A full-scale Sky Homes prototype apartment for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/zeste-at-the-orchards-norwest-104-fairway-drive-norwest-nsw-2153">Zeste</a> has been opened by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a>, offering buyers a look at the final residential release within The Orchards masterplan in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/norwest-nsw-2153">Norwest</a>.

The prototype launch coincides with buyer demand for larger apartment living continuing across Sydney’s Hills District.

David Lee, Sales Manager, Apartment &amp; Mixed-Use Developments at Sekisui House Australia said it was evident from the preceding four stages at The Orchards that a large number of buyers were local owner occupiers or downsizers specifically looking for oversized apartments with additional living spaces.

“The majority of buyers prefer to touch, feel and physically sight a full-scale completed apartment, rather than imagining the living spaces from floor plans," Lee says.

"The prototype apartment provides greater clarity and buyer confidence. We expect this will increase sales momentum for Zeste and the Sky Homes in particular.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150510 project_image_fid=351878]

Positioned within Stage 5’s Zeste project, the Sky Homes form part of the final opportunity to purchase within the award-winning master-planned community, which will ultimately deliver approximately 1,300 apartments.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, Zeste comprises two residential buildings, Essence and Eden, providing 209 apartments surrounded by extensive landscaping, resort-style amenities and community spaces.

Ben Pomroy, Principal at Rothelowman said Zeste explores a reinvention of the traditional house, in the orchard, synthesising the nostalgic story of the orchard homestead of yesteryear with a contemporary aesthetic inspired by the landscape.

“Natural light and ventilation are key to the design, contributing to a higher quality of life at the human scale. Across all Rothelowman projects, our ethos of ‘a generous eye for life’ drives our consideration of the human experience as the central point of focus of our design process.”

Pomroy says a&nbsp;notable design element is the cathedral glass light boxes incorporated in the joinery, inspired by the idea of wandering the orchard homestead with a lantern in hand, something familiar and nostalgic.

"We took this narrative and gave it a contemporary twist that is both beautiful and functional, creating unique features that unify the kitchen and bathrooms design.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150510 project_image_fid=351874]

In addition to the two residential buildings, Zeste comprises a single-story community amenity pavilion nestled in the landscape between Essence and Eden.

“The communal pavilion is a distinctive feature designed to foster a deep sense of community, with nature at its heart," Pomroy added.

"Whether it is watching the football grand final or hosting a family BBQ, the pavilion is designed as a place where residents can create memorable moments with friends, family and neighbours.

Since launching Essence, the first building within Zeste, buyer demand has remained strong with more than 30 per cent of residences already sold. Sky Homes have accounted for nearly 40 per cent of all sales achieved since launch.

“Purchasers are responding positively to the oversized layouts, diverse apartment configurations and the vast range of community facilities that will be available at completion,”David Lee noted.

Zeste Sky Homes represent approximately 35 per cent of the entire Stage 5 offering and are available across both Essence and the yet-to-launch Eden building. Prices for the Sky Homes range from $1,135,000 with one car space through to $1,500,000 for two car spaces.

Apartments across the broader Zeste release start from approximately $715,000, with generous floorplans ranging from 59 to 144sqm. Select residences also feature integrated ‘Max’ spaces, designed to function as flexible areas for home offices, children’s playrooms or additional storage.

Zeste also continues Sekisui House Australia’s sustainability partnership with Altogether Group, delivering integrated water, power and data services alongside passive design initiatives including cross-ventilation, landscaping and water features.

Early purchasers are currently able to access a selection of premium upgrade options, with VIP buyers receiving one complimentary upgrade package. A 2.5 per cent deposit is available for a short time.

Sekisui recently commenced its pre-construction phase. They are expecting an early 2028 completion of Zeste.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150510]

Joel Robinson

Zeste Sky Homes prototype opens as buyer demand surges for oversized apartment living

Having recently announced its entry into the booming Gold Coast new apartment market with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aere-chevron-island-18-20-mawarra-street-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Aere Chevron Island</a>, developer Martello™ is offering generous stamp duty savings for buyers before June 30.

