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Canberra unit investors should look for vendors reselling off-the-plan purchases at a loss, according to Herron Todd White.
Recent construction in Belconnen, Gungahlin and in the inner north and south regions means values have dropped from peak sales at the end of 2010.
“Vendors who are desperate to make a quick sale in current market conditions are generally struggling to get top dollar for their property,” Herron Todd White’s latest monthly report says.
“This presents opportunities for informed buyers, ideally with preapproval and a strong financial grounding to make below-market offers and snare a bargain.”
Those looking for long term capital growth are advised to seek inner city houses. Too many greenfield developments on the outer regions means the best value for money remains close to the city centre and on the Kingston foreshore.
Those looking for positively geared properties are advised to look at two and three bedroom townhouses in Belconnen, Gungahlin and Molonglo.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Canberra investors should buy from exiting off the plan vendors

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A price bubble at the lower end of the Sydney market means Vaucluse is now the one of the only attractive suburb for first home buyers, according to Herron Todd White’s September review.
It says there is a boom across Sydney at the lower end of the market spurred on by low interest rates and tight supply, pushing prices into unsustainable levels with the rare exception of Vaucluse which has lower demand for the cheapest units.
“There have been some very recent two-bedroom, one-bathroom, car space unit sales in the $550,000 to $600,000 price range,” the report says.
“This is most likely due to the major demand in this suburb being exclusive family homes with unit demand far less. It may represent good buying, as it is inevitable that units in this area will eventually see strong growth due to the general popularity of the suburb.”
One other suburb flagged as not being inflated is Brookvale in Sydney’s Northern Beaches which it says is currently in oversupply following a spate of new construction.
“Although this has helped produce some relatively cheap buying options at the lower end, it does not bode well for future capital growth over the short/medium term.”
Those looking for short term capital growth are advised to look in the local government area of Holroyd, particularly in suburbs such as Pendle Hill and Wentworthville.
“In these suburbs you can still purchase a detached house on a decent sized block of land 28 kilometres from Sydney CBD and 7 kilometres from Parramatta and within close proximity to major arterial roads and train stations,” the report says.
“The larger sized blocks give the owners an option of a large backyard for the kids or provide developers with options to build a granny flat or land bank for future development if permitted by council.”
“The versatility of these dwellings will ensure it appeals to a wider variety of buyers resulting in higher potential for growth.”
Herron Todd White says there may be some relief for first home buyers as more properties come to market.
“The unique combination of historically low interest rates and severe lack of stock have created a real price bubble at this end of the market,” the report says.
“It has really compounded the difficulty to enter the market for this group of people. There may be a let up with increased supply come springtime and after the election, but for now it remains an extremely tight price point in the market.”


<hr>
<img style="float: left;" alt="JC-torso" height="200" width="145" src="/images/stories/2013/10/02/JC-torso.png"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/grumpy-first-home-buyers-even-face-investor-competition-for-the-vaucluse-crumbs/2013100165413?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=jonathanchancellor'spropertyinsights"><img alt="JC-words" height="110" width="276" src="/images/stories/2013/10/02/JC-words.png"></a>
"The pinpointing of Vaucluse as an attractive option for first home buyers by the Herron Todd White valuation group was akin to looking outside the gift box a bit.
As the traditional FHB inner city stomping ground kicks along with high auction clearance rates and ensuing price growth, the message from the on-the-ground valuers was sometimes its pays to go to possibly less attractive alternatives before everyone else does.
And that needn't be to the cheaper suburbs, but in this case the virtual blueblood suburb of Vaucluse."
Read Jonathan Chancellor's full insight into how <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/grumpy-first-home-buyers-even-face-investor-competition-for-the-vaucluse-crumbs/2013100165413?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=jonathanchancellor'spropertyinsights" title="Grumpy first home buyers even face investor competition for the Vaucluse crumbs">grumpy first home buyers even face investor competition for the Vaucluse crumbs</a>.
 
