Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Hotspots

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Despite being Australia’s most popular travel destination, houses in the Sydney CBD have an median yield of just 3.33%, according to <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
Meanwhile, units Darwin, which is at the bottom of <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-Destinations" target="_blank">Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice 2014 Top 10 Destinations</a>, have a median yield of 6.82%.
The comparison website analysed the country’s top 10 tourist destinations to see how their investment potential stacked up against their popularity with visitors. With a median CBD house price of $1.75 million and median rent per week of $1,120, the city’s estimated yield of 3.33% is the second-lowest of any city on the list.
Michelle Hutchison, finder.com.au Money Expert, says that popular holiday destinations present widely varied returns for property.
“It’s always nice to imagine what it would be like to own an investment property at your favourite holiday spot, but our findings revealed there can be a big difference between the value of return you can receive for the most popular holiday destinations,” said Hutchison.
“For instance, out of the top 10 most popular holiday destinations in Australia, some yields were less than half of others on the list, with yields ranging from 2.41 to 6.31% for houses and 5.33 to 7.77% for units.
“By doing your research on the most popular destinations and making an informed decision, property investors could be making more than twice the amount of yield per year.”
New South Wales’ Cessnock had the lowest median house price of any of the top 10 destinations on the list, returning the highest yield for houses at 6.31%. Port Douglas had the highest yields for units, with 7.77%.
“While holiday homes may be a good option for investment property owners, not knowing the yield of your potential property may leave you funding someone else's holiday instead of your own,” said Hutchison.
“So make sure you do your homework, compare locations based on potential returns and not just their popularity, and research investment home loans to ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck,” she said. 
Finder.com.au's top investment holiday hotspots: Houses
<ol>
<li><a href="/news">Cessnock</a>, New South Wales Median house price: $255,500 Median weekly rent: $310 Yield: 6.31% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Byron Bay</a>, New South Wales Median house price: $705,000 Median weekly rent: $670 Yield: 4.94% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Hobart</a>, Tasmania Median house price: $468,000 Median weekly rent: $435 Yield: 4.38% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Darwin</a>, Northern Territory Median house price: $903,500 Median weekly rent: $750 Yield: 4.32% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Brisbane</a>, Queensland Median house price: $959,000 Median weekly rent: $770 Yield: 4.18%  </li>
<li><a href="/news">Port Douglas</a>, Queensland Median house price: $500,000 Median weekly rent: $380 Yield: 3.39% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Airlie Beach</a>, Queensland Median house price: $667,000 Median weekly rent: $435 Yield: 3.39% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Melbourne</a>, Victoria Median house price: $993,500 Median weekly rent: $605 Yield: 3.37% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Sydney</a>, New South Wales Median house price: $1,175,000 Median weekly rent: $1,120 Yield: 3.33% </li>
<li>Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Median house price: $2,150,000 Median weekly rent: $995 Yield: 2.41% </li>
</ol>
This article continues on the next page.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 Some of the cities with the highest yields for houses had the lowest yields for units.
The top investment holiday hotspots: Units
<ol>
<li>
<a href="/news">Port Douglas</a>, Queensland Median unit price: $184,000 Median weekly rent: $275 Yield: 7.77% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Darwin</a>, Northern Territory Median unit price: $510,500 Median weekly rent: $670 Yield: 6.82% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Brisbane</a>, Queensland Median unit price: $455,000 Median weekly rent: $570 Yield: 6.51% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Sydney</a>, New South Wales Median unit price: $598,000 Median weekly rent: $720 Yield: 6.26% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Airlie Beach</a>, Queensland Median unit price: $338,500 Median weekly rent: $405 Yield: 6.01% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Byron Bay</a>, New South Wales  Median unit price: $441,500 Median weekly rent: $510 Yield: 6.01% 
</li>
<li>Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Median unit price: $450,500 Median weekly rent: $510 Yield: 5.89% </li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Melbourne</a>, Victoria Median unit price: $414,500 Median weekly rent: $465 Yield: 5.83% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Cessnock</a>, New South Wales Median unit price: $259,500 Median weekly rent: $290 Yield: 5.81% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Hobart</a>, Tasmania Median unit price: $424,000 Median weekly rent: $435 Yield: 5.33%</li>
</ol>
</body></html>

jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

The top 10 holiday hotspots: Finder.com.au

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There’s no doubt the Gold Coast residential market is entering a growth phase. After five bad years, in which prices went backwards, the Gold Coast is moving again.
