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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/december14sinatra]}
The 1951 house in Chatsworth, California where Frank Sinatra once lived has been publicly listed for the first time in its 60-year history. 
Dora Hutchinson, heir to the Chase Manhattan Bank fortune, commissioned Pereira &amp; Luckman architects to build the house in the late 1940s, and it was finished in 1951. 
Sinatra lived in the four-bedroom house, called Farralone, and threw lavish star-studded parties with guests including Lucille Ball, Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe. The standalone guest house with its own pool was reputedly the site of rendezvous between Monroe and President John F. Kennedy.
"If walls could talk, this house has had more celebrities in it than just about any other house in Los Angeles," says Coldwell Banker Previews listing agent Lynn Teschner.
Judy Garland and Vincent Minelli renewed their wedding vows on the 5.6-hectare grounds, and Monroe's last photoshoot was at the property's pool. The grounds include an incipient vineyard and horse riding trails, and the property can accommodate 200 cars. 
Teschner <a target="_blank" href="https://www.farraloneestate.com/">is marketing the property</a> with price hopes of US$12 million.
 
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Frank Sinatra's former home on the market for the first time

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Ratings agency Moody's says Australia's housing prices and mortgage debt levels are "arguably at unsustainable levels", and says prices may tumble either in the short-term – if the European debt crisis worsens – or in the medium-term, as default and delinquent rates rise.

Moody's lead analyst for the mortgage insurance sector, Ilya Serov, says the "combination of elevated house prices and unprecedented household indebtedness warrant in our opinion a degree of caution".
"The degree of sensitivity of the housing market to a serious economic downturn, given these two factors, has not been tested. We believe it could be materially higher than in previous historical episodes," he says.
"The recent experience of the US and certain European countries serves a useful cautionary reminder."
Describing the data on the sustainability of Australian housing prices as "ambiguous", Moody's says its baseline expectation is "that of further declines, both in the short- and medium-term".
According to Serov, challenges include:
<ul>
<li>Australia's reliance on resources.</li>
<li>Australia's banks reliance on external wholesale funding.</li>
<li>The high Australian dollar pressuring other sectors such as tourism and retail. He says: "Should these trends persist, default and delinquency rates in the mortgage market are likely to be variably regionally and increase in the next decade."</li>
</ul>
Serov notes that capital-city prices have quadrupled and household indebtedness tripled in the past 20 years.
"The market is undergoing a (to date) mild correction with a decline of approximately 4% off peak values nation-wide and up to 9.5% in Brisbane," Serov writes.
"Housing credit growth has fallen to around a third of pre-crisis levels. Our baseline expectation is that of further declines, both in the short and medium term."
Serov says although he expects economic conditions to remain supportive in 2012, the "potential for contagion from the Eurozone crisis represents a material downside risk".
He adds that although the jury is out on whether the European sovereign crisis will drive economic weakness and provide a shock to the local financial sector, Australia's reliance on resources and the dependence of local banks on wholesale funding "increase the Australian economy's sensitivity to exogenous shocks".
Moody's further notes that the "excellent performance of Australian mortgage loans to date is beginning to be challenged, with 30 days past due delinquencies reaching their highest value of 1.76% in May 2011" – versus the 1% recorded prior to 2005.
Serov put the Australian mortgage insurance sector – dominated by QBE LMI and Genworth Financial ¬– on outlook negative, citing concerns about the "medium-term performance of the country's housing market".
The report comes as The Age reports that Australia's big banks have been working on a contingency plan to ensure funding lines stay open should the Eurozone break up.
The newspaper says chief financial officers at the banks are understood to have updated their internal risk models, raise liquid-asset levels and reopened private funding placement channels with large investors in Asia.
This article originally appeared on<a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php" target="_blank"> SmartCompany</a>.
 
 
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House prices “arguably at unsustainable levels”: Moody's 

<html><body>
<table width="303" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
Postcode
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
Median unit price
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4560
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
NAMBOUR
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$235,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4551
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
BATTERY HILL
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$250,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4557
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
MOUNTAIN CREEK
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$257,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4551
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
GOLDEN BEACH
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$257,500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4564
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
PACIFIC PARADISE
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$287,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4575
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
WARANA
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$287,500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4575
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
MINYAMA
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$289,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4556
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
KUNDA PARK
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$290,747
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4565
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
TEWANTIN
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$291,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="69">
4575
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="113">
WURTULLA
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="121">
$293,500
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Source: RP Data
 
 
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The 10 cheapest suburbs on the Sunshine Coast for units: RP Data