Martello™ says the incentive creates a more accessible entry into premium apartment living.

"While incentives in property are nothing new, today’s stamp duty contributions arrive at a particularly important moment," the developer says.

"Buyers are not only seeking quality homes and strong locations; they are also looking for smarter financial entry points. Reducing or offsetting stamp duty can represent tens of thousands of dollars in savings - funds that can instead be directed toward furnishing a home, reducing mortgage pressure, or simply providing peace of mind during the transition into ownership."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367517]

Aere is one of the more boutique new developments on Chevron Island, with just 33 apartments across 18 storeys on Mawarra Street

The developer has placed a strong emphasis on wellness, briefing architecture firm Raunik Design to embed this philosophy into the project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/martello">Martello™</a>&nbsp;has positioned Aere as a continuation of its human-centric development approach, with a focus extending beyond amenity to the fundamentals of layout, natural light, and spatial planning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=368446]

To bring a heightened level of confidence to the project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/martello">Martello™</a>&nbsp;has already appointed Promax Construction to build the tower. They are expected to start construction in the coming months.

Martello™ says that in any market cycle, confidence matters.

"Buyers who may have been waiting on the sidelines are now reassessing their timing as developers and vendors introduce meaningful incentives designed to support decision-making. For owner-occupiers, it creates an opportunity to secure a premium residence with reduced upfront costs. For investors, it can improve the overall acquisition equation at a time when rental demand remains exceptionally strong across many key markets."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367507]

Aere offers a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments, the latter of which occupy half a flor. These layouts prioritise separation between living and sleeping zones, along with increased privacy and storage, features more commonly associated with detached housing than traditional apartment product.

Aere’s private resident amenity spaces centre on wellness. A rooftop level will incorporate a heated swimming pool, sauna and spa, alongside a residents’ lounge, dining areas and barbecue spaces, while additional shared facilities throughout the building include a gym and yoga area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367515]

&nbsp;

"What we are seeing now is a market that rewards readiness," Martello added.

"Buyers who are informed, financially prepared, and willing to act decisively are finding opportunities that may not exist once conditions shift again. Incentives such as stamp duty contributions are typically limited in duration and allocation, particularly within tightly held developments where demand remains high.

&nbsp;

Offer available on selected residences at Aere Chevron Island only. Stamp duty contribution provided by the developer at settlement and cannot be exchanged for cash or combined with any other offer unless approved by the developer. Offer valid for contracts signed on or before 30 June 2026. The developer reserves the right to amend or withdraw the offer at any time without notice. Terms and conditions apply.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143932]

Martello™ offers limited time stamp duty concessions at Aere Chevron Island

New development specialists Lachlan Cottee and Ben Dalgleish have unveiled their new development firm, Dalcott, following several successful projects delivered under the Pyco banner across the region.

Pyco is currently delivering Atelier in nearby West End, Nouveau in Albion, and Onde at Kirra, its debut Gold Coast apartment development in the booming Kirra Beach precinct.

Its first plans under the new Dalcott banner are in South Brisbane, which has been Brisbane’s most enquired-on suburb so far in 2026, while neighbouring West End has also continued to record strong demand.

The developer already has approval for an 11-storey building with 65 apartments on Browning Street, however has recently acquired the adjoining 910 sqm site at the rear, creating a combined 2,746 sqm footprint that will now allow for two 11-storey buildings with 92 large-scale apartments, a configuration Cottee and Dalgleish have focused on across their local portfolio.

The project, known as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marrone-south-brisbane-39-browning-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">Marrone</a>, will comprise 84 three-bedroom apartments, 16 of which will include an additional multipurpose room, and just eight two-bedroom residences.

DAH Architecture has led the design of Marrone, which will include more than 330 sqm of communal open space and rooftop recreation areas.

