Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

We’ve rebranded Urban to <a href="http://apartments.com.au">Apartments.com.au</a>.

This marks the start of a new chapter—one focused on improving the way Australia’s off-the-plan apartment market works for both buyers and developers.

The core problem we’re solving hasn’t changed: it’s still too hard for buyers to access reliable, easy-to-understand information about new developments. Our platform is the only one in Australia that includes every off-the-plan apartment project, not just the ones that pay to be listed.

But we realised the brand “Urban” didn’t clearly reflect what we do or the impact we want to make.

“Apartments.com.au” is easier to remember, and it says exactly what we’re about: helping Australians find and buy new apartments.

The rebrand is also about scale. We want to make a bigger impact—unlocking more housing supply by making the process more transparent, and by helping quality developers connect with serious buyers.

This change doesn’t affect your experience as a subscriber. In fact, it’s part of our ongoing investment in better technology, smarter content, and more powerful tools to support your property journey.

We’re just getting started.

Michael Bird

Why we rebranded Urban to Apartments.com.au

<html><body>
Urban's Executive General Manager Craig Holmes caught up with Noorden Property's David Lamond about the current property market and the outlook on property sales as a result of COVID-19.

David specialises in high-end property sales and has utilised Urban's services for marketing projects that we're necessarily generating the same volume of leads on other platforms. 

<blockquote>
"Sold stuff that I wasn't selling so, happy days!"
</blockquote>

David Lamond, Noorden Property Director

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SeWrvnIuOmc" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Key topics discussed:</h2>

0:47 - About David Lamond and Noorden Property projects

1:36 - What's the profile of project that you focus on?

2:14 - how is the market performing through COVID-19?

3:19 - What is your sale conversion rate from Urban leads?

4:40 - How is Urban performing vs your other lead channels?

5:43 - What is your feedback on Urban’s cost per lead model?

7:19 - Have you had to change your approach due to COVID-19?

8:07 - What is your advice to developers that are looking to launch a project now?

9:04 - What type of product is resonating with buyers?

9:59 - Any advice to others based on the success you are having with Urban?

<h2>Request more info:</h2>

You can reach David Lamond at: david@noorden.com.au or 0416 422 279

If you are wanting to chat to Urban about how we can support with a campaign for your project contact us at partnerships@urban.com.au

For more industry news, sign up to Urban portal <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/login">here</a>.
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urban.com.au

Urban GM Craig Holmes interviews Noorden Property's David Lamond about the current property market

<html><body>
In Urban's most recent webinar, Mike Bird (Urban CEO) was joined by an expert panel including TrueSite Director, Chris Omeissah, and Lucid Vue CEO, Brooke Smith.

If you missed the webinar, here is what was discussed:

<h2>Introduction</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tq1tgKGN9Ss" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Lucid Vue Product Overview</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cAJmDmtWUdo" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>TrueSite Product Overview</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gnnmCb7cClQ" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>How to get ROI from virtual property experiences</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zVH6bqiiaDg" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>How much does it cost to get an MVP running?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Aevtd4_h-9M" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>The future of virtual experiences</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j21YFAp8tLc" width="660"></iframe>

If you'd like to be informed of Urban's next industry webinar, sign up to Urban's industry portal <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/login">here</a>.
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Urban CEO Mike Bird chats to TrueSite's Chris Omeissah and Lucid Vue's Brooke Smith about VR + property marketing

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In Urban's most recent webinar, Mike Bird (Urban CEO) was joined by a renowned panel including Whitefox Founder, Marty Fox, and Castran Gilbert Director, Michael Laing. 

