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The number one spot for low median unit values is Newman in the East Pilbara council region, according to the CoreLogic end of year report.
Around 24 units were sold in the region at a median price of $96,274 during the past year.
South Hedland ($99,878) and Port Hedland ($127,892) were placed second and third in terms of lowest median unit values across Australia.
These regions sold 65 and 55 units respectively.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/20/WA%20Low%20Value.JPG" alt="">
An example of the price point being present in WA was 6/15 Mindarra Drive, Newman (pictured above).
The one bedroom one bathroom unit was sold in November this year for $109,000.
Last sold for 575,000 in 2013 this shows a $456,000 decrease in price over the past 5 years.
Located close to the Newman CBD, School and Shire Pool the property is also near Newman hospital.
The unit was most recently listed for rent in 2017 at $225 per week down $450 from $750 per week in 2014.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/20/Newman%202.JPG" alt="">
Another example of this price point is a block of 12 units 11 of which have sold this year at 6 Arika Place, Newman.
They sold for prices ranging from $65,000 to $122,500.
11/6 Arika Place (pictured above) was listed as a rental on December 18 for $230 per week.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Investors need to head to WA's mining towns for lowest median unit values

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The lowest median house values in Australia this year were in Zeehan on the West Coast of Tasmania, according to CoreLogic's end of year report.
The town's median came in at $71,184.
Three of the top four localities with the lowest median house values were in the West Coast council region of Tasmania with third lowest being Queenstown ($74,961) and fourth lowest being Rosebery ($75,858).
They had higher values than in Peterborough, SA which had the second lowest median at $71,880.
Zeehan also had the ninth highest Gross rental yield nationally at 12.5%.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/20/TAS%20Low%20value.JPG" alt="">
An example of the median house value in this region of Tasmania being at this level is 3 Emma Street, Zeehan (pictured above).
This two bedroom, one bathroom house sold for $67,000 earlier this year.
The property features four parking spots.
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Zeehan, Tasmania had the nation's lowest 2018 median house values

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A beachside Yamba home in coastal northern New South Wales is on the market for the first time in almost 40 years.
The four bedroom, three bathroom residence located at 1 Church Street is a family-sized beach house.
Atherstone is described by Ray White Yamba agent Daniel Kelly as a classic Queenslander style residence.
<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/Yamba%202.jpg" alt="">
Mr Kelly said, relevant sales in the area suggest the value of the property "should sit somewhere above $1 million.”
Yamba is roughly 3 hours to the Brisbane CBD, 2 hours to the Gold Coast, and 8 hours from Sydney or a 1 hour flight.
Aetherstone is situated within a short walk of beaches, cafes, restaurants and the famous Pacific Hotel.
<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/Yamba%203.jpg" alt="">
Mr Kelly said "the owners have given very clear instructions to sell now."
The home goes to auction January 27.
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Beachside Yamba home listed after almost four decades

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Phillips Pantzer Donnelley (PPD) has claimed a sales record as the biggest selling single agency.
The company has sold 499 properties during 2018 translating to a total $1.11 billion worth of real estate, with a few days to go.
"This is the most real estate traded by any single agency in Australia," the agency has advised.
The agency opened in December 2013. It has its main office at Woollahra with its property management office also in Woollahra.
 PPD have built on its sales transactions success year on year with 2017 having been a record year with the sale of 434 properties with a value of $1.072 billion.
In 2016 it exchanged on 434 properties with a value of $936 million.
During their inaugural year their company sold more than 360 homes for a total of about $600 million in real estate.
It concentrates on Sydney's eastern suburbs, lead by Alexander Phillips, Jason Pantzer and Debbie Donnelley.
Alexander Phillips' highest recorded sale price this year was $12.5 million for 2 Mirimar Avenue, Tamarama, a 5-bedroom house.
Debbie's most recent highest sale price was $4.2 million for 140 Windsor Street, Paddington, a 3-bedroom house which sold in March.
The give back to the local community providing local on-going sponsorships at Easts FC, Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club, Bronte Netball, Sydney Children’s Hospital and Dunbar Rovers.
It was in 2010 when McGrath Eastern Suburbs sold $1.12 billion from 938 sales out of the head office, which chief executive John McGrath said was an Australian record for any individual residential sales office. It sat among its growing company and franchise offices.
 
