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AC/DC bassist Clifford Williams has sold his West Village, New York condo.
And possibly for more than he bargained for.
The condo at 63 Downing Street appeared on the <a href="https://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/870394-condo-63-downing-street-west-village-new-york" target="_blank">Streeteasy</a> website as listed at $US1.899 million, and now appears as sold for $US2.3 million through <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.corcoran.com/nyc/Listings/Display/2576046" target="_blank">Corcoran Group Real Estate</a>. No doubt the Curbed website will give us an update shortly as to the eventual selling price.
The second floor-renovated apartment (pictured below) includes two privates terrace and decorative French garden style wood trellises.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/07/july3downing]}
The bathrooms features Jerusalem marble tiles, a custom vanity and a marble bath. 
The kitchen boasts granite countertops, mosaic marble splash backs and custom designed cabinets.
It’s not known how much was spent renovating the property, but Williams purchased the property in July 2004 for $1.25 million.
Although the British-born Williams isn’t technically an Aussie, he joined the Aussie rock band AC/DC in 1977.
Since his introduction to the band, he’s since been inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association’s Hall of Fame and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
There's no reports of Williams purchasing any properties since his 2010 splurge on a $5.1 million mansion in south Fort Myers Florida.
Williams bought the seven-bedroom estate in the Gulf Harbour Yacht and Country Club from founder and former chairman of WCI Communities Inc Al Hoffman.
Hoffman was originally seeking a staggering $17 million for the house he built himself, but after failing to find a buyer and dropping the price several times, he decided on an absolute auction - meaning it would go to the highest bidder. 
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AC/DC bassist Clifford Williams sells New York condo

Filming for the seventh season of the reality show Selling Houses Australia will kick off this weekend in Kedron, seven kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD.

Selling Houses Australia is a renovation show that takes homes that are struggling to sell and transforms them into saleable beauties.

The 1920s seven-bedroom Queenslander&nbsp;is situated on 809 square metres at 25 Somerset Road.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68834]

It was first listed in January for $750,000 and then dropped to $690,000, but still failed to attract a buyer.

It was purchased in 1985 for $62,000 and features original fretwork, traditional arches and French doors.

It will be open to the public on Saturday July 6 between 10am and 11am for the public to offer their opinions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=97810 project_image_fid=159844]

&quot;It was kind of a bachelor pad for quite a few years and so the family touch has been forgotten,&quot; vendor Susan Ellis told The Courier Mail.

It served as a family home for almost 30 years, but after the passing of her husband, Ellis has chosen to sell.

&quot;The house has soul, but it needs to be brought back to life.

&quot;It would be quite distressing to see it deteriorate anymore,&quot; Ellis says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22057 project_image_fid=150837]

The property will be relisted for sale once the Selling Houses Australia team gives the property a facelift.

The team includes property expert Andrew Winter, interior designer Shaynna Blaze and landscaper Charlie Albone.

The Queensland property was first listed through Di Webb of Elders Real Estate Everton Park.

The median house price in <a href="/news">Kedron</a> is $510,000, according to RP Data.

Selling Houses Australia is produced by Beyond Productions on The LifeStyle Channel.

Andrew Winter's Selling Houses Australia kicks off filming in Kedron for series seven

A five-bedroom Victorian Italianate style mansion in Mosman was last week&rsquo;s most expensive sale, selling under the hammer for $3.725 million, according to RP Data.

The 1,056-square-metre circa 1888 Hamlet House sold on June 26 through Tim Foote of Belle Property Mosman. The residence was built for the government analyst, William Hamlet. According to Sands Directories the house was called Darrington&nbsp;in 1890, and then&nbsp;from 1902 it was named Bavington. William Mogford Hamlet, FIC, FCS, lived there until 1916.

The 1888&nbsp;Hamlet House&nbsp;boasts restored and maintained original features, including soaring ceilings, marble fireplaces and chandelier lighting. It has brown tuckpointed face brickwork laid in Flemish bond, with stucco quoining.

The property also includes a one-bedroom self-contained apartment with a bathroom and kitchenette.

Hamlet House last sold in 2008 for $3.01 million when listed with $3.5 plus hopes. It also sold for $2.7 million in 2001.

