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Tasmania held eight of the top ten spots for localities with the shortest days on market for houses, according to the latest analysis by RiskWise Property Research.
Their research showed that the top spots were held by Lutana, a localitiy of Hobart 6km from the CBD, and Mornington, only 7km from the CBD, which both had an average of six days on market before sale for houses.
The only localities on the list that weren't from Tasmania were Shenton Park, WA which is only 4km from the Perth CBD which placed 6th with seven days on market. 
The number 10 spot which was held by Castle Cove, NSW, located 11km from the CBD houses in Castle Cove delivered a capital growth of 0.7 per cent in the past 12 months and the average time on market was 8 days for houses.
Compared to the Australian average number of days on the market which sits at 43 even houses in the tenth place were sold more than 5 times faster.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
RiskWise CEO Doron Peleg said the list was made up of high-demand postcodes.
However, he said it must be noted that while the localities in Tasmania were incredibly popular, they were not ‘the entire market’ which was still decelerating.
“However, while these reductions are not surprising given Tasmania is less affordable than five of the states and territories (in price-to-income ratio) terms, the market supply is very small, so this will continue to drive some price.”
Mr Peleg said the list highlighted the age-old saying of ‘location, location, location’ or if you don’t have that then having something else special to offer whether that is lifestyle, good schools, access to transport hubs or infrastructure.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/10/TAS%20fasrt.JPG" alt="">
The 7009 postcode saw around 60 sales last year, ranging from a $168,000 two bedroom 1950s flat rented at $210 a week to $605,000 for a three bedroom 1960s house then rented at $570 a week.
It has around 1200 abodes.
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Tasmania had eight of the ten fastest selling localities for houses in 2018

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
Within a country of the size and breadth of Australia, where hundreds of marketplaces function independently and simultaneously, it’s no surprise that real estate is a dynamic industry.
The past 12 months have been no exception: Sydney and Melbourne, the largest metropolitan markets, have softened after prolonged growth; activity in regional markets has grown as buyers seek affordability; investor activity has slowed; the banks tightened lending criteria in the wake of the Hayne Royal Commission; and state legislators moved to give tenants more rights in their rental properties.
So, what’s around the corner in 2019?
1) Polling points to a change in government in 2019.
As constituents did in the Wentworth by-election, analysts believe the public will again queue up at polling booths to punish the Coalition for an unstable year of leadership. But, focusing on property, Labor is taking to the election the same negative gearing and capital gains tax policies it proposed at the 2016 election.
Labor wants to restrict negative gearing to new builds and halve the current capital gains tax discount on investment properties.
Over the last three years, opponents to the policy have said it will turn investors away from property, jeopardising the availability of rental stock and making tenants compete for remaining rentals.
Research undertaken by LJ Hooker has shown negative gearing is an important part of the public’s investment strategy with a poll of 1,700 landlords indicating 31% would sell some or part of their property portfolio if negative gearing was abolished or restricted.
Labor’s policy originated in 2015 at the height of property growth in Sydney and Melbourne, where property values grew around 15% and 10% respectively, over a 12-month period.
But over the past year, both cities have seen prices decline by -8% in Sydney and -5% in Melbourne.
Additionally, removing negative gearing creates less demand for real estate-based employment.
The real estate industry would require fewer strata and property managers and rental properties require regular maintenance to be compliant and a fall in demand would impact trades people, handymen and other service providers.
Interfering with how people choose to invest while the market is self-correcting will could pose a major challenge for the wider market in 2019.
2) FHBs march continues
After several frustrating years on the sidelines, First Home Buyers (FHBs) have been a good news story of 2018.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show FHB activity rose 14.9% in the year to October.
Indeed, not since 2009 have more FHBs been involved in the marketplace.
FHBs came to the fore as tighter lending restrictions – a product of the Royal Commission into Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industries - made it difficult for investors to compete for the same sort of entry level stock.
Softening house prices in the major metropolitan markets provided the best levels of affordability for FHBs for several years.
The final Hayne Commission report will be handed down in February, with a Federal budget and election following soon after.
Lenders will no doubt be chastised in the final Report, as they were in the Interim volume.
We expect investors will continue to feel the immediate fall-out from the Report which - along with tightened residential yields – will make it harder for them to maintain real estate within their wealth strategy.
Consequently, FHBs will have less competition at auctions around the country enabling more to make the leap from renting to owning.
FHBs are an important part of the real estate ‘food chain’. When FHBs are active, they enable second, third and fourth home buyers to sell their homes and upgrade. Expect to see FHBs out in force again in 2019.
3) Global forces and regulators
Buyers and investors have become accustomed to the monthly Reserve Board of Australia (RBA) meeting passing with no fanfare; it’s been 28 months (August 2016) since the Board changed the official cash rate.
However, the Central Bank’s influence goes only so far with several of the Big Four lifting their variable rates independent of the RBA’s decision making since then.
Global forces – Brexit, the controversial Trump presidency and the ambitions of China – will cause economic reverberations around the world at the same time that Central Banks are increasing cash rates. These two things will combine to push up the costs of financing for banks which will, in turn, increase mortgage expenses.
The Hayne Royal Commission will also conclude and release recommendations which may also see lending criteria tighten and borrowers jump through more hoops to get a mortgage.
4) Users tap the digital marketplace
Technology plays a greater role in our lives every year. 
In 2019, LJ Hooker will overturn the communication channels between the industry and customers. LJ Hooker has released the LJ Hooker Vendor App.
The app is an industry-first product, allowing sellers a birds-eye perspective of the selling process in real time.
The LJ Hooker Vendor App provides sellers with immediate information on how many people attended their open home; the number of impressions their property received online; and even tips on how to best present their property for buyers.
2019 will be the year in which real estate sets a new benchmark in this space.
5) Regional radar
Despite a correction in prices, buyers will continue to look outside the capital cities for better value.
Proximity to Melbourne’s corporate hub, mixed with the coastal lifestyle and its own transition from a blue collar to white collar economy has underpinned Geelong’s fortunes, with the median house price increasing 16.6% to $579,000 over the past 12 months.
The introduction of new infrastructure to support the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast this year saw the median house price rise to $655,000 in November, up from $627,000 at the same time last year, according to CoreLogic (a 4% increase), while the Sunshine Coast median increased 7.7%.
Also, government polices encouraging people to relocate to regional centres will increase demand in these areas.
For instance, the Andrews Government’s first home buyer grants encourages renters to make the transition to ownership by building in a regional area with a $20,000 incentive.
In NSW, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has flagged incentivising students which are a part of the state’s $11 billion international education sector to head to universities outside Sydney.
Markets to watch in 2019 will also include the resources regions. In 2018, the mining state of WA posted its first net population growth figures for several years. It had an immediate impact on the rental market in Perth with the Real Estate Institute of Western (REIWA) reporting a 3.4% vacancy rate in the September quarter - the best performance for the state’s investors since March 2014.
Perth is a launchpad for Fly-In, Fly-Out workers in the iron ore hub of the Pilbara. The Pilbara’s median house price has increased 4.3% to October ($240,000). Whilst it has struggled since the mining boom (the median house price has dropped 69.2% over the last five years) the local employment opportunities bode well for a continued property recovery in 2019.
Central Queensland was likewise a former darling for property investors with areas like Moranbah and Dysart returning massive rental returns as mining propelled the Queensland economy. Production is starting up again and the wider Mackay market posted a 12.6% increase in its median house price to $310,000 this year.
Consequently, many regional markets will outperform their capital city counterparts over 2019.
Mathew Tiller is the head of research at LJ Hooker.
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Five 2019 property predictions from LJ Hooker's head of research Mathew Tiller

