interesting to watch how the next few months play out, and whether developers cater to the rapidly growing demand. 

If there's something you believe apartments are lacking that developers could include, let us know in the comments. 

<div class="rtecenter">Related articles</div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/guides/first-home-buyer-guide-24-simple-steps">First Home Buyer Guide (24 simple steps)</a></div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/guides/how-to-navigate-australias-first-home-buyer-grants">How to navigate Australia's First Home Buyer Grants</a></div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/guides/20-things-you-should-look-out-for-before-you-buy-property">20 things you should look out for before you buy property</a></div>
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