A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Joel Robinson

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

Sydney

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Guriganya, a pavilion-style residence in Paddington, Sydney, has been sold, but at nowhere near its desired selling price.
Last October the top bid was $5.2 million. It has since sold quietly at $4.8 million. It previously sold for slightly more - $4.83 million in 2006.
Not a huge drop, but it went backwards over an eight year period.
While not the first pavilion-style house built in Sydney, Guriganya’s design received <a href="/news/paddingtons-guriganya-and-the-pavilion-trend-he-said-she-said">much acclaim when it was built in the late 1970s</a> including a merit award in 1980 from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
Designed by architect Terry Dorrough and his wife, artist and interior designer Helen, the three-pavilion abode was built on the site of Sydney's fourth progressive school, Guriganya Community School.
The single storey pavilion style residence, with a mezzanine level over the garage, surrounds a courtyard garden on its 443 square metre block. 
At its 2006 auction through Ray White Double Bay agents Michael Finger and Kim Hayes, Guriganya sold for $4.83 million to insurance guru John Mills and his partner Greg Clark.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Pavilion-style trophy home Guriganya's price fall highlights Paddington's problems

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Held by the one family for nearly 100 years, the latest Paddington cottage listing fetched $1.2 million tonight.
Close to Five Ways, the 6 <a href="https://bradfieldcleary.com.au/4862721/6-Broughton-Street-Paddington" target="_blank">Broughton Street offering</a> is as Paddington was back in 1915 within the two bedroom cottage.
The time capsule went auction through BradfieldCleary agent Georgia Cleary.
It was too hard for picky Paddington home buyers it seems.
Instead it was left to three builders to compete for the Victorian workers' cottage when it was auctioned by Damien Cooley who was reluctant to accept the $900,000 opening bid.
They could probably undertake the necessary works for around $400,000, whereas non-builders would probably face $800,000 easily spent.
More than $1 million was tipped to be pocketed by the current day Christensen family members.
Title records show it last traded when a tramway worker purchased it from a local labourer for £400 around 100 years ago.
 
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Paddington's 1915 time capsule sells for $1.2 million

<html><body>
Ultimo topped Australian Property Monitors' (APM) list of the eight slowest Sydney selling suburbs.
It typically took 113 days for private treaty sellers to find a buyer in the suburb. Neighbouring Haymarket wasn't that much quicker, averaging 99 days.
The eight slowest Sydney selling suburbs
<ol>
<li>Ultimo 113 days</li>
<li>Rosehill 103 days.</li>
<li>Rhodes 102 days.</li>
<li>Haymarket 99 days.</li>
<li>Vaucluse 96 days.</li>
<li>Blakehurst 94 days.</li>
<li>Darling Point 91 days.</li>
<li>Avalon 88 days.</li>
</ol>
Source: Australian Property Monitors
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Ultimo heads Sydney's slowest selling suburbs list: APM

<html><body>
An old-time Longueville boat shed with a $3 million plus bayside home has been listed for March 21 McGrath auction.
The view from the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-longueville-nsw-2066/249649" target="_blank">14 Dunois Street offering</a> are towards the yachts on Woodford Bay.
There is a 31 metre frontage to the Lane Cove River.
<img src="/images/2015/03/17/logueville_0000_1.jpg.jpg" alt="">
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Idyllic old-time Longueville, Sydney boat shed listed for auction

