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1/57 Pechem Street, Glenroy, VIC, 3046
<img src="/images/stories/pechem.jpg">
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom house will appeal to tenants, as it is within walking distance of Glenroy train station. A rental analysis of the property carried out by selling agent Danny Coffey of <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/vic/glenroy/639854/" title="Ray White Tullamarine" target="_blank">Ray White Tullamarine</a> estimates the rental potential to be about $350 per week. The house is listed with price hopes of $410,000 plus. If it sells for $410,000 it will net an investor a yield of 4.44%, higher than the gross indicative yield for Glenroy of 3.5% for houses, according to RP Data. A result of $440,000, which Coffey says he is hoping for, would net an investor yields of 4.14%. The property goes to auction on Saturday, August 6 at 12.30pm.
For more information about gross indicative yields and prices in Glenroy, see the RP Data suburb page.
For more investment possibilities going to auction this weekend, see pages 2 and 3.
 
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11 Evergreen Circuit, Cheltenham, VIC, 3192
 
<img src="/images/stories/evergreen.jpg">
This three- or four-bedroom, two-bathroom house has a light-filled, airy interior and is close to Southland shopping centre. It includes blond-wood floors and a private courtyard. Indicative gross rental yield for Cheltenham is 3.5% for houses, according to RP Data. The property is being marketed by <a href="https://www.buxton.com.au/" title="Buxton" target="_blank">Buxton </a>agent Sam Upleger with price hopes of $610,000 plus. It will go to auction on Saturday, August 6 at 11.30am.
For more information about indicative gross rental yields and prices in Cheltenham, see the RP Data suburb page.
 
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119 Old Canterbury Road, Dulwich Hill, NSW, 2203
<img src="/images/stories/oldcantebury.jpg">
With three bedrooms, this light-filled property is in a quiet cul-de-sac off a main road and includes a courtyard and built-in barbecue. It is in an area popular with families and is within walking distance of a train station, buses and schools, which means it is likely to appeal to tenants. Gross indicative yield in the suburb is 3.5%. The property is being marketed by <a href="https://www.sydneyboutique.com.au/pol/property/search.asp?f_PropertyID=1712778&amp;f_AgentID=4331&amp;xsl=4331&amp;f_st=1" title="Sydney Boutique Property" target="_blank">Sydney Boutique Property</a> agent Tom Scarpignato with price hopes of $740,000 plus. The house goes to auction on Saturday, August 6 at 12.45pm.
For more information about gross indicative yields and prices in Dulwich Hill, see the RP Data suburb page.
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Friday Form Guide: Potential yields of 4.4% in Glenroy

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august4blackfriars]}
8 Blackfriars Close, <a target="_blank" title="Toorak" href="/news">Toorak</a>, VIC, 3142
This home is one of a kind. One could be mistaken for entering a country retreat with tranquil grounds and a variety of peaceful rooms to relax in. This is a home for someone wanting something different from the norm. If stairs are not a concern, it would work well for families with teenage children. There is no connection between the kitchen to the back yard, nor from the upstairs living areas, so it may not suit families with younger children and these are reflected in the rating. That being said, I liked it. Every opportunity for light has been brought in. The living rooms and bedrooms all face north. The home is extremely private and it's a short walk back to reality - with Toorak Village, transport, the M1 and schools all close by.
The house has been given a rating of 571 out of 1000 by James Buyer Advocates, which puts it in the category of the low end of average. The property is being marketed by <a href="https://www.marshallwhite.com.au/?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=1797228" title="Marshall White" target="_blank">Marshall White</a> agents Justin Long and Susan McGlashan with price hopes of $3.25 million. It goes to auction on Saturday, August 6 at 12.30pm.
Kristen Hatt is principal buyer advocate of <a href="https://www.james.net.au/rating/8-Blackfriars-Close-TOORAK" title="James Buyer Advocates" target="_blank">James Buyer Advocates</a>. James provides market updates, home ratings and advice on its website.
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A country retreat in Toorak

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The Productivity Commission has unexpectedly recommended the government should reduce the $1,000 GST-free import threshold, but acknowledges this is only a small problem facing the retail sector and says further structural reform is required.