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Phillips Pantzer Donnelley (PPD) claim $1.11 billion sales record as single agency

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The announcement of the removal of the 30 percent cap for new interest-only residential mortgages will allow lenders to offer more choice for customers, leading to an increase in competition across the industry, particularly for smaller and regional banks, the Australian Banking Association chief, Anna Bligh said.
“While banks will continue to lend prudently, today’s decision will mean all banks can offer more choice for customers who are looking to buy a house or apartment. 
Average rates according to borrower 
<table class="x_MsoTableGrid" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
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<td valign="top" width="301">
Owner occupier, principal and interest
</td>
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4.27%
</td>
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Owner occupier, interest-only
</td>
<td valign="top" width="58">
4.68%
</td>
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Investor, principal and interest
</td>
<td valign="top" width="58">
4.60%
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top" width="301">
Investor, interest-only
</td>
<td valign="top" width="58">
4.84%
</td>
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Source: RateCity.com.au
“Increased competition across the industry will mean customers have more ability to shop around for the best deal for them when looking at an interest-only home loan,” she said. 
In terms of banks home loan commitments, the proportion of interest-only loans are now 16 percent much lower than the proportion seen two years ago at 37 percent.
Sally Tindall, research director at RateCity.com.au, noted APRA’s intervention has had a marked effect on new borrowing.
“This announcement will see banks re-open their books to more interest-only lenders, particularly investors."
But Tindall was unsure whether there would be a drop in interest-only rates to attract more borrowers.
“Banks have grown accustomed to charging borrowers more for interest-only loans," she said.
The final ACCC report into residential mortgage pricing released last week found that the big four banks collected an extra $1.1 billion over the last financial year as a result of hiking interest-only rates as since March 2017 there has been a 37 basis point average increase in interest rates on investor, interest only loans.
On average the rates are now 32 basis points above investor, principal and interest loans, and 76 basis points above owner occupied, principal and interest rates.
“We have also seen an increase in interest rates for owner occupier interest only loans that are up 33 basis points since their lows in March last year," Mozo’s property expert Steve Jovcevski said.
“While we welcome the push to improve lending standards, it’s clear the cap on interest only loans has put the brakes on the investor market.
“Coupled with the cooling of the housing markets across the country which have pulled back significantly since their peaks, it’s clear the temporary cap has done its job,” Jovcevski said.
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APRA's IO loan cap abolition will allow greater choice for over charged borrowers

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The REA Group’s chief financial officer Owen Wilson has been promoted to CEO of REA Group, replacing Tracey Fellows.
Fellows will <a href="/news/tracey-fellows-steps-down-as-boss-of-rea-group">step down from her role in January</a> to become president of global digital real estate at News Corp in New York.
The new CEO joined REA Group in 2014.
Wilson’s previous roles include positions at MacLeod Group, where he was CFO and company secretary, as well as chief operating officer at ANZ’s Institutional and Investment Bank.
Hamish McLennan, chairman of the REA Group board, said Wilson had played a critical role in the group’s growth.
“He has a deep understanding of the company, our long-term strategy and the importance of our customers in driving business success,” McLennan said.
"The board has a long-term commitment to succession planning, and I am pleased that this internal appointment reflects the strength of our REA Group talent,” he said.
He commences his new role on January 7 with plans to expand the real estate listings company’s Asia operations as part of his growth strategy.
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Owen Wilson promoted to replace Tracey Fellows at REA Group

