<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

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The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

Brisbane

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Brisbane’s median house price has hit a record-breaking $720,000, after 4.4 per cent annual house price growth in 2020. 

According to the latest Queensland Market Monitor published by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, Brisbane’s median house price rose 1.4 per cent in the September quarter to $720,000 across 2751 transactions.

Annually, Brisbane’s median house price rose 4.4 per cent to reach $710,000 with 12,309 transactions.

The REIQ advised Brisbane houses are in the “rising phase of the price cycle.”

The state's most expensive housing market, Noosa was the best performer for median house price growth for a third consecutive quarter, rising 3.6 per cent growth to $895,000. 

Noosa’s quarterly median unit price was also the top performer for units, rising 5 per cent to $705,000. 

The Gold Coast saw a 3.2 percent annual house price rise to September, to $640,000.

The Gold Coast's unit and townhouse median price recorded a 1.8 per cent rise to $420,000.
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The REIQ advised Brisbane houses are in the “rising phase of the price cycle.”

jchancellor

Brisbane’s median house price hits record $720,000

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Brisbane Heat wicket-keeper batsman Jimmy Peirson and wife Amy are selling their first home they bought together.

They’ve renovated the 1960s home during their three year ownership, having paid $524,000 in 2017.

Set on 560 sqm, the home has three bedrooms and one bathroom, which they’ve left the lower level gutted, described in the marketing as a blank canvas.

The home became a $500 a week rental in late 2019 when the couple traded up to Everton Park, where they spent $882,000 on a renovated four bedroom home.

Peirson has been with the Brisbane Heat since 2014.

In 2018 he became Queensland's youngest-ever Sheffield Shield winning captain when the Bulls won the competition in 2018.
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The home became a $500 a week rental in late 2019 when the couple traded up to Everton Park



Brisbane Heat wicket-keeper Jimmy Peirson lists former Stafford Heights home

Brisbane-based developer Pikos Group is planning a $200 million luxury apartment project on a Kangaroo Point site&nbsp;that will feature a floating 1,000 sqm Sky Deck.&nbsp;With a design inspired by the famous Marina Bay Sands development in Singapore, Pikos will deliver a boutique collection of 68 luxury apartments over three towers, topped by a&nbsp;rooftop bar and restaurant to accompany a private residents&rsquo; pool deck overlooking the city skyline.

The 2,330 sqm landmark site located atop the Kangaroo Point cliffs on the corner of River Terrace and Main Street, was acquired by Pikos Group from international hotels group Banyan Tree. The Singapore-based company, which paid $16.8 million for the site in 2014, had planned a major apartment project on the holding. Pikos has amended Banyan Tree&rsquo;s original single-tower design with plans for three boutique towers of up to 13 storeys on the site.

Designed by Brisbane architectural firm Arkhefield, the project will deliver&nbsp;apartments that span the entire east-west width of each tower, providing uninterrupted views of the Botanic Gardens, the Brisbane River, Storey Bridge and the city, as well as views across to the eastern arm of the Brisbane River to New Farm and beyond. Each building will have two apartments per floor with balconies along the River Terrace frontage.

Plans for the 8 River Terrace site a floating Sky Deck spanning two of the buildings which will feature a world-class restaurant&nbsp;and bar facility that will be open to the general public.&nbsp;

The apartment offering will include six penthouses, each with their own private rooftop terraces. Pikos says the project is aimed at the booming owner-occupier market seeking inner-city living. Ground floor amenities will include a fully equipped gym and a private, secure sub-tropical garden, while a separate caf&eacute; will service both residents and the general public.

The private company has a workbook in Southeast Queensland of $1.3 billion, with a large portfolio in Kangaroo Point which is it believes is shaping up as Brisbane&rsquo;s hotspot. Recent commercial developments include the South Brisbane Health and Wellness centre at Mater Hill. Pikos has lodged a development application with the Brisbane City Council for the 8 River Terrace project and the company plans to begin construction in 2021 once approvals are granted.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059]

Featuring a design inspired by the famous Marina Bay Sands development in Singapore, Pikos will deliver a boutique collection of 68 luxury apartments over three towers.

