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Sydney estate agent John McGrath says Sydney’s property market is on the rebound and entering the beginning of the next growth cycle, though the luxury market may still have to wait.
The founder and current chief executive of McGrath real estate McGrath says Sydney will experience some price growth in 2013 with the surrounding regional areas likely to follow within 12 months.
“I believe the real estate markets in most parts of Australia, certainly Sydney, are past the worst and heading for some blue skies in 2013,” McGrath says in his spring 2012 report.
“That’s not to say I expect either a straight line growth recovery or an instant uplift in prices
“However…we are through the worst and at the beginning of the next growth cycle. We have already seen Sydney median prices grow by just under 2% in the past 12 months.”
To back up his “gut feeling”, McGrath cites lower days on market; a return of investors; increasing rents; and increasing affordability as key signs of a recovery.
McGrath says selling times have dropped from 50-60 days down to 30-40 days while figures show 45% of AFG loans approvals have been for investors suggesting there’s a steady pipeline of investors waiting to buy.
He says bidder turnout has improved in line with higher clearance rates, which hit a two year peak of 68% in August.
McGrath says rents have continued to rise in most metropolitan regions metropolitan regions with the median rent for a three-bedroom house in Sydney increasing by around 5% to $420 per week this year while the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment grew by 6% to $425 per week.
“This both encourages tenants to consider shifting to home ownership and provides investors better yields,” McGrath says.
He says affordability has increased, particularly for first home buyers with home loan rates are around 50 basis points lower than their long term average and fixed rates sitting around 5.39%. He says AFG reported August was its strongest mortgage month for home loan applications in more than three years.
“So, as we look at these factors and observations, it seems to me that all things considered we will see price growth in Sydney in 2013.”
“The surrounding regional areas are likely to follow within 12 months. Historically, these areas have a lag time of 6-12 months behind the major metropolitan markets and I imagine this will likely be the case again.
“Having said that, the property market is also experiencing a two-speed turnaround. Properties under $1m are in strong demand whilst those above $2m are less so.
“Many of the factors I have outlined have greater impact on first and second homebuyers than they do on luxury property owners.
“The key catalyst for the upper end recovery will be the share market. Interest rates, rents and unemployment are not really influencing factors for the top end. Many luxury owners are still awaiting some clearer resolution on the macro economy and the Euro zone before jumping back into the market.
McGrath predicts rents will increase 4% to 5% over 2013 while sale prices for properties under $750,000 will increase 2% to 5%, property prices between $750,000 $1.5m will increase 5% to 8% and prices will remain neutral for sales above $1.5 million for the next nine months before increasing 10% in the 2014 financial year.
He does provide the caveat that if the ASX hits 5000 points the top end of the market will see rapid increases earlier than suggested above.
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Sydney prices recovering: John McGrath

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Rents in Sydney and Perth have hit record highs after median rents skyrocketed over the quarter in both cities, according to Australian Property Monitors' quarterly rental report.
In Sydney house rents grew 4% over the quarter to a record $520 per week for houses and Perth house rents grew 4.7% to a record $450 per week.
In Sydney unit rents are unchanged over the quarter, but they recorded strong growth the previous quarter.
The rises place Sydney as the second most expensive city to rent a house, after Darwin.
“[These rises are] further evidence of the rising cost of housing in the harbour city, though unit rental growth remained flat over the September quarter,” says APM’s Andrew Wilson.
Yields for houses in Sydney have fallen 0.8% over the quarter to 4.67%, while unit yields fell 0.4% to 5.13%.
The report says rent rises in Perth were “extraordinary”, with house rents jumping 4.7% over the quarter and 15.4% over the year while unit rents jumped 2.6% over the quarter and 11.4% over the year.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/10/apmoct11.jpg"><img src="/images/stories/2012/10/apmoct11thumb.jpg"></a>
Source: APM
House rents in Perth are now at $450 per week, while unit rents are at $390 per week.
“Housing shortages are starting to bite in Perth as immigration levels surge,” says Wilson.
House yields in Perth increased 1.7% over the quarter to 5.12%, while unit yields increased 2.8% to 5.73%.
Rent rises in Darwin eclipsed all other state capitals, with median rents jumping 7.7% for houses and 10.4% for units over the quarter.
The rises consolidate Darwin’s lead as the state capital with the largest median rents for both houses and units.
Weekly rents in Darwin are now at $700 per week for houses and $530 per week for units.
Wilson says the rises in Darwin reflect “to a large degree the impacts of the transient nature of the workforce. Nonetheless, the Darwin rental market continues to struggle with an underlying shortage of available housing.”
House yields in Darwin fell 3.4% over the quarter to 5.14%, while unit yields increased 4.5% to 6.1%.
 
