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Most communication involves negotiation. Aside from ‘splitting-the-difference’ most people don’t know a lot about negotiating. They are not very good at getting very good deals for themselves.
One of the most important things to remember when negotiating is to ask lots of questions. Very often, you need to ask questions of yourself. Why do you want to buy? How much do you want to pay? When do you want to have it? Try and remember what the writer Rudyard Kipling once said: ‘I keep six honest servants; they’ve taught me all I know. Their names are what, why and who. And when and where and how.’
Most people make the mistake of thinking that negotiation is a complex science. It’s not. It’s usually just two people both trying to get the best deal for themselves: the person who is selling and the person who is buying. And there is no honest reason why both sides can’t reach a price which makes both of them happy. Here are 10 of my favourite points about negotiation.
1. FAIRNESS
First, don’t even consider ripping off the other person. If you’ve got a good product that’s priced higher than it can be bought elsewhere, then you’d better have a very good reason to justify your higher price. What are you offering that the other seller is not offering? If nothing, then all you’ve got to offer is price. If you are in a price war – as so often happens today, especially with cars and white goods – there’s only one way you can be sure of winning. Guarantee the best price.
That’s right; don’t just say that your price is best. Guarantee it. If they buy from you and later (within, say, 30 days), they see it advertised cheaper with someone else, then say you’ll refund the difference. I love honest guarantees in negotiation. They instantly move you closer to closing the transaction and they make you feel good. You don’t go away with that nagging feeling that maybe you could have got it even cheaper elsewhere. So this sort of negotiation is simple. If you’re the seller, offer the best price possible. If you’re the buyer, do some research and get to know the prices.
There is, however, one wonderful seven-word question which you should ask the other party, regardless of whether you are buying or selling. That question is: ‘Is that the best you can do?’ You’ll be astounded how many times this soft little question saves you a stack of dollars. One final tip on this question: Ask it a second time with one more word added. Once you’ve got what you are told is ‘the best’ that can be done, ask this eight-word question: ‘Is that REALLY the best you can do?’
I estimate that the first time you ask this question, you’ll get a better deal at least 50% of the time. The second time you ask the question – with the word ‘really’ added – you’ll get a better deal (in total) about 75 per cent of the time.
 Finally, the most important word in negotiation is ‘fairness’. It’s the first and final rule.
 