Sales activity is rising strongly across the region and the latest figures from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland suggest prices are moving in the right direction.
But we remain opposed to investment in this market.
Here’s an example of why. On 12 June, the Gold Coast Bulletin published a news article under this headline: '104-storey Southport tower poised to steal Q1 crown of Southern Hemisphere’s tallest residential high rise'.
Apparently a three-tower complex called Imperial City is planned for Southport. The building will be 75, 85 and 104 storeys, dwarfing the 78-storey Q1 which is currently tallest high-rise on the Gold Coast, as well as in Australia and Southern Hemisphere.
Imperial City will contain 2,200 apartments, as well as 200 student rooms and a 200-room hotel.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported: 
"The project has been welcomed by city leaders, with area councillor Dawn ­Crichlow declaring Imperial City would be the jewel in Southport’s development crown. “This is one of a range of Southport developments before the council at the moment and the number, as well as the size of this project, are a real show of faith,” she said.
"Southport MP and Assistant Planning Minister Rob Molhoek said he was “incredibly excited” by the proposal. “There are more than 17 major development approvals in line for Southport right now which is a testament to the fact that the CBD is on its way back to its former glory,” he said
“If this gets approved and built it would be a symbol of everything we are trying to achieve right now.”
That pretty much sums it up. This latest monument to a developer’s ego is seen on the Gold Coast as “a symbol of everything we are trying to achieve”.
Presumably Molhoek and Crichlow like oversupply and falling property values. The mentality of civic leaders and business people on the Gold Coast never seems to change. The place lurches from boom to bust, relentlessly and repeatedly, because this is how they think. They see the Gold Coast as a theme park for foreign tourists and property speculators, rather than as a city with families who needs services and jobs. If it reaches for the sky, it has to be good.
Just when the Gold Coast has soaked up its surplus of apartments, a process that took five agonising years, its developers and politicians are sowing the seeds of the next calamitous glut. The Imperial City monstrosity is one of many mega proposals for the glitter strip. New ones are announced weekly.
If you must buy on the Gold Coast, avoid the highrise. Buy houses in an inland suburb.
These are the areas of the Gold Coast market that really stand out in the research I’ve just completed for The Price Predictor Index. 
Rising markets include <a href="/news">Nerang</a>, <a href="/news">Mudgeeraba</a>, <a href="/news">Coombabah</a>, <a href="/news">Arundel</a>, <a href="/news">Ashmore</a>, <a href="/news">Carrara</a>, <a href="/news">Coomera </a>and <a href="/news">Varsity Lakes</a> – all housing markets inland, away from the skyscraper insanity.
Lest you forget, the latest edition of the REIQ’s quarterly report reminds us that if you bought the typical Surfers Paradise apartment five years ago, it’s still worth 10% less than you paid back then.
You can contact Terry via   <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
Photo courtesy of Syed Abdul Khaliq/Flickr/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Gold Coast enters growth phase, but is it really a good place to invest?

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Just over a year ago I started pushing an argument for investment in Queensland regional centres <a href="/expert-insights/buying/change-is-the-only-constant-in-real-estate-terry-ryder">like Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay</a>.
It seemed like a big call because those locations – and others with similar CVs – had been poor performers in the previous three, four or five years.
But with hotspotting the future is the most important thing and the past is often irrelevant – because, in real estate, things change.
Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay had several things in common. They had struggled in recent times because their economies were dependent largely on tourism, which is volatile at the best of times and had been through a rough patch. Their property markets had suffered badly from oversupply and prices had gone backwards.
But it was apparent in the early part of 2013 that important changes were happening. The previous surpluses had been largely soaked up. Tourism was improving. Local councils were working hard to diversify their local economies and find ways to attract new business.
And, most importantly, big money was being directed into significant new infrastructure. Growth was on the way back to these coastal cities.
The latest quarterly Market Monitor from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland confirms that these locations, and a couple of other coastal cities, are back on the growth path.
