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When buying investment property, capital growth prospects should be prioritised over rental returns, says property expert John McGrath in a recent blog post on Switzer, citing a recent Corelogic RP Data report showing rental growth was slower than capital growth over the past decade.
The report shows that across the combined capital cities, rents have increased by 50.7 percent (or 4.2 percent per annum) over the past decade compared to an increase in capital values of 72 percent (or 5.6 percent per annum), he says. 
Looking at different property types, house rents increased by 50.3 percent while apartment rents rose by 53.7 percent. Drilling down to the cities, the two capitals with the greatest rental increases were Sydney (no surprise) at 59.4 percent and Perth at 54.6 percent. 
"Rental returns are important because they help you with your loan repayments. That’s their primary purpose at the beginning of your tenure of an investment property," he says. 
In most cases, especially in the high value markets of Sydney and Melbourne, the odds are the rent on a newly acquired investment property will not cover repayments or other costs in their entirety so an investor will have negatively gearing. 
Regardless, the rent will still take care of a sizeable chunk of the outlays, thereby reducing the cost of holding the investment property while time does its thing to deliver capital gains. 
However, over time, if one chooses to pay the principal and interest on the investment loan; and rental returns gradually increase year to year, one will eventually get to a point where rental returns do in fact cover the whole mortgage.  And throughout all this, tax benefits such as depreciation, will also have a positive impact. After a bit more time, the rent will start to cover other expenses like strata fees and council rates too. This would take an investor into positive cash flow territory and that’s an excellent place to be – it’s the dream scenario for retirees. 
But that requires good long-term strategy, adds McGrath.
"Many people say interest-only loans are the way to go with investments because they keep your repayments to a minimum. This is entirely true and a good strategy to adopt if your cash flow is tight. But if you want to get to a point where the rent is covering everything, you’ll generally need to start paying some Principal at some point.
"It’s helpful to think about where you want to be in retirement and work backwards from there. But don’t do it alone – sit down with your accountant or financial advisor. You might want to keep your loan at interest-only to keep outlays as low as possible, wait for capital growth; then sell in 10 years for a profit. Another scenario might involve paying the principal and interest to reduce the loan down to positive cash flow as soon as possible, with the intention of creating a strong, debt-free, income-producing asset for life.  
"Your strategy will depend on your goals and the timeframe you have to achieve them. But if there’s one piece of advice I hope you take when buying an investment it’s this – capital growth first, rental return second. Always."
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When buying investment property – capital growth first, rental return second: John McGrath

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A Melbourne-based developer has snapped up a mixed-use Sunbury site for $1.25 million.
The sale of 1-5 Riddell Road was brokered by Fitzroys agent Dean Alexander.
The 2,640 sqm site included three titles each owned by one member of the local family that had owned the property for over 50 years.
Alexander said the corner site was sold with a mixed-use zoning and lent itself to a variety of options.
“The property received strong interest from developers looking to capitalise on the flexibility of the site and the region’s rapid population growth,” he said.
Sunbury is the birthplace of The Ashes cricket trophy and a gateway to the Sunbury Wine region, according to the www.visitvictoria.com website.
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Developer buys Victoria's Sunbury site for $1.25 million

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Engineering contractor John Holland has agreed terms on a new office/warehouse lease at East Bentleigh in Melbourne’s south-east. 
The 7-13 Ardena Court property comprises 3,537 square metres of quality office and warehouse over two levels, including a 750 square metre office component, dual roller door access, three phase power and 25 on-site car spaces.
The property has easy access to South Road, North Road, and the Nepean Highway.
The deal was brokered by Savills Australia director Gareth Jackson and Chris Telley.
"John Holland has been contracted by the state government to complete a number of level crossing tunnelling projects in the south-east and required a modern facility in a prime location which provided quick access to key local arterials,’’ Jackson said.
He said the rental, for the one year plus one year lease, could not be disclosed but is believed to be circa $210,000 per annum net.
The lessor is a private Melbourne investor.
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John Holland takes office space on lease in Melbourne's Bentleigh

