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Stats from Australian Property Monitors (APM), a supplier of property pricing information, has revealed that if it hasn’t happened already, by 2014 the median price for a house in Sydney will exceed $700,000.

This secures the city as the world’s second most unaffordable housing market when compared to the likes of the USA, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and China.

For other states, the numbers are much easier to digest.

But if you’re a prospective first-home buyer wanting to purchase a house in Sydney, these stats mean a $140,000 deposit if you don’t want to incur <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/lenders-mortgage-insurance" target="_parent">Lender’s Mortgage Insurance</a> (LMI), which is generally exempt when your deposit is at least 20% of the value of the property. And add about $50,000 for <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/cost-of-buying-property" target="_blank">upfront costs</a> such as stamp duty, application and valuation fees and removalist services - the list goes on.

While investors and owner-occupiers are clearly the winners, confidence isn’t strong in the first-home buyer corner. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that young Aussies should fear the property market. The trick is that you will need to look at your situation and create a strategy to enter the property market.

The first-home owners grant (FHOG) can be useful if the conditions favour your situation, that is, if you’re buying a ‘new home’. Considering that Sydney is suffering a housing shortage and new dwellings are below the government target, some may not be able to take advantage of these grants.
 
One way to go about this is to take a shortcut and have your parents <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/home-loan-guarantors" target="_blank">go guarantor</a> (but only if your folks are willing to help). This means that your parents’ property will be used as security for your home loan, allowing you to get a home loan with a 5% deposit, plus you can save on LMI. However, you have added pressure to avoid defaulting on the loan because your parents will be liable for your debt.

If you don’t have the luxury a guarantor, then you will have to show the banks evidence of genuine savings.  This means that the banks need to see that you’ve made regular savings to reach your current deposit for a property. The good news is you can add the LMI to your principal, which means that you can borrow up to<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/low-deposit-home-loans" target="_blank"> 95% of the property’s value</a>. The bad news is paying back your LMI throughout the life of your home loan means you essentially pay back double the amount. But whether this is worth getting a home loan early or not is entirely up to you.

Another option that is increasingly popular among first-home buyers is to skip the whole process altogether and go straight into investing. Many Gen Y’ers are renting while their primary place of residence has been rented out for cash flow and an investment. By taking advantage of interest-only loans, they buy time and capital gains. Better yet, some even expand their property portfolio further, paving the way to financial independence.

Regardless of what your decision is, it all comes down to having a <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/saving" target="_parent">savings plan</a> in place, even if you only need to save a 5-10% deposit. If you want greater returns from your savings plan, then you will need to cut back on other living costs.

A deposit is like getting your foot through the door, it’s the first step. Everything gets easier after that, especially with online tools and resources to help you compare, find better deals, and understand the property and home loan market.

 
<hr>
 Michelle Hutchison is the spokesperson at <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/">finder.com.au</a>
 
 

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First-home buyers should not fear the property market: Michelle Hutchison

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GUEST OBSERVER
A cash rate rise is coming to the Australian property market – experts are confident of that much.
When that rise will come, however, is a little unclear – 30% of respondents in the finder.com.au Reserve Bank Survey predict a rate move before the year is out, while more than half don’t expect any upward movements until at least 2017. In the meantime, we’re seeing out of cycle rate hikes hit the market, just weeks out from Christmas.
If you’ve been considering a home loan but haven’t yet made the plunge, now may be time to make the transition without worrying about further hikes.
Here are the lowest variable and 3-year fixed home loans on finder.com.au with no ongoing fees.
finder.com.au’s lowest variable rate home loans with no ongoing fees
1.     Mortgage House Summer Home Loan: 3.79%
This low rate is available for a 12 month period, at which point the rate will revert to 3.99%. It allows for a 100% offset account, the benefit of no application fees and additional repayment and redraw features. Provided you’ve braced for the $200 settlement, $450 discharge and $395 legal fees.
2.     Reduce Home Loans Rate Buster Fee Free: 3.85%
If you’re the type of person who can save a 30% deposit and still have a little left over to foot the $440 application and $130 settlement fees, this loan is a worthy contender among your options. The 100% offset account, repayment and redraw facilities as well as splitting options all give you the tools to create a formidable financial product. 
3.     loans.com.au Essentials Home Loan: 3.98%
While you won’t be accessing a 100% offset account  with this loan, you can put ongoing, legal and application fees worries to rest. This is particularly powerful when paired with the ability to make unlimited additional repayments, slicing interest off your mortgage. Just have your 20% deposit saved up, as you’ll only be able to borrow up to 80% of the total property value.
 
