<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

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

<html><body>
There are two sides to a trade.
If you are buying an investment someone is selling it.
Ask yourself, then, a simple question: why are they selling?
It might be for personal reasons. 
They could be selling some shares before financial year end to reduced a tax liability, for example.  
Or it might be for another genuine reason.
In the property markets, vendors often sell an apartment because they want to trade up and move into a house. 
Or, maybe, they don't like the investment as much as you think you do, and that's why they selling.  
Group think
Group think can be dangerous.
When everyone is piling into an asset class or certain investment, this may not be a great sign for future returns.
Try to become a contrary thinker.  
This is not necessarily a skill you are born with, but it can certainly become a learned habit over time.
Question everything - not to the point of inaction, or sleepless nights - but don't simply blindly trust widely held beliefs. 
Try to think of counter-arguments your investment decision, or list potentially dissenting views. 
Think of some worst case scenarios, and what you would do or feel if they played out. 
Asymmetric information 
Could the seller know more than you?
Real estate is an imperfect market which offers amazing opportunities to buy below market value or add value. 
But asymmetric information is a common hurdle that needs to be overcome via thorough market research. 
Almost by definition, the vendor of a property tends to know more about the potential problems and challenges than the buyer.
In the share markets insider information is also rife.
People often like to think they know more than the market, but the truth is, they often don't.
Therefore, before you pull the trigger on an investment, think to yourself:
"Why are they selling?"
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Why are they selling? Pete Wargent

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Low interest rates and rental vacancy rates makes Tasmania the ideal investment locality, according to Herron Todd White’s recent report on the Apple Isle.
The property data firm says that investor interest has grown compared to last year.
“It appears Tassie’s secret is out, that low interest rates, rental vacancy rates and capital entry levels partnered with stable rents translate to good investment yields and these factors appear to be the reasons behind growing investor participation in our residential market.
“Comparative to other states investors have not traditionally played a large part in the Tasmanian residential real estate market, however reports on recent data by the Real Estate Institute indicate that investor activity has grown from 14% to 21% compared to the same period last year with small gains in interstate investor activity.
“Currently first home owners in Tasmania are eligible for a $10,000 grant when purchasing a home however if they purchase either a newly built home, engage a builder or build themselves they are eligible for a further $10,000.
“State Revenue Office statistics reveal that grants paid to those purchasing new properties have declined by approximately 38% over the past twelve months indicating that first home buyers are forgoing the full $20,000 grant by purchasing established properties as they often represent better value.
“In doing so first home buyers are directly competing with investors in the sub $275,000 price bracket.
“Local investors appear to be purchasing residential property in the lower regions of this bracket with a view to renovating it themselves for either an investment yield by building their rental property portfolio or flipping it for capital gain.
“By contrast, interstate investors appear to be seeking investment yields or purchasing properties to retire to and renting them in the interim.
“Depending on the depth of their pockets, in some cases interstate investors are spending anywhere up to $500,000 plus,” the report stated.
A two bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-port+huon-124492790" target="_blank">7 Bonnies Way</a>, Port Huon (above) has been listed for over $250,000.
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-upper+burnie-125996702" target="_blank">15 Churchill Avenue</a>, Upper Burnie (below) has been listed for $275,000.
Built in 1974 it last sold for $257,500 in 2013.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/08/21/15%20Churchill%20Avenue.jpg" alt="">
The diversity in property in Tasmania is also due to its slower population growth Herron Todd White commented.
“Tasmania’s slower population growth has resulted in greater diversity of property types in each suburban area where small cottages can sit next to mansions which may explain why unlike other states, investors don’t tend to focus on any particular suburb,” the report commented.
Investors tend to focus on either properties suitable for renovation or those with development potential Herron Todd White advises.
“Investor focus, of which the lion’s share is local, appears to be on either properties ripe for renovation or those with development potential.
“In Tasmania’s south, the commuter suburbs of Glenorchy and Claremont, approximately ten and fifteen kilometres respectively north-west of Hobart along with New Norfolk, (a slightly longer commute being approximately 35 kilometres also to the north-west of Hobart) have been strong performers in recent months in this price bracket.
“The most economical areas in the north where the greatest volume of residential sales has occurred in recent months include George Town, Newnham and Mowbray. George Town is a satellite town of Launceston with a commute of approximately 40 minutes.
“The majority of sales in George Town were well under $180,000 and marketed for extended periods,” the report advised.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Investor activity in Tasmania increases: HTW

