<html><body>
<p>A five bedroom three bathroom Tallai home on Queenland's Gold Coast has been sold by its mortgagee.</p>
<p>Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-tallai-129726626" target="_blank">10 Tolhurst Court, Tallai</a> the home fetched $530,000 in the week prior to Christmas, after being passed in at LJH November mortgagee auction.</p>
<p>It last sold in 2008 for $680,000.</p>
<p>It sold at $310,000 in 2001.</p>
<p>Set on 0.58 ha the listing noted that the existing residence requires a substantial amount of work to be restored.</p>
<p>Located minutes from the major local amenities, the property is a short drive from the M1.</p>
<p>Featuring an in ground swimming pool the property also contains a garden shed for tool storage.</p>
<p>The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/tallai-qld-4213">Tallai</a> is $863,750, according to CoreLogic data, with a 2.3 percent annual change in median price over the past decade.</p>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Tallai, Gold Coast house sold by mortgagee at $150,000 loss

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 9">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Values throughout the Ballina Shire stabilised throughout 2018 after strong increases </span>throughout the 2016 and 2017 calendar years, according to the latest Herron Todd White residential report. </p>
</div>
<div class="column">
<p><span>The report noted agents who actively market property throughout the Ballina Shire generally report lower numbers of enquiry. </span></p>
<p><span>Some Ballina regions experienced declines in value on the back of weaker Sydney and Melbourne markets, although the lack of available stock generally prevented any notable falls in value throughout the sought-after areas of the shire, HTW noted.</span></p>
<p>A lack of stock did drive the market and buyers were seen moving out of the suburb of Byron Bay into the more affordable coastal resort town of Lennox Head which saw the market in Lennox Head climb in 2018.</p>
<p><span>"The overall market started slightly sluggishly in January and February, however lack of stock saw the market continue to surge throughout 2018. Early </span>stages of flattening were evident throughout the October to November period," the valuation firm said.</p>
</div>
<div class="column">
<p><span>The buy in price point of $750,000 to $1.2 million did well throughout the year of 2018. Larger allotments located in Ocean Shores with future subdivision potential did particularly well with a spike in sales. In Lennox Head, sales also spiked with buyers wising up and moving away from </span>the iconic town of Byron Bay towards a smaller township where their money could be spread further.</p>
<p>"At the beginning of 2018, it was predicted that the oversupply of vacant land in Lennox Head may be of some concern. </p>
<p>"We have yet to see any signs of an oversupply of vacant land, with value levels within new residential estates remaining firm, however it would appear that the developer’s conscientious release of land without flooding the market could be partly responsible to this," the report noted.</p>
<p>The prediction for the Byron Shire market that was made all the way back in February was mostly correct.</p>
<p>A recent sale in Ocean Shores is a four bedroom which has been sold for $950,000. </p>
<p>Sitting elevated on a 923sqm block, the house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-ocean+shores-128709658" target="_blank">18 Goondooloo Drive</a> (pictured above) comes with multiple living zones,four bedrooms, eat-in kitchen,  and double garage.</p>
<p>It's within walking distance to the Ocean Shores cafes and shops or a short hop to New Brighton, Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay.</p>
<p><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/lennox%20head.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>A two bedroom Lennox Head townhouse has been recently sold for $1.17 million.</p>
<p>Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-townhouse-nsw-lennox+head-128818454" target="_blank">1/43 Stewart Street</a> (pictured above), the beach house feautres two bedroom, sunroom, study, modern kitchen with stone benches, salt water plunge pool and high ceilings.</p>
<p>It's<span> located within easy walking distance to Lake Ainsworth.</span></p>
<p><span>The report mentioned a large portion of the buyer demographic in this locality were people coming from Melbourne or Sydney. </span></p>
<p><span>"The market was majorly influenced by investors and baby boomers looking for a sea change. More recently though we have seen buyers in the 30 to 50-year-old bracket with young families sustaining city job opportunities whilst living away from metropolitan areas." </span></p>
<p>There continues to be renovation, renewal and gentrification activity occurring within established residential areas of Ballina and in particular the Ballina Island and East Ballina precincts, according to an earlier Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. </p>
<p>The report suggested this is due to requirements from both owner-occupiers and also from potential buyers, and there remains good demand for quality renovated product.</p>
<p>However, the majority of new development within the Ballina Shire is occurring in housing estates such as Epiq at Lennox Head, Ferngrove and Riveroaks at Ballina, Ballina Heights at Cumbalum and the new estates located to the north-west fringe of Wollongbar.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 28">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>"It is interesting to note that over the past five years, we have seen a significant increase in construction of self-contained flats and second dwellings of house lots, both in established residential areas and also in new housing estates." the HTW report noted.</p>