urban.com.au

Pikos Group plan $200 million luxury Brisbane apartment project

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Property investors need to pay more attention to price points, rather than just generic price growth.
If I was to tell you that there were more home sales under $400,000 across Brisbane than, say, between $600,000 and $800,000, many of you might not believe me. A similar trend exists across most other Australian capitals, including Sydney and Melbourne; and this is definitely the case in our regional towns.
This information is very important for a range of reasons.
Market size is important. More so, for me, than the general direction or position of the market. Size does matter. Buyers should know how many sales take place in their particular price category.
This helps work out how long it might take to resell. It also gives a clue as to how much one might need to promote their property in the future in order to achieve a sale.
Most property sells for less than the property intelligentsia would have us believe. We largely read about the ‘good news’ in all those property investment mags, and not the bad - or even plain average.
Again, most dwellings sold across Australia sell for under $500,000. A third sell for prices under $350,000.
The market is shaped like a pyramid. Sales volumes diminish as prices rise.
In general, the more you pay for a property, the fewer buyers there are to resell to in the future. That isn’t to say there hasn’t been growth in the size of the top end housing market across Australia. Today, one in 10 of our homes achieves over $1 million on sale, up from 3% 10 years ago. One in 50 sells for over $2 million, up from 0.7% a decade earlier.
Another important point is that price movement isn’t uniform across a market.
Certain price points move more than others, and this changes, depending on the market’s position in the property cycle.
For example, Brisbane is in a recovery phase, so the more expensive properties are starting to sell. While there has been some movement in the number of house sales priced in the more affordable sub $350,000 price range (a 12% lift) over the past three months, this is mild compared to the increase in sales priced between $500,000 and $1 million, which has increased by over 30%.
Sales over $1 million are up a whopping 43%.
In contrast, during a downturn for example, it is the cheaper properties that see more growth in sales volumes.
Keep the latest Brisbane dwelling price points in mind:
<ul>
<li>38%: Under $400,000 
</li>
<li>39%: $400,000 to $600,000 
</li>
<li>6%: $800,000 to $1,000,000 
</li>
<li>4%: Over $1,000,000</li>
</ul>
In summary, I believe investors – especially those starting out – should buy a property in the larger price brackets. There is safety in numbers. Properties in these price groups are generally more affordable, making them more ‘downturn’ proof.
When you read about generic price growth, keep in mind that not all of the market is moving at the same pace. Some market segments may even be moving in a different direction. There are many housing markets, even in the same city and local area.
 
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michaelmatusik-49YzLvdmNv

Keep your eye on price points, not price growth

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<div id="post-body-1248243627302399679" class="post-body entry-content">
Greater Brisbane's apartment construction boom totters on its last legs, with annual unit approvals crashing by 42 percent (so far), and developers struggling to sell out live projects. 
There are still quite a number of significant projects under construction. 
When finished, the project will comprise 360 apartments across the three residential towers. 
On Old Cleveland Street, the old retail eyesore has gone, to be replaced with 7,000 square metres of new retail space, including cafés, restaurants, and a 10-theatre cinema precinct.
The final stage of the apartments has reportedly yet to sell out, despite being approved in 2014 and being located in a relatively prime location. 
Over the medium term this will doubtless be a very popular location, but the appetite for new apartments has been sated for this cycle.
</div>
<div class="post-footer"> </div>
<div class="post-footer">
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>.
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Greater Brisbane's apartment construction boom totters on its last legs: Pete Wargent 

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EXPERT OBSERVER
It's all happening in Brisbane CBD... there's not too much downing of tools or time for smoko around here at the moment!
So while residential construction is now slowing towards multi-year lows, there's plenty happening in the commercial and infrastructure space.
One of the major broadsheets reported this week on its front page that traffic controllers on the Queen's Wharf project are set to earn more than $194,000 per annum, including 10 hours per week of paid overtime.
Meanwhile, including overtime carpenters are expected to earn around $240,000 per year for a 46-hour week.
All of which will feed itself back into Brisbane's economy over the next few years.
We looked at some of the major projects and what they might mean for Brisbane at our buyer's agency website <a href="http://allenwargent.com.au/why-you-wont-recognise-brisbane-5-years-from-now-3-minute-video/" target="_blank">here</a>. 
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KtQy-K-vC5c/XaPSuPvLbHI/AAAAAAAAyQE/_x0BT6JdDHMFnjRj2rciTcjtK8Svzv69gCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/QW.jpg" width="640" height="320" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600">
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>. 
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Commercial construction booming in the Brisbane CBD: Pete Wargent