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/december13renee]}
Academy Award-winning actress Renee Zellweger has listed her four-bedroom, three-bathroom property in the Connecticut town of Pomfret with price hopes of US$1.5 million.
Zellweger bought the 16-hectare property, which she used as a holiday house, in November 2004 for $1.32 million and has renovated an updated it. In addition to the main house the property includes a separate guest quarters and a barn, now used as an entertainment area. 
It is being marketed by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.coldwellbankermoves.com/property/details/2796922/MLS-M9131773/Pomfret-CT-06259.aspx">Coldwell Banker</a> agent Jonathan Radford.
In the property's marketing, Zellweger enthuses about the town of Pomfret.
"Socially, architecturally and aesthetically, Pomfret is the embodiment of the old-fashioned American small town while it is simultaneously a culturally rich and sophisticated community," she says.
"The seasons and landscapes are breathtaking, the quality of life and festive celebrations are of bygone days, and you'll make more friends in Pomfret within weeks than you would during a lifetime in most other places." 
Zellweger, whose breakout role was in the Tom Cruise vehicle Jerry Maguire, won an Oscar in 2003 for her performance in Cold Mountain. She also reportedly owns a house in the Hollywood Hills.
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Renee Zellweger lists in Connecticut

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Australia's ageing pool of workers need greater flexibility to ensure they can stay in work, a report into senior Australians says, adding that housing needs an "urgent shake-up" to cope with looming demographic changes.

A report released yesterday entitled Realising the economic potential of senior Australians notes that the percentage of Australians aged over 55 is expected to rise to nearly 20% by 2050, up from 16% nowadays.
"While participation rates for people over 55 have risen significantly, barriers still inhibit older workers' participation," the report, written by the Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians, says.
"These barriers directly affect the living standards of Australians, with the cost of not using the skills and experience of older Australians already at an estimated $10.8 billion a year."
"These barriers also directly affect the ability of individuals to contribute, with two million older Australians outside the workforce wanting to work, some because of financial necessity."
But the report - written by National Seniors Australia chair Everald Compton, former deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe, and Professor Gill Lewin - says the country's shift to a knowledge-edge based company, from a manual-based society, leaves Australians better placed to work longer.
"This move away from physically demanding work opens up more opportunities for older workers. It coincides with a looming skills shortage in key industries (mining, construction and services), increasing the opportunity for older workers to retrain for new careers or to backfill in sectors depleted by the movement of more mobile workers," the report says.
It also praises the increase in the retirement age to 67 and the removal of the age limit on superannuation guarantees as developments likely to keep older workers in paid work – although this shift requires support from industry, employers and governments.
The report recommends:
<ul>
<li>Extending flexible work arrangements for people aged 55 and over, allowing this group great time for volunteering and babysitting commitments, for example.</li>
<li>Looking at the affordability of income protection for people over 60.</li>
<li>Appointing a cabinet minister for maximising the potential of the ageing population.</li>
<li>Increasing housing supply by removing stamp duty.</li>
<li>Reviewing planning regulations and removing regulatory impediments to new developments and promote greater mobility.</li>
<li>Reviewing how income payments affect seniors' housing decisions.</li>
<li>Get governments to embed age diversity within workforce.</li>
</ul>
Speaking on the prospect of abolishing stamp duty after the report was released, Treasurer Wayne Swan said he was meeting with state treasurers to discuss state taxes.
"If there are impediments in the tax and transfer system that stop older Australians from contributing to the labour force, we should do something about that," Swan added.
He also called on business to "recruit many of those greying Australians who are looking for a job but have had difficulty getting one."
This article originally appeared on<a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php" target="_blank"> SmartCompany</a>.
 
 
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Housing needs “urgent shakeup”, and older workers need more flexibility: Report

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<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="385"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
Postcode
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
Median house price
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
820
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">BAYVIEW</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$1.215,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
820
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">FANNIE BAY</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$883,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
820
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">PARAP</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$805,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
810
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">LYONS</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$775,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
810
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">NIGHTCLIFF</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$759,500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
820
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">STUART PARK</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$700,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
812
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">MARRARA</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$690,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
810
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">RAPID CREEK</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$660,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
810
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">JINGILI</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$585,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
812
</td>
<td width="228" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">LEANYER</a>
</td>
<td width="93" nowrap valign="bottom">
$575,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: RP Data
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Top 10 most expensive suburbs in Darwin for houses: RP Data

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The Shopping Centre Council has rejected calls by the Franchise Council of Australia to cap the amount retailers are compelled to spend on store fit-outs, saying attractive stores are integral to combating the threat of online retail.