The median house price in <a href="/news">Mosman</a> is $2.08 million, down 9.6% annually.&nbsp;

New South Wales dominates the top 10 list this week, taking out nine of the 10 spots.

Top 10 most expensive sales

107 Shadforth Street, Mosman, NSW, 2088, five-bedroom house, sold on June 26 by Belle Property Mosman for $3.725 million

73 Albert Road, Strathfield, NSW, 2135, six-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 29 by Devine Real Estate Strathfield for $3.4 million

14 Dick Street, Henley, NSW, 2111, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 29 by McGrath Estate Agents for $3.3 million&nbsp;

1/132 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW, 2023, three-bedroom unit, sold on June 27 by Real Estate Redefined for $2.4 million

8A/3 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, NSW, 2026, three-bedroom unit, sold at auction on June 29 by Ray White Double Bay for $2.4 million

5 Elvina Street, Dover Heights, NSW, 2030, four-bedroom house, sold on June 26 by BHR Estate Agents for $2.395 million

45 Dening Street, Drummoyne, NSW, 2047, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 29 by McGrath Estate Agents for $2.325 million

171 Boyce Road, Maroubra, NSW, 2035, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 29 by Ray White Kingsford for $2.1 million

41 Fisher Street, Balgowlah Heights, NSW, 2093, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 29 by Clarke &amp; Humel Property for $2.08 million

41 Electra Street, Williamstown, VIC, 3016, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 29 by Compton &amp; Green Real Estate for $1.901 million

Hamlet House, the Victorian Italianate style Mosman home trophy home sells as most expensive result: RP Data

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Property Observer is seeking an outstanding young journalist and digital native to join our Melbourne editorial team as website producer.
You will be responsible for uploading content to the Property Observer website, adding value and attracting readers to our content, overseeing our daily newsletter, producing multi-media content, managing SEO and other editorial production tasks.
Specific experience/skills required
<ul>
<li>Experience in content management systems (Joomla preferred)</li>
<li>Adobe Photoshop experience essential</li>
<li>The ability to write sharp copy, particularly must-click-on headlines</li>
<li>Can spot a typo?and potential defamation?at first glance</li>
<li>Understand how search engines work?—?and how to push our content to the top</li>
<li>The ability to nail the perfect tweet</li>
<li>An excellent grasp of social media platforms</li>
<li>Must be able to develop rich media content</li>
<li>Can manage a network of independent contributors</li>
</ul>
You will also work in conjunction with designers, IT and marketing teams to manage website development tasks.
A passion or curiosity for real estate is an advantage.
If you are interested, please email the managing editor Jonathan Chancellor at <a href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Property Observer seeks a production editor

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Scheduled auctions continue to dwindle as we enter into the second month of winter, with 944 auctions scheduled across the capital cities this week, according to RP Data.
Auction volumes have decreased from the revised 1,548 auctions that took place last week and 1,655 the previous week.
The auction clearance rate was slightly up last week at 68.7% from 66% the previous week.
At the same time last year, the clearance rate was substantially lower at 50.8% but there were 1,256 auctions.
Melbourne has 423 scheduled auctions this week, substantially less that the revised figure of 705 auctions last week and 820 the previous week.
The Melbourne preliminary auction clearance rate was recorded at 71.2% last week, up from 68.1% the week prior.
There were slight more scheduled auctions in Melbourne this time last year at 544, however the clearance rate was much lower at 57.8%.
Sydney has 329 scheduled auctions this week, less than the revised figure of 588 auctions last week and 593 auctions the previous week.
The Sydney clearance rate increased slightly last week to 72.8% from 71.9% the week before.
At the same time last year, there were more scheduled auctions in Sydney at 493 however like Melbourne, the clearance rate was substantially lower at 50.3%.
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Scheduled auctions continue to dwindle but clearance rates still strong: RP Data