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2. VARIABLES
Second, look for variables – something you can add in as an extra if you’re selling or something that you can take out if you’re buying. For example, a home may have some expensive light fittings. If the buyer makes an offer which seems too low, the seller can say, ‘We accept the offer but we need to exclude the light fittings.’ There are a whole host of other extra things you can include or remove if you are selling or buying a house. During tight times in real estate, some property developers offer a ‘free car’ if you buy one of their properties. With such a large inclusion, though, it’s hard not to think that the price of the car has been added to the price of the property. Once again, do your own research.
3. RESEARCH
Third, become a superb researcher. You know who always gets the deal from a negotiation? The person who’s the best informed. Depending upon what you are selling or buying, the more research you do, the more knowledge you’ll acquire. With negotiation, knowledge is power.
Here’s an example. There’s another home for sale in my street. It’s just been built. It’s a gorgeous looking home but it’s located in the middle of a bend coming down a hill. As you drive down the hill, it’s easy to imagine a car losing control, failing to take the bend and ploughing into this house. This is a valid concern which can be used by buyers to secure a lower price. But if the sellers have done their research, they’d be able to tell the buyers that the council is going to close the street at the top of the hill. Cars will only be able to go one way – up the hill. Presto, knowledge has saved the sellers from having to give a hefty discount.
4. TIME
Fourth, be careful of time. The longer you spend in a negotiation, the more likely you’ll capitulate. When you invest a lot of time with people, you think: Well, we’d better do a deal now or else we’ve wasted all these hours/days/weeks. A car salesman once told me that some buyers will point to a car in the middle of many cars and ask the salesperson for a test drive. The poor salesperson may spend 20 minutes shifting cars around. He expects to make a sale. He has invested time and whoever invests the most time is the one most likely to surrender conditions. Some car buyers get salespeople to bring cars to the buyers’ homes. All the buyers do is sit at home and wait. The car salesperson uses up a heap of time, especially if they have to go back and forth to the buyers’ home with several types of cars.
So be careful. The longer the negotiation goes for, the less chance one side will have of getting the best deal. Make sure it’s not your side that’s invested huge chunks of time.
5. TERMS
Fifth, consider terms. Often, negotiation involves a financial focal point. For example, the price asked for a home may be one million dollars. Buyers are only offering $900,000. The sellers reduce their price to $980,000. The buyers increase to $920,000. Stalemate. Sixty thousand dollars short. The buyers say they have run out of money. With their savings, they have reached the maximum that the bank will lend them. The sale is about to fall over. But, suddenly, the sellers offer to ‘lend’ the buyers the $60,000 shortfall. The sellers may say, ‘Okay, we are $60,000 short, but we’ll let you pay us $12,000 per year for six years.’ If the buyer agrees, which they often do, the sale is saved. There are a myriad of combinations that can be used with financial terms.
6. STEADY
Sixth, be careful how you say ‘yes’. Let’s say you like something that has an asking price of one thousand dollars. You may offer eight hundred dollars. The seller gives you a big smile and says, ‘Yes, I accept,’ and out comes the proffered hand to shake. What’s your first thought? Yes, it was all too easy; maybe you should have offered less.
If you are the seller and someone makes you any offer that you want to accept, never look delighted. Take it steady. Maintain a stern, almost worried look. Ask for a few minutes alone with your partner. If you decide to accept the offer, always try to get the other side to make one more, final, concession. Here’s what you would go back and say: ‘Look, it’s not what we are hoping for, but we have decided to accept if you will pay for postage and packing [or whatever concession you seek].’
 
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7. CONTRA
Seventh, if you give something, make sure you receive something in return. That’s right, every time you agree to some point or condition in the negotiation, the other side, in return, should agree to compensate you for that. Don’t ever give anything away without getting something  in return. A contra arrangement. For example, you might increase your offer by $10,000 if they agree to leave their ride-on lawnmower and all the gardening implements.
8. QUESTIONS
Eighth, ask questions instead of making statements. Let’s face it, almost no one feels comfortable looking another person in the face and saying, ‘I want to give you $10,000 less than you are asking.’ 
So instead of making such ‘in-your-face’ statements, try asking a few soft questions.
For example, you can look at the asking price and then look puzzled before you ask, ‘Why are you asking this price?’ Amazingly, rather than try to justify why they are asking a certain price, many people will immediately reduce the price. It’s easier for them to reduce than defend their price.
And let’s say you are checking in to a hotel. All hotels have a series of set rates they charge. All hotels are flexible on their rates, no matter what they tell you. After all, they can’t sell the previous night’s empty room at any price. The worst rate that hotels have – and the one they’ll try to get you to pay – is what’s called their ‘rack’ rate. If you know what you are doing you will never pay the rack rate. So all you do is ask the desk clerk, ‘What special deals do you have on at the moment?’ If they say there are no deals and then they quote you a rate, you should immediately say, ‘Yes, but that’s your rack rate!’ (Say it as if only mugs would pay a rack rate.) All hotels also have a corporate rate, which is anywhere from 10 to 30 per cent cheaper than the rack rate. So you should ask, ‘What’s your corporate rate?’ When they tell you, then say – almost grudgingly – ‘Okay, I’ll take that then.’
But you’re not finished yet. Have you got one of their premier rooms or just one of their mediocre standard rooms? It costs a hotel nothing to give you one of their better rooms. To get a better room, just politely say, ‘Could you please give us a nice room?’ You’ll be surprised how often hotels will upgrade you at no extra cost. And what about breakfast? Ask the question in a positive manner and you’re more likely to get a positive result. For example, ‘This includes breakfast, doesn’t it?’ 
And finally, don’t forget to get a late check-out. Conrad Hilton was the man who got the masses to check out of his hotels on time. People used to be told that ‘check-out time’ was 11 am. But hardly anyone took any notice. He was having terrible trouble. And then he decided to post signs at the reception desk and in the rooms, saying ‘Check-out time strictly 11 am’. Suddenly, because it was in writing, everyone obeyed.
So be careful. Don’t ever let written words intimidate you to do what the written words want you to do. With negotiation, just about everything is negotiable – except your integrity, of course. Never do, or even hint at doing, anything unethical.
Recently I was at one of the big city car parks. I couldn’t find my car so I asked one of the attendants to help me. He was not only helpful with directions, he also took my money which saved me going to the cashier. It wasn’t until after I drove out that I realised what had happened. He had acted nervously and he moved behind a large concrete post when he looked at my ticket and got my money (I later realised to hide from the security camera). He took two 20-dollar notes from me which, at the time, I thought was quite reasonable, considering I had been parked there for most of the day. When he took the money, he said: ‘That’ll do.’ I thought he had given me a special rate. But he had actually given me the thief’s discount because he kept the money for himself. The real rate was around 70 dollars. As I joined the mass of city peak hour traffic, I slowly began to work out what had happened. He had pocketed my money. I fumed. I felt like going to his employers and setting him up in a hidden camera sting. I hate dishonesty, wherever it’s found or however it’s perpetrated. And, as in this case, I hated being almost a partner in this crook’s crime. I drove home feeling guilty myself. I couldn’t stand it and so the next day I rang the large car park company. To my shock, they weren’t interested. Perhaps they were all doing it all the time. Who knows?
 