finder.com.au’s lowest 3-year fixed home loans with no ongoing fees
1.     Newcastle Permanent Fixed Rate Home Loan: 3.89%
This loan is not only a super low rate but it’s fee-friendly – there’s no application, legal, valuation or settlement fees. You can also make additional payments to this loan but beware, as you will not be able to access this money once you do decide to make those deposits.
 2.     CUA Fixed Rate Home Loan: 4.09%
This low rate comes with a high application fee, but don’t be disheartened by the $600 application tag – this loan has some great cushions to soften the blow. With no valuation fees, the ability to make additional repayments (capped at three repayments for the fixed period) and the ability to switch into interest only options, this flexible number can get your house on its feet sooner, provided you manage it well.
3.     Australian Unity Health, Wealth and Happiness Fixed Rate Package: 4.15%
If you can swallow a $600 settlement fee, don’t need to borrow more than 90% and are okay with no 100% offset account, this home loan is a serious heavyweight in the fixed space. With no application, legal or valuation fees and the ability to redraw your extra deposits, there is still quite a bit of breathing space in this low rate loan.
 
MICHELLE HUTCHISON is spokesperson for comparison website <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
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Six essential home loans: finder.com.au's Michelle Hutchison 

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GUEST OBSERVER
New research by comparison website finder.com.au has found that Australians could be preparing for the worst, with preference for people borrowing money for a home against saving money is at its lowest level since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).
According to the finder.com.au research of the past decade of data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), the amount of money borrowed from banks for owner-occupied home loans has grown at a slower pace than the amount of money in household bank deposits. In fact, owner-occupied home loan lending by banks has grown by 7.5% – significantly less than household deposits (10.4%) in the past year.
This is despite total owner-occupied home loans across all banks is sitting at an all-time high of $843 billion and total deposits from households is also at a record high of $737 billion.
<a href="/images/2015/10/19/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-19%20at%2011.34.28%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/10/19/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-19%20at%2011.34.28%20AM.png" alt="" width="685" height="459">
Graham Cooke, finder.com.au insights analyst says the trend could indicate consumers are preparing for tougher financial conditions.
“Before the GFC, we saw the gap between household bank deposits and owner-occupier home loans widening, which saw a peak of $128 billion more home loans funded than what was being saved by households in bank deposits in early 2008. When the GFC hit by the end of 2008, this gap shrunk to $95 billion," he says.
“From that low point the gap steadily increased again and hit a high of $193 billion in mid-2012.
“While total household deposits has been more consistent in growth, we’ve seen the amount of money banks are lending for owner-occupied home loans take a dive and the gap is currently at $106 billion – close to where it was at the peak of the global financial crisis.
“This narrowing indicates an increasing preference for holding money in savings and reducing outstanding mortgages over borrowing for owner-occupied property.
<a href="/images/2015/10/19/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-19%20at%2011.35.55%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/10/19/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-19%20at%2011.35.55%20AM.png" alt="" width="662" height="424">
“This pattern of a slowdown in borrowing for a home and rise in savings could also be an early indicator of a cooling property market.
“Australians are clearly concerned about their financial futures and property owners and prospective buyers should be cautious of over-capitalising in the current conditions. And with Westpac the latest to announce an increase in variable home loan rates, now is the time for existing borrowers to examine their current home loan and consider refinancing.”
MICHELLE HUTCHISON is spokesperson for comparison website <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>. 
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Consumer sentiment falls to GFC level: finder.com.au's Michelle Hutchison

