Northern Territory

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The Northern Territory government has <a href="/expert-insights/buying/65-first-home-buyers/31152-northern-territory-s-fhog-directed-to-new-builds-only-from-2015" target="_blank">abolished its first home owners grant for established homes</a>, extending the grant only to new dwellings from January 2015.
While announcing the changes, Treasurer David Tollner acknowledged that first home owners grants have added upwards pressure on housing prices. The government cited economist Saul Eslake’s <a href="/news/28532-the-senates-inquiry-into-affordable-housing-six-submissions?start=1" target="_blank">submission to a Senate inquiry into affordable housing</a>. Eslake criticised the grant, saying that when applied to established homes, it "served to simply to exacerbate the already substantial imbalance between the underlying demand for housing and the supply of it."
According to Tollner, the unintended inflationary effects of the first home owners grant were a factor in the government’s decision to abolish the grant for established homes.
"That’s why the Territory government will direct the first home owners grant solely towards the construction or purchase of new homes from next year," said Tollner.
"By targeting the first home owners grant towards the purchase of newly built homes, the grant is more likely to contribute to growth in housing supply and employment in the construction sector."
The Territory government will maintain the payment for first home owners of established homes for eight months.
"...ultimately, we want this grant to encourage the construction of new homes, create more jobs in the residential construction sector and improving housing affordability by increasing housing stock." Tollner said.
"This is a far better result than merely creating a churn in existing dwellings that is widely accepted as having an inflationary effect on the cost of housing."
Eslake is not the first industry figure to criticise the first home owners grant. Writing on the grant last year, <a href="/expert-insights/buying/65-first-home-buyers/23442-wednesday-june-12-observer-slow-demise-of-first-home-owner-grant-schemes-wakelin" target="_blank">observer Monique Sasson commented</a>:
"The scheme is meant to make property more affordable for first home buyers. Unfortunately, experience shows that the grants don’t achieve this end.  Instead, the nominal increase in purchasing power it delivers to first home buyers transmits directly into higher prices for the properties they hope to buy.
"The real beneficiaries are the vendors of properties that first timers buy."
The Northern Territory follows Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory in its removal of the first home owners grant for established properties.
 
 
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Northern Territory government acknowledges that FHOGs for established houses have "inflationary effect"

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As of 1 January 2015, Northern Territorians looking to buy their first home will only be able to get the First Home Owners Grant if they buy new, under recently announced changed.
The current property value limit of $600,000 will be removed, and the value of the grant for building or buying new homes has increased $1,000 to $26,000.
These changes are in effect as of tomorrow.
Dave Tollner, treasurer, said that the removal of the value limit will remove the requirement that the buyer pay for a valuation of the property.
“These are practical changes that will make the grant more appealing and flexible to first home buyers that are buying or building new homes,” Tollner said.
At the moment, a $12,000 grant can be obtained for established dwellings in an urban area, or in Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield. A $25,000 grant is available for those outside of the urban area.
These grants for established homes will be gone from next year, with hopes of stimulating new home construction and to encourage a take up of the accelerated land releases.
“By targeting the first home owners grant towards the purchase of newly built homes, the grant is more likely to contribute to growth in housing supply and employment in the construction sector,” said Tollner.
Those looking to buy an existing dwelling have an opportunity for the next eight months to take advantage of the existing grant.
“This will ensure an orderly transition and allows buyers who are currently in the process of buying a home, or intending to do so in the near future, with sufficient opportunity to take advantage of the FHOG as part of that purchase until the end of the year,” he said.
“But ultimately, we want this grant to encourage the construction of new homes, create more jobs in the residential construction sector and improving housing affordability by increasing housing stock.”
In announcing this decision, the government acknowledged that providing a grant for existing property is <a href="/expert-insights/buying/65-first-home-buyers/31161-northern-territory-government-acknowledges-that-fhogs-push-up-house-prices" target="_blank">“widely regarded” as contributing to higher property prices</a>, noting economist Saul Eslake’s comments.
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Northern Territory’s FHOG directed to new builds only from 2015