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9. ODD
Ninth, don’t negotiate in even numbers, particularly near the end of the negotiation. Have you ever noticed that when people tell you their highest or lowest price, it almost always ends in a round number? Such as $10,000 or $12,000. But seldom $10,277. If people really were stretched to their limits, they’d be offering an odd amount – a sign that they had virtually emptied their purse.
Often, when you offer an odd amount, the other side will say something such as, ‘Why are you offering me $10,277?’ You then reply: ‘Because that’s all I can afford. I just can’t go any higher. If that’s not enough for you, then, I’m sorry, I’ll have to let it go.’ Again, you’ll be surprised how many times people will accept a price with an odd number, even if they may have refused a higher price with an even number!
10. EXPERTS
The 10th point is: consider using experts. I have done a lot of negotiation in my life but never felt comfortable negotiating for myself. I can get great deals for the sellers of real estate but when it comes to myself, I often end up feeling sorry for the buyers. I sold my last family home for almost $20,000 less than an earlier price I had been offered. Yes, I had two buyers. Instead of taking the buyer with the higher amount, I took the offer from the mother with a mentally disabled daughter. The agent introduced me to the lady. She was lovely and my heart melted.
It has been a different story, though, whenever I have been buying real estate. On the last three occasions that I or a close family member have bought property, we have always used the services of a Buyers’ Agent. In every case, we have saved more money than the amount we paid the expert. So, if you don’t feel 100 per cent comfortable doing the negotiating yourself (on big items only, such as houses or cars), I recommend that you hire a skilled negotiator.
Neil Jenman is a property commentator, consumer advocate and <a href="https://www.jenman.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">investigative writer. </a>
<a href="https://www.successtakescharacter.com/" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/12/jenmanbook.jpg" width="150" height="204" alt="jenmanbook" style="margin: 6px; float: left;"></a>
This is an excerpt of his book <a href="https://www.successtakescharacter.com/" target="_blank">Success Takes Character: Winning and Losing in the Game of Life</a>
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The 10 ways to negotiate a better deal in property: Neil Jenman

