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Loans.com.au is now offering loans for self-managed super funds in a bid to capture part of the growing market.
Its SMSF loans offers an interest rate of 4.99% (5.04% comparison rate) – 1% cheaper than the equivalent offered by Westpac.
Upfront fees on properties of less than $1 million include a $600 legal bill, a $150 settlement and a $220 valuation.
The loan is available for residential investment property refinances and purchases up to 80% LVR.
Loans.com.au managing director Marie Mortimer says the SMSF they treat SMSF loans the same as normal residential property loans, with lenders’ mortgage insurance paid by the lender.
“Banks give SMSF loans a different capital weighting because they consider them to be commercial loans,” Mortimer says.
“We don't have a capital weighting on SMSF loans so it’s a normal mortgage deal with the risk spread across our mortgage portfolio rather than a riskier commercial portfolio.''
Government bodies have recently being sounding warnings about growing debt in the SMSF sector.
Both the Reserve Bank and the government have hinted at a <a href="/news">crackdown on the self-managed superannuation sector</a>, with both entities saying they are concerned about the number of property investments being made in the industry.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Loans.com.au offers first SMSF loan

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Landlord obligations will severely tighten in Tasmania following amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act being passed by parliament last month.
Landlords are now barred from increasing rents in six month intervals, are required to maintain tenanted properties to a minimum level and must give tenants six weeks notice of eviction.
According to the Tenant’s Union of Tasmania tenanted homes must now be
<ul>
<li>Weatherproof and structurally sound </li>
<li>Clean and in good repair </li>
<li>Equipped with bathroom and toilet </li>
<li>Serviced with a kitchen sink, hotplates and an oven (which can be a microwave)</li>
<li>Supplied with electricity and one fixed form of heating</li>
<li>Provided with curtains (except properties owned by Housing Tasmania)</li>
<li>Adequately ventilated</li>
</ul>
Landlords are now barred from requiring tenants to pay fees to lodge rent.
They may only increase rent in 12 month intervals, up from 6 months.
Landlords must provide 42 days notice for an eviction at the end of a fixed term lease, up from 14.
And landlords may not take photos of properties that identify the tenant.
But landlords may now evict tenants on a non-fixed lease if a family member of the landlord wants to move in while tenants must now give 21 days notice of leaving at the end of a fixed term lease.
According to Tenants Union Victoria the new amendments to the Act will likely commence on July 1st 2014 with some of the minimum standards coming into force as late as 2017.
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Landlord rules overhauled in Tasmania - minimum standards, rental increase limits, six week eviction notice

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LJ Hooker has appointed a Shanghai-based concierge to act as a conduit between Chinese property buyers and Australian and New Zealand vendors.
In a partnership with Chinese property portal Juwai.com, Jessie Zhong will field inquiries from Chinese buyers about LJ Hooker listings and act as a go-between for the local agent.
Zhong will also help arrange property inspections, accompany purchasers on buying trips as translator and advisor and attend Chinese property shows.
LJ Hooker CEO Georg Chmiel says Chinese buyers often need to build a rapport before transacting.
“Chinese individuals tend to emphasize trusted relationships or ‘guanxi’ in making property investments. Having a Shanghai-based Chinese national to help our LJ Hooker agents will enable them to more effectively build these relationships.”
Guanxi refers to the relationships one holds with other people which allows them to call in favours or exert influence on behalf of others. It is similar to the idea of social capital.
Guanxi is integral to successful business in China.
Juwai.com co-CEO Andrew Taylor says while the new service will help Chinese buyers, its biggest impact will be to help Australian vendors find new buyers.
“The Property Concierge will make A-NZ LJ Hooker agents more effective at selling and give them a boost when pitching to vendors for their listings.
Last month Property Observer wrote on <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/marketing-your-property-to-chinese-buyers/2013092465226">how to market your property to Chinese</a> buyers.
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Personal concierge to sell direct to Chinese buyers

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In a sign of recovery for the Gold Coast, Ray White Surfers Paradise sold seven out 10 properties up for auction in the Gold Coast at the weekend with more than $2.5 million of sales.
Three of them sold before auction.
Ray White Surfer’s Paradise CEO Andrew Bell says buyers seem compelled to act sooner rather than later.
“It bodes well for local real estate and shows buyers no longer expect properties to languish on the market, so they’re jumping straight in with offers vendors can’t refuse.
“Competitive bidding of late has seen many properties selling well above reserve, including one property which achieved a sale price 26% reserve earlier this month.”
The auction sales included a four bedroom house in Helensvale which sold for $671,000 and a two-bedroom Paradise Waters apartment in Atlantis West which sold for $430,000.
The properties which sold before auction included a beachfront two-bedroom apartment in the Bahia building for $360,000 and an Ashmore home with a freehold marina berth for $550,000.
Bell says there has been a series of strong auction sales.
“Today’s result is further evidence the long awaited upturn in the city’s property market is well underway,” he said.
“This year the Gold Coast is in keeping with the best markets in Australia and our auction success rates of late are up there with Sydney and Melbourne.”
A recent CBRE report says things are looking better in the Gold Coast.
“The Gold Coast market is finally stabilising, with the perception of good value buying having boosted the prestige market in particular. However, the new unit market remains fragile,” it said on Tuesday.
Herron Todd White’s latest report says Central Gold Coast is firming up.
“Market activity for detached housing (between $0 to $500,000) on the central Gold Coast has been gradually firming over the past six months, with the higher bracket ($500,000 to $1,000,000) remaining slow to steady, however over the past few weeks we are seeing increased sales in the latter price range,” the report says.
“We are even seeing signs of $1 million and above housing market lift in recent months.”
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Gold Coast clearance rates improve: Ray White

