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Queensland restaurateur David Hales and wife Louise have secured $17 million for their house on Queensland's Sunshine Beach.
The couple made headlines when they paid $15.2 million for the Sunshine Coast home of tennis legend Pat Rafter in early 2018.
Its latest sale come after being on the market since late last year when the home came with initial hopes of $20 million.
Karen Harman of Dowling Neylan advised during the marketing it had undergone a $1 million upgrade.
The John Burgess-designed seven bedroom home was sold by the retired tennis champion Pat Rafter and his wife Lara who moved to their 28 hectare Byron Bay retreat.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-sunshine+beach-123425942" target="_blank">The Rafters always wanted $18 million plus</a> for the seven bedroom, five bathroom beachfront home which was built in 2010.
Rafter suggested it was what it had cost.
They paid $9.5 million in 2006 for the building block with rival tennis star Thomas Muster missing out of the 1286 sqm double block holding.
The minimalist luxury U-shaped home has a central pool with two glass-fronted wings pushing out towards the ocean over a steep banksia and pandanus-covered dune that drops down to the beach.
There's a path to the sand and the surf, some 136 kms north of Brisbane.
 
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Pat Rafter's former luxury trophy home resold at Sunshine Beach for $17 million

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Off-the-plan buyers are understandably looking past the Coronavirus crisis.
The continued construction at apartment project work sites will bring on their completion close to their intended schedules.
It is one of the telling achievements of this time of pandemic.
Off the plan buyer interest continues too, abeit at reduced levels.
But the use of virtual property technology has been key in off-the-plan projects enabling prospective buyers to see what their acquisition will provide.
With online tools like e-contracts, sales are being done.
Every day sales agents are also seeing potential buyers in their display suites, but digital tools are assisting in a big way.
The sector’s embrace of digital tools, such as virtual inspections, amazing graphics and 3D, means buyers are able to see past the current uncertainty and make long-term decisions.
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Customisation is an important offering these days.
Not only can buyers see what they are set to get upfront, they can also make selective changes to the floor plans so the property better suits their needs.
Some buyers may pick up two apartments and amalgamate them into a large three-bedroom apartment.
Others may turn a two-bedroom unit into a large one-bedroom apartment.
Most developers can offer buyers choices of finishes and a variety of upgrades.
A serious foodie might want the dream kitchen with the best appliances, stone bench tops and a pantry.
An asthmatic would probably opt for a timber or stone floor rather than carpet installation.
The current isolation will likely have long-lasting impact on the apartment design. Maybe it will see the installation of better functioning balconies. Some that are bigger, others that offer a Juliet-style garden patio.
Separate rooms being proposed rather than just open plan.
A real study - collaquallily known as Zoom rooms - not just a study nook in the hallway to provide picture-perfect, acoustically sound video conferencing opportunities.
Developers in their own isolation will be rethinking the ideal apartment interior.
Expect more inner city apartments that allow pets as they provide joy for their owners who can't all seek out a sea or tree change.
Trendy architects are releasing that the apartment blocks of the 1920s got it right.  
When buying off the plan, buyers must rely on the reputation, honesty and goodwill of the developer which is why it's crucial to research the developer, their financial strength and capacity to deliver rectification after issues arises.
The economy ahead is going to remain challenging for the property industry, with the risk of buying in a poor growth markets, so buyers need to be prepared to withstand bumps along the way.
Especially since many who purchased off-the-plan a few years ago are now going to have issues, perhaps given loss of income, along with the prospect of valuations coming in on completion at below contract price.
Ofcourse the apartment construction industry had hopes of seeing restored buyer confidence after the startling exposures during 2019 of neglectful building practices with the cracking at the Opal Tower high-rise just the tip of the industry poor practice.
Apartment markets across Sydney and NSW had reached new heights last year with record residential prices highlighted by a $100 million penthouse sale at Barangaroo.
While the pullback by buyers has taken momentum out of the market, and we could see some price falls amid a weakened rental market, the web traffic suggests buyer interest remains strong.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph 
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Off-the-plan buyers looking past Coronavirus crisis

