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104 Stella Street, Fairfield Heights, NSW, 2165
<img src="/images/stories/stellast.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; max-width: 480px;"> 
An investor has bought this three-bedroom house in Fairfield Heights at its weekend auction for $570,000. There were 10 registered bidders. The tenant is paying $380 per week and is on an expired lease. Pretti Real Estate agent Stephen Jurinic says this is below market rent, and the property could be leased for between $400 and $420 per week. The house has timber floors, a timber kitchen and a detatched room that could make a good home office.
At its current rent it will secure its new owner an indicative gross rental yield of 3.5%, below the indicative gross rental yield for Fairfield houses of 5.1%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees. If it were rented for $420 per week that would equate to an indicative gross rental yield of 3.8%.
<a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $10,000 and over five years to be $28,000.
The median house price in Fairfield Heights rose by 7.2% in the past year, according to RP Data.
For more about prices and yields in Fairfield Heights, see the RP Data suburb page.
 
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9/20 Joyce Street, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450
<img src="/images/stories/joyce.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; max-width: 480px;"> 
There was no interest from potential bidders in this two-bedroom Coffs Harbour townhouse, and First National Coffs Harbour agent Caroline Campbell cancelled its scheduled weekend auction. The tenants are paying $190 per week and are on an expired lease. First National Coffs Harbour agent Caroline Campbell says market rent for the property would be about $240 or $250 per week. It is within easy walking distance of the village shopping strip, schools and sports fields.
Campbell <a href="https://www.fncoffs.com/index.cfm?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=1801184" target="_blank">is now marketing the property</a> with price hopes of $179,000. Before the scheduled auction she provided price hopes of $150,000 plus. If it sells for $179,000 that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 5.5% at its current rent, higher than the indicative gross rental yield for Coffs Harbour houses of 5.2%, according RP Data. If it were rented at $250 per week, that would be a remarkable gross rental yield of 7.3%. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees. Council rates are $1,669 per year, and strata fees are $1,520 per year.
<a target="_blank" href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $6,000 and over five years to be $18,000.
The median house price fell in Coffs Harbour fell by 4.9% in the past year, according to RP Data.
For more about prices and yields in Coffs Harbour, see the RP Data suburb page.
 
 
 
 
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Investor form guide wrap: No takers yet for 5.5% yields in Coffs Harbour, but investor snaps up Fairfield Heights

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A Melbourne real estate agent discriminated against a female employee when it dismissed her because of her “overall young look”, the Fair Work Ombudsman has found.
Real estate agency Buxton Sandringham has agreed to pay the woman $1200 compensation and to revamp its workplace policies.
The woman was employed as a personal assistant on a casual basis in June, 2010 - when she was 23 - but dismissed a month later, shortly after she had assisted at an auction by recording bids.
One of Buxton’s male sales consultants told her that some of the company’s directors who had seen her at the auction were concerned she looked “too young”, was “too short” and would not have the presence to effectively negotiate at auctions.
He said he “needed someone he could turn into a sales person and that this was not possible for her because of her overall young look.”
The consultant terminated her employment, saying: “The reason I have done this now is because the training I would need to do would be a waste of time if I then have this concern six months later”.
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated the matter after the woman lodged an official complaint and said Buxton had to apologise to the woman and pay her $1200 compensation.
Buxton has also agreed to develop new recruitment and termination policies, commission workplace relations compliance training for its directors and alert other Buxton Group franchisees to its breach.
Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says it is important for employers to treat their employees fairly and be aware of their obligations under workplace laws.
“Employers who have fair and transparent selection processes for recruitment, promotion, training and other business systems will be well-placed to cultivate fair workplaces free of discrimination,” says Wilson.
Buxton Sandringham were unable to respond to our request for comment in time for publication.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
 
 
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Melbourne estate agent admits sacking worker for being 'too young' and 'too short'

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There's now a website, <a style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" target="_blank" href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/">www.propertytycoon.com.au</a>, where punters can guess auction results in Melbourne and Sydney, with no outlay. It's mostly about testing your market knowledge with a small cash prize as a sweetener.
Both properties featured on Property Observer were passed in at their super Saturday auctions, as top-end buyers failed to show much interest. The converted warehouse at 5/4 Tullo Place, Richmond (pictured above) failed to attract the price the vendor was hoping for.
<img src="/images/stories/tullo.jpg">
"There was more curiosity from neighbors than genuine interest from buyers at the auction of 5/4 Tullo Place Richmond on the weekend as a small crowd looked on as the property received one bid at $1.3 million before being passed in," says Mark Armstrong of Property Tycoon.