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Here's a confident prediction: Hundreds (probably thousands) of Australian investors are going to lose millions of dollars in the American property market.
Right now, it seems to be all the rage, the latest fad. Buy real estate in the United States. It's easy. Prices for American homes are so low and our dollar is so high that an investment in “the home of the brave and the land of the free” seems like a really good idea.
Unfortunately, it's not a good idea. For the average mum-and-dad Australian investor, buying real estate in America is a very bad idea. Never mind what the Aussie spruikers tell you, never mind how good it sounds, it really is too good to be true.
These days, a number of Australian spruikers have set up companies and are selling real estate in America to Aussies. Some of the men behind these companies are the same villains who were once ripping off investors with over-priced property deals in Australia. As any police officer will tell you, once a crook, always a crook.
Yes, I know it sounds wonderful. The numbers are enticing. You'll be told that you can buy a house for as little as $50,000 and rent it out for about $200 a week. That's a 20% return. It seems like a no-brainer. In reality, it's an investment for people who don't have the brains to spot a scam. And while I don't mean to be rude, I do mean to protect you from getting stung.
If you really want to check out the American real estate market, do it properly. Buy a ticket to the United States and check out the market for yourself. Under no circumstances should you buy property on the advice of an Australian company alone. Do the real research.
If you do the research, guess what you'll find. The American real estate market is not as good as it appears from a distance. Up close, it's an entirely different market to the Australian market. There are some places in America where homes cannot be sold at any price. That's right, they can't even give them away!
A lot of smart people – those with plenty of experience in property dealing – have checked out the American property market. They have come back with a simple message – don't touch it. In one case, a lawyer was flown to the United States by one of his clients. He was required to give his opinion on a large number of condominiums in Texas. "We are going to be rich," said his client. "We can buy these properties for as little as $2,000 each." The wise lawyer checked out the properties, checked out the local market and gave his judgement. Don't touch them.
Ask yourself an obvious question. If these American properties are such a good deal, how come the locals aren't buying them?
Right now, interest rates on home loans in America are very low (around 4% for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages). That means an American family can borrow $50,000 and pay just $2,000 in interest each year! Why, then, would that same family pay rent of $200 per week when they can buy the property for a far lower payment? Something just doesn't seem right, does it?
I can introduce you to Australians who have bought houses in the United States for $50,000 and cannot re-sell those houses for $25,000.
Here's a question you must always ask yourself before you buy any property in any strange area, especially a foreign country: What price are the locals paying for similar properties? If the locals are not buying the properties, then you shouldn't touch them either.
If you don't believe me, go to the United States for yourself. You'll see that some areas are ghettoes that resemble war zones. As one American agent reportedly said, "You need an armoured Humvee and a bullet-proof vest to collect the rent in this area." Well, in some areas there is no rent because the properties are abandoned. They are left vacant. And that's how they remain until some Aussie spruikers come along and realise that they can sell these properties to Aussie investors.
Well, be warned. America is now full of groups of people who are known as “flippers”. These are wheeler-dealers who buy properties at cheap prices and immediately on-sell them to unsuspecting out-of-towners at high prices which seem like low prices.
Yes, I agree – $50,000 sounds like a cheap price for a home. But there are very good reasons why so many of these American homes are so cheap. They are the white elephants. They aren't worth anything.
So, be warned Aussie investors. The latest rip-off is American real estate. In the years ahead, we will look back on the last few years and realise that this was when we got ripped off by buying American real estate.
Don't be one of them.
Neil Jenman is a property commentator, consumer advocate and investigative writer. This article first appeared on his website, <a href="https://www.jenman.com.au">www.jenman.com.au</a>
 
 
 
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Aussies will lose millions of dollars on US residential investment: Neil Jenman

Two years after securing development approval for the final stage of its award-winning Thornton Precinct on the doorstep of Penrith Station, Urban Property Group is set to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/mayfair-on-penrith-172-lord-sheffield-circuit-penrith-nsw-2750">Mayfair on Penrith</a>, around 400 apartments designed to reflect two of Sydney’s most iconic structures.

