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GUEST OBSERVER
Every year the spring market attracts massive attention. September is seen as a litmus test for the rest of the year and a stern assessment of how resilient the property market really is. It’s the AFL Grand Finals of real estate – which, oddly enough, is on at the same time.
This year’s been no different. After a very strong winter, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, the pressure on the September markets has been huge. This has been exacerbated by the stringent restrictions brought in on investment loans by the major banks. Also, cautionary warnings of apartment oversupply have meant that investors are studying the market with high-beamed intensity.
But how much can we really read into September? Is it really just a snapshot in time or is it indicative of long-term market trends?
Let’s start with the clearance rates. Sydney’s clearance rates have slightly dropped as have Melbourne’s. Last year Sydney was hitting the 80% clearance mark regularly, whereas this year it’s been around the mid 70s. The so called “Super Saturday”, the last Saturday of September saw clearance rates in Sydney slip a fraction below 70 percent for the first time this year.  Melbourne has also lost a few points, from around the high 70s to mid 70s this month. However, it’s crucial to remember two important things: this year has seen a record number of properties come onto the market. This has been because such a buoyant winter has caused many owners to try and cash in quickly. So the market has been absorbing a flood of properties and the increased competition has led to a slight drop in clearances. A result in the 70% region for September is still very strong.
The second thing worth noting is that while clearance rates have dropped, prices really haven’t. So while various media outlets have been quick to prophesy doom and gloom there’s absolutely no evidence of falling prices. In the same article in Sydney Morning Herald’s Domain about the drop in clearance rates there was news of a Darling Point property going for almost $3 million above reserve. Auction results generally have shown that sales prices are still strong. The market is robust enough to cope.
There is a clear confidence in the local markets as shown by the numbers of investors going to auction. The markets have themselves repaid this confidence with still strong auction results and relatively short turnarounds.
To get a handle on the national figures you need to delve deeper. There is a clear disparity between cities like Sydney and Melbourne which have been relentlessly driving the property markets upward and that of cities like Darwin, Perth and Canberra which are all experiencing negative growth and sliding clearance rates. This then averages out the national sales figures. 
The media has also been a big factor. Every week there’s been warnings of an imminent burst in the property bubble or a collapse in prices. This can cause a flow on panic factor, with investors rushing to sell before doomsday arrives. So far doomsday is still running late.
It’s important to remember that since 2009 Sydney has recorded a phenomenal growth of 76 percent according to Core Data figures. If you bought a property back then, on average, you would have seen this jump by around $300K in the last six years. Sydney and Melbourne remain highly desirable cities to live in. They’ve shown their resilience and ability to absorb wild property price swings in the past. They’re both international cities highly attractive to overseas investors. Whilst an oversupply of apartments in both cities may slow down parts of the market in the short term - it will inevitably catch up again. 
Beyond the two big cities, outlying regional centers such as Wollongong in NSW and Geelong in Victoria have been experiencing record property price booms as investors start to look outwards.  In the Illawarra region, for instance, auction clearances are going over 80%, a truly remarkable outcome.
To understand the clearance rates each city has to be broken down into its geographic areas. These can wildly differ. For example, Sydney’s North Shore has been having very good clearance rates and the eastern suburb properties are firing yet the south western suburbs are identifiably weaker. In fact clearance rates in the south west have fallen in the last year from around 69.8% to 54.9%. This is a pretty dramatic drop. But does it speak for the rest of the heated Sydney market? Probably not.
So ultimately it comes down to picking the right long term growth suburb and choosing the ideal property type. A good long-term investment property will not be affected by the vagaries of the spring market. This is why it’s always an excellent idea to chat to a professional who can offer solid research and help create a strategy that bypasses the flurry of the market.
SAM KHALIL is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
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SamKhalil-UNoWQ73CmG

The property doomsday is running late: DPN's Sam Khalil

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GUEST OBSERVER
We’ve seen a spate of stories and articles recently about how foreign investment is unlikely to slow down. 
There’s been much print around the unabated interest of Chinese investors in Sydney. 