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A family home in the Lockhart Drive Estate in Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula has been listed for $1.85 million hopes.
It has been offered by Flynn &amp; Co Real Estate Rosebud. 
The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-rosebud-130162298" target="_blank">27 Lockhart Drive</a> sits on 4118sqm and has four bedrooms, open plan living spaces, a theatre room,  kitchen with full butler's pantry, wine cellar, and alfresco area with outdoor kitchen. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/12/21/rosebud%202.jpg" alt="">
Other features include automatic gates, travertine stone flooring, high square set ceilings, ducted heating, heated flooring through the master ensuite, and double garage plus additional double carport. 
It is within easy reach of the Rosebud Country Club, shops and wineries.
The suburb's median house price sits at <a href="/developments/rosebud-vic-3939">$610,000</a>, according to CoreLogic.  
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/12/21/rosebud%203.jpg" alt=""> 
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Rosebud trophy home listed at $1.85 million

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Men’s fashion chain Ed Harry has become the first retail administration of 2019 with the bricks and mortar retail collapse putting 500 jobs at risk.
The first Ed Harry menswear store opened in Glenelg, South Australia, in 1993.
Ed Harry employs more than 500 people with over 80 stores.
They include new stories at Strathpine in Queensland, DFO Perth at Perth Airport, Western Australia, and Riverlink at North Ipswich, Queensland.
Longtime landlords include Stockland Green Hills at East Maitland, New South Wales; Westfield Plenty Valley at Mill Park, Victoria, Stockland Traralgon, Westfield Kotara in New South Wales, and Stockland Merrylands in Sydney.
Ed Harry continued a long tradition started in 1932 by Victor Harry (joined later by his son Edward) of affordable men’s clothing.
In 2011 Ed Harry was acquired by the Specialty Men’s Apparel group with many new-look stores opening in Victoria, Western Australia and Sydney. 
Ed Harry also relocated its national head office to Port Road in Hindmarsh, SA.
More than 100 South Australian retail jobs are at risk.
<div class="stockist-box" data-ind="87" data-id="90" data-latitude="41.934414" data-longitude="-74.002998" data-title="Riverlink (New store now open)" data-adr="Downs Street &amp; The Terrace&lt;br/&gt;North Ipswich, Queensland, 4305&lt;br/&gt;" data-desc="Phone: &lt;a href='tel:0438 209 323'&gt;0438 209 323&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;" data-ext="&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Store Hours:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Monday 9am–5:30pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tuesday 9am–5:30pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Wednesday 9am–5:30pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thursday 9am–9pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Friday 9am–5:30pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Saturday 9am–5pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sunday 10am–4pm&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;"> </div>
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Ed Harry collapse puts 80 retail landlords on alert

