Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 19 to 23 July

To compile this list, not only do we consider the week’s most-read stories and the news that matters to you, but we curate it to include stories from our sister brands that also have an impact on the Australian property landscape.

Turnarounds show green shoots of improvement

The time to initial credit decision appears to be improving, with the latest Broker Pulse survey showing more lenders are turning loans around in less than 10 days.

NHFIC backs stamp duty removal

Axing stamp duty would lead to more efficient use of Australia’s housing stock and reduce volatility for state and territory revenue, according to a report by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation.

ASIC releases reference checking protocol for mortgage brokers

The financial services regulator has released its protocol and guidance documents to help credit licensees comply with their new reference checking obligations from 1 October.

Aus house prices to swell by 16%: Fitch

Ratings agency Fitch has raised its forecast house price movements for Australia, predicting prices will escalate by as much as 16 per cent in 2021.

Lendi Group, lenders offer paid vaccine leave

Lendi Group, lenders and other businesses have pledged to offer paid COVID-19 vaccination leave for all permanent employees.

Greater Sydney public health order altered for real estate

REB can now reveal whether agents and property managers would be in breach of public health orders if they were to conduct end-of-lease or pre-sale cleaning, maintenance or repairs during the current pause on construction and cleaning services.

Let Victoria conduct one-on-one inspections: REIV

Following the news that Victoria’s fifth lockdown would be extended by a further seven days, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has urged the government to allow one-on-one property inspections.

Construction and cleaning services halted to 30 July

New restrictions have been introduced across Greater Sydney as NSW struggles to contain the current COVID-19 Delta strain outbreak.

From franchise to family-owned business

A week after the news dropped that Jerome Smith was returning to the real estate world, REB can reveal the motivation behind his decision to dive head first into the Sydney auction market.

Is a post-lockdown surge on the horizon for Sydney’s property sector?

What can Melbourne tell us about the lockdown’s impact on Sydney’s property market?

[Related: Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 12 to 16 July]