The commission's draft report recommends that state and local governments need to harmonise their laws and reform planning, zoning and retail trading hours restrictions. It also recommends that the Federal Government should review any constraints created by workplace relations regulations.
"Intensified retail competition is a boon for consumers, but it is challenging for a retail industry which, overall, has lower levels of productivity when compared internationally and, in many cases, faces higher costs," says commissioner Philip Weickhardt.
"However, the government's role is not to shield the industry from competition but to remove constraints which restrict the industry in responding to this heightened level of competition."
The overall report acknowledges many problems pressuring retailers including planning and zoning restrictions, pressure within shopping centres on retail tenants and varying regulations on trading restrictions.
It also acknowledges that more people are spending more money on non-retail services, such as property, travel and entertainment.
And while it acknowledges that the current low value import threshold is a "minor part of the competition story", it nevertheless says that the threshold "in principle should be reduced to a low level to ensure tax neutrality".
In a move that is sure to be welcomed by the Fair Imports Alliance, the Productivity Commission also says that current processes for collecting taxes and duties "are not efficient".
"As the threshold is lowered, costs of collection increase significantly – at very low thresholds, (for example $20), the costs of collection would exceed tax revenue by over three to one."
"Such a cost impost on both importing businesses and consumers is unacceptable even without considering additional costs such as delays."
The report also recommends that the government should investigate the current system for processing incoming parcels, "with a view to then reducing the LVT in a cost-effective way".
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/20110804-breaking-news-productivity-commission-recommends-retail-industry-reform-including-reduction-of-gst-free-import-threshold" title="SmartCompany" target="_blank">SmartCompany.com.au</a>
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Productivity Commission recommends retail industry reform including reduction of GST-free import threshold

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august2sedger]}
6 Sedger Road, <a target="_blank" title="Dural" href="/news">Dural</a>, NSW, 2158
Set among prize-winning gardens, this five-bedroom, five-bathroom mansion offers elegant rural living with views through to the Blue Mountains. The property includes a tennis court, library with gas log fireplace, cabana with built-in barbecue and second kitchen, solar-heated saltwater swimming pool, home theatre, putting greens and seven-car garage. It is being marketed by <a target="_blank" title="McGrath" href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/">McGrath </a>agent Elise Lau with price hopes of $5.5 million plus. 
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Stately elegance in Dural

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august2piernorth]}
1 Newstead Terrace, <a target="_blank" title="Newstead" href="/news">Newstead</a>, QLD, 4006
The price of this riverfront property with panoramic city views has been reduced from $3 million to $2.4 million. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom property across 400 square metres offers luxury lifestyle extras like smart wiring, top-of-the-range fittings and a concierge. The development has a pool and state-of-the-art gym, and the property has a vast balcony. It is being sold by <a target="_blank" title="Sissons" href="https://www.sissons.com.au/property-Apartment-QLD-Newstead-1672017">Sissons </a>agent John Sheehan. 
 
{module 238}
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Discounted luxury in Newstead

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A new development in the Brisbane suburb of Hamilton will challenge space-spoilt Queenslanders to live in cleverly designed smaller digs.
Foreshore House, being developed by Mirvac, comprises 263 one- and two-bedroom apartments, which range from 50 to 105 square metres.
“What Mirvac have done I think is quite different to what they usually produce in that the size will be smaller,” says Mirvac sales consultant Cecilynne Jurss. “They’re basically designing smaller units that are very liveable. They’re not compromising our quality in any way, but being clever in small space.”
The 145 one-bedroom apartments, which range in size from 50 to 58.5 square metres, begin at $345,000, and pricing for the 118 two-bedroom units, which range from 73 to 105 square metres, starts at $495,000.
Foreshore House will include a swimming pool and communal areas, and Mirvac Queensland chief executive Matthew Wallace says its design was inspired by the tony Soho House in London, which was founded in 1995.
“In the same way as Soho House operates, Foreshore House will be a sanctuary for residents and their families and guests, and in many ways provide an extension to their personal apartment’s living space,” Wallace told the Courier-Mail.
Jurss says the units in Foreshore House will appeal to both owner-occupiers and investors, but Mirvac is focusing on the local, rather than overseas, investor market.
“Rental markets continue to tighten resulting in improved yields for investors. This trend is likely to continue into the foreseeable future with vacancy rates remaining very low,” RP Data head of research Tim Lawless said at a Mirvac-sponsored forum before Hamilton’s launch.
“Unit markets have seen an upwards shift in demand levels as more buyers opt for medium- and high-density living.”
Jurss says the target demographic for Foreshore House ranges from young, single women through to couples with a child and retirees. She says the development will appeal to people who want “everything at their fingertips”, as the suburb of <a target="_blank" title="Hamilton" href="/news">Hamilton </a>has a range of entertainment and retail options.
Construction is expected to begin in January of next year, and is due to finish at the end of 2013.
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New Brisbane development to offer small but 'clever' units