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Sydney’s fast pace population growth is set to come to an abrupt halt. The recent closing of borders and after the restrictions that will follow the COVID-19 pandemic will stop most of it.
For the past half century demand for housing and the accompanying property price growth has been driven in part by population growth.
The latest government estimates suggest the key driver is going to fall sharply over the next year or so.
The disruption will show up in many ways.
Short term tourists have disappeared, but will return.
The weakness in short-term tourist arrivals will hit the domestic tourism industry, though will likely be offset in part by more Australians travelling at home when domestic travel restrictions are lifted in stage two.
Large numbers of temporary residents from overseas have departed, but only a trickle will return any time soon. Ditto temporary working visas.
The fall in numbers of international students on visas will likely not see a return to recent levels anytime over the coming year.
The downward pressure on rental price growth that landlords have seen in recent weeks will likely be extended unless Australia’s sustained comparative advantage as an education and tourism destination returns quickly.
The Government estimates long-term migration arrivals could fall by around 300,000 over the next 18 months, with a drop of 72,000 in the first half of this calendar year and another 204,000 in the 2020/21 financial year.
According to UBS Australia's population growth is forecast to slow to just 0.5 percent in 2020.
This is the slowest pace since 1916, according to economists.
The recent average has been between 1.5 percent to 2 percent per year.
Scott Haslem at Cretonne Wealth Management says at the positive end a temporary pullback in migration flows could provide some time for infrastructure works to "catch up" over the next 18 months.
But for residential housing, the weakness in migration is a significant headwind.
UBS estimates there will be a fall in underlying annual housing demand from around 200,000 to only around 130,000 in the near term - before recovering towards 190,000 by the end of 2022.
This drop in dwelling commencements will mean fewer tradies in work which spells wider problems for the economy.
Construction has continued during the shutdown so employment has not yet been impacted like many other industries.
Lower population growth, from fewer arrivals from overseas, will be accompanied by an emerging drop in the nation's fertility rate currently averaging 1.7 children per couple.
Births falling by 2 per cent to 91,376 in NSW last year.
We are set to enter an ongoing debate especially on the role of temporary migration.
Temporary migration is certain to look different over the next few years than it has over past few. 
That’s its purpose – to adapt to changing circumstances, Monash academic Gabriela D'Souza recently noted.
But the Investec fund manager Graeme Katz recently warned pushing back against immigration as a “seriously short sighted view”.
“Our country needs to send a signal that we’re open for people, we’re open for capital, and we’re open for business, and provide the productive environment for job creation and growth,” he said.
“Only growth will provide the environment for job security, which in turn creates a confidence of consumers to spend and the multiplier flow on ... will provide a tax base to support a well-balanced economy and society,” he said.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph
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Sydney's population growth set for abrupt Covid-19 induced halt

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The NSW property market will roll out the welcome mat from next weekend with agents and vendors able to hold traditional property inspections and on-site auctions after a six-week limited shutdown due to COVID-19.
Neighbours have been told not to stickybeak!
It starts from next weekend, May 9.
Coming into the last of autumn's listings, there were 269 auctions scheduled in Sydney this week, up slightly on last week's 192 homes, according to CoreLogic.
There were 539 on the same weekend last year, in the pre-election slowdown, and 795 on the first Saturday in May 2018.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the relaxing of restrictions was a sign of the ongoing success in limiting the spread of COVID-19, but warned there was no place for complacency, with community safety and social distancing to remain an ongoing priority.
Securing higher stamp duty will also help the state government coffers, industry observers noted. It is estimated there has been $1 billion lost to the budget bottom line.
The decision comes amid continued property listing website viewings.
REA executive director of economic research Cameron Kusher said search activity sat only nine per cent lower than its 2020 peak recorded in mid-February.
“Choosing a home is one of the biggest decisions anybody makes, and easing the restrictions to ensure people can more easily inspect, buy or rent a property is an important step for NSW,” Mr Perrottet said. 
 “The real estate industry has been adaptable in transitioning to online auctions, property inspections by appointment or online, and now as we make the move back to a more normal mode of operation we must ensure safety measures such as social distancing remain a key part of the process.”
Clearance rates fells into the 30s, a 15 year low during April.
The NSW move follows the recent relation of open house/auction rules last week in the Northern Territory relaxation of restrictions in Western Australia.
While in-room auctions and open homes are still not permitted in Queensland, some restrictions were been eased as of 1 May 2020 to allow private appointments for inspection, and iinspections with a maximum of six (6) people including the real estate agent inside the building at any one time, with no more than one person per 4 square metres.
Hazard said the new NSW measures were vital to ensure the safety of customers, property owners and real estate staff as a more traditional face-to-face way of inspections and auctions re-commenced.
“The community has done an outstanding job in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and we need to make sure we continue to exercise vigilance and care,” Mr Hazzard said.  
“Real estate agents should limit the number of people viewing a property and attending an auction, follow stringent cleaning and safety guidelines, ensure clients do not touch surfaces and always have hand sanitiser available.”
“If we want to keep as many people in jobs as possible and businesses in business it is important to follow the safety advice and not put others at risk,” Mr Perrottet said.
“If people are not genuinely in the market for a new home, now is not the time to be having a look through their neighbour’s house.”
On Saturday the NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet laid out a plan to scrap what he described as inefficient taxes, expressing w wish to abolish stamp duty and payroll tax in a bid to revive the state’s economy following the coronavirus pandemic.
Key health guidelines include: 
Ensure physical distancing of greater than 1.5m is maintained;
Promote good hygiene on premises and at auctions including hand sanitiser;
Use digital platforms where possible to discourage physical contact;
Keep detailed contact records of people attending open homes and auctions;
Ensure people with any symptoms of illness do not attend a property;
Manage the number of people entering small spaces;
Consider extended times for open house viewings and inspections;
Use outdoor venues for auctions wherever possible;
If auctions are held indoors, use large venues where physical distancing between household groups of one person per four square metres is possible.
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NSW estate agents get go-ahead to hold onsite auctions and open houses amid COVID-19 shutdown relaxation