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Melbourne rents remain unchanged for the quarter and the year at $360 per week for houses and $350 for units.
“This reflects the higher vacancy rates and wider choice of rental properties for tenants that characterises the Melbourne market,” Wilson says.
Melbourne house yields rose 1.6%  over the quarter to 4.31%, while unit yields fell 0.1% to 4.64%.
Brisbane was almost as flat as Melbourne, with no change over the quarter for houses at $380 per week, though they are up 2.7% for the year while unit rents increased 1.4% over the quarter to $365 per week, the only rise for the year.
“This reflects a generally more subdued housing market in Brisbane,” Wilson says.
Brisbane house yields rose 0.7% over the quarter to 5.24% while unit yields rose 0.6% to 5.37%.
In Adelaide, house rents at $340 per week are unchanged over the quarter and up 1.5% for the year while unit rents dropped 1.8% for the quarter to $275 per week, the only change for the year.
“A generally subdued housing market for both buyer and tenant activity meant house rents were steady,” Wilson says.
Adelaide house yields rose 0.6% over the quarter to 4.83% while unit yields rose 1.1% to 5.14%.
In Canberra, house rents fell 1% over the quarter to $485 per week, though rents are up 3.2% for the year. Unit rents fell 2.3% over the quarter to $430 per week, nullifying rises in the previous quarter.
“[This] can be attributed to increased buyer activity providing less competition for rental properties,” Wilson says.
House yields in Canberra rose 2.6% over the quarter to 5%, while unit yields fell 0.8% to 5.55%.
And in Hobart, house rents rose 2.4% over the quarter, rebounding from declines last quarter, to $320 per week. Unit rents did the opposite, falling 3.8%, going back to September 2011 levels of $250 per week.
Across the nation, median asking rents for houses rose 1.6% over the quarter while units rose by 0.2%.
“Overall, rental markets will continue to produce varied outcomes reflecting the underlying drivers of each capital city,” Wilson says.
“In Sydney, Perth and Darwin, pressure on rents will continue as declining affordability impacts on first home buyers’ borrowing capacity with housing shortages and population increases combining to keep vacancy rates tight.
“For other markets, such as Melbourne, subdued housing market conditions, higher vacancy rates and less competition for available properties should see rental prices remain steady over the shorter-term.”
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Sydney and Perth rents hit record highs: APM

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Units in Arncliffe, just west of the airport, recorded the highest growth in rents for all sectors in Sydney real estate market over the quarter.
Rents in Arncliffe rose 26.2% over the quarter to $530 per week, according to Australian Property Monitors figures.
A number of brand-new apartments are up for lease in the suburb, including units in Meriton’s new 307-unit building Fusion, where <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-arncliffe-408586779">two-bedroom apartments</a> rent for $590 per week.
A two-bedroom apartment in the building recently sold for $600,000.
The new Serenity building, a 182-unit development, has a number of units for lease.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-arncliffe-408650307">Apartment G507</a> in the building recently sold for $559,000 and is offered for rent at $530 per week, giving a gross yield of 4.93%.
Though the market is dominated by newer developments, there are a number of older units in brick buildings available for rent.
Apartment 9 at 12 Queen Street was one such case. The most recent asking rent was $350 per week for the two-bedroom apartment, up from $290 a week in 2009. The landlords had been asking for $380 earlier this year but have since reduced their expectations.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/Apartment-Unit-Flat/NSW/Arncliffe/?adid=7951059">Apartment 8</a> next door, is at a current asking rent of $355 per week, though marketing notes this is a reduced asking rent. It last traded for $230,000 in 2003.
Across Sydney, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/landlords/sydney-and-perth-rents-hit-record-highs-apm/2012101057084" target="_blank">rents have hit record highs</a> as median house rents grew 4% over the quarter to $520 per week while unit rents were unchanged over the quarter after recording strong growth in the previous quarter.
Although unit rents remained unchanged over the whole of Sydney, units in some suburbs such as Arncliffe recorded massive growth over the quarter, as reported by Fairfax.
Arncliffe’s massive increase was followed by Granville, near Parramatta, where house rents grew 10% to $440 per week.
In third place was Edgecliff, in the inner east, where unit rents rose 9% to $545 per week.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="417"><tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Type
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
Suburb
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
Median weekly rent
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
Change over the quarter
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Unit
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Arncliffe</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$530
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
26.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
House
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Granville</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$440
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
10%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Unit
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Edgecliff</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$545
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Unit
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a href="/news">Balmain</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$595
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
8.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Unit
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a href="/news">Fairlight</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$595
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
8.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Unit
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a href="/news">Woolloomooloo</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$700
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
7.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Unit
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a href="/news">Leichhardt</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$430
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
7.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Unit
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a href="/news">St Leonards</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$590
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
7.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
Unit
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a href="/news">Rockdale</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$470
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
6.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="64">
House
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="111">
<a href="/news">Chatswood</a>
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="87">
$808
</td>
<td nowrap valign="bottom" width="155">
6.3%
<div></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: APM
Rents fell in some suburbs, such as <a target="_blank" href="/news">Glebe </a>and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Haymarket</a>.
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Arncliffe leads top 10 rental growth suburbs in Sydney: APM