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CBRE has sold 33,000ha of premium rural land fronting the Murrumbidgee River in NSW’s Southern Riverina region in an off-market transaction for the family of businessman Tim Roberts-Thomson.
The two NSW Southern Riverina stations sold in an off-market deal reportedly worth $60 million. 
Juanbung and Boyong stations span 33,000ha of grazing land, which has been used for backgrounding up to 10,000 cattle a year, and has 55km frontage to the Murrumbidgee River. 
It is also home to one of the largest privately owned River Red Gum forests in the world, and accommodates firewood business Juanbung Mill. 
Juanbung and Boyong stations also benefit from a 13,506ML supplementary water entitlement and incorporate the floodplain delta of the Lachlan River, referred to as Great Cumbung Swamp. 
The properties were reportedly bought by a local group. 
CBRE’s Danny Thomas and Aither’s Chris Olszak sold the properties via a walk-in-walk-out basis on behalf of Roberts-Thompson’s TRT Pastoral Group.
Roberts-Thompson advised the sale would allow TRT Pastoral to focus on building its King Island beef business, as well as its other mainland beef breeding operations.
It also owns an aggregation of five properties in North East Victoria, Howquadale Station, 
Boasting 55km frontage to the Murrumbidgee River, Juanbung and Boyong Stations have traditionally been used for backgrounding large numbers of cattle for nearby feedlots (up to 10,000 head per annum). 
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Tim Roberts-Thompson sells 33,000ha in the Southern Riverina 

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The Gunnedah Hotel has been sold by it's long time owners at a yield of almost 11%.
Nick Butler of Manenti Quinlan held the expression of interest campaign, which offered the hotel on freehold/vacant possession basis.
Located at 298 Conadilly St, Gunnedah the hotel the hotel was purchased by the Gibbs family for $2 million back in 2011.
Set on 2,921 sqm, the hotel has 12 PMEs, a 3am licence and 29 rooms for accommodation.
According to the listing the hotel's weekly average revenue is $38,700.
It was offered by Chris and Kim Gibbs, active members of the Gunnedah community.
Nick Butler of Manenti Quinlan and Associates said the Gunnedah Hotel attracted a very high level of interest from Sydney publicans and "a long list of established country operators."
"Gunnedah is expanding rapidly due to the growth of its industries, and the opportunity to take advantage of that via the Hotel’s passive income streams was particularly attractive to prospective buyers," he added.
The hotel was sold, at an undisclosed price, to established hotelier Daniel Whitten (Robin Hood Hotel, Randwick) and Luke Prout who is already a partner, with Whitten, in the Tamworth Hotel.
Their management of the hotel begins in mid-February.
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Gunnedah Hotel sold at an 11% yield

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High Ridge, a hill country estate in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay is for sale.
Located at 266 Blackbarn Rd, Havelock North, the four bedroom four bathroom home is on the fringe of famous Te Mata Peak.
It was built was built by Leo and Anne-Marie Leader.
The home uses cutting edge argon-filled double glazed glass with thermal breaks to ensure the least heat loss. 
<img src="https://f.datasrvr.com/f1/519/90354/1.JPG" width="640" data-imagetype="External">
Featuring water heat pumps and an AC system allowing for individual room control, two years of planning and design, followed by two years of construction went into the home.
The pool was the first in the bay to have insulated sides and bottom, also benefiting from a magnesium-treated water system with no nasty chemicals, with the water heated during the colder months by a heat pump.”
Other features include a separate study, soundproof media room, sauna, master bedroom with dressing room and ensuite, as well as a large undercover outdoor entertaining area.
There is an insulated garage with storage for five cars.
<img src="https://f.datasrvr.com/f1/119/43312/4.JPG" width="640" data-imagetype="External">
“There are only 48 properties within this private estate; surrounded by vines, native trees, and the right to roam over 400 acres of Queen Elizabeth II Trust land. Residents have access to the private 9-hole golf course, tennis court and a fully-equipped pavilion overlooking spectacular views for those extra-large barbecue parties," Mr Leader said.
Havelock North Village, voted the nation’s most beautiful suburb, is only a few minutes drive from the property’s gated community.
Ray White Hastings sales agent Zak Marsden said “The owners are very motivated to have this property sold, and I'm going to sell it."
High Ridge is for sale by tender, closing 3pm (NZDT) on February 12.
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High Ridge for sale in gated Havelock North, New Zealand estate

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A four bedroom 2012-built house in Baynton, a location in WA's Pilbara, has been listed for sale at $489,000 by the mortgagee.
The land was last sold by the WA Land Authority when it fetched $178,000 in 2010.
Rachel Ross and Tiffinie Guillesser from LJ Hooker hold the listing, which was posted 35 days ago.
The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-baynton-130107906" target="_blank">3 Bajamalu Drive</a> was built in 2012 and has four bedrooms, two bathrooms.
There is a split system air conditioning.
There is a pool on its 416 sqm.
The home is a short walk to Baynton Primary School as well as public transport links.
The suburb's median house price sits at <a href="/developments/baynton-wa-6714">$427,000</a> according to CoreLogic, who calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as -7.1%.
Its median days on market currently sits at 19 days.
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Baynton, Pilbara mortgagee seeks $489,000

