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Over the past decade the number of real estate agents acting as buyer’s agents has increased, and buyers should consider using their services; after all, vendors always have an estate agent acting on their behalf, handling inquiries, marketing the property and ensuring the best possible sale price.
Buyer’s agents can be a good idea for the simple fact that most people don’t buy a home on a regular basis. As a result, they are not experienced in the market, don’t immediately know the prevailing market conditions in the area in which they want to buy, and don’t always have the benefit of the day-to-day monitoring of a local area that a buyer’s agent does.
A buyer’s agent can take the emotion out of the auction and negotiation process for you. They attend, bid at and engage in auctions every week and know when and how to bid to help deliver the best result. They will even tell you that sometimes the best result may be not to buy a home at a particular price because there is a more suitable property around the corner.
An REIV member buyer’s agent can bring that experience to the process by using their professionalism to deliver a better result for you.
In the same way as you would interview a few estate agents before engaging one to sell your home, you should interview a few buyer’s agents. This enables you to compare their services, knowledge and fees and find the right buyer’s agent for you. A list of REIV member buyer’s agents can be found at <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/agency_search" target="_blank">here</a>.
Enzo Raimondo is the CEO of the<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank" title="REIV"> Real Estate Institute of Victori</a><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au" target="_blank" title="REIV">a.</a>
 
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enzoraimond-7fvRFHPR52

Buyer's agents can help purchasers get the best result

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From the broad perspective of changes in median prices, there are few differences between the market for units or apartments and houses.
The rises and falls in median prices have generally matched each other in the past five years.
Differences are, however, apparent when comparing at auction the performance of each class of dwelling.
Units and apartments count for one in three auctions, and the clearance rate has been higher than that for houses so far this year. This repeats a trend from last year.
This year, the overall clearance rate is 57% from slightly fewer than 23,000 auctions. Last year, it was 72%.
There have been about 7,500 unit and apartment auctions, with 59%. This compares with a 56.6 per cent rate for slightly more than 15,000 house auctions.
The level of overall demand for units and apartments matches the result in the Melbourne city centre market, where there have been 472 auctions, with 59% selling.
While Docklands and Southbank are dominated by units and apartments, there have been only 75 auctions this year, with private sales the preferred sales method.
Although volumes were lower last year, the differential in the clearance rate was similar, with 72% of units selling compared with 70% of houses.
Enzo Raimondo is the CEO of the<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" title="REIV" target="_blank"> Real Estate Institute of Victori</a><a target="_blank" title="REIV" href="https://www.reiv.com.au">a.</a>
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Melbourne units selling better than houses

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A review of some market indicators over the past 10 years shows that a lot has changed in the past decade.
In the June quarter this year the median Melbourne house price was $590,000, which is 103% higher than the $291,000 recorded in the June quarter 2001.
A decade ago the stamp duty payable was $13,120, which is 132%than the $30,470 that was payable on the median house if purchased in the June quarter this year. Unlike a decade ago, first-home buyers can now benefit from a 20% reduction on this bill for most homes.
However, the first-home owner’s grant was valued at $7,000 in 2001 and is still valued at $7,000.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average home loan to a non-first-home buyer was $291,200 in June this year, 99% more than the $146,500 recorded in June 2001.
The median price of a house in Toorak was $2,175,000 in the June quarter this year, 105% higher than the $1,062,500 in the June quarter a decade ago.
In more affordable Broadmeadows the median was $370,500 in this year’s June quarter, a substantial 219% higher than the $116,000 in the June quarter 2001. This is indicative of a trend that the more affordable suburbs have increased in value more rapidly.
And finally, in the City of Ballarat the median house price has increased by 122% from $130,000 a decade ago to $288,500 in the most recent June quarter.
Enzo Raimondo is the CEO of the<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" title="REIV" target="_blank"> Real Estate Institute of Victori</a><a target="_blank" title="REIV" href="https://www.reiv.com.au">a.</a>
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House prices (and stamp duty) more than double in past decade

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There has been an increase in the use of the term “discounting” to describe the local property market. Unfortunately, it is a term that fundamentally misunderstands the notion of value and price in residential real estate.
This is the same mistake many commentators made when the market was very strong and sale prices were regularly exceeding vendors’ and their real estate agents’ expectations.
It must be remembered that in most cases that a price on a real estate advertisement is under Victorian law an estimation. The estimate is often based on recent comparable sales and the real estate agent’s judgment. It is not necessarily the price the vendor will sell for, as that often fluctuates over the course of a sales campaign.
It is not clear that commentators using the term “discounting” actually know what a vendor will accept. If they do not then the term only describes the difference between the estimates and not the real value.
It is a truism in real estate that, no matter the state of the market, a property will only sell for the price a purchaser is willing to pay. This is very different from most retail goods – for instance, groceries – which are only available for the stated price.
For a sale to be achieved, the vendor must decide to accept what the market is willing to pay, and that number is an outcome of competition between buyers and other homes on the market.
This is why, as a service to the market, the REIV tracks and compares sale prices. By comparing actual sales, participants in the market can get a real indication if prices, overall or even in one suburb, are stable, dropping or rising. This is a far more useful and clear indication of the state of the market than discounting.
Enzo Raimondo is the CEO of the<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" title="REIV" target="_blank"> Real Estate Institute of Victori</a><a target="_blank" title="REIV" href="https://www.reiv.com.au">a.</a>
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'Discounting' not an accurate estimate of the market