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Garden product manufacturing and distributing group Yates Garden Products has spent $3.2 million on an office and warehouse property in Morwell, in Victoria’s south-east.
The former state electricity commission property at lot 3C Rail Road has 14,000 square metres of buildings including a 450-square-metre office, a 6000-square-metre mill building and a main warehouse of 7,550 square metres.
The 3.6-hectare property also includes cranes and fire sprinklers in the buildings as well as extensive hardstand yards and three road frontages.
The vacant possession sale was negotiated by Savills Australia senior industrial executive Keith Kooloos.
The buildings were originally built as maintenance workshops and stores depot for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.
The commission was responsible for developing coal power in the area, which is a major coal mining and fossil-fuel power generation hub for Victoria.
The LaTrobe Valley city has a long history of coal mining and energy production with the construction of Yallourn open-cut coal mine in the 1920s.
Koolos says Yates required a larger property to cater for recent growth in the business.
Kooloos says there was strong interest in the property, with several buyers competing.
“Two other, vacant sites, were also sold and now, due to the strong local interest and demand, Savills is offering the remaining five hardstand lots for auction on November 1,” Koolos says.
Owner-occupier McCormack Demby Timber was selling the property, which it had run as a saw mill until about a year ago.
The roots of Yates date back to 1883 when Englishman Arthur Yates started a gardening business in Auckland.
Yates celebrated it’s 125th anniversary this year.
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Gardening company Yates spends $3.2 million in La Trobe Valley

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Knight Frank is selling 15 apartments in the AEA Sydney Airport Serviced Apartments building in Mascot in a receivership sale.
The company is offering the 15 strata-titled one- and two-bedroom apartments in one line.
The most recent sale in the building was one-bedroom apartment number 15, which sold for $234,000.
The properties are being sold by agents Brett Burridge and Richard Garland.
The building a short trolley push away from Sydney airport, seven kilometres south of the CBD.
The last review for the property on Trip Advisor complained of poor conditions and lack of service.
“The first calamity was to try to enter the property at 4pm. At the front door (off a busy cross street to Botany Road) the buzzer brought no one. A telephone call to the onsite manager, reservations number and then manager again, finally brought a tall, shoeless man in socks and dirty shorts and T-shirt to open the locked door for us,” reviewer EleWaggaWagga complained.
Rooms in the apartments start at $109 a night.
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Group of 15 Sydney airport serviced apartments for sale in one line