The builder-developer has continued refining the design plans for the two-building development on a significant 8,280 sqm site on Sheffield Circuit, recognising the importance of the prime parcel as one of the closest developable sites to the station.

UPG enlisted architecture firm SJB to design the project. The team said they drew inspiration from both the General Post Office in Martin Place and East Circular Quay to help shape the design. The two-level colonnade, in particular, reflects the famous GPO building, which dates back to the 1860s.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136726 project_image_fid=362016]

There will be one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments on offer, with interiors by Cox Architecture. Residences will sit above a retail podium featuring hospitality and lifestyle operators such as One Playground and Volcano’s Steakhouse, contributing to an activated ground plane within the broader Thornton precinct.

A communal rooftop with a pool and views towards the Blue Mountains will provide shared open space for residents. The development is positioned between Ron Mulock Oval and Westfield Penrith, with the Nepean River and Great River Walk also nearby, placing daily amenity and green space within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136726 project_image_fid=362011]

Mayfair is being delivered by Urban Property Group, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly 40 years’ experience across Sydney. The project will be the first in Penrith to be offered with Resilience Insurance’s 10-year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) policy, which Urban Property Group has adopted across a number of its recent developments. The developer also has a 4.5-star iCIRT rating, one of the best ratings in market providing further confidence to buyers.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said providing additional assurance to off-the-plan buyers has become increasingly important.

“Anything we can do to give confidence in our product is a plus,” Elias told Apartments.com.au.

“Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. They’re making their single large investment, which is their home, and providing confidence is something that we feel is paramount.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136726 project_image_fid=362020]

The LDI policy provides a 10-year warranty covering structural defects, with independent inspections carried out during construction and protection for owners if defects arise post-completion.

Mayfair represents Urban Property Group’s sixth and final development within Thornton, consolidating the masterplanned precinct immediately east of the station.

The developer, which builds its own projects, has already commenced construction. SRM Residential is handling the sales campaign.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136726]

Joel Robinson

Urban Property Group to close the curtain on award-winning Thornton precinct with Mayfair on Penrith release

Investor appetite for Queenstown apartments is strengthening as supply constraints and four-season tourism continue to underpin demand across the alpine region.

In Frankton’s masterplanned Remarkables Park precinct,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>’s 141-apartment Mountain Oak development is attracting repeat and yield-focused buyers seeking exposure to that market dynamic.

Brandon, who specifically targeted Queenstown as an investment location, said the combination of price point and limited new supply made Mountain Oak stand out.

“It is a quality product in a location that struggles to densify,” he said, referencing Queenstown’s land-locked geography and development limitations.

<img alt="From slopes to markets: Mountain Oak connects residents to the best of Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/658d4f_48c3ec1ae5df4a2cab7d23c07c7f51b3~mv2.jpg?VersionId=27K8oQ4ExDN8Yu70VHDa9Olq59XU36m3" />

Having spent significant time in the region, Brandon pointed to its global reputation and consistent visitation as key fundamentals.

“Queenstown is a known destination from people all over the world. The place is land locked and there are issues building there. It’s also busy all year round.”

That four-season economy, driven by skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking, cycling and water-based tourism in summer, was also central to Sherry’s decision to invest.

“I believe the four-season tourism has major appeal as it would ensure that the property will not remain empty, unlike other areas in NZ,” she said.

