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The launch of Channel Seven’s new renovation pressure reality show, House Rules, was beaten by Channel Nine’s perennial favourite The Block Sky High, according to ratings from OzTAM.
The Block Sky High was the second highest rating show on Tuesday night with 1.308 million viewers across the city metro areas as its ratings continue to perform well.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/house-rules-the-new-addictive-reality-television-show-on-the-block-renovates-for-keeps/2013051261200" target="_blank">The House Rules launch</a> rated 11th nationally, with 803,000 viewers.
Perth was the only market where House Rules rated higher than The Block Sky High. House Rules was the 4th most watched show in Perth – presumably as it featured a 1950s three-bedroom house in Perth.
House Rules performed the weakest in Sydney, coming in at 19th. The Block Sky High ranked 4th most popular show in Sydney.
House Rules is a state-versus-state renovation series from the makers of My Kitchen Rules and aims to deliver true home renovations.
The contestant couples (pictured below) have put their entire home on the line promising an emotional return to their new homes after the seven-day renovation.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/05/may10houserules]}
On its second outing, on Monday, The Block Sky High maintained its momentum with an audience of 1.281m only just down on Sunday night’s 1.312m debut.
As House Rules airs at 7.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, it will go head to head again tonight and tomorrow night for 30 minutes given the The Block Sky High airs weeknights at 7pm for an hour.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

The Block Sky High hammers House Rules everywhere except Perth

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A seniors group says the newly announced $112 million pilot to help seniors downsize their homes was welcomed but unlikely to work.
The scheme, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/demographics/federal-budget-s-trial-program-encouraging-downsizing-to-smaller-homes-without-affecting-aged-pensions/2013051461357?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news" target="_blank">announced in yesterday’s federal budget release</a>, is designed to allow seniors to downsize their homes without reducing their age pension.
It will provide a means test exemption of up to $200,000 held in cash for ten years but does not include any stamp duty exemption and applicants will have to have owned their family home for at least 25 years.
The Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW says the scheme looks unlikely to work.
“While the downsizing trial for age pensioners is laudable, it’s unlikely to encourage many pensioners to sell the family home and move into a smaller dwelling,” the group says.
“Pensioners welcome steps to make downsizing easier, but the 25-year home-owning rule is unnecessarily harsh and will exclude many because they’ve bought their house in their 40s or 50s.
“The restrictions on accessing money in the means-test-exempt fund will also discourage take-up of the offer because pensioners will be penalised for withdrawing money to pay for essential services like medical care.
“Stamp duty still acts as a major disincentive to downsizing.
"Pensioners living in the ACT will act as a litmus test in this trial, because the ACT exempts older people from paying stamp duty.
"The other states and territories should follow suit.”
The three year trial will commence on July 1, 2014 where senior Australian homeowners who downsize when buying another home will have <big>an option to invest</big> at least 80 per cent of surplus funds remaining (up to a cap of $200,000) <big>in a special account</big>. The funds invested in the account would be exempt from the age pension means test for up to 10 years. The scheme would only be available to Australians over age pension age who have owned their home for at least 25 years.
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Seniors group says Swan's seniors house downsizing pilot unlikely to work

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Zara has lodged plans to open a $5 million store in Perth’s Murray Street Mall.
The Spanish clothing retailer will be the first major international clothing retailer to enter the Perth market.
Council documents show Zara plans to build a new two-storey building and with a one-storey addition to an existing retail building at 223-225 Murray Street Mall.
Zara opened its first Australian store in Pitt Street Mall in Sydney in 2011 followed by a Melbourne store in Bourke Street Mall. It has more than 1700 stores across 85 markets.
It is likely to be followed by Topshop, which is reportedly in negotiations with Hawaiian, the owner of Carillon City, for a shop in a redevelopment.
International retailers are looking to open around <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/zara-topshop-and-uniqlo-lead-retail-property-push-into-australia/2013021859421">300 shops in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane over the next few years</a>, according to figures compiled by Colliers International in a new white paper.
Zara and Topshop will both be taking <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/highpoint-scheduled-march-opening-for-zara-and-topshop-double-act/2013022059471">tenancy in GPT’s Highpoint Shopping Centre</a> in Maribynong, in Melbourne’s northwest.
And the Industry Superannuation Property Trust has plans for a $70 million retail and office redevelopment on Queen Street Mall to create flagship retail space to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/ispt-proposes-new-queen-street-brisbane-retail-to-lure-zara-and-topshop/2013032159978">lure Zara, Topshop and Forever21 to Brisbane</a>.
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Zara heading to Perth, with Topshop likely to follow