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An 1870s St Kilda mansion that was the birthplace of former Prime Minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce has been listed for sale by the Presentation Sisters.
The 1,761-square-metre property has been the home to the Sisters of the Society of Australian Congregations of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, better known as the Presentation Sisters, since 1919.
The property named Stradbroke was built by Thomas Moore Esq in 1873.
In 1919 the Presentation Sisters purchased the property from the Sisters of Mercy.
The mansion includes arcaded verandas over its two levels and an 18-room interior, including a chapel and a wine cellar.
Bruce, the prime minster of Australia from 1923 to 1929, was born in the property on April 15, 1883, in the house.
From windows overlooking Port Phillip Bay, its occupants would have been able to see ships laden with goods from the mother country sailing from the Great Southern Ocean, writer David Lee said in his book Stanley Melbourne Bruce: Australian Internationalist.
Bruce’s family is better associated with Wombalano, a large colonial-style Toorak mansion.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/bruceplaque.jpg">
A plaque unveiled by politician Barry Jones stands outside the Grey Street, St Kilda mansion celebrating his birth.
Bruce was the second youngest prime minister to serve in Australia, taking office at age 39.
The property comes with 788 square metres of vacant land, which is being marketed as prime for development.
Agent Iain Carmichael from BennisonMackinnon is expecting $3 million to $3.5 million for the mansion and around $1.5 million for the land.
The property is being sold by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benmac.com.au/index.cfm?pageCall=property&amp;propertyID=2177197&amp;showBackToResults=true&amp;realestate=71_&amp;_71a_Grey_Street_ST_KILDA_VIC_3182">BennisonMackinnon agents</a> Iain Carmichael and Andrew Macmillan as well as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/71-and-71a-grey-street-st-kilda/Property-Details-buy-commercial-4515469">Greg Hocking agent</a> John Holdsworth.
The property is being offered by expressions of interest both as a whole and separately.
Any buyers will have to agree to keep a magnificent English oak tree, which is protected by Vegetation Protection Overlay recently applied by the Port Phillip Council.
Council documents show the protected tree was planted in 1919 by the sisters as a symbol of the congregation.
The 13-metre tree can be seen from the reserve and is thought to offer aesthetic and amenity value to the local area.
The English oak is also thought to hold horticultural value with the species in cultivation in Victoria between 1855 and 1889.The Grey Street
A <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3917348">Grey Street purchase, St Fintans </a>, a primary school run by the nuns was reported in 1928. 
The full original Presentation Sisters' property included what the area now known as Newton Reserve adjoining the southwest of property. The nuns will retain other property on Grey Street.
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Birthplace of former prime minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce listed by St Kilda nuns

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Malaysian developer SP Setia has been offering Malaysian investors exclusive deals for Fulton Lane, Melbourne purchases.
Potential buyers at a recent showcase at the luxury Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur were offered 10% interest per annum on off-the-plan deposits for the final release of apartments as well as a cash rebate of 1% of the purchase price.
The developer is also offering a “buyer get buyer special” where a buyer and a friend will be given an additional 1% cash rebate if they refer each other.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/09/fulton.jpg"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/fultonthumb.jpg"></a>
The two-tower development consists of one,- two- and three-bedroom apartments.
On A’Beckett Street, one tower is due to rise 145.5 metres to 45 levels, while the other will be 90 metres over 29 levels.
Demolition of the site has just been completed, and construction of the project currently due to finish in 2014.
 
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SP Setia says the 10% deal has never been offered before for apartments in Melbourne, although Lend Lease made a similar offer in March to buyers within its Richmond project Studio 9.
A spokesperson for SP Setia did not respond to Property Observer requests for details over the past week.
Lend Lease is offering all its buyers an annual 10% return on deposits on off-the-plan apartments in its Richmond Studio 9 development.
With Lend Lease having a completion date of late 2013, buyers are earning up to $11,000 in interest.
The limited offer led to increased buyer activity, according to Lend Lease.
“We have received a high level of positive interest from both investors and owner occupiers since launching the 10% return on deposits initiative for Studio 9 and have noticed an increase in the uptake of sales as a result of the offer,” a spokesperson says.
Apartments in the Fulton Lane development range from $360,000 to $1.35 million.
SP Setia has also promised a 6% rental guarantee.
The company bought the 4,340-square-metre former car park from businessman Solomon Lew for just over $30 million in 2010.
The 810-unit was approved by Planning Minister Matthew Guy in early 2011.
The development is named after a street that was swallowed up by an expansion of the Queen Victoria Market.
The first stage was released in mid-2011, selling 70% of the 291 apartments on offer within three days, mostly to Malaysian investors. Apartments in the larger tower were first offered late last year.
SP Setia bought a 2.2-hectare site at 557 St Kilda Road in September 2011 from Lloyd Williams’ company Hudson Conway, which is due to be redeveloped as a 23-level skyscraper.
An SP Setia spokesperson did not respond in time for publication.
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Fulton Lane Melbourne residential tower offers Malaysian buyers exclusive sweeteners