If you missed the webinar, here are some of the topics that were discussed:

<h2>How has the luxury end of the market been impacted by COVID-19?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kTZqNxSQ9gk" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>How have you adapted your marketing activities to suit the current conditions?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kPhuk-xNipw" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Are you seeing any specific market segments rise due to COVID-19?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xNqd0XXSAnM" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>If you had a site ready to go right now, what signs would you be looking for to know if it's the right time to launch?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JpaumrPBgJc" width="660"></iframe>

If you'd like to be informed of Urban's next industry webinar, sign up to Urban's industry portal <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/login">here</a>.
</body></html>

Urban CEO Mike Bird interviews Whitefox's Marty Fox + Castran Gilbert's Michael Laing about the property industry's response to COVID-19

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Key players in the Australian property market are reactively <a href="/guides">pivoting their business strategies</a> to adapt to the <a href="/expert-insights/buying/how-will-the-coronavirus-impact-australia-s-property-market">current market conditions</a> regarding COVID-19.

Urban's Jake Taylor caught up with property developer Illan Samuel about how <a href="/developers/samuel-property">Samuel Property</a> is assisting buyers looking to purchase property during this time.

Jake and Illan discuss the importance of providing buyers with ample material for their due diligence research, including floor plans, brochures, pricing, and the developer's track record. Illan also shares the fact that, as a developer, you have a responsibility to uphold, even when times get tough.

<blockquote>
"Developments aren't a month to month proposition, they're a years on years proposition, so it's very important to us not to lose sight of our end goal. ...We're just trying to be positive and visible, and not shy away from those end goals." 
</blockquote>

An approach Samuel Property believe is crucial to obtaining <a href="/guides">buyer confidence</a>, is to maintain contact throughout the construction journey with regular project updates and information. Jake also explains that video has become an essential tool for helping buyers conduct remote property development research.

Watch the interview to learn more about how Samuel Property is adapting to the current market conditions.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d9BNIIYXPns" width="660"></iframe>

Lead image: Illan Samuel. Credit: <a href="http://www.samuel.com.au/news/Australian-Property-Journal-October-24-2019">Samuel Property</a>
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Jake Tuite

Samuel Property's Illan Samuel talks to Urban about supporting buyers through the current market conditions

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<h2>OPINION:</h2>

The <a href="/expert-insights/buying/how-will-the-coronavirus-impact-australia-s-property-market">COVID-19 crisis</a> has undoubtedly presented real estate agents around the world with never-before-seen challenges and opportunities.

The challenges are associated with managing a business with substantial ‘essential’ outgoings such as portal and data subscriptions in an environment of decreased revenue, with no endpoint or resolution currently insight.

It is an opportunity to assist our clients with advice about how to manage their real estate – whether it be their home or an investment property – to ensure they are in the best position to hold their property or sell if and when they need to.

While we as real estate agents have been adopting paperless and online transaction and communication tools or ‘proptech’, we have been unknowingly preparing for the current situation created by the COVID-19 crisis.

<a href="/guides">Virtual open homes</a> allow buyers or lessees to walk through a property no matter where they are located or what sort of device they have – laptop, desktop, mobile phone or tablet. It means that overseas or interstate buyers can <a href="/guides/home-inspection-checklist-step-by-step">inspect both Off the Plan</a> and live listings with a 360-degree view of each room and the garden.

This assists us as agents before we arrange to conduct a private inspection which complies with the health and safety guidelines. Vendors are assured that buyers are being kept interested in their property listing.

In essence, we are educating both vendors and buyers to embrace the online environment, managing the sale process from appraisal through to listing, online auction, and contract to sign through digital enterprise and communication software.

We are reshaping desire and in doing so, inviting a global audience into an on-line agency.

A buyer located anywhere on the planet with an internet connection can now find, inspect and transact on a property securely and completely online. Brand awareness grows and quality marketing becomes of utmost importance, as does the security of the transaction.

The outcome of the COVID-19 lockdown means that tools such as social media and DocuSign will play a greater role in our day to day business. In fact, the speed and security of transmission of signed contract documents compared to hand delivery and snail mail will assure the future recognition and adoption of tools such as DocuSign.

Online timed auctions and live-streamed auctions are also likely to remain a standard part of the sales landscape.