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GUEST OBSERVATION
The reasons for the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/fears-of-50-per-cent-loss-in-value-as-opal-tower-owners-consider-legal-options-20190103-p50pgg" target="_blank">cracked concrete</a> that triggered the evacuation – twice – of residents from Sydney’s Opal Tower over Christmas and the New Year are unknown and will take time to properly establish. Many commentators are jumping to the conclusion (yes that includes you, <a href="https://www.afr.com/real-estate/labors-kim-carr-promises-building-industry-reform-says-nsw-indolent-over-opal-20190102-h19mgk" target="_blank">Senator Carr</a>) that the problem is the result of the privatisation of building certification. Instead of being done by government or council inspectors, certification is now done by private contractors engaged by the developer.
It might well be a contributing factor, but what went wrong at Opal Tower is is much more complex than that. Making certification a government responsibility again won’t solve it.
Opal is unusual. Very few residential buildings in Australia have ever been evacuated due to construction defects, and fewer still because of structural cracking. The vast majority of construction defects in multi-unit residential buildings are waterproofing failures. Rather than creating short-term alarm, they create long-term misery. Because misery does not generate headlines, the problem of quality in multi-unit housing continues to be ignored by governments.
Most strata buildings are defective
Strata title allows each resident to own the space in which they live as well as a share of the common property including pipes and walls. It’s the way apartments are usually sold after they are developed.
We don’t have definitive, current data on the extent of defects in strata title buildings. Researchers from UNSW’s City Futures Research Centre have begun collecting the information for Sydney. But there are clear indications that defects are significant and widespread.
A 2012 study by City Futures surveyed 1,020 strata owners across NSW, and found 72% of all respondents (85% in buildings built since 2000) knew of <a href="https://cityfutures.be.unsw.edu.au/research/projects/governing-the-compact-city-the-role-and-effectiveness-of-strata-management-in-higher-density-residential-developments/" target="_blank">at least one significant defect</a> in their complex.
In 2017 a City of Sydney survey identified defects and maintenance as the <a href="https://www.flat-chat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CoS-Short-Term-Letting-Survey-report-2017.pdf" target="_blank">top concern of owner occupiers of apartments</a>, along with short-term letting through organisations such as Airbnb.
Unfortunately for those keen to leap to conclusions about certification, studies showed the same thing back in the early 1990s when certification was largely in the hands of local governments. In fact, studies have found the same thing ever since speculative housing became common in Australia, from the end of World War One.
In fact, ever since speculative housing development and investment has become common (after World War I in Australia), residential construction defects have been a concern both here and overseas.
The market for residential buildings is extremely competitive, and controlling the cost of construction is one of the key factors in making a profit. Sometimes, the urge to maximise profit dominates to the extent that both short and long-term construction failures are inevitable.
It’s the consequence of cost control
There are, of course, reputable developers and builders, but reputation usually finishes last, undercut by less-reputable players who produce buildings that are slightly cheaper.
Defects in single-storey speculative houses with pitched roofs are probably just as common as defects in multi-unit dwellings with flat roofs, but they are much easier to fix because the houses are close to the ground and no strata committee is involved.
They are also much easier to find; a competent building inspection initiated by a purchaser is normally enough to protect the buyer. On the other hand, a building inspection of a single unit in a multi-unit development is highly unlikely to find defects which are located elsewhere in the common property of a building.
There are 653 apartments in the Meriton-developed Regis Towers, for example, which was the subject of a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/towers-of-trouble-20181228-p50ol6" target="_blank">long-running legal action for defects</a>.
Intervening at certification is too late
The only practical way to make multi-unit dwellings a good investment for the residents and a decent place to live is for government to take a pro-active role in driving quality throughout the design and construction process, not just at the end when the building is certified for occupation, or at the beginning when it gets a development approval.
It is a simple reality that no other actor in the construction process has the capacity to take this role. It is also simpler and cheaper to build in quality than to rectify defects.
Often, a $1 detail realised for fifty cents will cause endless grief and cost thousands of dollars to fix.
Reducing the amount of rectification required will improve sustainability outcomes by containing the amount of embodied carbon incorporated in the building.
If the building performs well, it will have a longer life and that will reduce the need to eventually replace it with a new building; again saving materials and improving the outcome for embodied carbon. It is worth remembering that 20 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste are produced in Australia each year.
Governments have been reluctant to intervene early
Governments have as good as ignored the problem of defects in multi-unit residential construction even though they have been aware of it for years.
This is particularly concerning because the state governments in NSW and Victoria have been busy spruiking this type of accommodation as the solution to the pressures of rising populations in Sydney and Melbourne. Given this, the protections for apartment owners under existing legislation are ludicrously slight.
Unfortunately, compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) in its current form is no guarantee. There are so many ambiguities and grey areas in the NCC and in the way that it is applied that it is a guarantee of almost nothing, particularly when it comes to waterproofing.
A simple example is the construction of balconies with flat slabs, which is perfectly acceptable under the NCC. The floor slab is constructed as a single plane from the interior to the exterior of the building with the waterproof barrier at the balcony being provided by a masonry wall or a concrete ridge on top of the slab.
This design almost always leaks within a few years. The reliable solution is to cast the slab with a step, but this is more expensive and as a consequence is rare. Cut-price membranes under tiled terraces are also common, causing leaks, mould and misery, despite arguably complying with the provisions of the NCC.
Fortunately, there is plenty that government could do to improve quality of multi-unit construction without affecting prices much.
Five stars. Information could drive standards
One clear way forward is to make the construction quality of a building more transparent to buyers.
This could be achieved by introducing a similar sort of quality assurance scheme to the one government runs to improve safety in cars; a five-star rating.
People are free to buy a two-star car, but for obvious reasons, not many do, even if they are cheap. Similarly, it is unlikely that many people would buy a two-star unit.
It would be perfectly possible to star rate multi-unit housing for construction quality using an independent assessment body against a transparent set of criteria.
It’s been tried before
Such a quality assurance scheme was introduced by the now defunct Building and Construction Council (BACC) in NSW during the 1990s, but unfortunately foundered due to a lack of funding and will from Bob Carr’s government. This was a pity, as the scheme was designed to drive quality through the whole of the building process, from design to completion.
It still provides a perfectly valid model for a policy that would actually do something to improve multi-unit construction quality at a cost which is minimal in relation to the value of the benefits produced. If a building is built correctly in the first place, then owners will not need to rely on shonky fly-by-night builders and developers for rectification works nor need to claim against complex insurance policies.
If the NSW and Victorian governments are serious about having a greater proportion of people live in multi-unit developments, they have a responsibility to do something about their quality before we are left with a overhang of misery, leaks and failures. Just ask the residents and owners of Opal Tower.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/109428/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
Geoff Hanmer is the Adjunct Lecturer in Architecture, University of NSW, UNSW
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/there-are-lessons-to-be-drawn-from-the-cracks-that-appeared-in-sydneys-opal-tower-but-they-extend-beyond-building-certification-109428" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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There are lessons to be drawn from the cracks that appeared in Sydney’s Opal Tower, but they extend beyond building certification: Geoff Hanmer