<img alt="Marrone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7eeea1a0-be23-47c8-80fb-3409428241fd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-21%20at%209.36.38%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pZW7o.tB7oJovYCRIFSxrZbMr6QdpHy." />

Cottee told Apartments.com.au the project reflects a gap in Brisbane’s apartment market.

"It is an area we know well with Atelier, another development which focuses on large apartments, less than 300 metres away," Cottee says.

"There's limited supply of large-scale apartments of this size in a single building in Brisbane. The majority of apartments in this category are in considerably smaller buildings, on the water, and are only really accessible to the deepest of pockets.

"Marrone will offer the same size and scale, but with greater amenity and at a much more realistic price point for the market."

The architectural approach reflects the continued evolution of South Brisbane’s higher-density residential character. Renders show a heavily landscaped façade composition with curved balconies, textured brickwork, deep recesses, and integrated planting aimed at softening the scale of the twin towers.

The revised proposal builds on the design narrative established in the original scheme. In the earlier submission, Gatehouse Architects described the project as a continuation of Browning Street’s long-term urban transformation.

“The proposal echoes the spirit of early developments like Watson Terrace (built in 1888), by contributing to the growth and diversification of the local population,” the original design statement noted.

“Just as Watson Terrace played a role in the area’s early gentrification, this development continues that trajectory, delivering contemporary housing that addresses the evolving needs of South Brisbane’s expanding community.”

The updated proposal, designed by DAH Architecture, spans a 2,746 sqm corner site with frontages to Browning and O’Connell Streets. The development will comprise two 11-storey residential buildings delivering 92 apartments, replacing the previously proposed 65-unit scheme.

The apartment mix has shifted further toward larger owner-occupier residences, continuing Dalcott’s established strategy across South East Queensland. The plans include 68 three-bedroom apartments, 16 three-bedroom apartments with multipurpose rooms, and eight two-bedroom residences. Two basement levels will provide 142 car spaces, alongside bicycle parking for 115 bikes.

The larger Marrone proposal arrives amid sustained redevelopment momentum across South Brisbane and the wider Kurilpa precinct, where developers are increasingly targeting owner-occupiers seeking larger apartments close to the CBD, cultural precincts, and riverfront amenity.

The site sits within walking distance of South Bank, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane State High School, and several major transport connections, while nearby Fish Lane and West End continue to drive demand for higher-end inner-city apartments.

Cottee is expecting Marrone to launch around August with Realm Projects.

Exclusive: Dalcott doubles down on South Brisbane with twin-tower Marrone plans

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/doma-group">DOMA Group</a> has unveiled plans for Newcastle Quay, a major waterfront precinct set to reshape Newcastle’s harbourfront and further cement the city’s evolution into one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban destinations.

Positioned on a prominent site within the Honeysuckle Precinct, Newcastle Quay will span both sides of Honeysuckle Drive, connecting directly to the Foreshore Promenade and sitting within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange.

The mixed-use precinct is planned to include around 1,000 apartments, more than 28,000 sqm of commercial office space, 6,000 sqm of retail, and a 180-room hotel anchored by a 500-seat conference and exhibition centre, a move expected to significantly lift Newcastle’s ability to attract major business and tourism events.
</section>

<img alt="DOMA Group unveil Newcastle’s future with transformative Newcastle Quay Precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0642ca09-67cc-4920-8a7e-d18df9729b4e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/%3D.png?VersionId=CnDmZxQnOV5LN0ePu7jaFBXC9tPGTrWm" />

The proposal builds on DOMA’s growing Newcastle pipeline, where the developer has already delivered 866 apartments and more than 19,000 sqm of commercial and retail space since entering the market in 2013. A further $2 billion pipeline is also in the works across the city.

The masterplan and executive architecture are led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, with building concepts developed alongside Stewart Architecture, Architecture AND and Curious Practice, and landscape design by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/turf-design">Turf Design Studio</a>. More than 11,000 sqm of open space is planned, including a new waterfront park known as Honeysuckle Green, upgrades to Tree of Knowledge Park, and new pedestrian and cycling links throughout the precinct.

