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Melbourne was host to 894 auctions over the past week, overtaking Sydney as the busiest capital city for auctions.
The previous week saw 646 auctions held across Melbourne, while this time last year a higher 1,533 homes were taken to auction, according to CoreLogic.
Of the 756 results collected so far, 71.7 per cent were successful, down from last week’s preliminary clearance rate of 77.1 per cent, which revised down to 70 per cent at final figures. One year ago, 74.8 per cent of reported auctions were successful.
Melbourne had the nation’s cheapest weekend auction result when $195,000 was paid for the dated two bedroom townhouse at Melton South.
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<div>The Brad Teal Real Estate price guide had been $180,000 to $200,000 for 4/63-65 Staughton St, Melton South.</div>
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<div>The last sale in the complex of eight was $170,000 in 2016.</div>
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<div>There were 2,155 homes scheduled for auction across the nation's capital cities last weekend of spring, up from 1,803 over the previous week.</div>
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<div>Of the 1,763 results collected so far, 73.9 per cent have reported a successful result, slightly higher than last week’s preliminary auction clearance rate of 73.6 per cent, which revised down to 69.1 per cent at final figures.</div>
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<div>Over the same week last year, 3,206 homes were taken to auction and 73.6 per cent of reported results were successful.</div>
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In Sydney, 887 homes were taken to auction, compared to 805 over the previous week and 1,221 this time last year.
 The preliminary clearance rate came in at 76.9 per cent this week, increasing from the previous week’s preliminary clearance rate of 76.2 per cent, which revised down to 71.6 per cent at final figures. This time last year, 78.1 per cent of reported auctions were successful.
Across the smaller cities, Canberra recorded the highest preliminary clearance rate at 78.4 per cent, followed by Adelaide at 75 per cent.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Melbourne regains crown as busiest auction capital

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Auction volumes will surge to above 2,000 for the first time since April.
CoreLogic calculate 2,201 capital city homes scheduled to go under the hammer this week.
Last week, final results saw 1,803 properties taken to auction across the combined capital cities and one year ago a significantly higher 3,206 auctions were held.
Melbourne is expected to see a considerable rise in activity this week, with 899 homesscheduled for auction. 
This week’s scheduled volumes are set to surpass last week’s 646 auctions, as the busiest week the city has seen since April. 
However, volumes remain lower than one year ago, with 1,533 held over the same week in 2019.
In Sydney, 929 homes are scheduled for auction over the week with the city also expecting its busiest week since April, increasing on the 805 auctions held last week, although lower than the 1,221 held one year ago.
Across the smaller auction markets, scheduled volumes are higher over the week in Adelaide; after a brief lockdown period last week resulting in a number of withdrawn auctions. 
Canberra and Perth have fewer scheduled auctions over the week.
One of the big auctions include <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-carrara-134769582" target="_blank">5001 Emerald Island Drive, Carrara</a>, a French chateau style home that boasts over 39 metres of water frontage on the Gold Coast.
Double-height formal rooms and imposing touches like the foyer’s dramatic dome skylight have grandeur, according to Ray White agent Matt Micallef.
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Last week, the combined capital city final auction clearance rate fell as volumes rose. 
There were 1,803 homes taken to auction over the week, recording a final auction clearance rate of 69.1%. 
The previous week saw a lower 1,728 auctions held with a higher 70.6% final clearance rate. One year ago, a higher 2,612 homes were taken to auction when 68.5% cleared.
In Melbourne, 646 homes were scheduled for auction last week, the busiest week the city has seen since April. 
The higher volumes returned a final auction clearance rate of 70%, higher than the 69.7% success rate over the week prior when a lower 604 auctions took place. One year ago, 1,221 Melbourne homes were auctioned with 70.1% successful.
In Sydney, the final auction clearance rate remained relatively steady as volumes fell slightly. 
There were 805 homes taken to auction, returning a final auction clearance rate of 71.6%. The week prior saw 840 auctions take place and a final clearance rate of 71.3%. One year ago, 940 Sydney homes were auctioned with a higher final clearance rate (76%).
Canberra, a consistent best performer of the smaller capital cities returned the highest clearance rate of 79.3% last week.
Brisbane followed with 57.6% of homes selling, overtaking the usual second highest performing region for auctions Adelaide as the city entered a 3 day lockdown last week. 
As a result, the city returned a lower final clearance rate of 48.9% over the week with a withdrawal rate of 41%.
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Spring auction surge in late November

