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Omega, a Glebe development at 39 Greek Street, is marketing it apartments with the advertised benefit of low strata fees.
Boasting strata levies half those of highrise apartment buildings, due to the lack of pools, gyms and concierges, instead offering a rooftop garden, they have been advertising the 10 under $650,000 to first home buyers.
The building is four-storeys and is designed by Environa Studio, and developed by LIVstyle Group.
In total, Omega has 16 one-bedroom apartments of 50 to 52 square metres internally, plus from 10 to 44 square metres externally. Without parking, they cost $545,000 upwards. For those with parking the price is from $640,000.
There are also a couple of two-bedroom terraces, from 88 to 91 square meters internally and with 31 square metres externally, from $905,000, both with parking. The two three-bedroom apartments span 102 square metres internally, plus nine square metres externally, from $965,000 with parking.
It is the second to its mirror-image, Alpha, which sold before marketing material was produced.
Peter Shield, project director at Ray White Real Estate Erskineville, said that they’re well priced.
“Because this is a boutique-size building without expensive communal facilities, levies will be low so on-going costs will be extremely moderate,” said Shield.
“Somehow people heard about the [Alpha] development well before we were ready to launch. They didn’t need to see glossy images or read purple prose, and were not put off by the fact we only had basic floorplans, a price list and some architectural sketches,” he said.
Property Observer imagines it wasn’t an accident that buyers heard about the development, particularly as they note that a friend of the developer was provided a preview and bought an apartment, however concedes to Shield’s point that “Opportunities in Glebe are rare”.
Omega is set for late-2015 completion, with forecasted weekly rents of $600 to $650 for one-bedroom units, and $800 to $850 for two-bedroom units.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Boutique Glebe apartment complex with low strata fees coming to market

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Brookfield Multiplex has recently reached a contractual agreement with Singapore-based Ho Bee Land to create a $120 million, 41-storey highrise residential offering to be constructed over the next two years.
This is the first residential highrise to be constructed in the past two years, and will be on the former Red Rooster site – on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Main Beach Parade.
Project marketing agent for the development, Deborah Provost, said that this is a new era for the area.
“This project signals a new era of high-rise development on the Gold Coast so we are delighted to have one of Australasia’s leading construction companies take the reins,” said Provost.
While it’s currently unnamed, it will include 223 units, a rooftop garden, gym and retail space, with 500 jobs to be generated during construction.
Regional managing director for Queensland at Brookfield Multiplex, Rod McDonald, said that it’s an effort to meet the demand being seen on the Gold Coast.
“Queensland’s residential market is gaining pace and it’s fantastic to be back on the Gold Coast and delivering this project which will see cranes returned to the Surfers Paradise skyline for the first time in two years,” McDonald said.
“Ho Bee Land’s unique building will revitalise the Gold Coast’s residential property market by providing new, high quality apartments that meet the highest standards of sustainability and design.”
The project architect will be DBI Design.
Early works commenced in late-2013, and it appears construction will be completed in late-2015.
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New era of highrise development signaled for Gold Coast