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Lending finance was shaping higher again by July, back up to $71.6 billion in trend terms, to be +6.7 per cent higher than a year ago, and getting pretty close to the highs of 2015.
<div id="post-body-6073029281620770471" class="post-body entry-content">
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 <div>Commercial lending to businesses picked up, which is generally seen to be a good sign, while housing lending to owner-occupiers hit a record high. </div>
<div> </div>
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 <div>Personal lending commitments are tracking back down at levels not seen since 2002.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This was mirrored by data elsewhere, with the Reserve Bank's statistical tables showing average credit card balances at their lowest level in nearly a decade. </div>
<div> </div>
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 This does not fit the stretched household budgets theme. <div>Investor juggernaut slowed</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Property investment loans are being successfully slowed by regulatory measures, and this is now filtering through into the rolling annual data at the state level. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Interestingly the credit squeeze may be impacting the states that were already weak more keenly, rather than New South Wales and Victoria, though lending to investors is set to slow across the board. </div>
<div> </div>
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<div class="separator"> </div>
Elsewhere, investor loans are rolling over in the nation's capital.</div>
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 And in Darwin, err, yikes.</div>
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 <div>The wrap</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall, this was a positive result given the lift in commercial lending to business, while in the property market, lending continues to shift from investors to homebuyers.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I had a meeting with the brilliant Jonathan Tepper of Variant Perception this week - a considerably smarter fellow than you or I - and it was interesting to compare notes on where Variant sees Australia's economy heading.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>While VP's research reports are confidential to subscribers, their leading index has rolled over on Australia's economy, a major driver of this being the coming downturn in residential construction.</div>
<div>
 Westpac's leading index has followed a remarkably similar trend. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Residential construction made a very positive contribution to the economy is 2016, but by 2018 Westpac sees this as becoming an equivalently significant drag (and although non-residential building has been picking up, this is expected to be less labour-intensive. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Job advertisements figures suggest that hiring will remain solid over the next 6 months, but it wouldn't be a shock if rate cuts are back on the agenda in 2018 especially after a weak inflation result for Q4 is released to the market early next year. </div>
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3>
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
 
</div>
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Property lending finance picks up: Pete Wargent

