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The most interesting chart in today's RBA chart pack relates to first home buyers.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.rba.gov.au/chart-pack/household-sector">The chart</a> suggests first home buyers are actually hovering around long term levels after the 2009 spike.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" alt="rba_graph_two" height="322" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/11/06/rba_graph_two.gif">
Source: ABS
That surge in FHB numbers came after Wayne Swan's GST-triggered First Home Owner Grant Boost.
Naturally that boost brought forward plenty of demand, so it's to be expected numbers would fall after the boost went back to the lower grant levels.
It also followed the re-targeting of the originating FHB grants and/or stamp duty exemptions across the states which are aimed at now encouraging FHBs to buy new homes not estabished homes.
Perhaps FHBs aren't being priced out by property investors?
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

First home buyers volumes actually hovering close to long-term levels after 2009 spike: RBA chart

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The national auction clearance rate have hit 79.2 per cent, the second strongest result on record, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
It is the strongest result since September 2009. 
There were 2,541 auctions held across the combined capital cities, in the week ending April 19. 
Last week, the final auction clearance rate was recorded at 77.2 per cent with 1,674 residential properties taken to auction.So far this year, with 12 weeks of auction results having been reported, the combined capitals have seen clearance rates above the 75 per cent mark in eight of these weeks.
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There were 1,252 Melbourne auctions held this week, with a preliminary auction clearance rate of 78.7 per cent. Over the year to date, Melbourne’s clearance rate has been outperforming when compared to the same periods over the past four years, however the number of homes taken to auction so far this year is slightly below last year. The best performing Melbourne sub-region this week was Melbourne’s Outer East where 73 auction results were recorded, with a clearance rate of 93.2 per cent. Auction activity was also solid across the Inner South region (86.8 per cent). 
In what was yet another strong result for Sydney, this week’s preliminary auction clearance was 88.3 per cent, the strongest clearance rate for the city on record. There were 950 auctions held across Sydney this week, up from 671 over the previous week. Since the last week in January this year just shy of 9,890 Sydney homes have been up for auction and the number of transactions is around 8,300. The high success rate shows that vendors and buyers within this market are well aligned, which is also reflected in the short time it is taking to sell a Sydney home by private sale. Much like last week, Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs performed well this week, with 62 auctions held and so far, 95.9 per cent of reported auctions sold. A similar result was obtained across North Sydney and Hornsby (95.0 per cent) and Blacktown (94.7 per cent). 
Brisbane’s preliminary clearance rate this week was 48.3 per cent, down from 54.4 per cent last week, which was the second highest clearance rate for the city this year. There were 139 Brisbane auctions this week, compared to 117 last week. The Gold Coast was host to 103 auctions this week. Based on the results reported to CoreLogic RP Data so far, 65.8 per cent have been sold. 
In Adelaide, the preliminary clearance rate was 70.5 per cent, compared to 68.6 per cent last week. As the year progresses, Adelaide’s clearance rate is becoming increasingly strong. 
There were 37 Perth auctions this week and so far 19 results have been reported, with just 21.1 per cent selling. Last week there was a 57.1 per cent clearance rate for Perth. 
Canberra’s clearance rate was 73.7 per cent this week, compared to 72.7 per cent last week. 
In Tasmania, 6 auctions were reported to CoreLogic RP Data with 2 sales. Last week, 8 auctions were reported with 4 sales. 
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Strongest national clearance rate since Spring 2009

