Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.

They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;

Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.

They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor

Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" 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/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

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The average gross rental yield for houses across Australia was 4.3% for a median price of $470,000, according to RP Data-Rismark Daily home value index. Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin and Hobart were all above the national average. In April, the gross rental yield for houses was 4.2%. 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/3point7percent.gif">
The gross rental yield for houses in Melbourne, which has a median house value of $534,450, according to RP Data-Rismark.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/4point3percent.gif">
The gross rental yield for houses in Adelaide, which has a median house value of $385,000, according to RP Data-Rismark.
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/4point4percent.gif">
The gross rental yield for houses in Sydney, with a median house value of $628,450, according to RP Data-Rismark.
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/4point4percent.gif">
The gross rental yield for houses in Perth, which has a median house value of $470,000, according to RP Data-Rismark.
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/4point7percent.gif">
The gross rental yield for houses in Brisbane, which has a median house value of $434,050, according to RP Data-Rismark.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/4point8percent.gif">
The gross rental yield for houses in Canberra, which has a median house value of $519,000, according to RP Data-Rismark.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/5point3percent.gif">
The rental yield for houses in Hobart, which has a median house value of $360,000, according to RP Data-Rismark.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/06/6percent.gif">
The rental yield for houses in Darwin, which has a median house value of $510,000, according to RP Data-Rismark.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Capital city house yields by the numbers: A state-by-state analysis: RP Data-Rismark

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A display home can be a very attractive option when it comes to property investment. They’re normally built to a high standard, impeccably maintained and have guaranteed rent for a set period. Coupled with this, there’s often a high yield and always fantastic tax depreciation deductions.
Purchasing a display home is a little different from your average investment property. The builder or developer will sell the property with a lease-back option, where they retain the property as a tenant for normally around one to two years. These lease-back contracts often contain extension options where the sales agreement enables the builder to extend the term of the lease beyond the initial period.
A display home is likely to be in the most desirable part of the development and will often have extensive landscaping and quality finishes. After all, the job of a display home is to entice people into the development and showcase upgrades to the standard packages available.
The tax depreciation deductions available are significant with high quality display homes. As an example, consider the depreciation deductions on a display home with a total build cost of $190,000 (excluding soft landscaping). The property includes plant and equipment items such as coo tops, blinds, carpet, hot water systems, ovens, packaged air-conditioning and more. A property with a construction cost of $190,000 could expect around $30,000 in total plant and equipment items. In the case study scenario I ran, the value was exactly $27,867. So this gives us the following figures:
<ul>
<li>Division 40 Assets (plant and equipment items) - $27,867</li>
<li>Division 43 Component (capital allowance) - $162,133 </li>
</ul>
The division 43 component will return 2.5% of the opening value each year, which equals $4,053 per year.
The division 40 assets will depreciate at different rates, from 100% for assets under $301 in value, to 13.33% in this example. The total division 40 depreciation in the first year came to $5,423 under the diminishing method.
This gives us a total tax depreciation deduction in the first year of $9,476.
Out of interest, the second year, which won’t include any of the assets written off at 100%, came to $8,573.
This example gives you an idea of the potential deductions on a fairly standard display home. You can certainly find display homes with construction costs double the value of the case study.
Depreciation however, is just one part of the picture. Even more important is the yield. This is yet another attractive feature of a display home. There are major builders currently advertising yields as high as 7.5% to 8%.
Now I did say there were going to be cons. The normal rules of doing your research and checking the contract apply, however there are some things to consider that are specific to display homes. One such consideration is outgoings. Quite often the term of the lease does not include a provision for the tenant to pay the outgoings. These include electricity and water for example, and can add up significantly over time. It’s important to be clear about the contract and understand what you’re responsible for.
Another consideration is the purchase price itself. The display home might have some great upgrades, but what effects will that have on the market value of the property when it comes time to sell? Display homes may also be situated where there is no precedent for that quality of home, say in regional areas. So it can quite often be difficult to know what the capital growth prospects are, and what the current market value is. A local estate agent can be a valuable resource.
Lastly, let’s look at conversion costs. Display homes can be configured differently to the way a normal tenant would require. For example, many display homes won’t include a hot water system as there is no need for it to sit idle for two years not being used. You can also find display homes with the garage converted into an office. In this situation the roller door may be replaced with a sliding door. They may also have security fencing encroaching onto the driveway. Are there conversion or rectification costs required before a tenant moves in, and who pays?
These are all questions that require investigation when purchasing a display home as an investment.
With that being said, a well-researched display home can be a hassle-free, high-yielding investment with great depreciation deductions and no property management fee.
Mike Mortlock is a director of <a href="https://www.mcgqs.com.au/">MCG Quantity Surveyors</a> specialising in tax depreciation deductions for property investors.
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The pros and cons of investing in a display home

