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Home loans rates began to rise towards the end of the December quarter, despite no change to the RBA cash rate according to RateCity. 
About two-thirds of lenders raised fixed rates while a smaller number of lenders lifted variable rates with more hikes set to follow in 2017, according to comparison website RateCity’s Rates of the Nation report.
Longer-term fixed rates are sitting higher than variable rates and rising by the biggest margins, which indicates that banks don’t expect low rates will last forever. 
"Previously, banks were betting on lower rates in the future but we saw those expectations change daily during the past quarter," according tot Peter Arnold, data insights director of RateCity.com.au.
Fixed rates under 4 percent fell by 15 percent over the quarter; that’s around 100 less sub-4 percent fixed rates on offer now compared to three months ago, the report says.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/12/RateCityIntRatesMoves.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/12/RateCityIntRatesMoves.png" alt="">
Consumers responded quickly by shifting towards fixed rates. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/12/RateCityFixedvsVar.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/12/RateCityFixedvsVar.png" alt="">
"Consumers should expect more rate rises... While there are still plenty of home loan rates under 4 per cent, those deals are less prevalent now. It’s unlikely that we’ll see rates return to the long term average of around 7 percent just yet, but competition at the low-rate end of the market is slowing," Arnold adds.
Fixed home loan rates - Under 4 percent getting harder
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-12%20at%2011.40.14%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-12%20at%2011.40.14%20AM.png" alt="">
 
Distribution of variable rates
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/12/VariableLoans.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/12/VariableLoans.png" alt="">
According to RateCity's website, below is a snapshot of some of the popular home loan products:
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/12/RateCityPopularLoans.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/12/RateCityPopularLoans.png" alt=""> 
 
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More home loan rate hikes expected in 2017: RateCity report

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Property markets in regional Australia had a mixed performance in the quarter ended September 2016, with the Illawarra region in NSW recording double-digit growth for both houses and units in value terms, while values fell in Townsville and Bunbury, according to CoreLogic’s latest regional market update.
According to Tim Lawless, senior researcher at CoreLogic, “several regional property markets within driving distance to major capital cities saw strong home price growth over the past quarter”.
Some of the report’s highlights:
<ul>
<li>Over the year to September 2016, the Illawarra region had the largest annual increase in values for both houses (14.3 percent) and units (11.5 percent).</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/11/CoreLogicReg-Illawarra.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
       <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/CoreLogicReg-Illawarra.png" alt="">
<ul>
<li>In addition, home values rose across each of the three regions in NSW over the year ending September. 
</li>
<li>For houses, Townsville in Queensland and Bunbury in WA were the only regional markets where values fell, down 2.2 percent and 0.4 percent respectively. Unit values were lower across the five regions, with the greatest falls also in Townsville (4.5 percent) and Bunbury (4.1 percent).</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/11/CoreLogicReg-Townsville.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
       <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/CoreLogicReg-Townsville.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/11/CoreLogicReg-Bunbury.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
       <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/CoreLogicReg-Bunbury.png" alt="">
<ul>
<li>Transaction activity rose on a year-on-year basis across the Richmond – Tweed region, while across all other regional markets analysed, sales activity was lower over the year.</li>
</ul>
In the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and the Richmond- Tweed regions, home values rose by less, however, each property type saw gains of more than 6 per cent. When looking at transaction activity, the Richmond- Tweed region was the only region with an increase over the year (3 per cent), while sales activity fell in the other two regions. 
In Queensland, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast were the strongest performing regions across the state, with both house and unit values rising. While Townsville, Wide Bay and Cairns showed moderate growth or falling values over the year. Transaction activity also fell, with sales volumes across all regions decreasing over the year, but transactions were well above the five-year average in each region with the exception of Townsville. 
Sales fell in Victoria’s Geelong and Latrobe-Gippsland regions too, down 1 per cent and 5 percent respectively. However, home values rose in both regions, Geelong recording the highest value growth, with house values increasing by 6.9 percent and unit values up 3.7 percent. 
Western Australia’s Bunbury region saw house values fall by 0.4 percent, while unit values fell by 4.1 percent. Sales volumes were down 11.5 percent over the year, and 10 percent below the five year average for the region. 
 
