After inspecting the a mixture of new apartment developments in Sydney's thriving north west corridor, Rouse Hill downsizers Lynne and Dale Kennedy were set to buy a two-bedroom apartment in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ellipse-property-group">Ellipse Property</a>’s Carrington Place development, until they saw the penthouse floorplans.

The retired police officer and her builder husband, aged in their mid-60’s, quickly upsized to a three-bedroom penthouse within the Atrium building, the first stage of the Castle Hill masterplan.

Their luxury apartment is one of eight in Atrium’s exclusive Penthouse Collection and features striking interior design. The penthouses offer flexible open-plan layouts with abundant space and tranquillity. With two living spaces, walk-in wardrobes and butlers’ pantries, Atrium’s penthouses feature large balconies with sweeping views to Cattai Creek and the wider Hills District.&nbsp;

“As soon as we saw the floorplan for this penthouse, we knew it was the one for us," Lynne said.

"It is oversized with abundant storage, so we know we are not going to feel cramped, even though we are downsizing from a large, five-bedroom family home. The open-plan design spills out to a large deck, perfect for entertaining and when the grandchildren visit. The finishes are top-quality and I love the butler’s pantry and integrated appliances in the kitchen – with the steam oven, pyrolytic oven and coffee machine all built in.”

High-quality material finishes and premium appliances are used throughout Atrium’s penthouse collection. Miele appliances in the newly-released Pearl Beige finish, Vintec wine fridges, Parisi tapware and fireplaces are set within luxe finishes including pure wool carpets and statement Caesarstone benchtops. Built-in barbecues, and in some cases bars and skylights, are further signature features of the penthouse design.

Dale Kennedy owns Inspect It FIRST, a building inspection company he has operated for over 25 years. With stringent views on design and build integrity, he was quick to recognise the quality behind the architectural design and iCIRT-rated builder, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode Group</a>.

“This penthouse sets a new benchmark in terms of quality and attention to detail. The floorplan is well-considered - special features like the skylight are a stand-out and not typical in new builds. The iCIRT-rated builder adds a further level of comfort buying off-the-plan, and we are confident that the finished apartment will be high-quality with no nasty surprises,” said Dale.

The Kennedy’s are excited at the freedom that apartment living will unlock for them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360287]

“We won’t have to maintain a house, swimming pool and gardens anymore, and are looking forward to having more leisure time," Lynne added.

"The low maintenance apartment lifestyle and security of the building means we can travel more and take extended trips. We can simply ‘lock and leave’, something we can’t do with a big house. We also love the location so close to Showground Metro Station and retail precinct, but without being in the thick of it. Everything is literally on our doorstep, just a few minutes’ walk. It will be so convenient being able to access the city so easily and not having to drive to the shops.”

After 11 years in their home on Morrisey Way, Rouse Hill, the couple will sell it before moving into their new penthouse. The expansive five-bedroom family home features a cinema, swimming pool and six-car garage.

There are just six penthouses left in Atrium’s Penthouse Collection in a mix of three- and four-bedroom configurations, ranging from 160 to 334 sqm in size and priced from $3.025 million to $5.4 million.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360286]

According to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>, exclusive sales agents at Carrington Place, Atrium’s Penthouse Collection is meeting a groundswell of demand from local downsizers – aligned with broader trends in Metro-connected suburbs across Sydney.

“The Penthouse Collection sets a new standard for apartments in Castle Hill,"&nbsp;said Blake Schulze, National Director – Residential at Colliers.

"There is simply nothing else like these penthouses. Downsizers are drawn to their house-like scale and premium finishes. With sought-after views plus access to outstanding new local amenities, the Penthouse Collection unlocks a new lifestyle for buyers.

Schulze says buyers are drawn to Carrington Place’s lifestyle with close proximity to the Showground precinct’s vibrant mix of retail and dining options.

"Being able to walk to the Metro and this rapidly emerging lifestyle hub is of huge appeal to this demographic.”

According to Puja Khanna, Associate Director at Ellipse Property, the carefully curated interiors are proving to be a point of difference.&nbsp;

“Our floorplans have been thoughtfully considered, knowing that many buyers will be downsizing from large homes," Khanna says.