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One of Victoria's most impressive pastoral homestead, Mount Mitchell at Lexton, 40 kilometres northwest of Ballarat, has been listed for sale.
The five bedroom 100 squares bluestone home with 14 open fire places, that dates back to the Robertson family pioneering connection, has been listed through Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins.
Offers on the 310 hectare holding <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-vic-lexton-7684059" target="_blank">close November 11 with $4.5 million plus hopes</a>.
Constructed around the central courtyard with its historic horizontal elm tree, the Mount Mitchell homestead was designed by the Charles Webb, who was the architect for a number of Melbourne’s foremost buildings including Tasma Terrace in East Melbourne. 
The bluestone homestead, of Italian conservative classical design, sits within a four hectare garden.
The vendors, the fourth owners, have been there thirty plus years, buying it in a neglected state in 1981. 
Construction of the homestead began in 1860 and was completed some twelve months later with a further replica section added in 1910. 
Peter Hawkins, director of Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins, advised 766 acres was currently let under contract for cropping to a local farmer and also comprises highly productive red loams to heavier and darker soils considered to be volcanic in origin. 
The land is on a corner with the Sunraysia Highway and Dawson Road.
The building of the homestead commenced in 1860 and was completed during 1861 for Thomas Robertson senior and his eldest son James. Thomas lived there until his death in 1873 with James and his family remaining at Mt Mitchell until James death in 1893. In 1910 Thomas Robertson senior's grandchild engaged another architect to design the additions which almost doubled the size of the original homestead. 
In 1926 Mt Mitchell was sold to the new owner, Thomas Barrett who extended the garden and planted the pine trees which still grow along the full length of the driveway.
 In 1936 Thomas Barrett sold Mt Mitchell to the Muller brothers and for a period of time the homestead was left neglected and in disrepair until it was purchased by the current owner Richard Salter.
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Ballarat district bluestone Mount Mitchell homestead listed

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The asking price of the Muckleford, Victoria property with a green-and-yellow W-class tram as its centrepiece, has been reduced to $410,000.
The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home, <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/property/for-sale/house/vic/muckleford/?adid=2011451303" target="_blank">10 A Frame Track, Muckleford</a>, had been initially marketed at $439,000.
Set on 20 acres, 130 kilometres north-west of the CBD, the home has been fashioned around the tram including mud brick sections.
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/6411/WATODAY/domain/realestatenews_13__container__"> The tram has been renovated to include multi-functional bedroom-study-living areas as well as a kitchen and dining area. </div>
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The trams were produced between 1923 and 1956 by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. 
Owner Gary Markoff paid about $1000 to buy the decommissioned vehicle and haul it to the country about 35 years ago.
Cantwell Property, Castlemaine, agent Genevieve Cantwell, is selling the home.
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Tram fare price at Muckleford comes down to $410,000

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A three-level townhouse in the former R. M. Crockett &amp; Son cricket bat factory at Seddon failed to sell at weekend Jas Stephens auction.
A $700,000 vendor bid came from auctioneer Branko Lemaic today.
A second vendor bid of $720,000 prompted the the two-bedroom conversion being passed in. 
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/3-138-charles-street-seddon/Property-Details-buy-residential-8437510" target="_blank">The reserve price</a> has been signalled as $769,000 for 3/138 Charles Street.
In the 1960s the firm of R.M. Crockett &amp; Son came under the control of the Slazenger. 
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<div>A Melbourne auction clearance rate of 79 per cent was recorded this weekend compared to 76 per cent last weekend and 69 per cent this weekend last year.</div>
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There were 1291 auctions reported to the REIV today.
 
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Bumper day, but with no bat or ball players, RM Crockett cricket bat factory residential offering passed in