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Eighty-one year old Harry Triguboff, owner of renowned Meriton Apartments, is potentially looking to sell half of the company to Chinese interests.
The potentially $3 billion opportunity for Triguboff saw him tell the AFR Weekend that he received the offer a couple of years ago from the owner of a property developer who is already prolific overseas – building 200,000 dwellings in China each year. He would not reveal the developer.
Asian interests were <a href="/news/asian-buyers-covet-while-harry-triguboff-considers-one-day-handing-meriton-reins-to-grandkids">identified in Meriton in March last year</a>, however last month, before his visit to Guangzhou, there had already been unsolicited bids reported for Meriton Group. At this stage, he told The Australian that he would likely reject the offers.
Billionaire Harry Triguboff, born in a White Russian Jewish enclave in China, has spent 50 years building ­Australia’s biggest unit company, ­Meriton Apartments.
“I am thinking I could sell part of [Meriton],” Triguboff reportedly told the AFR.
“It is very early stages, but I could be prepared to sell the development part of the business and then the family could continue to collect the rent on the units I already own. Maybe I could retire soon and they could run the investment business.”
Meriton is expected to make $300 million of profit from the sales of $1.1 billion worth of apartments, and the company carries very little debt – worth around $6.3 billion.
He also said that he looks to keep the 2,000 units he currently owns in family hands. They are placed across Sydney, the Gold Coast and Brisbane and return $200 million profit each year, worth up to $3.5 billion.
Admirably, he also said that he was not going to sell anything “if they are going to start firing people”.
“Other people think about shareholders, well, I think about my people. I don’t look at it if it is a good or bad deal, I am looking at the evolution of the company. He [the potential buyer] wants apartments that are able to be sold. Of course there are many Chinese buying in Australia at the moment and what we have is a lot of apartments that already have a lot of approvals. That is why they are interested in me.”
Triguboff’s business acumen has been a revered topic of many in the property space.
At 79, he <a href="/news/meriton-boss-harry-triguboff-eases-into-the-twitter-revolution-at-age-79">signed up for Twitter</a>.
At 80, Property Observer created <a href="/expert-insights/buying/harry-triguboff-s-heaving-wheelbarrow-a-timeline-of-meriton-s-growing-300m-sydney-apartment-site-inventory">a timeline of some of his latest developments</a>. And he also <a href="/expert-insights/buying/harry-triguboff-celebrates-80th-birthday-with-proposed-100-million-inner-sydney-site-acquisition-and-calls-for-more-rate-cuts">celebrated his 80th with a proposed $100 million inner Sydney site acquisition</a>.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/meritons-harry-triguboff-shares-his-business-secrets-no-cottages-no-subdivision">Meriton's Harry Triguboff shares his business secrets - no cottages, no subdivision</a>
Picture of Harry Triguboff courtesy of Wikipedia/Creative Commons.
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Harry Triguboff considers retiring with part sale to Chinese interests

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National Australia Bank (NAB) group chief economist, Alan Oster, analysing the NAB Residential Property Index, found that foreign buyers’ demand for new and established property are at all-time highs.
The amount recorded by the index's research points to a surge in activity in both the new and established property markets from foreign buyers in 2014’s first quarter results.
“In terms of total demand, the survey suggests that foreign buyers now account for 13.9% of total new property and 9.5% of existing property demand,” Oster said. Established demand is even expected to grow a little stronger over the coming 12 months.
Foreign investment is expected to assist propping up property prices, although capital gains might start to stabilise.
“While sustained population growth, supply issues and foreign buying activity will put a floor under house prices, unemployment and the economy will limit gains,” he said.
ESTABLISHED PROPERTY UPDATE
<img src="/images/2014/04/16/grpah%20april%2016%20one.png" alt="">
Source: NAB Quarterly Australian Residential Property Survey: Q1 2014
Foreign buyers still appear to have their sights on New South Wales, with their involvement rising from 2013’s last quarter result of 7.6% to a record high of 12.7%.
In Victoria and Queensland there have been increases as well, with involvement in the market from foreign buyers increasing to 10% in Victoria and in Queensland to 9%.
This lines up fairly well with local investor activity, driving up to 24.6% in Victoria, and 26.7% in Queensland. In New South Wales, there was, however, a pull back to 27.3%.
NEW PROPERTY UPDATE
<img src="/images/2014/04/16/grpah-april-16-two.jpg" alt="">
Source: NAB Quarterly Australian Residential Property Survey: Q1 2014
Foreign buying in the new housing market has reached an all time high of 13.9% of national demand.
There is especially prominent activity in Queensland, where 24.4% of the demand came from foreign buyers.
These increases align with the released figured from the <a href="/expert-insights/buying/demand-from-chinese-speaking-investors-is-up-but-thats-not-the-whole-story">Foreign Investment Review Board that have been under much discussion</a>.
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Foreign buyers at record 9.5% of established property demand: NAB's Alan Oster