<img alt="From slopes to markets: Mountain Oak connects residents to the best of Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/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/313_Living_WEB.jpg?VersionId=3LglY20Jp_MAzQYdvwODRWvtjL.cZcqI" />

Mountain Oak has been structured to respond to that sustained demand, with 365-day visitor accommodation consent underpinning a mix of one-bedroom, flexi, two-bedroom and dual-key configurations that can operate as either short-term visitor accommodation or long-term rental housing. Dual-key apartments comprise two self-contained residences on one title, allowing owners to generate dual income streams or occupy one side while leasing the other.&nbsp;

Under Safari Group’s optional visitor accommodation management model, owners receive 60 per cent of the annual income generated by their apartment, with 24/7 on-site management, guest services and listing exposure included. Independent appraisal modelling suggests gross yields of up to 15 per cent for certain two-bedroom configurations, based on estimated nightly rates and occupancy assumptions.

For Brandon, that flexibility aligned with his broader investment strategy.

“It helps to know that I can have it managed either way,” he said. “My focus is on purchasing high yield cashflow properties.”

<img alt="Investors back Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments as Queenstown’s four-season economy drives demand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c786ba7f-f974-4ce3-9833-1bcd9f2938d6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/658d4f_ae3c049f388f4c13bf801649d91cbb4a~mv2%20%281%29.jpg?VersionId=J25uvzGdvtFaXGzuwz28ewJ9wWzbtvur" />

He selected a one-bedroom flexi configuration, citing both yield and adaptability.

“I work remotely and can travel to most places and work. I enjoy making spaces that work for the lifestyle that I live and it seems that others also enjoy it.”

Ranging from 54 to 57 square metres, the one-bedroom flexi incorporates a separate multipurpose room suited to a home office, additional storage, or accommodation for ski gear and seasonal equipment, an increasingly relevant inclusion for buyers balancing remote work and alpine travel.

Interiors feature underfloor heating in bathrooms and a heat pump in the main living area, supporting year-round comfort. Upper-level apartments are positioned to maximise natural light, with sliding windows and balustrades in select residences enhancing outlook and ventilation. Units are available in both light and dark interior schemes.

<img alt="Investors back Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments as Queenstown’s four-season economy drives demand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8f9492e9-8ee0-4aae-856c-8996ed9d9a06" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/658d4f_7d066f5200024c1aa472d01e2dc776ed~mv2.jpg?VersionId=MLR5xn6fLqPdBi7vxyRT.1zhQX3Ln0Ev" />

Sherry, a repeat Safari Group buyer, said her previous experience with the developer provided confidence to secure another apartment.

“Their developments have always finished on time, the quality has been high, and I didn't feel that my investment may be at risk,” she said. “Knowledge of the developer and our two existing Safari apartments gave us the confidence to proceed with this one.”

Safari Group has delivered more than 2,000 hotel units and residential apartments nationally and is now undertaking its fifth Queenstown development, reinforcing buyer confidence in delivery capability.

Although Sherry was not initially targeting Queenstown due to its price profile, prior visits reshaped her view of the market.

“I absolutely love this region and believe it is a major tourist attraction, which led me to the decision to invest.”

<img alt="How Mountain Oak Apartments draws holiday home buyers to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Construction commenced in June 2025, with completion anticipated by mid-2027. Apartments are priced from NZ$639,000, and the development carries Overseas Investment Office exemption approval, allowing non-residents to purchase.

For both investors, the purchase represents a balance of income generation and long-term portfolio positioning in a tightly held alpine market.

“I firmly believe my investments in Safari developments are a combination of all these elements,” Sherry said. “The location of this project enabled me to diversify.”

As Queenstown continues to attract year-round visitation alongside constrained housing supply, Mountain Oak’s dual-key flexibility, optional on-site management structure and established developer track record are resonating with investors seeking exposure to the region’s resilient tourism economy.

Investors back Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments as Queenstown’s four-season economy drives demand

The Minns Labor Government is today unveiling a game-changing new precinct at Bays West – delivering up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes - directly above the new Bays West Metro Station currently under construction.