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The Property Industry Foundation (PIF) is set to raise some $600,000 this month from two of its core fundraising events which will be channelled into programs for at risk and homeless youth, including the Foundation’s own PIF House initiative.
The Middle Harbour Yacht Club recently hosted the Yachting Regatta in Sydney on 11 March, 2016.  
This week, the Foundation will hold its Sailing Challenge at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club with around 40 yachts expected to participate. The Property Industry Foundation (PIF)’s annual Charity Sailing Challenge will be held on Friday 18 March to raise funds to support homeless and at risk young people in Victoria.
Sponsored by Brookfield, the Charity Sailing Challenge was held at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club with a Jamaican themed after-party featuring live entertainment.
Special guest skippers on the day will include America’s Cup Skipper John Bertrand AM and fellow Sailor and Rio Olympics Gold Medal hopeful, Lisa Darmanin.
Around 40 registrations have been received with high-profile participants including APN Group, Brookfield, Brookfield Multiplex, Cedar Wood Properties, Charter Hall, Colliers International, Dennis Family Corp, EY, Frasers Property Australia, Hacer Group, Hayball, Investa, ISPT, Knight Frank, Macquarie Capital, Mirvac, Napier &amp; Blakeley, Probuild Quintessential Equity, Urbis and Vicinity Centres.
“It provides the industry with the opportunity to engage, network and have some fun whilst making a significant impact into the lives of at risk youth,” said Daryl Browning, chairman of PIF Victoria.
Funds raised will be channelled into programs for homeless and disadvantaged youth, including PIF’s own PIF House initiative.
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Sailing towards a brighter future

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SUPA IGA Doonside, a freestanding supermarket in an established suburb west of Sydney's Blacktown, has sold for $14,750,000 via an expressions of interest campaign.
A private investor bought the property on an initial yield of 6.1 percent, said selling agents Steven Lerche and Pat De Maria of Savills.
“The opportunity to secure a supermarket with both a net lease structure and built in rental growth is a rare prospect and therefore resulted in overwhelming interest from local, interstate and overseas investors," Lerche said.
The property has a gross leasable area of 4,402.3 square metres and is 100 percent leased to a wholly owned subsidiary of ASX-listed Metcash Limited, expiring in 2024 with a 10-year option. There are an additional four internal sub-lease tenancies. 
The centre sits on a site area of 15,300 square metres with on grade parking for about 224 vehicles.
Its location also allows for future redevelopment due to its B2 Local Centre Zoning allowing for a multitude of uses subject to council approval.
The Doonside suburb is 40 km west of Sydney’s CBD.
The centre is close to the junction of the M4 Western Motorway and the M7 Westlink. 
“The infrastructure planned for the Greater Western Sydney Region will result in a windfall for Doonside. With the release of designated development land throughout the North West corridor it will allow for further business and housing to be built for the area surrounding Doonside,” added Lerche.
Across the country, offers are due today on a fully leased neighbourhood shopping centre in Swan View that comes with an IGA store.
It is the first neighbourhood shopping centre to head to market this year, and includes a centre anchored by as 1204sq m IGA Supermarket, a Caltex Service Station, 10 specialty retail shops and four ATMs. 
The IGA Supermarket is on a 20-year lease, not expiring until 2028, and the total estimated net income exceeds $1.1 million per annum.
It is listed through Colliers International and Savills.
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Private investor snaps up SUPA IGA in Doonside for $14.75 million