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Transport industry veteran Ron Murray of Murray's Coach fame has found the buyer of his long-held Bellevue Hill home in just two days on market.
Murray, who has been executive chairman of Murrays Australia which he began as a retail travel agent in 1966, has owned the Spanish Mission style Fairfax Road home since 1997 when paying $1.95 million.
It sold after having a guide of $6 million.
Entry to the home is through the front yard, past manicured hedges and flower gardens to the colonnaded entrance.
There's a formal living area with a gas fireplace and a home office which opens to the main and side courtyard.
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There's also a formal dining space which connects with the marble kitchen and adjoining sitting area which meets a rear conservatory.
All living spaces open to the private swimming pool courtyard on the 695 sqm block, the focal point of the home.
There are four bedrooms in total, three on the second level including the master suite with its own walk in wardrobe and ensuite. The fourth bedroom is on the ground level.
Sydney Sotheby's agent Michael Pallier had scheduled a December 19 auction.
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Murray's Coaches boss Ron Murray sells longtime Bellevue Hill home

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Victoria's $20,000 first home owner grant has been extended for anyone buying or building a new home in regional Victoria until 30 June 2021.

The state budget confirmed "the extension gives more Victorians the opportunity to live locally and enter the property market for the first time, while also supporting jobs in regional Victoria”.

The government website says if you are buying or building a new home valued up to $750,000, you may be eligible for a <a href="https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/first-home-owner#fhog" target="_blank">First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)</a>. 

"If you are eligible for the FHOG and the home you are buying is in regional Victoria, you will receive $20,000. 

"If the home is not in regional Victoria, the grant is $10,000."

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It was in 2017 when the Labor government doubled the regional FHOG from <a href="https://www.mortgagebusiness.com.au/blog/10955-victorian-first-home-buyers-set-to-win-or-are-they">$10,000 to $20,000</a> to tackle housing affordability.

More than 8,800 regional FHOGs have been provided, which have resulted in savings of $176 million for home buyers over the past three years.

The regional grant is part of the government’s Homes for Victorians package, which also offers a $10,000 FHOG for eligible purchases in metropolitan Melbourne and offers stamp duty exemptions and discounts for new homes up to $750,000.

To be eligible for the grant, the purchaser or purchasers must use the house as the principal place of residence for 12 continuous months following settlement.

 
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$20,000 regional Victorian first home owner grant extended until June 2021

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Some Victorian home buyers will pay less stamp duty until June next year.
The Victorian State Treasurer Tim Pallas announced the cut in stamp duty would apply to home sales under $1 million only.
The duty will be paid at a rate of 50 per cent for new build homes and 25 per cent for existing properties, from Wednesday until the end of June 2021. 
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<div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa">New residential builds valued under $1 million will receive a 50 per cent waiver on stamp duty up to $27,500.</div>
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Buyers on existing residential properties will secure a 25 per cent saving of up to $13,750.
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The discounted rate is aimed at stimulating Victoria’s housing market after coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions.
“With a waiver on stamp duty, we’ll help more Victorians find their home and get more Victorians back to work,” Treasurer Tim Pallas said.
All purchases of more than $1 million will pay the full stamp duty amount. 
The budget measure was part of the government’s “Big Housing Build”.
The state government forecasts an 11 per cent peak-to-trough fall in house prices, with the lowest point being next in June.
They forecast that prices will only recover to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2022-23.
The budget papers revealed a 25 per cent drop in stamp duty revenue to $4.6 billion in the 2020-21 financial year.
“Land transfer [stamp] duty is expected to recover from 2021-2022 and grow by an average of 15.4 per cent a year, over the forward estimates, but is not expected to reach the 2018-2019 level until 2022-23,” the budget papers stated.
“It’s about equity and putting the support and effort where it can best have effect,” Pallas said.
“The aim is to get as many people in that price bracket [$1 million] and below back into the market.”
 
