Autumn Selling Season Officially Begins
Solid auction returns mark the start of the new season.
2 min
Home auction markets have commenced the autumn selling season with solid results despite reporting generally lower than February.
Severe weather events also distracted activity in some markets — particularly Brisbane — with listings and clearance rates well down on the week before in the Queensland capital from 78.7% the weekend prior to 65.3%.
The national auction market reported a year low clearance rate of 73.5% at the weekend, well down on the previous weekend’s 77.9% and significantly below the 88.5% recorded over the same weekend last year.
National auction volume was also down with 2377 reported listed compared to the previous weekend’s 2627 but well ahead of the 1232 listed the same Saturday last year.
The Sydney auction market reported yet another strong clearance rate despite weather distractions.
Clearance rates have continued to track above the results recorded at the end of 2021 despite record level early-season listings.
The NSW capital recorded a clearance rate of 76.6% at the weekend — lower than the 78.8% reported over the previous weekend and below the 86.6% record over the same weekend last year.
Sydney reported 841 auction listings which, although below the previous weekend’s February record of 965, was well ahead of the 665 reported for the same weekend last year.
Sydney recorded a median price of $1,915,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was higher than the $1,755,000 reported over the previous weekend and 12.4% higher than the $1,704,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.
In Melbourne, the capital reported a clearance rate of 73.8% on Saturday — higher than last weekend’s 71.4% but well below the 80.6% recorded over the same weekend last year.
Melbourne reported 1210 homes listed for auction at the weekend, lower than last weekend’s 1288 but predictably significantly higher than the 405 auctioned over the same weekend last year, which was a Labour Day holiday weekend.
The Victorian capital recorded a median price of $1,170,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was lower than last weekend’s $1,187,000 but 6.4% higher than the $1,100,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.
Data powered by Dr Andrew Wilson, My Housing Market.
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3 min
There’s no shortage of design inspiration online but nothing beats the joy of spending an afternoon immersing yourself in a good interior design book. Edited, carefully curated and, above all, designed, these titles take you behind the scenes of some of the world’s most beautiful interiors in a considered way. Think of it like the difference between listening to a few tunes on Spotify versus releasing a thoughtfully crafted studio album. We’ve assembled our top six of interior design books on the market right now for your viewing and reading pleasure.
1. Interiors beyond the primary palette
Step inside the world of award-winning interior design duo Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke in this, their first compendium of their work. A ‘best of’ over more than 15 years working together, it’s a masterclass in working with colour and pattern as seen through 18 projects from around the country. With a focus on the idea of home as sanctuary, this hefty tome offers insight into the mind of the designer with points on where to find inspiration, meeting client briefs and the importance of relationships. Thames & Hudson, $120
2 House of Joy
If there was ever a book title for our times, then this is it. With a subtitle of Playful Homes and Cheerful Living, this book champions fun in interior design, with bold and bright homes from around the world to delight and inspire. While there’s a good dose of the unexpected, like a disco ball in the garden, there’s no mayhem in these spaces. Instead, they’re beautifully executed to tempt even the most colour shy. Gestalten, $105
3. Abigail Ahern Masterclass
Some design books are beautiful to look at, and that’s it. This is not one of those books. A master of colour and pattern, UK designer Ahern offers a practical foundational guide to beautiful interiors, mixing form with function in her latest book, Masterclass. Find the inspiration you need to create a gorgeous home. HarperCollins, $65
4. Interiors Now!
Looking for a visual crash course in international design trends with longevity? This is the book for you. Featuring homes across the globe, from New York to Auckland via Avignon, the biggest dilemma for readers is settling on a style. Many of the projects are owned by designers and creatives, lending a dynamic edge to this tome, now in its 40th year. Taschen, $50
5. Home by the Sea
For many Australians, the ocean holds an almost hypnotic appeal. Home by the Sea by Natalie Walton lets you imagine, for a little while at least, what it’s like living the dream in a beach shack in Byron Bay. The book tours 18 homes in and around the region and the hinterland owned by artists, designers and makers. With photography by Amelia Fullarton, it champions the good life. Hardie Grant, $60
6. The Layered Interior
Released last year, this is the third volume from award-winning interior designer Greg Natale. Different in format from his earlier books, the eight projects featured are Australian but with a slight Euro-centric focus. The writing is conversational, almost intimate, inviting the reader into the most luxurious spaces beautifully captured by photographer Anson Smart. This coffee table tome is perfect for dreamers and doers alike. Rizzoli, $110
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