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Transport and logistic tenants dominate the plus 5,000 sqm industrial leasing market in Brisbane, making up nearly 40 percent of all leasing requirements, according to Ray White Commercial.
Leasing volumes in the more than 5,000 sqm market in Brisbane has reached approximately 500,000 sqm in the past two years, Ray White Commercial (Qld) associate director - Industrial Transactions, Dan Costello.
“Transport and logistic tenants dominate the need for large and modern spaces and this segment of the market is particularly active in the pre-lease market,” Costello said. “These tenants are looking to new, purpose built facilities on long lease terms.”
However, manufacturing is a falling segment of the market and now only represents seven per cent of all tenant take-up, and dominates the secondary sector of the market.
“Other consumer uses including automotive, construction and telecommunications collectively represent half of all of the leases with a mix towards prime and secondary assets,” he said.
In her Between the Lines Plus 5,000 sqm Brisbane Industrial Leasing Market report for March 2016 Ray White Commercial's head of Research, Vanessa Rader says the market has gone through a period of uncertainty over the last two years.
“While little speculative supply has been added to the market, the move from existing to new has resulted in an increased vacancy particularly in the secondary asset class,” she said.
“This has resulted in some compression in net face rents across all quality grades, while many larger owners have become more aggressive offering incentives and discounted face rents to secure longer lease terms. Incentives remain a growing concern in the Brisbane industrial market as they are now averaging between 10 to 15 percent.”
Rader said there have been small declines in face rents across most Brisbane regions with the south-east having the lowest average net rent of $99 per sqm.
“The south-west, north and south have reduced by 6.2 percent, 6.3 percent and 6.3 percent respectively with an average rent in the range between $100 per sqm and $102 per sqm,” she said.
“The Trade Coast continues to achieve the highest rent across the Brisbane metropolitan area due to access and quality of stock. This market has attracted a lesser reduction in rents, falling by 5.1 per cent over the last two years to currently average $107 per sqm.”
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Transport and logistics dominate Brisbane industrial leasing: Ray White 

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Childcare centres are firmly on the radar of off-shore investors, as evident from the sale of a childcare centre in Melbourne's Camberwell to a China-based investor for $6.82 million after more than 70 percent expressions of interest coming from foreign buyers.
The purchaser paid more than $400,000 over the reserve - on a 5.05 per cent yield, the firmest yield yet recorded in the price range. The sale follows a similar result late last year when a China-based investor paid $2.3 million on a 5.1 per cent yield for a childcare centre at Rowville.
Head of Savill’s Childcare Investments team, Julian Heatherich, who brokered the 164-168 Warrigal Road deal with James Lockwood, said childcare centres were now flavour of the month.
"Childcare has really come of age as an asset class in its own right and this sale presents unequivocal evidence. We currently have more interest for child care investment than any other asset class. The property drew well over 100 enquiries with seven out of ten formal offers coming from off-shore,’’ Heatherich said.
Located directly opposite Wattle Park Primary School, the modern, purpose-built centre comprises a 547 square metre floor area and 24 car spaces on a 2,065 square metre site with three street frontages. It was sold subject to a 10 year lease with option for a further 10 years to national operator, Affinity Educational Group, at an annual net rental of $344,986.
Heatherich said strong government support for one of the nation’s most rapidly growing industries was a key driver of the growing demand for chlldcare centre investments with centres selling off-market, off-the-plan, prior to auction and at hotly contested auctions.
He said the Rowville property had also attracted more than 100 enquires.
Heatherich said yields for childcare centres had, until recently been in the 6 to 7 per cent range but were now below 6 per cent.
"This is another example of buyers being prepared to buy on yields under six per cent and with such a strong foreign contingent vying for these centres it’s likely that we will see yields tighten even further over the course of this year.’’
Long term leases and strong government support for one of the nation’s most rapidly growing industries along with a statutory obligation for lessees to fastidiously maintain in the best possible order a facility which houses young children, had been key drivers of the increase in demand in the sector.
The Productivity Commission report into the childcare sector suggested an additional 50,000 long day care places will be needed to accommodate the population growth in children and the subsequent demand for childcare over the next ten years, while an increase in the maximum daily subsidy for childcare, proposed by the Federal Government, has provided further confidence for a market which is already one of the nations’ strongest employment growth sectors,’’ Lockwood said.
The federal government, in the 2015 Budget, announced $3.2 billion of new spending over four years to improve the affordability of childcare for low and middle income earners.
According to the Department of Social Services data, 1.2 million children attended approved child care in the year to September 2014, up 8.1 per cent on the previous year while the number of long day care centres grew to 6601.
"Childcare centres are going to figure prominently in investor portfolio considerations for years to come. We are only seeing the start of that trend now,’’ Lockwood said.
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Childcare centre in Melbourne sells for $6.82 million