The fact that the major real estate sales portal subscriptions are so expensive by comparison with social media advertising suggests that agents and vendors will stick with this mode of marketing long after the crisis has passed.

The focus on the agent as an individual providing a personal service, which really underpins an agent’s success no matter where they are located or which agency they are with, is another reason social media channels such as Facebook will continue to grow as an advertising medium. 

The cost-effectiveness of social media also means that agents are able to provide better value for the vendor’s advertising dollar. Agents are delivering a personalised recommendation for a property through a convenient and cost-effective medium. It’s a win for the seller, the agent and the buyer and a great return on investment.

As an agent with a prestige property agency, my focus has been on providing advice and guidance to property owners, particularly focussing on preparing properties for sale ‘ post-COVID-19”. 

Agents are providing up-to-the-minute advice to both landlords and renters, buyers and sellers, about working within the restrictions in place in each state. As part of a highly skilled professional team, the focus is on taking the stress out of these constantly evolving and challenging times while ensuring the process of buying, selling, leasing or renting a home can continue.

At the end of the day, people need a roof over their heads. Shelter is an essential requirement for every person on earth. A professional agent’s approach ensures superior property marketing and quality service continues whilst adhering to all relevant health and safety regulations. The COVID-19 crisis means people are more online than ever before, and becoming more familiar with technology, communication software, and social media.

It’s a great opportunity as a local real estate agent to let your commitment to personal service and your local community to shine through.

We as agents have the opportunity to demonstrate that we can create value for our clients and communicate that <a href="/guides/how-to-navigate-buying-property-during-the-covid-19-crisis">value to buyers</a>. We can be the trusted advisor in their hour of need, and ‘on the other side’ demonstrate to our clients and the general public, that we can be an integral part of the economic engine room that will need to fire up to get Australia going again.

We can all embrace online property enterprise and re-shape real estate desire 2020 style.
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Melvie

How are real estate agents assisting during the COVID-19 crisis?

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Last week Urban held a webinar hosted by CEO Mike Bird. Mike interviewed renowned property industry experts Andrew Leoncelli (CBRE Managing Director) and John Meagher (Founder and Managing Director Three Sixty° Property Group) about how the industry is responding to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. 

If you missed the webinar, here are some of the topics that were discussed:

<h2 class="rtecenter">Will Government fast-track new development permits once lockdown is over?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/COGI2SU9xAQ" width="660"></iframe>

<h2 class="rtecenter">There has been a shift to owner-occupier stock in the last 15 months. Will this trend continue once the pandemic is over?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kMC2MHf_uV0" width="660"></iframe>

<h2 class="rtecenter">What is the outlook for projects settling this year amidst COVID-19 and what are the strategies adopted to mitigate risks?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SpIsKhQrvss" width="660"></iframe>

<h2 class="rtecenter">When would you anticipate the market to recover and why?</h2>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R1u2XBV8-OU" width="660"></iframe>

If you'd like to be informed of Urban's next industry webinar, sign up to Urban's industry portal <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/login">here</a>.
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Urban CEO Mike Bird interviews 360 Property's John Meagher + CBRE's Andrew Leoncelli about the property industry's response to COVID-19

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INPG Sales Director Andrew Steele had a chat to Urban CEO Mike Bird following his win of Urban's top-performing sales agent for the month January. Andrew shares his tops tips for property seekers and stresses the importance of thorough due diligence.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4TeDPfyHs18" width="660"></iframe>

<div class="rtecenter">RELATED ARTICLES</div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/guides">55 important questions to ask the sales agent when buying off-the-plan</a></div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/guides/step-by-step-guide-to-placing-an-offer-on-a-house">Step-by-step guide to placing an offer on a house</a></div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/guides">How does buying off-the-plan work?</a></div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/guides">Tips for buying off-the-plan with confidence</a></div>

 

Full video transcription

Mike: Hi, I'm Mike Bird, the CEO of Apartments.com.au. Today I'm here with Andrew Steele from INPG. 