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A mortgagee home in Northern Territory’s Ludmilla has been listed for auction.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is located at 38 Harney Street.
Its offerings include a nursery, full length side verandah and in-ground pool.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-17%20at%203.56.51%20pm.png" alt="">
The property, located only 10 minutes to Casuarina, last traded for $850,000 in 2017.
The median house price for Ludmilla is $532,000, according to CoreLogic data.
PropertyShop estate agent George Vodros holds the listing.
The home is set to go under the hammer on Saturday, September 12 at 11am.
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Three-bedroom Ludmilla home set for mortgagee auction

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The Northern Territory is the safest location in the country, being the first state or territory to clinically eradicate COVID-19 and all confirmed cases having now recovered (Health Minister, Natasha Fyles) and no new notifications for some time now, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
The valuation firm took a look at how a budget of $700,000 could be invested in property markets across the nation. 
 The borders have been locked down and travel into remote communities has been limited. These strong actions, the small population base and the adherence to the recommendations should position the Northern Territory to respond well in our economic recovery.
"How has this transitioned to the property sector?", the valuation firm asked. 
Whilst restrictions have now been eased and borders are set to reopen on 20 July, at the height of the crisis, leading local sales agents were reporting a stable level of interest for stock already on the market and open homes were replaced by private appointments – one agent noting that this had led to more qualified buyers coming through and less tyre kickers. 
Real Estate Central has shifted to online auctions using the Gavel app, resulting in a handful of sold dwellings. 
The private treaty sales campaigns have been successful with reigning REINT agent of the year Derek Hart of Elders Real Estate reporting strong activity with private treaty campaigns (source: NT News).
When considering the pipeline coming forward, it has been noted that appraisals are significantly down and the current activity is from pre-COVID-19 stock.
The report notes vendors requiring a result are still motivated towards sale, however for many the COVID-19 interruption has postponed planning to later in 2020 with a more cautious wait and see outlook.
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"With this activity we have not seen any market reductions that are out of line or increased market reductions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that some market sectors have been performing quite poorly due to the wider market forces.
"Whilst job losses have hit much of the nation heavily, the Northern Territory is fortunately positioned due to a number of factors: we have over 21,500 public servants (source: The Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment), all of whom are still being fully paid and therefore have the ability to support their families," the valuation firm said. 
A further 5,500 are defence personnel (source: Department of Treasury and Finance). This equates to over ten per cent of the total population maintaining full employment.
In a positive for the market, long term residential tenancies have remained relatively firm.
 The larger agencies have indicated that requests for rent reduction remain quite low and rental arrears have not spiked. The short term tenancy market is very poor.
 Holiday makers have evaporated from the local scene and a number of short stay companies have noted that their forward bookings are very poor and that the 2020 dry season will be a difficult period.
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The government stimulus programs have been quite generous; approximately $100 million has been allocated to the Home Improvement Scheme, whereby the government will offer $4,000 with an owner contribution of $1,000 or $6,000 with an owner contribution of $2,000. 
This will help owners improve their properties, which may increase the value of their assets as we move past the COVID-19 slowdown.
 Recent federal government announcements about the Home Builder package (which sees eligible home owners pocket $25,000 on a $150,000 spend), coupled with existing Northern Territory government packages provides a total benefit of up to $45,000. 
"The impact so far is difficult to judge, however anecdotally some builders have seen a significant increase in enquiry," the valuation firm said. 
"So with that all said, where is the Northern Territory market? We are yet to see any firm market evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lower rents or capital values. 
"The big test as we look through the forward lens is the speed at which the economy can recover following the easing of restrictions and border openings," the valuation firm said. 
The report notes as Victoria battles a surge in cases, the threat of an infection in the Territory remains very real and a second wave of infection would see confidence and market sentiment evaporate.
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"The main theme for this month’s review focuses on a price point of $700,000 and which property types can be accessed at this level. The answer here in the Top End is - most," the valuation firm said. 
From a three-bedroom unit in the CBD with harbour views, to a four-bedroom, two-bathroom modern dwelling in the developing residential area of Muirhead, to a rural lifestyle property down the track with a shed with all the trimmings in Humpty Doo - this price point delivers some wide and varied property types. 
This has not always been the case and the extent of the growth experienced in the market between 2012 and 2015 and the subsequent cliff it has driven off since is well known.
A designer family home in Muirhead has recently been sold for $607,500.
The four bedroom, two bathroom house is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nt-muirhead-133923558" target="_blank">12 Saunders Street</a> (pictured below).
It features open plan living and dining area, covered alfresco patio, fenced backyard and double lock up garage. 
<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/2020/7/20/muirhead%202.jpg" alt="">
 