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Based on RP Data-Rismark’s house price data released today it appears that most of the weakness in dwelling values has been confined to the luxury sector.
Whereas homes located in the 20% of most expensive suburbs across the nation are down in value by 3% between January and April (red line in chart below), those located in the middle 60% of suburbs have not budged in value (-0.1%). And there was actually a recent improvement in dwelling values in the cheapest 20% of suburbs over the last few months (refer to the blue line below).
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/05/june13.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/june13thumb.gif"></a>
This analysis is based on RP Data-Rismark’s “stratified” hedonic index calculated on a monthly as opposed to daily basis. As a consequence, the latest cut of the results runs through to end April in contrast to the more timely “daily” data that stretch through to the end of May.
The sustained correction in luxury property values is consistent with the thesis I have outlined here before of a fundamental downward adjustment in valuations in this specific sector due to the contraction of the once-lucrative financial services industry.
The disconnect between the luxury and mass markets is even clearer as we go back further in time. In the chart above the three markets are indexed to 100 as at the start of 2011. The cumulative dwelling value declines for the cheapest 20% of suburbs since January 2011 is only 1.8%. Similarly, the middle 60% of suburbs have declined by a relatively benign -2.9%. Yet in the 20% most expensive suburbs, the total loss has been 2.3 times higher at a stonking -6.8%.
Christopher Joye is a leading financial economist and a director of <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au/savings/index.cfm" target="_blank">Yellow Brick Road Funds Management</a> and Rismark. The author may have an economic interest in any of the items discussed in this article. These are the author’s personal views and do not represent the opinions of any other individual or institution. This material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment advice or recommendations.
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Luxury sector driving current fall in house prices: Christopher Joye