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There was no surprise at the Reserve Bank meeting this month, with a decision of no change to the cash rate pointing to a continued period of content within the property market.
Experts, however are divided on whether the cash rate’s next movement will be up or down, and while no-one can be certain as to monetary policy, it’s pivotal that Aussies are certain they’re accessing the best <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/home-loans" target="_blank">home loan deal</a> on the market for their situation. Here are the lowest variable and three-year fixed rates on finder.com.au:
finder.com.au’s lowest variable rate home loans
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/mortgage-house-pure-and-simple" target="_blank">Mortgage House Pure and Simple</a>: 3.99%
</li>
</ul>
If you’ve saved up 20 percent of your loan and don’t need to borrow more than $500,000, this loan can offer you the lowest variable rate on <a href="https://www.finder.com.au" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>. It also allows for unlimited redraws and no ongoing or application fees. Keep in mind though that the lending criteria is already relatively restrictive, and you also won’t have access to an offset account, so choose wisely.
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/state-custodians-mortgage-company-peak-performance-offset-home-loan" target="_blank">State Custodians Mortgage Company Peak Performance Offset</a>: 3.99%
</li>
</ul>
This low rate loan is not for those who’re already stretching their initial budget, as it comes with a $275 valuation and $299 service fee – the latter being an annual expense. If you’re okay with this, you’ll certainly be okay with the unlimited additional repayments and redraw options, 100% offset account and ability to borrow up to 95% LVR. 
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/loans-com-au-dream-essentials-home-loan" target="_blank">loans.com.au Dream Essentials</a>: 4.02%
</li>
</ul>
This is another loan that can accommodate up to 80 percent of the total property value, so again it’s important to have a decent financial reserve before you buy. You also won’t have access to a 100% offset, so money management in this scenario is essential. Should you choose to accept this mission, you’ll have no annual, application or legal fees to get through and will have access to a considerable contender in the low variable rates space.
finder.com.au’s lowest 3-year fixed rate home loans
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/mortgage-house-fixed-and-pure-home-loan" target="_blank">Mortgage House Fixed and Pure</a>: 3.94%
</li>
</ul>
If you like the idea of no application or ongoing service fees, a 95% loan-to-value ratio and up to $20,000 worth of additional repayments a year, this loan could be a suitable addition to your financial landscape. You would need to accommodate for not having a 100% offset account, and this loan will also has a $500 discharge fee.
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/bank-of-queensland-fixed-rate-home-loan#10118" target="_blank">Bank Of Queensland</a>: 3.99%
</li>
</ul>
You will need to be quick – this low rate is only applicable until the end of September. If you can jump into the property game before then, this loan can also offer you a 100% offset and up to 95% LVR, which will both give your budget room to move. Provided you’re fine with paying a $120 annual fee, and a once-off $300 application and $150 settlement fee, which may add up to be a considerable expense for some.
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/newcastle-permanent-fixed-rate-home-loan#9410" target="_blank">Newcastle Permanent</a>: 4.09%
</li>
</ul>
This loan offers both a low rate and no ongoing service fees or initial application fee, as well as extra repayment options – when paired together these can make for powerful savings. Don’t let the power go to your head, however, as you won’t be redrawing those funds during the fixed term of your loan and you won’t have access to a 100% offset account, so your money moves will definitely have to be strategic – because once you’ve locked it in, it’s going to be near impossible to access it again.
MICHELLE HUTCHISON is spokesperson for comparison website <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
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The lowest variable and three-year fixed rates on finder.com.au: Michelle Hutchison

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Property buyers hitting the market this mortgage season can expect tough competition, despite new research by one of Australia’s biggest comparison websites, finder.com.au revealing housing supply will exceed demand.
According to the finder.com.au study of population growth and the housing market over the past 15 years, 72% more properties are expected to be built this year than population growth would consume. However, this is unlikely to affect property prices as we expect property prices could continue to rise.
By the end of this year, a total of 207,970 new properties is projected to be approved for construction, based on the average growth of 3% for the past 15 years. Australia’s population is forecast to increase by 314,952 to 23.94 million people, which means 121,135 households needed. 
In 2014 there were 71% more properties approved than population growth required and property prices increased by 7.90% across capital cities according to CoreLogic RP Data. 
Michelle Hutchison, Money Expert at finder.com.au, said property buyers can expect a continued level of competition and hotter house prices moving into mortgage season. 
“With mortgage season around the corner (starting September 1), competition will remain just as tough as we’ve seen over the past year. Despite more new properties being built, house hunters can expect no relief with properties being snapped up fast and prices rising across many areas of Australia.
“And it’s only expected to get worse. If a 3% growth trend for new properties continues, along with the projected population growth, this oversupply will decrease to 32% next year, and will stay below 40% through to 2018, according to finder.com.au.
“With less oversupply for new properties expected to be built over the next few years, it could lead to a more difficult climate for property buyers as buyers will face a reduced availability of housing stock, meaning more competition and possibly higher prices.
“So if you’re in the market for a property, it could be better to jump in now rather than waiting for next year as it looks set to be even tougher.”
 MICHELLE HUTCHISON is spokesperson for comparison website <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
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Tough outlook for property buyers despite supply exceeding demand: Michelle Hutchison