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Illawarra home values show double-digit growth amid mixed showing in regional Australia: CoreLogic 

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You can still rent in Sydney for under $350 per week. Willmot in Sydney's Blacktown is the place if you are looking for houses and Berkeley Vale in Wyong for units, says CoreLogic in its top 10 picks for the lowest median rent suburbs in Sydney in 2016.
The median rent for houses in Willmot was $330, according to CoreLogic's analysis to September 2016. The top 10 list in CoreLogic's Best of the Best 2016 is evenly split among the council areas of Blacktown and Wyong, with Blacktown's Willmot and Blackett the top two cheapest followed by Budgewoi in Wyong.
For units, Berkeley Vale's median rent was $300, followed by Carramar in Fairfield at $310 pw and Bradbury in Campbelltown at $315.
The median price of houses in Willmot was $420,492 while in Berkeley Vale, the median value of units was $323,189.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/11/SydMedRentLo-Blacktown.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/SydMedRentLo-Blacktown.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/11/SydMedRentLo-Wyong.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/SydMedRentLo-Wyong.png" alt="">
Property Observer looked for some houses and units that match the criteria for lowest median rents.
A two-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-willmot-419996750" target="_blank">32a Resolution Avenue Willmot NSW 2770</a> is up for rent at $330 per week, matching the rental median.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/SydLowRent-Willmot.jpg" alt="">
For units, Property Observer found one example. A one-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-berkeley+vale-413379731" target="_blank">28A Wyong Road Berkeley Vale NSW 2261</a> is available for $250 per week.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/SydLowRent-Berkeley.jpg" alt="">
 
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Sydney's Blacktown vies with Wyong for lowest median rentals: CoreLogic

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When it comes to the highest gross rental yields for houses in and around Sydney, it's all Wyong.
All the top 10 spots for highest gross rental yields in CoreLogic's Best of the Best 2016 report are occupied by suburbs in the Wyong council area, with Mannering Park at the top with a yield of 5.2 percent and a median price of $428,688.
It was followed by San Remo and Blue Haven, both with a yield of 5.1 percent, according to CoreLogic.
To illustrate the point, Property Observer found a four-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-mannering+park-122821570" target="_blank">3 Cheryl Street Mannering Park, NSW, 2259</a> (above, below) that sold in August 2016 for $425,000, according to RP Data and is currently listed for rent within the range of $420-$445. At the upper end of that range, the yield works out to be 5.4 percent.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/10/SydGrossRentYld-ManneringPark.jpg" alt="">
For units, the best rental yield came from Long Jetty, again in Wyong. The median value of units in Long Jetty was $419,266 with a gross rental yield of 5.1%.
The list for units was more mixed, with three suburb each from Wyong, Gosford and Campbelltown council areas and one from Blacktown.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/10/SydGrossRentYld-chart.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/10/SydGrossRentYld-chart.jpg" alt="" width="767" height="205">
Property Observer found a two-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/8-5-7-centennial-ave-long-jetty-nsw-2261" target="_blank">8/5-7 Centennial Ave, Long Jetty, NSW 2261</a> (below) that sold for $410,000 in October 2015, and was last advertised for rent in February 2015 for $375 pw, according to www.realestate.com.au figures. The rental yield works out to be 4.7 percent, slightly lower than the overall yield of 5.1 percent for Long Jetty.
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/10/SydGrossRentYld-LongJetty.jpg" alt="">
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Wyong suburbs yield top rentals in 2016: CoreLogic data

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Hobart suburbs Rokeby and Glenorchy led the country in highest gross rental yield within 10 km of the CBD in 2016 among Australia’s capital cities, according to CoreLogic.
Rokeby led in houses with a median value of $193,291 and gross rental yield of 7.2 percent, while Glenorchy topped in units with a median value of $123,144 yielding 6.4 percent, says CoreLogic’s Best of the Best 2016 report.
Hobart suburbs dominated the top 10 list for houses with the top nine spots. The tenth slot went to Franklin in the Unincorporated ACT region. 
The list for units was more mixed with Oxley in Brisbane at no. 2 and Carlton in Melbourne at no. 3 respectively.
Property Observer found a three-bedroom house at 4 Benboyd Court Rokeby, TAS, 7019, (below) which sold for $186,500 in 2016 and was offered for rent at $270 pw, according to RP Data. The rental yield works out to 7.5 percent, close to the gross rental yield of 7.2 percent for Rokeby.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/09/Hobart10kmpic1.jpg" alt="">
For units, a two-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-tas-glenorchy-122596726" target="_blank">2/20 Balmain Street Glenorchy, TAS, 7010</a> (below) sold for $162,000 in September 2016 and was listed for rent at $240 pw, according to RP data. The yield works out to be 7.7 percent, above the 6.4 percent gross rental yield for units in Glenorchy.
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/09/Hobart10kmpic2.jpg" alt="">
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Hobart suburbs Rokeby and Glenorchy lead in rental yield within 10 km of CBD

