In the news 1 First-home boost to push up house prices: Treasury The Albanese government is admitting that Treasury expects the expansion of the home guarantee scheme to put ‘very minor’ upward pressure on housing prices. 2 Blueprint for faster housing approvals emerges after roundtable Labor will freeze part of the National Construction Code and accelerate environmental approvals to encourage building of tens of thousands of new homes, in a bid to ease the housing crisis. 3 Why high-end properties continue to outperform other market sectors Recent interest rate cuts have supercharged Australia’s housing market, but one unexpected city is leading the price surge. 4 Private credit through rough patch: Regal Investors in Merricks Capital’s frozen $3bn fund have been told relief is coming, as Regal Partners boss Brendan O’Connor claims the troubled real estate credit market has hit bottom.

Market movers Gerry Harvey is co-developing a new $85m oceanfront development on Cottesloe beach The billionaire is betting big on his private development foray into Perth's luxury Cottesloe beach. Goodman rides AI wave as new partnerships ready for takeoff The company has vaulted up the ranks to become a major player in global data centres. Pubs baron Piper adds Tumbulgum Tavern to empire Epochal ­Hotel Group has bolstered its burgeoning portfolio by snapping up the famed Northern Rivers pub with 10 poker machines for $7m. Zurich plans apartment switch for iconic tower Zurich is looking to deliver a high-density housing project above North Sydney Railway Station

Prestige property Look inside the coastal retreat blending casual living with luxury Amid Byron Bay's high-end property boom, this cleverly redesigned townhouse proves luxury doesn't require extravagance or scale. Agents reveal cringeworthy design choices in prestige properties they’ve sold An apartment filled with a $1m taxidermy collection leads the list of most unusual luxury homes real estate agents have tried to sell over the years.

Commercial property Property buyers make a comeback as rates fall Charter Hall chief executive David Harrison says a pressure cooker situation where demand exceeds supply is growing among commercial property buyers.