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The daily RP Data-Rismark dwelling value index released today tells some interesting stories. The charts enclosed herein all work off the “daily” (as opposed to monthly) data and give us unprecedented insights into the “intra-month” movements in house prices that we’ve never seen before.
My first chart simply portrays the daily changes in the eight capital city “all dwellings” index. We can see that Aussie home values declined by about 1% in January followed by a full recovery over February, March and part of April, as I’d previously discussed here.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/05/june11.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/june11thumb.gif"></a>
On the 15th of April – coincidentally at the same time ANZ announced an out-of-cycle, 15-basis-point hike in home loan rates – overall dwelling values commenced a steady slide again to the point where we are actually down about 2% over the year-to-date.
This begs the question as to whether there are any specific markets or seasonal factors driving the overall effect.
It is true that the months of May, June and July are seasonally very weak to the tune of about 0.3% per month or nearly 1% cumulatively. However, the May seasonal factor is only about 0.3%, and would not change the directionally downward pulse in values that we have recorded since mid April.
A big explanation for the national weakness since mid April has been a strikingly sharp fall in Melbourne dwelling values, which you can see illustrated as the red line in the next chart below.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/05/june12.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/june12thumb.gif"></a>
As at the end of May, Melbourne dwelling prices are off about 5% this year. But most of this decline has materialised since the middle of April. Specifically, home values in Melbourne have declined by 4.2% since the 15th of April.
In contrast, the Sydney housing market, which is denoted by the black line, has rebounded nearly 1% since the second week of May. In seasonally-adjusted terms, this would be an even stronger outcome. Likewise, we can see some recent stabilisation in raw Brisbane dwelling values, which are illustrated by the orange line in the chart above.
Looking through these intra-month movements, which I would reiterate we have never been privy to before, I am relatively sanguine about the outlook. With an incredibly weak supply-side and supportive monetary policy, sentiment should improve as the year passes (barring global economic disasters). We’ve already seen this in the auction clearance rate data, which has tended to be better in 2012 than what we observed in 2011.
The double RBA rate cut in May resulted in an average 37 basis point reduction in lending rates. While there is little doubt that there have been some net valuation adjustments as bidders revise down their expectations of future capital gains, these are being offset by substantially improved rental returns and a much lower cost of debt.
In the owner-occupier market, where rents are not as explicit a part of the investment equation (they are “imputed”), this total return argument may take longer to grip.
But the bottom line is that today you can get 5.83% variable rates and sub-6% three-year fixed rates. Fixed rates may come down even further given the record slump in long-term Australian interest rates. Naturally any additional easing of monetary policy will only improve bidders’ purchasing power.
Christopher Joye is a leading financial economist and a director of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ybr.com.au/savings/index.cfm">Yellow Brick Road Funds Management</a> and Rismark. The author may have an economic interest in any of the items discussed in this article. These are the author’s personal views and do not represent the opinions of any other individual or institution. This material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment advice or recommendations.
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Sydney house prices start to rebound as Melbourne falls: Christopher Joye

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Melbourne’s property market remained weak in May, with dwelling values falling 2.7% to a median of $490,000, the biggest monthly fall of all eight capital cities, according to the RP Data-Rismark May Home Value Index.
Melbourne dwelling values are now down 8.4% for the year to May, with houses down 8.8% to $534,000 and units down 5.4% to $440,000 – making it the worst-performing mainland capital city market.
Only Hobart is worse, with a 8.9% fall over the past 12 months.
The Victorian capital led a 1.4% fall in capital city values.
Perth dwelling prices fell 1.7% over April to a median of $460,000 while Sydney dwelling prices were down 1.2% to a median of $555,000.
Brisbane dwelling prices were more resilient down just 0.3% over May to a median of $415,000.
The latest drop brings the cumulative national decline to 2.2% over the first five months of 2012, with overall dwelling values down 5.3% over the past 12 months. 
Much of the weakness is confined to the detached housing market rather than apartments with RP Data research director Tim Lawless pointing out that unit values have been much more resilient to value falls compared to houses. 
Over the past 12 months capital city house prices have fallen 5.8% to $470,000, with units down a more modest 1.5% to $430,000.
“It is clear that the market is becoming increasingly price point driven. Unit values across the combined capitals increased in May and they are up by 1.3% over the first five months of the year. 
“Based on median prices, unit prices are generally around 15% to 20% lower than house prices. Investment yields also tend to be higher and units are often located more strategically compared with their detached counterparts,” says Lawless. 
The slide in May indicates that the housing market has not responded to the interest rate cuts in November and December, notes RP Data-Rismark.
According to Rismark managing director Ben Skilbeck, the housing market is being buffeted by a drop in consumer confidence, with the Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment 6.3% below its long-term average despite an overall “positive economic picture”. 
“Concurrently, new mortgage finance commitments aren’t moving a great deal suggesting we are yet to see heightened buyer activity return to the market,” he says. 
Another hurdle for the property market is the large number of properties currently being advertised for sale, with RP Data estimating there were around 308,500 homes advertised for sale across Australia during May, almost 9% more than at this time last year. 
Regional dwelling values were more resilient, falling 0.2% over April to be down 1.4% year-on-year with a median price of $320,000.
Adelaide was the best-performing capital city over the quarter, with dwelling prices up 1% over the three months to May 31, 2012 to $370,000.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/05/rpjune1.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/rpjune1thumb.gif"></a>
Brisbane values are down 6% year-on-year, Perth values are down 3.9% and Sydney values are down 3.6% since April last year.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/05/rpjune12.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/rpjune12rhumb.gif"></a>
Rismark managing director Ben Skilbeck says one positive to take away from the soft housing market is that housing affordability is showing a marked improvement. 
“The combination of interest rate reductions, declining home values and disposable income growth has significantly improved affordability. 
“Since dwelling values peaked in November 2010, they are down by 7.6%, the RBA cash rate has fallen from 4.75% to 3.75% and disposable income per household has increased by over 5%,” he says.
Darwin is offering investors the highest gross rental yields of all capital cities - 6% for houses and 5.9% for units with Melbourne offering the lowest rental yields on houses (3.7%) and sharing the lowest rental yield on units with Adelaide of 4.5%
“Rental yields are higher now compared to a year ago across every capital city. In some cities where rents have increased meaningfully such as Darwin and Perth, gross rental yields have improved by 50 basis points or more,” Lawless says.
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Capital city house prices fell 1.4% in May led by big fall in Melbourne: RP Data-Rismark 

