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Aussie Home Loans boss John Symond is urging first-home buyers to consider buying with friends or family, rather than miss out on a good opportunity.
In a blog post, Symond says co-ownership allows buyers to get a foot on the property ladder by combining their borrowing power and splitting the cost of buying property.
Symond says timing is everything when it comes to making a purchase and believes it can be a better idea to buy with someone else than to not buy at all.
“If you see an opportunity where prices have come off, it may be a good idea to buy with a friend or relative if you can’t afford to buy yourself,” he says.
“But you really do need professional advice to do this.”
Symond points out that buying under a co-ownership agreement means you can split all the fees that come with buying a home including stamp duty, legal costs and inspections.
And, he says, there is a good chance you’ll be able to reduce the length of the mortgage and own your half of the property faster.
Symond says improved housing affordability, stable property prices and low interest rates have made shared property purchases more uncommon in recent times, there are still plenty of people who are opting to co-own.
Symond highlights the many things to consider if you are serious about co-ownership.
“Get advice with structuring the purchase. What happens if your friend or relative changes their mind somewhere down the line? What happens if one of you wants to keep the property and one wants to sell? Or if one wants to rent and the other wants to move in?
“There are a lot of scenarios to consider and you really do need to tick all the boxes.”
PodProperty, which specialises in shared buying of property, recommends that buyers enter into a legally- binding co-ownership agreement.
This is a contract between parties who own property together as "tenants in common".
“It can cover many different types of relationships, including groups of friends, family members, defacto partners (either heterosexual or same-sex) or any combination of these types of relationships,” says PodProperty.
PodProperty charges $350 to write a co-ownership agreement and also offers a free guide to co-ownership on its website.
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Buy with friends rather than miss out on a good property opportunity: John Symond

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The unemployment rate holding firm at 5.4% in October should not prevent the RBA from cutting the cash rate to 3% on December 4, says ANZ.
Markets had tipped the unemployment to rise to 5.5%.
ANZ says that ongoing softer labour market conditions prevail and support its view that the RBA will need to reduce the cash rate further, with a 25-basis-point rate cut “pencilled in for December”.
Borrowers should take note of this forecast – ANZ was the only major bank to correctly tip the RBA to leave the cash rate on hold on Melbourne Cup Day in November.
According to ANZ, the key metric is not the overall unemployment rate, but the "employment-to-population ratio", which “fell a little further, meaning that jobs growth is not keeping pace with population growth”.
“The less-volatile, and in our view more important, ANZ job ads series points to further declines in this ratio coming months,” says ANZ.
EMPLOYMENT-TO-POPULATION RATIO VERSUS ANZ JOB ADS 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/anznov9.gif" width="470">
Sources: ABS, ANZ 
“Population growth is strengthening in Australia so stronger employment outcomes are necessary to stop upward pressure on the unemployment rate.
“At current rates of population growth (+27,000 per month), 17,000 net new jobs are required each month to keep the ratio of employment to population steady and prevent the unemployment rate rising (barring lower participation),” says ANZ.
There were 10,700 more people employed in October – well below the 17,000 required, while ANZ also points out that the ABS trend measure of employment growth has remained in the 2,000 to 2,500 range for the past four months, “which is clearly weak”. 
According to ANZ, the unemployment rate remaining unchanged at 5.4% in October, following a “sharp 0.3 percentage point jump in September” confirms that “Australia’s labour market, while gradually deteriorating, is not collapsing”
The bank forecasts the jobless rate to rise to around 5.75% by mid-next year.
Taking a look at the jobs data, CommSec chief economist Craig James says there is “something for everyone”.
“The optimists could focus on the ongoing rise in full-time employment over the past four months and conclude all is fine.
“The pessimists would look at the fall in the participation rate and hours worked and conclude something more concerning."
But he says what is clear is that the labour market is “treading water”.
“Yes, it was encouraging that employment grew but more forward looking indicators like job advertisements have suggested that further labour market gains may be more circumspect. In fact internet and newspaper job advertisements have fallen for seven consecutive months, suggesting job growth is likely to flat line in coming months,” says James.
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ANZ finds gloom in jobs figures to suggest December RBA rate cut is likely