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Illawarra is Australia’s top performing regional property market for the June 2017 quarter according to CoreLogic.
According to CoreLogic the Illawarra region, (comprising of: Municipality of Kiama, City of Shellharbour, Wingecarribee Shire, City of Wollongong) experienced the best home values growth for the quarter. Newcastle and Lake Macquarie followed.
CoreLogic research analyst Cameron Kusher said, some regional areas are enjoying the benefits of buoyant property market conditions due to housing demand rippling outside of the capital city boundaries into regional towns, particularly coastal regions.
“Unfortunately, regional areas closely linked to the resources sector are still doing it tough; while conditions are generally stabilizing in these areas we expect relatively soft conditions to continue throughout the year,” he said.
“With mortgage rates still low, the attractiveness of housing, particularly in some of the larger coastal regional markets, is likely to continue to show further growth over 2017."
Regional report key highlights (June Quarter):
<ul>
<li>The Illawarra region recorded the largest annual increase in home values, up 15.8 per cent for houses and 14.4 per cent for units.</li>
<li>Wide Bay and Townsville were the only regions to see values for both houses and units fall over the year to June 2017.</li>
<li>The Townsville region had the biggest fall in transaction activity, with dwelling sales down -9.0 per cent over the year to May 2017.</li>
<li>Townsville and Bunbury were the only regions to see rental rates fall over the 12 months to June 2017.</li>
</ul>
Regional Area Sales &amp; Yields Snapshot:
<ul>
<li>Newcastle/Lake Macquarie: 8,278 homes sold (80% houses, 20% units) &amp; 4.3% rental yield</li>
<li>Illawarra: 5600 homes sold (70% houses, 30% units) &amp; 4% rental yield</li>
<li>Richmond /Tweed: 6,488 homes sold (67% houses, 33% units) &amp; 4.9% rental yield</li>
<li>Gold Coast: 19,242 homes sold (43% houses, 57% units) &amp; 4.9% rental yield</li>
<li>Sunshine Coast: 11, 068 homes sold (65% houses, 35% units) &amp; 4.8% rental yield</li>
<li>Townsville: 3,164 homes sold (85% houses, 15% units) &amp; 5.2% rental yield</li>
<li>Wide Bay: 5643 homes sold (90% houses, 10% units) &amp; 5.7% rental yield</li>
<li>Cairns: 5418 homes sold (66% houses, 34% units) &amp; 5.4% rental yield</li>
<li>Geelong: 6425 homes sold (84% houses, 16% units) &amp; 4.4% rental yield</li>
<li>Latrobe/Gippsland: 6,033 homes sold (89% houses, 11% units) &amp; 5.5% rental yield</li>
<li>Bunbury: 2,798 homes sold (90% houses, 10 units) &amp; 5% rental yield</li>
</ul>
"Richmond-Tweed was the only region to see sales volumes rise, with an additional 120 properties transacting over the year to May - an increase of 1.9 per cent.
"The llawarra area recorded its biggest fall in sales activity over the same period with transactions down -7.4 per cent, or 447 fewer homes selling when compared to May 2016.
"Units in the Illawarra region recorded the largest increase with rates up by 5.1 per cent. Units in the Richmond-Tweed region followed and were up by 4.6 per cent.
"In Queensland, dwelling sales fell in three of the five regions over the year to May 2017 with the largest fall in Townsville where sales volumes were down -9.0 per cent. The Gold Coast followed with a drop of -8.2 per cent, Cairns with a -4.1 per cent drop.
"Across the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay regions, sales remained much the same as they were in June 2016.
"Wide Bay and Townsville were the only two regions to see home values fall, while the Gold Coast region saw the largest increase in both house (7.5 per cent) and unit (5.9 per cent) values, followed by the Sunshine Coast, where house values increased by 6.0 per cent and unit values increased by 4.4 per cent. Cairns recorded minimal change in home values; unit values in the city were virtually unchanged (0.4 per cent).
"Rental rates in the Gold Coast region recorded their largest increase for houses at 5.0 per cent, followed by houses in the Sunshine Coast region at 3.3 per cent.
"In Victoria, sales activity dropped by -0.8 per cent in the Geelong area, while the Latrobe-Gippsland region saw a slight increase of 1.3 per cent in the amount of homes transacting over the year to May. Both regions saw home values increase over the 12 months to June, with values increasing by 8.3 per cent for houses and 5.6 per cent for units in Geelong, compared to the Latrobe-Gippsland region, where house and unit values increased by 2.9 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively.
"For Western Australia’s Bunbury region, house values remain unchanged, however unit values fell -2.6 per cent of the year to June 2017. Sales volumes fell -4.7 per cent over the 12 months to May, with current activity -13 per cent below the five year average. Rental rates in the Bunbury region fell -2.9 per cent for houses and -6.1 per cent for units when compared to June 2016."
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Illawarra retains title as top performing regional area