A current listing is a three bedroom apartment in Darwin City priced at $569,000.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nt-darwin+city-133902662" target="_blank">4004/27 Woods Street </a>home (pictured below) comprises three bedrooms, two bathrooms, open plan living and dining area and corner balcony. 
It also features gourmet kitchen, study space, two-way storeroom and city views.
<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/2020/7/20/darwin.jpg" alt="">
Naturally, buyers cashed up and bringing a budget of $700,000 to the table are likely to see value for money especially compared to a number of years back. 
"It seemingly presents as an opportunistic time to purchase across many property types. It’s not only the safest place in Australia to live during a pandemic, but economically viable – how much worse can our economy get?
"Surely there is only upside in the Northern Territory – it’s a safe bet." 
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What a lazy $700,000 can buy in Northern Territory: HTW residential 

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Northern Territory's poor economy continues to play a part in its subdued property market with 15.6 per cent price reductions for houses in the past five years and a massive 29.4 per cent for units.
According to the latest RiskWise Property Research Risks &amp; Opportunities Report, much of the negative capital growth in recent years is due to population decreases following the end of the mining boom and lack of employment, leading to high interstate emigration.
RiskWise CEO Doron Peleg said the territory was the only state in Australia that experienced population loss in 2017-18.
While dwelling supply in relation to population growth is low and dwellings are very affordable, the low demand for housing makes the Northern Territory a risky area especially given the low level of private investment that is significantly below the growth levels during the mining boom.
According to CoreLogic, Darwin house prices peaked in 2014 and fell 15.6 per cent over the past five years. However, improved housing affordability slightly reduces the risk associated with houses from medium-high to medium.
He said it was likely houses in the Northern Territory would deliver poor or negative capital growth in the short to medium term.
However, as more than 67 per cent of houses in the territory were owner-occupied and held for a long period of time, he said they carried a lower level of risk than units.
Units carry a very high level of risk to deliver negative capital growth, due to the combination of oversupply, lending restrictions and low demand.
The current supply of units, while not considered high in relation to population growth, still exceeds the low demand for them.
This is particularly the case in areas with a high concentration of off-the-plan units, such as Darwin with 2034 units in the pipeline (10.2 per cent increase to the current stock). They delivered -33.7 per cent capital growth over the last five years.
DORON PELEG is the CEO at RiskWise
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Northern Territory's poor economy continues to subdue the property market: RiskWise's Doron Peleg

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An iconic Northern Territory outback roadhouse, the Top Springs Hotel, has been listed for sale.
The sale is being made by cattle farmer and former reality television star Milton Jones, who featured in Network 10’s Keeping up with the Joneses which ran for a single season between 2010 and 2011.
The remote hotel and pub lies just under 300 kilometres south of Katherine, on the junction of the Buntine and Buchanan Highways.
It has 29 beds available for rent.
The hotel was originally built to service drovers driving cattle on the Buchanan Stock Route from the western side of the Top End through to Queensland, however the primary demographic has changed throughout the years.
“The main clientele is truckies, tourist, road workers and groups servicing the surrounding Indigenous communities such as health and property maintenance workers,” according to the selling agent Olivia Thompson.
The hotel last traded in 2002, when it was sold for $350,000.
It has now been listed with an asking price of $3 million.
 