<p>The increased construction of self-contained flats and second dwellings can be attributed to the strong rental demand across the Ballina Shire coupled with the fact that there remains limited one and two-bedroom residential units being constructed within established suburbs. </p>
<p>Subsequently properties which possess rear lane access and allow approval and construction of second dwellings in established residential localities have become more sought after, the report said. </p>
<div class="page" title="Page 28">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>"In the Byron Shire, home renovation and new construction in established areas are on the rise. We see the renovation aspect of this market evident in all suburbs within this locality. An example is Suffolk Park, where homes built in the 1960s and 1970s are being extended and externally remodelled to a more contemporary design," the valuation firm noted.</p>
<p>A Suffolk Park renovated beachfront home was on the market with the price guide of $1.1 million to $1.2 million. It sold in December at $1.1 million.</p>
<p>Set on a 922sqm, the<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-suffolk+park-129206958" target="_blank"> 17/2 Alcorn Street </a>house comes with two bedrooms, open plan kitchen/dining/living, and study.</p>
<p>It has been recently renovated with the new kitchen and bathrooms. </p>
<p>This is also evident in the township of Mullumbimby, where 1930 to 1940 built homes are being updated to compete with new builds occurring in the fringe Tuckeroo Estate.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 28">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>The majority of buyer types in this market within the Byron Shire are more of the owner-occupier variety rather than house flippers or spec builders. The suburb where they would achieve the most profit is isolated to that of Byron Bay. Buyers have been capitalising on the increased margin of the price point buy in for this particular coastal resort town.</p>
<p>There has also been an increase in the number of sales as well as price point within the prestige residential market for centrally located properties in close proximity to the Byron Bay CBD, beach and facilities. The increased sales activity in the $2 to $4 million price bracket for standard residential property has been occurring since 2014.</p>
<p>There is generally strong demand for Federation style dwellings which have been renovated to a very good standard and offer the owner a high quality of fitout that is also appealing to the holiday market.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 29">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>Evidence of first home buyers wanting to make quick equity can be seen in suburbs such as Ocean Shores within the price-points of $750,000 to $850,000. Other strategies for first home owners have been trending in the purchase of land, where dual occupancy is created, divided and sold.</p>
<p><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/2018/10/8/ocean%20shores%20.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>An example is a Ocean SHores three bedroom house which has been listed for $770,000 (pictured above). </p>
<p>Nestled on a 921sqm block, the house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-ocean+shores-127957602" target="_blank">7 Rajah Road</a> include three bedrooms, renovated family bathroom, three spacious living areas and covered outdoor areas.</p>
<p>It's within walking distance to cafes, restaurants and Brunswick Heads.</p>
<p>Upgraders who want to stay put but need more space for a growing family are taking advantage of creating detached granny flats. This extra space caters for older kids who may still be at home saving for a deposit of their own, or for an ageing relative.</p>
<p>The buy-in price points for homes with upgrade potential in the below mentioned suburbs are as follows:</p>
<p>• OceanShores- $750,000 to $850,000</p>
<p>• ByronBay- $1million to $1.5million</p>
<p>• LennoxHead- $800,000 to $950,000</p>
<p>The suburban infrastructure that helps drive construction within these established areas include the proximity to local airports (both the Ballina/ Byron Bay Gateway Airport and the Gold Coast Airport). This has seen an increase in interstate buyers taking advantage of the versatility of living locally and in either Sydney or Melbourne to cater for their fly-in, fly-out occupations.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 29">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>Home renovation and new construction in established areas do have some guidelines and limitations. The biggest limitation we see home buyers face in the Byron Shire is the restriction on secondary dwelling sizes. Where there are dual occupancies on one title in one line, the secondary dwelling must not exceed a total floor area of 60 square metres.</p>
<p>There are changes in the town planning process that are encouraging new construction. The biggest change is seen in the reduced minimum lot sizes. Vacant land was once sold with an average land area of 700 to 800 square metres, however with each new estate that has been developed, we have seen a reduction to 450 to 500 square metre blocks being sold.</p>
<p>The market of home renovation and new construction within the Byron Shire may track a little differently in the future. The cost of building is rising at such a rate that it may have an effect on those speculating to be a part of this market.</p>
<p>"Even now we are seeing vacant land blocks within new estates being resold at a much higher price-point, which may affect the home buyer’s decision about what they can afford to build," the report said.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Ballina Shire residential market remained steady through 2018: HTW residential 