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A Sydney-based investor has snapped up a Murrumbateman service station and convenience retail centre for $4.1 million to benefit from the higher returns on offer in Canberra and surrounding markets.
Murrumbateman is in Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, nearly 40 kilometres from Canberra.
The Caltex-branded petrol station and Friendly Grocer is located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-murrumbateman-501764962" target="_blank">2-22 East Street</a>, fronting the Barton Highway.
The 2,716 sqm retail investment was brought to the market by a local vendor -- a prominent local builder. The vendor previously operated the service station before selling the business to the current independent operator.
The property was sold with leases to blue-chip tenant Friendly Grocer (owner by IGA), along with local business Murrumbateman Butcher. The tenancies offer a weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of about 7.48 years and produce a net income of $324,600 per annum.
 CBRE’s Mark Nicholls brokered the sale.
“The main road positioning with exposure to approximately 12,000 cars per day appealed to a range of buyers," he said.
The site features a mix of grocery, convenience and petrol retailing - with parking, six covered pumps, office and storage areas. It is the only major grocer in the catchment. 
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Service station near Canberra snapped up by Sydney buyer for $4.1 million

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Ballarat, Victoria’s largest inland city, figures in various positions from rising market to starting to decline in the HTW property clocks for February and March, and like the rest of the Australian economy, the residential market there will not be without its challenges in 2016.
Valuation firm Herron Todd White’s property clock is a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are as at February 2016 and what direction prices are moving in.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/03/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-15%20at%209.42.52%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Macro economic factors such as the success of Australia’s transition from a resource driven to a service-driven economy, the mood of the various regulatory bodies and the ability of the elected elite to remain united behind one leader will play a major hand in its fortune, says the report.
Locally, the direction and pace with which the market door will swing will depend on the continued state governmental inclination to decentralise Victoria, in addition to the continued popularity and population growth of the area and the local economy’s success. 
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The good news for the area is that none of these drivers appear at present poised to pull the plug on the place. 
The bad news is, nor do they elicit an inclination to provide us with a path to the promised land, says HTW.
“And so the great unwashed are left to wake up, frock up and front up. The fundamentals of the residential market are sound if not strong, yet only the most bullish would foretell a 2016 Ballarat boom. So how will it play out? 
“The year will play out as tug of war between positive local sentiment and what will be on balance, at best, a macro economic climate,” says HTW. 
As usual, the property with the greatest chance to grow will be that with limited supply close to the CBD such as Ballarat Central, Lake Wendouree, Soldiers Hill, Black Hill and Golden Point. Areas with significant challenges will be those with oversupply issues such as the new estates in Delacombe and Lucas.
The strong history of Ballarat provides a sought after niche with period housing, particularly Victorian dwellings circa 1900. Areas likely to prosper from this niche market are Golden Point, Black Hill and Ballarat East. Period homes in these areas provide a stable investment outlook with driving factors that include affordability and proximity to the CBD, transport and sporting facilities as well as limited supply compared to the new estates on the city fringes with modern housing facing no limit in supply. These suburbs provide an inexpensive option for good quality period homes, close to the city centre and ripe for gentrification. Well-renovated period homes fetch a premium within the Ballarat residential market.
There is strong evidence of gentrification in Soldiers Hill with property quality and prices continually improving. With good quality renovations and the location of these suburbs, rising property values are likely in the future.
On the outer edges of Ballarat, Buninyong presents an opportunity with good local facilities and close proximity to Ballarat. Buninyong provides heritage properties with a rural township atmosphere and is becoming a sought after location because of these factors. 
At present, Ballarat has seen little development of reclaimed spaces, such as factory conversions, due to a limited demand for apartment living in regional areas. It is unlikely the apartment market in conversions of this type would have high demand in the foreseeable future, however, smaller scale buildings such as churches provide more of a lower density lifestyle choice for Ballarat.
The median price for houses in Ballarat at the end of 2015 was $308,750, according to CoreLogic RP Data. There was not data for units in the city.
<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/2016/03/15/ballarat2.jpg" alt=""> 
As an example of properties sold around the median, a four-bedroom house at <a href="https://realestateview.com.au/real-estate/8-leroy-street-ballarat-vic/property-details-sold-residential-8743834" target="_blank">8 Leroy Street</a> (above) was sold for $335,000 in Ballarat, as per realestateview.com.au. 
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Ballarat's tug of war between local positive sentiment and macro-climate: HTW