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A shop in Sydney’s inner suburb of Darlinghurst has been listed for auction on October 12 with price expectations of more than $3 million.
The 2 Neild Avenue shop has an internal area of 289 sqm, wide street frontage and floor to ceiling glass windows which could suit creative businesses looking for high exposure, according to listing agents Jordan Lee and James Cowan of Colliers International.
“This property is prominently located in East Darlinghurst adjoining Rushcutters Bay close to the new Volvo and BMW dealership and popular restaurants Popolo, Bar Machiavelli, &amp; Janus et Cie,” said Jordan Lee.
Cowan added that the property property would suit a variety of users, enabling an investor to set up a restaurant, office, gym, retail display or showroom.
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Darlinghurst shop with good exposure up for auction with $3 million hopes

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GUEST OBSERVER
The CoreLogic Stratified Hedonic Index breaks the market into three segments: the most affordable 25% of properties, the middle 50% and the most expensive 25%.
The data shows over the past year the most expensive quarter of the market has recorded the greatest value growth.
Over the 12 months to August 2017, the most affordable 25% of residential properties nationally have recorded value growth of 2.9% compared to growth of 8.0% across the middle 50% of suburbs and 11.4% growth across the 25% of most expensive suburbs. 
The national chart highlights that across all market segments the annual rate of value change has started to slow over recent months.  Importantly, the chart also highlights that when there have been housing market downturns it has typically been the most expensive properties that have been hardest hit while more affordable dwellings have been more resilient to downturns. 
<h3 class="text-align-center">Annual change in dwelling values across market segments, National</h3>
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/14/2017-09-11-image1.png" alt="">
Over the period shown, August 1987 to August 2017, the thirty year period has seen values across the most affordable 25% of properties rise 1,517% compared to increases of 580% across the middle 50% of suburbs and 432% across the most expensive 25% of suburbs.  This highlights how affordability has deteriorated substantially at the more affordable end of the housing market.
The second chart shows the change in values across the three broad segments throughout the combined capital cities.  Over the 12 months to August 2017, the most affordable 25% of properties have recorded growth of 4.6% compared to 9.3% growth across the middle 50% of properties and a 12.2% change across the most expensive 25% of the market.  Like the national figures, in the event of a housing market downturn it has been the more expensive housing which has tended to see the greater value falls.
<h3 class="text-align-center">Annual change in dwelling values across market segments, Combined Capital Cities</h3>
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/14/2017-09-11-image2.png" alt="">
The third chart looks at the growth performance across regional housing markets where the change in values has been much more moderate over recent years than that across the capital cities. 
The 25% of most affordable properties in regional Australia have recorded value increases of 2.5% compared to a 4.6% change across the middle 50% and an 8.4% increase in the most expensive 25% of properties. 
Over recent years, growth in the affordable segment in regional Australia has been the strongest performed suggesting that demand has been for more affordable housing. 
However, as the regional markets have picked-up over the past couple of years, it has been the top 25% of suburbs that have outperformed. 
This is likely to indicate demand for luxury housing outside of the capital cities has risen.
<h3 class="text-align-center">Annual change in dwelling values across market segments, Combined Regional Markets</h3>
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/14/2017-09-1-image3.png" alt="">
The final chart shows the annual change in dwelling values across the three market segments throughout the capital cities.  Melbourne and Darwin are the only capital cities that have recorded the greatest change in values over the year across the most affordable suburbs and the slowest growth across the most expensive suburbs. 
In all other capital cities, either the middle 50% of suburbs or the top 25% of suburbs have recorded the fastest rate of value growth over the year.  In Melbourne, this is possibly due to the fact that Sydney and Melbourne are the strongest economies in the country and are jockeying to attract talent.  Melbourne has a significant competitive advantage over Sydney in terms of being able to offer more affordable housing and the data seems to suggest that lower priced housing is a big driver which has led to a surge in values across the lower and also middle segments of the market. 
<h3 class="text-align-center">Annual change in dwelling values across market segments, individual capital cities, to Aug-17</h3>
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/14/2017-09-11-image4.png" alt="">
The stratified hedonic index offers another interesting look into the performance of the national housing market looking at how different segments are performing.  If the current housing market slowdown continues and turns into declines, watch for whether the most affordable sector of the market is relatively stronger performed than the more expensive segment.  With record high levels of household debt and significant first home buyer incentives over recent years the trends in a future downturn could be different to what has been seen in the past.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Premium housing values rise fastest over past year