"There was a bit of action after the auction however as another buyer showing interest and offered $1.5 million, but this was still a fair way of the $1.65 million the vendor is holding out for."
<img src="/images/stories/gibsonst.jpg">
The Sydney property featured on Property Observer, 21 Gibson Street, Bronte (pictured above), also struggled to get over the line.
"In Sydney the lack of off-street parking was the major objection from buyers for 21 Gibson Street, Bronte," says Armstrong.

"The auction failed to gain any real traction and was passed in for $2.025 million with a reserve of $2.4 million. 

"The result illustrates that when buyers are looking to spend that amount of money they really need every box ticked or they will simply wait for better options."
 
 
 
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Picky buyers willing to wait dampened auction tipping competition results

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<img src="/images/stories/1point4percent.gif">
The percentage of Canberrasuburbs with a median unit price of under $300,000, according to RP Data. This is the second-lowest percentage in Australia; Darwin doesn't have a single suburb with a median unit price under $300,000.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/10percent.gif">
The percentage of Melbourne suburbs with a median unit price of under $300,000, according to RP Data.
 
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The percentage of Perth suburbs with a median unit price of under $300,000, according to RP Data.
 
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The percentage of Brisbane suburbs with a median unit price of under $300,000, according to RP Data.
 
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The percentage of Sydney suburbs with a median unit price of under $300,000, according to RP Data.
 
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The percentage of Adelaide suburbs with a median unit price of under $300,000, according to RP Data.
 
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The percentage of Hobart suburbs with a median unit price of under $300,000, according to RP Data.
 
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The number of capital city suburbs with unit prices under $300,000: RP Data

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Ask anyone in real estate about 2011 and they’ll tell you it was a tough year. For the first time in nearly a decade, buyers were no longer prepared to pay the “vendor price” for their dream home. In Melton, the sentiment was no different. Last year, some properties were on the market anywhere from three months up to a year.
Having said that, we definitely didn’t feel the same impact as some of our western counterparts such as Braybrook, whose median price in December recorded a fall of 27% from its peak ($380,000, down from $518,000) or St Albans, which experienced a 18% decline from its peak median price ($360,000 down from $440,000). In fact, recently released <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/en/Property-Research/Median-Prices/2011-Median-Prices.aspx">REIV figures on 2011 median prices</a> revealed Melton was in the top five growth suburbs for 2011, recording an 8% growth in its median price.
Unlike the majority of Melbourne – the auction capital of Australia – Melton’s modus operandi is a little different. Here, it’s all about the private sale. So while the rest of Melbourne has just kicked into 2012 with its first “super Saturday” last weekend, out in the ’burbs we’ve been back in full swing since the new year.
In the last three months we’ve definitely seen improved confidence, evident in our lower stock levels and quicker turnaround times – just the other day we sold a property within two days! We’ve also just listed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-melton-110027169">a three-bedroom brick home</a> in the heart of Melton that has already gained a lot of interest because its asking price of $239,000 to $245,000 makes it unbeatable value.
So where’s the interest coming from? Right now, it’s the investors who are dominating our market. The small outlay – our median price is $293,500 – needed to buy in one of Melbourne’s top growth suburbs makes Melton the perfect investment for the start-up investor. Not only is impressive capital gains an advantage, but properties are also returning high rental yields substantially higher than Melbourne’s gross house rental yields of 4%<a target="_blank" href="https://m.smh.com.au/business/property/rental-returns-nothing-to-write-home-about-20120215-1t5nu">.</a> Savvy investors recognise now is the time to buy when the market is stable, as opposed to later when the pressure on prices will eventually be greater.
The fact that our median price is nearly half of Melbourne’s ($540,383) also makes our area extremely affordable – and attractive – for first-home buyers. For $250,000, buyers can typically pick up a centrally located three-bedroom brick home on a 600-square-metre block – a bargain for young families looking to upgrade, given the same price wouldn’t even get you a one-bedroom apartment in the inner city.
There’s currently a wealth of buyers waiting on the sideline due to uncertainty around unemployment and interest rates. At the moment they’re holding back but at the end of the day, when people move, it’s for life changes such as growing families, empty nesters downsizing or job relocations that won’t stop because of what’s happening in the market. We’ll see an influx of buyers as confidence continues to grow, which will start driving prices up again.
In Melton, we expect to be in the driving seat as our affordability, infrastructure, space and proximity to the city makes us the perfect choice for young families. We already have one of the highest population growth rates in Victoria at 7.1% – nearly five times the statewide average of 1.5% – and anticipate this will continue growing as buyers start to come out of the woodwork.
Julian Conte has more than a decade experience in real estate and is director of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/">hockingstuart</a> Melton and Werribee.
 