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The red brick Cronulla house used as the location of the Vickers' family house in the Channel 10 series Puberty Blues (pictured below) sold at recent auction for $1,382,500.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2012/09/sept6puberty]}
The home, last sold 47 years ago, was very much in mint 1970s condition, including the seven different types of wallpaper, patterned carpet, coloured bathroom and wood light fittings.
The television series location manager Peter Hicks scoured for months to find the right house with authentic '70s interiors.
Inspired by the recent <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/no-blues-for-the-property-market-as-70s-icon-sells/2012090956471" target="_blank">Puberty Blues series</a> – which seems set to return to our wide screens again – and the home sale, Property Observer has taken the trip back to find the top 1970s homes that are currently on the market or have recently sold.
The list is mainly populated by Victoria and New South Wales properties, but other states do get a mention. The list is organised by the style features that are indicative of a 1970s property.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<h1>Orange and brown</h1>
Maybe it was all the John Lennon tinted sunglasses, but people in the 1970s loved orange and brown. The world couldn’t get enough – orange and brown pants, orange and brown carpet, orange and brown typewriters and orange and brown homes. 

<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/trentwood.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-balwyn+north-109451346">21 Trentwood Avenue, Balwyn North, Vic 3104</a> (pictured above)
In excess of $1 million
The fire, the furniture, the brown carpet and the wood veneer show this house's makeover in the 1970s. Walk into the open home day and you’ll likely hear Bee Gees’ Trafalgar pumping from the stereo. This home was actually built in the 1960s but underwent a hefty renovation in the '70s. The property was designed by Kevin Borland. The four-bedroom brick home is listed through Dawn Kay from Fletchers Balwyn North.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<h1>Exposed Brick</h1>
Brick was best, according to the 1970s psyche. Big, imposing (orange) brick walls were a key feature of Australian homes in the 1970s.

<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/vernon.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-111544867">8 Vernon Street, Hunters Hill, NSW 2110</a> (pictured above) $3.49 million

There’s a big brick wall here, but the owners have adorned it in true '70s style with a lovely big hanging tapestry. The roof angles down leading onto a concrete entertainer's deck. Settle back in the period futon and get groovy, man. The home comes with 180-degree views over the bay. It comes with its own pool and private access to the bay. Nicholas McEvoy from McGrath Hunters Hill is listing the property.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/williamedward.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-longueville-110477853">19 William Edward Street, Longueville, NSW 2066</a> (pictured above) $1.59 million

The interior is stylistically similar to the previous property. The dining room here is framed by the big brick walls to give a homely feel. The Longueville property comes on 1,250 square metres for the true Australian dream lifestyle. It is being listed by Mary-Anne Fitzgerald from Blunts Real Estate Lane Cove.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<h1>Tiled kitchens and bathrooms</h1>
Big tiles were the big thing back then, and who can blame them? Patterened tiles, striped tiles, orange tiles – anything to make a statement.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/hooke.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-dungog-109339186">112 Hooke Street, Dungog, NSW 2420</a> (pictured above) $359,000

Big and bold are the words to describe these tiles. The fern in the upper right does inject some greenery into the earth tones of the bathroom. The brick home is in Dungog, North of Newcastle. Natasha McElwaine from McElwaine Hunter Valley is selling the property.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/park.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-brunswick-111096111">833 Park Street, Brunswick, Vic 3056</a> (pictured above)
$1,350,000

Very similar tiles here, maybe Waltons was having a sale at the time. Offered for the first time in 28 years, this property is a blast from the past. Property Observer particularly likes the lovely blind just peeking into the frame. Property Observer notes it's not quite authentic though, with a complete lack of any Macramé. The solid-brick Californian bungalow is close to Melbourne and comes with the classic three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Chris Goulding from Barry Plant Brunswick is selling the property.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<h1>Billiards and pool rooms</h1>
Someone in the 1970s decided that billiards and pool rooms were a good idea. The space-hungry rooms are a common feature of homes of this period.