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Sydney leads the country not just in home prices, it tops in rents too with Tamarama commanding the highest median rent of $1,725 per week for houses while Dawes Point leads in units with $1,775 pw for units.
Sydney takes all the top 10 spots for highest median rents per week for both houses and units, according to CoreLogic’s Best of the Best 2016 report.
The report’s figures are based on the median across all rental advertisements over the 12 months to September 2016.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/23/TamaramaTable.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/12/23/TamaramaTable.png" alt="">
Property Observer found across a few houses up for rent in Tamarama.
Though at present, we could not find any houses around the median price, here’s two:
A six-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/20-gaerloch-avenue-tamarama-nsw/property-details-rent-residential-10613128/" target="_blank">20 Gaerloch Avenue, Tamarama, NSW 2026</a> (below) is up for rent at $3,200 pw.
The beachfront house is located on Tamarama Beach and overlooks Mackenzies Bay. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/12/23/TamaramaFirst.jpg" alt="">
Another beachfront three-bedroom house on <a href="https://www.rent.com.au/property-house-tamarama-2026-1932842?search_token=41c224798e6d72d289f8581a" target="_blank">Birrell Street, Tamarama, NSW 2026</a> (below) is available for $2,500 per week.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/12/23/TamaramaSecond.jpg" alt=""> 
A two-bedroom apartment on Tamarama Beach at <a href="https://www.rent.com.au/property-house-tamarama-2026-2015726?search_token=3121a724df2231da78c36ff3" target="_blank">Wonderland Avenue</a> (main picture) is available to rent for $2,200 p/w.
The fully furnished house has an an entertaining deck with BBQ and al fresco dining.
For units in Dawes Point, the suburb that leads nationally on median rent, Property Observer couldn’t find any apartments that come close to that criteria.
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Tamarama leads all Sydney in highest median rents

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Much has been said about inner Melbourne’s apartment market supply, and the numbers prove it.
Melbourne was at the top spot for highest gross sales over the 12 months to September 2016, with total sales of $739,769,597, with the waterfront hub of Southbank at no. 4 on the top 10 list, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
Surfer’s Paradise and Hope Island on the Gold Coast were second and third with Sydney suburb Mosman rounding up the top 5. 
“Approved housing supply reached unprecedented highs during 2016 with high rise apartment projects attracting a higher risk profile, particularly across key areas of inner Melbourne and Inner Brisbane,” according to CoreLogic’s Best of the Best 2016.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/23/CoreLogicMedianSalesUnits.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/12/23/CoreLogicMedianSalesUnits.png" alt="">
The median value for unit sales in Melbourne was $470,055. 
Around the median price, we found a two-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-melbourne-122289782" target="_blank">2107/250 Elizabeth Street </a>(below), that sold for $475,000 in April 2016.
The apartment was sold through Dingle Partners. The investment property is on the 21st floor of Somerset on Elizabeth complex. 
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/12/23/MelbUnitMed.jpg" alt="">
A two-bedroom 160 sqm apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-melbourne-121708842" target="_blank">192/299 Queen Street, </a>Melbourne, Vic 3000 (below and main picture) sold for $1,320,000 in May 2016.
The property was sold by Melbourne City Real Estate.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/12/23/MelbUnitHigh.jpg" alt=""> 
Among the lowest was an investment property, a studio at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-studio-vic-melbourne-121308294" target="_blank">408/62-68 Hayward Lane, Melbourne</a> (below) that fetched just $170,000 in the Melbourne CBD with the agents promising an annual return of more than 8 percent. It was sold through Elite Real Estate. It was sold in March 2016.
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/12/23/MelbUnitCheap.jpg" alt="">
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Melbourne tops gross value of sales for apartments: CoreLogic report