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As was widely anticipated, the Reserve Bank left the cash rate unchanged at 2% at this month’s meeting on July 7. But is that the lowest rates can go, or can we expect another cut on the cards?
Global instabilities may have just paved the way for another rate cut in the near future, according to Australia’s biggest Reserve Bank Survey. It’s also predicted that interest rates are to begin rising.l soon after a possible drop. What’s a potential home buyer to do? One option is consider splitting your home loan. 
Split loans allow you to lock in a portion of the loan at a fixed rate, meaning part of your repayments will not change during that period. This can be helpful against a turbulent cash rate; the property market may be uncertain, but there’s no reason for your mortgage to be.
finder.com.au’s lowest variable rate home loans that allow split options:
<ul>
<li>
Homestar Finance Basic Refinance: 3.94%
</li>
</ul>
This home loan has some parameters that make it more skewed towards those looking to refinance, namely needing to have a 30 percent deposit and limiting your loan amount to $500,000. If you happen to fit into these parameters (whether refinancing or not), this loan comes with no application fee and no worry about LMI – the beauty of a low LVR.
<ul>
<li>
loans.com.au Dream Essentials: 4.02%
</li>
</ul>
With a loan amount ceiling of $750,000, you may not be buying a mansion with this product but you will be opening up a loan that is portable, allows splits as well as extra repayments and redraws. It’s also worth noting the $220 valuation and $300 settlement fees as considerable start-up costs when looking to budget your initial repayments.
<ul>
<li>
BOQ Discount: 4.04%
</li>
</ul>
If you can swallow a $395 annual service fee and have a 20 percent deposit saved up, you’ll be able to access this offering from Bank of Queensland and have a low rate home loan that allows for a 100% offset account and allows redraws and additional repayments. This loan entails some handy features for those who have proven they can save a deposit, and will manage a sizeable annual expense into their budget.
finder.com.au’s lowest 3 year fixed rate home loans that allow split options:
<ul>
<li>
Newcastle Permanent: 3.99%
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Homestar Finance: 4.11%
</li>
</ul>
The second mention for this smaller lender, their 3 year fixed rate is competitively low and has no annual service fee.However, it does come with an application fee of $495 and a settlement fee of $535, which could be a turn off for some cash-strapped buyers. You also won’t be able to make extra repayments, so carefully mapping out the full cost of your home loan repayments is crucial. 
<ul>
<li>
UBank UHomeloan: 4.18%
</li>
</ul>
You won’t be able to make additional repayments or redraw from this home loan, and a $395 application fee is a considerable initial cost. If you don’t mind these parameters and have a 20% deposit, this loan offers a competitively low rate and no ongoing service fees.
Michelle Hutchison is finder.com.au's resident money expert. She can be contacted <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/michelle-hutchison" target="_blank">here</a>.
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July’s best fixed and variable home loans: Michelle Hutchison

