Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Joel Robinson

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

A local downsizer has splashed $6.5 million on a penthouse in Perifa's Alex &amp; Willow development in Crows Nest. 
&nbsp; 
The purchaser sold their long-held family home in the area before embarking on a six-month search for the right apartment. After inspecting a range of options across the Lower North Shore, the buyer returned to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alex-willow-crows-nest-82-90-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Alex &amp; Willow</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The buyer profile reflects the project’s broader purchaser mix. <a>Alex &amp; Willow</a> has attracted predominantly local downsizers looking to transition from larger homes without compromising on space or quality, alongside a smaller cohort of upsizers and investors drawn to the project’s location and design credentials. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone sale comes as the project, developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">Perifa</a>&nbsp;and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile-made-construction">Versatile Construction</a>, both part of Versatile Group, reaches 60 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=371325] 
&nbsp; 
Eddie Mansour, Managing Partner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/ray-white-projects">Ray White Projects</a>, said the result demonstrates not only a headline price but also depth of demand. 
&nbsp; 
“This is an exceptional outcome and a clear reflection of sustained buyer demand for premium, well-located downsizer product,” Mansour said.

“We’re seeing a consistent pattern of local homeowners selling family residences and reinvesting into high-quality apartments that allow them to remain within their community. Alex &amp; Willow has resonated strongly with this group because it offers genuine scale, thoughtful design and immediate proximity to the village.” 
&nbsp; 
The sale reflects a broader and consistent trend of local downsizers actively seeking high-quality, low-maintenance residences close to established village centres. Agents report that demand for this product type has remained resilient, particularly where developments offer a rare combination of scale, design quality and walkable amenity. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project. 
&nbsp; 
“The penthouse sale is a strong endorsement of the quality we have delivered, alongside our partners, and the clear demand from local downsizers for premium, boutique residences in this location,” Perilli said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Most importantly, we’re proud to see the Alex &amp; Willow community beginning to take shape. As we move closer to completion, we’re looking forward to welcoming residents and seeing the project come to life.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=338516] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nettletontribe">Nettleton Tribe</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>, Alex &amp; Willow is a boutique collection of generously sized two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of Crows Nest village.&nbsp;

Completion is slated for early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6680]

Alex & Willow, Crows Nest penthouse sells off the plan for $6.5 million

Fresh from launching the first stage of its Wollongong precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, builder-developer Urban Property Group has unveiled plans for the next phase of the masterplanned community.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway is a State Significant Development Application for a further 657 homes on the prominent gateway site opposite Beaton Park.

The proposal comprises three buildings, including two build-to-sell towers rising 25 and 30 storeys, delivering 391 apartments, alongside a 12-storey co-living building with 266 residences, making it one of the largest co-living proposals currently planned in regional New South Wales.

Of the apartments proposed in the build-to-sell towers, the majority, 310, are two-bedroom dwellings. The balance comprises 44 one-bedroom apartments and 37 three-bedroom residences. Apartment sizes range from around 50 sqm for one-bedroom homes to approximately 90 sqm for three-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19347059-1612-41a0-9c74-b86a657237f8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%2010.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sWXnaCcA.cIC6N8YT1dg5pJ2e1V3Z6z7" />

The submission says the proposal has evolved significantly from its original Housing Delivery Authority application following extensive consultation with the State Design Review Panel and Wollongong City Council.

The final scheme has been designed to align with the emerging vision for the Flinders Street Precinct, an area identified by Council as a future high-density mixed-use neighbourhood capable of accommodating substantial housing growth close to transport, employment and community infrastructure.

According to the design report prepared by COX Architecture, the development aims to "deliver a built outcome consistent with the future character of the Wollongong CBD while responding to the site's unique constraints and opportunities."

"Our vision for the next phase of the site evolution in Wollongong is grounded in three design pillars that guide the design response: place, natural environment and celebration," COX said.

"Inspired by its surroundings and grounded in the stories of place on Wodi Wodi Country, the design proposal acknowledges the established character of its setting while creating a unique and timeless identity that sits harmoniously within it.

"The design proposal responds to its specific site conditions, acknowledging the vegetation, climate, wind conditions and solar access of the site."

The architecture responds directly to the site's position between Wollongong's urban core and its natural landscape setting.

COX identified views towards Mount Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment as defining features of the site, while the upper levels of the towers will also capture expansive views across the city and out to the Pacific Ocean.