<html><body>
<p>There are three leading economists who think that the Reserve Bank will be cutting interest rates this year; AMP Capital's Shane Oliver, Industry Super's Stephen Anthony, and Market Economics' Stephen Koukoulas.</p>
<p>"The Reserve Bank is conflicted. It knows the economy is slowing and that risks are building in asset markets, especially east coast property," Mr Anthony told Nine Entertainment.</p>
<p>"But should that be the official forecast? It also knows that if it can 'manage' sentiment it may also contribute to a softening of activity rather than a bust, especially via property prices and dwelling investment."</p>
<p>It was more likely we had entered "a secular bear market phase" with respect to asset prices, Mr Anthony suggested.</p>
<p>"With the background being declining residential house prices, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, the wealth effects will be significant, likely reducing household consumption growth to at or below 2 per cent in 2019."</p>
<p><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/2019/1/1/Strip%20ad%20keep%20up%20in%202019.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p>Dr Oliver believes the Reserve Bank's bias is "still slightly hawkish" in that "it has not turned dovish yet but it is getting less hawkish and bit more open to the view that the next move in rates may not be up".</p>
<p>Nine Entertainment did a poll of 38 economists on the direction of the next interest rate move and 35 advised the Reserve Bank will likely put them up in 2020.</p>
<p>The consensus was<span> that the RBA would raise the official cash rate to 1.75 percent by June 2020.</span></p>
<p>Eighteen months ago most of them were forecasting a rate rise in 2018. Six months later, predictions moved to 2019. Now the general consensus is rates won't go up until 2020 - with some even calling out to 2021.</p>
<p>AMP chief economist Shane Oliver arrived at his view <a href="/expert-insights/finance/rba-to-cut-rates-second-half-of-next-year-shane-oliver">a few weeks back</a> after the September quarter Australian GDP figures (which came in December) showed the rate of growth had slowed to an annualised 2.8 per cent.</p>
<p>Oliver reasons that the RBA won't move to lower the rate in any attempt to head off further falls in the property market but to help households that carry a mortgage.</p>
<p>But the reversal in house values over the past year has promoted a negative wealth effect which is more likely to result in consumers spending less.</p>
<p>To have much impact the RBA would need to cut twice so <span>Oliver said the official cash rate might go down to 1 percent given the slump in the major housing markets of Sydney and Melbourne</span>. </p>
<p>The Reserve Bank made a policy error in pursuing stability in interest rates in the belief this would encourage confidence, Mr Koukoulas argued.</p>
<p>"The very slight change in tone in recent times is a belated realisation of this error and if, as seems likely, inflation remains outside its target range and its rosy forecasts for growth and unemployment fall flat, it will, pragmatically, change tack."</p>
<p>The wealth effect and its relationship with consumption growth also had been played down, he said, "at its peril".</p>
<p><span>The RBA will announce its initial 2019 monetary policy decision when the board convenes next month.</span></p>
</body></html>