We’ve also read about the eagerness of foreign investors to find building opportunities in Melbourne. There are now predictions that Perth will have another housing boom off the back of foreign investment. So across most of Australia, the enthusiasm for property from overseas buyers is still aflame.
This is partly to do with current world factors – the easing off of capital controls in China; the freeing up of other markets like India and a rapidly growing middle class in various parts of Asia. But this only tells part of the story.
The restrictions brought in by APRA earlier this year and then passed on by the main mortgage lenders were aimed to curb the rising tide of investment. However these measures have plainly had little effect.
Australia is now firmly in the sights of foreign investors and it’s highly unlikely that this will change. Here are some reasons why:
1) Growth of apartments in capital cities: The Asian investors, especially, are very attracted to apartments as an investment. It’s a commodity they understand well as it’s the mainstay of most major Asian cities. Melbourne has been going through a frenzy of apartment building over the last few years and this doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. With Melbourne predicted to outstrip Sydney in terms of population in the next fifty years, buying an investment property in the city is a pretty safe bet. Sydney also has seen an expansion of apartments into traditional suburban areas such as the North Shore and Sutherland Shire. 
2) Sydney and Melbourne now truly global cities: For many years Australia was in a little bubble and something of a secret tucked away from the world. Most of the investment was European and British. It wasn’t roughly until the 1990s and the determined push to make Australia’s major cities international and cosmopolitan that it really turned up on the radar of overseas investors. Certainly events like the 2000 Sydney Olympics helped promote the country. With major financial headquarters in Sydney and Melbourne, both cities offer an easy and accessible base for the foreign investor.
3) It’s the lifestyle: Australia has an extremely friendly environment compared to other countries. It’s worth noting that much of the foreign investment has been aimed at the eastern seaboard: Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and other parts of Queensland. The weather, beaches, excellent health care and a small population make it a honey pot for Asian investment. International agency CBRE reports that of the total foreign investment into Australia in the lat few years, two thirds of it is from Asia. This is highly significant as Australia’s lifestyle and environment compares very favourably to most Asian countries and is unlikely to change.
4) Economic advantages: When Australia survived the GFC in 2008, its strong and stable economy meant that it was very attractive proposition to foreign investors. The government’s tax breaks for property investment make it even more so. Other cities like London and Hong Kong have clamped down heavily on overseas investment, making Australia, with its relaxed foreign investment rules, a prime target.
Will this hurt local property investment?
It’s actually unlikely that foreign investment will damage local property investment. While it adds a bit more competition it also boosts the building and architecture industries. It creates jobs and energises the economy. It drives up property prices, but this simply means that capital growth on all investments move upwards. So all investors benefit from the upsurge. It’s also worth remembering that foreign investors are often playing in a different pool. Mum and dad or first time investors may typically go for cheaper investments in the outer suburbs, as a way of cautiously dipping their toes in the water. 
Foreign investors (Asian investors especially) tend to zone in on specific areas and types of dwellings. So while there’s been much alarm sounding and panicking about the effect of foreign investment, there really doesn’t need to be. If anything it confirms the desirability of Australia as a property investment option. And as long as the local investors ensure they have sought out information and a comprehensive service from a property professional they’ll be in a strong position.
SAM KHALIL is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
Direct Property Network (DPN) provides clients with an end to end property investment solution from selecting the right property through to settlement and beyond.
 
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Foreign investment and why Australia is attractive: DPN's Sam Khalil

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GUEST OBSERVER
A quick study of the latest property data shows that a new type of property investor has definitely emerged. We still have the other traditional kinds: like the classic, slow build investor who has built up a portfolio over decades. Then there’s the mum and dad investors who are carefully looking to dip their toes in the water after getting on top of their mortgage. However, this new breed is different.