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Some Melbourne home buyers will pay less stamp duty until June next year

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Australian dwelling values have continued to climb higher in the month of November to date, Coolabah Capital director Chris Joye has noted.
 Over the first 21 days of the month, house prices across the five largest capital cities have appreciated 0.4% led by Perth (0.7%), Adelaide (0.6%), Melbourne (0.5%), Brisbane (0.4%) and Sydney (0.2%) according to the latest daily hedonic index data from CoreLogic.
 After prices started drifting lower in late April and May, the Aussie housing rebound commenced in September in six of the eight capital cities.
Joye noted the bounce-back picked up steam in October with all cities except Melbourne realising gains. 
Joye wrote on Livewire that there is no evidence of a real boom yet.
"The recovery thus far has been gradual," he said.
 Coolabah has since March 2020 forecast strong dwelling price appreciation following a modest six-month correction, with total capital gains of at least 10% to 20% expected over the next few years. 
Joye added the locked-down Melbourne market, which unsurprisingly fared worst during this episode, appeared to trough in late October and started generating clear price increases at the end of that month. 
"In the November month-to-date, Melbourne has outpaced Sydney in terms of its capital gains.
"This also reconciles with increasingly robust auction market results," he said.
Joye sees a "sustainable housing boom will emerge over time."
"The boom should really grip once property investors flood back into the market in 2021 to capitalise on the advent of "positive gearing" (i.e., where gross rental yields are above the cost of servicing mortgage debt).
"Since bank credit standards are arguably the toughest they have ever been, we are not concerned about bubbles or financial stability risks at this juncture."
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Melbourne outpaces Sydney in November property gains: Chris Joye

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Canberra was the standout performer for another week with over 80 percent of weekend auctions being successful.
Adelaide’s clearance rate took a hit as the city entered into lockdown during the week, reducing from an 80 percent final clearance rate last week to a 41 percent success rate this week with many auctions withdrawn.
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There were 1,791 homes scheduled for auction across the nation's combined capital cities this week and of the 1,442 results collected so far by CoreLogic, 73 percent have reported a successful result.
This week’s volumes were not only higher than last week’s 1,728 auctions held, but the highest number of auctions held since April.
 Preliminary figures indicate that the clearance rate weakened over the week, after last week’s higher preliminary figure of 75 percent, which later revised down to 70 percent at final figures. 
One year ago, a much higher 2,612 homes were auctioned, when a lower 68 percent cleared.
In Melbourne, volumes increased over the week with 632 properties scheduled to go under the hammer, of the results collected so far a preliminary clearance rate of 77 percent was recorded. 
This was higher than both last week and last year’s clearance rate, however volumes are only half of that seen last year. Last week, 604 Melbourne homes were auctioned recording a final auction clearance rate of 69 percent and last year a 70 percent clearance rate was achieved across 1,221 auctions.
It was the last weekend with Melbourne auctions to be held with only 10 bidders allowed to attend an auction or home inspection.
There has now been an easing of coronavirus-related rules, from midnight Sunday, to allow 20 people at a private inspection as long as social-distancing rules are met. 
Up to 50 people will also be able to attend an auction held outside under the new rules that were introduced.
Melbourne’s top reported weekend sale was $4 million in Malvern (top and below), having come with a $3.9 million to $4.2 million Marshall White price guide.
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The four bedroom contemporary home behind its 1890s facade at 46 McKinley Avenue last traded in 2003 prior to its 2008 Canny Homes rebuild at $1.17 million.
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There were 807 Sydney homes taken to auction over the week, preliminary figures show that 76 percent sold, lower than last week’s preliminary figure of 76 percent when volumes were a higher 840. 
Sydney’s final clearance rate came in at 71 percent last week, "so it’s likely this week’s will be similar," CoreLogic noted.
 One year ago, 940 Sydney homes were auctioned returning a final clearance rate of 76 percent.
Sydney prestige sales included a $16.6 million house in Vaucluse. Wendouree, a Vaucluse house listed through Sotheby's for the first time in eight decades, was the nation’s top sale.
There was also a $11.01 million sale through Sotheby's in Bellevue Hil, which was $1.5 million above the reserve.
The four-bedroom home on 830 sqm, at 29 Kambala Road, Bellevue Hill, attracted six registered bidders. 
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Melbourne continues residential auction rebound