In the March quarter the median house price for Cairns rose 5.6%, the Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay) was up 3% and the Sunshine Coast rose 2%. Other growth was recorded in Rockhampton (3%), Townsville (2%) and the Gold Coast (4%).
As I have often pointed out, median prices can be a dodgy way to gauge markets. But when all data is pointing in the same direction, you can start to believe it. Particularly when other research arrives at the same conclusion.
That other research is our charting of sales volumes, which show that many <a href="/expert-insights/investing/forget-the-gold-coast-its-regional-queensland-leading-the-charge">Queensland regional markets have strong forward momentum</a>, headed by Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, and followed by Hervey Bay and Townsville.
Another Queensland regional market that’s had my vote in recent years <a href="/expert-insights/buying/regional-hotspot-toowoomba-shows-great-investor-potential">is the inland city of Toowoomba</a>, and this is another location moving in a positive direction.
In many ways, Toowoomba has been the success story of Queensland real estate in recent times. Market Monitor published data on the percentage of recent sales which made a profit and Toowoomba led the state for houses with a 95% success rate, ahead of Brisbane at 95% and Rockhampton on 87%. It also led the field for units, with 92% of sales making a profit.
Toowoomba also has a low vacancy rate, at 1.4%, is the fastest-selling region in terms of average days on the market and recorded an 8.2% rise in its median house price over the year to the end of March, with the unit median up 6%.
These regional Queensland cities are poised for a sustained period of growth, boosted by population growth, growing economies and, above all, infrastructure spending.
You can contact Terry via   <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
Photo of Hervey Bay courtesy of Greg Schecter/Flickr/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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Regional Queensland back on the growth path with sustained momentum

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The standout market for me at the moment is Adelaide.
The South Australian capital has more forward momentum than most of the capital cities. Given that this has not yet translated into major price growth, it represents an opportunity for investors.
Adelaide is the only capital city which ended 2013 with sales volumes rising significantly and carried that into the early part of 2014. Some of our cities peaked, in terms of sales activity, in early or mid 2013. Some ended 2013 strongly but made a lukewarm start to 2014.
But SA is really just beginning its run.
Sales volumes are now 25% higher than they were at the start of 2013. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Property Monitor for the March quarter showed some movement in prices, but nothing substantial – around 1% for the quarter, with annual median price growth hovering around 4%.
The numbers will be larger by the end of the year. Throughout Adelaide there are suburbs with strongly rising sales activity.
What makes Adelaide so attractive for property buyers is that it’s by far the cheapest mainland capital city. You can buy two Adelaide houses for the price of one Sydney house.
The standout area of Adelaide, the one with the most forward momentum and the most compelling growth drivers, is down in the far south of the metropolitan area.
The municipality of Onkaparinga has an array of growth markets and is boosted by significant new transport infrastructure.
The new rail links to <a href="/news">Seaford</a> are now operating, with plans to further extend the line south to service areas like <a href="/news">Aldinga Beach</a> and <a href="/news">Port Willunga</a>.
At the same time, the $500 million upgrade of the Southern Expressway is under way. The two infrastructure projects together are revolutionizing transport links from the south to central Adelaide, a factor that usually supercharges property markets.
This is showing up in the sales figures. Several Onkaparinga suburbs are moving forward strongly, including Aldinga Beach, <a href="/news">Flagstaff Hill</a>, <a href="/news">Happy Valley</a>, <a href="/news">Huntfield Heights</a>, <a href="/news">Woodcroft</a>, <a href="/news">Aberfoyle Park</a>, <a href="/news">Christies Beach</a>, <a href="/news">Christie Downs</a>, <a href="/news">Port Noarlunga South</a>, Seaford and <a href="/news">Seaford Rise</a>.
Other areas of Adelaide with plenty of forward-moving markets include the municipalities of Campbelltown (a cluster of inner north-east suburbs, mostly with median house prices in the $400,000s), Holdfast Bay (bayside area including <a href="/news">Glenelg</a>) and <a href="/news">Salisbury</a> (lower end northern suburbs, with median prices mostly in the $200,000s).
There’s also steadily rising activity in the inner-city apartment market.