The design team has positioned the tallest buildings closer to the rail corridor, where overshadowing impacts can be better managed while establishing a landmark built form on the northern approach into the city.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79580d5b-500c-4ebf-9629-797146a4a694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WbTB1EKSG.KDfsfz0F3wp1QVa2oCMGR5" />

Urban Property Group secured the 11,000 sqm Smith Street site in 2022 and has since progressed plans for the broader Keira Place precinct.

Construction recently commenced on the first stage of Keira Place, which will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.

Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the commencement of construction marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-construction-at-keira-place-in-wollongong-cbd">Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
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Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

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There are lots of loud voices advocating big cities as the best places for investors to target, as I wrote in my Property Observer column in September.
Indeed, they say, the big cities are the only places to invest. Some even suggest you’re crazy to buy anywhere else. 
These people have one thing in common: they have businesses that benefit if you follow their advice. This is the loudest noise in real estate – the voice of vested interests. 
Apart from the ethical issues of seeking to benefit from giving tainted advice, it’s foolish to have such hardline attitudes. 
Nothing is that black and white in real estate. Situations are always evolving, and the best opportunities at a given point in time can be found in myriad places: a regional city, a seaside town with an important export port, an outer suburb boosted by new transport infrastructure, an inner-city area with an evolving university-hospital precinct.
But, generally speaking, I have no doubt that many of the best opportunities for long-term capital growth with solid yields are found outside the big cities. 
Regional Australia is the most under-rated option for investors. Investor surveys that asked people where they expect to find the best capital growth always rank the regions last, behind popular choices like inner-city suburbs and sea change icons. 
It emphasises how misinformed the average punter is and how little homework they do. These choices contradict all the research evidence. I suspect “research” for most investors consists of absorbing media sound bytes – which means they have their heads crammed with negativity and misinformation. 
To put things in simplistic terms, this is what the research shows: outer suburbs outperform the inner-city, hill change out-does sea change, and the city v. country clash is usually won by country. 
There are plenty of exceptions you could find, but those are the general rules of thumb that emerge from research. 
To compare city and country, let’s look at New South Wales. Sydney property professionals tend to gag at any suggestion of going west of Parramatta to buy real estate. If it’s not the beaches, the inner city or the north shore, you’re a nutter. 
This is despite the miserable capital growth performance of Sydney over the past decade. There are very few suburbs anywhere in Sydney that have managed a long-term average even as low as 6% a year. There are none with double-digit averages. 
Among the so-called “better” areas that have delivered only 3% or 4% a year to property owners are Manly, Balmain, Palm Beach, Vaucluse, Gordon, French’s Forest, Sutherland … it’s a very long list. 
Doing only marginally better, with averages around 5% a year, are places like North Sydney, Leichhardt, Bondi, Randwick and Cronulla. At growth rates like these, you’d be better off leaving your money in the bank. 
Regional NSW, however, is full of cities and towns with double-digit growth rates for the past 10 years. Among them are Muswellbrook, Singleton, Lismore, Casino, Branxton, Greta, Gunnedah and Glen Innes. 
A second-tier list of places with growth rates around 9% to 9.5% includes Goulburn, Wagga Wagga and Murwillumbah, all of them out-performing any Sydney suburb you care to nominate. 
One of the best has been humble Broken Hill, which has averaged 13% per year over the past decade. 
Melbourne overall has been a better performer than Sydney, but the same city v. country pattern applies. If you want a double-digit growth rate long-term, you have to head bush. 
Consider the suburbs of Melbourne’s inner south-east, much beloved by property professionals and local media who see auction activity there as the barometer of all things real estate. Toorak, the standard bearer for everyone who loves pretentious property, has a Sydney-esque growth average of 4.9%. 
Others, like Armadale, Brighton and St Kilda, are a little better, averaging in the 5% to 6% range. 
Some, including Balwyn, Canterbury and Malvern, has touched the intoxicating heights of 8%. 
Compare that to workaday Gippsland towns like Traralgon, Churchill, Maffra and Sale, which have averaged 11-12% over the past 10 years. 
Portland, down in the far south-west, has been chugging along unnoticed (except by city people who love to fish) with a growth average of 10% a year. 
Scattered around the regional areas of Victoria are plenty with double-digit averages: Woodend, Kyneton, Camperdown and Barwon Heads among them. 
I’ve heard it said that regional areas are risky because their economies are based on a single major industry like agriculture or mining. 
For many regional cities, this is untrue. There’s nothing one-dimensional about Orange, Tamworth and Dubbo in NSW, or Ballarat, Bendigo and Warrnambool in Victoria. Their great strength is the diversity of their economic base, along with their affordability.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
For Terry's updated outlook sign up for the free webinar on Thursday, December 6 at 12.30pm on <a target="_blank" href="/news">Regions versus capital cities - where to invest in 2013?</a> 
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