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It is often mentioned that Australia has the second-biggest listed property trust sector in the world behind the US.
But second place might as well be 100th when you consider the size of the US REIT sector.
The following graph shows that Australia’s REIT market has a market capitalisation of almost US$82 billion, with Westfield and its spin-off Westfield Retail Trust representing around 40% of this total.
This makes it just over one-eighth the size of the enormous US REIT market, which has a market capitalisation of $632 billion.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/11/eynov8.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/11/eynov8thumb.gif"></a>
According to the Ernst &amp; Young Global Perspectives 2012 REIT report, the US REIT market returned to “robust growth” last year and significantly outperformed the wide share market.
“The total returns of public equity REITs increased more than 8% in 2011, compared with about a 2% gain for the S&amp;P 500. REITs raised a record US$37.5 billion of equity last year — the most since the US$32.7 billion of 1997," says Ernst &amp; Young.
“Their total market capitalization increased to US$632 billion, the highest since 2006, when it reached US$412 billion.
The report also notes that, like Australian listed property trusts, US REITS are also deleveraging.
As of September 2011, the listed US REIT industry’s ratio of debt divided by total market capitalization stood at 41.6%, approximately its historical average.
"Of 140 REITs tracked by SNL Financial, about one-third raised their dividends in 2011, compared with 17% the previous year.
"Commercial property markets are continuing to improve, although the recovery has been uneven," notes Ernst &amp; Young.
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US listed property trust market dwarfs second-placed A-REITS

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More than a quarter (26%) of all commercial properties listed for sale in October were either receivership sales or mortgagee-in-possession sales, according to the latest update from property valuers LandMark White.
The valuation firm says 82 out of 312 commercial properties advertised in the national press in October were distressed sales, with distressed sales starting to trend up in three states covered by the report – Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/11/lmwnov8.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/11/lmwnov8thumb.gif"></a>
This was the highest number of distressed sales listings since May this year, when 86 commercial properties were listed as distressed sales and slightly up on the 79 distressed properties listed for sale in October last year.
Proportionally though, this is in line with the 12-month average of 27% of all commercial property listings being distressed.
In line with a longer-term trend, Queensland has the highest proportion of distressed sales listings relative to total listings at 40%.
This is above the 12-month average of 38% but lower than October 2011 (48%). 
The proportion of properties advertised as distressed sales in NSW was 19%.
The proportion of properties advertised as distressed sales in Victoria was 13%
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Distressed commercial property listing on the rise: LandMark White

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John Symond’s Aussie Home Loans has reported a 27% year-on-year rise in both mortgage lodgement and settlements in October, its best monthly results since acquiring the Mark Bouris-founded Wizard Home Loans franchise in early 2009.
The October results build on a successful first quarter for Aussie, which recorded an overall settlement increase of 19% over the last year.
Aussie says the results reflect interest and enquiries from home buyers and refinancers and are a reflection of its marketing campaign “It’s smart to ask” fronted by Symond himself as well as more customer care initiatives and increased productivity from its 750 mortgage brokers.
The mortgage broker and lender, which is one-third owned by the Commonwealth Bank, did not provide actual dollar figures with this update.
“We have not seen enormous sales results like this since March 2009, when we acquired Wizard, so these results are exceptional, considering the soft market conditions and given they don’t include any acquisitions or other anomalies,” says Symond.
“Our first quarter has also been pleasing, with profit above budget as our sales team continues to deliver record settlements, supported by strong results from our Aussie home loan and non-mortgage product range.”
Aussie says all states recorded “strong settlement growth versus the prior year” but says there were “stellar performances from WA and Queensland”, which recorded 53% and 42% increases respectively.
Leads were up 35% on last year and at their highest level since 2006, “demonstrating continued customer support for the Aussie brand and mortgage broking overall”.
“Despite widespread pessimism about the state of the housing market, it appears that house prices have bottomed and there is a slight improvement in consumers’ confidence,” says Symond.
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Aussie Home Loans reports best monthly results since 2009 Wizard acquisition