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Brisbane’s market has been busy recently, without delivering strong capital growth. It has in common with most of the nation’s capital cities a reluctance to join Sydney in a property boom.
It’s overdue for a period of growth because it’s been an under-achiever in the recent past. It ranks fifth among the eight state and territory capitals for long-term capital growth, well behind (in order of ranking) Perth, Melbourne, Darwin and Sydney.
Based on Domain figures for the average annual growth in median prices over the past 10 years, the top 20 suburbs in Perth all have growth rates between 9% and 10% per year. Brisbane’s top 20, bar one, are between 6% and 7% per year.
Brisbane averages have been dragged down by poor performance in the past four years. City markets took time to recover from the floods of early 2011. In the years since, Perth, Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne have all had periods of price growth ranging from solid to strong, but Brisbane has yet to join the growth party.
Parts of the Brisbane metropolitan area have out-performed, but the average citywide performance has been lukewarm.
Looking at the figures describing growth rates for the past 10 years, Brisbane currently has only one suburb with a growth rate above 7% (Hendra, which averages 7.6%). All of the other Top 20 suburbs have long-term growth rates between 6.0% and 6.9%. 
The leading precinct is Brisbane Northside – the northern suburbs of the Brisbane City Council area – which provides the top four suburbs and six of the top 10. This area is prominent in terms of capital growth rates because it led the upturn in sales activity in the city market in 2013 and 2014 – and many suburbs have recorded double-digit annual price growth in the past 12 months, lifting their long-term growth rates.
The Brisbane Northside suburbs, and indeed most of the suburbs on the Top 20 list, represent Brisbane’s middle market. The 12 most expensive suburbs in the Brisbane region have median house prices in the range from $900,000 to $1.2 million. The middle market is the next tier below that – and that’s the market that leads on capital growth rates.
All but one of the Top 20 have median prices below $900,000. Fourteen of the Top 20 have median prices in the $600,000s and $700,000s. There are currently no bottom-end suburbs on the list – only two have medians below $600,000. 
I expect a different result a year from now, as many of the cheaper markets are now rising across the Brisbane metropolitan area and are likely to experience good price growth, lifting their long-term growth rates.
Brisbane’s most expensive suburbs have been mediocre performers – only one of the 12 priciest suburbs features on the Top 20 list for capital growth rates. Only four of them have capital growth rates above 6%.
The worst performing precinct has been the Moreton Bay Regional Council area in the far north of the Greater Brisbane area. Seven of the Bottom 20 suburbs are located there. This may change in the near future, as this precinct is one of the areas with elevated sales activity, as the momentum ripples out from the neighbouring Brisbane Northside precinct.
BRISBANE TOP 20 – ANNUAL GROWTH % OVER 10 YEARS
<table style="height: 293px; width: 392px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
No.
</td>
<td valign="middle">
SUBURB
</td>
<td valign="middle">
MUNICIPALITY
</td>
<td valign="middle">
  MEDIAN
</td>
<td valign="middle">
GROWTH RATE %
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
1
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Hendra
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-North
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $815,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    7.6
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
2
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Newmarket
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-North
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $740,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.9
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
3
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Gordon Park
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-North
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $700,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
4
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Northgate
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-North
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $610,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
5
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Paddington
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-Inner
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $865,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.6
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
6
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Cannon Hill
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-East
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $705,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
7
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Lutwyche
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-North
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $697,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
8
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Doolandella
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-South
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $460,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
9
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Gaythorne
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-North
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $618,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
10
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Bardon
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-West
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $840,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
11
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Fig Tree Pocket
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-West
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $934,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
12
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Holland Park
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-South
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $619,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
13
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Woolloongabba
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-Inner
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $645,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
14
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Camp Hill
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-South
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $748,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
15
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Fairfield
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-South
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $678,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
16
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Upper Mt Gravatt
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-South
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $550,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
17
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Albion
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-North
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $687,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
18
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Eight Mile Plains
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-South
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $619,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
19
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Norman Park
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-East
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $760,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">
20
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Seven Hills
</td>
<td valign="middle">
Brisbane-East
</td>
<td valign="middle">
 $618,000
</td>
<td valign="middle">
    6.0
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
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> 
Terry was recently joined by Property Observer editor at large Jonathan Chancellor for a webinar on why research is the key to successful property investing in 2015. You can download slides and audio from the webinar here.
 