The best opportunities for property investors will be outside major cities in 2013

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Clearance rates across the combined capital cities decreased to 49.4% last week, compared with 51.3% the previous week. There were 2,139 auctions held across the capital cities last week, while at the same time last year, the combined capital city clearance rate was recorded at 44% and there were 1,790 auctions held over the week.
In Melbourne last week, the clearance rate was recorded at 55.6%, down from a stronger 58.2% the previous week. Melbourne’s clearance rate continues to outperform when compared with the same time last year, when the clearance rate was recorded at 50%. Auction volumes are also at higher levels with 971 auctions held across Melbourne last week, compared to 774 at the same time last year. There were 784 auctions held in Sydney last week with the clearance rate recorded at 48.6%, down from 50.4% the previous week. Over the same week last year, Sydney’s clearance rate was recorded at 44.5%.
Next week, there are almost 2,900 auctions scheduled across the country, with 2,097 of these auctions being held in the capital cities.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/12/rpdec4.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/12/rpdec4thumb.gif"></a>
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Almost 2,900 auctions set for this week: RP Data

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Investors continue to focus attention on Gladstone, arguably the number-one boom town in the nation, as I wrote in my Property Observer column in October.
I get asked lots of questions about the wisdom of buying in Gladstone. 
The problem? The optimum time to buy there was two years ago. If you buy now, you’re paying for someone else’s capital gains. 
The question I get asked – about Gladstone and other growth centres – is this: why didn’t I know about this place in 2010? 
The answer: because you didn’t know what to look for, nor where to find it. 
Gladstone’s capital growth over the past two years was a no-brainer for anyone with the habit of acquiring pertinent information. 
This is something all wannabe investors should do, but few know how to start and even fewer are willing to spend time and money. 
Therein lies the answer to another question: why do so few attain their goals as investors? 
Many want a shortcut to the next growth area. They want the inside information but aren’t willing to get any dirt under their fingernails. 
People with that mentality are in the wrong business. They have a bleak future as property investors.
The alternative to paying for good information is hard work. If you don’t want to pay for market intelligence, you have to acquire it at the expense of your own time. 
The good news is that all the information you could ever need is out there. Anyone with internet access can find it. 
The bad news is you have know where to look and you have to be willing to spend time. 
For Terry's updated outlook sign up for the free webinar on Thursday, December 6 at 12.30pm on <a href="/news">Regions versus capital cities - where to invest in 2013?</a>
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
Most look in the wrong places. They read metropolitan newspapers with articles written primarily by non-experts with a focus on the wrong issues. 
Newspapers love printing lists of suburbs and towns which have shown the highest growth in median prices in the past 12 months – and misrepresent the figures as growth in property values, which they very often are not. 
For investors seeking the best places to buy, this is worthless information. At best, it tells you where you should have bought a year ago. For the purposes of this discussion I’ll overlook the many vagaries and anomalies inherent in median prices or alternative methodologies, which often lead to misinformation that sends investors down false trails. 
Investors need to seek out information sources that tell them about more relevant things than median price trends. Like where the new roads and rail links are being built, where new businesses are being generated, where mines and factories and power plants are being created. It’s all about infrastructure and jobs, which translate in short time into demand for real estate. 
Intelligent use of the internet makes it relatively easy, but it requires discipline. If you’re serious about property investment, you have to commit some time every day. 
Accumulate information. Gather knowledge. Learn which locations have growth economies. Notice which areas have proactive councils. Be among the first to know about new developments. Pick up on places set to benefit from new infrastructure. 
Gladstone, which has a massive future as an industrial muscle city, will continue to deliver growth for property buyers. But investors should be hunting for locations that look the way Gladstone did five years ago, before it started building three liquefied natural gas processing facilities. 
They won’t find them unless they develop the habit of gathering intelligence.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting">followed on Twitter</a>.
For Terry's updated outlook sign up for the free webinar on Thursday, December 6 at 12.30pm on <a target="_blank" href="/news">Regions versus capital cities - where to invest in 2013?</a>
 