<html><body>
When Treasurer Joe Hockey announced the divestment order for Villa del Mare with fanfare and hoopla, we were left hanging on the words that there was a high expectation of more to come. 
Well there have been no more ‘big’ announcements on that front which is not that big a surprise given their top end property infatuation will in all probability reveal no further indiscretions.
Of course we are now seeing a different acquisition scenario being painted with the Australian Crime Commission reportedly investigating Melbourne real estate agents with regard to foreign buyers laundering monies in the form of real estate acquisitions. Last December, I wrote <a href="/expert-insights/investing/foreign-buyers-inquiry-leaves-many-questions-unanswered">Foreign buyer inquiry leaves many questions</a> – “Of course it is just a mere coincidence that the Chinese government requested a bipartisan arrangement with the Australian government to process the identities of all Chinese buyers who purchase Australian real estate.”
At present China only permits a resident to transfer a maximum of US$50,000 per annum, so the current investigations simply add to the intrigue of how these supposed mystery funds end up on our shores? At the heart of the problem is just how the current and previous governments have been so hopeless in monitoring real estate transactions and that not only applies to residential but commercial and agricultural as well.
Whilst these inquiries are simply a distraction that quite possibly may lead to nothing the Sydney property market today faces an unprecedented challenge.
The latest data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) shows home lending is now at $1.43 trillion at the end of January – and steadily climbing. Following last week’s meeting of the RBA where the cash rate remained steady, RateCity calculated that the average standard variable home loan has dropped to 5.07% – which happens to be the lowest in 60 years.
Given the Sydney residential market continues to run amok it is worth noting that when we witnessed these markets previously in 2003 and 2010 the cash rate was rising yet this time around the cash rate is reducing. The Australian economy grew by 0.5% in the December quarter, to then post 2.5% growth for 2014. This week, ANZ chief economist Warren Hogan suggested that a third rate cut in 2015 may be required for the Australian economy.
Last week I read with interest comments made by David Murray, who is also heading – up the Abbott government’s financial systems inquiry. David Murray said: “It is a serious issue and if interest rates continue to fall, there will have to be prudential offsets to limit the risks in the housing market.”
The trouble as I see it at the moment is that we have “too many chiefs and not enough Indians” pontificating about just exactly what is the “best practice” to manage this property dilemma. For quite some time now the RBA have telegraphed their concerns and now we see the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) being suggested as the likely weapon to closely look at loan to value ratios. The only problem with all this is that investors have become addicted to negative gearing so any action to slow them down would only increase their tax breaks.
I am a big fan of abolishing the blanket cash rate by then introducing individual suburb cash rates that would be determined by the RBA. Presently all the major lenders analyse data daily on the suburb trends so it would make sense that all new lending be determined by the individual strength of that suburb when applying the suburb cash rate.
Of course the higher the rate for an investor the higher the negative gearing so the Abbott government needs to look at just how many properties can an individual investor have in a property portfolio? We have anecdotal evidence that investors have smashed first home buyers when they are competing against each other – with the investors winning in nearly every instance.
It has been well documented that David Murray is not a fan of negative gearing, which is stated in his report that still sits with the Treasurer Joe Hockey – so don’t expect a release anytime soon.On top of that the government is now pursuing releasing superannuation to first home buyers – which is a dumb idea. How about releasing the Murray Inquiry and let’s see what recommendations are contained within that report. I’ll guarantee a superannuation release does not crack a mention.
In the meantime we can expect the Sydney property juggernaut to surpass all previous records and the federal government to do next to nothing about it due to their galvanisation of popularity polls.
The government will be focused on media distractions as against working to correct the imbalances that are so obvious and confronting to Australia’s residential property markets.
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robertsimeon-hRNTwJyXkQ

The Sydney property conundrum: Robert Simeon

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Just 440 of a survey 9,300 properties currently advertised with price indications around Sydney come with prices below $300,000.
The CoreLogic RP Data survey shows 168 houses at $299,000 or under and 271 units at $299,000 or under.
Finding them on the websites realestateview.com.au, realestate.com.au and domain.com.au is like a needle in the haystack.
There are certainly plenty in the regions and a few retirement home rooms on Sydney's outskirts.
There was 11B Mangariva Avenue Lethbridge Park with price guide over $289,950, but that's gone under contract. Ditto 11/174 Lindesay Street, Campbelltown and 20D/541 Pembroke Road, Leumeah.
Offers are being sought above $295,000 for 235/2 City View Road, Pennant Hills.
At weekend auction, there was a $345,000 Gorokan sale outside of Sydney on the Central Coast, but the cheapest within Sydney was <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-camden-119108795" target="_blank">a three bedroom house snapped up pre-auction for $396,000 at Camden</a> (pictured above) through One Agency Stuart Davies.
There are around 1,200 houses and 1,200 units available in the $300,000 to $499,000 price bracket.
There are around 19,000 properties currently available for sale, with the survey covering the 9,300 declaring prices or price ranges.
The busiest Sydney price bracket is between $500,000 and $699,000 with some 1,489 houses and 1,290 units for sale.
CoreLogic puts the median at $750,000 for Sydney houses and $580,000 for units.
In the price bracket $700,000 to $999,000, there are 1263 houses and 657 units for sale.
Above $1 million, CoreLogic puts the offerings at 1289 houses and $375 units.
The general time on market is 46 days.
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Just 440 properties with sub-$300,000 prices across Sydney: CoreLogic RP Data