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BIS Oxford Economics has reversed its forecast that Melbourne will suffer a surplus of apartments.
Faster-than-expected population growth now meant the city would be in balance or potentially face an undersupply as recent census figures showed the state had 109,000 more people than previously expected.
"If you translate that into households, it's close to 35,000 extra households in Melbourne," BIS managing director Robert Mellor told The Australian Financial Review.  
"We thought it would get to a 20,000 excess [of apartments] in Victoria by 2018. We're now saying in 2018 the market has still got an undersupply of about 2000 dwellings. We're talking a 20,000 turnaround."
The findings reflect other census figures showing the proportion of students rose to 27 per cent of demand for inner city apartments in 2016, up from 20 per cent five years earlier, Mr Mellor said.
BIS forecasts apartment commencements in Victoria have shrunk from its 2015 peak of nearly 19,800 to a likely 2021 trough of 7200. 
"It'll start picking up more significantly from 2021-22 and beyond," Mr Mellor said.
"At this stage, we're not predicting the next boom will be as big as the current boom."
BIS says Sydney and Brisbane will also suffer a decline in new housing starts, but that Sydney's reduction would be less severe in relative terms and Brisbane was already in a position of oversupply that would take some years to absorb. 
New high-rise housing starts in NSW were likely to near-halve from its estimated 2017 peak of nearly 32,000 to just over 16,000 in 2020.
Queensland would see commencements drop by more than two-thirds from more than 15,000 in 2016 to just over 4,000 by 2020, BIS forecasts.
The lack of new supply down the track would push rents higher and provide more of an incentive for institutional investors to back the built-to-rent sector, Mr Mellor said.
BIS Oxford Economics had warned of a 15,000-apartment glut in the Victorian capital two and a half years ago.
It repeated the warning last year.
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BIS now forecasts no Melbourne apartment oversupply

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In what is one of the largest regional New South Wales pub transactions for 2017, the Belmore Hotel in Maitland has been sold to a local businessman for $9 million.
The Belmore Hotel is in the Hunter Valley Tourism Precinct, and at the 2011 Census was determined New South Wales’ fastest growing inland Urban Centre. 
The hotel has several bars, a bistro, gaming room with 19 EGMs, 18 pub rooms and a large outdoor beer garden with diversified weekly revenue of approximately $100,000 per week.
The selling agents were Ray White’s Blake Edwards, Andrew Jolliffe and Xavier Plunkett, who sold it on behalf of long-time owners the Murphy family. 
Having indicated that their investment focus is shifting, and after 14 years in the hospitality industry, the Murphy family felt like it was the right time to divest the asset. 
"We've owned the hotel since 2003, and since then we have all grown older and want to do a bit more of our own thing" said Luke Murphy. 
"We still have development interests in the area, which we will now shift our focus onto.” 
Last year too, Ray White sold a hotel in Maitland to a Sydney hotel group for a record Hunter Region price of around $11 million.
"Particularly given the quality of the offerings we are showcasing at our May 31 auctions in the form of Maitland CBD's outstanding Belmore Hotel.
Commenting upon the various demand drivers for the high level of interest in the sale process for the Belmore Hotel, Edwards said the property benefited from a number of business and property positives. 
"Strategically, the well-structured nature of the hotel operation on offer at the Belmore Hotel made sense for our purchaser," Edwards said.
"Although it may sound cliché, it all comes back to the basic investment fundamentals, including strong population growth, a familiarity with the local area, close proximity to a large base of both white and blue collar industries and a distinct absence of large scale competition in the immediate area." 
Jolliffe said he expects the regional market to maintain its current trajectory, and market depth, given the limited opportunity in metro areas; as well as the growth of commercial and residential markets in regional centres. 
 