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The much anticipated purchase of Top Level Real Estate Pty Ltd by the Perth-based publicly listed The Agency Group Australia has been delayed yet again.
The Agency advised the December 17 settlement would be "slightly delayed."
It claimed it was "due to the time of year and public holidays."
The parties apparently remain committed to completing the transaction, and "are hopeful of doing so prior to year’s end."
It told shareholders that final consents to satisfy all conditions precedent to the acquisition are yet to be finalised.
The company undertook to keep the market updated on the move that would consolidate its east coast status.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/12/19/Top-Level.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.
<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/2018/12/19/Top-Level.jpg" alt="">
The Agency Group has advised its desired East Coast operations undertaken by Top Level have delivered its best month to date for FY2019.
For November 2018, The Agency (East Coast) reported Gross Commission Income (GCI) of A$2.4 million for the month.
The sales included Bellevue Hill’s Rona estate which sold for $58 million in conjunction with L&amp;S in an Australian record for a non-waterfront property.
<div class="layoutArea">The Agency (WA) and Sell Lease Property now have over 4% market share in WA, compared to the market leader which has 9% market share.</div>
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<div class="layoutArea">The Agency also experienced strong results in November 2018 reporting GCI of $1.2 million and 126 properties sold across the combined group (The Agency and Sell Lease Property) in WA.</div>
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The Agency (WA) reported 65 sales worth $33.2 million with GCI of $655,595.30 while SLP reported 61 sales worth $28.8 million with GCI of $556,000 for November 2018.
It was December two years ago when McGrath Limited has lost its head of sales, Matt Lahood.
Lahood had been with the McGrath business since 1997. He was director of sales for 12 years.
It was September when The Agency reportedly secured the funds to secure Top Level Real Estate, run by the east coast McGrath rebel agents.
It is via a complicated $8.4 million share placement, along with $5 million of Top Level debt to be converted into shares at $0.01 per share.
The extensive documentation advised total debts of Top Level currently sit at $26,993,812, and immediately following the deal will be $18,760,100.
It's less than the simple outright $10 million capital raising being sought to fund the purchase, which they <a href="/news/the-agency-secures-two-month-extension-to-find-funds-for-the-mcgrath-rebels-acquisition">continually delayed</a>.
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The Agency's acquisition of McGrath rebels delayed yet again

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Sunland has abandoned its controversial 555-apartment scheme for the former ABC site in Toowong.
The Sunland proposal was dubbed the “champagne flute” skyscrapers.
Locals contested the Zaha Hadid-designed Grace on Coronation, which came with three towers.
The future of Sunland’s Grace on Coronation development was thrown into uncertainty earlier this year after a sole neighbouring resident won an appeal against the approval of the development.
A unanimous Court of Appeal judgment overturned an earlier Planning and Environment Court decision which approved the development where its towers were planned to significantly exceeding the height limitations outlined in the planning scheme.
Sunland's Soheil Abedian had hoped that people would “come to their senses”.
Abedian had indicated the Court of Appeal’s judgment meant Brisbane had “missed the opportunity” for a city-making development project.
“When we lodged our development application in 2014, our vision was to introduce world-class architecture and community parklands to the inner-city riverfront site, which has been closed to the public for more than 160 years,” Abedian told The Urban Developer.
Topping out at 27-storeys, the development exceeded the city plan by 12-storeys.
The development scheme has been removed from the public listed Sunland website.
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Sunland scrap its Toowong champagne flute skyscrapers plan