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The commercial property market is set to rebound strongly over the next five years, says BIS Shrapnel chief economist Frank Gelber, who claims property trusts have got their current asset sell-down strategy all wrong.
Gelber says property trusts should not be selling their assets and buying back shares but holding them and repositioning them for what he says will be “strongly rising” commercial property market over the next five years.
“It makes a lot of sense for investors to come back into property. This is not a market in anything like equilibrium. It's bumping around the bottom of the cycle, struggling to recover,” Gelber writes in The Australian.
“Inadequate investment and low prices have set the scene for strong returns this decade. It's not a quick-return trader's market. This is a market for investors with a medium-term horizon,” he adds.
According to Gelber, now is the time for the commercial property market to set itself up for strong returns over the next three to five years with “returns in both direct and indirect investment groups should reflect that”.
As the graph below shows, BIS Shrapnel places the Brisbane office market on the cusp of a recovery, just behind Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, which are already heading into an upswing. BIS Shrapnel says industrial property and hotels are further along in the property cycle.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/05/bisjun1.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/bisjun1thumb.gif"></a>
In its March 2012 building industry update, BIS Shrapnel said that while the NSW office marked was currently weak, “the beginning of an upturn as a lack of new supply combined with stronger economic conditions sees the office market tighten considerably from its current level” in 2012-13. 
In the case of Melbourne offices, BIS Shrapnel says the market is already “well placed to begin a pronounced uptrend” due to its low and falling vacancy rate. 
In light of these upbeat forecasts, Gelber says so there is not much point in property trusts “wasting their equity in a vain attempt to raise their share price”.
“New capital raisings will, in any case, have to wait until market sentiment changes. And it will eventually,” says Gelber.
The real problem, he says, is that both retail and institutional investors are sitting on the sidelines and not investing in both listed and unlisted property trusts and the property market in general.
However, he says that once the economy improves, they will have more income to allocate to investment.
“Meanwhile, we need to keep the lines of communication open,” he says.
“The super funds do have the money. But they too are sitting on the sidelines [and] … I suspect they still regard property investment as relatively risky.
“That's not true. Property was risky in the boom that preceded the GFC – over-geared vehicles, overvalued and at risk of becoming oversupplied. But that's not true now,” he says.
 