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How property investors can find the next Gladstone in 2013: Terry Ryder

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One of the most remarkable events in Australian development history is expected may begin some time next year: the construction of the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere. 
The extraordinary thing about this is that it will take place in at least five different locations around Australia. 
The latest project claiming to be the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere will take place on King Island off the coast of Tasmania. 
The largest ever will also be built just outside Broken Hill near the NSW-South Australia border. 
Curiously, the largest of all time will soon be completed in south-western Victoria. 
That won’t prevent the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere from rising out of the ground in NSW near Goulburn. 
We can expect further announcements in 2014, with more new projects claiming to dwarf all others.
When it comes to wind farm development, you don’t let the facts get in the way of a good press release. Nor does it stop journalists from cheerfully repeating the “largest in the southern hemisphere” claims as fact. Why bother to check? They wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true, would they? 
Fortunately, wind farm developers don’t let mass hysteria get in the way either. There are few types of construction projects that have been blamed for a greater array of bizarre events than wind farms. 
It’s amazing how many people with dodgy mental health or suffering from sleeping disorders can find a wind turbine to blame. Cows have been known to lose the ability to give milk and chooks living within pecking distance of a wind farm steadfastly refuse to lay. 
Property values go into meltdown if subjected to the sight, sound or subliminal suggestion of a wind farm. County roads crumble in protest and lives are destroyed by the mere sight of them. 
It’s a lot to overcome and to make it harder, a couple of the more rabid state governments have bowed to yokel pressure and passed laws that are tantamount to banning them altogether. 
Coal-fired power station? No problem. 
Lead smelter? Knock yourself out. 
Uranium mine? How can we help? 
But an environmentally sustainable source of renewable energy? Everyone run for your lives! 
Thank god some companies are willing to persevere because, apart of the environmental side effects, wind farms create substantial economic benefits and can turn meandering property markets into hotspots. 
Two wind farms created in south-west Victoria by developer AGL (<a target="_blank" href="/news">Macarthur </a>and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Oaklands</a>) are claimed to have injected $67 million into the local economy, with close to 1,000 people employed during the construction phases, plus 52 ongoing jobs. 
The newly announced King Island project will cost around $2 billion and the construction of its 200 turbines will provide a desperately needed economic boost to struggling Tasmania. It is far from the being the largest in planning in Australia, but Tassie could certainly use the leg up this project will provide, including 500 construction jobs. 
Regional markets that have risen thanks, in part at least, to wind farm development include <a target="_blank" href="/news">Portland</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Warrnambool </a>and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Goulburn</a>. Locations expected to be boosted by upcoming developments include <a target="_blank" href="/news">Broken Hill</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Dubbo</a>, <a target="_parent" href="/news">Glen Innes</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ballarat </a>and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Kingaroy</a>. 
As an aside, a Senate committee last week found that noise from wind farms was no different from other noise, discounted claims of health impacts and declined to support calls for tougher planning regulations. 
So there’s hoping that the half dozen projects that share the title of largest south of the equator will happen and we’ll all benefit, apart from ultra-light sleepers, people who can hear silent dog whistles and owners of temperamental chickens.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
Sign up for Terry's free webinar on Thursday, December 6 at 12.30pm on <a target="_blank" href="/news">Regions versus capital cities - where to invest in 2013?</a>
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Yokel pressure and mass hysteria aside, wind farms turn meandering property markets into hotspots: Terry Ryder 