 
 
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Top 20 Brisbane growth suburbs of the decade: Terry Ryder

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<div>When I first came to Sydney in the 1990s, there was a lot of talk about housing being expensive, although in truth it was still possible buy decent blocks of land reasonably close to the city, at least in the less fashionable inner western suburbs.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I can also remember years ago reading a blog by Property Update contributor Stuart Wemyss, which argued that although some parts of Melbourne were evidently expensive, most of the talk about oversupply and a property bubble was just short term noise. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Wemyss highlighted a very similar point: you could still find decent blocks of dirt close to the city, for a price that wasn't absurd - demonstrably not the case in many so-termed 'global cities', which Melbourne aspires to become - and over the years he was proven right.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I feel a bit the same about Brisbane today.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sure, there are some suburbs that are expensive, as you would expect with the Greater Brisbane population approaching 2.5 million. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>But you can still find blocks of land reasonably close to the city, within a 6-8km radius of the CBD, for a relatively good price. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Of course, there will be ups and downs, but over the next couple of cycles the right property types and locations will likely perform very well, in my opinion, especially in good school zones. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Although some areas have been overbuilt with high rise apartments, south-east Queensland will offer some of the best opportunities over the decades ahead, as it expands as a population hub and becomes more popular with Asian migrants. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The forthcoming Commonwealth Games will be a plus too.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Slump, and rebound</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Queensland has always attracted migrants from interstate, and as the resources mega-projects kicked off through the early years of the mining boom, the Sunshine State was pulling in tens of thousands of internal migrants per annum. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>These were unbridled boom years both for Queensland's economy and Brisbane housing.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>From 2010, demand for Brisbane housing slumped, broadly in tune with internal population flows.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Unfortunately, with apartment projects often taking an age from approval to completion, this was also a time at which many interstate investors settled on new units, which are now under water, figuratively speaking (not only in Brisbane, but in other parts of Queensland too). </div>
 
<div class="separator"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0I2CmhdgPk/Wc9CDDm3V6I/AAAAAAAAmYM/Pk3tVR5P5YMB9zNT-8oVgi4R06aVWBMSQCLcBGAs/s1600/QLD2.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0I2CmhdgPk/Wc9CDDm3V6I/AAAAAAAAmYM/Pk3tVR5P5YMB9zNT-8oVgi4R06aVWBMSQCLcBGAs/s640/QLD2.jpg" width="640" height="380" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1271"></a></div>
 
<div>More literally speaking, Brisbane experienced severe floods in 2010-11, which arguably exacerbated a downturn that was already in the post as LNG projects approached completion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>By March this year, estimated interstate migration to Queensland had risen to its highest level since 2009.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>So, what's going on? It's partly a function of the housing market cycle, with Sydney now expensive, and congested.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Another boon for Queensland is that took its capex downturn medicine earlier than Western Australia, so although it was painful, the drag has now ended, with roads and other infrastructure projects having kicked off.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14swRzkG8Sg/Wc9rrn08RXI/AAAAAAAAmYk/zodXh_b89Ns1Mm_M21U6coYIVx8ybiRigCLcBGAs/s1600/ENG.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14swRzkG8Sg/Wc9rrn08RXI/AAAAAAAAmYk/zodXh_b89Ns1Mm_M21U6coYIVx8ybiRigCLcBGAs/s640/ENG.jpg" width="640" height="380" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1386"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>And, after a terrible lull, Queensland employment is suddenly now picking up, rising by an <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/jobs-explosion-shatters-forecasts" target="_blank">outsized +95,400 over the year to August 2017</a>. And population growth is in turn ramping up just as dwelling starts now collapse, helping to rebalance the ratio of demand to supply. <div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ6sGlCUijI/Wc-BAtgAALI/AAAAAAAAmY4/jAB2Gm1ySpkxztQzoMQnS8YgwGDJsY9wgCLcBGAs/s1600/A1.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ6sGlCUijI/Wc-BAtgAALI/AAAAAAAAmY4/jAB2Gm1ySpkxztQzoMQnS8YgwGDJsY9wgCLcBGAs/s640/A1.jpg" width="640" height="390" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1362"></a></div>
</div>
<div>You didn't really need ABS estimates to tell you about the migratory shifts, since every second person in inner city Brisbane seems to have just relocated from Sydney, or from Perth in many cases. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>With the Sydney market now slowing, there will no doubt be a great surge in interest in Brisbane property - that's just the way the cycle goes. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>White shoes alert</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A few caveats, however, if you're thinking of buying a Brisbane property investment.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Of all the capital cities, Brisbane plausibly has the patchiest housing market - some locations and dwelling types are experiencing strong price growth, while others are struggling big time.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Be wary about locations prone to flooding, and definitely watch out for white ants (termites)! </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Oh, and real estate laws are different up north, so you need to understand how to make offers subject to certain conditions. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Personally, I would buy established not new property, for way too many heads have been burned buying new of off the plan up north. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Finally, there is a long history of southern buyers getting brazenly fleeced on Queensland property deals by slick sales techniques - the famed white shoe brigade - so make sure you don't become yet another casualty. </div>
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Southerners need to avoid being fleeced by Queensland's famed white shoe brigade