Why the RBA will cut interest rates in 2019

<html><body>
<p>Short term weakness in 2019 house prices seems assured as the tight credit conditions and restrictive monetary policy settings constrain demand, according to economist Stephen Koukoulas.</p>
<p>"Nationwide prices may drop 5 per cent by the September quarter, with sharper falls likely in Sydney and Melbourne," he forecasts.</p>
<p>"Late 2019 will be the likely trough in house prices as easier monetary policy unfolds, there is a step up from previously frozen out first home buyers and the strength in demographic demand as fresh supply falters in line with the slippage in building approvals are all likely to put a floor under prices.</p>
<p>His call envisages a 5 per cent drop over first half of 2019 and then a 2 per cent rise in the second half.</p>
<p>"2020 might see a 3 per cent house price lift," he speculates.</p>
<p><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/2019/1/1/Strip%20ad%20keep%20up%20in%202019.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>He recently wrote on <a href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/dont-look-now-almost-certainly-poorer-year-ago-211934583" target="_blank">Yahoo Finance</a> that if you are a home owner in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Darwin and if you have a superannuation nest egg, the odds are you are less wealthy today than you were a year or two ago.</p>
<p data-reactid="25">He noted the Australian stock market, where the bulk of superannuation assets are likely to be invested, had slumped 11 per cent since August, reducing the value of stocks by around $200 billion. </p>
<p data-reactid="27">"At the same time, home owners in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin are seeing the value of their homes getting crunched.</p>
<p data-reactid="28">"Here are some examples. </p>
<p data-reactid="29">"A house in Sydney that was $1 million in July 2017 is now worth around $890,000, a loss of $110,000 in 18 months.</p>
<p data-reactid="30">"In Melbourne, a house that was $800,000 in early 2018 has lost around $50,000 in value, to now be worth around $750,000.</p>
<p data-reactid="31">"In Perth, the situation is more parlous. Prices have dropped 15 per cent since late 2014, meaning that a property that was $600,000 in 2014-15 has lost close to $100,000 in value to be worth just over $500,000.</p>
<p data-reactid="32">"Ouch!"</p>
<p data-reactid="38">He suggests as the loss of wealth filters through to more and more householders, or perhaps when they see the house around the corner not sell for months and when if finally does, the price is a shock, consumers will likely scale back their spending, rebuild savings and be generally cautious in their approach to spending in 2019.</p>
<p data-reactid="39">"This will undermine growth in the economy."</p>
</body></html>

Stephen Koukoulas forecasts national house prices to begin small rise in late 2019

<html><body>
<p>Perth values dropped 4.7 percent over the year, led by its decline in the unit market.</p>
<p>Unit values declined a further one percent in December, bringing their total decline over 2018 to 6.5 percent.</p>
<p>House values, which also saw a one percent drop over the month, dropped 4.3 percent, bringing the median house price values to $431,000.</p>
<p>Perth's median unit value sits at $370,000.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/dwell1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.</p>
<p><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/2019/1/2/dwell1.jpg" alt=""></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Tim Lawless, the heat of research at CoreLogic, noted the reprisal in </span><span>Perth’s </span><span>rate of decline was a key factor in the 2018 property landscape.</span></p>
<p>"Perth values are back to levels last seen in March 2009," he noted.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>"Although Sydney and Melbourne recorded the weakest conditions, the peak to current declines are much less severe relative to Perth and Darwin where values have been falling since mid-2014.</span></p>
<p><span>"The downturn has been running much longer in Perth and Darwin, resulting in cumulative falls of 15.6 percent and 24.5 percent respectively."</span></p>
<p><span>Lawless noted Perth was among the capitals with t</span>he largest yield improvements</p>
<p>Rents in Perth have been consistently lifting from their low base through the year, up 2 percent over the year while dwelling values were down 4.7%.</p>
<p>"The net result has been a 2 basis points rise in Perth rental yields," he said.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/Cl-Jan2full.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.</p>
<p><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/2019/1/2/Cl-Jan2full.jpg" alt=""></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Perth property values fall in 2018 back to 2009 levels: CoreLogic