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The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.4% in October, according to the latest seasonally-adjusted ABS update.
This was better than market expectations of 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment to 5.5%.
The unchanged unemployment figure will be noted by the RBA as it thinks ahead to its last monetary policy meeting of the year on December 4.
It will also note this week's September retail trade figure, which also rose above forecasts by 0.5%.
Commonwealth Bank chief economist Michael Blythe says “the door to further rate cuts is still firmly ajar” but says the emphasis will be on inflation, with the next CPI quarterly figure only out in January 23.
"The main impediment to lower rates, however, appears to have been the third quarter CPI readings that were 'slightly higher than expected'
"So the message from the RBA’s [November] decision to remain on the sidelines this month is that inflation trends have become a little worrying.  And the Bank will presumably want to wait for the next round of price readings in late January before deciding whether further rate stimulus is appropriate.  The February Board meeting looks to be the next 'live' meeting for policy action," he says.
CommSec chief economist Craig James says rate cuts alone may be insufficient to provide the stimulus necessary to keep economy growing at a trend pace and prevent the unemployment rate from rising.
“Confidence and expectations will be all-important on whether further rate cuts are required, he says.
In its labour force update, the ABS reported that over October, the number of people employed increased by 10,700 to 11,523,200 driven by a strong rise in full-time employment, up 18,700 people to 8,130,100 offset by decreased part-time employment, down 8,000 people to 3,393,100. 
The number of people unemployed decreased by 8,800 people to 653,200 in October.
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October unemployment unchanged at 5.4% and better than forecast raises bar higher for December rate cut

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Ray White chairman Brian White says the decision to leave the cash rate on hold in November will not have a significant impact on the housing market, so long as an easing bias remains.
White says property remains a great investment over a decent span of time.
“I expect to see an easing of rates which will continue to buoy the confidence of investors and owner- occupiers resulting in a good steady market in 2013.”
“When the community believes rates will decline, activity picks up before the event actually happens,” White tells Property Observer on the back of Ray White achieving its best monthly sales result in a year in October.
White says borrowers have a “clear anticipation” of future downward movement in rates which is the reason there has been an increase in open for inspections and activity in the housing market.
Looking at the performance of the Ray White group over October with sales reaching $2.6 billion, White says Auckland was the standout Australasian market outperformed the rest of the New Zealand market “by a huge margin”.
In Australia, White says capital city markets continue to outperform relative to other parts of the country.
“There is not that much difference between these markets, there is good strength across all of them.”
White says Melbourne and Sydney were for a long time the standouts but Brisbane and Perth have rallied while Adelaide has remained “consistent”
White notes that property investors are increasingly using their self-managed super funds to make investments.
SMSF investors are a huge percentage of investors. They are looking at property because they have control. They can rattle the letter box and knock on the door compares with derivatives and other financial instruments that people don’t understand.”
“A number of investors went into mining regions, but this will change. They will come back to more consistent investment in the cities,
White says property remains a great investment over a decent span of time.
“I expect to see an easing of rates which will continue to buoy the confidence of investors and owner- occupiers resulting in a good steady market in 2013.”
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Rate hold decision not significant as long as easing bias remains: Brian White

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The outlook for the commercial property sector has turned gloomier, with a recovery in the retail property sector at least two years away, according to the latest sentiment survey by NAB.
Across all sectors the index hits new low of -19 points in the third quarter of 2012 “as the domestic economy passes through a soft patch, with business conditions weaker and forward indicators concerning”.
The outlook remains strongest for CBD hotels, with capital values expected to rise 3.8% over the next two years, followed by industrial assets (up 2.8%) and offices (up 1.8%).
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/11/nabnov8.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/11/nabnov8thumb.gif"></a>
Retail property participants in the quarterly survey remain the least optimistic and expect capital values to fall 1% over the next 12 months before improving be down 0.2% over the next two years.
Results of the survey suggest that the retail property market could start turning the corner around September 2014, with the pace of decline in rents and capital values slowing over the next two years.
Rents aren’t expected to offer much comfort over this period, falling 2.1% over the next year before improving to be down 0.8% over the next two years.
Over the next two years, the poorest retail property outlook is in Victoria, where capital values are forecast to fall 1.6%.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/11/nabnov81.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/11/nabnov81thumb.gif"></a>
The outlook is not much better for NSW retail property, with values forecast to fall marginally over the next two years (-0.7%) with rents down 1.5%.
The outlook for capital values and rents is better in the resource states of WA and Queensland as well as in the combined Northern Territory/ South Australia market.
The quarterly survey is based on the responses of around 250 commercial property participants including real estate agents, property developers, fund managers, owners and investors.
According to respondents, consumer confidence is still the biggest challenge facing property firms but concerns over government regulation/red-tape and stock levels also a growing challenge. 
Business costs are expected to have the biggest impact on commercial property businesses over next year with interest rates and global economic volatility also a major concern.
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No recovery for retail property sector for at least two years: NAB 