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Sunnybank Hills real estate agency Prestige &amp; Rich Pty Ltd, trading as Stephanie To Realty, has been fined $5,000 by the Holland Park Magistrates Court.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) alleged that Ms Stephanie To, the sole director and principal licensee of the agency did not return a deposit to a buyer from a failed sales contract, retaining a $20,000 sales commission which she was not entitled to.
The court heard that Stephanie To Realty was appointed the selling agent for the sale of a Sunnybank Hills property. A buyer entered into a contract to purchase the property but the contract was later terminated because the buyer could not obtain suitable finance.
The buyer requested Stephanie To Realty return the $24,500 deposit they had paid, as allowed for under the contract. The property seller also agreed that the deposit should be returned to the buyer.
However, in contravention of the Agents Financial Administration Act 2014 (AFAA), Stephanie To Realty did not release the funds from its trust account to the buyer and instead released the deposit to the seller minus a $20,000 sales commission payment to the agency.
The OFT issued an infringement notice to the agency, however, Ms To elected to have the matter heard in court.
The court found Stephanie To Realty guilty of one count of failing to pay a disputed amount from a trust account and a conviction was recorded.
Magistrate Robert Turra said that the defendant ignored advice and direction to benefit the agency and stubbornly insisted on the defendant’s own definition of the law.
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) upheld the OFT’s decision to award a $24,500 payment from the AFAA claim fund to the buyer, dismissing a review lodged by Stephanie To Realty.
QCAT confirmed the OFT’s decision to award the claim fund payment as compensation for the misappropriated deposit was appropriate.
The amount of $24,500 will be recovered from Stephanie To Realty to repay the AFAA fund.
Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer said real estate agents regularly dealt with large sums of money and needed to act with integrity to have a position of trust in the community.
“Agents not dealing with consumers’ money in accordance with the law will be held accountable by the OFT,” Mr Bauer said.
“The purchase and sale of properties are the biggest transactions in most people’s lives, and Queenslanders need to know agents will follow the rules.”
The median price for a house in <a href="/developments/sunnybank-hills-qld-4109">Sunnybank Hills</a> is $685,000, according to CoreLogic data.
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Failed sale deposit dispute on Sunnybank Hills sees agent fined

A mix of Gold Coast locals, fly-in, fly-out purchasers from Sydney and Melbourne, and Brisbane-based families has driven early sales success at Broadbeach's newest apartment tower, Lumara.

The 26-level project, a joint venture between builder-developer 5Point Projects and Bourke Projects, comprises just 37 luxury residences and is attracting a buyer profile that is looking for exclusivity, above the most amenity-rich suburb on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=364156]

Jamie Bourke, Director of Bourke Projects, says every buyer secured so far intends to use Lumara as a lock-up-and-leave residence, combining holiday use with the ability to work remotely when required.

“The size of the apartments, both half- and full-floor options, and the different zones within the floorplans, lends itself perfectly to dedicated home office setups and multi-generational family holidays,” Bourke says.

That flexibility has become a key drawcard for affluent buyers seeking a second residence on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the ability to conduct business away from their primary home base.

The absence of holiday letting within the building has also resonated strongly with purchasers.

“This type of buyer doesn't need to generate holiday rental income,” Bourke says. “They're paying for exclusivity, privacy and certainty around who their neighbours are.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366491]

The strong demand comes amid broader shifts in the high-end apartment market following the Federal Budget announcements in May.

“We were already seeing strong enquiry from high-net-worth buyers, but that has only accelerated since the policy changes,” Bourke says.

“A lot of those buyers are looking to place more capital into premium lifestyle assets rather than investment-grade stock that has been targeted by the Federal Government.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366486]

Designed by Cottee Parker, Lumara adopts a slender, sculpted form with an emphasis on natural materials suited to its beachfront setting. The architectural approach draws on coastal influences, with a palette of stone, timber and concrete selected for durability and the ability to weather over time.

Apartments are limited to three and four-bedroom configurations, with a maximum of two residences per floor through the mid-levels and a selection of full-floor and dual-level homes in the upper levels. All apartments are oriented to the north to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and views across the ocean, city skyline and hinterland.

A two-level amenity offering is positioned high within the building on levels 20 and 21, conceived as a sky wellness retreat. Facilities include a magnesium pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, alongside more social spaces such as a private dining room, resident lounge, workspaces and outdoor barbecue areas integrated with landscaped greenery.

The uppermost levels are reserved for larger-format residences, including several full-floor homes and a dual-level penthouse with its own private wellness features and recreational spaces.