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Sydney price bubble means Vaucluse advised for first home buyers: Herron Todd White

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Continuing our series of renovating for under $10,000 Paul Eslick from Reno Kings gives us his guide to maximising profit with minimum outlay.
He says it’s possible to add $100,000 of value to some properties for just $10,000, provided owners learn to do the work themselves.
In general though, Eslick says for every dollar he spends he aims for about a $5 return.
With enough care and an effort, Eslick says it can be possible to do all the following steps for just $10,000.
Paint
“Without a shadow of a doubt the best bang for buck is with paint. I’ve never meant a person who can’t paint and the results are fantastic. We like to start at the top and work down to the bottom. Painting from the outside gives it a lift. We love to increase the street appeal as it gives better value to the tenant who’s driving by, better value to the bank manager who knows where his money is going and more importantly better value for valuer who is doing the restricted assessment – ie a drive by.”
Fence
“Installation of a fence if it doesn’t have one. It’s the frame around the Mona Lisa. The reason the fence would be good value is security for the tenant if they have children and for their pets (in Australia we’re one of the highest pet-owning countries in the world).”
Landscaping
“Some light landscaping. Try and find access off the kitchen to have an area for the indoor-outdoor look. Go and do a paving course for free with Bunnings. Put a paving section in if it’s close to the ground or put in a small deck with a table that fits six people. Have an ABN number and go to the wholesale distributor and you cut out the middle man. Consider doing walkways with stone instead of concrete because you can do it yourself.”
Kitchen
“A quick way to add value to an old kitchen would be to buy laminate paint and paint the front of the doors and buy new handles. If the splashback is tiles, use tile paint and repaint the tiles at the back.”
“Get a good quality, marine grade stainless steel polish and polish the stainless steel sink.”
“Buy single flick mixers for the sink and install them.”
Bathroom
“I’ve seen too many people wasting money throwing out pink baths and odd coloured baths. Invest in Tub 'n' Tile and repaint the baths white.”
“Re-lift the existing tiles by using tile paint. You may paint a bathroom any colour providing it’s white. It will make it bigger brighter and cleaner.”
“Shower curtains and tenants do not mix. Pay the extra for a DIY laminated grass shower screen and install this instead.”
“An old daggy vanity can be replaced quite simply.”
Add an extra bedroom
“I’d look for a big open space in an AVJennings home and put in a $1000 home wall and convert it to a two bedroom house and add $50,000. You take an L shaped room where the dining room used to be, put a wall where the window is and you add a room.”
Window furnishings
“I like putting straight venetian blinds for my window furnishings. The cheap plastic ones seem to break so go up the next level.
Do it all yourself
“You have to be able to do all the work yourself. You can do courses, you can paint, you can do landscaping, building a wall inside is very easy though you may need help with plastering.”
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How to add $100,000 of value with a $10,000 renovation

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Professional renovator Belinda Grundy has seven top tips for the best ways to spend $10,000 to maximise return when renovating. While some of it involves direct cash spending some involves more of a change in thinking.
 