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The McGrath Estate Agents auctioneer Scott Kennedy-Green has over the 16 seasons on The Block auctioned seven properties.
He started at the initial auction in 2003 at Bondi Beach. 
Kennedy-Green (pictured below far right) has now assisted the McGrath vendors receive the top price on four occasions and also seen them win the show three times.
His first time was with John and Neisha in 2010, who pocketed $305,000 as winners for a two bedroom ground floor apartment in Vaucluse.
It was followed by a series win with Hayden and Sara in 2018, who won $645,000 for an apartment in St Kilda.
On the weekend McGrath St Kilda scored a buoyant $4,256,00 for contestant’s Jimmy and Tam renovated property at 360A New Street, Brighton.
It was a staggering $966,000 over reserve and delivered the Brisbanites a series win and as well as a record $1,066,000 in prizemoney, making them the first Block millionaires.
The home was bought by cybersecurity consultant Emese Falk (pictured centre above with McGrath selling agents Josh Stirling left and Michael Townsend right).
Falk moved to Australia from New York a year ago and inspected the house for the first time the day prior to the auction.
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“We’re absolutely delighted to be involved again with The Block which has gone from strength to strength every year since its inception," John McGrath said. 
"And it’s been a pleasure to have represented Jimmy and Tam in winning this year’s auction being the second series’ win for our St Kilda team in just three years. 
"The overall standard of all houses was extraordinary, and we felt Jimmy and Tam produced one of the best renovations in the history of The Block, and were deserved winners.”
The McGrath selling agents were Josh Stirling and Michael Townsend.
The finale peaked at 2.435 million views, Nine have advised.
 
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McGrath auctioneer Scott Kennedy-Green sees another The Block auction triumph 

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Scott Cam reckoned the auctions would be nail biting, but it mostly about how deep were the pockets of Danny Wallis, the energetic bidderman who spent just under $12 million on three purchases at The Block Brighton 2020.

He blitzed the auctions which saw Jimmy and Tam win the day, and take home a total of $1,066,000, making them the first millionaires in the 16 series.

It was a virtual wipeout for the regular buyers agents, and a huge win for the contestants who took home $3,332,002 for their tortured labour.

Wallis bought Sarah and George’s house, Daniel and Jade’s and Harry and Tash, bidding on all five.

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Wallis was the 1992 founder and chief executive of the sharemarket-listed IT company DWS Group, which was sold in September to HCL Technologies for $162 million.

Wallis bought Mitch and Mark’s property last season for $3.374 million.

The bidding at the first auction for WA couple Luke and Jasmin opened at $3.21 million.

Buyers' agent Frank Valentic made the first bid on the 1910 house.

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It ended at $3,856,000, some $506,000 over the $3.35 million reserve for the house known as Summer Hill.

The contestant couple had hoped to pay off their $440,000 mortgage back home.

It sold to an owner occupier bidding by Zoom, outbidding Nicole Jacob's the buyers' agent client, and Danny Wallis, The Block perennial bidder.

The name on the Zoom screen suggested the bidder after 70 plus bids was periodontist Sarah Orme.

The second home that went up for auction was the renovation of Jimmy and Tam.

They had the lowest $3.29 million reserve that went to auction, but the first rush of bids saw it exceeded.

McGrath auctioneer Scott Kennedy-Green heard $3.2 million, but the same time offer from Danny Wallis was $4.2 million.

The bidding soared to $4,256,000, some $966,000 over reserve to an owner occupier who outbid Wallis.

She was cybersecurity consultant Emese Falk, who moved to Australia from New York a year ago, and inspected the house for the first time the day prior to the auction.

Their 1950s house was packed with $120,000 of Gaggenau in its kitchen with Jimmy and Tam having a slightly smaller corner house, hence the lowest reserve.

The NSW couple Sarah and George had the third auction with their 1940s renovation. Bidding opened at $3,310,000, just below its $3,350,000 reserve.

Danny offered $4,000,001 in the second bid of the auction, then after all other bidders handed in their bidding paddles, increased his offer to $4,000,002.

They made $650,000 in prize money.

The fourth auction was SA couple Daniel and Jade's 1930s art deco home.

The bidding opened at $3.3 million. At $3.5 million there was a $300,000 bid from Danny Wallis.

It was knocked down at $3.8 million to Danny Wallis.

The SA couple got $460,000 more than its $3.34 million reserve. 

All estate agents on the five homes quoted $3.2 million to $3.5 million to prospective buyers.

The most viewed house was the renovation of Harry and Tash on the Domain website which was the last home to go to auction.

The bidding on the 1920s home began at $3.3 million and just a few bids later was at $4 million in a bid by Danny Wallis.

The father daughter duo had a $3.35 million reserve.

The finale peaked at 2.435 million views, Nine have advised.

I<a href="/news/danny-wallis-the-energetic-1-01-bidderman-of-the-the-block-2012-has-odd-past-auction-bidding-form-title-tattle">t was 2012</a> when they first saw the rather bizarre auction bidding by entrepreneur Danny Wallis which triggered an extraordinary Twitter backlash after the finale went to air.

Comedian Dave Hughes tweeted in 2012: "Shouldn't have to look hard to find this week's Tool of the Week? ENERGY WATCH #theblock".