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The iconic 1890s Victorian tower residence, Glucksberg, has sold for $5,250,000, its asking price.
It last sold in 2006 at $2,265,000 when bought by the Watson family. 
Previous owners include the Shelmerdine family.
Set in Hawthorn's iconic quiet, leafy streets, the five-bedroom and three-bathroom home featured an outdoor entertaining area, pool and lush gardens. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/4/30/Glucker.JPG" alt="">
The Yarra Street property was originally designed by John Beswicke, known as "Hawthorn's architect", who created some of the suburb's most famous buildings, including the Town Hall. 
The renovated home sustained period details of arched hallway, marble fireplaces and stained glass windows in a modern and contemporary space. 
The home was sold by Kay &amp; Burton's Michael Armstrong and Sam Wilkinson after three weeks marketing. 
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Glucksberg, Yarra Street, Hawthorn trophy home sold

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Former Better Homes and Gardens landscaper, Jason Hodges's heritage-listed home in North Ryde has been sold for $1.87 million as he turns his focus onto Buxus Balls of Berry.

The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-north+ryde-133374162" target="_blank">126 Twin Road property</a> was listed just months after Hodges was axed from the popular Seven's lifestyle which he had been apart of for 15 years.

The 1887 residence initially had a $1.9 million price guide through McGrath agent John McManus. 

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The home was first bought in 2011 by Hodges and partner Lisa, a horticulturalist, for $685,000.

With a preserved home front, the home features landscaped gardens with lawn, hedging, stepping stones and topiary. Meanwhile, the backyard comes with a pizza oven.

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The couple, who have two children, have a property in Berry, bought just days before news came that he had been dropped last December. The two-hectare property cost $1.25 million with last month’s settlement papers showing no registered financing was required.

Hodges also has a nearby one-hectare holding. It cost $122,000 in 2014 with frontage to Broughton Creek but with limited building permission, being zoned (1g) Rural Flood Liable. He spends much of his time on the solar-powered buxus farm with a hut built from stuff from the tip.

He said he will turn his focus to his business, Buxus Balls Of Berry. On Instagram, the popular landscaper writes, "Well the show will go on."

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Having been apart of the Seven's  cast since 2005, Hodges was reportedly “gutted” when axed from the program, but also grateful.

“From the first day I have been pinching myself — average student, average footballer, average landscaper, average bloke,” he said on social media.