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august3lebowski]}
The Dude abides, but not here anymore. The Venice, California property made famous as the abode of Jeff Bridges' stoner The Dude in the 1998 movie The Big Lebowski is up for sale. The property at 606-608 Venezia Avenue comprises six one-bedroom cottages, and fans of the Coen brothers' popular comedy will be glad to know that it has been renovated since that unfortunate rug incident. The cottages have had new roofs and a new sewer line put in, so we guess Jeff Lebowski wouldn't even recognise the place anymore, were his head re-flushed. <a target="_blank" title="Bulldog Realtors" href="https://www.bulldogrealtors.com/pages/property_detail/venezia-606">Bulldog Realtors</a> agents Winston Cenac and Golda Savage are marketing the property as prime for subdividing, with $2,295,000 hopes. 
  
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Big Lebowski house for sale

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august2myrtle]}
24 Cross Road, <a target="_blank" title="Myrtle Bank" href="/news">Myrtle Bank</a>, SA, 5064
This period bluestone house on 3,120 square metres features old-world charm and features such as a conservatory, music room, cellar and lilypad-filled pond. It also includes modern amenities such as split-system heating and cooling, a heated in-ground pool and up-to-date Smeg and Miele appliances in the kitchen. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house is being sold by <a target="_blank" title="Klemich" href="https://www.klemich.com.au/view.php?OID=2783411">Klemich</a> agent Judy Morris with price hopes of $2.55 million plus. 
 
{module 238}
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Bluestone elegance in Myrtle Bank

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New home sales fell 8.7% in June to their lowest level since last September, according to the latest data from the Housing Industry Association, which warns that the industry is at risk if the Reserve Bank decides to raise interest rates tomorrow.
New home sales suffered their heaviest monthly decline in five years in June 2011, providing further evidence of the need to keep interest rates on hold, said the Housing Industry Association, the voice of Australia’s residential building industry.
The latest HIA - JELD-WEN New Home Sales Report, a survey of Australia’s major residential builders, showed that the number of new homes sold in June 2011 dropped by 8.7 per cent, the sharpest monthly decline since May 2006.
The data comes as the auctions market has once again delivered a less-than-impressive result, even with unseasonably warm weather in Melbourne.
HIA chief economist Harley Dale says the result is weak, and that anecdotal evidence suggests that interest and demand for new housing has "hit a wall".
"This piece of empirical evidence supports the anecdotes we've been hearing."
Dale says the industry needs an extended period of steady interest rates in order for building to take off, but that won't occur if the RBA raises interest rates tomorrow, or even during the rest of the year, he warns.
"We've had a forecast for a long time this year that building would be significantly weaker than we saw in 2010, and as I've said before, higher interest rates are just going to add to the risk that it becomes lower than what we're already forecasting."
"What you ideally need is a sustained period of steady interest rates... but that particular outcome looks unlikely because regardless of whether the Reserve Bank hits the button tomorrow, we've got considerable amounts of uncertainty over interest rates."
Dale says the HIA has received an invitation to the tax summit in October, and a representative from the organisation will be attending. He hopes that some sort of benefit for the industry can be achieved, saying that stimulus is needed in order to improve home building levels across the country.
"Are there some stimulus measures the Government could be considering, in the form of boosting new homes, or perhaps looking at accelerated depreciation for rental investment? Should the Government be considering options to reduce risk?"
The calls for stimulus come as a number of companies in the building and construction industry have collapsed, citing poor trading conditions as a major factor.
Dale says this type of support is extremely important, as the evidence suggests that sentiment for housing is dropping, even though interest rates have remained steady since last November.
"The situation for new home building reinforces the importance of getting tangible outcomes from the tax forum in early October. You have a situation where new housing is very heavily taxed, and we're hoping to nut out a way to remove some of those inefficient costs."
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/20110801-new-home-sales-fall-8-7-building-industry-calls-for-tax-reform-at-october-summit" title="SmartCompany" target="_blank">SmartCompany.com.au</a>
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New home sales fall 8.7%, industry calls for tax reform at October summit

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august1disney]}
The 1932 French Normandy-style house that was built for Walt Disney is on the market with price hopes of $3.65 million. The mogul's four-bedroom, five-bathroom Los Angeles house at 4053 Working Way is very grand for the time, with leadlight windows, a billiards room, two wet bars, the luxurious rarity (for the '30s) of a swimming pool and a screening room that Disney's studio had built so he could watch dailies of classics such as Snow White, Fantasia, Cinderella and Bambi. We have to say the new owner will be very mouse proud to live in a piece of Hollywood history. 
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Disney's world for sale

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

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."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

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

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

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