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The former Lower North Shore McGrath franchisee Dean Mackie seems set to open a Di Jones office next year.
Mackie has been recruited by Di Jones chief executive Rob Ward.
Now with a network of five offices, Ward has long signalled plans to expand the group to 10 offices by 2021.
The Mackie-led franchise lost its McGrath operations last Friday when McGrath Estate Agents provided the stockmarket with an update regarding the April 2019 renewal of its Sydney Lower North Shore franchise office arrangement.
McGrath announced it had withdrawn its offer to extend the franchise agreement beyond April.
Mackie, who had headed the LNS operation since 2005, was in the news mid year when a Kirribilli waterfront property attracted a premium price.
A one-bedroom apartment on the market for the first time in more than 50 years sold for $125,000 above reserve at $1,875,000.
The 65-square-metre apartment sold to the final bidder to jump in, Dean Mackie, who bought the home shortly after inspecting it for the first time. 
Mackie addressed the 2009 AREC when he present the winning strategies he had implemented in growing his property management business from zero to 1000 properties in two years.
The McGrath franchise decision puts the future of one of the McGrath group's top performers, Michael Coombs in play with whispers that he's heading to LJ Hooker Avnu.
McGrath is currently considering the "optimum" structure for the continuation of the McGrath presence in the key markets of Mosman, Neutral Bay, Chatswood and Northbridge.
Their decision was couched as providing the opportunity of strengthening the profitability for the publicly listed estate agency.
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“We have a clear plan to rejuvenate our presence in the region," McGrath chief, Geoff Lucas said.
The shareholders were told by Lucas the LNS profitability had "fallen below expectations in recent years.”
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There has been no formal announcement by the Di Jones group which has been dealing with the loss of its own top seller in the eastern suburbs, <a href="/news/jane-schumann-quits-di-jones-for-r-h-double-bay">Jane Schumann this week to Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay.</a>
Mackie will step into an agency where its longtime Woollahra village-style origins had a women's influence.
Newspaper reports in the late 1990s suggested Di Jones was the doyenne of the female brigade in Sydney, at a time when ABS figures showed the percentage of female sales staff in real estate sat at around 40 per cent, way down on the US industry where eight in 10 are women.
The Di Jones office, with its French country style, avoided the hard edges often found in rival estate agencies.
She had her female staff dress to create an air of sober authority.
"I don't think the sexy look works very well," Jones explained.
"Everyone in our office dresses very business-like. I normally wear a suit because I think you need to look business-like to be taken seriously.
"I wouldn't like to think the girls in my office used their sexuality to sell a property but I'm sure some women do. But no, that's not our image at all." 
Its website traffic indicated almost twice as many women as men visiting <a href="http://www.dijones.com.au/"></a>with almost 80,000 total visits per month. 
The office has since been incorporated into the upper North Shore business of the former LJ Hooker Wahroonga agent Rob Ward in 2016.
Ward had founded LJ Hooker Wahroonga in 2003.
The landmark Woollahra office relocated from Queen Street this week to shop top premises on Paddington's Five Ways, with administrative staff now relocated to Wahroonga.
It now sits amid its team on the North Shore, the Northern Suburbs and in the NSW Southern Highlands, along with the lower North Shore seemingly from early next year.
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Dean Mackie set to take Di Jones office option after losing McGrath franchise