At the centre of the development will be the heritage-listed Wickham School of Arts, which DOMA plans to reposition as the civic and cultural heart of the precinct through restaurants, bars, events and public gathering spaces.

The broader vision is to create a genuine day-to-night precinct, blending residential, hospitality, retail, commercial and cultural uses in a way Newcastle has yet to experience at this scale.

DOMA Group Managing Director Jure Domazet said the aim was to create a precinct that becomes synonymous with Newcastle itself.

“Our vision is to create a precinct that not only delivers high-quality commercial, residential, and cultural spaces, but also defines Newcastle’s waterfront for generations to come,” Domazet said.

DOMA’s Chris Farrington said the project would fundamentally change how Newcastle is perceived nationally.

“Newcastle Quay is more than a waterfront precinct, it is a national announcement for this city,” Farrington said.

“A world-class Conference and Exhibition Centre will open Newcastle and the Hunter Region to a national and international audience for the first time, delivering something this city has long deserved.”

The project is expected to generate more than 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs and act as a major economic driver for the Hunter region through tourism, business events, hospitality and commercial investment.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the final parcel of harbourfront land will be a "true mixed-use precinct destination that includes housing, hospitality and entertainment, commercial spaces, retail, economic and social outcomes."

DOMA Group unveils 1,000-apartment Newcastle Quay precinct

ASX-listed developer Stockland is continuing to ramp up its return to the apartment market.

In late 2024, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a> announced it would resume apartment development after a 13-year absence, launching with Stanton Place in Rosebery, a 144-apartment project now under construction.

Last week, the developer unveiled plans alongside the NSW Government for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-nsw-gov-unveils-plans-for-3-300-home-waterloo-south-renewal">3,300-home precinct in Waterloo</a>.

Now, Stockland has shifted its focus in St Leonards, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to replace an approved 42-storey office tower with a 52-storey residential development comprising more than 500 apartments.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8979095e-9072-432b-a7da-58b180cf994d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=_jbRXYOafCSHjwsz.yQCNIymMyCj8zkF" />

An existing 14-storey commercial office building would make way for a 264.5-metre tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>. The project would deliver 538 apartments, including 30 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses at the podium and ground plane.

It will rise from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">601 Pacific Highway</a>, a prominent 2,844 sqm triangular site adjoining Mitchell Plaza and fronting Pacific Highway.

The development is being pursued under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway after Stockland’s proposal was declared State Significant Development earlier this year.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67f40f35-0458-47ab-80c0-a4e98a31838a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%201.png?VersionId=rxXe3njr.auuGDuiR0k42uI8Zr4K.gZA" />

The apartment mix includes 217 one-bedroom apartments, 191 two-bedroom apartments, 122 three-bedroom apartments, and eight four-bedroom residences. Six basement levels would accommodate 300 car spaces, bicycle parking, loading areas, and building services.

Bates Smart said the project has been shaped around a series of urban design principles intended to improve the pedestrian experience and respond to the evolving character of St Leonards.

“With a boundary length of almost 75m along Pacific Highway and 70m along Atchison Street to the north, complying simply with the LEP envelope and required setbacks would result in a very wide tower form on the skyline,” the architects noted in the Design Report.

“We propose breaking the tower form into two defined volumes rather than a singular form.”

The podium has similarly been articulated into separate forms to reduce perceived bulk and create a finer-grain response to Mitchell Plaza and Atchison Street. Retail tenancies would activate the lower levels, while commercial space is proposed across the podium floors.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="90149990-0551-40d2-bd48-14b69a015d12" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%202.png?VersionId=MJC2KIIWFvU9FPGr3IVq09gkRN_gX3m8" />

The design also places a significant emphasis on communal amenity and environmental performance. Residents would have access to landscaped terraces, wellness areas, flexible workspaces, and rooftop communal facilities, while the all-electric building is targeting an average 7-star NatHERS rating. Bates Smart said the project incorporates passive design measures including natural ventilation, integrated shading, and lightweight façade systems.