<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/belmont.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-surrey+hills-111303151">5 Belmont Street, Surrey Hills, Vic 3127</a> (pictured above)
$1. 4 million

There’s ample room to play a few rounds of pool around this table, there’s no need to buy shorter cues, which are so often required in pool rooms. The generous space is a sure feature from the '70s. The four-bedroom Surrey Hills home comes has no shortage of space at all, as it’s set on 1,139 square metres. It’s being sold by Loger Chen and Janssen Xiang from Aussie Home Real Estate Kew.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/robinson.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/18-20-robinson-place-portsea/Property-Details-buy-residential-3732841">18-20 Robinson Place, Portsea, Vic, 3944</a> (pictured above) $1.6 million

Big pool room, big tiles, orange stylised furniture – this has to be the feature home on our list. The wood-panelled roofing leading out into the entertaining area is lovely. The four-bedroom home comes on 2,000 square metres and is close to the local tennis and golf club. It’s being sold by Ilze Moran and Lloyd Robinson from RT Edgar Portsea.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<h1>Fireplaces</h1>

Home builders in the 1970s loved their fireplaces. If there’s one way to quickly tell if a home was built in the 1970s, rush to the lounge room and see if there’s an open fireplace. Big and brick and likely orange.

<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/clarke.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-walkerville-108186616">6 Clarke Street, Walkerville, SA 5081</a> (pictured above) $875,000 to $950,000 Built in the 1970s, this home was recently renovated to bring it up to date. But it’s been tastefully done and keeps its original styling cues. White walls started to creep into fashion in the 1970s as architects advocated large modern-looking rooms. The original builders took an interesting take on the requisite 1970s fireplace and have made it a feature point of the open-plan dining and lounge room. It’s being sold by Judy Morris from Klemich Real Estate.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/small.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-woollahra-111201083">13 Small Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025</a> (pictured above) Above $2 million

There’s some '70s-influenced styling here with the fireplace and the Organic-style architecture. It comes with views over the city skyline, which would have looked somewhat different in the 1970s. The rest of the house is furnished with period furniture and detailing. It’s being sold by Walter Antonelli from Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay.
 
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<h1>Trippy patterns</h1>


Stare at some of the patterns around in the 1970s long enough and you’ll eventually lose your mind. There’s nothing subtle about the carpets and wallpaper around at the time.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/watts.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+eliza-108199666">44 Watts Parade, Mount Eliza, Vic 3930</a> (pictured above) $950,000

What a kitchen. Property Observer likes the styling and the big floor tiles. The kitchen is in a three-bedroom Mount Eliza home absolutely full of 1970s furniture. The property is being sold by James Crowder from Community Real Estate Mount Eliza.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/sheoke.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-sorrento-107134026">5 Sheoke Grove, Sorrento, Vic 3943</a> $675,000

This Sorrento property hasn’t been touched in a long time. There's wonderful wooden bedheads. The zig-zag carpet is unrelenting yet mesmerising. And then to complete the magic eye illusion, it’s offset by the fluoro curtains. The brick home is set on 776 square metres of land. It’s being sold by Liz Jensen from Kay &amp; Burton Portsea.
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/yarrabat.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-balwyn-108169516">97 Yarrbat Avenue, Balwyn, Vic 3103</a> (pictured above) $ Undisclosed

This home was originally designed by  Dale Fisher, an Australian architect active through the 1970s. It has made use of the classic '70s wallpaper, but it’s used in restraint and works quite well. The interior of the home is like a museum of 1970s styling. The four-bedroom home comes on 1,812 square metres of land in Balwyn. It recently sold through Diana Healy from Jellis Craig Hawthorn.
 
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<h1>Outdoor spaces</h1>
Entertaining has always been an Australian tradition, and this was no different in the 1970s. The spaces there were built to 1970s tastes.

<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/helenslea.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-caulfield+north-111417947">7 Helenslea Road, Caulfield North, Vic 3161</a> (pictured above) 

This is a classic 1970s outdoor space. The deck is concrete tiled, and the angled roof comes down to give a small timber-clad covering to half of it. The patio looks out to the expansive backyard and into the family room. The home has been updated over the years, but the undeniable soul of the '70s remains. The four-bedroom Caulfield North home is set on 835 square metres and comes with a kosher kitchen and an undercover car port.