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<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
It’s a testament to Brisbane's appeal that so many more interstate and overseas buyers are "coming to the party" that is Brisbane’s high-end real estate sector. 
The valuation firm suggests they see value for money, an enviable lifestyle and, for many, the opportunity to set up and operate their business without the hassle of a Harbour Bridge traffic snarl.
While there are certainly prestige properties across the breadth of the South East, the HTW report honed in on Brisbane City specifically.
"The ultra-wealthy do tend to gravitate toward the CBD rather than seek offerings in surrounding authorities such as Ipswich and Moreton," it noted.
Most multi-million dollar sales in these climbs consist of large rural holdings or developable sites. 
Not to say there aren’t alternatives, but it is the Brisbane market that provides the highest density of sales and is probably the most accurate measure for tracking the sector.
</div>
<div class="column">
In Brisbane, you really don’t need to crack the $10 million mark to pick up an exceptional property. 
Prestige housing sits within the broad $2 million to $8 million zone," HTW suggest.
"That’s right. 
"For the price of a three-bedroom second hand Bondi Beach at you can be among some of the nicest abodes in the best suburbs South East Queensland has to offer.
"We consider ultra-prestige buyers to be in the $8 million-plus realm.
"For these sorts of dollars, you will be on the river bank, riding horses across your rolling acreage or positioned high on an inner-city hill."
If you’d prefer a bit more in the way of low-maintenance pampering, perhaps an apartment is more your style. 
With $2 million to $5 million you are breaking into the rst stage of ‘elite strata’ of Brisbane units and townhouse. 
"Add a touch more to reach, say, $5 million-plus and you absolutely recline in platinum status real estate. 
There are a few go-to addresses for anyone looking to join in on our plush property party. 
Old school money homes in Ascot, Hamilton and Clay eld are generally classic, colonial and stunning.
HTW suggest there are a few in New Farm too but, along with Newstead, you’ll also find plenty of ‘new money’ helping rede ne prestige property in these suburbs.
</div>
<div class="column">
Teneriffe is now regarded as our premium suburb with most analysis showing it has the highest median house price in our town. Feeding off its extensive river frontage, real estate values re ect the appeal of being within a walkable distance of great facilities and a short jog of the CBD. 
Kangaroo point has some stunners as well – particularly houses high on the cliff looking at the CBD, plus whole- oor units with river/ city vistas.
For suburban chic, Paddington is the home of the upwardly mobile family. Paddington is one of the original workers-cottage suburbs, but there’s been some serious money spent here in both upgrading existing home and building new ones on splitter blocks. 
Some holdings have views of the city, but all have access to awesome lifestyle and retail hubs. Bulimba is another riverfront address that’s bene tted from great coffee and ne shopping.
There are classic rambling colonials as well as new contemporaries on small blocks. On the river itself are some of the most stunning homes Brisbane has to offer with price tags to match.
There are others such as East Brisbane, Norman Park and the western stunners like Chelmer, St Lucia and Fig Tree Pocket too.
<div class="page" title="Page 23">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Some recent sales of high-value homes include 1A Eldernell Tce, Hamilton which sold for $7.25 million in February this year. 
It was a major renovation offering five-bedroom, four-bathroom, four-car accommodation on 910sqm site with peak-like views of the CBD and river.
1 Sydney St, New Farm was also impressive achieving $6.5 million in October last year with a very contemporary ve-bedroom, four-bathroom home. These are all fine, but it’s when you step up a notch that things become really impressive.
24 Palm Ave, Ascot sold for $8.3 million in February last year. A beautiful contemporary ve-bedroom, six-bathroom home sitting on a monster 1923sqm of land. That a huge site considering the property is located just ve kilometres from the CBD.
Not to be outdone, 35 Morgan St (aka 128 Crosby Rd), Ascot sold for $8.8 million in September last year. Affectionately known for its ‘bat cave’ tunnel entrance to the 10-car garage, the home itself is perched atop a summit site of 1120sqm that resulted in knockout views. With three levels of living and a total square meterage of 1409sqm, this is very impressive home.
The most expensive recent sale, however, is the reported $11 million achieved for 27 Sutherland Ave, Ascot. The property was still under contract at the time of writing. It screams old-school Hampton’s luxe with an enormous reported total oor area of 1337sqm. Six-bed, six-bath accommodation plus a four-car garage all positioned on a 2024sqm site. A very beautiful piece of real estate. The key factors driving this end of the market in Brisbane are universal to most prestige property.
Buyers are of course high-net-worth and they mostly enjoy grand homes with high end finishes positioned close to convenient lifestyle facilities.
</div>
<div class="column">
At present, HTW believe the Brisbane high-end residential sector is best described as ‘stable’. While buyer enquiry is reportedly a little slower than agents would like, interest in good quality stock remains buoyant.
In addition, new money for property coming into Queensland from cashed up interstate and overseas buyers is improving. 
HTW wouldn’t be surprised to see some very impressive sales results over the coming two-to-three years - a sound outlook of cautious optimism coupled with buoyant long-term prospects.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
 