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Three Western Australian men have been charged with scamming $6 million from foreign buyers when purchasing six rural properties on their behalf.
The Major Fraud Squad said the three men – a 70 year-old and a 45 year-old from York, and a 43 year-old from South Perth – misrepresented the sale price of properties in the state’s mid west region, and funnelled the profits into other companies.
The sales took place between 2008 and 2011 and were worth more than $17 million.
The trio will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court later this month.
More to come.
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Property scam nets WA trio $6 million

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The Whitsunday area is now at the bottom of the property market and set to rise, according to the latest Herron Todd White monthly report.
It says the market is fairly steady across the board with a shortage of rental houses and a fair demand for new houses and units.
This may mean it’s time for Whitsunday buyers to invest the lazy $500,000 which Herron Todd White previously recommended buyers hold spare.
According to the REIQ, unit prices in the whole Whitsunday area have increased 7.6% over the past year – led by massive increases in Airlie Beach.
The median unit price in Airlie Beach in the year to June 2013 was $434,500, 44.8% greater than the previous year. RP Data puts that figure at 58%.
In Cannonvale REIQ says unit prices fell 4.6% over the past year. RP Data says they fell 10.4%.
In July Herron Todd White said Airlie Beach was seeing an improvement but mainly in the sub $500,000 market.
It said the unit market was close to the bottom of its cycle and could be set for a rebound, though some units were afflicted by very high body corporate fees.
“Last year saw builders and others snapping up the bargain buys of residential land on offer. This has eased the over-supply of land with values firming a little. There is still good land buys available especially in the acreage lots and future development sites,” Herron Todd White wrote in July.
“The Bowen market has eased with investment monies still speculating on future demand by mining and Abbott Point upgrades.
“Real estate in Airlie Beach locality now seems cheap compared to the past few years, but we are still in a bear market. How long will this bear market last is how long to hang onto that lazy $500,000 before investing.”
Cannonvale was recently labelled as one of the biggest turnaround waterfront suburbs in Australia.
Houses prices in the suburb increased 20.25% in the past two years, according to Real Estate Investar. Three to four years ago house prices fell 14.85%.
It’s also one of the highest yielding waterfront suburbs in Australia with two bedroom units yielding 6.68%.
According to PRDNationwide yields across the Whitsunday area were at 4.6% for houses and 4.8% for units in quarter two.
It said activity in the house market overall was slowly increasing to the levels experienced during the stimulus driven period of 2009 but affordability was attracting fly in fly out miners.
“Affordability for units within the Whitsundays is at its highest level since 2003,” PRDNationwide said.
“While the majority of unit sales transact for $299,999 or less (at 68%), there has been a revival of activity for above $700,000 over the second half of 2012, amounting to 17% of total sales. This is up from 7% recorded two years prior.
“It appears that the affordability of this coastal market has attracted many fly in fly out miners to base their young families in the Whitsundays.”
According to RP Data the median unit price has fallen 34.2% over the past five years in Airlie Beach and 31.4% in Cannonvale.
Houses seemed more stable with house prices falling -8.7% in Cannonvale over the past five years.
A two-bedroom unit in Airlie Beach at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-airlie+beach-112885399">57 &amp; 57a5 Golden Orchid Drive</a> is listed for sale at $280,000. Agent Charmaine Potter says the property rents at $470 per week – a yield of 8.73%.
A three bedroom Airlie Beach unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-airlie+beach-114617759">3/7 Lamond Street</a> is listed for sale at $310,000. It last sold in 2004 for $250,000.
A three bedroom Airlie Beach unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-airlie+beach-111946367">2/9 Hermitage Drive</a> is listed for sale at $275,000. It currently rents at $350 per week – a yield of 6.62%. In 2006 it sold for $280,000.
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Whitsunday at bottom of market