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Property developer FKP has announced practical completion of its striking elliptical glass apartment project Aerial, which has risen up above Camberwell Junction in Melbourne's inner east.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/aerial5.jpg">
The project was delayed earlier this year due a combination of weather and union issues, with completion and settlements pushed back from the first quarter of the 2012-13 financial year to the second quarter.
Aerial has been developed on the former Henley Honda dealership site at the intersection of Burke, Camberwell and Riversdale road in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Camberwell </a>and features two towers, the tallest rising to 14 levels.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/aerial4.jpg">
It was designed by architects Woods Marsh.
FKP has pre-sold 122 out of the 144 apartments, with settlements expected later this month to deliver proceeds of $105 million.
The developer has sold only one apartment since June, with a spokesperson telling Property Observer this was "typical" for a project that is in the "homestretch of construction, as many purchasers hold off to see the final completed product".
Goldman Sachs analyst Peter Zuk says the completion of the project is “welcome news” for FKP and will inject “much-needed cash back into the business, which in turn will facilitate the commencement of other planned development projects”.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/aerial3.jpg">
In its annual report FKP said its group debt had reduced from $938 million to $738 million following an equity raising entitlement offer to shareholders, with Aerial settlements to reduce this debt by a further $120 million.
This would imply that the sale of the remaining 22 apartments would bring in an extra $15 million in revenue.
Aerial features a selection of one-, two-, three-bedroom apartments as well as sub-penthouses and penthouses rising above Camberwell Junction.
Around 95% of the sales have been to local buyers, with a mix of owner-occupiers and investors purchasing the apartments.
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FKP completes construction of delayed Aerial apartment project in Camberwell

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Two-and-a-half months after he was unceremoniously sacked as Mirvac CEO, Nick Collishaw says he is still waiting for an explanation for his  sudden dismissal.
Collishaw’s last day at Mirvac was October 31 with new CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz taking on the role this week.
In an interview with the Australian Financial Review, Collishaw described his abrupt dismissal as “bizarre”.
He said he was told of his dismissal on the morning of August 15, the same day Mirvac made the announcement to the ASX and also when it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/mirvac-s-nick-collishaw-surprise-departure-that-hands-reins-to-susan-lloyd-hurwitz/2012081556038">named Lloyd-Hurwitz as his successor</a>.
Collishaw says his performance as CEO over four years – including guiding Mirvac through the worst of the GFC - did not warrant his sudden dismissal.
However he did not endorse a campaign by some Mirvac shareholders to unseat chairman James Mackenzie.
Commenting on his dismissal, Collishaw said: “[It is] pretty bizarre of a chairman to dismiss the CEO on the same day he presents the new CEO,” he said.
“The reasons for my departure remain unclear.”
On the morning of his dismissal Collishaw said he had a brief conversation with MacKenzie.
“He just said that the board has decided to go in a different direction and we think there is a better person to lead the company.”
Collishaw said he he had no intention of challenging the decision.
“I knew it wasn’t worth arguing, once [MacKenzie] had made his mind up. He is the chairman and wields ultimate power,” Collishaw said.
Collishaw delivered a 2012 full year profit of $416 million a 128% increase on the previous financial year including a $21 million profit from the sale of Mirvac’s hotel management business.
Collishaw called the results “very pleasing” and said they had been achieved at a time when “many parts of the property market are not buoyant”.
Not pleasing enough for chairman James MacKenzie and the Mirvac board who had already announced Collishaw’s dismissal six days earlier.
Mirvac shareholders will have the opportunity to put further questions to MacKenzie and Lloyd-Hurwitz at it AGM next week on November 15 in Sydney.
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Ex-Mirvac boss Nick Collishaw still waiting for answers on sudden departure

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

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;

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.

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Larry Schlesinger

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