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Belmore Hotel in regional NSW sells for $9 million

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A purpose-built horse stable complex in the Bundall Equine Precinct on the Gold Coast owned by racing legend Mick Dittman has been listed for sale.
The property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-qld-bundall-502549070" target="_blank">88 Racecourse Drive, Bundall</a>, has been leased by leading trainer Toby Edmonds.
It is on a nearly 3,000 sqm block and is being marketed via expressions of interest ending October 6 through Ray White Broadbeach.
The listing agents are Tony Grbcic and Adam Grbcic.
Grbcic said the property is the newest and most modern facility within the Bundall Equine Precinct.
It is rented for nearly $175,000 plus GST per annum on a three-year lease with a two-year option.
The facility is part-owned by Mick Dittman, who during his jockeying career won more than 1,700 races including the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, two Cox Plates and three Golden Slippers.
“It is also the closest facility to the Gold Coast Turf Club, therefore, there has always been a high demand and high occupancy at this complex,” Grbcic said.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/13/Racecourse2.jpg" alt="">
The complex includes a gross building area of approximately 1,885 sqm over two levels, 60 stable boxes, covered walker facility with a state of the art treadmill, and a two-bedroom caretaker’s residence. 
“The strength of this precinct and property is underpinned by the locality and facilities of the Gold Coast Turf Club,” he said.
“The ongoing upgrades and infrastructure at the Turf Club are a representation of the strength and growth in the local racing industry.”
 
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Legendary jockey Mick Dittman's stable complex in Gold Coast up for sale

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The top searched Queensland location in August by property developers through development site portal Development Ready is Chermside, followed by Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
Overall the top searched suburbs were:
1.     Chermside
2.     Surfers Paradise
3.     Broadbeach
4.     Southpoint
5.     Windsor
Nick Materia, Development Ready Managing Director said the data indicated the real action lies with units that are in proximity to the city’s central business district, as key demographic data across the top five searched suburbs told similar stories about attributes of high unit dwelling approvals and median price growth.
“Dwelling approvals for units far outweighed dwelling units for houses in Chermside,” he said. 
“There were five house approvals in the 12 months to June 2017, as opposed to 202 unit-based dwelling approvals.”
According to the findings by District Data, Chermside’s average resident is aged around 35 years, with 60% of residents’ household tenure classified as renting.
Daniel Slomoi, District Data Managing Director said with an average of two people per household, what we are seeing in the most searched suburb in Queensland is a trend towards developments catering for young professionals and downsizers who are choosing to rent units that are close to the Brisbane CBD.
"This is likely a sign of affordability constraints," he said.
“It is also interesting to note that three of the top five most searched for suburbs are on the Gold Coast as opposed to Brisbane, hinting at a possible resurgence of apartment developments in that market following a somewhat subdued period."
“With median sales price for units at $420,000 and median annual rent for units at $19,240, it shows there’s a great opportunity for developers and investors to find success responding to the needs of buyers who are looking for affordable dwellings that suit their needs and are close to the city’s offerings, like employment opportunities,” Mr Materia said.
Surfers Paradise revealed new dwelling approvals for units reached 618, while yields for units achieved a high 5.2% in the suburb, reflecting the strong local rental market. Renters made up 56% of the total households within Surfers Paradise.
 “The data reveals outlying suburbs within reasonable travelling distance to employment and amenity is highly sought after by on-the-move metropolitan professionals looking for a smaller, more affordable – but reasonably sized – dwelling that will help meet their urban needs,” Mr Materia said.
'Broadbeach, Southport and Windsor completed the list all with a similar trend towards a strong investment market for units. 
"District Data also said indicative rental yields for units, while varying in difference, were typically higher than houses. 
"Rental yields in Chermside, for example, were at 4.6% for units while sitting at 3.6% for houses."
Owners and mortgage payers contributed little to the suburbs’ household tenures, with renters in Broadbeach, Southport and Windsor making 56%, 56% and 53% of the residential households respectively.
In total, all five suburbs totalled 1302 unit-related new dwelling approvals, while approving only 59 houses in the 12 months to June 2017.
 
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