Property news you need to know: The week ending 17 October

1. Victoria launches $500m home buyer fund

The state has launched a new home buyer fund, under which it will pay 25 per cent of the property purchase price if eligible borrowers have a 5 per cent deposit.

2. Hefty fines headed for unvaccinated agents in Victoria

From 15 October 2021, unvaccinated agents across Victoria could be hit with fines of more than $20,000 – or $100,000 for their agency – if they continue to work onsite without the jab.

3. Negative gearing to again hit the federal election limelight

EXCLUSIVE: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has highlighted housing taxes as a key issue ahead of the federal election, despite Labor abandoning its previous calls to scrap negative gearing.

4. Freedom Day: Navigating NSW’s ever-changing COVID restrictions

Lockdown restrictions across greater Sydney and NSW may be lifting today, but for the real estate industry, the road forward has felt anything but clear.

5. Brokers play ‘fundamentally important role’ in competition: Frydenberg

The Morrison government “strongly supports” brokers and the role they play in providing competition, the federal Treasurer has told Momentum Media.

6. Be wary of suburbs that have grown too much

Investors would be well-versed to heed the warning: “Past growth is not a predictor of future growth.”

7. Sea change lands Sydney director in Byron

A New South Wales agent is making a sea change of his own, swapping the streets of Sydney for the beach at Byron Bay.

8. Victoria expands eligibility for build-to-rent concession

More Victorian rental properties will be eligible for a 50 per cent land tax discount following the state government’s expansion of its building incentive scheme.