The hard part is convincing anyone that Adelaide and South Australia are worthy of investment. The state and its capital city lack the growth reputation that draws investors to Queensland and Western Australia. 
Even South Australians are reluctant to invest in Adelaide. Now would be a good time for an attitude adjustment.
You can contact Terry via  <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
Photo courtesy of Doug Barber/ <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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Adelaide is the standout market and opportunity for investors

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The thing about federal budgets is that the repercussions take time to become visible.
On budget night and in the days that follow, we get the big picture stuff. Well, most of it anyway. Joe Hockey’s budget speech managed to overlook the biggest single item of all: an $80 billion decimation of funding to the states for education and health.
Did he forget? Or did he lack the gumption?
The devil, as always, is in the detail – and that takes time to become known. We’ll still be hearing about newly-realised consequences a month from now.
This week the high school attended by my teenagers told students about the exponential rise in the cost of attending university. The message was: work harder and get a scholarship. Otherwise, unless your parents are rich, you won’t be able to afford university.
I’ve just read that community providers will have to scrap plans for 3,500 affordable homes in Sydney, a place that could do with a few more, because the federal government has cancelled funding. The Commonwealth was to provide 70% of the cost but that was axed in Joe Hockey’s budget.
But he does have $50 million to donate to resources companies wanting to establish coal mines in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.
Many investors love to invest in towns boosted by mining ventures, the volatile nature of those markets notwithstanding.
But given the recent history of companies seeking government handouts to start mining ventures based on new technologies in the Latrobe Valley, I wouldn’t be rushing out to invest in <a href="/developments/traralgon-vic-3844">Traralgon</a> or <a href="/developments/morwell-vic-3840">Morwell</a> just yet. Like their predecessors, they’ll probably never happen.
I’m struggling to understand the philosophy behind the federal government’s spending priorities. It seems that “the age of entitlement” is over, unless you’re a poor starving mining company.
The impact on Canberra’s economy and property market from this budget will become more and more apparent as the details become known.
<blockquote>
It’s another blow for Canberra’s struggling property market, but potentially a major boost to accommodation demand in Gosford.
</blockquote>
Not only will the national capital take the brunt of the cuts to public service jobs, but there will be further impacts on the relocation of jobs from Canberra to other, more politically-deserving, regions.
For example, 600 Commonwealth public service jobs are being moved from Canberra to <a href="/developments/gosford-nsw-2250">Gosford</a> in New South Wales.
It’s another blow for Canberra’s struggling property market, but potentially a major boost to accommodation demand in Gosford.
Gosford has had a topsy-turvy market in the past decade, with peaks matched by troughs and, as a result, a poor long-term capital growth rate. But it’s currently immersed in another up-cycle, having caught the wave from Sydney, but remains affordable – with median prices of $325,000 for houses and $280,000 for units.
You can contact Terry via <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
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Pain or gain? The areas that will feel the impact of the budget

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I’d rather be a seller than a buyer in Sydney in 2014. That’s my general response to a frequently-asked question: is it too late to buy in Sydney?
The time to buy in Sydney to achieve maximum gain from the recent recovery was late in 2012. Most of the Sydney locations I was recommending back then have experienced capital growth between 15% and 20% in the past 12 months. That won’t be repeated in the next year, although there will be further growth.
Some commentators have sought media profile by making the absurd statement that “the property boom is over”.
It has a similar ring to the declaration in mid-2013 that “the resources boom is over”. A year later we still have projects worth around $250 billion under construction, with major new ones (like the $9 billion Roy Hill mine and Galilee Basin projects totalling $30 billion) just getting under way, but if it makes a headline no one seems to care too much about balance or accuracy.
The claim that the “the property boom is over” is equally flimsy and made for the same shallow reason: short-term publicity and the truth be damned.
Sydney’s boom is unlikely to retain the heights of 2013 but growth continues. Melbourne is yet to reach the levels of Sydney. Brisbane and Adelaide are just getting started and are likely to feature among the growth leaders by the end of the year. Perth still has momentum and Hobart, following the election of a new state government, is set for its best year in a long time.
The thing about Sydney is that it’s a very big city, with 700-plus suburbs. There are many locations with activity created by local reasons, rather than city-wide momentum. There will be ongoing growth in specific locations for specific reasons, most of them related to transport infrastructure.