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Sydney auctions stayed above 80% for the sixth consecutive weekend.
There was an 84% preliminary success rate at auction today, according to Australian Property Monitors.
Last weekend's revised figure was 81%.
A Kent Road, Rose Bay house (pictured above) at $6.5 million was the top notified sale amid the 525 results.
It was the first time it had been offered in 25 years when it sold through Hamish Robertson and Joe Aboud at McGrath Estate Agents.
The 22 Kent Road house had been updated by John Crawford in 1970s, then Michael Suttor in the early 1990s.
The Domain Group's senior economist Andrew Wilson described the weekend results as "Sydney's unstoppable auction market".
The Sydney market with 628 auctions scheduled was similar to the 625 conducted over the same weekend last year.
The most popular Sydney suburb for auctions this weekend is Surry Hills with 13 followed by Mosman 12, Maroubra and Epping each with 9, Drummoyne and Yagoona 7 each and Chatswood, Redfern, Baulkham Hills and Alexandria each with 6 auctions listed this weekend.
Auction listings will continue to rise with the pre-Easter Super Saturday of auctions now looming for the 28 March election day.
Well over 1,000 auctions are likely that day which might go close to challenge the all-time Saturday record of 1,111 set over the same weekend last year under threat. 
"Big auction numbers however are likely to continue to be a snack for a ravenous Sydney home buying public," Wilson suggested.
Strong weekend results included 1 Stansell Street, Gladesville which sold at $2.85 million through Paul Tassone &amp; Ahmad Malas of Professionals Ermington
Auctioneer Rob Trovato of Auction Services saw a huge crowd of around 300 people with 28 registered bidders for the small cottage nestled between a unit block and a service station.
It had a zoning of R4 Mixed Use for its 714 square metre holding.
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Ravenous Sydney buyers keep auctions above 80% for sixth consecutive weekend

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Entering its third year of boom-time conditions, the resilient Sydney market continues to produce extraordinary results, according to the Domain Group senior economist, Andrew Wilson.
Prices growth continues to track at decade high levels with a market characterised by high levels of confidence and enthusiasm, he advised.
"Sydney’s continued strong housing market activity is due largely to the nation-leading performance of the local economy.
"High levels of migration are also keeping demand well ahead of supply, which remains significantly below underlying requirements.
"Investor activity in the Sydney market remains at record levels and is another key driver of prices growth."
<img src="/images/2015/03/12/sydney-mar-12-one.jpg" alt="">
Source: Domain Group
Low vacancy rates, rising rents and prices growth will continue to attract investors into the market this year, Wilson tipped.
"Lower interest rates will also activate investors who will have increased capacity to borrow and an enhanced “bricks and mortar” comparison with falling term deposit rates.," he said.
<img src="/images/2015/03/12/sydney-mar-12-two.jpg" alt="">
Source: Domain Group
Wilson said the Sydney housing market had commenced 2015 strongly with record level auction clearance rates for the late summer season.
First home buyer activity, however, remains at near record low levels as a proportion of market share.
"The prestige market revived over 2014 and although prices growth of 6.0% was below other market sectors, the increase in volumes and the prospect of a higher share market through 2015 will continue to activate buyers and restore confidence in this sector," he said.
<img src="/images/2015/03/12/sydney-mar-12-three.jpg" alt="">
Source: Domain Group
Sydney’s median house price increased by 14% over 2014, a similar result to the 15.4% recorded over 2013. 
Wilson forecast that Sydney was on track to record prices growth of between 7 and 10% over 2015, which will again be the best result of all capital cities. 
The coastal based eastern suburbs agency, Phillips Pantzer Donnelley reported today that it had sold 16 properties valued at $33 million with a mean price of $2.1 million in the past few weeks.
The properties ranged from a one-bedroom apartment at 12/57 Gilderthorpe Avenue, Randwick selling after just four days by Nick Quilkey and Debbie Donnelley for $685,000 up to Alexander Phillips’ sale of 10 Mirimar Avenue, Bronte selling for $5.6 million.
Property Observer gleans an expat family returning to Australia purchased the Bronte beach house planning a $4 million renovation project to create their dream home.
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Middle Sydney 10% price growth tipped: Domain Group's Andrew Wilson