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A West Australian building company, Kalamunda’s Heritage Homes (WA) Pty Ltd (registration number 9081) and company director Paul Vincent Monkhouse, have been ordered by the Building Services Board to pay $3,500 for negligent conduct.
Heritage Homes was found to have failed to reduce to writing a total of 41 variations to home building contract working, according to an ASIC release. This is an action required under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991.
These offences were recorded as occurring between April 2009 and June 2011. They were in relation to a contract, that had been entered in to in April 2009, for a Nedlands house. The house was to have renovations and extensions, and it was valued at $458,700.
Routine checks were carried out by the Building Commission. Building Commissioner Peter Gow explained that the Home Building Contracts Act sets out the minimum requirements for contracts. It applies to home building, and associated work, costing between $7,500 and $500,000.
As a result of non-compliance, the company was fined $2,500. Monkhouse, as director and nominated supervisor, copped a $1,000 fine.
“The act is in place for a good reason; it protects both the home owner and persons undertaking home building and associated work,” said Gow.
“One of the requirements of the act is that any variation to the contract must be reduced to writing and signed by both the builder and the owner.”
This is a requirement that ensures property owners are given to accept or reject any variation to a contract before it occurs, and are not hit by additional fees at the end of the building process that they were not aware they had consented to.
“The Building Commission will continue to name those who put consumer interests and the reputation of the building industry at risk,” Gow concluded.
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Heritage Homes (WA) Pty Ltd and director to pay $3,500 for unlawful contract changes

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Looking to revitalise North Sydney, an area normally known for its businesses rather than its residential opportunities, Skye by Crown’s construction has officially commenced at 211-223 Pacific Highway.
Crown Group, who are developing Skye by Crown, are looking to make the development one of the most iconic apartment buildings in North Sydney, with design by renowned architect Koichi Takada.
The 20-storey building, with 242 apartments, will also include a top-floor gym, an infinity edge rooftop pool and views over the area.
To date, more than $200 million of apartments have been sold, including two penthouses – sold for $3.38 million and $3.465 million.
Earlier this month, CEO of Crown Group, Iwan Sunito, and North Sydney Mayor, Jilly Gibson, attended the turning of the first sod, marking the beginning of construction. This was after the first stage of demolishing a pre-existing office building, symbolic of the change they want to see.
<img src="/images/2014/04/16/2014_04_11_Skye_Ground_Breaking.jpg" alt="">
“Skye by Crown has been an exceptional project from the start – from the first stages of development and design selection through to one of the most successful sales launches in Crown Group’s history,” said Sunito.
They are now selling the last 13 apartments in the building, that will be completed within two years.
Gibson said that there is an effort to renew the area.
“Developments such as this cement North Sydney’s status as a growing commercial and residential district,” said Gibson.
“Skye by Crown will be home to hundreds of new North Sydney residents and will provide new eateries and retail outlets when completed in 2016,” she said.
The $236 million development launched in June. The final apartments selling include a one-bedroom apartment with study for $990,000. Two-bedrooms from $1.09 million are also available, as well as a final penthouse – a three-bedroom offering at $2.755 million.
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Skye by Crown construction commences

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The announcement of the Badgerys Creek airport for Sydney will potentially provide another growth spurt for western Sydney’s properties, with towns as far out as Mittagong, Bowral and Goulburn expected to appreciate, according to Raine &amp; Horne.
It appears that with the new infrastructure and subsequent jobs boost of 60,000, demand may increase in the area.
Suggested areas of growth include:
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Green Valley</a> </li>
<li><a href="/news">Liverpool</a> </li>
<li>Southern Highlands</li>
</ul>
Source: Raine &amp; Horne real estate agents
CEO of Raine &amp; Horne, Angus Raine, also noted that the commercial, office and industrial space should see a significant increase in demand with logistics and transport firms expected to set up in areas with close access to the airport.
The Urban Taskforce has also pointed to the growth potential inherent in the Badgerys Creek airport.
CEO Chris Johnson said that it is a boost for the whole of Sydney.
“A new airport in Western Sydney will be the catalyst for new growth, new jobs and new infrastructure,” said Johnson.
“Just as the Olympic Games became a boost for Sydney’s development so too the new airport be a game changer for the whole of Sydney but particularly for Western Sydney.”
He also noted that Sydney’s metropolitan area’s planning will also require attention as to focusing where jobs are located and how connecting infrastructure is planned.
“Research is needed on how an airport can maximise jobs in the twenty first century. The concept of the Aerotropolis has been developed to reinforce the role of an airport as a jobs generator,” he said.
This is largely agreed upon by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW, who pointed to the importance of the infrastructure coming in quickly.
The $10 billion infrastructure package has UDIA NSW chief executive, Stephen Albin, asking for a number of infrastructure boosts.
These include:
<ul>
<li>Extend the South West Rail Link to the airport and further north connecting to the North West Rail Link 
</li>
<li>Provide better link infrastructure to Port Botany and Kembla 
</li>
<li>Improve poor road access around Fairfield 
</li>
<li>Rezone to facilitate the development of land adjacent to the airport</li>
</ul>
“By establishing an airport at Badgerys Creek Sydney's West will turn from a political to an economic powerhouse - creating new jobs and transport infrastructure in close proximity to where the bulk of Sydneysiders choose to live,” said Albin.
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Sydney’s new airport may see property values fly