 
 
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Melton: The hockingstuart mid-autumn 2012 property review

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2111/250 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
<img src="/images/stories/elizstreet.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; max-width: 480px;"> 
The tenant of this one-bedroom Melbourne CBD apartment is paying rent of $425 per week and is on a lease until January 2013, but agent Nathan Gibson of Harcourts says comparable apartments in the building are leased for $465 per week. 
Gibson <a target="_blank" href="https://www.harcourts.com.au/">is marketing the property </a>with price hopes in the mid-$300,000 range, and if it sells for $370,000 that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 5.6%, under the indicative gross rental yield for Melbourne units of 6.2%, according to RP Data. A rental of $465 per week would equate to a gross rental yield of 6.5%. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $10,000 and over five years to be $36,000.
The median unit price in Melbourne fell by 7.5% in the past year, according to RP Data.
The property will go to auction on Saturday, March 31 at 2pm.
For more about prices and yields in Melbourne, see the <a target="_blank" href="/news">RP Data suburb page.</a>
For another investment prospect going to auction this weekend, see page 2.
 
 
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1 Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads, NSW, 2485
<img src="/images/stories/kennedydr.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; max-width: 480px;"> 
This three-bedroom Tweed Heads house has a development application in place for two duplexes, or an investor could retain the long-term tenant, who is paying $260 per week. Agent Jess Hutson says although the tenant is on an expired lease, that is market rent for the area.
Hutson <a href="https://www.rainbowbayrealty.com.au/sales/properties.php?id=5433912&amp;test=1" target="_blank">is marketing the property</a> with price hopes of $299,000 plus, and if it sells for that price it would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 4.5%, significantly above the indicative gross rental yield for Tweed Heads houses of 3.9%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a target="_blank" href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $3,000 and over five years to be $8,000.
The median house price in Tweed Heads had no change in the past year, according to RP Data.
The property will go to auction on Saturday, March 31 at 1pm.
For more about prices and yields in Tweed Heads, see the RP Data suburb page.
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Friday form guide: Yields of up to 5.6% in Melbourne

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<div><img src="/images/stories/86542.gif"></div>
<div>The total number of advertised listings in Queensland, of which 14,420 are new listings, according to RP Data. This is up from a total of 76,170 at the same time last year.</div>
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<div><img src="/images/stories/81694.gif"></div>
<div>The total number of advertised listings in New South Wales, of which 15,185 are new listings, according to RP Data. This is up from a total of 66,773 at the same time last year.</div>
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<div><img src="/images/stories/71674.gif"></div>
<div>The total number of advertised listings in Victoria, of which 12,738 are new listings, according to RP Data. This is up from a total of 48,459 at the same time last year.</div>
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<div><img src="/images/stories/34435.gif"></div>
<div>The total number of advertised listings in Western Australia, of which 6,477 are new listings, according to RP Data. This is up from a total of 33,116 at the same time last year.</div>
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<div><img src="/images/stories/20779.gif"></div>
<div>The total number of advertised listings in South Australia, of which 3,590 are new listings, according to RP Data. This is up from a total of 16,438 at the same time last year.</div>
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<div><img src="/images/stories/12285.gif"></div>
<div>The total number of advertised listings in Tasmania, of which 1,497 are new listings, according to RP Data. This is up from a total of 9,256 at the same time last year.</div>
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<div><img src="/images/stories/2313.gif"></div>
<div>The total number of advertised listings in ACT, of which 648 are new listings, according to RP Data. This is up from a total of 1,800 at the same time last year.</div>
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<div><img src="/images/stories/1725.gif"></div>
<div>The total number of advertised listings in Northern Territory, of which 389 are new listings, according to RP Data. This is up from a total of 1,644 at the same time last year.</div>
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How much stock is on the market in your state? A state-by-state analysis: RP Data

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There's now a tipping website, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/">www.propertytycoon.com.au</a>, where punters can guess auction five results in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with no outlay. It's mostly about testing your market knowledge with a small cash prize as a sweetener.
One of the five Brisbane properties going to auction this week in round six is 40 Union Street, Clayfield. The property was built in 1926 and has been in the Molphy family since then. The last descendent, Dr Ruth Molphy, was a substantial benefactor of many charities and institutions including Prince Charles Hospital, St Hilda's and the RSPCA.
Mark Armstrong of Property Tycoon says: "40 Union Street, Clayfield, in Brisbanes inner north may not be the best-presented property going to auction in Brisbane, but it does have a few things going for it."