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ASIC has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against Port Phillip Publishing Pty Ltd (PPP), an online financial publisher and Australian financial services licence (AFSL) holder, and its director and CEO, Kris Sayce.
The proceeding concerns an article promoting an investment strategy which, according to PPP, consumers could adopt to “piggyback”, or mimic the performance of, the Australian Government’s Future Fund. 
<a href="https://newslettercollector.com/newsletter/wednesday-how-you-could-pocket-an-extra-540-to-6-667-every-month/" target="_blank">The 2017 article</a> which said that the investment strategy would generate monthly income of $540 to $6,667 was not written by Sayce, but Matthew Hibbard.
Sayce promotes himself as "never one to pull punches, especially when it comes to Australia’s hapless bureaucracy and special interest groups."
Once dubbed the ‘Jeremy Clarkson of Australian finance’, Sayce began as a London finance broker specialising in small-cap stock analysis on London’s Alternative Investment Market — which covered everything from Kazakhstani gold miners to toy train companies. 
Sayce is a fully accredited advisor in shares, options, warrants and foreign-exchange investments, who spent several years at a leading Australian wealth-management company before he began working at Port Phillip Publishing, where he is the publisher and CEO of the Albert Park-based company. 
The article, which included client testimonials purportedly supporting the strategy, was targeted at retirees.
It was published on two of PPP’s websites and emailed to some 120,000 subscribers. It's open rate has not been revealed.
Readers were able to access the promoted investment strategy by purchasing a detailed guide from PPP for $49.
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The document entitled “Your Quick Start Guide to ‘Piggybacking’ the Future Fund” was sent to 833 of PPP’s subscribers during the relevant period between September 2017 and January 2018.
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ASIC alleges that the article and the guide were misleading and deceptive because consumers could not mimic the performance of the Future Fund by adopting the promoted investment strategy.
ASIC allege PPP did not disclose that the touted returns could only be achieved by investing approximately $154,286 and $1.9 million.
ASIC allege the article did not represent the opinions of Matthew Hibbard, the PPP retirement investment expert.
"Instead, it was substantially copied by one of PPP’s copywriters from an article published by an American related entity of PPP in the United States entitled, Americans Now Legally Piggybacking Canadian Social Security ... And Collecting Extra Monthly Checks from $400 to $4,700.”
ASIC further allege Hibbard had not conducted, as outlined, "research in the order of 900 hours in relation to the investment strategy; and had not connected with over 5,400 people who had generated income by adopting the investment strategy."
ASIC also allege that the three testimonials contained in the article were false.
The testimonials were advised as "folks like":
<ul>
<li>77 year-old M H a retired farmer living in South Australia, he stumbled across this weird - but lucrative - income strategy a few years back. Since then he’s open to monthly income amounts like $575 and $1,362...</li>
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<li>Retiree Leon M switched on this secret strategy inside his self-managed super fund...and now collects a monthly income stream of around $540...</li>
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<li>Or Jolly, who – on average – collects $6,667 each month using this loophole.</li>
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ASIC alleges that PPP and Sayce breached various consumer protection provisions of the ASIC Act and Corporations Act, that PPP breached its AFSL obligations, and that Sayce breached his duties as a director of PPP. 
In addition to declarations and financial penalties, ASIC seeks corrective advertising orders, injunctions and disqualification orders against the Frankston South-based Sayce. 
The first hearing of the matter is listed for 22 February 2019.
It is regulatory guide 234 Advertising Financial Products and Services (including credit): Good Practice Guidance (RG234) that provides guidance to help promoters comply with their legal obligations not to make false or misleading statements or engage in misleading and deceptive conduct, ASIC advised.
Port Phillip Publishing claims with its 20 subscription services and five free daily emails that its readers get a "comprehensive insight into the ideas that the mainstream media frequently neglects – or is too lazy to research."
PPP's most recent addition to the stable was Harry Dent Daily, which offers the thoughts of <a href="/expert-insights/investing/harry-dent-says-he-was-early-with-his-dire-sydney-price-collapse-forecast">the controversial doomsday property analyst</a>.
Port Phillip Publishing was established in 2005 as the Australian outpost of US publisher, Agora Inc, which was founded by best-selling author and entrepreneur Bill Bonner.
Many of its subscription newsletters are paid: 
• Australian Small Cap Investigator – A$99 annually • Secret Crypto Network – A$99 annually • Exponential Stock Investor – A$99 annually • Phillip J Anderson Cycles, Trends and Forecasts – A$99 annually • The Gowdie Letter – A$99 annually • Global Investor – A$99 annually • Harry Dent Boom &amp; Bust letter – A$99 annually • Wealth Eruption – A$99 annually • Money Morning Trader – A$49 monthly • Crisis &amp; Opportunity – A$149 annually • Gowdie Family Wealth – A$449 annually • Revolutionary Tech Investor – A$1,499 annually • Quant Trader – A$3,499 annually • Gold &amp; Commodities Stock Trader – A$2,499 annually • Microcap Trader – A$4,999 annually • Crash Market Investor – A$2,999 annually • Crypto Tech Investor – A$2,499 annually • Extreme Crypto Trader – A$2,999 annually • Billion Dollar Breakout Trader – A$2,999 annually • Microcap Global Trader – A$2,999 annually • Phil Anderson’s Time Trader – A$2,999 annually • Options Trader – A$3,499 annually
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ASIC seek to take financial services licence off Kris Sayce, the Port Phillip Publishing boss