</div>
</div>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Brisbane trophy home market stable, with buyer enquiry slower than agents would like

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It's Brisbane, but not its apartments, according to Margaret Lomas when asked which capital city should you invest in?
She suggested Brisbane rather than any other capital city when asked by <a href="http://www.switzer.com.au/the-experts/margaret-lomas/which-capital-city-is-the-best-to-invest-in-right-now/%20" target="_blank">Peter Switzer.</a>
First she ruled out the other capital cities, Melbourne and Sydney not because "the 'boom' had gone on too long" or "that the 'cycle' told us the end was nigh" but rather because the median price has reached a point where it is well above what the average income earner can afford. 
Demand fell away as prices reached this new peak, reducing the potential buyer pool and for these markets its now become a "waiting game" for wages to "catch up".
Margaret then nixed Hobart and Perth.
Hobart because although it has been performing well, its small population and low population growth usually means it has a year or two of growth then much longer stagnation periods.
Perth is a no because even though it is likely at the bottom of it's current cycle, that doesn't mean it's going to start rising any time soon, and if it does, it won't necessarily be quick.
She says that those living in these markets shouldn't necessarily avoid investing just because they don't know the area they are investing in.
She describes this as a fallacy, a mistaken belief.
"This is because what you know about your area relates to lifestyle, not economics."
Margaret correctly states economics is king when it comes to investing.
She says, "my money’s on Brisbane, and it’s all pure economics."
This is because Brisbane is hitting several key points.
Firstly, the average house in Brisbane is still well below what the average income earner can afford.
She claims, "even without wages growth, interest rates could go up, and property prices could increase, and the average wage earner could still afford to buy property there." 
Secondly, changes to the age profile of the population in Brisbane.
Over the next 10 years it is expected to see those aged 20 to 34 move on to the next stage in life and look at buying a home of their own, according to Angie Zigomanis from BIS.
He said the emerging trend would underpin demand for new housing on Brisbane’s suburban fringe and established housing in the inner-city region.
These people will mostly qualify for the first home owner grant of $15,000 (and stamp duty concessions) which is available on many of the houses on the market, due to the high $750,000 cut off for the grant.
Then Brisbane is also benefiting from infrastructure "tons of it". New University campuses, major medical developments in both north and south suburbs, and main roads, making the commute around all parts of Brisbane easier. There’s also the Queens Wharf Precinct, Brisbane Airport Redevelopment, Brisbane Live Entertainment Arena, Northshore Hamilton and a new International Cruise Terminal, plus quite a few others.
There has been strong jobs growth in Brisbane in both the education and medical sectors, as well as improving employment figures after a few years of poor outcomes.
Strong inward migration is also projected to continue, from not only overseas but interstate migration. 
In addition, over the next 15 years, the population of Brisbane is set to double, In 2015, Brisbane’s population was approximately 2.2 million, and is expected to grow to 4.6 million by 2031.
This means that the city will require 40% more homes than it had in 2006, according to government estimates.
Margaret Lomas concludes by stating "It’s an investor’s dream, just waiting to be grabbed. Just be careful what you buy."
She warns, "apartments in the city are not the best choice, nor are high-end properties where demand is subdued. Think families, millennials and migrants, and find the kind of property that they are most likely to demand."
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