It’s a weird amalgam: first home buyer/investor/renter. They’re the people who simply can’t afford the place of their dreams. They’re struggling with the heated urban market, especially Sydney or Melbourne. Yet they’ve scraped together a deposit and recognize the value of getting something, anything, before the market once again rises. So they’ve bought a property out in an area where they don’t want to live, usually the outer suburbs, and they are renting and living somewhere else. This is especially a phenomenon of younger couples who want to send their kids to a certain school or have a love for a certain area. For example, couples who rent in beach side Sydney or a desirable family friendly suburb in Melbourne like Camberwell or Bentleigh. They can’t buy into these places but want to live there. They can see the value in buying a place out in the sticks, but certainly aren’t thinking in terms of portfolios or multiple properties.
They’ve become unwitting, unplanned investors. Let’s call them the reluctant landlords. They’ve replaced the owner/occupiers. The owner occupiers were a classic force in Australia right up till recent times. They saw a property as long term and would quietly suffer economic downturns, feeling sure that their ultimate plan of property appreciation would eventually happen. As they generally were in it for the long haul they were never prone to alarm about sudden market twinges. However, they’ve started to disappear as first time buyers simply struggle to get into the market. So reluctant investors/landlords have their own long term approach. Priced out of their own desired area they plan to invest in a medium-short term rapid growth suburb as investors. They generally don’t plan to be doing this for too long. Their hope is to perhaps do up the property, rent it out then resell it after one-two years and take advantage of the heated market to buy the house they’ll remain in. It’s like a two phase strategy of the owner occupier plan.
Most of them are twenty somethings or thirty somethings, either renting or else living with their parents while they save up. Except instead of buying a house for themselves they’re buying an investment property.
The reluctant landlords often feel uncomfortable as investors or renting out their property. This is because it’s not their long-term goal. Consequently they can sometimes make bad decisions, such as selecting an inferior property manager or not vetting tenants properly. They also may make other poor choices like identifying a suburb that is likely to rise as an investment area but not being aware of costly strata or title issues. Essentially they’re amateur investors and prone to making mistakes.
The more savy or those partnering with service providers who can pass on their expertise, are using renting and investing as a combined long-term strategy, keeping them in their desired urban hub and investing in affordable high-growth areas maximising depreciation and tax benefits to their advantage while  building a passive income for their future.
The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that investor loans galloped ahead of owner-occupier loans by four times the amount. Added to this a new study by Digital Financial Analytics shows that property investors are younger than ever before. This gives credence to the theory that we’re seeing young couples being pushed into investor roles through the sheer white heat of the current property market. It’s also in part due to the slashing of first time buyer grants from the Federal Government. Conversely negative gearing and the steady stream of low interest rates have made the market very conducive to investors. First home buyers, to some extent, have been forced to become investors through a rearranging of the laws of property.
Yet we’ve seen that there’s a cooling in rentals, partly due to an oversupply of apartment buildings in cities like Melbourne. And areas such as the Gold Coast are not the booming rental markets as they used to be. This leaves the reluctant landlords on shaky ground. Property investment will never be an exact science and the stakes are too high to make the wrong choice, especially as a first time buyer. So careful analyses and researching the market is vitally important. So too is getting accurate information and seeking it out from property experts may be the first steps in the property path to success.
SAM KHALIL is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
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The new breed of property investor: DPN's Sam Khalil

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GUEST OBSERVER
For the last few years, Sydney has been virtually synonymous with <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/services/property-investment" target="_blank">i</a>nvesting in property in Australia. Sometimes it seems like it's all anyone is talking out.
It's not surprising, given that property prices have seen a year-on-year increase of 14.5%, as noted by the latest RP Data Hedonic Home Value Index. But over time, this focus on Sydney has come to seem less like excitement over a well-performing market and more like tunnel vision.
Starting from the top
A lot of the reason why people are excited about Sydney is because of this exceptional growth. And make no mistake, there are still areas in the Harbour City where you can get incredible value. However, it seems like many people are basing this enthusiasm on how well it's performed in the past, and as I've cautioned before, past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
In fact, those who are trying to invest in some parts of Sydney now could well be buying at the top of the market. Future capital growth in these suburbs that have seen extraordinary increases is likely to be subdued going forward - so it's best to avoid following the herd. It would be unwise to buy something that has increased in value considerably, hoping that this will simply continue on and on.