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Conventional real estate wisdom says you should always sell your home first then buy. The wisdom follows that you need to know exactly what price you will achieve for your home to be able to set your budget for the next home.
This has been our advice in the past to ensure that clients don’t get caught out having two mortgages or require bridging finance during the changeover period in selling houses.
However, in the current Sydney property market, convention does not apply. The market is exceptionally strong and finding a suitable buyer at a solid price is almost assured. 
Sydney’s auction clearance rate on the weekend was 83% from 677 auctions, according to CoreLogic RP Data, and the clearance rate has been running at above 80% since the market re-ignited in February.   
There are frequent reports of properties going well over the reserve price at auctions in Sydney and we have witnessed many sales going above a reasonable price as two or more bidders battle it out.  With continuing low interest rates and Sydney’s chronic undersupply situation, there is nothing to suggest that the market will slow down anytime soon.
Buying a property first is a strategy that only works in a hot market.  It will give you certainty about your next address and will also help motivate you to get out there and find something suitable. As for selling your existing place, you can have confidence that there are plenty of other frustrated buyers out there looking for a home.  
The latest figures show that it takes just 29 days to sell a house in Sydney and 26 days for apartments. Compare this with Melbourne at 43 days for houses and 61 days for apartments (or Darwin with 106 days for houses and 117 days for apartments).
Which leads us to the next question: What happens if you just stay out of the market for now and wait till the buying frenzy subsides? 
Many buyers are no doubt questioning what will happen to prices in the future and wistfully hoping prices will drop at some point.  Over the past 25 years, research by Residex has shown that Sydney’s median house price has increased from $175,000 to $911,500 which represents an average rate of growth of almost 7% per annum.
Sydney tends to have very strong spurts of growth followed by slow growth or flat line pricing.  Even massive external shocks like the global financial crisis only put a small dent in Sydney’s long term upward trajectory – prices retracted just 5% then recovered significantly in subsequent years.
The frustration of Sydney home buyers is widespread.  A quality home in the inner and middle rings of Sydney may attract 50 to 100 groups inspecting and 10 to 15 registered bidders on auction day.  Yet just one of them will walk away smiling, while the others feel despondent wondering if they will ever find a property. 
The hassle of organising your solicitor to review the contract, getting pest and building inspections completed in time and arranging finance all goes to waste each time you miss out.  Then, you may well come up against other frustrated buyers on the next property.
Buyers are getting “buyer fatigue” having to inspect so many properties that end up out of reach. It’s tough out there!  Here’s my perspective on the range of emotions that buyers are feeling at the moment: it can be a roller coaster ride.
We are also seeing some buyers having to re-think their original plan.  If you have been out of the market for over a year, you may be very surprised to see just how much prices have moved.  Buyers and sellers are having to re-calibrate their expectations on pricing.  If you had your heart set on a specific suburb close to the kids’ schools and walk to shops, you may have to compromise now as the market has jumped (or find those extra dollars).
Our team of buyers agents have recently helped a number of clients find their next home and navigate this hot Sydney property market.  The common thread in their feedback was that they would not have been able to find the number of properties we shortlisted, work out fair value and then exchange with speed without our help.
The message is clear; Don’t be afraid to enter the market, do your research and be cautious about what you buy and how much you pay.  Many people are forward paying capital growth now just to get a foothold.  Think about the long term value of the property and who will buy it after you.
Rich Harvey is founder and managing director of <a href="https://www.propertybuyer.com.au/" target="_blank">www.propertybuyer.com.au</a>.
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In this Sydney market you need to rethink your strategy: Rich Harvey