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Commercial property market 'bouncing along the bottom': Frank Gelber

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Property investors are selling themselves short by asking for a lower rent in the hope of securing a longer-term tenant, according to McGrath Estate Agents head of property management Michael Conolly.
Conolly says such a strategy does not usually work and says an experienced property manager is the best way for a property investor to determine what rent to charge tenants.
He says landlords often confused their price expectation with what the local tenant market will bear.
“You might want a certain price for your property based on what you think it’s worth, but the real rental value is based on what the market is willing to pay,” Conolly says.
“We call this ‘market value’, and it’s based on many variables that can change monthly.
“The best way to find out what your property will rent for in today’s market is to talk to an experienced property manager. They are listing and leasing properties daily and have access to data that is not available to people outside the industry,” he explains.
Conolly offers the following strategy for setting the rent: “After seeking advice from a trusted, knowledgeable local expert, always advertise at the maximum rental value at the start of your campaign. You can adjust the asking rent after the first or second round of feedback if you really need to.”
He warns investors against advertising their property at a slightly lower rent to attract a longer-term tenant, saying the strategy sells a property short.
He says due to tight vacancies, most renters will expect regular rental increases and in most cases they’ll continue living in your property when the rent goes up.
“As a general rule, I recommend small, regular increases in rent. Some landlords don't put the rent up for two years and then try and put it up by $50 a week.
“Tenants don't like that. Depending on what the market is doing, I suggest perhaps a $5 to $10 increase in rent every six to 12 months. Just keep the rent ticking over, but not outpacing the market,” he says.
For tips on buying an investment property as your first purchase sign up for next week’s free Property Observer webinar with Michael Matusik: Tips for buying your first property as an investment. The webinar takes place on Tuesday, June 5 at 12.30pm.
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Market value, not landlords’ hopes, should determine rent: McGrath

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When marketing a property for sale an estate agent will recommend a range of options depending on the property, location and method of sale. As advertising is an outgoing that is paid for by the vendor, it is advisable to have an understanding of the options.
The most cost-effective advertisements are on the internet. Internet advertising is now the primary way most buyers become aware of a property. The internet provides a wealth of information that is not easily included in print advertisements and you can make the advertisements interactive by including video and voice-over to describe a property’s features. If you are having photos taken, ensure that the quality and resolution are such that may be viewed clearly.
Depending on the value of the property, specific websites can also be created for a property.
While print advertisements are still being used, they are less popular than they were a decade ago; however, they have role to play in some markets. Print advertisements appear in local newspapers or magazines and in the weekend metropolitan papers and range from display advertising to simple classified listings.
Most agencies have their own magazines and window displays. As agencies tend to situate themselves in areas with high pedestrian traffic, these options provide a simple and low-cost way of bring the home to the attention of buyers.
And, of course, social media is now being used to market property. It can’t replace methods that have a significantly higher reach but can compliment a campaign.
Finally, an agency’s own database of buyers is a very valuable marketing tool. A good agency will maintain its own list of interested buyers and will market homes directly to them.
With the range of options now available, it is important that sellers work with their agent to produce the most effective marketing campaign possible.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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Make sure you are marketing your property in the most effective way

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It is no secret that property markets – in fact, all economic markets – are driven by fear and greed.