Expanding your horizons
Of course, one shouldn't discount Sydney entirely. But if you're desperate to buy into the city, you'll need to be more selective, less emotional and buy in emerging markets instead of the ones doing spectacularly well. Those suburbs do still exist in the New South Wales capital.
Alternatively, it could be just as beneficial to look at the emerging markets outside of Sydney.
In New South Wales, for instance, two cities that show some promise are Newcastle and Wollongong. Here, the house prices are lower, the yields are better and the cities boast strong, diversified economies and population centres.
Meanwhile, outside the state, Brisbane is looking increasingly attractive. The Queensland capital has a greater degree of potential as its real estate values haven't seen as much growth as cities like Sydney and Melbourne, and yields are higher on average. In particular, I'm thinking of the suburbs in the corridors between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and the northern and northeastern areas.
In the latter two, you've got neighbourhoods that are close to the coastline, have a billion dollar train line coming in and are a mere 25 minutes from the Brisbane CBD. Suburbs in the North Lakes region are especially encouraging, given the large amounts of investment in retail, infrastructure and education. An equivalent area in Sydney would be triple the price.
Why Queensland is poised for big gains
I was at a barbecue over a weekend, and someone told me they were thinking of moving to Queensland because they could sell their house in Sydney and buy a large home there outright with cash. There is a huge divergence in price between Brisbane and Melbourne and Sydney, and people are taking notice.
Interstate migration is picking up, with Melburnians and Sydneysiders moving over to Brisbane for its warmer climate and the cheaper house prices. It's appealing for both foreigners and Australian families looking for a certain lifestyle without the stress and burden of large debts. All of this means that there are likely to be a lot of investment property buyers in Brisbane in the coming years.
It's all about applying the same methodology of finding emerging growth suburbs, but applying it to new areas and suburbs. If you've had your fill of Sydney, expand your horizons and look across state lines.
SAM KHALIL is founder and director of Direct Property Network. He can be contacted <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.<a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank"> </a>
 
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Crossing state lines: Where to after Sydney for property investors?: Sam Khalil

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GUEST OBSERVATION
For decades, the concept of the Great Australian dream of home ownership was a guiding premise for Australians. To buy a quarter-acre block with a yard was a seemingly universal aspiration across the country.
Of course, home ownership is still the goal of many Australians - the dynamics have just changed. Urbanisation has brought us reduced block sizes and the prevalence of apartments, while people are having fewer and fewer children, and later. At the same time, you can't ignore that property prices have increased - the median price of the five big capitals is now $686,590, according to RP Data CoreLogic.
However, I don't think these are barriers, but rather obstacles to home ownership, whether you're a first time buyer or first time investor. And obstacles can be surmounted. Unfortunately, certain mindsets hold us back.
The attitudes that limit our options
For some people, it's the lifestyle factors that cloud their judgement. They want to live closer to the city or to their job, or even to certain lifestyle areas, at all costs - even if that dream home means they're lumped with a nightmare loan. Others say they want a place of their own where they can hang up their photos and really make the property their home.
When it comes to both of these mindsets, realising you can be a tenant and an Australian property investor all in one is the key. There's even a name for it now - a "professional renter". Some people say rent is a waste of money. I think interest can be an even bigger waste.
Rather than striving for a property they could never afford, these individuals continue renting in the area they want to live while purchasing an investment property - or two, or three - elsewhere. They can then use their investment income to help them pay rent and the mortgage, while eventually capitalising on their equity to fund a home purchase. More and more first home buyers are going down this road. According to Digital Finance Analytics, around 30% of first time buyers in August 2014 were investors.
And for anyone who thinks they can't make a rental property their home, they should know they can hang up photos when they're renting as well. Some landlords are happy to have good tenants who will add value to a property through some minor renovations, and they find they can live in a place for many years without moving. At the same time, they're not paying council rates or other expenses, money that can be put to work elsewhere.
Affording the deposit
Of course, at the end of the day, you still have to save for a deposit and get into the market when buying an investment property. Like I said before, the situation is far from hopeless.
