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Property is a national pastime and so often we see investors, buyers and property enthusiasts out on the road at open homes and auctions.
We also find that even on holiday or generally out and about there's a lot of property observing happening.
For this reason, Property Observer has brought in our very own <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?src=typd&amp;q=%23propertyobserving">#propertyobserving hashtag</a>, which you are welcome to tweet yourself when you see or hear something interesting about property.
Or you can use it to see what our journalists and readers are up to themselves.You can follow our <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23propertyobserving&amp;src=hash">tweets from our journalists here</a>.
You can also follow us on Twitter via <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/propertyobs">@propertyobs</a> for the quickest and most regular updates of our news, as well as retweets of interest property tidbits that we find.
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?src=typd&amp;q=%23propertyobserving" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2013/09/10/hashag-sept-10.jpg" width="470" height="325" alt="hashag-sept-10"></a>
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Hashtag of the day: #PropertyObserving

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As property investing is an unregulated industry, it comes as little surprise that you must undertake your due diligence on those you include in your investment team to avoid getting ripped off.
 
<img alt="poll-results-sept-10" height="325" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/09/10/poll-results-sept-10.jpg">
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How do you find the best property investment expert?

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It appears that treehouses are the new trend, and we're not just talking about knocking something up for your children either.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/09/TWEET_OF_THE_DAY_sept_9.png" width="461" height="215" alt="TWEET_OF_THE_DAY_sept_9" style="font-size: 0.8em;">
In fact, this <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=613718048678281&amp;l=1367fe0c78">particular effort, named Tower House</a>, featured in the tweet (and pictured below), has won an international architecture award for the 2545 square foot house with three bedroom suites.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/09/treehouse_sept_9.jpg" width="470" height="673" alt="treehouse_sept_9">
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Treehouses climbing back into vogue

<html><body>Australian Property Monitors (APM) has released a list of auction results in Adelaide for the weekend of September 7. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.homepriceguide.com.au/saturday_auction_results/Adelaide.pdf" target="_blank" style="font-size: 14px;">Click here</a> for the auction results, and click on each street address to see the property's marketing.</body></html>

APM's Adelaide auction results for September 7 weekend

<html><body>Australian Property Monitors (APM) has released a list of auction results in Brisbane for the weekend of September 7. <a style="font-size: 14px;" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.homepriceguide.com.au/saturday_auction_results/Brisbane.pdf" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the auction results, and click on each street address to see the property's marketing.</body></html>

APM's Brisbane auction results for September 7 weekend

<html><body>Australian Property Monitors (APM) has released a list of results from 248 auctions in Melbourne for the weekend of  September 7. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.homepriceguide.com.au/saturday_auction_results/Melbourne.pdf" target="_blank" style="font-size: 14px;">Click here</a> for the auction results, and click on each street address to see the property's marketing.</body></html>

APM's Melbourne auction results for September 7 weekend

<html><body>Australian Property Monitors (APM) has released a list of results from 170 auctions in Sydney for the weekend of September 7. The clearance rate was 87%. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.homepriceguide.com.au/saturday_auction_results/Sydney.pdf" style="font-size: 14px;">Click here</a> for the auction results, and click on each street address to see the property's marketing.</body></html>