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Gentrification can be an academic discussion but identifying when it takes hold, and quantifying its impact on property is often best left to professionals that spend their days in the suburbs being felt, say Herron Todd White in their March 2016 update.
The term was coined in 1964 by British sociologist Ruth Glass when referring to the changes she observed in the social structure and housing markets in certain areas of inner London.  
HTW took a detailed view of gentrification hotspots.
Certainly staying ahead of the gentrification curve can prove profitable to investors, say HTW.
The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is a rising market, according to latest HTW residential property clock. 
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The residential area loosely bounded by Queen Street to the north, Bauer Street to the east and Chester Terrace to the west is in the southern fringe of the Southport CBD and has always been well regarded by the local market.
Its benefits are proximity to the commercial CBD, medical precinct and Broadwater Parklands with a good public bus service. It features wide streets with a mix of older character style dwellings and slightly dated semi-modern medium density low rise and townhouse style unit developments. However, the area has become dated with a loss of its former appeal and identity. 
The area has now been rezoned as Special Purpose by the Gold Coast City Council which allows more relaxed density and height building restrictions;
The precinct has recently added two light rail train stops within close walking distance providing easy commuter connection through to Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach to the south and through the CBD and onto the new Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University in Parkwood to the north. (Approvals have now been granted for Stage 2 to continue the line through to Helensvale and make connection with the Brisbane City/ Airport rail system);
Southport CBD itself is undergoing continuing upgrades including the introduction of its own China Town precinct, road upgrades and announced renovation of Australia Fair, one of the Gold Coast’s largest retail shopping centres. Southport has also secured the upgrade and expansion of a new aquatic centre in preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the surrounding Broadwater Parkland has and is undergoing continued upgrade;
In general, land values are pushing up as the Gold Coast expands mainly to the west and through the northern corridor making centrally located areas closer to the Broadwater such as Southport more desirable.
There has been keen development and investment in this residential precinct reflected in both single detached dwellings and low to medium rise investment. Some examples are: 
• The Rise Southport, a seven level 30 x 2-bedroom unit complex situated at 43 Lenneberg Street on a 1,016 square metre site which was completed in 2015. Units were reportedly sold by the developer very quickly in the range of $370,000 to $420,000.
• 18 Lenneberg Street, a circa 1900, renovated two level, 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom detached character dwelling (living area of 344 square metres and land area of 701 square metres) recently went to contract for $1.1 million. This is a signifcant sale as when the property sold in May 2014 for $850,000 it was reportedly in a slightly inferior condition.
Another highrise tower complex with 55 levels to be known as Brighton on Broadwater – Sundale is due to be completed by October 2016. Currently the developer is marketing the non-serviced units between circa $425,000 and $950,000 (subject to confirmation).
Entry-level investment can still be achieved in the subject precinct with say a typical 1970s basic two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit in the range of $270,000 to $300,000. A 3-bedroom brick and tile townhouse might cost an investor in the range of $390,000 to $440,000.
In the short to medium term HTW says that this area will continue to go from strength to strength. The area will continue to modernise with higher density developments replacing some of the older less desirable buildings blended with renovated and prestige character dwellings. 
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ISLE OF CAPRI, SURFERS PARADISE
This central popular residential area was originally developed in the 1970s and until recently was serviced by an older style shopping centre. This centre has recently been rebuilt, has a new tenant mix and has been well received by locals.