&nbsp;

To give buyers confidence, 5Point and Bourke commenced construction ahead of the apartments launching to the market, a sure-fire way to prove they mean business, and the building will be delivered. They are targeting a 2028 completion date.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150454]

Joel Robinson

Locals, interstate holiday makers, drive early sales at Lumara, Broadbeach's newest luxury apartment tower

Often when it comes to purchasing property, the biggest barrier to entry is the deposit. Buyers of established homes typically aim for a 20 per cent deposit to avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance, while most property transactions require around a 10 per cent deposit when contracts are exchanged.

The off-the-plan market works differently, with buyers typically paying a deposit during construction and settling the balance upon completion. As completion approaches at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/fabbrica-fitzroy-369-gore-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Fabbrica Fitzroy</a>, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace</a> is making it easier for buyers to secure a residence through a deposit-matching incentive. Purchasers need only contribute a five per cent deposit*, with Pace matching the remaining five per cent.

The offer comes as Pace unveils a completed display apartment and townhouse, now available for inspection by appointment ahead of the project's Spring completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371009]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/winwood-mckenzie-architecture">Winwood Mckenzie</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a>, Fabbrica draws on Fitzroy’s industrial and manufacturing history, incorporating references to the former Argyle Shirt Factory and Life Savers Confectionery Company that once occupied the site.

The development comprises 85 residences, spanning low-maintenance apartments through to larger-format townhouses with private street access and double lock-up garages, a relatively uncommon offering in Fitzroy’s higher-density apartment market.

Pace says the project has been designed to appeal to buyers seeking inner-city convenience without sacrificing space, flexibility, or amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371016]

Inside the residences, Winwood Mckenzie has focused on adaptable layouts and integrated detailing, with features including custom joinery, and concealed storage solutions. The material palette leans into warm, tactile finishes intended to complement the building’s industrial architectural language.

Fabbrica’s rooftop amenity is a key part of the project offering. Spanning around 800 sqm, the communal rooftop includes a private dining room, communal kitchen, lounge spaces, work-from-home zones, and outdoor dining areas overlooking the Melbourne CBD skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371017]

Landscape architecture studio Acre has introduced a layered rooftop garden designed to soften the urban setting while creating a more communal environment for residents.

The Fitzroy location also positions residents within walking distance of Brunswick Street, Smith Street, parks, cafés, galleries, and public transport, while remaining only minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. The project has an enviable Walk Score of 96.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371025]

Pace, which is also delivering the project as builder, has developed more than 100 projects across Melbourne over the past three decades. The vertically integrated approach has become increasingly common among developers seeking greater control over construction delivery amid broader market pressures affecting the apartment sector.

The strikingly contemporary Gore Street development is now around 70 per cent complete, with purchasers expected to move into their new homes in Spring 2026. A limited number of residences remain available under the current deposit match offer.

*Conditions apply in relation to the deposit match offer.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139552]

Pace offers five per cent deposit match at Fabbrica Fitzroy ahead of Spring completion

Sydney developer Hyecorp's roots on the Lower North Shore stretch back three generations, and that deep understanding of the market continues to shape where and how it develops today.

From high-rise towers to boutique apartment projects, the family-run developer has built its reputation by focusing on a part of Sydney it knows intimately. Founded by Michael Abolakian in the early 1990s, Hyecorp is now led by his sons Stephen, Troy and Patrick.

Stephen Abolakian, joint managing director alongside Troy, has spent more than two decades in the business, overseeing development, planning, finance, marketing and sales.

Abolakian says the developer's disciplined focus on where it chooses to operate has been, and continues to be, one of Hyecorp's greatest strengths.

“We know the buyer profile exceptionally well,” Abolakian says.

“The demographics between places like Willoughby, Chatswood, St Leonards and Roseville are very similar. There are nuances between suburbs and projects, but culturally and from a buyer perspective, there’s a strong overlap.”

That buyer has historically been overwhelmingly owner-occupier driven.

Unlike many Sydney apartment developers that have traditionally relied heavily on investor demand, Hyecorp’s projects have typically attracted downsizers, upsizers, rightsizers and family owner-occupiers seeking long-term homes rather than short-term investments.

“Historically, investors have been a much smaller portion of our demand profile,” Abolakian says.

“We design for owner-occupiers. We don’t design for yield, we design for comfort, amenity, family living and long-term usability.”

That philosophy extends well beyond apartment layouts.

From landscaping and communal gardens to shared amenities and circulation spaces, Hyecorp’s developments are designed around how people actually live, something Abolakian believes has become increasingly important in Sydney’s apartment market.

“There was probably a period where having an approved project in market was enough,” he says.

“There wasn’t as much competition and if you built it, buyers would come. That’s no longer the case.”

“There’s more supply in the pipeline now, particularly with TOD precincts and low and mid-rise reforms opening up opportunities across Sydney. Buyers have more choice, so if you get the product wrong, they’ll simply go elsewhere.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=311393]

The shift has forced developers to become more sophisticated in how they approach apartment design, particularly as owner-occupier expectations continue to rise.

For Hyecorp, that means thinking beyond who the buyer is today and designing for who they may become in five or 10 years' time.

“People buying now often aren’t moving in for several years,” Abolakian says.

“You might have a young couple buying today, but by the time they move in they may have children, older children, or changing lifestyle needs. You’ve got to think about how families evolve.”