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GUEST OBSERVATION
With enthusiasm for Sydney property seemingly indestructible, a new wave of activity is sweeping through the inner-city. First-timers, changeover-buyers and investors all want a piece of the action. But where will the smart money go?
Sure, we can look at growth rates and rental yields. But above all, there are people — movers and shakers — transforming their neighbourhoods with tomorrow’s must-visit haunts, and propagating new micro-markets along the way. This is where future value will be unearthed, the trick is knowing how to find it.
To get you started, here are three pockets worth getting amongst, and why.
<ul>
<li>Chippendale</li>
</ul>
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The area bounded by Broadway, Cleveland, Regent and Abercrombie is seriously on the move.
“If you think of New York’s Chelsea district,” says architect William Smart, “you’ll come pretty close to understanding the pocket of Chippendale anchored around Kensington Street. There is an incredible energy, and a desire for excellence in these parts, it’s extremely exciting.”
Smart should know — he designed the genre-bending White Rabbit Gallery, on neighbouring Balfour Street, as well as the interiors of Jean Nouvel’s Central Park apartment complex. But the most thrilling new development in this precinct is the <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="https://www.theoldclarehotel.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" data-href="https://www.theoldclarehotel.com.au">Old Clare Hotel</a> on Kensington Street.
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The White Rabbit Gallery — Sydney’s home for contemporary Chinese art.
Upping the style ante, the Old Clare bows to the district’s rather raunchy past, while thrusting it into a more glamorous future. Housed in the former Carlton &amp; United Brewery building, the 62-room hotel will not only be a place for visitors to stay, but also a hangout for locals. With a rooftop pool and slick eateries, it’s set to have all the allure of East London’s Shoreditch House, or New York’s Soho House. She’ll be ready to open her doors later this year.
Old Clare hotspots in the making:
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Automata — helmed by Clayton Wells (formerly of Momofuku).
Silvereye — under the control of Sam Miller (formerly of Noma, Copenhagen, World’s Best Restaurant according to the judges at S. Pellegrino).
Kensington Street Social — under the eagle eye of British bad boy, Jason Atherton.
So why should home-hunters care? This food precinct is set to tilt Sydney’s cultural axis towards the inner west. The once uninspiring line between Inner East and West is being reinvigorated.
This is more than the ‘wow’ of new cafes. We’re talking cultural institutions. And that breeds new value.
<ul>
<li>Enmore</li>
</ul>
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No longer aspiring to be Newtown, Enmore has stepped out of the shadows. To food critic Terry Durack, Enmore “is increasingly the Brooklyn to Sydney’s Manhattan”. It’s where grit still kicks charm in the ass. Osteria di Russo &amp; Russo has become a nucleus, with the swinging small bar scene giving Enmore wider appeal.
Young Henry’s know all about it, brewing beer at the base of an old grain silo, they’re now part of the area’s proud identity. Their brews are served all across Enmore Road — in pubs with evocative monikers like The Secret Garden or The Stinking Bishop. It’s a neighbourhood in transition, and a place in which to get a toehold now.
“I saw the potential for growth in this neighbourhood,” says Andrei Meintjes, whose Collectika warehouse on Enmore Road showcases the very best of mid-century modern design. “It’s got more grit than the King Street stretch of Newtown.” Plenty of locals would raise a Young Henry’s to that.
<ul>
<li>Erskineville</li>
</ul>
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The Imperial Hotel — long-committed to the eclecticism of the surrounding areas.
Erskineville Road village is the poster child for the mid-century Aussie strip mall — an intriguing corridor of ferociously independent businesses that pump the lifeblood into the area.
<div class="aspectRatioPlaceholder is-locked"><img class="graf-image" src="https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/1200/1*djr3JlqvWjwqlBI5FXEA8Q.jpeg" data-image-id="1*djr3JlqvWjwqlBI5FXEA8Q.jpeg" data-width="1280" data-height="853" data-action="zoom" data-action-value="1*djr3JlqvWjwqlBI5FXEA8Q.jpeg"></div>
Pure &amp; General — a hub of homely exoticism in an already diverse neighbourhood.
“It’s an interesting neighbourhood,” says Linda Gregoriou, owner operator of Pure &amp; General lifestyle store. “It is right in the process of being gentrified, repurposed with precision and taste.” She points to the council street plantings, the brickwork of the curbs, and the many micro-parks — former block-through properties that have been bequeathed to the Erko Council for public use, as signs of a true community spirit. “It feels like Woollhara, twenty years ago,” Linda says.
But down the road from Erko village, is Swanson Street and its vibrant enclave facing Erskineville Park with its fantastic Aussie Deco stadium. This is where the Swanson Hotel opened just a month ago, the relooking of the old Kurrajong pub. Now all old cigar and cognac tones, it’s gentle manly in the best possible way. An old dog, yet still learning new tricks.
There we have three neighbourhoods on the move. Three diverse ways of living in the city. Three pockets offering new value.
Don’t get caught in the headlights. The energy across inner Sydney is unmistakable, but the smartest buying always takes a little more perception.
<a href="https://www.bresicwhitney.com.au/" target="_blank">BRESICWHITNEY</a> is a boutique real estate group founded in Darlinghurst in 2003.
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