This locale has seen good growth in value levels lately which can in part be attributed to the improved retail facilities and also to its proximity to the new tram line.
35 Salerno Street recently sold at auction for $675,000. This is a deceased estate sale of a circa 1980s single level brick dwelling providing basic 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom accommodation (living area of 112 square metres). The sale represents entry level for a non-waterfront block here. The majority of value was in the land with the improvements having minor added value.
114 Amal Drive went to contract in February 2016 for $1.55 million. This is a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 4-car garage dwelling in a mostly renovated condition with rear river frontage.
Unit 43 Raffles on Capri sold last year for $425,000. This is a modern style two-level townhouse unit within a security-gated complex providing 3-bedroom, 2 -bathroom accommodation and tandem carport. It last sold November 2013 for $365,000. 
With the population of the Gold Coast continuing to rise and demand for centrally located property in close proximity to facilities and the beach strengthening, this suburb can be expected to increase in popularity and value over the next five years. 
PALM BEACH 
Palm Beach on the southern Gold Coast is situated to the east of the Pacific Motorway, south of Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera Creek and North of Currumbin, Tugun and Currumbin Creek. The eastern boundary of the suburb is approximately four kilometres of beach front with a number of homes, high-rise unit complexes and parklands having direct beach frontage. There are also a number of canals and lakes throughout the area. While this all sounds very appealing, in past years the area has had a bad reputation for being a lower class locality compared to a number of nearby and neighbouring suburbs such as Currumbin, Burleigh Heads and Mermaid Beach.
However, in recent years the area has been regenerated into a trendy, locals style beachside suburb with a vibrant cafe and restaurant culture and pristine beaches being two of the driving forces in the change for the area. On the back of this, there has been strong market demand for properties in the area. 
One of the main positive points in the marketplace was its affordability in relation to the neighbouring suburbs previously mentioned. 
However, on the back of this new wave of popularity and demand, prices have strengthened to a point where most of the Palm Beach residential market is now at historical peak values, some property types being circa 20% above pre-GFC prices. 
For example, 35 Coolibah Drive, Palm Beach sold for $485,000 in October 2007 when the Gold Coast market was last booming. The dwelling has since had minor upgrade renovations completed (estimated cost of approximately $50,000), and recently sold in September 2015 for $620,000. 
In a shorter space of time, 31 Twenty Fifth Avenue, which is an older asbestos beach shack on a 405 square metre allotment, sold in January 2014 for $480,000 and sold in inferior condition in 2015 for $530,000. The vast majority of the value is the land component with very minor added value for the improvements. 
Over the past 24 months, a large number of older style homes have undergone major renovations in order to modernise. In other cases, older style dwellings have been demolished to make way for modern housing and duplex units which are in very strong demand and attracting premium sale prices. There is also a select number of new beach front low rise and medium rise developments of good to prestige quality under construction or having been recently completed with amalgamation of beach front and highway front sites becoming popular, where viable. 
Entry-level housing towards the western side of Palm Beach is now in the vicinity of $500,000 and beach shacks in The Avenues closer to the beach are seeing prices in the high $500,000s to early $600,000s. 
The upper end of the housing market comprises canal front properties and can vary from the mid to high $1 million mark to beach front homes from $2.5 million plus. 38 Mallawa Drive sold for $1.667 million at auction in September 2015 and was then used as a Boystown Prize Home Auction. At the time, the sale price was considered very strong but the market has continued to improve since.
While the market is booming in Palm Beach at present, there is a good chance that market conditions will fluctuate over the next five to ten years. However, with the likely extension of the light rail network (from Broadbeach through to Coolangatta Airport) and continued redevelopment of properties in the area, the demographic of the area may improve and continue to be one of the stronger markets on the Gold Coast. 
 
