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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

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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