That thinking also shapes Hyecorp’s approach to amenity, which positions wellness at the forefront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362634]

While resort-style facilities have become increasingly common marketing tools across Sydney apartment developments, Abolakian says the challenge is ensuring amenities are genuinely usable and appropriate for the scale of the project.

“If amenities are done right, they can materially improve the living experience,” he says, adding however that if you&nbsp;overdo it or get it wrong, you can end up with facilities nobody uses that simply create ongoing strata costs.”

That balance is something Hyecorp is aiming to strike with projects like Roseville Avenue, one of the group's upcoming Lower North Shore developments, which Abolakian describes as bringing a resort-style living experience into a metropolitan setting.

“It’s about creating something that feels special without being excessive,” he says.

“Good gardens, quality apartments, thoughtful amenity. Creating that resort feeling in a metro location.”

<img alt="Hyecorp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13c4c0f3-b1b7-44cf-9344-0b3d1d07797a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-02%20at%2012.14.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=9OLWjyj2bYkDV35F78WJnyMSPfc2bJ2z" />

The focus on owner-occupier product comes as Sydney’s apartment market continues to navigate a difficult development environment.&nbsp;For Hyecorp, maintaining an in-house operating model across construction, sales, marketing and development management has become increasingly important in navigating that environment.

“We’ve always believed in keeping a lot of the process in-house,” Abolakian says.

“It creates efficiencies, but it also creates quality control. You can make faster decisions and ensure the end product stays aligned with the original vision.”

Despite the challenges, Abolakian believes demand for quality owner-occupier apartments across Sydney remains strong beneath the surface, particularly across established Lower North Shore suburbs where downsizers continue to seek new housing options close to existing communities.

“There are definitely people waiting,” he says.

“Once some of the broader uncertainty settles, whether that’s the global environment or some of the local economic noise, I think the right projects will perform very strongly.”

Hyecorp currently has three residential developments on the market across Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;Audrey, St Leonards, positioned opposite Newlands Park, is nearing completion and preparing to welcome its first residents, with the project now almost sold out.

Hyecorp has also recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine Chatswood</a>, an architectural tower, while continuing to deliver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet Roseville</a>, a more boutique scale of development with just 34 apartments.

Why Hyecorp continues to back Sydney's Lower North Shore apartment market

South East Queensland’s apartment market is entering a new phase defined by rising prices, constrained affordability, and mounting pressure on the construction pipeline, according to RPM Group’s latest SEQ Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report.

The May 2026 report highlights a widening divide between what buyers can afford and what developers can viably deliver, with detached house prices continuing to push more buyers toward apartments across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

RPM says Brisbane’s median house price has reached around $1.5 million, accelerating the shift toward higher-density housing as buyers are increasingly priced out of the detached market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135094 project_image_fid=356540]

Median unit prices rose across all three major SEQ markets in the March quarter. Brisbane City recorded the strongest annual growth, with median unit prices climbing 21 per cent to $862,000, while the Gold Coast reached the highest overall median at $950,000, up 17 per cent year-on-year. The Sunshine Coast followed at $870,000, representing annual growth of nine per cent.

RPM noted the affordability gap between houses and units remains significant, with detached homes commanding premiums of 67 per cent in Brisbane and 68 per cent on the Gold Coast relative to apartments.

The report suggests this price disparity is increasingly consolidating buyer demand within the apartment market, particularly among downsizers and owner-occupiers.

“Demand is real. Supply is moving. But they’re operating on different timelines and the gap between what’s being built and what buyers can afford is the defining tension in this market right now,” RPM Queensland and NSW Managing Directors Peter Neale and Clinton Trezise said in the report.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150787 project_image_fid=366230]

While approvals and commencements are strengthening, RPM argues the delivery pipeline remains constrained by construction costs, labour shortages, and extended build timelines.

Apartment approvals across Queensland increased 86 per cent over the year to February 2026, reaching 12,682 approvals, the highest level recorded since 2016. Brisbane overtook the Gold Coast as the state’s most active apartment approval market, with nearly 5,000 apartments approved over the past 12 months.

Unit commencements also strengthened considerably, rising 48 per cent year-on-year to 5,453 commencements in the December 2025 quarter, the highest level since 2018.

However, RPM’s research found apartment delivery timeframes have expanded sharply compared to the previous cycle. Projects are now averaging around 30 months from approval to completion, compared to roughly 20 months a decade ago.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367515]

The number of units under construction has climbed to approximately 31,530 dwellings, nearing the previous 2016 peak, though projects are remaining in the pipeline for considerably longer.

Construction costs continue to weigh heavily on feasibility. RPM found the average apartment construction cost in Greater Brisbane reached $630,000 per dwelling in 2025, exceeding both Sydney and Melbourne. Coastal Queensland markets, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, were even higher at an average of $817,418 per apartment due to the prevalence of larger premium product.

The report also points to increasing pressure from Olympic-related infrastructure spending ahead of Brisbane 2032, with labour competition expected to intensify over the next several years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370960]

ANZ Associate Director of Property Daniel Gradwell said the underlying demand drivers across South East Queensland remain strong, supported by interstate migration, downsizers, and population growth.

“The challenge is bringing enough supply to market to meet that demand, and nothing on the horizon makes that straightforward,” Gradwell said.

RPM’s analysis found the affordability challenge is becoming more pronounced in the new apartment market itself, with only three per cent of surveyed new apartments priced below $1 million.

Instead, the market is increasingly concentrated in higher price brackets, with the most common new apartment price band across SEQ sitting between $1.5 million and $1.75 million. Around half of all new apartment stock surveyed is priced below $2 million.