"Smart and abundant storage was an absolute must. And for many of our buyers, entertaining is a priority – with adult children, grandchildren and family visiting and sometimes staying over. We made sure bedrooms are spacious and living spaces are oversized, and kitchens incorporate butler’s pantries alongside the latest appliances."

Atrium is under construction by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder Decode Group, with completion scheduled for Q3 2026.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360285]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lily-lane-at-carrington-place-castle-hill-32-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Lily Lane</a>, the second stage&nbsp;of Carrington Place, is set to commence construction later this month on the back of Atrium’s significant sales success, with 85 per cent of all apartments now sold.

Carrington Place will be constructed across multiple stages and deliver more than 800 new homes, with the entire precinct set for completion in 2032. It will feature abundant open space with over 20,000 sqm of outdoor recreational area, including a one-kilometre boardwalk to the nearby Fred Caterson Reserve.&nbsp;

The project is also integrated with the surrounding bushland, with a site boundary that stretches to the edge of Cattai Creek, immersing residents in the beauty of Sydney’s ‘Garden Shire’.

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151821]

Joel Robinson

Local downsizers set sights on Carrington Place, Castle Hill penthouses

Lifestyle, residential and wellness developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a>, and joint venture development partner lNT.RE (formerly Icon Developments) have announced the popular SOAK Bathhouse brand will anchor the ground floor of their $160m luxury <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/emerald-place-by-lowe-living-200-clarendon-street-south-melbourne-vic-3205">Emerald Place</a> development at 182-200 Clarendon St, South Melbourne, which is set to open in August 2026.&nbsp;

This will be the second Melbourne outpost for the SOAK Bathhouse brand, after its inaugural Victorian location in South Yarra launched in 2025, which has quickly become a staple in Melbourne’s bathing and wellness scene.&nbsp;

SOAK Bathhouse has signed a 10-year partnership to take out the 459sqm prime corner ground-floor tenancy, which will join the other two retail tenancies, high-end commercial space and 38 ultra-luxury residential apartments and penthouses above.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135816 project_image_fid=365847]

SOAK Bathhouse is renowned for its luxurious and socially-focused mineral pools, cold plunge, sauna, steam room, infrared LED therapies, and massage services. Its arrival at Emerald Place, South Melbourne marks a significant milestone for both brands and for South Melbourne.&nbsp;

While the specific inclusions of the venue are still under wraps, SOAK Bathhouse has confirmed the space will be equipped with a signature SOAK Bathhouse mineral pool, cold plunge, saunas and steam room, alongside a lush dedication to verdant greenery and ferns throughout the tranquil bathing spaces.&nbsp;

SOAK Bathhouse will serve both Emerald Place residents and the broader South Melbourne business community, creating a wellness destination that bridges the gap between work and home. For residents, it's a daily ritual on their doorstep. For the surrounding office workers, it's a place to decompress, recharge and transition between professional and personal life.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135816 project_image_fid=365850]

The partnership has underpinned Lowe Living’s commitment to delivering wellness-led amenities that not only embed physical spaces within the projects but integrate established, renowned wellness brands to anchor and operate these spaces.&nbsp;

Through the partnership with SOAK Bathhouse, penthouse buyers will be granted complimentary memberships, while all other residents of the Emerald Place development will benefit from exclusive discounted access. Together, these privileges deliver a compelling lifestyle enhancement and a lasting investment in wellbeing.&nbsp;

Lowe Living has been steadily carving out a niche in the luxury property market as a wellness-led developer, having a partnership with the Sorrento-based Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse to offer a private, residents-only wellness spaces at its upcoming Camberwell and Brighton projects.&nbsp;

These partnerships with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse and now SOAK Bathhouse, reinforce a broader shift across Lowe Living’s portfolio towards a meaningful commitment to health-focused amenity and wellness offerings.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135816 project_image_fid=231195]

Since its inaugural offering in Mermaid Beach, which has since expanded nationally across Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne, SOAK Bathhouse has grown into a leading contemporary bathhouse brand, attracting a dedicated following thanks to its unique social-focused approach to bathing.&nbsp;

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said the Lowe Living team "view our partnerships as an extension of our design philosophy."