Andrew: Hi, how are you doing?

Mike: Good mate.

Andrew: That's good.

Mike: Today we have got a special new segment where thousands of buyers every month make inquiries on urban on projects across Australia and in every single of them we ask them: how their experience was with

the agent. 

Andrew: And Andrew has beaten out thousands of agents to be the number one performer in terms of your feedback for January. 

Mike: Congratulations mate 

Andrew: Thank you very much. That's great. Great news. 

Mike: And so what we're looking at, what we've been discussed with Andrew today is really what should buyers be looking out for and what are some of the pitfalls they can avoid? So you know, first of all, what should we be looking out for in the off-the-plan sector? 

Andrew: I think with buying off-the-plan there can sometimes be a bit of ambiguity,  so I think what's important for buyers is to get detail, you know, ask your agent lots of detailed questions have a really clear understanding of what you're looking for as well before you going out and having these appointments with agents and looking at different projects 

Mike: So you mean like looking at getting questions, preparing questions before you go to the appointment 

Andrew: Yeah I think that's important, I think you know buying off-the-plan, have a think about your current living situation what do you like about where you're living currently? What don't you like about where you're living currently? And you know, Where do you want to see yourself? What sort of home do you want and what's important to you? 

Mike: So, in certain terms of comparing, this can be quite hard, I think, for buyers looking at plans and really understanding that within the context.  What does that actually mean in terms of size? What are some ways that they can get around that? 

Andrew: Yeah, so like I said before details are important, so things like size like you said,  so get an understanding of, trying to read the floor plan, that can be a difficult part of buying off-the-plan and you can use the display suite potentially. Sometimes they might be built to scale so you can get an understanding of how that relates to the floor plans that you're looking at. 

Mike: Yeah.

Andrew: Also measure at your current home and sort of look at sizing there – how your furniture fits and how it would fit in the off-the-plan apartment or townhouse that you’re looking at. That's a good thing to look at too. Other details that are super important for buyers is get an  understanding of specifications – fixtures and fittings.

Mike: So what do you mean by fixtures? Is that the brands? 

Andrew: It’s branding. Developers spend a lot on displays [display suites] they're very beautiful, very impressive. You can walk in be wowed. You've just got to make sure that, what you're looking at and what you're buying is either the same as the display suite or find out what's different. Find out what in the display is a standard spec and what is an upgrade.

Mike: Is that like buying a brand new car where you kind of, sometimes you go to a test drive, there's a price on the wall, and then you do a test drive in the super-deluxe model and you find out there to get that one that's going to cost all this extra money?

Andrew: Yeah, certainly. Exactly right. So you go and you see the top-end model, and then you drill down and sort of talking about your price point it doesn't come with all the bells and whistles. So just make sure when you're looking off-the-plan that you're finding out what appliances are included. What's the brand? The size? The spec? What stone? Is timber flooring an upgrade? Is that a standard inclusion? All those things ask the ask your agent find out from the developer what you're actually getting if they can provide the more detail that they can provide the more comfortable you should be moving ahead.

Mike: How important is the developer and the builder and that whole piece, or is it more about the agent, what do you think?

Andrew: I think of all of it. I think the developer's very important. If they've got a proven track record in delivering projects that they've sold in the past and delivering what they were selling on time is important. I think what is also important is a developer's pipeline. What have they got in the future?

Mike: Why does that matter? 

Andrew: I think that matters because what they're currently selling,  so you as a buyer you come into the display suite, if they've got projects in the future, then you've got to make sure they deliver on the one that you're looking at.  

Andrew: So the success of the current approach will determine this test of their future projects as well. 

Mike: One of the things we've focused on when we're building Urban is thinking how can we help buyers to tell the difference between a really experienced developer and one that isn't as experienced. And one of the ways we've done that is through developer track record.

Andrew: Yeah.

Mike: So basically, what we're doing is allowing buyers to see all of the projects, just as you said.