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A four bedroom, one bathroom Mount Isa house has been sold by its mortgagee.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-mount+isa-129547962" target="_blank">5 Mill Crescent, Mount Isa</a> the home sold for $140,000 after 66 days on the market.
Last sold in 2012 for $278,000 after spending 590 days on the market without success, the late 2018 sale was just over half that 2012 price.
Prior to that it had sold in 1999 for $93,000.
The home features front and back verandas accessed via sliding glass doors.
Set on a 705 sqm block the property is fully fenced.
It was sold by City and Country agents, John and Kieran Tully.
Situated in the suburb of Pioneer, the median price for a home in <a href="/developments/pioneer-qld-4825">Pioneer</a> is $151,000, according to CoreLogic data.
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Mount Isa home sold by mortgagee for half last sale price

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Bogus property developer Maureen Johnston, of Carrum Downs, Victoria has been sentenced in the County Court of Victoria to five years and six months imprisonment.
An ASIC investigation found Mrs Johnston, a former director of Small Business Management Pty Ltd and Investman Nominees (USA) Pty Ltd, deceived victims into investing money in various bogus property developments in the United States and Australia.
The funds were not used for investment purposes, but instead were spent gambling at the Melbourne Crown Casino and paying her personal credit card debt.
The sentencing comes after Mrs Johnston pleaded guilty to three counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, totalling $1,027,000.
Many of the victims met Mrs Johnston and her husband, Douglas Johnston, through their close association with the Collingwood Football Club, where friendships were developed before the Johnstons first raised the idea of investing personally through them.
Mrs Johnston must serve a minimum of two years before being eligible for parole.
In sentencing, Her Honour Judge Wilmoth stated Mrs Johnston’s actions were, “intentionally dishonest and blatantly opportunistic” and if it was not for her early guilty plea, the sentence would have been seven years with a period of three years before being eligible for parole.
Judge Wilmoth noted that Mrs Johnston befriended the victims, who included Mrs Johnston’s house cleaner and a patient whom she had met in hospital, before exploiting them for financial gain. Her Honour commented that one of the victim’s description of Mrs Johnston as “absolutely ghoulish, atrocious and heartless” was completely understandable. 
The matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
On 8 October 2014, charges against Mr and Mrs Johnston were issued.
On 16 December 2015, after a three-day contested committal hearing, Mr and Mrs Johnston were committed to stand trial, entering into pleas of not guilty.
The trial date for Mr and Mrs Johnston was set down for 23 January 2017, however it did not proceed, as Mrs Johnston offered a guilty plea which was accepted on 20 December 2017.
Maureen Johnston was accused of using players from the Collingwood Football Club, including Andrew Krakouer, to strike up friendships with fellow club members who then became her targets.
The Herald Sun reported Mrs Johnston was a member of the exclusive “Black Room”, an invitation-only club where Crown’s biggest spenders can play pokies.
A trial date for Doug Johnston was set down for April next year.
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$1 million deception against Collingwood AFL supporters sees bogus property developer jailed