Planning documents note the site is around 350 metres from St Leonards Station and 400 metres from the metro entrance, placing it within one of Sydney’s most connected emerging residential precincts.

The project arrives amid a wave of large-scale redevelopment proposals reshaping the St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline. Several nearby sites have recently been approved, lodged, or declared under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway as the precinct absorbs significant residential density uplift tied to transit-oriented development policies.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7805bd7c-dfd7-4b35-8e15-ec4a8bf8e61b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=iY12K2m2bQ6EeDnshqfZC9rbLx_oEugP" />

Bates Smart’s report describes St Leonards as transitioning away from its historical commercial identity toward a more mixed-use urban environment.

“In recent years, the character of St Leonards has started to evolve, driven by new development trends along the Pacific Highway corridor,” the report said.

“These projects have increasingly focused on residential accommodation, marking a shift from its purely commercial roots.”

Sekisui House Australia is currently selling Waterstone down near Newlands Park, in a pocket being branded "St Leonards South." Hyecorp recently completed Audrey in the same pocket.

First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower

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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I was left eating humble pie this week following comments I made in an interview that appeared in the Australian Financial Review pertaining to the federal government’s announcement that another six homes had been identified as being acquired illegally and a further 462 sales under investigation. 
My response was “It’s nothing more than a PR stunt and a distraction. It’s been done for feel-good cuddles” – how wrong was I.
Later that day, I received an email from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) boss heading up this investigation which (politely) outlined the detail of their inquiry which clearly identified the magnitude of this investigation which earnestly commenced in May this year. Owners of property bought illegally must voluntarily contact the ATO prior to 1 November 2015 to receive an amnesty of not being prosecuted.
Now once and for all, we will find out exactly what’s been happening as I have been saying for quite some time that this is rife within the real estate industry. It will be fascinating to see what recommendations are made and then implemented. I have been a strong proponent of tax file numbers being provided to the ATO on the exchange of contracts for every residential sale. It will also be interesting to see if the 100% selling ratio for all new developments is brought back to 50% as it was in 2008? Opening up our property markets to international exposure has certainly led to rapid price growth from Asian property investors.
Australia had a record number of 1.7 million international tourists visit last year which included a 21% surge from China.
This inquiry is timely given the number of recent global warnings of money laundering in real estate where Sydney and Melbourne have been suggested as hot spots. Residential property in Australia is the single largest and most valuable asset class worth an estimated $5.7 trillion. Sydney now ranks third in the world for luxury residential annual price growth according to Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Index. Sydney’s 12.5% growth now sits just behind Miami on 13.9% and Vancouver on 15% annual price growth. The report also identified that “a year ago eight cities recorded double – digit annual price growth. This quarter only four cities fell within this bracket.”
China’s shock devaluation significantly raises the risk that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will be forced to cut the cash rate further which is a worst case scenario for the RBA. More particularly when this week Deputy Governor Philip Lowe said “Given the position of household balance sheets, it is unlikely to be in our long – term interest for a consumption boom to be financed by a pick –up in household borrowing.”
“Ever-rising house prices, relative to our incomes, do increase risks in the economy and are unlikely to make us better off as a nation. Rising housing prices are best matched by rising incomes.”
Then of course we will have to wait to see how many divestment orders are issued by the ATO where hopefully the owners won’t be allowed to “flip” which was the case when Villa del Mare was issued with the first divestment order a few months back.
Another interesting aspect will be closely watching the Sydney and Melbourne clearance rates now that it is very clear the role that the ATO is playing with their pursuit of illegal purchases given that I am not the only one who thought this was all political shirt-fronting.
<h5>MOSMAN – 2088</h5>
• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 63
• Number of houses on the market last week – 48
• Number of houses on the market this week – 47
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 55
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 41
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 40
<h5>CREMORNE – 2090</h5>
• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 7
• Number of houses on the market last week – 3
• Number of houses on the market this week – 2
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year – 14
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 30
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 18
<h5>NEUTRAL BAY – 2089</h5>
• Number of houses on the market this time last year – 4
• Number of houses on the market last week – 2
•Number of houses on the market this week – 2
• Number of apartments on the market this time last year– 36
• Number of apartments on the market last week – 26
• Number of apartments on the market this week – 25
 