<html><body>
<p>Darwin just pipped Canberra to be 2018's strongest mainland capital city with 3.7 percent house price growth, according to CoreLogic.</p>
<p>Canberra houses rose 3.6 percent in the year.</p>
<p>Darwin's house price recovery was not however seen in the apartment market, where it was the weakest capital city market across the country.</p>
<p>Darwin unit prices were down 10.4 percent during 2018 to a $305,000 median, the CoreLogic report showed.</p>
<p>Canberra unit values rose 2 percent to $440,800.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/dwell1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.</p>
<p><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/2019/1/2/dwell1.jpg" alt=""></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Darwin's dwelling values over the calendar year fell by 1.5 percent, while Canberra's dwelling values rose 3.3 percent.</span></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>According to CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless, the broad weakening in housing market conditions in 2018 highlights that the slowdown goes well beyond the correction in Sydney and Melbourne.</span></p>
<p>“Although Australia’s two largest cities are the primary drivers for the weaker national reading, most regions around the country have reacted to tighter credit conditions by recording weaker housing market results relative to 2017.</p>
<p><span>“The </span><span>two exceptions were regional Tasmania, where the pace of capital gains was higher relative to 2017 resulting in a nation leading 9.9 percent gain in values over the 2018 calendar year, and Darwin, where the annual rate of decline improved from -8.9 percent in 2017 to -1.5 percent in 2018.</span><span>”</span></p>
<p>A recent sale in Nightcliff was a Verbena Street five bedroom house which has been sold at $800,000 (pictured below).</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nt-nightcliff-128726138" target="_blank">13B Verbena Street </a>features open plan living/dining area, large covered balcony, kitchen with steel oven, four upstairs bedrooms and fifth bedroom downstairs. </p>
<p>Other features include tropical gardens, in-ground pool, double carport and split-system a/c.</p>
<p><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/2018/8/14/nightcliff%20.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>A Fannie Bay three bedroom townhouse has been recently sold for $850,000 (pictured below).</p>
<p>Situated at 2/3 Philip Street, the townhouse comes with open plan kitchen and living, three bedrooms, and large private courtyard with in ground pool. </p>
<p>It is with walking distance to the Fannie Bay Shopping Village and parks as well as East Point Reserve.</p>
<p><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/2018/8/14/fannie%20bay%20.jpg" alt=""></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Darwin was one of only two capital cities that saw a reduction in gross rental yields over the year. </span></p>
<p><span>Darwin showed a reduction in rental yields, due to rental rates (-5.8 percent) falling more than dwelling values (-1.5 percent).</span></p>
<p>Hobart dwelling values (+8.7 percent) rose faster than rents (+5.8 percent) which dragged the gross yield lower over the year. </p>
<p>Housing affordability has rapidly deteriorated across Hobart, according to Lawless.</p>
<p>"Outside of Hobart, where dwelling values were 8.7% higher over the year, even the best performing regions returned a relatively mild annual growth rate, Lawless said.</p>
<p>Seven of the top ten sub-regions returned an annual gain of less than 3%.</p>
<p>"Such a soft result amongst the best performing areas highlights that housing market weakness is broad-based and not just confined to Sydney and Melbourne," Lawless added.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/Cl-Jan2full.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.</p>
<p><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/2019/1/2/Cl-Jan2full.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Darwin pips Canberra to be 2018's strongest mainland capital for house value growth: CoreLogic

<html><body>
<p>Melbourne's house value decline accelerated to 9.1 percent in late 2018, according to CoreLogic.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>Melbourne’s top quartile housing market led the way with dwelling values down 11.2 percent over the year, while the lower quartile of the market has remained in subtle growth territory over the year (+0.5%).</p>
<p>Melbourne values are down 7.2% since peaking in November 2017. </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>At the end of 2018, Melbourne values are back to February 2017 levels, Tim Lawless, the head of research at CoreLogic said.</p>
<p><span>The 7.2 percent Melbourne decline from its peak 13 months ago compares with Sydney's 6.9 percent dip when it was 13 months into its downturn.</span></p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/dwell1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.</p>
<p><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/2019/1/2/dwell1.jpg" alt=""></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Melbourne's inner east was the nation's worst performing housing market in 2018, according to CoreLogic.</p>
<p>The region saw declines of 13.4 percent.</p>
<p>The worst performing list, dominated by Sydney suburbs, only had one other Melbourne suburb, the inner south, which saw 10.5 percent decline.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/Ryde4.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.</p>
<p><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/2019/1/2/Ryde4.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Melbourne's inner east comprising of the likes of Doncaster, Hawthorn, Surrey Hills and Park Orchards.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/Cl-Jan2full.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.</p>
<p><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/2019/1/2/Cl-Jan2full.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>This time last year, at the end of 2017 Tim Lawless noted that the 2017 shift to falling national dwelling values was being driven by the capital cities, with the combined capitals tracking half a percent lower over the December quarter, while across the combined regional areas of Australia, values were half a percent higher over the quarter.</p>
<p>Amongst the capitals, the weakest end of 2017 year conditions were concentrated in Sydney and Darwin.</p>
<p><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/2018/1/2/CORE2.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>At December 31, 2017 Sydney dwelling values remained 70.8 percent higher than their cyclical low point in February 2012.</p>
<p>The best performing capital city over the 2017 calendar year was Hobart, where dwelling values rose by 12.3 percent: almost five times higher than Hobart’s decade average annual rate of capital gain (2.5 percent).</p>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

Melbourne's inner east the nation's weakest house price market in 2018: CoreLogic