There will investment opportunities from the Badgerys Creek airport, once definitive information about flight paths and infrastructure location is known. The North West Rail Link is advancing, with impacts on real estate along its route to Rouse Hill. Ditto the South West Rail Link. WestConnex will be another game-changer, impacting suburbs such as Westmead.
So the secret to finding further growth in Sydney is to <a href="/expert-insights/investing/follow-the-infrastructure-trail-to-find-future-growth-suburbs">follow the infrastructure trail</a>.
Beyond that, investors can profit by looking outside Sydney to regional New South Wales. When capital cities boom, there is often a ripple effect out to the regions. Two cities not far from Sydney, and advancing for local reasons also, are Wollongong and Newcastle.
Wollongong has defied predictions that it would lapse into recession following economic reversals such as downsizing by Bluescope Steel. One hysterical headline suggested property values would fall 50%. But the Illawarra is the latest example of a regional community fighting back from adverse circumstances. A lot of infrastructure and property development money is pumping into Wollongong and real estate markets are rising.
Others to watch include Dubbo, Tamworth and Gunnedah, as well as Newcastle - which continues to be one of Australia’s most under-rated cities and property markets.
You can contact Terry via   <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia/Creative Commons.
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Too late to buy Sydney - try Wollongong or Dubbo, Tamworth and Gunnedah, and Newcastle

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New South Wales' Lake Macquarie has recorded a 20% increase in sales transactions over the past two years, results from PRDnationwide's Property Watch report have calculated.
This result aligns with $100 million of spending from public and private enterprises on ew facilities, such as the Cameron Park Marketplace shopping centre, stores and a new train station at Cardiff.
Harrison Hall, a PRDnationwise research analyst, said that new developments will cater for employment opportunities in the contruction industry.
“We've seen median house prices soar by 6.4% over the past two years and the unit market is following a similar pattern,” Hall explained.
“The investment in public amenities, new property developments and care facilities for an ageing demographic combined with its proximity to the burgeoning economic centre of Newcastle is certainly boding well for Lake Macquarie's real estate industry.”
PRDnationwide expanded further in Lake Macquarie at the end of 2013.
Entry prices have <a href="/news">gathered strong pace in Cardiff</a>, a Lake Macquarie suburb, over the past few years. The median house price is currently at $363,500.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia/Creative Commons.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Lake Macquarie records 20% sales increase over two years

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Currently, more than $47 billion worth of infrastructure projects are planned for Brisbane city, with suburbs emerging as those to benefit most from the spend, according to Place Advisory.
Director of Place Advisory, Lachlan Walker, said that while all areas of Brisbane will see themselves doing well from the improved infrastructure, there will be some potential hotspots.
“The current infrastructure pipeline has more than $47 billion worth of major projects in various stages, all of which will further enhance the attractiveness of the city, drawing in both owner occupiers and investors," Walker said.
“But while we know Brisbane as a whole will benefit, we can certainly pinpoint some particular suburbs that will benefit more than others from infrastructure planned or underway, and by benefit we mean see a marked increase in demand to live there, resulting in greater price and rental growth.”
He pointed to the following suburbs and the infrastructure they will benefit from:
<a href="/news">Brisbane City</a>
Underground Bus Loop: Currently in concept stage. To connect at George Street, Queen Street, Albert Street and Adelaide Street in the CBD to reduce confestion and travel times.
“Since it only runs through the city, the Underground Bus Loop will benefit residential properties located in the CBD itself, as well as neighbouring Spring Hill,” said Walker.
<a href="/news">Spring Hill</a>
Underground Bus Loop
<a href="/news">Woolloongabba</a>
BaT Tunnel: Currently in concept stage. This will be a 5.4 kilometre proposed north-south tunnel to bring trains from Dutton Park to Spring Hill. Walker expects that the journey will be shortened in this area from the southern suburbs to the inner north suburbs, helping reduce the requirement to travel through CBD conhestion.
“It will be built to accommodate the additional 130,000 workers expected for the CBD and adjacent suburbs over the next 20 years, and will fulfil the need for public transport services for the next 50 years,” he said.