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Investment in residential property through self-managed superannuation funds has risen 11% in the past year. 
The big increase in property investment by SMSFs is revealed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in its submission to the latest parliamentary inquiry on home ownership. 
"As at March 2015, the value of residential real property investments through SMSFs was $21.78 billion … up from $19.49 billion … in March 2014," the ASIC submission said. 
Despite the growth, residential property still makes up less than 4% of total Australian and overseas assets held by the 500,000 SMSFs. 
The Reserve Bank of Australia also observed that "although the share of the housing stock owned by these funds is small, it has grown quickly". 
Since the law changed in 2003 to allow SMSFs to borrow money, concern has increased about the influence of the small super funds on the housing market. 
SMSFs are the fastest growing sector of the superannuation industry and investment in property through SMSFs is consequently also growing, ASIC noted.
As at March 2015, the value of residential real property investments through SMSFs was $21.78 billion, or 3.7% of total Australian and overseas assets, up from $19.49 billion, or 3.6% of total Australian and overseas assets, in March 2014.
"There has been an increase in investment in residential real property through SMSFs of 11.78% from March 2014 to March 2015, and an increase of 58.69% since March 2011.
"ASIC’s primary role in relation to SMSFs is to regulate the gatekeepers—the financial planners, accountants, auditors and providers of products and services to SMSFs.
"We want to ensure that those who are advising retail clients about establishing and investing through SMSFs are providing good quality advice.
"We consider that gatekeepers have a critically important role in ensuring the overall health of the SMSF sector is sound.
"ASIC has publicly warned investors about misleading advertisements regarding the use of SMSFs.
"ASIC has also taken regulatory action in relation to the promotion of investment in residential property through SMSFs in a number of instances, including Money Choice, Charterhill and Park Trent," the submission noted.
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SMSFs spending on housing up 11%: ASIC

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The federal government has rejected the Murray review's proposal to ban self-managed superannuation funds from borrowing to buy property.
The new Treasurer Scott Morrison said yesterday there was insufficient evidence to support an immediate ban on borrowing.
"The information collected on this doesn't lead us towards that conclusion at this point," he said. 
However, regulators would be asked to monitor the situation closely and report their findings to the government, he said. 
The decision to reject a borrowing ban, which was recommended by the Murray Inquiry amid concerns about the stability of the system if property prices crash, will be welcomed by super fund investors.
In August then Assistant Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg gave the strongest signal yet that the then Abbott Government would not implement a recommendation to ban do-it-yourself super funds from borrowing to invest in property.
"I want to emphasise that we have been considering this recommendation very carefully but flag that we want to make sure the approach we take is proportionate to the risks that have been identified," he said adding to put it in context "only 0.07%, perhaps 6,500 properties, were held in an SMSF through a limited recourse borrowing arrangement in 2013." 
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SMSF borrowing ban ruled out by Treasurer Scott Morrison

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Westpac is cutting lending to self-managed super funds for residential investment properties, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The bank has cut maximum loan-to-value ratios from 80 to 70% and tightened other lending criteria.
Super fund borrowing has increased from less than $500 million to more than $9 billion, the Australian Taxation Office says over the past five years.
The recent financial system inquiry warned that current growth rates could create a systemic risk in the future, even though total borrowing was small compared to the overall economy.
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SMSF borrowing gets tougher for Westpac customers

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Despite periodic warnings from the Reserve Bank about crazy prices, the Sydney market place has just had a year that no-one foresaw in terms of continued strong price growth.
But Brian White, chairman of real estate agency Ray White, says that homeowners’ and buyers’ sensitivity to interest rates remained "acute."
Any talk of rising interest rates dampens buyer enthusiasm across the Sydney property market.
And when rates do actually rise, the doubts set in further as buyers pause putting their hand too deep into their pockets. And often not buying at all.
It was no surprise that the tail end of 2016's auctions has seen a seasonal turn in the pitch as the last minute boost in numbers hits the market.
Clearance rates that were in the 80s, now into the mid-70 as many buyers turned off - perhaps to come back next year.
The recent auction market fatique also had much to do with interest rate headlines.
Ever since the Trump triumph in the United State in early November, its been subject to much speculation.
And the past fortnight has seen the big banks make early adjustments, to fixed rates more so than the more popular variable home loans. 
The Commonwealth Bank, the country’s biggest lender lifted the rate of its popular 3-year fixed rate by 0.20 percentage points to 4.24 percent.
It also lifted its longer-term 5-year fixed rate by 0.60 percentage points to 4.74 percent.
CBA was following Westpac with a RateCity.com.au analysis showing a further 20 lenders had lifted rates 268 fixed products since November 1.  
Peter Arnold, data insights director at RateCity.com.au said fixed rates are based on market expectations of future rates and "are the best indicator that we’ve got that a variable rate hike on the way.".
“Previously, banks were betting on lower rates in the future but we’re seeing those expectations change by the day."
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All the recent talk and then movements will dictate the direction of house price growth in 2017, having already started to dampened the market.
There are two substantive price forecasts out for 2017. 
Housing price growth of between 5 and 6 percent is expected for 2017 for detached houses is tipped by Paul Bloxham, the HSBC chief economist.
He expects Sydney apartment prices to track at a slower pace than detached houses at between 0 and 4 percent.
Bloxham noted what he called a substantial 66 percent ramp-up in housing prices in Sydney since mid-2012.
He added some of the price growth was at a "worrisome pace" of Sydney price growth, particularly in 2014 and 2015.
But following a tightening in prudential settings starting in late 2014, housing price growth had slowd from double-digit growth last year to high single-digit rates this year.
The other forecast came from SQM's Louis Christopher who has more often got it right than wrong.
He suggests the Reserve Bank of Australia will need the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to reign in home lending once again, or lift interest rates, or do both to avert a dangerous housing bubble.
Christopher suggested a scenario house prices in Sydney could rise between 11 and 16 percent given a combination of factors including loose monetary policy, strong population growth and booming local economies.
The early November forecast assumed a stable interest rate environment, a stable exchange rate and no further home lending restrictions by APRA.
A rate rise by the RBA of 25bps would curtail the rising Sydney market to beween 8 and 13 percent for the year.
The article first appeared in the Saturday Telegraph
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What will happen to Sydney prices in 2017?