Affordability isn't insurmountable - you just need to be open to adjusting your strategy. If you don't get an affordable investment property in the area you were looking at, be flexible enough that you can look at another. You're not buying this house to live in.
Remember, also, that there are many property markets. You can't solely focus on one area. Particularly with today's ability to access better financial products, you will be able to find the right property eventually - it just may not go exactly how you imagined it.
Finally, one of the most encouraging trends I've seen is that younger people are more open to seeing a financial planner or advisor now, early on in life. This is good, because not only can they make use of their greatest asset - their age - they can also set themselves up with a vision and strategy, which can make budgeting and financial sacrifices much easier.
The fact is, not only can first home buyers afford one property, they can afford multiple. The sooner they start, the more of a chance they have to put together a property investment plan and start a portfolio. It might be a challenge, but the younger generation today could well end up with more wealth than their parents - with the right attitude.
Sam Khalil is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
Direct Property Network (DPN) provides clients with an end to end property investment solution from selecting the right property through to settlement and beyond.
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First home affordability isn't insurmountable: DPN's Sam Khahil

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GUEST OBSERVATION
For a long time now Australia has been a <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/services/property-investment" style="line-height: 1.3em;">hotspot for investing in property</a> with people all over the world vying for a slice of the Australian real estate market. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), foreign investment in residential property has grown from $6 billion a year in the 1990s to more than $17 billion in 2012/13. The year after that, the value of foreign approvals for home purchases was more than 12% of total dwelling turnover.
Of course, overseas investment in Australia's real estate industry need not only come from foreign buyers. In Michael Fullilove's World Wide Webs: Diasporas and the International System, he estimated the Australian diaspora at around 1 million people, scattered mainly throughout Europe, North America and South East Asia.
Many of these will be Australians who are living and working overseas temporarily, for lifestyle, career or even tax purposes. But whether these expats are aiming to stay away for good or someday return, they too may want to purchase a piece of investment real estate in Australia.
If you count yourself among either of these <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/services/international-buyers">groups of international buyers</a>, you'll want to be armed with as much information as you can going into an investment purchase. Consider this a short guide to buying investment property in Australia. 
Why invest in Australia?
There are four core factors that make Australia a great place to invest:
<ul>
<li>23 years of uninterrupted economic growth, including a forecast GDP of 2.8% between 2013 and 2019 by the International Monetary Fund</li>
<li>One of the most skilled, diverse and educated work forces in the world - 40% hold tertiary qualification or an advanced diploma</li>
<li>Proximity to the quickly growing Asia Pacific export markets, coupled with the third most transparent real estate industry in the world</li>
<li>Total projected infrastructure investment of $125 billion between 2013-14 and 2019-20 across every state and territory</li>
</ul>
The latter is particularly significant - with such a large amount of planned infrastructure projects in the pipeline, it means a widening radius of areas that could experience <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/news-resources/sydneys-top-growth-suburbs">significant capital growth</a>.
The other significant attraction of Australia as an investment location is its rapidly growing population. The 2015 Intergenerational Report recently revealed that, by 2054-55, Australia's population is expected to grow to nearly 40 million - an increase of almost 17 million. This means more households needing homes, pushing up demand for currently scarce housing stock - according to Master Builders Australia Chief Executive Wilhelm Harnisch, there is currently a shortfall of 9 million homes in regard to this target.
What kind of properties can international buyers purchase?
Australian citizens, whether here or abroad, as well as foreign nationals with permanent resident visas, have no restrictions on what kind of properties they can buy. Everyone else will have to seek prior approval from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board once they've chosen the property they want to buy. 
Once you've applied, you should receive a decision between 30 days. It's also important to note that there are certain limits on what kinds of property foreign nationals can buy - broadly speaking , foreign buyers can only purchase new homes or vacant land, and only for investment purposes.