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A newly built solar powered rotating house is going to auction in Canberra’s outer-north.
Girasole, Italian for “turn to the sun” and “sunflower”, is mounted on tracks and is designed to follow the sun during winter and avoid the sun during summer.
The brainchild of builder John Andriolo, Girasole is supported by 28 wheels and driven by two three-speed motors.
<a target="_blank" href="https://dickson.ljhooker.com.au/69PFF92">The four-bedroom two-bathroom rotating home</a> has 173 square metres of living space, a four car garage and is designed to be environmentally friendly.
The roof and garage operates as catchment area for a 120,000 litre water tank beneath the garage. There are 24 solar panels which generate 10,500 kilowatts and the home is well insulated.
It takes 10 minutes to fully rotate and is controlled by a touch screen panel.
The house is on a 704 square metre block in The Ridge estate at Crace, with glorious views over the Gungaderra Grasslands which LJ Hooker marketing says will never be built out.
It was designed by architect Ross Norwood from DNA architects with interior design by Karin McNamara Design.
Andriolo, owner of MAG Constructions, says he was inspired by the teachings of Galileo when designing the house.
LJ Hooker agent Stephen Bunday says the home will appeal to those looking for something different.
“When I first heard about the concept of the rotating home I thought it was a little bit crazy. But because it was John Andriolo and I’ve worked with John many times before and I know how passionate he is about everything that he does I had to take it seriously,” Bunday says.
John Andriolo says he first thought of building the house when he was a child.
The rotating house is believed to be the first one in Canberra. Construction started on the property last year and was tracked by its own <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotating-house-Girasole-at-Crace/462242510483659">Facebook page</a>.
Engineer Peter McKay says similar homes in Australia suffer from excessive operating noise so they worked hard to make this one quiet. He says it is essentially silent.
It goes to auction on Wednesday May 15 but Bunday says interest has mainly come from those curious to see the build rather than serious buyers.
“I think that people are a bit worried it’s a prototype. It’s in a new area of Canberra which is a relatively new development; it’s only been developed over the last couple of years. If it was a tried and true suburb it might be different or if it was a rural setting,” Bunday says.
It almost featured on Grand Designs but Bunday says the location put things off. Though it looks over bushland the home is surrounded by vacant lots.
Bunday hopes the property will sell for more than $1 million.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.everinghamrotatinghouse.com.au/Gallery-Inside">A rotating house called Everingham</a> near Wingham in NSW was featured on the ABC’s New Inventors programme in 2006.
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First rotating house in Canberra going to auction

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WA landlords will have to maintain minimum levels of door and window security and outdoor lighting for tenants following the introduction of new rental laws.
New legislation in WA covering tenancy agreements, bonds, databases and limit option fees will come into effect in July.
Refundable option fees for rental applications will be limited to either $50, for properties renting under $500 a week or $100 for properties renting below $1200 a week.
The options fees are charged to rental applicants and are often a week’s rent. They are refunded if the applicant is unsuccessful. Limiting the fees will allow renters to apply for multiple properties without incurring excessive fees.
All security bonds will be handled by a centralised body run by the Commerce Department instead of held in trusts by real estate agencies.
Property condition reports will now be compulsory at the end of each tenancy and landlords will be limited to four inspections per year.
Tenants will have access to tenancy databases which are used to check a tenant’s history with the ability to challenge inaccurate and outdated information.
And tenants will be able to seek emergency repairs where an owner has not taken action within 24 hours.
Commerce minister Michael Mischin says the laws will strengthen the rights of tenants and property owners.
“These changes were the result of extensive consultation with stakeholders and the community and will create a fairer rental market that balances the rights and interests of both tenants and property owners,” Mischin says.
The REIWA says told The Australian Financial Review they welcome the laws which strike the right balance between the interests of renters and landlords.
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New rental laws for WA landlords from July