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Sydney home prices increased 0.9% in the past week – the strongest weekly price gain for all capital cities, according to RP Data.
It was well ahead of number two Brisbane, where home prices increased 0.3% in the week ending October 6.
Home prices were unchanged in both Melbourne and Perth and were slightly lower in Adelaide, down 0.1% for the week.
In the past year Sydney had the greatest trend price growth (up 8.5%) followed by Perth (up 7.5%), Melbourne (up 6.0%), Brisbane (up 1.5%) and Adelaide (up 0.7%).
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/10/08/weekly-oct-9-big.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/10/08/weekly-oct-9-small.gif"></a>
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Sydney home prices jump 0.9% in one week

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The developers of the Palace Theatre site in Melbourne have slashed the height of a proposed tower but this hasn't stopped local music fans stepping up a campaign against the redevelopment.
In late September Jinshan Investment Group revised plans for its apartment and hotel development.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/10/07/w_hotel_08.jpg" width="470" height="292" alt="w_hotel_08">
Red outline indicates previous plans, Source: Urban Melbourne
It has reduced the height from 99.75 metres to 72.25 metres while the setback to Bourke Street has been reduced from 8 metres to 5 metres, according to plans by architecture firm Bates Smart viewed by Urban Melbourne.
This has reduced the $180 million development to 22 storeys, but the general external design remains the same.
There are now just 90 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, significantly less than the 145 in the previous application. There are still 200 hotel rooms in the development – just five less than before.
The group <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/leisure/melbourne-cbd-s-palace-theatre-sells-for-%2413-million-to-likely-chinese-developers/2012083056312">bought the site in 2012</a> for $13 million <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/commercial/w-hotel-set-for-site-of-melbourne-s-iconic-palace-theatre/2013072963322">and lodged original plans to build a W Hotel</a> on the site in July.
Meanwhile a campaign to save the Palace Theatre, a famous Melbourne music venue, is aiming for 30,000 signatures.
And more than 600 people have indicated they will attend a rally at the State Parliament on October 12.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/10/07/w_hotel_09.jpg" width="470" height="235" alt="w_hotel_09">
Source: Urban Melbourne
Planning Minister Matthew Guy dismissed previous plans in early July, saying the developers were dreaming.
"The developer is dreaming if he thinks the government is going to approve this in the form in which it has been submitted.  It is too tall, it is in the wrong location,” he told ABC Radio in July.
Melbourne Heritage Action, a local action group, objects to the plans.
We believe that it is completely unsympathetic to the heritage values of the Bourke Hill precinct, destroys a building (and a part of a second building) of local heritage significance (and) ignores height controls designed to protect the low scale of the precinct, which help maintain its heritage character,” the group says on its website.
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Palace Theatre plans updated as locals protest

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Workers in the Port of Brisbane are desperately seeking rental accommodation in the area, one local real estate agency would have you believe.
Justin Greacen from Acuity says a booming import-export industry means contractors are working 12 hour plus shifts and need places to live close to the docks.
He says this has increased demand for bayside properties, especially for new properties which require less maintenance.
“The Manly area has historically been characterised by three-bedroom, chamferboard properties. These houses require a lot of maintenance and usually have a single bathroom, so they have not been traditionally attractive for renters who would be required to share bathroom facilities in a multiple-bedroom property,” Greacen says.
“Making new townhouses like Balé Vue Residences, with 2.5 toilets and 2 bathrooms, is a lot more appealing for young, professional people wanting to share accommodation, and has therefore increased interest in the area among potential renters, as well as people wanting to downsize.”
Greacen is currently marketing units Balé Vue (pictured below).
<img alt="maley-west-oct-2-one" height="208" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/10/02/maley-west-oct-2-one.jpg">
But analyst Simon Pressley from Propertyology warns investors not to get too excited.
“That whole precinct is a very important area to Brisbane’s economy. It’s officially Brisbane’s second biggest employment node outside of the CBD itself but that hasn’t changed overnight,” Pressley says.
“That’s always been the case. Going forward as Brisbane’s population grows and as our connection with Asia increases that precinct will take on even greater significance.”
He says the Bayside suburbs aren’t experiencing any great boom and those saying it is have vested interests in selling property.
“The performance of property values is always going to be linked to the capital cities.”
“If Brisbane doesn’t have a spectacular period then the Bayside suburbs won’t either. But I think Brisbane in general is going to have a good three to five years.”
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Port of Brisbane's possible rental boom

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A basement retail space in Collins Street Melbourne has sold for $1.655 million to a private investor.
The 667 square metre site at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-melbourne-500844227">325 Collins Street</a> is leased to a Chinese grocery store until April 2014 with options until 2020. It earns $187,746 per annum plus GST in rent.
It was sold by Fitzroys agents Andrew Hewett and Chris Kombi.
It is in the basement of the Mark Building. The space includes a car space, a storage unit and a toilet.
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Basement Melbourne retail space sells for $1.7 million

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

Alistair Walsh

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