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The proportion of loss-making property sales in Geelong hit a 16-year low during 2018 as the regional Victorian market continued its strong sales. 
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Loss-making sales dropped to 0.8 per cent of all property resales in the September quarter, according to the latest CoreLogic quarterly Pain &amp; Gain report.
It was the best result since 2002, when .5 per cent of homes sold at a loss.
CoreLogic senior research analyst Cameron Kusher said the low figure highlighted the strength of the market.
“It certainly has slowed a little bit since then but it highlights the strong run-up in dwelling values that Geelong has seen in the past five years,” he told The Geelong Advertiser.
“Most people that are selling now are well ahead. Nationally, only Hobart saw a lower share of resales at a loss than Geelong.”
The Geelong region has seen some of the largest annual increases in median values for both houses and units across Australia, according to CoreLogic.
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The region, south west of Melbourne, saw its median house value grow 16.6 percent ($82,460) and its units rise 11.9 percent ($42,624), in the 12 months to August 2018.
Despite Geelong's sale activity down nine percent annually, houses are selling 12 days faster than they were in August 2017.
CoreLogic's recent Quarterly Regional Market Update, which looks at the biggest regions outside of capital cities, found the best regional house value performer in New South Wales was the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region where house values grew by nine percent, while the median unit value increased by over five percent.
The best unit market performer was the Richmond-Tweed region, with values soaring over nine percent. 
Geelong’s strong capital growth in recent years put the local market at risk of losing its affordability advantage to suburbs in Melbourne’s outskirts, Cameron Kusher acknowledged.
Prices are now $160,000 dearer than Ballarat, where the median price is $360,000, and $180,000 more than Bendigo ($337,000).
“It’s not going to slowdown to the magnitude that Melbourne has, but certainly in the next year you are going to see a slowdown in growth in Geelong,” Kusher said.
When Melbourne’s property market started to soften over the first half of 2018, Geelong remained one of the best performing property markets in the country, according to the October Herron Todd White residential report.
The HTW report suggests that established inner-city residential locations such as Geelong West, Drumcondra, East Geelong and Newtown, have seen some significant results with an increase in demand for both dwellings that required a complete rebuild and those that have already undergone high-end luxury transformations.
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These areas are often restricted by heritage overlays and neighbourhood residential zoning which may reduce higher density development in order to preserve the neighbourhood streetscape.
"Vendors willing to undertake a renovation are often rewarded at the time of sale with strong buyer demand for properties equipped with all the modern luxuries and the elegance of a period home," the report noted.
The house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-geelong+west-127807502" target="_blank">25 Elizabeth Street, Geelong West</a> (pictured below) is an example of a high-end renovation. The property was purchased in 2017 for $580,000 and recently resold for $1.3 million after an extensive renovation that transformed the interior whilst retaining the elegant Victorian facade.
Before: 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/10/25/geelong%20west%20before%201.jpeg" alt="">
<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/2018/10/25/geelong%20west%20before%202.jpg" alt="">
After:
<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/2018/10/25/geelong%20west%20after.jpg" alt="">
<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/2018/10/25/geelong%20west%20after%202.jpg" alt="">
The outer south-western suburbs such as Werribee, Point Cook, Tarneit, Truganina and Wyndham Vale have not seen as significant a trend to renovations as we have seen in other suburbs. HTW noted this may be due to the abundance of developing greenfield estates that surround the area where building an affordable new home may be a more attractive option than renovation.
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Geelong leads regional property markets in houses and units: CoreLogic

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Australians are unconvinced by the flagship Labor reform on negative gearing, with 44 percent are against the policy change.
A poll found 43 percent in favour of restricting the tax deductions on investment properties.
The remaining 13 percent did not know.
It comes as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten mounted a spirited defence of his tax plans at the ALP national conference.
The Ipsos poll conducted for Nine Entertainment also found that voters were against the mooted change on capital gains tax on investments, with 48 per cent against and 43 per cent in favour.
Labor voters overwhelmingly back the changes.
Labor wants to halve the capital gains tax discount and restrict negative gearing to newly built homes, while “grandfathering” existing negative gearing arrangements.
It has claimed the policy would raise $32 billion over 10 years, making it Labor’s second-biggest policy after its proposal to raise $56 billion over a decade by restricting tax refunds on dividend imputation.
The Opposition leader noted on Sunday that the tax reforms were not “universally loved.” 
“I would rather see more young couples buy their first home, than spend billions subsidising investors acquiring multiple properties,” he told the Labor national conference.
Those who oppose Mr Shorten’s changes to negative gearing include 30 per cent of Labor voters, 26 per cent of Greens voters, 70 per cent of One Nation voters and 61 per cent of Coalition voters.
The policy is backed by 60 per cent of Labor voters.
The poll comes as housing policy emerges as an election issue.
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The biggest Labor policy at the national conference was a plan for $6.6 billion in affordable housing over 10 years by giving a subsidy to developers to build new homes and charge rents that are 20 per cent below market rates.
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<div class="_1lC_G">The plan only includes $102 million over its first four years.</div>
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<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="1544961372749" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1544961372749" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1">The Labor policy revives the National Housing Affordability Scheme introduced by the Rudd government in 2008, which also gave a subsidy to developers but did not fund the full cost of construction.
<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="1544961372749" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1544961372749" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1">The government is committed to spend almost $30 billion on housing over the next five years.
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Labor's negative gearing policy splits the nation

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."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

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.

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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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