ROBERT SIMEON is a director of <a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" target="_blank" title="RWM" rel="nofollow">Richardson Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay</a> and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985.  He has also been writing real estate blog <a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" target="_blank" title="Virtual Realty News" rel="nofollow">Virtual Realty News</a> since 2000. 
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robertsimeon-hRNTwJyXkQ

Federal government property taskforce not for feel-good cuddles: Robert Simeon

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Getting started on your property investment journey can be daunting. I'm reminded of this when I hear from people who haven't yet been able to take that step forward. 
It's something that comes naturally to me now after sourcing many properties and development sites for our Property Bloom clients but I can still remember very clearly my first investment property purchase. Man, was I nervous!
Some people seem to be able to make a quick (yet still educated) decision and others 'think' about it for weeks, months and sometimes years. Being decisive is a great skill to have. 
I had a call the other day from a lady who said she'd been following my articles on Property Observer for years but couldn't ever get to the point of making a decision on how to buy her first property, where to buy it and how much she should spend. 
In this time, she watched the Sydney market rise and rise until it was virtually unviable to her as an investment option. Then she was kicking herself for not getting in earlier.
The one thing I wanted to communicate to her was to "take small steps".  Break down the process so that it doesn't seem so overwhelming. 
Start with your finance. How much can you borrow and service and how much do you feel comfortable borrowing? Once you have a budget then you've taken the first step. 
With that budget in mind, look for locations with a median price point around the same as your budget. Choose a few different suburbs in this location and then spend time in these suburbs. Drive around, hang out in the shopping centre, study the people who live there. Strike up conversations and ask about what they love about living there... and if  there are any streets they wouldn't live. What are the schools like and are there good community facilities like sporting fields, skate parks, playgrounds, places for families to enjoy. 
Once you get a 'feel' for the area and the people living there, then start some more detailed due diligence on the local economy, job opportunities, infrastructure projects, council's long term plans for the area, population growth, recent past sales, rental returns and vacancy rates. Attend auctions and talk to real estate agents about what tenants are looking for.   
There that's the next step taken, and all of a sudden you've become very knowledgeable and narrowed down the suburb where you'll invest.  Follow the sales market in the streets you like and you'll soon know what a good deal looks like. 
Remember to look for development potential in a property; can you add value to it either now or in the future?  Search for large block sizes, dual access points, houses you can add a bedroom or upgrade the kitchen or bathroom to increase the rent.  Property located in a medium density zone means you'll have more options later to develop it. Find property that is close to shops, on public transport routes and within a short drive to the central business district or to the closest city.  
Finally, get ready to move quickly. When you find a property that ticks all the boxes and with a finance preapproval under your belt, you can confidently make an offer.
Don't be disappointed if you miss out as all this adds to your experience and there will be other properties that come up soon. By going through this process you'll establish relationships with locals and agents and soon that first small step will lead to an investment property purchase. 
Jo Chivers is Chief Executive Officer of property development project managers <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/about" target="_blank">Property Bloom</a>.
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Small steps will lead to big things: Jo Chivers