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The big fines and directorship bans on Octaviar executives over the dishonest use of investors’ funds have been upheld by an appeals court.
The Queensland Court of Appeal has published reasons for judgment dismissing the appeals of Craig Robert White and Guy Hutchings, who were officers of MFS Investment Management Limited (MFSIM), the former responsible entity of the Premium Income Fund (PIF). 
An appeal by Marilyn Anne Watts, a former funds manager of PIF, was also dismissed. 
White, Hutchings and Watts were ordered to pay ASIC’s costs of their appeals.
In a separate appeal brought by Michael Christodoulou King, the court partially allowed the appeal finding that King had not contravened the Corporations Act as an ‘officer’ of MFSIM at the relevant time. The court found that his contraventions were limited to his being knowingly concerned in MFSIM’s contravention by the misapplication of $130 million of PIF’s money.
The court has given further directions to King and ASIC in relation to the finalisation of his appeal.
The proceedings relate to breaches committed in connection with the misappropriation of $147.5 million of funds that had been held by the PIF on behalf of unitholders.  The misappropriated funds were used to pay debts owed by other entities in the MFS Group (also known as Octaviar) and false documents were created, some backdated and used to purportedly justify the use of the funds. The MFS Group collapsed in 2008 owing approximately $2.5 billion.
In May 2016, the court found that King, White, Anderson, Hutchings and Watts had collectively committed 217 contraventions of the Corporations Act (16-158MR).  The court found that King, White, Anderson and Hutchings had breached their duties as officers of MFSIM to act honestly and in the best interests of members of PIF.  Watts was found to have been involved in MFSIM’s breach of its duty to act honestly and in the best interests of members of the fund.
In May 2017, after more than 70 days of hearings, excluding interlocutory hearings and appeals, Justice Douglas made orders, imposing substantial disqualifications from managing corporations, pecuniary penalties and other relief in relation to the officers and the funds manager.
In June 2017, King, White, Anderson, Hutchings and Watts each appealed from the decision of the court at first instance
Anderson filed a notice of discontinuance of his appeal in September 2017, agreeing that his appeal be discontinued and that he pay ASIC’s costs of his appeal.
The remaining appeals were heard over 11 days in June 2018.
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Appeals dismissed over convictions following MFS Group collapse 

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Vail Resorts, which already owns Perisher in NSW, is planning to buy Victoria's Mount Hotham (top) and Falls Creek (below) ski resorts.
The acquisition is estimated to be for about $120 million.
It is being sold by the British-listed Merlin Entertainments, according to a Nine Entertainment report.
Merlin Entertainments, the world's second-biggest visitor attractions group behind Walt Disney, took over the failing Living and Leisure Australia (LLA) Group’s interests including the Melbourne Aquarium, Underwater World Mooloolaba, the Victorian ski resorts of Hotham and Falls Creek, in 2012.
<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/Falls1.jpg" alt="">
It was 2015 when the US-based Vail Resorts bought James Packer's Perisher ski resort for $176.6 million.
The deal includes Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega resorts on a lease until 2048 with a 20-year option.
Kerry Packer bought the Perisher ski fields in 1972 with the takeover of Murray Magazines.
The mooted acquisitions of the Victorian resorts comes days after Vail's financial update that its fiscal 2019 first quarter net loss included the $1 million of headwind from currency translation related to operations at Perisher.
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Falls Creek and Mount Hotham to be sold to Vail Resorts

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A father of four children has bought them all an apartment for Christmas.
The Sunday Telegraph reported finance worker Majed Akil was afraid his adult children would never be able to save up a deposit on their own, so used his savings and equity in the family home to put down deposits on four apartments in Liverpool.
They are in the Coronation’s The Paper Mill project at Liverpool.
The four siblings are aged 19 to 30.
Two have taken over the mortgages with their partners.
The other units will be rented out until the younger two complete their university studies and are ready to move in.
“I wanted to give them a head start because I think it has become impossible for our kids to save $100,000 to $150,000,” Mr Akil said.
He bought the two bedroom units off the plan for between $487,000 and $546,000.
The similar apartments are on different floors.
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Dad buys four kids an apartment each for Christmas in Coronation's The Paper Mill

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Over the past five years, "strategic leasing initiatives" have saved taxpayers an estimated $80 million on office rental costs in the Sydney CBD.
Property NSW CEO, Brett Newman, said effective management of the portfolio, a combination of moving from premium buildings and negotiating below-benchmark new deals on CBD office space, had delivered savings for the Government.
“Prime Gross Effective office rents in Sydney’s CBD have increased by more than 55 per cent in the last three years and are forecast to increase significantly over the next three years amid constrained supply,” Mr Newman said 
The Government's plan has involved moving out of premium buildings and into A Grade buildings as well as increasing its presence in the Southern CBD.
Mr Newman said the Government has moved from paying around 15 per cent above the Prime Industry Benchmark in 2014 to more than 30 per cent below in 2018."
The NSW Government is the State’s largest tenant, occupying more than one million square metres of office space across metropolitan and regional NSW.
Property NSW is has made progress on reducing CBD office space by a goal of 100,000 sqm by 2021.
It has made a reduction of more than 70,000 sqm to date.
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NSW Government saves $80 million on Sydney CBD leases