<html><body>
<p>The Ryde district ranked as Sydney's weakest 2018 housing market, according to CoreLogic.</p>
<p>Ryde values were down by 13.3 percent over the year to December 31.</p>
<p>Sydney's inner south west was the next weakest with values down 10.9 percent.</p>
<p>Melbourne's inner east was the worst performing area of 2018, seeing <a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbournes-inner-east-the-nations-weakest-house-price-market-in-2018-corelogic">declines of 13.4 percent</a>.</p>
<p>There was a late year deterioration in values as Ryde's decline was put at 9.4 percent in August (below).</p>
<p>Recent Ryde sales included a one-bedroom apartment at 4 Devlin Street (above), which sold for $565,000, some $115,000 less than its 2014 off the plan purchase price.</p>
<div dir="ltr">
<span class="il">Ryde</span> district vendors were having to adjust their expectations with losses emerging for some.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div> </div>
<div>Another off the plan purchase in <span class="il">Ryde</span> went backwards recently. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The apartment was bought for $713,000. The Belmore Street two bedroom apartment recently sold for $691,000.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A two bedroom Macquarie Park apartment recently sold for $808,000, just $8,000 more than than two years ago. The sale fell well short of its initial $870,000 guide, and would have meant a loss after costs including stamp duty and estate agent commission.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A four bedroom house in Marsfield recently went backwards on its 2015 price. The 1975 built home sold for $1,791,000 in three years ago, and has just resold for $1.75 million, a $41,000 loss.</div>
</div>
<p>A unit at 21-31 Porter Street fetched $66,000 less, while a unit at 2D Porter Street sold for $38,000 less than four years ago.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/Ryde4.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:</p>
<p><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/2019/1/2/Ryde4.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>A three bedroom house in Ryde sold for $1.65 million (pictured below) bucked the trend selling in under three weeks.</p>
<p>Set on a 550sqm block, the house at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-ryde-129030918" target="_blank"> 1 Cosimo Place</a> offered three large bedrooms, modern Caesarstone kitchen, formal living and second living area.</p>
<p>Other features include LED-lit stairs, alfresco, generous laundry and study nook. </p>
<p>It sits a short stroll to buses and parklands, and delivers immediate access to schools, retails and Macquarie business precinct. </p>
<p> <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/2018/9/4/1%20cosimo%20place.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>A one bedroom unit in the heart of Ryde sold for $430,000 (pictured below). It first sold at $281,000 in 2012.</p>
<p>The unit situated at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-nsw-ryde-128796734" target="_blank"> 1/688 Victoria Rd</a> consists of one bedroom with built-in, spacious lounge/dining area, modern kitchen and private courtyard.</p>
<p>It is situated only a short walk away from Top Ryde Shopping Centre, Putney Shopping Village, Local Transport, Schools and Riverside Parklands.</p>
<p> <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/2018/9/4/688%20victoria%20rd.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>A Curzon Street two-bedroom unit priced between $580,000 to $630,000 (pictured below) fetched $568,000 in October.</p>
<p>The unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-ryde-129234978" target="_blank">7/15 Curzon Street</a> comprises of large living area with balcony, newly renovated kitchen, two large bedrooms and lock-up storage room.</p>
<p>It situated within seconds to Top Ryde City Shopping Centre, city buses, restaurants and cafes.</p>
<p><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/2018/9/4/15%20curzon%20st.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

Ryde ranks as Sydney's weakest 2018 housing market: CoreLogic

<html><body>
<p>The Federal Court of Australia made interim orders restraining Askk Investment Group Pty Ltd (Askk) from dealing with funds in their bank accounts in relation to a suspected land banking scheme. </p>
<p>The December 20 orders see Askk also restrained from selling or otherwise dealing in the property which is the subject of the land banking scheme.</p>
<p>Askk has an interest in land located in Lot 2, 615 Hume Highway Beveridge, Victoria.</p>
<p>Askk is Broadmeadows based.</p>
<p>ASIC suspects that since October 2017, Askk has raised in excess of $10 million dollars from more than 270 investors in relation the land, and since this time, investors have been making ongoing payments in respect of their investment.</p>
<p>The money is in two Westpac accounts.</p>
<p>ASIC is concerned that Askk:</p>
<ul>
<li>may be operating an unregistered managed investment scheme (MIS);</li>
<li>may be carrying on a financial services business in relation to the promotion and operation of an unregistered MIS without holding an Australian Financial Service Licence; and</li>
<li>may have engaged in conduct that is misleading or deceptive during the promotion of the scheme to investors.</li>
</ul>
<p>ASIC’s investigation is ongoing. The freezing orders remain in place until the next hearing date on 8 February 2019.</p>
<p>The orders allows Askk withdrawing up to $50,000 for the purposes of paying the defendant’s legal expenses in relation to this matter.</p>
<p>The land was initially marketed as a large acreage "<span>ready to be owned by astute developers, builders and land bankers including group of investors looking to cash in capital."</span></p>
<p><span>It was described as a "unique land parcel zoned under urban growth with its boundary located in the famous Beveridge north suburbia."</span></p>
</body></html>