"Successful retailers say you have to be prepared to spend money to inspire customers to engage in the bricks and mortar experience," the SCC, which represents shopping centre owners and managers, says.
"Australian franchisors want regulated limits on how much they have to spend."
The SCC is responding to the FCA's plans for a voluntary code of conduct for landlords and tenants, designed to stem disputes between the two.
The FCA, which represents franchisors and franchisees, says the code is designed to address "extreme behaviour" such as "excessive" rent increases and "unreasonable and costly requirements in relation to shop fit-out and signage".
FCA executive director Steve Wright says the ball is rolling on the code of conduct.
But the SCC says that successful international retailers "stress the need for store fit-outs and store-fronts to be exciting, modern and seductive for customers."
"They also stressed the need for shopping centre environments to be constantly refreshed so they remain an ongoing magnet for customers."
According to the SCC, shopping centre owners have no incentive to make unreasonable fit-out demands of their tenants.
"Shopping centre owners fully understand that fit-out requirements are a delicate balance: on one hand, there is the need for shops to be exciting, fresh and seductive to customers; on the other, the amount spent can't be so much that it jeopardises the retailer's business plan and they can't afford to pay the rent," the SCC says.
"After all, the money spent on fit-outs does not end up in the owner's pocket."
But the Franchise Council of Australia says shopping centre fit-out requirements are expensive, too frequent and an unfair imposition on tenants who have leases for as short as five years.
"The problem is, the shopping centre management or owner is trying to turn the thing in to an art gallery instead of a retail precinct," the FCA says.
This article originally appeared on<a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/"> SmartCompany.</a>
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Shopping Centre Council says mandatory store fit-outs necessary to protect bricks and mortar from online

<html><body>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="337"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
Postcode
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
Indicative gross rental yield for units
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2158
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">DURAL</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
7.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2011
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">WOOLLOOMOOLOO</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
6.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2015
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">ALEXANDRIA</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
6.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2000
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">SYDNEY</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
6.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2007
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">ULTIMO</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
6.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2008
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">DARLINGTON</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2153
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">BELLA VISTA</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
5.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2008
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">CHIPPENDALE</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
5.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2140
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">HOMEBUSH</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
5.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="bottom">
2000
</td>
<td width="124" nowrap valign="bottom">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">HAYMARKET</a>
</td>
<td width="149" nowrap valign="bottom">
5.6%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Source: RP Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

Top 10 Sydney suburbs for unit rents: RP Data

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The weekend auction of 52 Berry Street, East Melbourne, was somewhat lacklustre, says Mark Armstrong of<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/"> Property Tycoon. </a>
With only two bids, the property was passed in for $2.91 million and sold in post-auction negotiation for $3.1 million.
"Given the last sale in the street sold for $3.3 million many tippers thought this price was light on, with the average tip being $35,000 above the sale price," says Armstrong.
Before the auction Armstrong noted its excellent position and had predicted competition would be strong for the property.
"Locations do not get much better than 52 Berry Street, East Melbourne, as it is on the doorstep of the MCG, Bridge Road Richmond and a brief walk to the city," Armstrong said before the auction. " The property has open entertaining spaces on the ground floor in addition to three bedrooms and a large study on the upper floors. It is well suited to the executive couple with no children or downsizes who are looking for a lifestyle change."
52 Berry Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002
<img src="/images/stories/berryst.jpg">
Sale price: $3.1 million
Agent quote: $3 million plus
% above agent quote: 3.23%
Bidders: Two
Last sold: November 1997 for $920,000 
Average tip: $3,135,821
% Correct tips: 8.24%
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/">Property Tycoon</a> allows punters to guess auction results with no outlay.
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East Melbourne $3.1 million auction tipping result

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/december12christucker]}
Comedian and actor Chris Tucker has recently sold two Florida homes below their market value in order to pay off tax debts, according to reports.
The first, pictured above, is in the gated equestrian and golf community Bella Collina. The Rush Hour star reportedly paid $6 million for the property in 2007, according to the <a href="https://realestalker.blogspot.com/2010/07/comedian-chris-tucker-selling-short" target="_blank">Real Estalker blog</a>, but negotiated a short sale for US$2 million before the bank was to foreclose on it last month.
The property has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, a "whimsical pirate-themed home theatre", lavish interiors and a pool, spa and deluxe barbecue area. It was listed by<a href="https://realestatecenter.bankofamerica.com/homes-for-sale/FL/Montverde/34756/16607-AREZO-Ct-54768905/popup" target="_blank"> RE/MAX Central Realty</a>.
According to celebrity gossip website <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2011/12/11/chris-tucker-foreclosure-houses/#.TuUkwbLLzCl" target="_blank">TMZ</a>, Tucker sold another Florida home in October for US$1.05 million, although he listed the property for $1.5 million.
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Chris Tucker reputedly sells at a huge loss

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.

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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.

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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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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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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