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Despite the cash rate cutting to a historic low this month, research from finder.com.au reveals that around 43% of home loan providers have failed to pass on the full 25 percentage points to borrowers, meaning many Australians are being left with a sting. One option to combat this is by choosing a home loan with a 100% offset account as a way to continually save on the interest.
If your lender won’t pass on the full cut, comparing your home loan options and beating the banks with an offset account could be your most powerful plays.
 finder.com.au’s 3 lowest variable rates that allow for a 100% offset account:
<ul>
<li>
loans.com.au Dream Home Loan Offset Variable: 4.02%
</li>
</ul>
This competitive rate is available to those who have saved a deposit of at least 10% of the property value and aren’t afraid of $520 worth of startup fees (a $300 settlement fee paired with a $220 valuation fee). You’ll have access to a loan that allows splits, extra repayments and redraws, and is portable, too.
<ul>
<li>
State Custodians Standard Variable Offset: 4.09%
</li>
</ul>
This home loan comes with a $299 annual fee price tag, which will be paired with valuation fee of $275 in your first year. This may be a small upfront price to pay for what is one of the lowest rates in the market – meaning an ongoing savings. It’s up to you to factor in the long and short term commitments to the rest of your financial situation
<ul>
<li>
BankWest Super Start: 4.17%
</li>
</ul>
This rate is a discount off their standard variable rate (which is 5.47%) and is effective for 3 years. In return for this low rate you’ll have to pay some substantive fees, such as a $695 application fee (waived if you apply through finder.com.au), $300 company fee and $350 portability fee. Locking in a discounted variable rate for 3 years is a crucial strategic consideration, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the significant fees you’ll be forking out for.
 finder.com.au’s 3 lowest 3-year fixed rates that allow for a 100% offset account:
<ul>
<li>
Bank of Queensland Fixed Rate: 3.99%
</li>
</ul>
This low rate is available through a limited-time discount for new borrowers who have a deposit of at least 20% of the property value. While you’ll have access to a 100% offset account and extra repayment options, the fees associated with this loan total $570 in the first year, made up of an annual service fee of $120, $300 application fee and $150 exit fee.
<ul>
<li>
Greater Building Society Ultimate: 4.29%
</li>
</ul>
For the low rate, this loan also has some flexibility-adding features such as additional repayment, redraw facilities and split options. That being said, you’ll be expected to fork out $375 as an ongoing annual service fee, which could especially sting when combined with the once-off settlement fee of $180.
<ul>
<li>
Commonwealth Bank Fixed Rate Wealth Package: 4.69%
</li>
</ul>
The wealth package is made to accommodate for exactly that – those who can afford a few fees and expenses for a lower rate in return. With a $600 application fee and $375 annual fee, you’ll spend just short of $1000 in additional expenses in your first year of the loan. With that in mind, being allowed unlimited additional repayments could be a means to minimise interest charges, which may offset those initial expenses. All in all, this loan is a portable, flexible account for people that can manage their money enough to offset the expenses that come with this product.
MICHELLE HUTCHISON is spokesperson for comparison website <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
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Some Aussies stung in recent rate update: Michelle Hutchison

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Australia’s ‘property inferno’ is well and truly alight this month.
With property prices set to continue rising through 2015 and more cash rate cuts on the horizon, potential home buyers need to seriously consider whether they’ll make the most of favourable opportunities to dive into the market.
If property prices are on the up and up, and variable rates set to follow the cash rate to new lows, it makes sense that securing a property sooner rather than later will help to reduce your long-term costs. By choosing the lowest rate available to you, you may be able to offset some of the costs associated with higher property values, before they rise any further.
finder.com.au’s lowest variable rate home loans
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/loans-com-au-dream-essentials-home-loan">loans.com.au Dream Home Loan Essentials: </a><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/loans-com-au-dream-essentials-home-loan">4.23% </a>This is the lowest variable rate on finder.com.au and a heavy contender in terms of additional features. While you’ll have access to extra payment and redraw facilities, portability and splitting options, you won’t have access to an offset account or physical branches – loans.com.au is a solely online lender. This paired with a $375 annual fee could sway some potential buyers.  </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/ubank-uhomeloan-variable-rate#9384">UBank UHomeloan: </a>4.29% This loan is only available to those who have secured a 20% deposit on their loan, however this dedication is rewarded in the form of $0 application or ongoing admin fees, which is a welcome change in the home loan market. Provided you’re an Australian resident with a Pay As You Go (PAYG) income from an employer, this loan can provide you with some cushy features such as free, unlimited redraws and various splitting options.  </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/state-custodians-standard-variable-offset-loan">State Custodians Standard Variable: </a><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/state-custodians-standard-variable-offset-loan">4.34% </a>If you can pay the $299 Annual Service Fee, $275 Valuation fee and $300 discharge fee, you’ll have access to a flexible loan with 100% offset options, as well as extra repayments, redraw facilities and split loan options.</li>
</ol>
finder.com.au’s lowest three-year fixed home loans
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/newcastle-permanent-fixed-rate-home-loan#851">Newcastle Permanent: </a><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/newcastle-permanent-fixed-rate-home-loan#851">3.99% </a>This is the lowest 3-year fixed rate on finder.com.au and home to a limited-time cashback offer of $1000 on applications made before May 1, settled before June 26 and over $150,000. Just be aware that there are no redraw services for this loan, so make sure the repayments are a financial commitment you can dedicate to – as you won’t be able to use the money elsewhere once it’s deposited.  </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/ubank-uhomeloan-fixed-rate-home-loan#885">UBank UHomeloan:</a><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/ubank-uhomeloan-fixed-rate-home-loan#885"> 4.18% </a>This loan is designed for the sure-footed as it does not allow extra-repayments or redraws on the fixed term of your loan – you’ll have to look elsewhere should you need extra money in the first three years. Aside from a $395 application fee, there is no annual service fee and you’ll be allowed to change up the repayment frequencies, which is a key consideration should you need to make strategic repayments around other lifestyle factors such as transitioning between jobs. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/loans-com-au-dream-home-loan-fixed#1468">loans.com.au Dream Home Loan: </a><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/loans-com-au-dream-home-loan-fixed#1468">4.29% </a>This loan allows five free splits, which could be a highly valuable option for many first home buyers, especially being in the middle of cash rate movements. With additional repayment options and no application or ongoing fees, it may provide a smooth transition for those apprehensive to enter the market – provided you’re adequately braced for an initial $220 valuation fee and $300 settlement fee.</li>
</ol>
Michelle Hutchison is spokesperson for comparison website <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
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Offset rising property prices by making the most of your home loan: Michelle Hutchison