$10 million frozen in suspected Askk Investment Group land banking scheme

<html><body>
<p>The Top Level acquisition by The Agency, a real estate agency from the West, won't now take place until 2019.</p>
<p>The latest update in the long running saga came Friday when The Agency Group Australia advised shareholders that the settlement date to buy the Bondi Beach-based McGrath Rebels has been extended to 11 January 2019.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>The company will also be extending the closing date of the offer under the prospectus dated 20 November, issue date of securities under the prospectus, settlement of the acquisition of all of the shares on issue in Top Level Real Estate Pty Ltd and closing date of the cleansing offer under the prospectus to be amended to 4 January 2019.</p>
<p>It is two years ago that Top Level was launched with the backing of mortgage broker John Kolena, and Ausnet, a then little-known real estate practice out of Perth since 2006 called The Agency which offer a range of Ausnet financial services.</p>
<p>Top Level has been operating under licence to The Agency Group during the extended delayed period while under offer.</p>
<p>Ausnet came to list on the Australian Securities Exchange via the ASX-listed Namibian Copper Limited, a base metals exploration company previously focusing on Namibia, Africa. </p>
<p>The Agency, formerly Namibian Cooper/Ausnet, is now trading at 1 cent. </p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>The Agency Group Australia also advised shareholders that the ASX had granted the company a waiver from ASX Listing Rule 14.7 to the extent necessary to permit the company to issue 6,160,000 shares to John Kolenda, up to 10,000,000 shares to John Kolenda, 833,333 shares to Paul Niardone and 333,333 options exercisable at $0.30 on or before that date which is 3 years from the date of issue to Adam Davey as approved by the company’s shareholders at the general meeting held in November 2018.</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

McGrath Rebels acquisition by The Agency pushed back into 2019

<p>For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.</p>

<p>At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.</p>

<p>It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.</p>

<p>The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.</p>

<p>After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.</p>

<p>In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.</p>

<p>"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.</p>

<p>"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."</p>

<p>The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.</p>

<p>Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.</p>

<p>The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]</p>

<p>The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.</p>

<p>Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.</p>

<p>"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.</p>

<p>"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."</p>

<p>On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.</p>

<p>Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]</p>


Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

<p>For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.</p>

<p>That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.</p>

<p>John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.</p>

<p>"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.</p>

<p>"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]</p>

<p>Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.</p>

<p>The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.</p>

<p>The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]</p>

<p>The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.</p>

<p>Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.</p>

<p>Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]</p>

<p>The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.</p>

<p>Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.</p>

<p>"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.</p>

<p>"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."</p>

<p>He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.</p>

<p>"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]</p>

<p>According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.</p>

<p>"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.</p>

<p>"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."</p>

<p>He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.</p>

<p>"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]</p>


Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

<p>Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.</p>

<p>While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.</p>

<p>A new Colliers report, <em>Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions</em>, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.</p>

<p>The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.</p>

<p>Construction Skills Queensland's <em>Horizon 2032</em> report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.</p>

<p>The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]</p>

<p>Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.</p>

<p>"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.</p>

<p>"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."</p>

<p>Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.</p>

<p>"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]</p>

<p>Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.</p>

<p>Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.</p>

<p>Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.</p>

<p>The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.</p>

<p>Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.</p>

<p>"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.</p>

<p>"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."</p>


Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

<p>It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]</p>

<p>Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.</p>

<p>"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.</p>

<p>"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.</p>

<p>"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]</p>

<p>Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.</p>

<p>Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]</p>

<p>Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.</p>

<p>"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.</p>

<p>"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."</p>

<p>Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]</p>


Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

<p>Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.</p>

<p>The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]</p>

<p>Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.</p>

<p>"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.</p>

<p>"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]</p>

<p>La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.</p>

<p>Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.</p>

<p>The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.</p>

<p>Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.</p>

<p>Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.</p>

<p>"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.</p>

<p>Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]</p>


Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News