The report suggests developers are not necessarily avoiding lower price points by choice, but because current construction economics make delivering affordable apartments increasingly difficult at scale.

Rental conditions also remain tight across the region. Median rents for one-bedroom apartments rose 12 per cent in Brisbane over the past year to $580 per week, while Gold Coast one-bedroom rents increased nine per cent to $630.

Despite rising rents, RPM noted bond lodgements have generally trended downward over the past five years, indicating more apartments are being absorbed by owner-occupiers rather than retained as investor-held rental stock.

Looking ahead, RPM expects projects targeting the mid-market owner-occupier segment between $1.25 million and $2 million to remain the most viable part of the market, while premium projects in highly constrained coastal or riverfront locations continue to attract demand.

“Construction costs are rewriting the feasibility rulebook across Greater Brisbane, and with little relief in sight, only projects in the right price band, right location, and with presales secured early will make it through,” the report concludes.

SEQ apartment demand outpacing affordable supply as construction timelines stretch: RPM

Camberwell Junction has long been the epicentre of amenity in Melbourne’s Boroondara region.

For nearly a century, it has drawn both locals and visitors, anchored by the Camberwell Sunday Market, which first operated in 1929 and quickly became a fixture of the suburb’s identity. Over time, the Junction evolved into one of Melbourne’s most established retail and lifestyle precincts, now comprising more than 400 stores and over 300 commercial businesses.

Despite that depth of amenity, one thing has remained notably limited: the supply of new apartments.

In a suburb defined by its heritage streetscapes and tightly held residential stock, new development opportunities have been scarce, particularly within the core of the Junction itself. That lack of supply has left a gap in the market for larger, design-led apartments suited to downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in the area.

Boutique developer Above Zero identified that gap when it secured a prime site on Burke Road, in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368543]

The site has a long planning history. Various proposals have been put forward over more than a decade, many of which were knocked back by the City of Boroondara, with initial applications dating back to 2015. Above Zero acquired the site in 2022 and returned with a revised scheme, refining both the building’s height and its ground-level interface to better align with Council expectations.

That process has culminated in approval for Camberwell House.

The Cera Stribley-designed development will deliver 57 residences on a 1,950 sqm site within the Camberwell Activity Centre, placing it directly within one of Melbourne’s most established retail and transport hubs.

It is expected to be one of the only new apartment developments to launch in the Junction in recent years, reinforcing the rarity of new supply in the precinct. Currently, there are just a handful of projects on the market in Camberwell, underscoring the significance of a development of this scale and positioning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368544]

Camberwell House has been conceived with a clear focus on larger-format apartments. The project will offer a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, alongside a limited number of penthouses, targeting owner-occupiers seeking scale rather than volume-driven product.

The building’s vertical presence will also set it apart.

Positioned on Burke Road, the development is set to become one of the taller buildings in its immediate context, allowing for elevated outlooks across Melbourne’s CBD skyline and toward the Dandenong Ranges. In a precinct characterised by lower-scale built form, that height provides a point of differentiation, particularly for buyers seeking outlook and natural light.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368568]

Architecture has been led by Cera Stribley, with interiors by GOLDEN and landscape design by Florian Wild. The design approach centres on material consistency and restraint, with residences oriented to maximise light, ventilation and connection to outdoor spaces.

Full-height glazing and generous terraces form a key part of that strategy, allowing apartments to extend beyond their internal footprint and engage with the surrounding environment.

Beyond the private residences, a significant component of the project is its amenity offering.

Above Zero has positioned Camberwell House as a “complete living environment”, incorporating a full floor dedicated to resident facilities. At the centre of that is a wellness zone, including a 12.5-metre lap pool, spa, sauna and treatment spaces, alongside a gym and recovery-focused amenities.

This level of amenity is more commonly associated with inner-city developments, rather than established middle-ring suburbs like Camberwell.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368588]

Additional shared spaces include a private library lounge, dining and entertaining areas, and an indoor golf simulator. A self-contained guest suite has also been incorporated, allowing residents to accommodate visiting family or friends without impacting their primary living space.

The inclusion of these facilities reflects a broader shift in buyer expectations.

As more downsizers look to transition from larger family homes into apartments, there is increasing demand for developments that offer not just a residence, but a lifestyle. That includes access to wellness, social and entertaining spaces within the building itself, reducing the reliance on external amenity while still maintaining proximity to established precincts.

Camberwell House is positioned to benefit from both.

Its location places it within immediate walking distance of Camberwell Junction’s retail and dining offering, as well as public transport connections, including tram and train services. That combination of internal amenity and external convenience is central to its appeal.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-150" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-74" dir="auto">
Jellis Craig Projects Director Stephen Bowtell is handling sales for the project and says Camberwell House offers a rare entry point into one of Melbourne’s most tightly held markets.

“Buyers are recognising that Camberwell House offers something they simply haven’t seen before in Boroondara,”&nbsp;Bowtell&nbsp;says.

“It combines a level of resident amenity and service typically associated with Melbourne’s premium inner-city developments, while being positioned right in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

“The response to the concierge offering has been particularly strong. Buyers appreciate not only the convenience, but also the sense of security and peace of mind that comes from having a dedicated presence in the building every day.

“When you combine that with the wellness facilities, the exceptional arrival experience, and panoramic views across both the CBD skyline and the Dandenong Ranges, it creates a lifestyle proposition that is genuinely unique within the local market.”
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4896]

Staff reporter

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