APM's Sydney 170 auction results show a 87% clearance rate

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Real estate guru John McGrath has given seven tips which he says will give investors a licence to print money.
He revealed the strategy at the Property Millionaires Tour in Melbourne on Friday which Property Observer attended.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberonejuly11.jpg" width="30" height="38" alt="numberonejuly11" style="float: left;">Have a plan and be disciplined in your approach
“If you get this right this is a license to print money for savvy property investors.
“The difference between a great property investment and poor one can be an enormous amount of money over 5 years. So really be disciplined.”
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbertwojuly11.jpg" width="30" height="35" alt="numbertwojuly11" style="float: left;">Research, research, research
“Make sure you know more information than anyone else on the planet about properties that fall into your plan.”
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberthreejuly11.jpg" width="30" height="39" alt="numberthreejuly11" style="float: left;">Adopt a capital growth strategy
“I recommend you focus more on capital growth. The yield is important, it needs to pay the mortgage but for me the capital growth is where you’re going to get the best bang for buck.”
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfourjuly11.jpg" width="30" height="39" alt="numberfourjuly11" style="float: left;">Location, position, aspect
“It’s not only location but position and aspect. It’s very important. North-facing, light, best street best side of the best street is really what we need to be focussing on.”
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfivejuly11.jpg" width="30" height="33" alt="numberfivejuly11" style="float: left;">Don’t focus on bargains – they rarely have a future
“Things that no one else wants, probably in five years no one else will want then. Don’t confuse that with a good opportunity for genuine reasons.
“Sometimes you find a vendor that’s bought another property, for some reason it’s passed in at auction, the buyer didn’t get their finance ready, but you can buy it today.
“You’ve researched it, it’s in your plan and it ticks your boxes and you are absolutely sure that this is 10% under market value then that’s fine.
“But I get scared when a friend calls up and says ‘I bought this great bargain today’. I say ‘my god where is it’. I’d much rather you said ‘I went to an auction and I bid against 12 other people and I paid a little bit more than I thought I might have to but I bought a great home in a great street.’
“That makes me a lot happier.”
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbersixjuly11.jpg" width="30" height="35" alt="numbersixjuly11" style="float: left;">Utilise the power of leverage but never overstretch
“Once you’ve bought and the prices have gone up then look at the opportunity to extend and build on your investment portfolio. But never overstretch yourself.”
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbersevenjuly11.jpg" width="30" height="36" alt="numbersevenjuly11" style="float: left;">Buy hold and keep buying
“This is terrible for an estate agent to say because I won’t make more money. But I think this is this strategy is to build a portfolio. In 10, 15, 20 years you can buy several properties by leveraging, adding value, putting the right tenants in place and growing it from there.”
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John McGrath’s seven point investment strategy

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Property has been through its fair share of changes over the past years, and with an election underway across the nation Property Observer has decided to take a look at some of the biggest government decisions that affected the market.


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<img alt="1985-spet-6" height="50" width="98" src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/1985-spet-6.jpg">1) Capital gains tax
Introduced on 20 September 1985 by Hawke/Keating government, it applies to properties acquired on or after that specific date. There are a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/tax/understanding-capital-gains-tax-terry-hayes/2013040353251" target="_blank">number of different nuances to the rules</a>.


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<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/1985-spet-6.jpg" width="98" height="50" alt="1985-spet-6">2) Temporary negative gearing abolition
In July 1985, under the Hawke/Keating government, negative gearing underwent a temporary abolition. It’s still often a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/wednesday-feature-ytc-room-for-debate-negative-gearing/2012121058393" target="_blank">contested topic</a> however there currently do not appear to be any plans to change it.


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<img alt="2000-sept-6" height="50" width="110" src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/2000-sept-6.jpg">3) Introduction of GST and subsequent introduction of First Home Owners Scheme
While we’ve seen first home owner’s grants change over the years, one of the most prominent changes was the First Home Owners Scheme. Introduced on 1 July 2000 to offset the effect of the GST on home ownership, it was funded by the states and territories. Grants have <a href="?option=com_googlesearch_cse&amp;q=first%20home%20owner%20grant" target="_blank">come and gone since this time</a>.


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<img alt="2007-sept-6" height="50" width="110" src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/2007-sept-6.jpg">4) Gearing in SMSFs
Since mid-2007, superannuation laws have changed to allow self-managed super funds to<a href="/news"> invest in property with bank debt</a>. While a number of changes to SMSF regulations have been made since this time, the<a href="https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2007A00015" target="_blank"> changes to borrowing rules</a> opened up superannuation as an area of interest to property investors.


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<img alt="2008-sept-6" height="50" width="110" src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/2008-sept-6.jpg">5) NRAS
The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) has divided opinion. Introduced in 2008 to seek to manage the shortage of affordable rental properties by offering a financial incentive to investors, properties under NRAS are sitting at least 20 per cent below market rent. Currently, it's an investment that's <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/id-rather-stick-a-fork-in-my-eye-than-buy-nras-todd-hunter/2013090464795" target="_blank">seeing some criticism</a>.


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What other changes do you think have had a landmark effect on the Australian property industry?
 
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The five biggest government housing policy decisions

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It turns out the property election twitter feed is largely around the lack of attention to affordability and the general industry in the campaigns we've been seeing.
Do you think this should have been a focus?
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/IndustryWomenC/"><img alt="TWEETOFDAYELECTION" height="181" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/TWEETOFDAYELECTION.png"></a>
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The housing industry isn’t on the election agenda

Joel Robinson

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

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