"It has never been sold before as it has remained in the same family since it was built in 1926. The property sits on almost 900 square metres and is located within five kilometres of the city."
He points out that although Brisbane properties <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/brisbane-market-struggles-to-maintain-momentum-with-all-five-property-tycoon-properties-passed-in/2012032654002" target="_blank">have struggled to get over the line lately</a>, this one is likely to find a buyer.
"It is a deceased estate, so for auction tippers that means unlike a lot of property in Brisbane it will sell on Saturday."
<img src="/images/stories/unionst.jpg">
If you think you know what it will sell for place a tip at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/">Property Tycoon</a>.
 
 
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Brisbane auction tipping

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Founder(s): Gary Braams Revenue: $3.64 million Started: 2008 Head Office: New South Wales Employees: 1 Website: <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/weblink?cid=5813&amp;fid=36&amp;ord=1" title="www.clikre.com.au">www.clikre.com.au</a>
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WINNER OF BEST START-UP PRODUCT
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/garybraams.jpg">
 
When Gary Braams lost everything he had in 2000 as a builder developer, he decided that he would make the most of his misfortune and create a business from the lessons he learned. 
“The issue was that I only relied on one real estate agent to sell off my apartments I was developing,” he explains. 
“He couldn’t sell enough in time. In fact he sold none of the project that was completed. I lost all my equity and went bankrupt.” 
Braams managed to build a multimillion-dollar business from his dining room table by creating a system that allows real estate agents to access stock listed anywhere in Australia and share in the commissions available. 
The commissions to total per sale can be as high as 5.5%, or even higher depending on the motivation of the vendor. 
Each member has a database to call on and therefore if you have 300 members you have 300 databases. Some members are in China. 
Braams says: “This business concept allows any current real estate agent to close up a cost ineffective business such as half the shop front real estate business out there to simply perform all the tasks from a regional based office or a home office.” 
“Shop fronts are already dying. I’m the hero who will eventually give them options to still bring in an income without the expense of an office. Clik is a virtual real estate office on your laptop or iPad.”
This article originally appeard on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
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StartupSmart Awards 2012: Clik International

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Founder(s): David Whitfield, Steve Cahill Revenue: $930,000 Started: 2009 Head Office: New South Wales Employees: 6 Website: <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/weblink?cid=5780&amp;fid=36&amp;ord=1" title="www.enlighten.com.au">www.enlighten.com.au</a>
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<img src="/images/stories/whitfield.gif" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">
EnLighten specialises in designing, marketing, distributing and installing low-energy lighting solutions. 
By combining efficient LED design with intelligent “point of use” control systems, enLighten is able to achieve world-leading energy efficiency outcomes for its clients. 
The first product in this space is a multifunction light marketed under the name “Chamaeleon”, first installed in January last year, with an updated version released in May. 
<img style="float: right; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/cahill.gif">
According to Whitfield, Chamaeleon regularly achieves energy savings of more than 90% and is being snapped up by the commercial property market. 
“EnLighten has already been approached by companies wanting to distribute the product in Europe and the USA,” he says. 
“Chamaeleon invariably provides ROI outcomes of less than three years and has achieved a project ROI of as little as six months.” 
During the first half of 2012, enLighten is expected to release four other products into the market, and has several larger product groups being developed. 
“EnLighten projects are resulting in record energy and cost savings for its clients,” Whitfield (pictured left) says. 
“While the LED lighting industry is exploding with copycat products that attempt to duplicate existing technologies, enLighten embarked on a course of product development that focused on achieving maximum outcomes by identifying deficiencies in ‘methods of use’ and/or existing products within the lighting industry.” 
“The suite of patented products that enLighten will release to the market over the next two years will see it emerge as a world leader in energy-efficient lighting solutions.” 
Whitfield says it can be challenging for a new product group to gain acceptance in the market, so perseverance is essential in order the challenge the “accepted way of doing things”.
 
 
 
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StartupSmart Awards 2012: EnLighten Australia

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

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According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

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Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

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.

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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."

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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

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.

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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."

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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.

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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>.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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<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.

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Cassidy Knowlton

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