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Gold Coast gets a gentrification lift: HTW

Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Joel Robinson

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

A local downsizer has splashed $6.5 million on a penthouse in Perifa's Alex &amp; Willow development in Crows Nest. 
&nbsp; 
The purchaser sold their long-held family home in the area before embarking on a six-month search for the right apartment. After inspecting a range of options across the Lower North Shore, the buyer returned to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alex-willow-crows-nest-82-90-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Alex &amp; Willow</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The buyer profile reflects the project’s broader purchaser mix. <a>Alex &amp; Willow</a> has attracted predominantly local downsizers looking to transition from larger homes without compromising on space or quality, alongside a smaller cohort of upsizers and investors drawn to the project’s location and design credentials. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone sale comes as the project, developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">Perifa</a>&nbsp;and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile-made-construction">Versatile Construction</a>, both part of Versatile Group, reaches 60 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=371325] 
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Eddie Mansour, Managing Partner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/ray-white-projects">Ray White Projects</a>, said the result demonstrates not only a headline price but also depth of demand. 
&nbsp; 
“This is an exceptional outcome and a clear reflection of sustained buyer demand for premium, well-located downsizer product,” Mansour said.

“We’re seeing a consistent pattern of local homeowners selling family residences and reinvesting into high-quality apartments that allow them to remain within their community. Alex &amp; Willow has resonated strongly with this group because it offers genuine scale, thoughtful design and immediate proximity to the village.” 
&nbsp; 
The sale reflects a broader and consistent trend of local downsizers actively seeking high-quality, low-maintenance residences close to established village centres. Agents report that demand for this product type has remained resilient, particularly where developments offer a rare combination of scale, design quality and walkable amenity. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project. 
&nbsp; 
“The penthouse sale is a strong endorsement of the quality we have delivered, alongside our partners, and the clear demand from local downsizers for premium, boutique residences in this location,” Perilli said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Most importantly, we’re proud to see the Alex &amp; Willow community beginning to take shape. As we move closer to completion, we’re looking forward to welcoming residents and seeing the project come to life.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=338516] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nettletontribe">Nettleton Tribe</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>, Alex &amp; Willow is a boutique collection of generously sized two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of Crows Nest village.&nbsp;

Completion is slated for early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6680]

Alex & Willow, Crows Nest penthouse sells off the plan for $6.5 million

Fresh from launching the first stage of its Wollongong precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, builder-developer Urban Property Group has unveiled plans for the next phase of the masterplanned community.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway is a State Significant Development Application for a further 657 homes on the prominent gateway site opposite Beaton Park.

The proposal comprises three buildings, including two build-to-sell towers rising 25 and 30 storeys, delivering 391 apartments, alongside a 12-storey co-living building with 266 residences, making it one of the largest co-living proposals currently planned in regional New South Wales.

Of the apartments proposed in the build-to-sell towers, the majority, 310, are two-bedroom dwellings. The balance comprises 44 one-bedroom apartments and 37 three-bedroom residences. Apartment sizes range from around 50 sqm for one-bedroom homes to approximately 90 sqm for three-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19347059-1612-41a0-9c74-b86a657237f8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%2010.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sWXnaCcA.cIC6N8YT1dg5pJ2e1V3Z6z7" />

The submission says the proposal has evolved significantly from its original Housing Delivery Authority application following extensive consultation with the State Design Review Panel and Wollongong City Council.

The final scheme has been designed to align with the emerging vision for the Flinders Street Precinct, an area identified by Council as a future high-density mixed-use neighbourhood capable of accommodating substantial housing growth close to transport, employment and community infrastructure.

According to the design report prepared by COX Architecture, the development aims to "deliver a built outcome consistent with the future character of the Wollongong CBD while responding to the site's unique constraints and opportunities."

"Our vision for the next phase of the site evolution in Wollongong is grounded in three design pillars that guide the design response: place, natural environment and celebration," COX said.

"Inspired by its surroundings and grounded in the stories of place on Wodi Wodi Country, the design proposal acknowledges the established character of its setting while creating a unique and timeless identity that sits harmoniously within it.

"The design proposal responds to its specific site conditions, acknowledging the vegetation, climate, wind conditions and solar access of the site."

The architecture responds directly to the site's position between Wollongong's urban core and its natural landscape setting.

COX identified views towards Mount Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment as defining features of the site, while the upper levels of the towers will also capture expansive views across the city and out to the Pacific Ocean.

The design team has positioned the tallest buildings closer to the rail corridor, where overshadowing impacts can be better managed while establishing a landmark built form on the northern approach into the city.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79580d5b-500c-4ebf-9629-797146a4a694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WbTB1EKSG.KDfsfz0F3wp1QVa2oCMGR5" />

Urban Property Group secured the 11,000 sqm Smith Street site in 2022 and has since progressed plans for the broader Keira Place precinct.

Construction recently commenced on the first stage of Keira Place, which will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.

Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the commencement of construction marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-construction-at-keira-place-in-wollongong-cbd">Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD</a>

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Prateek Chatterjee

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