TIP One – Think like a buyer!
You have to disconnect yourself from the property and start looking at it from a buyer’s point of view. Walk through your home and inspect it like a house-hunter and take note of the things or areas you liked and disliked. This will give you an idea on the areas that you need to repair or change. Don’t think like an owner and change hats. This will save you some money.
TIP Two – Know your market.
Time to quiz your real estate agent. Ask them the type of buyer who will buy your home. Also, you have to ask your agent the type of buyers who buy homes in your neighborhood. The information you get will be very useful in deciding how you will charm these kinds of buyers to your home. As an example, if your home is suitable for retirees, then you should highlight the areas that you think most seniors would love to see. These are the parts of your home that you need to spend on to give your prospective buyers a ‘something to consider’ in their decision in buying your home.
TIP Three – The street appeal.
Make the exterior of your home a real ‘head-turner’.  You want to pull those buyers in. Give them the ‘love at first sight effect’. So how do we do this? Stand back and look at your property. You might paint the exterior of your home, pull out all the weeds, add some stones and neat and tidy plants – make your home look picture perfect even from afar.
Do not think that painting your home is costly. Actually, this is the best cost-cutting solution to make something old brand-new. So you want to budget your cash, right? This will really make your home appear well-maintained and even stand out.
TIP Four – WOW rooms.
Choose your room that you want to highlight and devote some of your budget to make this a WOW room. The WOW room is usually the room that made you buy the property. We want the buyers to feel an emotional buy in to this room. We want them to imagine themselves in that room spending their afternoon after a hard day’s work or with their children. For an investor, this room needs to be the room that they know the tenant will suit and love.
How do we create this WOW room? Easy – you can position your furniture to make the room look as large as possible. Make the room feel airy and spacious. Leave good walkways through the room so that people can move around easily.
Creating the WOW room need not be expensive. If you think your furniture seem outdated, you can always hire this in the weeks you need to present your home. Always remember that WOW rooms are about showing off, not overdoing it… and remember it is for your target market.
TIP Five – It’s the little things!
If you’re planning to change something in your home, like your door knobs or furniture, don’t just buy the first thing that you see in improvement stores. First, be mindful of the design you want. Then, you have to scour what’s available. You will be surprised to know that you can find the perfect items for your home at a cheaper price. 
Putting more effort in looking for anything that you need for your renovation can save you more dollars.  Some of my favourite and creative ways are exactly that, going with a contemporary theme of little things like changing fittings - for example tap ware accessories and door handles. 
You would be amazed that a spray of tiles in a 60s bathroom, fix any window furnishings and changing the furniture to replicas can work wonders, all for minimal dollars. A bathroom, for example, with a spray, glass shower screen and fittings could be $1,500
TIP Six – Declutter, clean, organise.
This is probably the simplest way to give your home the appeal it needs and could be free! Everyone wants to enter a home that is clean and neat. Make the floors sparkling clean, remember hygiene sells – doing this will catch the eye of anyone. It gives the impression that this house is really well maintained. If you want to get a cozy effect, aside from being clean, put some fresh flowers on the counter of your kitchen. The smell of fresh flowers gives a feeling of being cared for. Appeal is not only seen through the eyes. Stimulating the senses and allowing no clutter or mess distractions are other ways of putting more appeal to your home and allowing buyers to imagine themselves or their tenant there.
TIP Seven – Light it up!
Install new lights to brighten and open up your home. It’s quite attractive to see a home full of contemporary subtle lights as it gives us a welcoming and cared for impression. Install lights outside your home for the ‘drive-bys’, the entryway, the hallways, the living room – everywhere as much as possible. Having lights all around your home will help highlight the WOW rooms, your street appeal, and the cleanliness and size of your home.
Making your home the ‘beauty queen’ of the market is not costly at all. Just by knowing where to put your money to maximise your home appeal on the market can definitely save you dollars along with broadening your market appeal.
 
<hr>
 Belinda Grundy specialises in pre-sale property presentation. She has a <a href="https://www.propertystylingonline.com.au" target="_blank">DIY Sellers Property Styling Program</a> and an <a href="https://www.bgpropertystyling.com.au" target="_blank">in-home consultation service</a> in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
 
 
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Belinda Grundy's seven pre-sale renovation tips

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The voting public believe online mortgage providers loans.com.au have the cheapest loans in Australia.
More than 28,000 customers of the mortgage comparison site Mozo.com.au voted  to award Loans.com.au the title of “Australia’s cheapest home loans”.
Loans.com.au has variable home loans rates from 4.49% (5.51% comparison rate).
Managing Director Marie Mortimer encouraged mortgage holders to switch lenders.
“We have interest rates on par with rates in Australia during the 1950s. These awards are always a good reminder for people to consider their loans and decide whether they are paying too much.”
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Loans.com.au has cheapest perceived cheapest loans