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While the local economy remains healthy, property is likely to benefit from uncertainty in the stock market.
The last 20 years have shown that investment in Melbourne property has provided better returns that in the stock market, a factor that will encourage investors to shift their portfolio in favor of property.
The same study by RMIT which showed quarter on quarter growth of 1.6% for property compared with 1.3% for shares between 1990 and 2010. It also showed less volatility than shares.
A shift to property will not happen quickly. Investors have to study the market and then compete to buy the property of their choice. There are also higher transactional costs making it important to make the right decision.
Enzo Raimondo is the CEO of the<a target="_blank" title="REIV" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/"> Real Estate Institute of Victori</a><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au" title="REIV" target="_blank">a.</a>
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Property offers better returns than share market

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Over the last three weeks a number of articles have been published in The Age that have raised some questions about the integrity of our collection method, the clearance rate and the number of sales. As a result some people are concerned that the results published may not be representative of what is occurring in the market.
While we welcome scrutiny of the sales results collected and the clearance rate calculation, it is important that we set the record straight. The REIV provides all the sales results we collect each weekend to the media, this weekend we will collect approximately 1000 sale results. While we make every effort to collect each and every sale, there are some, around four a week, are not reported to us. It has been reported that some sales are reported with an undisclosed price. The vendor has a legal right to request that their sale price is not reported.
It is important to understand there is no legal requirement on agents to report for publication any sales results; the REIV encourages members to report to us so that the public can form their own view on the market.  In fact it was the REIV that started collecting and reporting both auction results and private sale results in 2004, this had not been done before.  Some other companies, including RP Data and APM, also collect results, but the REIV has the highest rate of collection which is why it is used by the media.
These results are first published on Saturday evenings on the <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Latest-sales.aspx">REIV website </a> and <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/propertydata" target="_blank">propertydata.com.au</a>. They are also published in the Sunday Age and Sunday Herald Sun.
The clearance rate is available on <a href="https://twitter.com/REIVictoria" target="_blank">twitter </a>at around 6.30pm on Saturday.
Due to the need to meet newspaper printing deadlines, the collection of results closes at 5pm on a Saturday and 4pm on a Sunday. Results of auctions that the REIV understands to have occurred that are not received at that time are classified as "no result". On Monday the REIV contacts these agencies and updates the clearance rate with these additional results on a Wednesday and produces a revised clearance rate.
The REIV is committed to providing transparent information about the Victorian property market and will continue to do so to help buyers, sellers and our Members.
How the clearance rate is calculated
Each week the REIV calculates the expected number of auctions to be held based upon the number of properties advertised for sale.
First calculated on a Saturday and then updated on a Sunday and Wednesday, the clearance rate is calculated by dividing the total of those sold before, sold at auction and sold after by the number of reported auctions.
Auctions that are postponed or withdrawn are not included because they have not been subject to a full campaign. In the last four weeks there has been an average of five postponed and four withdrawn per week. Over the same time there has been an average of four results where we have not been able to obtain the result.
Classifying results
Over the past seven years the REIV has adopted the same methodology for classifying results.
<ul>
<li>Sold Before: Sold Before describes homes listed for auction but sold before the auction.  Depending on market conditions around 20 per cent of all homes offered at auction are sold before auction day. </li>
<li>Sold: Sold describes homes that are sold to the highest bidder at the auction or after the auction on the same day. </li>
<li>Sold After: Sold After describes homes sold the day after the auction and which are subject to auction conditions. This occurs for only a few homes each week. </li>
<li>Passed In: Passed In describes homes that are not sold. In this case, the buyers have not met the price expectations of the seller. </li>
<li>Passed In on a Vendor Bid:  Describes homes that are passed in but when the last bid was a vendor’s bid. It is a legal requirement that this information be disclosed if the result is published. </li>
</ul>
Example
<ul>
<li>A home is listed for auction at 3pm on Saturday. </li>
<li>If the home is sold on Friday, it is classified as Sold Before. </li>
<li>If the home is sold to the highest bidder at the auction it is classified as Sold. </li>
<li>If the home is sold by negotiation after being passed in on the Saturday it is classified as Sold. </li>
<li>If the home is sold on Sunday under auction conditions it is classified as Sold After. </li>
<li>If the home is sold on Monday it is classified as a Private Sale.</li>
</ul>
Enzo Raimondo is the CEO of the<a target="_blank" title="REIV" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/"> Real Estate Institute of Victori</a><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au" title="REIV" target="_blank">a.</a>
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REIV authoritative source for clearance rate figures

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

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After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

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Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

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Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

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Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

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ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

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For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

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Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

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Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

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Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

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Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

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Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

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The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

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The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

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The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

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Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

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Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

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Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

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Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Enzo Raimondo

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