<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/nelson.jpg">
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-bedfordale-110374989">30 Nelson Street, Bedfordale, WA 6112</a> $559,000

That façade is so '70s it must have been designed right about the time Gough Whitlam was sacked by John Kerr. The façade is from a five-bedroom brick home on 5590 square metres in the semi-rural suburb in the south-east of Perth, Bedfordale. It’s being sold by Sam Saffioti from Roleystone Real Estate Roleystone.
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Got the right day but got the wrong week: the 14 houses living in the '70s

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Kathy Lette, author of Puberty Blues, has expressed hope there may be a second series of the Channel 10 series set in the 1970s in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney.
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/KathyLette"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/pubertytweet.jpg"></a>
It was her 1979 novel that was the basis for a highly successful TV series portraying Australian beachside culture in the 1970s.
The eight-episode ratings hit concluded this week. A second series would show the continuing relationship between Debbie Vickers, Susie Knight and the Greenhills Gang.
Meanwhile,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/flicker-3-got-the-right-day-but-got-the-wrong-week-14-houses-living-in-the-70s/2012091856533"> take a look at the homes found by Property Observer that are still living in the '70s.</a> They could be used as a likely locations if the recently sold Cronulla house used as the Vickers home location gets modernised by its recent buyers.
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Puberty Blues could be back for a second season after Vickers' home sells: Tweet of the day

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It seems Melbourne real estate agents continue to underquote prices of properties going to auction, according to a Property Observer survey.
An analysis of sales data by Property Observer from the results of auctions attended in the last month by buyers advocate group National Property Buyers shows 75% of homes sold for more than the upper price bracket indicated by real estate agents before the auction.
Out of the 61 sales analysed, 11 sold for more than 10% above the upper price bracket given by agents.
In cases where properties sold for above the indicated price range, the average difference was 6.5% above the upper bracket.
The analysis does not include properties that passed in or those for which the agents did not indicate a price range.
Underquoting was most rampant among properties selling for less than $600,000. Out of the 24 sales examined, just four fell within the price range indicated by agents before auction. Four sales went for more than 10% above the upper bracket.
There were 23 properties that sold for between $600,000 and $1 million, 16 of which sold for above the price range indicated, including four that went for more than 10% above.
There were 14 properties that sold for more than $1 million, 10 of which sold for above the price range indicated, including three that sold for more than 10% above.
The most extreme example was a three-bedroom house in Yarraville that had a price guide of $1.15 million to $1.3 million. It actually sold at $1,565,000, 20% above the highest price in the agent's bracket.
Out of the 61 sales analysed, just one sold for under the price bracket, falling short by just $2,500.
Of the 15 sales that fell in the middle of the agent's price guide, six sold for exactly the same figure as the highest indicated, and most the rest were very close to the highest figure.
 
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Buyers' agent Catherine Cashmore from National Property Buyers, from which the raw data was taken, says the quotes are generally recorded as close to the auction data as possible.
"If the quote is not openly published, we aim to get it as close to the auction date as possible.  A lot of agents 'step quote'  – it's a common practice to gain as much interest as possible at the start of a campaign and up the quote in the last week to avoid any issues when the reserve is revealed during the auction – specially in a sluggish market," Cashmore says.
"However, when we catalogue the auctions, we do so during the last week of the campaign to avoid any discrepancies." 
A previous analysis of 220 auction results<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/melbourne-auction-listings-typically-selling-at-5-above-upper-end-estimate/2012090956435"> found 77% of properties </a>were selling above price guides. Those that sold above were going for an average of 5% above expectations.
Commenting on those results, Cashmore says agents who don't suggest a somewhat low figure risk scaring potential bidders away from auctions.
"Selling agents know that to run a successful auction means attracting as many buyers as possible. The more buyers prepared to put their hand up at auction the better the result."
"No agent is going to risk 'over cooking' a property by quoting too high. It will always be placed – at the very least – a 'conservative' level.
"Whilst I’m in full agreement of fair legislation outlawing deceitful advertising and agree that price quotes which vary between agencies can be a wishy-washy guideline in purchasers' eyes, buyers should not be misled into believing further legislation will change the sales process to work in their favour."
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Underquoting still rife for Melbourne auction offerings

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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