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GUEST OBSERVATION
It’s been 16 months, but the cash rate has finally budged – and it’s in the home owners’ favour.
Lowering the cash rate to 2.25% on 3 February, the Reserve Bank signalled an intent to boost market interest by giving lenders a clear, definitive reason to pass on better rates to customers. If there’s a time to make savings on your home loan, it’s now.
By knowing which lenders have dropped their rates and how to best approach the changing home loan market, you’ll make sure your opportunity to save isn’t just left to chance. Even if you’re happy with your current provider, there are still ways to keep more cash in your pocket.
Here are my top three tips for maximising the cash rate cut.
Tip #1: Compare all home loans on the market
The first tip is to compare home loans on offer, as many lenders have announced their rate cuts this month. With new deals on the market, you may currently be sitting on a home loan that was attractive last year, but not so much this year. Get with the times!
Tip #2: Keep repayments the same
While it might seem counter-intuitive to be forking out the same amount every month, keeping your repayments the same for a variable rate home loan will trim the time it takes to close out your mortgage. This is because your lender will reduce your repayments but asking to keep them higher will top up your surplus.
Worst case scenario and you need to access the extra cash, <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/home-loans-with-free-redraw">loans with free redraw</a> will allow you to reach back into your savings at any time.
Tip #3: Negotiate with your existing lender
Ever since the cash rate began dropping in November 2011, not all lenders have passed on every rate cut in full. This means lenders have a bit of padding you can ask to have carried along into your rate.
A crucial strategy is to find the lowest variable rate on the market that you’re eligible for, and negotiating up from there. While it’s unlikely they will be willing to match the lowest rate if you’re with a bigger bank, you’re starting the conversation to get a better deal.
Before you accept any offer, <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/home-loan-repayment-calculator">calculate mortgage savings</a> you would be making from the negotiation to ensure you’re stretching your money as far as possible.
If you’re looking to find the best home loan for you, here are <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/">finder.com.au</a>’s top three variable rate home loans:
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/loans-com-au-dream-essentials-home-loan" style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;">Loans.com.au Dream Essentials</a>: 4.23% p.a. With consistently competitive rates, Loans.com.au is a hefty contender for people who don’t mind the absence of a physical branch: this lender is solely online. What they might lack in bricks and mortar, they make up for in value by having no ongoing monthly fees and super low rates. Once you work through the $520 worth of setup fees (Settlement of $300 and $220 for valuation), you’re set to hit the market with one of the lowest rates on offer. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/hsbc-home-value-loan" style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;">HSBC Home Value</a>: 4.48% p.a. Another ‘no monthly fees’ player in the home loan game, this home loan also allows you to split portions of your mortgage – just in case you don’t believe the low rates will be around for long. While it also allows additional repayments, you’re going to be slugged with a $40 fee every time you dip into your savings. If you’re going to choose this loan, make sure you’re committing to realistic contributions that you won’t need down the track. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/greater-building-society-discount-ultimate-home-loan#1493" style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;">Greater Building Society Discount Ultimate</a>: 4.49% p.a. This low rate loan is available to loans of over $30,000 and for those with a deposit of at least  20%. It allows for a 100% offset account, something that is particularly helpful to maximise savings. However it’s a package product, meaning it’s designed to be take up with other products from this provider. Perhaps the biggest drawback of this package is the $375 annual fee, which will come back to visit you every year.
</li>
</ol>
Michelle Hutchison is spokesperson for comparison website <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
</body></html>