His career highlights included his medal-winning garden designs at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

He was replaced by landscape designer and TV presenter Charlie Albone, who moved to the program from Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia.
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Former Better Homes and Gardens landscaper, Jason Hodges's home sold 

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Many NSW towns are still reeling from the emotional, physical and financial impact of the summer of bushfire disasters.
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And historically, these local economies in bushfire affected towns undergo a resurgence within just a year of the disaster, with each community typically in a better economic position just a few years down the track.
But the impact of the coronavirus is going to be a setback in this recovery, just as the campaigns to encourage visitors was getting underway.
Recent auction offerings in NSW bushfire regions have not fared well, as it is just too early for the positives of investment to outweigh the obvious nearby signs of devastation.
Median house prices flattened in bushfire locations in the year of the bushfires, but by the second-year medians were above those in the year of the bushfires, according to the national estate agency, PRD Real Estate’s latest research report, Australia Bushfires: The Real Estate Perspective.
It gives a glimmer of hope to the devastating impact many Australian communities have experienced.
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PRD analysed the long-term effects of four previous catastrophic bushfires in Australia and found without fail that each community was in a better economic position just a few years down the track.
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“While it may be hard now for anyone to believe their community will survive, let alone thrive again, our research shows that is exactly the case," the PRD managing director Todd Hadley noted.
"Our analysis should give confidence to those wishing to remain in their local area but are unsure about its future economic viability.”
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The research examined the economic effects of four previous Australian bushfire disasters: the Canberra bushfires in 2003, Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria in 2009, Perth Hills bushfires in 2011 and Pinery bushfires in South Australia in 2015.
The PRD chief economist, Dr Mardiasmo acknowledged there has been damage that cannot be quantified on a personal level.
"This emotional anguish cannot be discounted, but there are some real positive economic benefits when communities choose to unite and persist in the process of rebuilding.”
“Each of the four previous bushfire affected areas analysed experienced an increase in Gross Regional Product (GRP) growth in the year immediately following the bushfires."
The Perth Hills region experienced an increase in GRP growth from +0.2 per cent in the year of the bushfire, up to +5.8 per cent in the year following, Dr Mardiasmo advised. 
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It found economies started to turn around once compensation and insurance payments filtered into the communities.
This week the NSW state government announced a grant for businesses who have been indirectly affected by the bushfires and have lost business as a result. 
There are 17 NSW LGAs eligible for this grant including the Blue Mountains, Eurobodalla, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Port Macquarie, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly.
Eligible businesses must have experienced a 40 per cent drop in revenue over a three-month period, compared to the previous year, as a result of the recent bushfires. 
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said about 20,000 NSW small businesses will be eligible.
As the towns were rebuilt, demand for construction often bought more people to the towns, boosting demand for accommodation, food and services. 
Once charities passed on donated funds, local economies also started to improve with that money being spent locally helping many business owners get back on their feet.
PRD stressed it was essential these funds are quickly passed on to residents so that the economic cycle is kick started in these towns again.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 
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Bushfire affected towns and suburbs could be set for resurgence: PRD Research