<a href="/news/comedian-dave-hughes-inspects-block-2020-brighton-houses-on-auction-eve">Hughes looked</a> at the 2020 homes.

Wallis was then accompanied by his Energy Watch T-shirt-wearing brigade having recently bought the company from the administrators, in an ambush marketing stunt.

Old-timers recalled the ambush marketing euphoria that fuelled the auction crescendo of the first Bondi series in 2003, with over-the-top bidding by mobile phone retailer Crazy John’s among those seeking to piggy-back the successful debut of the television series.

Crazy John's Roscoe Street bidding was done by a 2.1-metre-tall Crazy John’s mascot that lent an air of a circus to pavement proceedings.

Wallis bought one Dorcas Street terrace when buying Mike and Andrew's house in the last auction for $1,400,001.01.

He resold the four-bedroom property in 2016 for $1.73 million.

It’s actually not a new practice for Wallis to bid in odd auction figures.

In 2001 at Albert Park he secured his investment for $444,300.

And his own Albert Park house cost $626,400 in 1999.

Wallis, who bought the property for his private investment, has indicated to the pedestrian.tv he is planning to set up the house to be available to parents of sick children staying in Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.

 

 
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Danny Wallis, the perennial Block bidder, pumps energy into 2020 Brighton auctions

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Domain senior research analyst Nicola Powell says House 5 at the Blighton Block 2020 auction could have what it takes to win – given it has the largest depreciation schedule of all the houses.
“I think House 5, while it may polarise buyers because of its strong design influence from the ’50s, I think it could be the dark horse because it’s got the biggest tax depreciation schedule for any astute investor,” Dr Powell told Domain.
It was the decorating prize wins that Jimmy and Tam racked which saw them have the most money to spend on items including furniture and appliances.
Their big win was the high-end Gaggenau kitchen.
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Powell says their decor which maybe a bit polarising – the fuzzy peach wall and the stark front garden – could easily be changed by buyers with different tastes.
BMT Tax Depreciation work with The Block each year to estimate depreciation deductions for the properties. 
"Like the ones that came before, this season of The Block produced millions in deductions," Bradley Beer advised.
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"BMT found more than a whopping $14 million dollars in estimated depreciation deductions from this year’s Block properties. 
"The average total depreciation claim for each property is estimated to be almost $2.9 million."
Serial challenge winners, Jimmy and Tam, renovated the 1950’s property at 360A New Street, with BMT having estimated that the maximum total depreciation deductions available from this property would be over $3.2 million.
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"In the first year alone, it is estimated that an investor could claim a maximum deduction of more than $146,000."
Fan favourites, George and Sarah, came in close second with their property fetching an estimated maximum total depreciation deduction of $3.19 million.  
The major selling point for investors is that they can take advantage of the millions of dollars in depreciation deductions for forty years.
PREVIOUS BLOCK WINNERS 2003 - BONDI – Adam &amp; Fiona, $256,000 2004 - MANLY – Jamie &amp; Andrew, $178,000 2010 - VAUCLUSE – John &amp; Neisha, $305,000 2011 - RICHMOND – Polly &amp; Waz, $115,000 2012 - SOUTH MELBOURNE – Brad &amp; Lara, $606,000 2013 - ALL STARS (BONDI) – Phil &amp; Amity, $395,000 2013 - SKY HIGH (SOUTH MELBOURNE) – Alisa &amp; Lysandra, $395,000 2014 - FANS v FAVES (ALBERT PARK) – Steve &amp; Chantelle, $736,000 2014 - GLASSHOUSE (PRAHRAN) – Shannon &amp; Simon, $435,000 2015 - TRIPLE THREAT (SOUTH YARRA) – Darren &amp; Deanne, $935,000 2015 - THE BLOCKTAGON (SOUTH YARRA) – Dean &amp; Shay, $755,000 2016 - THE BLOCK 2016 (PORT MELBOURNE) – Will &amp; Karlie, $815,000 2017 - THE BLOCK 2017 (ELSTERNWICK) – Josh &amp; Elyse, $547,000 2018 - THE BLOCK GATWICK (ST KILDA) – Hayden &amp; Sara, $645,000 2019 - THE BLOCK OSLO (ST KILDA) – Tess &amp; Luke, $730,000
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Jimmy and Tam's Brighton Block house comes with largest depreciation schedule windfall for investors

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;

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<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;

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<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.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

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.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

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" />

&nbsp;

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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