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Killcare on the Bouddi Peninsula north of Sydney is Australia’s highest yielding waterfront suburb for houses, according to Real Estate Investar.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/09/30/Highest-yielding-sept-30-big.jpg" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/09/30/Highest-yielding-sept-30-small.jpg"></a>
With a median house price of $725,000 and a median house rent of $2,340, the suburb has a yield of 16.78% for houses.
House prices have dropped 8.81% in the past year while rents have increased 24.46%.
The yield applies to just three-bedroom houses.
Property Observer notes that properties renting at around $2,300 tend to be short term holiday rentals and may not represent year-round fully leased rents.
A three bedroom home at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/killcare/properties/178503">32 Araluen Drive</a> (pictured below) is listed for short term rent at $2,180 per week. It last sold in 2000 for $550,000, according to RP Data.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/30/kill]}
 
A four bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/killcare/properties/178492">61 Grandview Crescent</a> (pictured below) is listed for short term rent at $3,600 per week. It hasn’t sold since 1992 when it went for $342,000.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/30/kill2]}
 
A three bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/killcare/properties/178541">16 Macdonald Street</a> (pictured below) is listed for short term rent at $2,650 per week. It last sold for $1.95 million in 2005.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/30/kill3]}
 
And a three bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/killcare/properties/178489">38 Grandview Crescent</a> (pictured below) is listed for short term rent at $1,930 per week. It last sold in 2000 for $595,000.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/30/kill4]}
 
Miami, a Gold Coast suburb, is the highest yielding waterfront suburb for units, according to Real Estate Investar.
Studios and one-bedroom apartments have a median price of $110,000 and a median rent of $270 per week giving a yield of 12.76%.
Unit prices fell 25.18% over the past year and rents grew 3.84%.
A two-bedroom unit at 2/84 Dawn Parade (pictured below) recently sold for $387,000. It was marketed for rent the next day at $415 per week giving a yield of 5.58%.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/30/mer]}
 
A one bedroom unit at 26/286 The Esplanade (pictured below) recently sold for $273,000 and was marketed for rent at $290 per week giving a yield of 5.52%.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/30/mi]}
 
In March a one bedroom unit at 35/286 The Esplanade (pictured below) sold for $215,000. In February last year it was listed for rent at $250 per week giving a yield of 6.05%.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/30/mi2]}
 
In December last year a one bedroom unit at 8/28 Chairlift Avenue (pictured below) sold for $230,000. Prior to that it was listed for rent at $340 per week giving a yield of 7.69%.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/30/nob]}
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The highest yielding waterfront suburbs identified

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Eastmark Holdings, a privately held Sydney-based company run by Jin Yong Park, says a proposed $400 million office tower will create a new centre in North Sydney.
The 30-level tower at 1 Denison Street will include 2000 square metres of retail space with a supermarket, restaurants and cafes.
It is a 45,720 square metres grade-A commercial building near Greenwood Plaza and the train station. It has a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating and a 5 Star NABERS rating.
CBRE and capital.z are marketing the property to potential tenants. IAG Insurance and Zurich Insurance Group are both interested, The Australian Financial Review reports.
“Denison Street is basically going to be reconfigured into a new public plaza, like a mini Martin Place,” CBRE director Ari Petrovs told The Australian Financial Review.
He says it will create a “a new heart” in North Sydney.
Average rents in the building will be around $640 per square metre.
Depending on leasing commitments it will be completed in late 2016 or early 2017.
"The office market in North Sydney has little to offer in the way of quality space to any major tenant wishing to relocate there," Derek Zillman of capital.z told The Australian.
"1 Denison will meet this need, and it has the ability to attract tenants from outside North Sydney."
It’s not the only office developer eyeing off North Sydney though. Leighton has plans to develop a 40,000 square metre, 30-level tower while Mirvac and Laing O'Rourke are marketing a proposed $400 million development.
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$400 million office tower in North Sydney to provide new urban centre: developer