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Meriton Boss Harry Triguboff has spent $39 million on a Sydney service station with plans to build a $300 million residential tower development.
The veteran developer has bought 150 Epping Road in Lane Cove from Bob Rose’s Rose Group, which received development approval for the site in August last year.
The site is approved for a concept plan of approximately 440 apartments with buildings ranging from six to 20 storeys, with 645 car spaces, 1,500 square metres of commercial and retail space and a 1850-square-metre community centre. The plans (pictured below) were designed by Conybeare Morrison.
<img alt="lanecovemay13two" height="708" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/lanecovemay13two.jpg">
<img alt="lanecovemay13three" height="359" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/lanecovemay13three.jpg">
Note: the image above depicts a 26-storey tower, but amended plans suggest the tower will be 20 storeys. 
The site is in bushland within 2.5 kilometres of Lane Cove Village.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youvu.com.au/150eppingroad">The 31,000-square-metre site</a> (pictured below) is leased to Shell until July this year.
<img alt="lanecovemay13one" height="314" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/lanecovemay13one.gif">
The Australian reports Triguboff likes the area, in Sydney’s inner north, because it is close to major employers and it’s popular with Chinese buyers.
The sale was negotiated by CBRE’s Matthew Ramsay and Scott Gray-Spencer.
Rose Group bought the site in 1994 for $12 million, according to RP Data.
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Harry Triguboff buys Lane Cove service station with tower approval

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The Brisbane residential rental market swung further in favour of landlords in the March quarter with the vacancy rate tightening from 2.2% to 2.1%.
A balanced rental market is said to be at a vacancy rate of 3% with anything below that benchmark suggesting landlords have the upper hand in rental negotiations due to a shortage of available rental accommodation.
The vacancy rate remained tightest in the inner city – suburbs within 5 kilometres of the CBD – but unchanged at 2%.
A year ago the vacancy rate in the inner city was 1.4% reflecting perhaps the completion of a number of apartment projects in the inner ring.
“The addition of new apartments and a slight increase in investor activity should hopefully see vacancy rates ease over the coming year,” said REIQ chair Pamela Bennett.
“Recent data from the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) shows that median rental prices increased between December and March, with three bedroom houses up $10 to $410 per week and two bedroom units up $5 to $395 per week. The median rent for a four bedroom house increased by $20, now at $500 per week,” she added.
Of the 10 rental markets surrounding Brisbane, seven remain “tight” with only Caboolture, Redcliffe and Bay Islands considered “healthy” rental markets.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="431"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap>
AS AT END OF:
</td>
<td width="51">
Mar-13
</td>
<td width="51">
Dec-12
</td>
<td width="51">
Mar-12
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap></td>
<td width="63" nowrap>
Current market condition
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
 
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
 
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
 
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Brisbane SD
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.1%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.2%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.2%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Brisbane City
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.1%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.0%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
1.7%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Brisbane Inner (0-5km)
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.0%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.0%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
1.4%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Brisbane Remainder
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.2%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.0%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
1.9%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Brisbane Surrounds
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.1%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.3%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.6%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Ipswich City
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.1%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.1%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.8%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Logan City
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.3%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.5%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.3%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Moreton Bay Regional
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.4%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.5%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
3.0%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Caboolture
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.5%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.6%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
3.4%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
healthy
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Pine Rivers
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.2%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
1.2%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.2%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Redcliffe
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.9%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
3.4%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
3.9%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
healthy
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Redland City
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
1.2%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
1.8%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.2%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Mainland
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
0.9%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
1.7%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
1.6%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
tight
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="192" nowrap valign="bottom">
Bay Islands
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
3.9%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
2.2%
</td>
<td width="51" nowrap valign="bottom">
8.8%
</td>
<td width="24" nowrap valign="bottom"></td>
<td width="63" nowrap valign="bottom">
healthy
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: REIQ
 “Ipswich City was the only region not to record any movement in its vacancy rate, unchanged at 2.1% as at the end of March and consistent with agents commenting on strong demand,” said Bennett.
“Logan City’s vacancy rate dipped slightly 2.3%, down from 2.5% recorded for the end of December.
According to agents, people are moving to the region from other parts of Queensland and interstate.
“The vacancy rate for the Moreton Bay region remained steady, recording a vacancy rate of 2.4% as at the end of March. RTA median rental data showed median rents rose by $5 for both three and four bedroom house, now at $330 and $380 respectively.
“Vacancy levels decreased in the Redland City region overall, now at 1.2% as at the end of March. On the mainland, vacancy rates fell to 0.9%, as REIQ accredited agents have found that demand has been higher than normal, and new tenants were being approved even before the previous tenant had vacated.
Only one market – the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, incorporating Russell, Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay Islands – has a vacancy rate of 3.9%. This is up from 2.2% in December 2012 reflecting seasonal demand for holiday rentals. The March vacancy rate is well down on the 8.8% vacancy rate a year ago.
The REIQ notes that the bay islands area saw some holiday rentals being marketed instead as residential rental properties,” partially influencing an increase in the area’s vacancy rate to 3.9%.
While the rental market remains constrained, some REIQ accredited agents have noted lower demand within specific areas now that the academic intake period has ceased.
“Even though the academic calendar is in full swing, the Brisbane rental market remains competitive with about two to five applications per rental listing,” said REIA chief execurive Anton Kardash.
“Part of the reason why the market is certainly a case of more demand than supply is that first home buyers are largely remaining on the sidelines of the sales market following the removal of the First Home Owners Grant last year.”
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Brisbane rental market tightens to 2.1% vacancy rate in March quarter with rents rising