<a href="/news">Dutton Park</a>
BaT Tunnel
<a href="/news">Toowong</a>
Legacy Way: A tunnel set to connect the Western Freeway at Toowong with the Inner City Bypass at Kelvin Grove. It will minimise congestion and allow easier access to the airport, and will cut out the use of major roads.
“Upon completion Legacy Way will almost halve peak travel times between the Western Freeway and the ICB," he said. Indooroopilly Shopping Centre Redevelopment : Expected to come to a completion soon. Involves expansion and renovation of existing shopping centre and an adjoining new plaza at the junction of Station and Stamfords Roads.
“With the redevelopment aiming to bring a quality of shopping that’s currently lacking in the western suburbs, it will benefit the entire area, including Indooroopilly itself, as well as Toowong, St Lucia, Taringa, Graceville, Chelmer, Sherwood, Fig Tree Pocket, Jindalee and Kenmore,” said Walker.
<a href="/news">St Lucia</a>
Legacy Way
Indooroopilly Shopping Centre Redevelopment
<a href="/news">Indooroopilly</a>
Legacy Way
Indooroopilly Shopping Centre Redevelopment
<a href="/news">Hamilton</a>
Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade: In concept phase. Running off Kingsford Smith Drive, it will reduce congestion and benefit local residents.
Brisbane Airport New Parallel Runway: Currently under construction. Looks to support the needed flights in and out of Brisbane, which may result in increased demand for property with access to the airport.
“Consequently we believe suburbs such as Hamilton and Nundah will see a boost in popularity from the construction of the new parallel runway. They’re in close proximity to the airport and easy to get to and from for travellers," said Walker.
<a href="/news">Nundah</a>
Brisbane Airport New Parallel Runway
Other suburbs that may benefit: <a href="/news">Taringa</a> (from Indooroopilly Shopping Centre Redevelopment) and Mt Coot-tha (both benefiting from Legacy Way), and <a href="/news">Graceville</a>, <a href="/news">Chelmer</a>, <a href="/news">Sherwood</a>, Figtree Pocket, <a href="/news">Jindalee</a> and <a href="/news">Kenmore</a> (from Indooroopilly Shopping Centre Redevelopment).
Despite these benefits for the area, Walker said that the best time to buy is as soon as the infrastructure project is announced.
“However, once the benefits of the project flow through to the area there will only be increased demand from buyers and renters, and this means prices and rents will continue to grow, or at the very least be stable.”
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Nine Brisbane suburbs to become property hotspots: Place Advisory

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Seven years ago a real estate professional in Tasmania sent me a bottle of whiskey because he liked what I wrote about his area.
I don’t particularly like whiskey and I don’t want gifts for writing positive things about a location, because it carries a whiff of corruption. But it was an expensive brand of liquor and I do remember receiving it, the name of the person who sent it, who he worked for and the fact that I sent him a thank-you note – although it was seven years ago.
I’m certain that if someone sent me a $3,000 bottle of wine and I sent that someone a hand-written thank you note, I would remember it.
So I’m incredulous that some sections of the media are painting NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell as a noble statesman who sacrificed himself at the altar of ethics in politics after a memory lapse. Give me a break; he is merely the latest politician to be mired in the cesspool that is the Australian Water Holdings, which is shaping up as Australia’s Watergate. More big names will fall before this one has played out.
Favours to businesses and property developers, in return for gifts or party donations, are all too common in Australian politics. It’s the single most likely explanation for the unnatural enthusiasm of the Victoria state government for approving more and more apartment towers in a vastly oversupplied market, often over the top of local councillors who said ‘no’ to the project.
If you want to understand how the politics of property development work in Melbourne, read the novels of Peter Temple, which have been turned into a series of television movies starring Guy Pearce and currently running on ABC TV.
But back to New South Wales, which now has a new Premier. Whatever the reality of the Barry O’Farrell situation, there’s no doubt that the state economy and the Sydney property market have benefited from his governance.
For almost 10 years, most of it under an ALP government that gets my vote as the worst in my lifetime, the Sydney market went nowhere and was the chronic under-achiever of capital city Australia. Then last year it sparked to life and showed the first meaningful growth since 2003.
<blockquote>
Suburbs will rise not so much because they’re near the airport, but because they have rail or motorway links that previously did not exist.