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In the project marketing environment location is a complex question that deserves considerable attention. Location will impact every aspect of marketing, from the practical issues of how will people find the project to selling the as-yet unrealised lifestyle offer.
I think that location is both an easily understood and yet at the same time a very complex issue. Long before a site is sold, developed and the first buyers move in there are many issues to address.
Over the next two weeks and with help from one of my associates, Shane Dargue from our residential development sites team, I will to take a detailed look at this topic. In particular what is driving demand in key pockets of demand and how sites are best taken to market. However, by way of an introduction I would like to publish some general thinking to kick off this topic.
Location
The location of an individual property is universally the most important factor influencing its market appeal; after all they even names a TV show after this real estate bellwether. However, in today’s world location can be influenced by external factors that are not directly tied up in the location itself, like transport and technology.
The appeal of a location relative to services and employment has always been important, but when it comes to high-density development it even more so. Also when you are marketing to a new community of buyers they will have different priorities depending upon their personal needs and circumstances.
On a very large scale the arrival and planning of a major development will itself have an impact will change how desirable a location is. As major cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane move to accommodate bigger populations, this is now a fairly common factor. Once unfashionable or even undesirable industrial locations can be transformed by the development and we will look at some examples.
As we will see location within the context of any major city is a factor that will have an overriding impact for any project that will be fundamental to its success.
How location is leveraged will always impact the sales results of any project. Success will be measured in the demand for the end product and the amount of time the development will take to sell, however carefully considering demand and the role of planning laws are also key factors.
To explore this topic of location further it is first necessary to look at each market (product type) to establish the big-picture and there are many aspects that will be common but also there are important variations which characteristic those same markets.
Conventionally the closer to the centre of cities the more demand there is for accommodation. However, infrastructure such as transport links and affordability have to be taken into account.
The result is that major new projects in any big metropolitan area share some common aspects of location, but as Shane highlights they are also influenced by other unique factors.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
The pool of potential buyers
The pool of potential buyers is perhaps one of the most important elements in the project marketing mix; the pool of buyers clearly has an impact on the value of a development site, as the depth of the market is an essential element that will impact every level of activity and planning.
While the individual make-up of potential buyers for a location might in some cases overlap, there are always important and subtle differences. Buyers looking at inner-city apartments or well-located in-fill projects will have different motivations, as will owner-occupiers and investors.
Greenfield developments will generally tend to have much more wide-ranging appeal and offer more product choice and could be expected to attract a higher number of first-time buyers.
While it is necessary to draw this distinction the rules are not hard and fast, and detailed target audience analysis will always be required as the pool of potential buyers does shift and this in turn impacts how attractive potential development sites are.
In the-post GFC age the impact of tighter economic circumstances has also caused a shift in where developers are active in the housing market, and as might be expected the banks are also having a key influence.
Peter Chittenden is managing director for residential of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.colliers.com.au/Colliers%20Corporate/Residential.aspx">Colliers International.</a>
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Location the most important consideration in a new residential development

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Victoria's property market is holding steady, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.
October was an 'incredibly strong month', according to the REIV, noting that much of that strength came from October's super Saturday.
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Slightly lower auction clearance rate this week no cause for concern: REIV

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A retail buyer has fended off competition from architects, fashion and advertising businesses and residential developers to acquire a former Chippendale post office built in 1931 for $1,477,000 at auction.
The single storey red-brick brick corner building at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-nsw-chippendale-500482743" target="_blank">2-4 Shepherd Street</a> in inner Sydney offers 300 square metres of space and has two car spaces.
It was offered for sale the first time in 60 years as a creative/studio space, with interest also coming from the arts community.
The building is just 25 metres from Broadway in Sydney, a short walk from University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the Frasers-Sekisui House $2 billion Central Park mixed-use development.
"The property benefits from flexibility of use, from a retail-commercial mix to work-live options, in a location convenient to shopping facilities, universities and the CBD. As such the price achieved was above expectations," says Cushman and Wakefield director Lindsay Sturrock, who marketed the building.
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Former 1930s Chippendale post office sells for $1.48 million