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When it comes to rental yields on a property, there’s no beating Cairns when it comes to apartments.
The Queensland city occupies eight spots in the Top 10 highest gross rental yields compiled by CoreLogic, including the top four.
The southern suburb of Woree in Cairns tops the list with a rental yield of 8.7 percent on a median unit value of $137,358, according to CoreLogic’s Best of the Best 2016 report that tracks various housing indicators up to the 12 months to September 2016. 
The only other suburbs not from Cairns are Elizabeth East and Davoren Park in Adelaide’s Playford, occupying fifth and sixth places, respectively.
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/12/23/CairnsUnitRentYld.png" alt="">
According to the latest RP Data, the median asking rent for Woree is $255 per week.
Property Observer looked around for units around the median value of $137,358 on RP Data to see what their current yields were. 
A two-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-qld-woree-116149035" target="_blank">3/10 Girralong Street Woree, QLD, 4868</a>, which last traded owners in 2014 for $136,000 was last rented out for $260 pw, which gives a rental yield of 9.94 percent.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/12/23/CairnsNo1.png" alt="">
Another two-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-qld-woree-122550290" target="_blank">2/1 Sandown Close Woree, QLD, 4868,</a> which sold in June 2016 for $133,000 was last leased for $260 pw, implying a solid yield of about 10.16 percent. 
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/12/23/CairnsNo2.png" alt="">
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Cairns is undisputed king of rental yields for units

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Mosman, the stylish Lower North Shore Sydney suburb, clocked a billion dollars in gross sales over the 12 months to September 2016, more than any other across the country.
The gross value of sales in Mosman was $1,047,292,200, according to CoreLogic’s Best of the Best 2016 report.
The median value of houses in the suburb is $3,564,639.
Brighton, an affluent beachside suburb of Melbourne, was a distant second with gross sales of nearly $857 million for the same period.
Among the recently sold houses near the median value, was a four-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-mosman-123823394" target="_blank">8A Bickell Road, Mosman, NSW 2088</a> (above) that traded for $3.3 million. 
The property was sold through McGrath.
This sleek architectural home with views over Quakers Hat Bay last traded for $165,000 in 1979, meaning the house has appreciated exactly 20 times that price in the last 37 years. 
There were more than 300 sales in Mosman during the period, with the highest being a six-bedroom period home — built in 1910 — for $15.5 million, according to RP Data.
The $15.5 million Federation Queen Anne Style 1910 family estate at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-mosman-123885122" target="_blank">30 Bradleys Head Road, Mosman</a> (below) is set on 2,244 sqm. 
The house previously sold for $7,150,000 in 2001. The deal was brokered by McGrath.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/12/23/MosmanTop.jpg" alt="">
Another high-profile deal of around $14.5 million that was featured in Property Observer recently relating to the sale by former Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch head of fixed income Neale Muston.
Set overlooking Chowder Bay, the Mosman house (below) was bought by a Chinese-origin buyer with residency.
It was sold on its second time marketing campaign this year. And in 2015 it was listed with $17 million hopes.
The architecturally designed Morella Road four-bedroom home features minimalistic styling. The sale affirms that the Chinese buyers are attracted to the “prestige” of Clifton Gardens.
It was sold by McGrath agents Michael Coombs and John Melville with a price guide of $14.5 million to $15.5 million.
The property last traded for $6.15 million in 2008 when bought by Muston who is now a director of Excalibur Trading, a private capital fund specialising in the global futures markets.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/12/23/Mosman2.png" alt=""> 
The lowest sale was a three-bedroom duplex/semi-detached house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-duplex+semi-detached-nsw-mosman-124005778" target="_blank">87 Spit Road, Mosman, NSW 2088</a> (below) for $1,280,000.
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/04/87%20Spit%20Road.jpg" alt="">
The deal was brokered through Cunninghams Property and the property was snapped up after just 13 days on the market.
Previously, the house sold for $875,000 in 2013, according to RP Data.
* An earlier version of this article mistakenly calculated the tally as $1 trillion.
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Sydney's Mosman clocks $1 billion in annual house sales, the highest municipality across Australia 

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A warehouse and ex-gallery in inner-city Sydney recently changed hands for $2,200,000.
The <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/45-burton-street-darlinghurst-nsw-2010-2013226274" target="_blank">45 Burton Street, Darlinghurst</a> property has potential for further development or to 'create something unique', subject to council approval, according to its description,
The location benefits from its proximity to Oxford Street, Hyde Park and the CBD.
The place can be used for developing units or retail.
It has a land area of 86 square metres and internal area of 172 square metres and zoned R1.
Height restrictions of of 12 metres up to four levels apply.
The listing agents were BresicWhitney.
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Inner Sydney gallery space sells for $2.2 million 

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

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Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

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ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

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For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

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Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

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Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

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Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Prateek Chatterjee

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