Three tips for maximising the cash rate cut: Michelle Hutchison

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
Over one-quarter, or 26%, of lenders have now made interest rate cut announcements, including all four major banks, according to <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>. 
However, just one of the 30 lenders has passed on the rate cuts to existing and new customers so far, which was BankVic with an effective date of 9 February, 2015. <a href="https://Loans.com.au" target="_blank">Loans.com.au</a> was first to drop its rate for existing customers with its rate-linked home loan while cuts for other borrowers will take effect on 23 February, 2015.
So most borrowers won't receive a rate reprieve until 22 February on average, which means it will be in next month's statement.
The latest to make a rate cut announcement was Aussie, which followed the pack and will drop its variable home loan rates by 0.25 percentage points, effective February 23, 2015.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"> Lender</td>
<td valign="top" width="205"> Rate cut</td>
<td valign="top" width="205"> Effective date</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/amp-capiutla-nov-19-logog.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">23 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/anz-aug-4-logo-breakout.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">12 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/ausie-jan-15-breakout.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">23 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/bank-of-melbourne-aug-4-logo-breakout.png" width="200px"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"> <img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/BOQ-aug-13-logo.jpg" width="200">
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">24 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"> <img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/banksa-logo.jpg" width="200">
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/BankVic-logo-breakout.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">9 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"> <img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/Bankwest-Logo.jpg" width="200">
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/bendigo-bank-feb-10-breakout.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">27 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/citibank-feb-10-breakout.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"> <img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/cba-aug-4-logo-breakout.jpg" width="200">
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/cua-lgoo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">24 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"> <img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/logo_Greater_Building_Society.jpg" width="200">
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/heritage-bank-logo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/hsbc-logo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/ing-direct-logo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.50%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">10 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/loans.com.au-logo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">4 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/maitland-mutal-logo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">23 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/me-bank-aug-4-logo-breakout.png" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/nab-aug-4-logo-breakout.png" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/newcastle-pernamnet-logo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">23 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/pbbanklogo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">6 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/peopleschoicelogo.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">24 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/rams-feb-10-breakotu.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/st-george-aug-4-logo-breakout.png" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/SMSCSelfEmp.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">27 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/suncorpimage.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">27 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/UBank_UHomeLoanNOV.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">25 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/westpac-aug-4-logo-breakout.jpg" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.28%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">20 February 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/Company-Logos/ybr-aug-4-logo-breakout.png" width="200"></td>
<td valign="top" width="205">-0.25%</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">24 February 2015 </td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: finder.com.au, ranked alphabetically. Dates may vary for some customers.
*Some loan changes may be effective from 15/3/15.
With all lenders so far passing on at least the full 0.25 percentage point rate cut, we estimate that by next month there will be 158 variable rate home loans under 1.60%, <a href="https://finder.com.au/home-loans" target="_blank">out of almost 1,400 home loans monitored</a> by finder.com.au.
These lenders that will offer introductory or ongoing variable home loan rates under 4.6% include CBA, <a href="https://Loans.com.au" target="_blank">Loans.com.au</a>, HSBC, UBank, Heritage Bank, Yellow Brick Road, CUA, BankVic, Bankwest, IMB, Aussie, Macquarie Bank, Bank of Sydney, AMP, Citibank, ING Direct and more.
It's a great time for borrowers to find out what rate they will be on once the rate cuts come into effect and compare it to other home loans. Variable rate borrowers shouldn't accept an interest rate over 5% next month and should renegotiate with their lender or switch to a cheaper deal.
For instance, if you have the average variable home loan rate of 5.5% and it falls to 5.10%, switching to 4.60% for a $300,000 home loan could save you $91 per month or over $32,000 over 30 years.
This money is up for grabs and it's up to borrowers to jump online, talk to their lender or switch home loans and take the cash on offer.
<a href="https://www.finder.com.au/rba-cash-rate" target="_blank">Click here to view a table</a> of the lenders that have so far announced rate cuts and we will be updating this page as we hear more announcements.
Michelle Hutchison is spokesperson for comparison website <a href="https://finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
</body></html>

The banks make their moves following RBA cut: Michelle Hutchison

<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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Michelle Hutchison

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