The essentials of buying an investment property in Australia
Before making your investment, be sure you're aware of the full cost of investing. You'll need at least 5-10% of the purchase price to make a deposit, as well as enough to cover supplementary expenses, such as:
<ul>
<li>Stamp duty, which varies from state to state</li>
<li>Legal costs</li>
<li>Insurance</li>
<li>Building inspections</li>
</ul>
Most foreign buyers can borrow 80% of the property's value, allowing them to avoid the cost of lenders mortgage insurance. 
In order to successfully invest, you'll also need to get the <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/services/home-loans-finance">right investment finance</a>. Some lenders now offer the same features and interest rates on mortgages for non-residents as they do for more typical borrowers, including extra repayments, 100% off set accounts and the option of interest only loans. DPN are credited with all of the major banks and lenders, including those who offer non-resident home loans, so we can be instrumental in securing the right loan for you. 
Thanks to the record low interest rate environment currently prevailing in Australia, there's never been a better time to invest. However, you won't want to enter the market without a solid strategy in place first.
This is where DPN come in. Whether you're an Aussie expat living abroad or a foreign national wanting to invest in our property market, we can provide you with a <a href="https://property%20investment%20plan">free property investment plan</a> that matches your goals and circumstances with a specific property-buying strategy. We can then move on to finding you the right loan, and provide you with peace of mind with our rental guarantees.
Sam Khalil is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
Direct Property Network (DPN) provides clients with an end to end property investment solution from selecting the right property through to settlement and beyond.
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Why Australia is a prime target for overseas property investors: DPN's Sam Khalil

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Although 'fad' and 'trend' are considered synonyms, in practice they have very different meanings.
A fad implies something fleeting and of little value that will pass soon without importance.
Trends, however, while they might be equally temporary, can provide us with valuable insight about where something is heading.
It's therefore worthwhile for any Australian property investor to have a closer look at some of the trends and hot topics which are defining the current market.
We found one of the most noticeable trends is the amount of investment activity in real estate at the moment.
Investors are becoming key drivers of growth and purchasers of new stock, which was the domain of first home buyers.
Investors have a natural advantage over first time buyers, due to their access to a greater amount of equity and income, and the fact that the expenses involved are tax deductible.
As a result, virgin buyers are finding it increasingly hard to compete with them.
A segment of the investor market which is becoming particularly more prominent is that of self-managed super fund (SMSF) investors.
The number of SMSFs in Australia is growing - 29% over the last five years, according to the Australian Taxation Office - and with it are the number of SMSF holders considering property as an investment.
Part of the appeal lies in the fact that investors can leverage their superannuation monies to fund themselves through retirement without relying solely on accumulation-based savings.
Also additional purchases are becoming increasingly common.
It's becoming almost a sport.
While buyers were previously happy to buy a single investment property and stick with it, more and more people are thinking in terms of multiple properties or portfolios.
When it comes to the most popular topics in the world of investment over the last three months, one of these was the record demand for high yield assets like dual income properties, duplexes or high rent properties.
While buyers were desperately looking for properties with yields of 7% or upwards, he warned that the search may not be so easy.
That market has been quite exploited, so it's really down to who you know as opposed to tripping over them now.
Land needed for a dual-income property - 450 square metres or greater in New South Wales - is getting tighter.
Because of a shortage of land, most of the lots released fall short of this number and unfortunately, legislation hasn't changed to fit this new state of affairs.
It seems that while investors are finding it ever more advantageous to enter the property market, getting the ideal investment property is still no piece of cake.
Sam Khalil is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
Direct Property Network (DPN) provides clients with an end to end property investment solution from selecting the right property through to settlement and beyond.
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Planning legislation is triggering shortage of NSW land: Sam Khalil

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GUEST OBSERVATION
When you work in the property industry, you tend to notice patterns. Anytime you're immersing yourself in data in order to predict how things are going to turn out in the future, this is bound to happen.
In terms of real estate, one unmistakable trend that I've noticed is that more and more Australians are looking outside the Sydney CBD to fulfil their property goals. Rather than looking at smaller apartments in the city centre, buyers are opting for houses and land in suburbs that we might think of as more remote.
These investors have the right idea. As Sydney gets bigger and bigger, the premium on its outer suburbs is only going to follow suit.