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Iconic Northern Territory outback roadhouse comes onto the market

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Wollogorang and Wentworth Station, the renowned 705,000 hectare cattle station in North Territory, has hit the market. 
Bordering the Gulf of Carpentaria, it comprises 576,000 hectare Wollogorang Station and 129,000 hectare Wentworth Station. 
The property can be reached by air from Cloncurry or Mt Isa, as well as accessed via the road network.
The properties’ natural attributes include reliable and plentiful rainfall, with additional water sources including large creeks and seasonal lagoons.
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/9/11/4%20Information%20Memorandum.JPG" alt="">
Over the last four years, there has been upgrades to the property's infrastructure, including the installation of Lorentz solar bore pumps
Additionally, the current owners have made inroads in the field of genetics with reference to the station’s stock of Brahman cattle.
Wollogorang and Wentworth cattle stations are being sold with an inventory of 30,000 head of cattle, though the land can take a higher load.
Already in place are new cattle yards and livestock management equipment found near the main homestead, capable of taking on 3000 head of cattle.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/9/11/5%20IM%202.JPG" alt=""> 
Accommodation for staff and management is well catered for, with the main homestead offering a two storey, five-bedroom home, with contemporary features such as a cinema room.
The property is being sold through Ray White Rural Queensland by expressions of interest, which closes September 25. 
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Wollogorang and Wentworth, NT cattle stations for sale 

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Murranji Station, a 447,500 hectare pastoral property in Daly Waters, Northern Territory has hit the market. 
It has been offered via expressions of interest by Andy Gray from Ruralco Property Territory Rural. 
The property at 18698A Stuart Highway comes with a herd of around 12,000 Brahman and Brahman cross livestock.
<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/2019/8/5/daly%20waters%202.jpg" alt="">
The current owners have recently undertaken capital improvements creating an additional 1,800 square kilometres of previously unimproved country.
The improvements including the construction of an outstation complex complete with machinery/storage shed, accommodation, kitchen/dining facilities as well as a 2,500 head capacity livestock processing facility.
<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/2019/8/5/daly%20waters%203.jpg" alt="">
The outstation has been positioned in the northern section of Murranji providing access to the Buchanan highway.
There is a further 1,500 square kilometres of undeveloped land with potential of grazing.
The homestead is set amongst landscaped gardens and manicured lawns. 
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Murranji Station, Northern Territory cattle property listed

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The owners of a Northern Territory cattle station are suing Origin Energy in a bid to stop them expanding its fracking operation.
Origin began fracking the Amungee well in the Beetaloo Basin in 2016.
The owners of the Amungee Mungee cattle station are seeking an injunction to stop Origin from further gas exploration.
The owners are billionaire businessman Brett Blundy and Katherine poly pipe manufacturers Emma and Adrian Brown.
They accuse Origin of failing to provide information about the environmental risks associated with fracking.
The Pepper inquiry found current land access guidelines in the NT were not binding and called for signed agreements between pastoralists and gas explorers to be mandatory, The NT News recently reported.
“It is the panel’s strong view that, prior to any access to a pastoral lease, a signed land access agreement (statutory land access agreement) must exist between the pastoral lessee and the gas company and, moreover, that the obligation to finalise such an agreement must be statutorily mandated,” the report reads.
An Origin spokesman said the company had “been talking to this pastoralist for almost 12 months for this year’s activity.”
“Origin previously reached agreement to access the same property, for similar activities, and had no issues either in reaching an agreement or in the execution of our work,” he said.
“Our desire is always to work constructively to finalise an agreement about access to the property.”
 
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Brett Blundy seeks to stop Origin Energy frack in Top End

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A home in Gunn in the Northern Territory has been sold by its mortgagee in possession for a loss of $105,000.
The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nt-gunn-107564066" target="_blank">17 Bryant Terrace, Gunn</a>, the sold for $340,000, a substantial drop from its 2011 sale price of $445,000.
Located a minutes drive from the Palmerston CBD, the home features air conditioning and security screens throughout.
The home is also within 2 km of a number of schools and has parking for two cars.
Set on 480 sqm the home was listed as a rental as recently as June of this year at $460 per week.
The median price for a house in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/buying/4309-gunn-nt" target="_blank">Gunn</a> is $453,000, according to CoreLogic data, which put the annual change in median house price over the past ten years as 1.4%.
In November of 2017 another mortgagee sale took place in Gunn, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nt-gunn-126051690" target="_blank">7 Bett Bett Court</a>.
Set on 790 sqm the three bedroom two bathroom house sold for $440,000.
The sale also lost just over $100,000 dollars on its previously sale price as it went for $555,000 in 2010.
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