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On this week’s episode of Purchase or Pass, general manager of Realestate.com.au Arthur Charlaftis joins Chris Gray to discuss what happens to your investment decision, which may have parking, but may not.
It’s a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-maroubra-113105583">three-bedroom unit</a> in a small block of four units, 11.1 kilometres from the Sydney CBD and less than 100 metres to the beach. It’s in a small recently refurbished Art Deco block of four units. The property itself is beautifully presented and is a large 114-square metre semi sized garden apartment. There are DA approved plans for garaging and a garden area to be added to the existing title, but there is a disagreement within the strata and so they have blocked the plans.
{qtube vid:=srHAYEoctAI&amp;feature=youtu.be}
Chris Gray: So, to start with, before we get into the parking issue, what are your main thoughts on that type of apartment?
Arthur Charlaftis: It’s a great property in terms of location and it seems like it’s a quiet street and it’s a small block. You kind of expect to not have too many issues with getting a resolution on adding parking.
Chris Gray: Exactly, and it looks as though the strata is actually looking after the building, so that building shot right there, it looks as though it’s pretty well maintained. Especially around the ocean, with all this sort of salt and concrete cancer and that kind of stuff. I guess the major negative we’re talking about here is the disagreement. Having DA approval, you guys call it something different in Melbourne don’t you?
Arthur Charlaftis: Yeah, we call it a planning permit.
Chris Gray: So basically they’ve gone to council, they’ve got planning permission for it, but then suddenly you need strata approval as well. Without it, you can’t do anything can you?
Arthur Charlaftis: Yeah and I think if you look at this, we’re talking about a three-bedroom unit and we’re also talking about a busy location, so parking becomes pretty important and I think it will also implicate capital growth in terms of the value of that asset going forward.
Chris Gray: The reason we brought it up this week is I’ve actually never come across this before, because normally when you go through strata’s, quite often we try to get a lot of strata’s to change the plans, is you get approval from the strata to say right, can I do something on this land? Then you go and get approval from the council, but obviously something’s gone wrong.
Arthur Charlaftis: Yeah, this is unusual so I don’t know whether they started off that way, then the cost of the development has gone beyond what they originally expected or maybe through that planning permit they had to make amendments to the plan, which then affects the commitment of wanting to actually make the change.
Chris Gray: Again, this is the difference between I guess average people going to buy units and professionals buying it, it’s always in the detail. So you can read the real estate ad that says DA approved for parking, which is factually correct but you have to go an extra step and ask the extra questions, which hopefully this lister would be doing. Purchase or Pass on this one for you?
Arthur Charlaftis: Pass, because I think there is a big risk in the parking not being done but also the fact, if you’ve only got four people there and you can’t get an agreement on an issue like that, which seems pretty obvious.
Chris Gray: For me as well, to invest almost $1 million in a property with no guarantee of parking is a very hard call, as no parking will stunt its capital growth into the future. So I would be meeting with the other owners before purchasing, and even with their positive assurance I’d find it pretty hard to buy. So I’m going to pass, until it has all been officially approved.
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Purchase or Pass? Parking space DA approved but not strata approved in Maroubra

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House Rules South Australian team Carly and Leighton have taken out the top prize of the renovation show, with their $450,000 mortgage wiped clean.
The public vote saved Channel Seven $179,000 after Michelle and Steve from New South Wales were announced runners up with their $629,000 mortgage – the biggest mortgage on the show.
Michelle and Steve don’t walk away empty handed though, with their newly renovated home to be potentially worth $180,000 to $225,000 more.
The House Rules grand final announcement had an impressive rating of 1.837 million, with the lead up to the announcement attracting 1.53 million viewers, according to OzTAM five city metro ratings.
The House Rules grand final lead up was the second most watched show on television last night, with the winner announcement taking out the top spot.
The new reality show has come a long way since its <a href="/news">launch night</a>, which attracted 803,000 viewers nationally and then slipped to 687,000 by the end of the first week.
Towards the end of the series, House Rules started to overtake its Channel Nine competitor The Block Sky High in ratings.
The Block Sky High rated 1.227 million last night and slotted in behind Nine News and Seven News.
Sunday night ratings saw The Block Sky High back in the lead with 1.503 million viewers nationally.
The episode revealed the foyer and laundry room makeovers, with South Australian twins Alisa and Lysandra taking home their third win.
The House Rules semi-final slotted into fifth place on Sunday night with a rating of 1.365 million.
The House Rules Victorian team Chris and Nick have also come away winners, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/house-rules-chris-and-nick-could-secure-the-highest-potential-reno-windfall/2013062762733" target="_blank">potentially benefiting the second most from the renovation reality show if they were to sell their Preston home</a> in the current market.
Property Observer followed House Rules on its six week journey, you can read other stories <a href="?option=com_googlesearch_cse&amp;q=house%20rules" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Carly and Leighton crowned House Rules winners with $450,000 Adelaide mortgage wiped clean

A six-bedroom family retreat in Sale is on the market for $830,000.