Andrew: Yeah.

Mike: Of the that the developers previously delivered and all the ones that I've got coming up so definitely check that out if you're

thinking about it. 

Andrew: Yeah and I think it's important the team that they're working with too, there are new developers out there that are doing a fantastic job. Again the more detail you can get from your agent the more transparent they are, the more knowledgeable they are, the more comfortable you should be buying. 

Mike: I think we mention as well that sometimes buyers ask you about speaking to someone from the development team themselves. This sounds like a pretty reasonable idea. 

Andrew: Yeah, I think so, I think if the developer's transparent, you should have more confidence in that developer. If it's just the agent you're dealing with, and you can't seem to be getting through to the developer or maybe the builder, you've got to worry about after settlement. What sort of care are you going to get if there are any issues which you hope won't happen, but they do. 

Andrew: After service care is very important, so you want to make sure that you're still dealing with the agent after the development has been built, to make sure that things go smoothly. 

Mike: Well, thanks for sharing the tips.

Andrew: No worries! 

Mike: Congratulations mate, you've done bloody well. 

Andrew: Thank you very much. 

Mike: Good on you. 

Andrew: Appreciate it. 

Mike:  And we'll see you next time. 

Andrew: Thanks, guys! 
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Olivia Round

Urban's top-performing sales agent Andrew Steele shares valuable advice for property seekers

<h1>No.1 off-the-plan real estate property site in Australia</h1>

Updated June 2023

Advertising with Apartments.com.au is a unique opportunity to reach concentrated audience of looking to buy newly completed and off-the-plan apartments and townhouses.

We help our partners reach a readership that spans from those interested in the property market to those starting out on their first property acquisition, and onto those who are contemplating their second or more investment property.&nbsp;

By partnering with us, you can promote your products or services to an active audience and we will work with you to best strategise your advertising campaign.&nbsp;

<img alt="Apartments.com.au Australia’s #1 dedicated New Property website." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="850b86aa-6328-4589-9328-23bba4d634f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-06-19%20at%203.26.21%20pm_0.png?VersionId=le4lulTmE8bqUPztEJdltLG0AczbSSwX" />

&nbsp;

<h2 class="p1">Connect Your Property to Urban Audience</h2>

Free Listing Campaign Listing

Developers, Master Agents and Media Agencies have the ability to claim their listing via the Urban Portal. Once claimed you can populate the details and the listing becomes eligible&nbsp;for enquiry to be submitted. Each enquiry on your listing goes through SMS Verification before being handed over to the sales team via lead email and/or SMS notifications as well as CRM integration.

There is no trial period or obligation to ever move to a Premium services.

Premium Campaign Listing

In order to scale the visibility of your development to support your sales team with SMS Verified Leads we recommend our Premium Campaign Listing service. As part of the proposal process our campaign team we assess and share the demand profile within the Urban Audience for a specific development in order to forecast how many SMS Verified Leads can be delivered in a campaign.

Our multichannel approach to connecting our audience to your development includes: Premium Listing, Feature Placements, Featured Editorial, eDMs, SMS Sends, Social Retargeting, Recommended Projects Placement and more.

Sponsored Article

Sponsored articles include a featured article on the website, in the daily newsletter as well as amplifications across social channels&nbsp; to target relevant segments for your news.

<img alt="Apartments.com.au Australia’s #1 dedicated New Property website" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e306999-8913-49d6-a5ab-1e124478dc01" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-06-19%20at%203.23.30%20pm.png?VersionId=0w6FI.uT5kQ83gf_wmkVRIJpTY2pnFzr" />

For more details, testimonials, Monthly Market Updates and more see the <a href="https://industry.urban.com.au/">Urban Industry Hub.</a>

Contact us via <a href="mailto:parternships@urban.com.au">parternships@urban.com.au</a>&nbsp;to find out more.

Advertise new apartments, new developments, new town homes | No.1 off-the-plan real estate property site in Australia | Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more.

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