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The Reserve Bank of Australia is warning property investors not to expect the sort of price growth that happened in previous booms.
It says people are exposing themselves to more risk in property investing, particularly within the self-managed super fund sector.
“It is important that those purchasing property maintain realistic expectations of future dwelling price growth; in contrast to the decades leading up to the crisis – when dwelling prices grew rapidly in response to disinflation and financial deregulation – long-run future growth in dwelling prices might be expected to be more in line with income growth,” the RBA writes in its Financial Stability Review.
It highlights New South Wales as a market particularly dominated by investors with 40% of home loans going to investors.
“The increase in investor activity has been associated with a recent pick-up in Sydney housing price growth and reports of sale prices exceeding price guidance and valuations by wide margins,” the report says.
It says increased speculation and borrowing by self-managed super funds for property investment presents risks not previously seen in Australia.
“One risk of the increase in property investment by SMSFs is that at least some of it is a new source of demand that could potentially exacerbate property price cycles. It also raises consumer protection concerns in the event SMSF members are exposed to greater financial risks than they envisage,” it says.
“There is also evidence that SMSFs have been a large part of the recent demand by retail investors for the non-common equity capital being issued by banks, as well as hybrid securities more generally.
These instruments attract a high yield as they combine features of debt and equity, and are also quite complex products that carry higher risk than more traditional debt securities.
It is therefore important that these risks are adequately communicated to, and understood by, the purchasers of these products”
There has been a rise in lending to SMSF by smaller lenders and mid-tier banks which is exposing the lenders to higher risks.
“The potential for a further increase in property gearing in SMSFs is a development that will be monitored closely by authorities for its implications both for risks to financial stability and consumer protection.”
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Don't expect price growth like previous booms: RBA

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The Victorian Government will buy almost every apartment in the Evo development in Parkville which will be surrounded by off-ramps from the East West Link.
Of the 158 off-the-plan investors in the building, a reported 156 have taken up Linking Melbourne Authority’s offer to buy their apartments before settlement.
The remaining two will either sell with 90 days of settlement or keep the apartments and apply for compensation later.
Those who accepted the plan now have to wait for the valuations of the apartments which are due by next Thursday.
The LMA says the valuations will be unaffected by the impending East West Link construction.
It is also in negotiations with the developer to buy the remaining 17 unsold apartments.
The buyback will reportedly cost somewhere in the vicinity of $90 million.
Buyers in the Pace Development Group had been demanding action from LMA after plans for the massive freeway development revealed the tower would <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/doubt-cast-over-jardin-australand-parkville-project-but-evo-buyers-caught-in-east-west-link-plans/2013071663349">literally be surrounded by off-ramps</a> up to five-storeys high.
<img alt="evo-sept-26-one" height="276" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/09/26/evo-sept-26-one.jpg">
Earlier this month <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/napthine-government-to-buy-east-west-link-affected-units/2013091164968">LMA offered buyers three compensatory options.</a>
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Almost every buyer in freeway affected Evo to sell to government in circa $90m deal

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The Western Australian governing is seeking expressions of interest for a 125 hectare residential development in Port Hedland in the Pilbara.
The Styles Road site is earmarked for a mix of single residential and medium density lots.
The site is next to the Pretty Pool residential estate and four minutes from the Port Hedland CBD
Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the site provided a rare opportunity for a landmark development.
“It would allow a developer with vision to make their mark on the region,” Grylls said.
“Submissions can be made for all or part of the site and LandCorp will encourage innovative developers who want to build sustainable housing that works in the Pilbara’s climate.”
Other projects currently under way in Port Hedland include the Athol Street, Cooke Point Project; the Spoilbank Marina Precinct; the old hospital site; and the Pretty Pool residential development.
Expressions close on October 31 and the winner will be announced before the end of the year.
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Government seeks expressions of interest for 125 hectare Port Hedland residential project

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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