During property booms greed is the dominant driver, but things have changed and now it's all about fear.
Fear of the world’s economic woes spreading to Australia. Fear of taking on more debt. Fear of investing because the property markets might collapse.
Fair enough. After all, any smart investor is going to opt for safety during a downturn. Right?
Actually, no. The opposite is true.
Most of Australia’s wealthiest property tycoons have made their fortunes by investing counter-cyclically, when everyone else saw doom and gloom and thought they were crazy to invest.
Why would anyone in their right mind follow such a principle?
Because, when you step back from the immediate, history shows us that the countercyclical approach always delivers the best results. It is, after all, the equivalent of buying at the bottom of a market cycle, isn't it?
But what is clear to me is the huge gap between two kinds of investors.
On the one hand you have the lambs; on the other, the lions.
The difference?
Lambs or sheep follow each other. They flock together. They follow trends. They are only comfortable with what is familiar. They seek safety and security in numbers.
And when it comes to property they are easily misled.
Why?  Because they are easily impressed by the promise of quick gains, glossy brochures and advertising hype. They invest emotionally and this always has pitfalls.
Lions are different and, like their namesake, they are rarer beasts.
They don’t follow trends. They are independent thinkers that make decisions based on cold, hard facts, not herd-like subjectivity. They can stay calm while others panic. They are ready to look at numbers and rational arguments and make investment decisions based on these.
So what type of investor are you – a lion or a lamb?
Depending on what type of investor you are, or decide to be, the next year or two will either be a time of amazing opportunity or a period of fear and missed chances.
Let me explain.
We've seen downturns and recessions before and we've heard the various pundits telling us all how this time it's different and the world will never be the same again.
What I’ve come to realise is that when enough people start to talk about 'paradigm shifts', such as certain events have now made basic economic patterns and cycles meaningless, you can be sure we're soon headed for an upturn, or a crash. It works both ways!
These doomsayers – who claim to have seen it all coming and to know what's coming next – just create fear. And this fear feeds on itself as the headlines sometimes seem to support their arguments.
During the past property boom – when the driver was, of course, greed and banks lent money freely and often without requiring proof of serviceability – more and more people shouted about how the traditional rules and models of property no longer applied and were “old-thinking”. Yes, greed also feeds on itself.
But right now the driver is fear. And fear is blinding the lamb investors, which creates opportunities for the lions.
If the “end of the world as we know it” merchants are wrong – and they always are – then your decision to be bold when all around you are fearful, and to invest when everyone else thinks it's crazy, will prove to be the kind of insight that truly great investors apply.
Buy at or near the bottom when others say you're mad to buy.
But, of course, you don't buy just anything. Far from it. You need to buy selectively.
You will need to see beyond fads and fashions, analyse long-term potential and have the insight to see the intrinsic value of assets and act accordingly.
I believe that window of opportunity is now open. But I’m not sure for how long, because things are panning out in a fairly predictable way.
The economy is going to recover, interest rates will increase and inflation will return.
More people will start buying or upgrading their homes and investors who have parked their money in the safety of bank deposits will start looking for a new safe haven for their funds. One that is a hedge against inflation. Many will turn to the security of residential property and then the markets will begin to lift.
And when that happens, the sheep will wake up and flock back to invest.
So, the opportunity is now!
The challenge is to be a lion investor when others behave like scared lambs.
I don't pretend it's easy. To do this, you require the long-term focus to buy well located properties with an element of scarcity, in areas that have outperformed the long-term averages.
I believe that for cashed up investors with a secure job, now is a great opportunity. Now is the time to step away from the flock of investors who tend to be emotion-driven speculators pulled along by the dominant mood of the market – fear or greed.
Simple, really – but not so easy to do!
Mark Twain wrote: “Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
Now, there is a man worth listening to!
Michael Yardney is the director of <a href="https://www.metropole.com.au/">Metropole Property Investment Strategists</a> , a best-selling author and one of Australia's leading experts in wealth creation through property. He also writes the <a href="https://www.propertyupdate.com.au/">Property Investment Update</a> blog.
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Be a lion, not a lamb, when investing in property

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The width of a terrace can make for huge variations in sale prices achieved.
The common terrace sits with a frontage of 4.5 metres to 5.1 metres. Suburbs such as Carlton, North Melbourne and South Melbourne are cramped with terraces of this size.
As the convergence of inner-city living continues to accelerate, many buyers are faced with the prospect of buying a single-fronted terrace, as the premium paid for double-fronted homes is often just too great.
We are noticing the slightly larger terrace, with a common frontage of between 5.5 metres to 6.5 metres is a hotly contested accommodation bracket.
The differences in prices paid is not a value for the extra land being purchased, but for the privilege of being able to find that type of property in the first place.
Price per square metre can increase by up to $750 per square metre for land that allows for that extra width. The homes sitting on these wider blocks also generally have a grander feel to them and strong bones for going up and out with renovations.
Carlton North
(Both properties need work, and the position is an excellent comparison.)
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cnorth1.jpg">
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cnorth2.jpg">
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/fnorth1.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/fnorth2.jpg">
 
 
 
 
 
Paul Osborne is the founder of Melbourne buyers' agency <a target="_blank" href="https://secretagent.com.au/">Secret Agent</a>.
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