Bucking the conventional thinking
This all might sound strange or even counter-intuitive for those who feel they know the Sydney real estate market. For some time, investors were quite cautious about looking outside the CBD area, which has always been a strong reference point.
This reflects one of the issues around property investment. There are 1.7 million property investors in Australia. Rather than taking a scientific or math-based approach to their investing, however, most of these Australians base their investment choices on instinct, gossip and what they already know. Familiarity, not fact, becomes the basis of judgement.
Unfortunately, while this might seem like a safe approach, it can also close you out of a number of opportunities. In fact, it is the investors who broke away from this trend earlier and invested in outer suburbs who are reaping the benefits now.
Outer suburbs mean big returns in Sydney
When you look at the totality of Sydney, it's clear how limited simply focussing on the CBD is. For one, let's take the fact that, for most investors, the price range is around $400,000-$700,000. Today, to afford something in the CBD for around $600,000, you're looking at a one-bedroom apartment. This is on top of the fact that rental yields aren't necessarily high, that you're facing high body corporate costs and you've got a low land component.
As well as this, there's the massive amount of growth and development happening in parts of Sydney other than the CBD. You've got a city like Parramatta emerging, which is about to overtake Adelaide as the fifth biggest CBD economy in the country, is a considerable economy in its own right and is seeing the construction of the tallest tower in Sydney.
You can also look at key infrastructure areas like Penrith, or maybe Liverpool, whose hospital is the largest in the southern hemisphere. There is a massive amount of growth and development happening in many previously overlooked parts of Sydney, making them more viable for investors to consider.
It used to be that people wouldn't think twice about a region like western Sydney, which is stereotyped as a low socioeconomic area. But it's also one that's experiencing a large amount of investment, from the new airport in Badgerys Creek to the $11 billion WestConnex road project, along with the many housing developments taking place in the region.
The first law of economics
The fact is, Sydney is a basin, and there is only so much land - something investors are increasingly becoming aware of.
Because of this, it's the areas that were once ignored that will be the new growth centres over the next decades - that's where the affordability is. If you can get land there now and hold onto it, you stand to win. It's basic supply and demand.
A good example of this is Kellyville. Years ago I was telling people it was a great place to invest, and people would ask me if anyone actually worked out there and whether they had high incomes. Today, land is virtually impossible to access in Kellyville, and before I even start talking, people ask me if I have anything available there.
If investors can look beyond conventional wisdom and forget about what they're familiar with, they can benefit just like the landowners in Kellyville have.
Sam Khalil is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
Direct Property Network (DPN) provides clients with an end to end property investment solution from selecting the right property through to settlement and beyond.
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When you invest in property, leave familiarity at the door

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GUEST OBSERVATION
In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, many investors adopted a 'mark time' strategy and withdrew from the investment sector.
However during this time, property investors with a disciplined methodology were able to purchase great properties. 
They were able to afford two properties at the same cost as one 18 months prior and locked up their loans via fixed rates for five years.
Whilst there is no doubting the generous returns that investors can experience through property investment, the global financial crisis was a timely reminder for many investors of the need for professional advice and assistance, especially when times get tough.
Some property investors panic as property prices stalled and some struggled maintaining repayments on investment loans.
Other savvy investors however who had planned their strategies well and had taken professional advice at the beginning of their investment plan were able to sleep comfortably at night knowing that their plans were still on track.
These five simple tips can really set you up on the path to acquiring a fruitful property investment portfolio.