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Did Australia pass a prohibition law on property investment but forget to tell anyone?
Somewhere in recent history, buying property has mutated from a normal part of Australian life into something with the odour of dealing in illicit drugs on murky street corners.
Mums and dads trying to provide for their kids’ education are accused of smashing the dreams of first-home buyers.
Those seeking to fund their retirement without burdening the state are labeled speculators.
People on average incomes who own one investment property – i.e. the majority of property investors - are portrayed as greedy bastards ripping off the tax system.
Foreign buyers of Australian property treated as criminals by the buffoon otherwise known as the Federal Treasurer.
Suddenly, property investment is everyone’s top-of-mind political football. Property investors have become the whipping boy of choice for everyone from the Prime Minister to the Reserve Bank to lefty lunatic fringe dwellers. It’s become hip to be anti-property.
Investors are there to be exploited, pilloried and abused. Regulators are having a field day, banks are boosting their profits and local councils are propping up their balance sheets by hammering property investors.
So Australia needs to make a fundamental decision: is property investment okay or is it not?
Last time I checked, it was legal. Last time I analysed it, it was an activity that benefited the nation. Every way I look at it, it’s something that should be nurtured, especially if Australia wants its citizens to be self-funded in retirement.
Unfortunately, the politicians who run the country or parts of it don’t see investors as valued citizens undertaking worthy activities. They treat them as bunnies ripe for exploitation, both financially and politically. 
Over $70 billion gets ripped out of the real estate industry in taxes every year. The cost to the public purse of negative gearing is petty cash by comparison.
Politicians, being the inherently-dishonest bottom feeders that they are, are happy to blame affordability issues on investors. It’s a convenient distraction from the fundamental truth that politicians’ taxes on real estate activity add 40% to the cost of every new home built in Australia.
Local councils subsidise the rates charged to their constituents by slamming investor owners with higher charges. State Governments slug them with higher rates of stamp duty and a medieval impost called land tax.
Banks are exploiting the APRA brain explosion by slugging investor borrowers with higher interest rates at a time when the trend is overwhelmingly to lower interest rates. 
Everywhere investors turn, lenders and bureaucrats and political activists and elected representatives are doing their damnedest to damage them.
So what’s the answer to that fundamental question, Australia? Is real estate investment okay or not?
You need to decide. And then get out of the way.
 
TERRY RYDER is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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It’s become hip to be anti-property: Terry Ryder

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Institutional investors have injected more than $3 billion into the sub-regional and neighbourhood markets in the 12 months to June with neighbourhood centre sales up 180% on the five year average.
According to the Australian Neighbourhood and Sub-Regional Shopping Centre Spotlight from Savills Australia neighbourhood shopping centre transactions totalled $2.5 billion in the year to June, up on the five year average of $895 million.
Tony Crabb, Savills’ national head of research, said institutions accounted for 65%of the $2.5 billion national spend on neighbourhood shopping centres and 67% of the $2.l billion outlayed on sub-regional assets over the period.
"At $2.1 billion sub-regional sales were also up, albeit a mere 17 per cent on the $1.8 billion of recorded sales in the previous year, but almost double the five-year average of $1.1 billion," Mr Crabb said.
"Of those sales, funds, trusts and syndicates have accounted for $1.625 billion in neighbourhood shopping centre transactions and $1.407 billion in sub-regional sales."
Steven Lerche, Savills’ national director of retail investments said the demand had seen yields for prime assets tighten to a post-GFC low, at 6.25 to 6.5%, which would continue to come under pressure as cashed up institutions and low interest rates continued to drive the market.
"Foreign investment, which had been a key driver of record property investment markets in recent times, has not been a significant player in recent neighbourhood and sub-regional sales although foreign money is increasingly looking to partner with Australian connections," Mr Lerche said.
 
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Institutional investors spend $3 billion in neighbourhood markets: Savills

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The top five recent Burgess Rawson commercial auction sales include three Dan Murphy retail outlets, a Bunnings store and a Hungry Jacks restaurant.
The sale spanned the east coast of Australia from Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.
1 Dan Murphy's 328-332 Victoria Road, Gladesville, NSW, sold for $11,510,00, a yield 4.56%
2 Dan Murphy's 169 Crawford Street Queanbeyan, ACT, sold for $11.3 million on a yield of 4.7%. 
3 Bunnings, 74 Nyah Road, Swan Hill, Victoria, sold for $10,950,00, a yield of 5.11%
4 Dan Murphy's 1177-1183 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows, Victoria, price undisclosed
5 Hungry Jacks 100 Edith Street Innisfail, Queensland, sold for $2,825,000 - yield of 5.71%
 