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After just 20 months ownership, the test cricket legend Shane Warne seems to have profited handsomely from flipping his Melbourne home.
It was the heritage Brighton trophy home he bought in August 2016 for $14.2 million and sold last month for a reputed $20 million.
The spin king's off market sale was flipping at its best.
Flipping is a popular term used to describe short term property trading.
Perhaps Warne didn't have the intent of reselling the property in a short time frame for a profit, but he certainly knew how to ride the capital growth curve.
Without any marketing photos it's not possible to confirm the before and after, but it doesn't appear he spent much adding value to the property second time around.
That was done when he owned Melville the first time, paying $3.6 million in 2000, then spending that amount again on a major renovation and extension, and selling the matrimonial home in 2007 for $8.8 million.
Property analysts, CoreLogic which now produce a flipping report, found flipping most prevalent in Sydney and Melbourne.
Across Sydney 6.8 per cent of all property re-sales over the past year were flips between one and two years of property ownership.
<div>Regional Queensland (6.6 per cent) and Melbourne (6.4 per cent) also recorded a higher percentage of property sales as flips.</div>
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<div>Although values have been rising there had not been an accompanying substantial increase in flipping behaviour.</div>
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<div>Certainly not like the rise witnessed during the early 2000s housing boom.</div>
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<div>But when Sydney vendors do flip, they are in most instances flipping for a profit. </div>
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<div>In Sydney, only 5.7 per cent of flips within one to two years of purchase were at a loss, compared to 37 per cent a decade or so ago. </div>
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<div>At close to 95 percent, regional NSW last year recorded the highest percentage of flips at a profit within one to two years of purchase, followed by Sydney (94 percent) and Melbourne (93 percent).</div>
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<div>The national average was 89 percent.</div>
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<div>Interestingly it was the Illawarra region that experienced the highest level of flips in NSW - 8.7 per cent of resales - along with the highest annual increase in flipping - and Illawarra was among the most profitable regions in NSW, with only around two per cent of properties flipped at a loss.</div>
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<div>The NSW Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven regions also saw profits, actually recording no losses for flips less than a year, and just 0.9 per cent from one to two years.</div>
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<div>In order to make a profit, flippers need to recoup their transactional costs including stamp duty, conveyancing, the marketing and real estate agent commission.</div>
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<div>Vendors in Perth, Hobart, Darwin, and the regions of SA, WA, Tasmania and the NT were the most likely to flip their properties for a loss, given value growth has been sluggish for a number of years.</div>
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<div>This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.</div>
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New South Wales showing strong flipping figures

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

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Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

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Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

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One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Jonathan Chancellor

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