<ol>
<li>At the outset, it is important to recognise that generalist media opinions about investment strategies are not necessarily the best source of information for a savvy investor. Whilst journalists are happy to rely upon general statements, every successful investor knows that specifically tailored plans are the only reliable method upon which an investment plan can be based. Investors also need to take a broader view of the market than local journalist articles would otherwise have you believe. Reading limited information about local area or general advice about a state is insufficient when it comes to research and that is why independent advice and research are imperative. </li>
<li>The aim of investment property research is to identify growth and emerging suburbs within cities that are affordable and target properties with a larger land component. For example, buying a house and land package in Brisbane in a growth suburb based on specific research is better than buying any unit in Sydney even though a journalist may choose to state that Sydney will outdo Brisbane. The reality is no person will be buying a whole city, so suburb comparison is far more precise. If you are only able to afford $450,000 then a comparison of what you could buy in Sydney, probably an older unit further out from the city, compared to a house and land package in Brisbane's middle ring suburbs is the value decision you need to consider. The decision to be based on a commercial basis and not on a emotional whim, or idea of where you may want to live yourself. As an investment property, you need to be return driven. If it is a home, that is a different story. </li>
<li>Every element of buying an investment property portfolio needs to be hand in glove with every other aspect of the strategy. After you have chosen a suitable property for example, it is important to look at the taxation position that applies to your income and family circumstances and then choose the appropriate financing vehicle that will suit your purposes. </li>
<li>You should always make sure that your finance is flexible enough to cater for not just your current purchase but also any planned future purchases as your strategy unfolds. Lines of credit may have more advantages over term loans and interest only packages. Whilst obtaining the cheapest finance is one important aspect, you still need to look at all options to ensure your strategy is not compromised further down the track. </li>
<li>Using a property specialist is a prudent way to plan your strategy. In the same way that you leave your tax problems in the hand of an experienced accountant, your property accumulation strategy needs to be planned in overall context and having all professional resources under one roof can be a big advantage.</li>
</ol>
Sam Khalil is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
Direct Property Network (DPN) provides clients with an end to end property investment solution from selecting the right property through to settlement and beyond.
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Five simple tips on the path to a fruitful property investment portfolio

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GUEST OBSERVATION
One of the most common questions asked by Australian property investors is when is the right time to get started in property investment?
Should you wait until you are more financially established or should you postpone buying your first home and buy an investment property instead?
These and many other questions face the first time property investor, but the fact is there are no simple answers to any question. The answer really lies in a more comprehensive approach to property investment as a whole. The fittest and healthiest members of our community do not get their advice out of magazines and newspaper articles. They consult medical experts, dietitians and other health-related professionals and put a plan in place that incorporates a healthy diet and regular exercise.
It is the same in the case of property investments. You should start by consulting experts in the field before you buy your first investment property. This may include a one-stop shop investment advisory service or consulting with a range of professionals including accountants, property strategists, solicitors, mortgage brokers and quantity surveyors. Collectively, these experts provide you with the full suite of products you need to make successful and profitable decisions.
To get down to the nitty-gritty however, it is impossible to pinpoint any time in history when purchasing property may or may not have been a good decision. The most important thing to consider is your personal circumstances, because whilst you might be able to afford to purchase a property at a certain time in the cycle, other investors may not be so fortunate. The decision is really based around your personal circumstances and priorities.
Some pundits say that the best time to buy property is when there is limited stock on the market and not many buyers. This is a simple case of supply and demand and any economic theory will tell you this is true. However, if you are not in a position to borrow sufficient funds or to have the comfort in terms of cash flow to service a loan in the absence of adequate rental income, then the circumstances are certainly not right for you.
That's why it is always important to take professional advice at any stage of the market cycle to ensure that you are in the best position to proceed with the purchase. The best financial plans lay out a long-term strategy with constant reviews so that adjustments can be made for psychical economic conditions as they develop. There is no point having a 'purchase at any price' mentality simply because you think it is a good idea; you should only proceed when you have sound professional advice to back you up, coupled with independent research. It is not just about when you buy, but more importantly where and what you buy.
You can buy an investment property at any time and make a profit, over a reasonable time frame, considering you take care of what and where you buy.
Never try to second-guess what the market will be doing in the future. Base your property investment decisions upon well researched professional advice and be prepared to adapt your strategy to suit changing circumstances including your own as well as what's happening on the world stage.
Sam Khalil is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
Direct Property Network (DPN) provides clients with an end to end property investment solution from selecting the right property through to settlement and beyond.
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How do I know it's the right time to start investing in property?

Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Sam Khalil

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