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Slated negative gearing and property tax changes are discussed almost every year, but it is increasingly likely that the upcoming May budget is one of the most likely to include changes to this policy.
Property Observer reported a year ago that <a href="/expert-insights/finance/government-not-contemplating-changes-to-negative-gearing-wayne-swan">former treasurer Wayne Swan was not contemplating any changes at the time</a>, despite much discussion about negative gearing alterations. It appears that current treasurer Joe Hockey, however, may have different ideas.
But who is going to get stung by changes, if there are any? Propell National Valuers shares their thoughts about how residential real estate may see its owners becoming stung with the implications.
They point to the following:
1) WHAT: The exemption of the family home from asset calculations when achieving the pension may come under scrutiny.
WHY: It can encourage retirees to be asset rich and income poor, encouraging them to own and live in a property that's bigger and more expensive than they need. This will become even more pronounced if the <a href="/expert-insights/joe-hockey-flags-plans-to-raise-retirement-age">extra five years in the workforce, as suggested by Joe Hockey, is brought in</a>.
THE IMPACT: Retirees with properties above the median price may look to then sell these properties, cash out and downsize. This would be a one-off market impact that would soften prices in some sectors over the short-term, but would "likely be absorbed within a year," according to Propell.
2) WHAT: Taxation allowances of negative gearing could be abolished or curtailed.
WHY: The introduction in 1985 has seen tax revenue grow, from reducing personal income tax by $600 million originally to close to $4 billion, according to the Grattan Institute.
THE IMPACT: There would be enormous short-term political backlash. It would potentially result in the transfer of wealth from "one class of people to another and the losers have been first home buyers in particular", providing a benefit to our FHBs.
OTHER OPTIONS: Grandfathering negative gearing out, limiting it to new properties (both of which have been suggested on SBS), phasing it out or toughening the rules. The limitations of negative gearing to new properties has been suggested heavily in the media lately (citing off the record comments from different government departments). If you are an investor using negative gearing to offset your loss, then there is a chance here that you will find yourself facing a greater shortfall.
However, "If the system is not changed this year, then property investors can probably relax in the knowledge that it will become a permanent feature of the investment landscape," Propell suggests, noting that this year is the most likely in which it will happen.
We've previously taken it to the experts and <a href="/expert-insights/finance/should-negative-gearing-be-changed-the-experts-have-their-say">asked, 'Should negative gearing be changed?' Here are their opinions</a>.
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Who will get stung by negative gearing and tax changes?