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One reason the simplistic “mining boom is over” rhetoric is causing so much concern is that many people don’t understand what’s driving the resources sector, as I wrote in my September column in Property Observer. 
Essentially all that’s happened is that prices for iron ore and coal have fallen off their peak. In the overall context of the resources revolution, which will extend beyond my lifetime, this is a short-term phenomenon and will cause only a minor hiccup, just as the GFC was a small speed bump in the rise of the resources sector. 
Nevertheless, it has caused some miners to re-evaluate the timing of some projects. Each announcement of a downsizing or project deferral – and there have been relatively few – is seen as confirmation that the party is over. 
But the upsurge in investment in the Australian resources sector is not being driven by iron ore or coal, important though they are. The resources revolution is really about gas. 
The largest resources projects around Australia are all liquefied natural gas (LNG) enterprises. They dwarf anything happening in Western Australia’s iron ore industry or Queensland’s coal sector. 
Nine gas mega projects entail capital expenditure totaling $220 billion, and the general theme coming out of those ventures is expansion, not contraction. 
The $23 billion Australian Pacific LNG project – one of four giants focused on Gladstone – has its first train under construction and has just approved plans for a second train, having secured a 20-year supply contract with Japanese company Kansai Electric Power. 
The $34 billion Ichthys project, which will extract gas off WA but process it in Darwin, is moving forward, handing out some pretty big contracts in the Northern Territory capital. The $29 billion Wheatstone enterprise is doing likewise in WA. 
Three of the four LNG projects targeted on the Surat Basin (extraction) and Gladstone (processing and export) are well under construction and the fourth is advancing steadily towards a construction start in 2013-14. 
The four Gladstone ventures together involve around $70 billion in capital expenditure. 
The three mega gas projects in WA – Gorgon, Wheatstone and Browse – total around $106 billion. 
There is nothing remotely on this scale happening in coal or iron ore, the resources sector currently taking a hit from lower prices. 
This is why Australia is forecast to become the world’s biggest LNG producer within the next seven or eight years, overtaking Qatar, Indonesia and Malaysia. Australia has known reserves likely to last the next 100 years, and new discoveries are happening regularly. 
Australia now has seven of the world’s 10 largest LNG projects. Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said recently: “By 2017, based on proposed and committed new projects, Australia’s LNG production capacity is projected to quadruple.”
Apparently he momentarily forgot that minor point when he made his now-infamous statement on radio that the resources boom is over. 
The only non-gas Australian project in the league of the LNG ventures is the proposed expansion of Olympic Dam, which – contrary to the general media line – is not scrapped but is being re-worked to find less expensive ways to exploit the vast resource at Roxby Downs in South Australia. 
In real estate terms, the locations most likely to thrive from this ongoing upsurge in capital expenditure on LNG are Darwin, Gladstone, Karratha, Toowoomba and the towns of the Surat Basin, such as Dalby and Chinchilla.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
For Terry's updated outlook sign up for the free webinar on Thursday, December 6 at 12.30pm on <a target="_blank" href="/news">Regions versus capital cities - where to invest in 2013?</a> 
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Property investors will thrive in regional areas benefiting from LNG boom: Countdown to regional centres webinar

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A Hawthorn property in auction tipping competition Property Tycoon has sold for well above its pre-auction expectations.
There’s a website, <a href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/" target="_blank">www.propertytycoon.com.au</a>, where punters can guess what they think properties will sell for at their weekend auctions in Melbourne and Sydney. This season <a style="font-size: 14px;" href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/join-league/S7S123C487R8OOQF" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Property Observer readers have their own competition, which you can access here</a><a href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/join-league/S7S123C487R8OOQF" rel="nofollow">.</a> The winner of the overall competition will win $1,000.
While a small crowd of around 50 people watched the auction at 1/69 Morang Road, <a href="/news">Hawthorn</a> (pictured below), it was left to three bidders to compete for the property. When the hammer fell and the property sold for $592,500 the vendor became one of the rare investors who has outpaced the market in recent years.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/morangrd.jpg">
The property was purchased during the height of the 2007 market. Since then the economy has been a minefield for investors, but 1/69 Morag Road, Hawthorn, has delivered a 7.31% compounding return over the last five years. The median value of apartments has been growing by only 4.09% over the same time frame.
You can watch the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=315523321893619&amp;set=vb.306138129400088&amp;type=2&amp;theater">auction highlights on our Facebook page.</a>
In Sydney it became clear as the campaign went on there was only one buyer who had an interest in purchasing 16 Chuter Street, <a target="_blank" href="/news">McMahons Point</a> (pictured below). In this situation the agents preferred option is to enter into negotiations with the buyer and avoid an auction that turns into a fizzer.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/chuterst.jpg">
An auction sale is usually an unconditional transaction, meaning once a contract is signed there is no way out. In this case, however, not only was there only one buyer, but this person was not in a position to buy unconditionally. In most cases it means the deal is subject to the purchaser obtaining finance.
A deal has been struck for 16 Chuter Street, but it will remain under contract until the sale is unconditional.
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Vendor outpaces the market in Hawthorn, but McMahons Point sale held up with finance

<html><body>Australian Property Monitors (APM) has released a list of results from 441 auctions in Sydney for the weekend of December 1. The clearance rate was 54%. <a href="https://www.homepriceguide.com.au/saturday_auction_results/Sydney.pdf" target="_blank"> Click here</a> for the auction results, and click on each street address to see the property's marketing.</body></html>

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