</blockquote>
The single biggest difference is that money is being spent on infrastructure. As I have often remarked, infrastructure spending is the number one game-changer in residential real estate.
Until recently Adelaide, a city a quarter the size of Sydney, had more new infrastructure happening than did the nation’s biggest city. But now Sydney is receiving belated impetus from long-overdue spending on infrastructure, included rail links, motorway upgrades and hospital expansions.
Many investors are asking whether they’ve missed the boat in Sydney. The short answer is that they should have been buying in 2012, when prices were down and competition was scarce. The 2013 upturn was highly predictable – and now many areas have had double-digit annual growth. I would be focusing on regional areas of NSW with strong growth prospects and a much higher degree of affordability, including <a href="/news">Wollongong</a> and <a href="/news">Dubbo</a>.
The longer answer is that there is still more growth to come to Sydney and the key to finding it is to follow the infrastructure trail.
There will a considerable boost to locations out towards <a href="/news">Rouse Hill</a> as completion of the North West Rail Link draws closer. Plans to build the missing link motorway in the north of Sydney will impact suburbs in that area. And now a whole new series of impacts have been introduced with the possibility that the Badgerys Creek Airport may actually happen.
Don’t be in too much of a rush to exploit the airport plan, because the best clues about where to buy are yet to be revealed. The most influential aspect about that facility will be the transport infrastructure to be built around it – the road and rail links feeding into it.
Suburbs will rise not so much because they’re near the airport, but because they have rail or motorway links that previously did not exist.
You can contact Terry via <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. 
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Follow the infrastructure trail to find future growth suburbs

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Already the questions are streaming in: how will the new Sydney airport impact on property markets?
Will Badgerys Creek make Penrith become a boom town? Will Liverpool surge? Where should I buy to benefit?
Many issues are evident here. One is that investors are constantly trawling for opportunities and for events that will be game-changers. Some are looking for shortcuts to wealth and see an announcement like Badgerys Creek as the door to a rapid windfall, if they can zero in on the best places to invest.
Another issue is about risk in real estate. And another addresses the elements that generate out-performance in real estate investment.
Let’s take the last issue first. There’s no doubt infrastructure is the biggest creator of real estate wealth. New infrastructure is the ultimate game-changer.
And the most influential is transport infrastructure.
<blockquote>
I suspect more people will waste money buying in haste than make money by getting it right.
</blockquote>
Hotspotting research shows that suburbs with commuter train stations have higher capital growth rates than those without. A new motorway or bridge can revolutionise the appeal of a location by making it more accessible. The intersection of two motorways is a magnet to warehousing and logistics real estate – and other forms of property spin off it, including residential.
The thing about a major new international airport is that it’s a double-edged sword, it can create problems as well as opportunities. Property under the flight path may suffer while others will benefit from the economy generated by the facility.
It’s similar with a commuter train station: the ideal is to be within walking distance but not so close as to suffer from the noise and the traffic.
The most direct real estate beneficiaries of a new airport are outside the residential sphere. A new airport creates, firstly, demand for hotels and secondly, for warehousing and other light industrial property.
Residential is an indirect beneficiary because an international airport creates a new economy with tens of thousands of jobs, and people like to live close to their work.
But perhaps the core issue is risk. When a project like Badgerys Creek is announced, lots of people dash about looking for ways to make a killing from buying strategic real estate. But the airport may never happen. This is the ultimate political football and there will much upheaval along the road to construction. Plans for a second Sydney airport have been talked about for close to 50 years. The Prime Minister’s announcement does not make this a certainty.
If it does happen, Badgerys Creek won’t be reality for maybe 10 years – although the Prime Minister hopes construction will start in 2016. But before that can happen, big issues need to be sorted, including funding, road and rail links, project partners and the issues of noise and flight paths.
Long-term, the impact of a new airport at Badgerys Creek would be enormous. Short-term, many investors will expend considerable energy trying to find out how best to turn the federal government’s decision into a personal windfall.
Many will feel they need to act urgently or they’ll miss a major opportunity. My advice is to take a cold shower, settle down and watch what happens.
I suspect more people will waste money buying in haste than make money by getting it right.
You can contact Terry via  <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. 
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