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The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales, after a two year absence and intense lobbying, has welcomed the recommencement of tenancy cases being heard in Parramatta.
Announced on Friday, Attorney General Greg Smith said that the area would once again host regular sittings, this time of the new super tribunal - the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal, more commonly referred to as NCAT.
This will happen from 30 June 2014, and will see NCAT sit in Parramatta three days each week as a service for tenants and landlords.
This has been welcomed by the president of the REINSW, Malcolm Gunning, who said that it was needed for Sydney's west. Estimations are currently that up to 40 issues would be heard per day in Parramatta.
“We were very concerned when old Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) stopped operating in Parramatta in early 2012," said Gunning.
“Resolving disputes in Parramatta is a win for everyone in the property industry, especially landlords and tenants who will no longer face the costs and time restraints of having to travel to the Sydney or Penrith Register to have their case heard."
“Our efforts over the last two years to highlight the importance of tribunal hearings in Parramatta have been vindicated by this decision,” he said.
NCAT is the replacement to the CTTT system, that is said to simplify the "complex and bewildering" system, according to Smith.
“The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) will be a one-stop shop for almost all state tribunals, ranging from relatively small bodies such as the Chinese Medicine Tribunal through to the much larger Consumer, Trader &amp; Tenancy Tribunal,” said Smith.
It deals with tenancy disputes, customer complaints, applications for guardianship and a number of other issues.
After operating from 2 January 2014, NCAT conducted 28,000 hearings in 100 days.
Parramatta hearings will be held in a room at the Commonwealth Law Courts building.
“This is great news for Western Sydney and consolidates Parramatta’s position as the state’s largest legal hub outside of Sydney’s CBD," said Smith.
“It follows confirmation that the Court of Criminal Appeal will sit in Parramatta for two weeks in July and August, with the Chief Justice of NSW Tom Bathurst to be among the judges presiding over the hearings.”
Regular Supreme Court sittings may also be a possibility, with Chief Justice Bathurst examining this in the future.
“While the old Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal sat in Parramatta until early 2012, many of the tribunals that have joined NCAT have never conducted regular hearings in Sydney’s west,” said Smith.
“NCAT will provide the people of Western Sydney with quick and cost effective access to justice.
“Tribunal proceedings are typically less formal than a traditional court hearing and often achieve earlier resolutions.”
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REINSW lobbying pays off, tenancy cases to again be heard in Parramatta

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It sounds unpalatable, and certainly no one would wish for it, however if a tenant dies in your rental property, there are a number of implications that you should be prepared for.
While landlord insurance can cover you in the event of a tenant's death, different policies offer varying levels of cover, explains EBM Insurance Brokers' RentCover division general manager, Sharon Fox-Slater.
“The financial costs vary depending on the situation. There can be direct costs, in terms of lost rent and clean-ups, and indirect costs if a property is slower to re-lease because of the associated stigma. Most landlord insurance provides some cover if a tenant dies, although the extent varies depending on your insurer," Fox-Slater explained.
She cites the example of a pay out they made to one investor, in the tragic event of a murder suicide in Melbourne, where a $50,000 repair bill and further $22,000 of lost rent over a 10-month period were funded by ther policy.
New carpet, tiling and repainting was required. Other claims included a $17,000 loss of rent over 11 months due to a tenant in Perth's passing and the real estate agent's difficulty tracking down next of kin to recover their goods.
Another case mentioned by Fox-Slater included a Melbourne tenant who committed suicide and had no next of kin. In this case, the State Trustee becomes responsible and the landlord was unable to access the premises until the possessions were auctioned and a funeral had been held. The lost rent paid out in this case was $11,000.
Frequently, for tenants living alone, the landlord or the property manager can be the person making the discovery of a death, when looking to find out why rent has not been paid.
“Dealing with a family that is grieving can make negotiations around issues like clearing out possessions quite difficult. However, many property investors aren’t in a position where they can afford to lose money indefinitely," she said.
10 tips to bear in mind in the event that a death may occur:
<ol>
<li>Be tactful, sensitive and compassionate in all dealings with the tenant’s family and friends. 
</li>
<li>Contact the next of kin and pay your respects. 
</li>
<li>Ask the next of kin who they would like you to deal with regarding the property. 
</li>
<li>Contact your insurer to ask about your cover and what paperwork is required to make a claim, for example a death certificate or published funeral notice. 
</li>
<li>If police are involved, liaise with the officer in charge of the investigation as to when access can be expected. 
</li>
<li>Organise a meeting with the person nominated by the next of kin about plans for vacating the property. Approach the conversation tactfully. 
</li>
<li>Offer the person contacts for firms who might be able to help pack, sort and store possessions until the family is ready to deal with them. 
</li>
<li>Be sensitive about the timing of any open for inspections or other contact – being mindful of events such as the funeral. 
</li>
<li>When the property is vacated, clean it, using specialist assistance if necessary, and re-advertise it for lease. 
</li>
<li>Keep all receipts and records to assist in your landlord insurance claim.</li>
</ol>
Source: RentCover
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Don't fear the reaper: 10 things to do if your tenant dies

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."

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Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

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Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

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Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

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

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

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

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

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Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

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La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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Jennifer Duke

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