The landmark transformation will convert underutilised government-owned port land on the Harbour into Sydney’s newest suburb, while retaining important deep-water port facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

<img alt="Bays West" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f01d10-0b6b-49de-8033-d3ef2728cb6d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-04%20at%204.06.12%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=UA6_r._1jYROJ5tFNXMHqjNYLKYWIN.Y" />

Affordable housing will be embedded from the outset, including dedicated homes for essential workers such as nurses, teachers, paramedics, firefighters and police so they can live closer to the communities they serve.

The precinct will combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years.

Night-time entertainment and creative industries will be anchored by the revitalisation of the historic White Bay Power Station as a cultural and community destination, connected to the harbour across a new expansive public forecourt.

Planning of the area will prioritise connectivity, including active transport links to neighbouring communities such as Rozelle, Balmain and Glebe, improved pedestrian access to the waterfront, and connections to the CBD, including an active transport link across the Glebe Island Bridge.

The Government will lead a master planning process that will include an international design competition to guide development across the precinct, ensuring homes, essential infrastructure, jobs, public spaces and transport links are delivered together.

It will be led by a new delivery agency to be established over the coming weeks, which will report to Minister Kamper who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo. Once established, the publicly owned land in the precinct will be transferred to the new agency.

This is the first new suburb that has been built in inner Sydney in decades, it will see homes built alongside the Bays West Metro Station ensuring young people, families and downsizers are only minutes away from the CBD. As part of the transformation of the Bays West precinct, bulk port operations – including cement, gypsum and sugar handling – will cease on Glebe Island by no later than 2030.

<img alt="Glebe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="46ef3c23-2ce1-4912-b8ba-5247de19d7b9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-04%20at%204.02.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=I5xKa7hLNlsueMsltA2dsYrRYtZCKvZz" />

The Government will work closely with industry to minimise impacts and ensure the continuity of supply. This includes a commitment of $270 million to improve road connections around the port at Port Kembla and to investigate increased rail freight capacity.

Working harbour operations across the precinct will be consolidated, mostly into White Bay, ensuring the precinct will continue to provide critical services for the harbour, including boat maintenance and marine construction and as a base for tug boats and for emergency services.

A new staging area will be established in White Bay, securing the future of the New Year’s Eve fireworks, Vivid and other major events for decades to come.

<img alt="Glebe island" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0554b153-b225-445b-a633-75aecea7dec9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-04%20at%204.06.17%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=P45ABy8KLuwjzVf04APWfeC4aOMA1Ngx" />

The cruise terminal will be retained in its current location, meaning tourists arriving in Sydney will be welcomed by the new precinct, with new shore-power facilities currently being installed that will reduce noise and emissions. The Sydney Heritage Fleet will also be offered new premises in White Bay.

Deep-water berths will be retained to preserve Sydney Harbour’s strategic operational capability, and the removal of the existing 1970s industrial silos, currently used as a billboard, as well as to store cement and sugar, will unlock new opportunities for public space and future housing.

“Right above a new metro station and minutes from the CBD, we’re delivering thousands of homes where people actually need them - close to work, close to services and close to transport,"&nbsp;Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said.

“Importantly, this precinct will include affordable and essential worker housing from day one, so nurses, teachers, paramedics and police can live closer to the communities they serve.

“We understand that not everyone will welcome change, but cities don’t stand still. If Sydney is going to remain a place young people and families can afford to live in, we have to use well-located land better and plan for the future.”

Glebe Island to accomodate 8,500 new homes near new Bays Metro Station

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a> has unveiled its exclusive penthouse collection at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Amargo</a>, its new apartment development in Palm Beach.

There are just four penthouses as part of the collection, however only three remain for sale, with a Palm Beach local already snapping up one of the apartments prior to its launch.

&nbsp;

“We are thrilled to unveil the debut penthouses within the Flourish story,” said Christie Leet, founder of Sherpa Group.

“The penthouses epitomise unparalleled luxury and contemporary elegance, offering an exclusive experience in modern living.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=362273]

Located at 6-12 Sixth Avenue, the penthouses will crown Amargo, which will rise 18 levels and offer a diverse product mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, attracting a wide demographic of buyers.&nbsp;

“Creating a multigenerational community is core for us at Sherpa," Leet added.