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The pre-Easter Super Saturday online auction remnants found it tough to secure buyers across the capital cities today.
Melbourne's success rate was 30 percent.
Sydney scored a 39 percent preliminary success rate, according to Domain.
There was a 34 percent national clearance rate.
Domain reported there were originally 1224 auctions scheduled for Sydney, of which 36 per cent were shifted to private sale and 21 per cent to online auctions.
The status of a further 27 per cent was unclear.
Melbourne was set to have 1248 auctions, before 65 per cent became private treaty offerings and just six per cent shifted to online auction, with the status of another 18 per cent unclear.
The REINSW does not provide statistics, but CoreLogic advised there were just the 51 sales on Saturday across Sydney.
The REIV reported just 31 properties were sold at Saturday auction.
Dr Andrew Wilson at My Housing market put the Melbourne clearance rate at 29 percent.
Canberra saw a 46 percent success rate, according to realestate.com.au, while Queensland had a 20 percent clearance rate, Dr Wilson calculated.
It was 17 percent in Perth, according to realestate.com.au which adopts a different method without including withdrawn results.
Across the country, Ray White auction agents cleared 33 per cent of all stock under the hammer today but the campaign clearance number climbed to 57 per cent once all the sold priors were accounted for in this week’s tally. 
There was some Sydney success stories including 5 Park Street, Epping which sold through McGrath agent Betty Ockerlander at $1.32 million.
Auctioneer Troy Malcolm pointed out the auction guide was $1,150,000 to $1,265,000 to the 10 registered online bidders.
Some 138 viewers tuned in to see the opening bid of  $1,170,000
There were 54 bids from the five participating buyers.
In Sydney's Haberfield, the online auction of a two-bedroom semi-detached house at 238 Hawthorne Parade saw a cheeky $100,000 opening offer.
It was swiftly rejected with the next bid at $950,000, selling eventually at $1.22 million.
At 40a Brown St Newtown the top bid of $3,225,000 was not enough to secure the four bedroom property which had come with a $3 million Ray White price guide.
The GAVL online system secured a $1,060,000 sale at Merrylands.
There was a $1.065 million sale at Pretty Beach on the NSW Central Coast after attracting four registered bidders. The agents held more than 15 private inspections with local families looking for their dream home location.
The top sale in Sydney was secured pre-auction with $4.9 million paid for 24 Tipper Avenue, Bronte..
There was a $1.95 million top sale in Melbourne in Parkville through Buxton.
The price guide had been $1.85 million to $1.9 million.
McGrath saw a $1,060,000 sale when 24 Brigalow Street, O'Connor in the ACT went to auction through agent Maree Van Arkel
There four four registered bidders with just the two participating after the opening bid of $900,000.
Cameron Kusher, realestate.com.au’s executive director of economic research, says the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing property businesses to innovate “at a pace never seen before”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced bans on public open for inspections and on-site auctions two weeks ago.
April was set to be relatively quiet after the traditional pre-Easter surge given the school holidays and Anzac break.
A significant number of intending May sellers will now wait and see given understandable health concerns about letting in strangers to their homes, and finding somewhere to be for that period of time.
There will also be rising doubts about getting their prices hopes that they had anticipated earlier this year.
The market still has buying activity, but not from new entrants, rather those who have sold and need to secure alternative premises.
The auction market in the good times in some suburbs represents a very high proportion of sales, but around 15 percent across the entire market.
At the moment it would be barely 5 percent, so buyers, sellers and agents will need to get their mindset into what's happening in the curtailed private treaty market. 
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Online real estate auctions see weakened market on pre-Easter Super Saturday