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JD Sports Fashion has opened in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall at 400 George Street.
The successful fashion retailer signed a 10-year lease for 1,200 sqm of space across both the ground floor and level one.
The ground floor is functioning as a sporting footwear department store, while the upper level showcases a range of sports clothing and active wear.
Michael Cook, Group Executive, Investa said, the new JD Sports store located within 400 George Street and fronting Pitt Street Mall was the perfect fit.
"If the first few weeks are any guide, JD Sports will emerge as one of the strongest retailers in the city,” he said.
<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/2018/12/20/JD%202.jpg" alt="">
400 George Street is a 51,000 sqm office and retail complex located in the centre of the Sydney CBD.
Adjoining the office building, Sydney Arcade incorporates over 5,500 sqm of retail space and accommodates leading Australian and international retailers such as Hugo Boss, Telstra Discovery Centre, Mont Blanc and a Woolworths Metro store.
Leasing agent, Alex Alamsyah of Knight Frank completed the leasing transaction in conjunction with Invest.
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JD Sports opens in Pitt Street Mall

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As auctions volumes across the country shrink, hopefuls still remain in almost every state for the upcoming Saturday December 22nd auctions.
The eleventh hour auction offerings number in the dozens, rather than thousands that go on a typical Saturday.
Among the listing in the ACT is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-act-nicholls-130003766" target="_blank">5/149 Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls</a> (pictured above).
This three bedroom two bathroom townhouse comes without a price guide.
Set on 146 sqm this home is located at the back of a Gold Creek complex and features a two car lockup garage.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/20/Auction%20hopefuls%202.JPG" alt="">
In Queensland there is <a href="https://www.eplace.com.au/property/QLD-Sherwood-R2-1745693" target="_blank">38 Lance Street, Sherwood</a> (pictured above) set for auction this Saturday.
This holding is a vacant allotment set on 405 sqm.
The lot is situated within walking distance of local schools, public transport links, and amenities.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/20/Auction%20hopefuls%203.JPG" alt="">
One Saturday auction hopeful in Victoria this week is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-roxburgh+park-130004822" target="_blank">4 Korab Place, Roxburgh Park</a> (pictured above).
Set on a 580 sqm block the house has an indicative price guide of $540,000 to $580,000.
The four bedroom two bathroom house has a crescent driveway with room for 7 vehicles.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/20/Auction%20hopefuls%204.JPG" alt="">
Carlingford is host to the NSW auction of <a href="http://tracyyap.com.au/1P9232/60-14-16-freeman-place-carlingford" target="_blank">60/14-16 Freeman Place</a> (pictured above).
The three bedroom two bathroom apartment is accompanied by an indicative price guide of $745,000 to $795,000.
Featuring a tandem lockup garage the unit is located near public transport links and other amenities.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/20/Auction%20hopefuls%205.JPG" alt="">
A home in South Australia set for auction this weekend is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-marino-130007318" target="_blank">43 Trumara Road, Marino</a> (pictured above).
Set on 1,123 sqm the home features views of the coast and Trumara.
The three bedroom one bathroom home is located within 30 minutes of the city.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/20/Auction%20hopefuls%206.JPG" alt="">
The final state with a Saturday auction is Western Australia, with <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-wa-attadale-129972726" target="_blank">5/240 Burke Drive, Attadale</a> (pictured above) set to go under the hammer.
Set on 137 sqm the waterfront unit is located on an A class reserve.
The three bedroom two bathroom unit hasn't been offered to the market since the late 80's.
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Hopefuls list on weekend before Christmas

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<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.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"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."

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

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.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"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.

"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."

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.

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

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

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.

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.

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.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

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.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"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."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"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."

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Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

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.

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.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, 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.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 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.

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.

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Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"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."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

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Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

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.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

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.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"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."

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

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.

&nbsp;

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.

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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.

"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.

"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.

"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."

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Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

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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.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"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."

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>.

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Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

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.

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.

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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.

"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.

"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."

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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<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.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"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.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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