"Amargo embodies this ethos, welcoming first-home buyers, families and right-sizers alike – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=362271]

The penthouses, which range in price from just over $3 million to $4.6 million, each have three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and extensive balconies. Select penthouses will have&nbsp;dedicated media rooms. They have four-metre-high ceilings, Gaggenau appliances, and natural stone materials.

Flourish is crowned by an&nbsp;800 sqm rooftop retreat with a&nbsp;pool, pool deck cabanas and day beds, private outdoor barbecues and pizza oven, an internal private dining space, as well as a gym, yoga zones, steam rooms, and hot and cold magnesium pools.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=306037]

“We’re really excited about what we’re delivering here- Flourish is more than just apartments; it’s about creating a place where people feel truly at home,” Leet said.

Construction is already well underway on Amargo, with residents expected to move in by Q2 2027. The project is around 85 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146527]

A first look inside Flourish penthouse collection at Palm Beach

Builder-developer Urban Property Group (UPG) is continuing to expand into new markets. UPG is heading to the Hills District, where it is planning a 40-storey mixed use building near Castle Hill Metro Station.

They've gone down the favoured developer route of a State Significant Development Application, which should see developments approved within the space of nine months.

The tower will comprise 371 apartments, 42 of which will be affordable housing, above a ground-floor retail precinct at 16-20 Old Castle Hill Road, on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and within walking distance of Castle Hill Metro Station, an area identified for higher density under both local and state strategic planning frameworks.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc">Studio SC</a>, the tower would rise from a brick podium base, accommodating one retail tenancy and communal open space, before transitioning to a slender glazed residential form above. Six basement levels are proposed beneath the building to house parking and services.

<img alt="First Look: Urban Property unveils 40-storey mixed-use tower in Castle Hill with 371 homes and affordable housing component" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08dc82f9-b826-4e18-8c60-4c90f7472317" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%20G%20%28b%29%20-%20Ground%20level%20render.jpg?VersionId=EOv1ly45k_Bc1F73C0hdwXSG4FVSTETt" />

“Castle Hill is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from a traditionally low-rise suburban centre into a true metropolitan destination anchored by the Sydney Metro Northwest," the Architectural Design Report prepared by Studio SC noted.

The majority of apartments (194) will be two-bedrooms. 90 one-bedroom apartments are planned, 83 three-beds, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Studio SC’s design adopts a podium-and-tower composition, with warm-toned masonry at the lower levels intended to anchor the building within its streetscape context.

"At the podium, the architecture is anchored through solid brickwork in warm, earthy tones, reflecting the local sandstone formations and the natural colour palette of the surrounding hills," Studio SC added.

Above, the tower transitions to a lighter glass expression, articulated with fins and tonal variation to reduce visual bulk and respond to changing light conditions.

<img alt="First Look: Urban Property unveils 40-storey mixed-use tower in Castle Hill with 371 homes and affordable housing component" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f13cb2ee-ebfc-4204-9aba-e2dbd9e5d4bd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%20G%20%28a%29%20-%20Pool%20view.jpg?VersionId=Dnpusa.b5d6Nkx2clPlzWosDdh_1QW2V" />

Urban Property Group is one of Sydney's most active developers. They have projects currently under construction in Little Bay, Penrith, and Macquarie Park, with future projects earmarked for Wollongong.

Castle Hill has been one of the most popular suburbs for development across Sydney in the last five years, as developers scramble for land around the newly extended Sydney Metro.&nbsp;

Kassis Homes kicked it all off with Grand Reve, along with Deicorp who has delivered over 1,000 apartments in the area and continues to develop. The likes of Dubai-backed developer Arada will take to market their project in the coming months, while Masscon has just launched Avenue on Cadman Crescent.

Neil Jenman

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