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CBRE has launched its 2013 urban photography competition, inviting entries for images depicting cities at work.
The competition was established in 2007 and last year it attracted 8000 entries from 115 countries.
The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers looking to capture “the essence of urban life at any time of day, be it poignant, inspiring, quirky or amusing”.
Entrants stand to win a luxury photo safari from a range of exotic locations as well as other smaller prizes.
Last year, UK photographer Fraser Perrie won the competition with an image of cobblers beneath the streets of New York.  Australian Graeme Edwards was runner-up with an image taken in Melbourne.
“We are very proud that an entry from Australia came in second place last year, let’s try and go one better this year,” says Tom Southern, president and chief executive of CBRE Australia.
Categories this year include transport, workplace, architecture, urban regeneration, cityscape and environment.
And photos will represent a certain hour of day in a city with awards for each different hour.
Entries close on August 31 2013.
For more information visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbrephotographer.com/">https://www.cbrephotographer.com/</a>.
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CBRE launches urban photography competition

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Two more rural Victorian churches have been listed for auction.
St Dominic’s, a Catholic church in Dingee, 40 kilometres north of Bendigo, and St Saviours, a nearby Anglican church in Serpentine have been listed for auction through FP Nevins &amp; Co.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-vic-dingee-113593031">St Dominic’s</a> (pictured below) is a 1900s weatherboard church on around 1000 square metres. Final mass at the church was said in September last year and it was then deconsecrated.
<img alt="churchmay10one" height="347" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/churchmay10one.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-vic-serpentine-113522339">St Saviour’s</a> (pictured below) is an Edwardian style timber church with a traditional bell tower, a separate vestry room and a porch all on 1000 square metres.
<img alt="churchmay10two" height="408" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/churchmay10two.jpg">
It was built in 1912 by PR Mann from Sussex in honour of his deceased wife with the help of reverend JD Watsford.
It was built from red gum plates and blocks, with a hard-wood frame and weather board outside.
It was the first time a bell had sounded in Serpentine.
At the time it was against the rules for the Catholic church to consecrate a wooden building but permission was given after it was explained the nearest bricks would have come from Bendigo.
From 1912 to 2012 there were 61 different priests and readers appointed to the church with 46 others as preachers of the day.
Two former priests, JD Watsford, and Rev. E.G.Laverick died with the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur.
Agent James Nevins says St Saviour’s will be deconsecrated between sale and settlement.
He has sold four Anglican churches in the past six months citing dwindling smaller congregations.
“It’s the old philosophy. If you don’t use it you lose it,” he said.
He says the churches around the area generally sell quite well with strong interest from renovators.
Last year he sold St Mary’s church in Kingower to state water and agriculture minister Peter Walsh, whose great-great-grandfather built the property, for $140,000.
Nevins anticipates these latest listings will be converted to residential properties.
“They are a unique part of Australian life. If done right they can be spectacular,” Nevins says.
St Dominic’s is expected to sell for $50,000 to $60,000 while St Saviour’s is expected to sell for $80,000 to $100,000.
They go to auction on May 18.
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Two more rural Victorian churches listed for auction

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Sydney has the lowest average time on market for houses and units and the second lowest average vendor discounting for houses of all the capital cities, according to RP Data.
Houses spend an average of 36 days on the market in Sydney, with the average discount at 6.9%. Units sell slightly quicker at 32 days and at a discount of 5.3%.
Darwin has the lowest vendor discount for houses at 4% while Perth has the lowest for units at 2.3%.
Houses take the longest to sell in Hobart, at 83 days, and units take the longest in Darwin, at 101 days.
Houses are the most discounted in Brisbane, at 8.7% and Adelaide has the most discounted units at 8.1%.
<img height="321" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rpdatatimeonmarketmay7one.jpg" alt="rpdatatimeonmarketmay7one">
<img height="325" width="370" src="/images/stories/2013/05/rpdatatimeonmarketmay7two.jpg" alt="rpdatatimeonmarketmay7two">
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Sydney houses sell faster than other capital cities: RP Data

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Alistair Walsh

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