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With 2700 scheduled auctions nationally, before the coronavirus onsite auction ban, most of Saturday's property vendors have gone private treaty or withdrawn altogether from the market to await better times.
Just over half the scheduled auctions were changed to private treaty, Domain figures showed.
And 10 per cent became online auctions.
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The week saw a surge in the proportion of properties sold prior to auction, lifting from 22 per cent of the preliminary collection last week to 36 per cent this week, CoreLogic advised.
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The auctioneers did a great job when going ahead online on Saturday. CoreLogic advised 59 of 100 online Sydney auctions found buyers. Melbourne had 140 live auctions with 97 finding buyers yesterday.
But technically using the traditional auction measuring rules, the national clearance rate fell into the 30s.
The last time clearance rates were so low as was in 1989 when the Reserve Bank of Australia took the cash rate to 17 percent, today they are 0.25 percent.
Sydney at a 37 percent clearance rate was slightly stronger than Melbourne's 35 percent, according to Domain's preliminary data, which included onsite and inroom auctions held prior to the ban.
The REIV reported just 99 properties sold under the auction hammer, but advised this represented a 90 percent success rate as they don't include the 998 withdrawn properties.
The REINSW doesn't publish data.
The realestate.com.au tally, that didn't include withdrawn, rather just the limited number of online auctions with the most motivated vendors and best prospects, advised the weekend clearance rate in Melbourne was 84 percent and 57 percent in Sydney.
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In Melbourne, CoreLogic's preliminary auction clearance rate sat at 58 per cent across 1,517 auctions this week. The preliminary numbers show 32 per cent of Melbourne auctions were withdrawn from the market.
There were 1,263 auctions scheduled in Sydney this week, of which 385 (45%) have been confirmed as withdrawn so far, returning a preliminary clearance rate of 47 per cent, CoreLogic said.
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Ray White advised its withdrawn rates increased from 15 per cent to 25 per cent this week. 
Domain reported the online platform, Gavl, had 57 auctions scheduled of which only 15 went live. 
Of the live auctions, three sold and 12 passed in.
AuctionNow had around 170 listings.
Across Australia the online auctions were typically running late and long, as the new process took shape.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/3/27/online%20auctioneer.jpg" alt=""> A live auctioneer at the weekend.
One auction took 45 minutes from its advertised start time without a sale in Sydney's south.
Ray White New Farm agent Haesley Cush sold 4 Owen St Wooloowin for $950,000 with two active bidders competing during his first virtual auction which ran for a marathon one hour and 40 minutes.
Ray White was mainly using Real Time Agent with Bid Tracker plus Google Hangouts for its auctions.
At the AuctionNow portal, auctioneer Damien Cooley said the day had been a "resounding success for the industry."
"To adapt to these conditions in such a short time has been an incredible effort.
"Our technology has given agents and auctioneers around the country the ability to help buyers and sellers transact. 
<div>"We have seen several properties with multiple online bidders, many of them competing in what can only be described as fast paced and very exciting auctions." </div>
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<div>"We will continue to improve our technology, live stream picture quality and continue to ensure consumers can watch, register, bid, buy and exchange on live auctions on any device anywhere in the world," he said.</div>
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<thead><tr>
<th> </th>
<th>%</th>
<th> listed</th>
<th>advised</th>
<th>sld</th>
<th>wdn</th>
<th> </th>
<th> </th>
<th> </th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="5">
This week
</td>
<td colspan="4">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_trThisWeekRow_0">
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekCity_0">Syd</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekClearance_0">37</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekListed_0">1058</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekReported_0">394</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekSold_0">351</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekWithdrawn_0">547</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekTotalSold_0"> </td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekHouseMedian_0"> </td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekUnitMedian_0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_trThisWeekRow_1">
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekCity_1">Mel</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekClearance_1">35</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekListed_1">1400</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekReported_1">470</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekSold_1">451</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekWithdrawn_1">807</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekTotalSold_1"> </td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekHouseMedian_1"> </td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekUnitMedian_1"> </td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_trThisWeekRow_2">
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekCity_2">Nat</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekClearance_2">35</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekListed_2">2723</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekReported_2">933</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekSold_2">857</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekWithdrawn_2">1492</td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekTotalSold_2"> </td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekHouseMedian_2"> </td>
<td id="x_rpAuctionResultsThisWeek_tdThisWeekUnitMedian_2"> </td>
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<td colspan="5">
Last week
</td>
<td colspan="4">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpLastWeek_trLastWeekRow_0">
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekCity_0">Syd</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekClearance_0">58</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekListed_0">780</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekReported_0">601</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekSold_0">420</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekWithdrawn_0">113</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekTotalSold_0"> </td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekHouseMedian_0"> </td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekUnitMedian_0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpLastWeek_trLastWeekRow_1">
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekCity_1">Mel</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekClearance_1">57</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekListed_1">1187</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekReported_1">1023</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekSold_1">637</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekWithdrawn_1">80</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekTotalSold_1"> </td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekHouseMedian_1"> </td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekUnitMedian_1"> </td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpLastWeek_trLastWeekRow_2">
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekCity_2">Nat</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekClearance_2">57</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekListed_2">2162</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekReported_2">1775</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekSold_2">1132</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekWithdrawn_2">207</td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekTotalSold_2"> </td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekHouseMedian_2"> </td>
<td id="x_rpLastWeek_tdLastWeekUnitMedian_2"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="5">
Same week last year
</td>
<td colspan="4">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_trThisWeekLastYearRow_0">
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearCity_0">Syd</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearClearance_0">55</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearListed_0">626</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearReported_0">466</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearSold_0">320</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearWithdrawn_0">114</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearTotalSold_0"> </td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearHouseMedian_0"> </td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearUnitMedian_0"> </td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_trThisWeekLastYearRow_1">
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearCity_1">Mel</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearClearance_1">49</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearListed_1">792</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearReported_1">710</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearSold_1">368</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearWithdrawn_1">34</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearTotalSold_1"> </td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearHouseMedian_1"> </td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearUnitMedian_1"> </td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_trThisWeekLastYearRow_2">
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearCity_2">Nat</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearClearance_2">50</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearListed_2">1649</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearReported_2">1375</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearSold_2">774</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearWithdrawn_2">162</td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearTotalSold_2"> </td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearHouseMedian_2"> </td>
<td id="x_rpThisWeekLastYear_tdThisWeekLastYearUnitMedian_2"> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
Source: Domain 
<div>There was drama at a Ray White auction when a bidder accidentally lodged a virtual bid some $200,000 higher than intended into the online bidding system.</div>
The bid was quickly undone by auctioneer James Keenan and that bidder went on to be the $1.41 million Newtown underbidder.
There were 50 bids for the two bedroom Darley Street home which sold for $1,415,000 with four bidders battling it out over the 40 minute auction, sold at $85,000 over reserve with four of the eight registered bidders active.
Notwithstanding the drama, agent Shaun Stoker said "the system faultlessly took more than 90 bids during a highly competitive auction."
Elsewhere in Newtown an online bidder battled a phone bidder for 156 Denison Street at its LJ Hooker auction.
<div>After 22 bids its sold for $1,753,000 to the phone bidder having opened with the online bidder's $1.55 million offer. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The auction of a four-bedroom house at 57 Brown St, St Peters commenced 20 minutes after its scheduled time. </div>
It passed in at $1,520,000.
Hunters Hill saw a $3.375 million sale, the highest reported Sydney success.
Just two bidders competed but over 130 tuned in to the auction, which had three interruptions with technical glitches.
But McGrath CEO Geoff Lucas said he was delighted the agency could "keep the wheels of commerce moving for our country."
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“Today is a great litmus test of how the business of real estate can continue, where the live streaming of auctions have seen multiple bidders participate from the safety of their own home, as the auctioneer conducts the auction from either the property or from another location."
There were seven registered to bid for the McGrath listing at 14 Hampton Road, Sylvania Waters that sold for $1,596,000.
Some 38 viewers watched the auction that had three participating bidders.
There were 99 tuned into the auction of 19 Archibald Street, Padstow that McGrath sold for $1,007,500.
Three of the nine registered bidders participated after the $800,000 opening bid.
</div>
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</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
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McGrath also secured the $1.02 million sale of 3 Limburgers Road, East Geelong that had four buyers online, and one on the phone. 
The national McGrath network had 191 weekend listings, with a 55 percent success rate from the online offerings, but a 37 percent clearance rate when taking withdrawn property into account.
</div>
</div>
</div>
There was an auction at Dundas with two bidders, one of whom posted a $1.37 million bid after the $1.35 million vendor bid lodged by its Stone Real Estate agent, available to be seen on the running bid list.
However interested parties were advised following the live auction for 5 Ronald Avenue that the property "passed in for an undisclosed price."
There were more than 100 bids for a one-bedroom unit in Potts Point that had an $800,000 guide but fetched $1.208 million. 
There were 67 bids in Queens Park for 23 Cuthbert Street that sold for $1,905,000.
The inner west Sydney agency Cobden Hayson advised 50 percent of the buyers had stepped back in their intent on March 19, which had dipped to 60 to 70 percent, by March 26.
There were some opportunistic buyers, Matthew Hayson advised, along with recent buyers committed to sell. 
 