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Top five Burgess Rawson commercial auction sales

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Marketed as Australia's most affordable Woolworths, Burgess Rawson have secure the sale of the George Town, Tasmania premises for $4.95 million at recent auction.
The 8 Bathurst Street, George Town tenants come with an established lease with 20 + 10 year lease through to 2042. 
The rent is $336,682 pa.
The 1978 square metre Woolworths at <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/3P1087#.Va8OqSqqqko" target="_blank">8 Bathurst Street, George Town</a> has been described as a "consistent and progressively performing investment" with a captive trade catchment. 
The single tenant offering has minimum management investment with income tax saving depreciation. 
George Town is described as a residential and service centre for major industry including Bell Bay Aluminium generating a 1,500 workforce. 
George Town is a large town in north-east Tasmania, on the eastern bank of the mouth of the Tamar River. 
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George Town Woolworths sells at $4.95 million

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Woolworths-backed retail properties sold well at last week's Burgess Rawson portfolio auction in Sydney.
The two, large-format Dan Murphy's liquor stores in NSW smashed price expectations on sub-5% yields.
A near-new Dan Murphy's on Victoria Road in Gladesville fetched $11.51 millon on a 4.6% yield.
A new Dan Murphy's on Crawford Street in Queanbeyan, NSW sold for $11.3 million on a yield of 4.7%.
Both properties have fresh 15-year leases with Woolworths plus renewal options to 2060.
Burgess Rawson director Graeme Watson, who forecast the Dan Murphy's liquor stores to sell for as much as $10 million with yields ranging from 5.5% to 6.25%, said he had over 350 enquiries for the two Dan Murphy's.
There were seven bidders on each of the properties.
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Dan Murphy stores sell at sub-5% yields at Burgess Rawson auction

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Sydney CBD rental rates have stayed stable over the last 12 months with some moderate growth in the super prime region.
Rental prices in the super prime  Pitt Street Mall retail avenue currently ranges from $10,000/m2 to $15,000/m2, while a selected number of recent leases have been above $15,000/m2, according to the Knight Frank's Sydney CBD August retail market brief.
The market brief found unwavering demand from overseas retails is driving leasing in the CBD, however Knight Frank senior research analyst Luke Crawford said  a number of international retailers waiting significant periods until suitable options become available.
"While demand is high, a lack of suitable options which offer scale and appropriate street frontage has stemmed the flow to some extent," Mr Crawford said.
"This was the case with H&amp;M who spent four years looking to enter the Sydney CBD before securing 5,000m2 at Pitt Street’s Glasshouse Centre."
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International retailers boosting Sydney super prime property markets

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A 1960s 204 room hotel in Western Australia  has been listed for sale through CBRE and Burgess Rawson.
The Newman Hotel Motel has been substantially upgraded and currently turns over $1.2 million per month.
The property is being offered for sale by Offers to Purchase closing at 5pm Thursday 3rd September at the offices of CBRE and Burgess Rawson, Perth.
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WA's Newman Hotel Motel listed for sale

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The 117-square-metre high tech billboard sign on a wall in the heart of Melbourne's CBD sold at Burgess Rawson auction last week for $3.05 million.
Set on a wall on the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street above Melbourne's busiest pedestrian crossing, the digital billboard, worth $1 million, is currently rented out by an advertising company until 2039 for $375,000 a year.
The rent is set to increase ever year by CPI and every fifth year to match the market.
A rare Melbourne signage property at 7/238 Flinders Street is leased to Digital Outdoor Media (VIC) Pty Ltd, a leading Australian marketing company.
It comes with view and access agreement with adjoining property.
Burgess Rawson agent Graeme Watson was advising pre-auction of its high yield anticipation circa 10%.
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