Situated on 9.3 hectares, the Gibsons Road property was designed by Toorak architect Dale Fisher Jnr.

The property features an open plan granite kitchen, in ground wine cellar and five bathrooms.

The home is surrounded by decking and boasts a large north facing deck with a pizza oven.

A separate two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat is also located on the property.

The home also includes a tennis court, orchard and a dam suitable for swimming.

The property was first listed in September 2010 for $1.2 million and was relisted in early 2011 for $995,000.

The median house price in Sale is $279,000, according to RP Data,&nbsp;with the average discount required to sell a house is 7.7%, while private treaty sales spend an average of 113 days on market.

Sale is located 212 km from Melbourne&rsquo;s CBD. It is accessible by car or by train, with Sale railway station serving the town, via the Bairnsdale V/Line rail service.

According to the 2011 Census, Sale has a population of 14,259. The median age of people in Sale is 38 years, with children under 14 making up 20% of the population, indicating there are a number of young families living there.

The median asking rent for houses in Sale is $275 per week, while average rental yield is 5.1%.

with additional research by Diane Leow.

<div class="ljhooker-address">&nbsp;</div>

Dale Fisher Jr-designed family retreat for sale in Sale

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Jardin Parkville, the latest stage of the apartment precinct of the master-planned community within Parkville Gardens, successfully sold 23 out of 91 apartments last month.
Located only four kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, Jardin Parkville consists of 91 apartments across two buildings.
Designed by SJB Architects, the development is the latest project between Citta Property Group and Australand.
One-bedroom apartments start from $370,000 and are 50 square metres.
Two-bedroom apartments start from $470,000 and range in size from 68 square metres to 73 square metres.
Three-bedroom apartments start from $680,000 and are 89 square metres.
Residents will also have exclusive access to the Park Club, which features a 25-metre indoor lap pool and gymnasium.
The previous stage, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/the-green-parkville-almost-a-third-sold-since-september-launch/2012112157229" target="_blank">The Green at Parkville</a> (pictured below) is completely sold out.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/thegreen3.jpg">
The <a href="/news">Parkville</a> development site was a former psychiatric hospital that later became the athlete’s village for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The Parkville Gardens project was marketed as a modern housing development with the aim of being an integrated, social inclusive community.
The 20-hectare development included the retention and refurbishment of 11 heritage buildings and the capacity for approximately 1,000 dwellings.
Jardin Parkville has an expected completion date of late 2015.
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Jardin Parkville the latest to launch within the Parkville master-planned community

The Chenchow Little-designed house in Palm Beach has been sold.

It apparently fetched a tad&nbsp;less than its $2.85 million asking price.

The property passed in at its late February auction and&nbsp;then relisted with its&nbsp;$2.85 million asking price.

Property Observer reported on its <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/chenchow-little-designed-hill-house-palm-beach-listed/2012083056320" target="_blank">first listing</a> in August last year and it&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/chechow-little-designed-palm-beach-house-seeks-%24285m/2013040460014" target="_blank">relisting</a>.

Located on Bynya Road, The Hill House was one of four properties to receive The New House award at the 2013 Residential Architecture Awards in Sydney last week.

The award means The Hill House now qualifies for the final shortlist for best new Australian house in November.

The Hill House boasts clean double-brick and steel beam construction and travertine floors.

It features a double-height reception room and a living/dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

The four bedrooms each come with their own ensuites and a private courtyard.

Outside includes a covered terrace and a large freestanding swimming pool.

The <a href="/news">Palm Beach</a> property is surrounded by native shrubbery that has been designed by Spirit Level Design.

It was sold through <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-palm+beach-112759343" target="_blank">Peter Robinson of LJ Hooker Palm Beach</a>.

Chenchow Little-designed Palm Beach trophy house sells

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

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Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

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Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

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Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

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Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

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Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

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Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

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La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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Nicola Trotman

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