 
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Live online auctions sees real estate industry overcome onsite auction ban 

<html><body>
Tenancy groups are seeking a six month ban on evictions and no rent increases for months.
But landlords are in a bind, as their mortgage repayments to the banks are likely due, although some lenders have offered mortgage payment relief without lodging a bad credit notice.
The PM Scott Morrison indicated the resolution was "complicated."
It is an issue that goes back to Friday's national cabinet meeting.
More and more workers are losing shifts, or losing jobs so the prime minister announced that states would work on model rules to provide relief to tenants in “hardship conditions”. 
On Sunday, the federal government moved to replace some of the income households have lost, temporarily doubling some social security payments and making grants to businesses.
It is not known how quickly these funds are adequately getting through given overloaded website systems.
Landlords who have insurance for loss of income have been told they to make a claim they would have to take the requisite steps for eviction.
Sydney academics have urged governments to implement a moratorium on evictions as long as the crisis lasts. 
Similar changes have already been made overseas as a sudden loss of wages puts renters at risk of arrears.
Renters who miss a payment can face termination orders in about eight weeks.
A government-imposed moratorium on evictions for the duration of the crisis could be done through legislation, or through an emergency executive direction to authorised officers to stop evictions.
In the United States, many states and cities have suspended eviction proceedings against tenants.
Ireland has suspended evictions and temporarily frozen rent increases.
In the United Kingdom, renters in the private or social sector are to be protected from eviction.
 
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Tenancy groups seek six month ban on evictions

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.”

<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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