"We align with brands that genuinely elevate the everyday experience of our residents and deliver tangible value for our purchasers that enrich their lives.&nbsp;SOAK Bathhouse was a natural fit for Lowe Living and specifically Emerald Place. Their approach to contemporary bathing and social wellness strongly aligns with our vision of creating homes that prioritise long-term health, connection and lifestyle.”&nbsp;

Tim Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said securing Melbourne’s second SOAK Bathhouse for Emerald Place is a significant milestone for Lowe Living, INT.RE and South Melbourne.&nbsp;

“This partnership reflects the continued evolution of luxury residential development," Lowe says.

"Today’s buyers are looking beyond finishes and floorplans and investing in holistic living environments, not just inside their apartments but in the communal and wider local amenity offerings, too."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135816]

Lowe Living secures SOAK Bathhouse on 10-year lease at Emerald Place, South Melbourne development

While the Gold Coast continues to densify around key transport and lifestyle nodes, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mermaid-beach-qld-4218">Mermaid Beach</a> has retained its village-like charm even as demand intensifies for walkable beachside living. It’s a suburb that holds firm to its community feel, while sitting within one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban corridors.

Developer DANKAV put the neighbourhood and its residents first when drawing up the plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-alfred-residences-mermaid-beach-2375-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">The Alfred Residences</a>, which will replace the former Mermaid Beach Shopping Village near Nobby Beach. The project marks a rare example of precinct renewal at a truly local scale.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-alfred-residences-mermaid-beach-2375-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">The Alfred Residences</a>&nbsp;comprises a wide variety of one- and two-bedroom apartments, set above a new ground plane of curated hospitality and boutique retailers, all framed by generous laneways, shaded plazas, and garden paths designed to enhance pedestrian flow and public interaction.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149942 project_image_fid=355148]

The site’s configuration reflects both a respect for the area's established rhythm and a recognition of its future trajectory, particularly with the planned Mermaid Beach South light rail station directly across the road.

Residents will find immediate access to both everyday needs and broader connectivity. A Woolworths Metro and local cafés are already operating nearby, while the beach sits just 100 metres from The Alfred’s front door. Pacific Fair, the region’s flagship retail centre, is also close by, with an extensive mix of dining, fashion and entertainment.&nbsp;

For those commuting or exploring beyond Mermaid Beach, the upcoming light rail link promises seamless movement north through Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise and into Southport, expanding access without the need for a car.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149942 project_image_fid=355150]

Neighbouring locales such as Miami and Nobby Beach further enrich the lifestyle offering. These established precincts contribute everything from surf clubs and oceanfront parks to laid-back dining venues and independent retailers, all within a short walk or bike ride.&nbsp;

The Alfred effectively places residents within one of the Gold Coast’s most liveable pockets, where the essentials of daily life converge with long-term infrastructure planning and timeless natural appeal.

Predominantly local buyers jumped at the first release at The Alfred Residences, transacting the majority of the release in a matter of weeks. Demolition of the former shopping village is now underway, and Dankav expects completion of the first collection of residences in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149942]

The Alfred Residences brings village-style living to the heart of Mermaid Beach

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chermside-qld-4032">Chermside</a> is better known for bus interchanges and Westfield than for high-end apartment towers. Kabbalah, on Playfield Street, is a deliberate push against that reputation.

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/playfield-developments">Playfield Developments</a>, the building holds 64 apartments, all three and four bedrooms, across its 13 storeys. The apartments are generous by any measure: lower-floor three-bedrooms start at 164 sqm, each with a multi-purpose room and private balcony, while the north-facing penthouse stretches to 382 sqm. Every residence comes with two car spaces.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ana-architects">ANA Architects</a>, the Brisbane firm behind the 25-storey Willahra Tower on Queen Street and the 45-storey Mantra on Mary in the CBD, shaped the building around curved forms drawn from the natural landscape. Balcony gardens run throughout, with planter boxes worked into the private outdoor spaces of each apartment, giving residents greenery at the threshold rather than just at the rooftop.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149578 project_image_fid=354319]

That rooftop carries its own weight: a pool, landscaped gardens, and outdoor entertaining areas sit above the city, designed as much for quiet evenings as for hosting. The wellness offering continues at ground level, where a centre with pool, sauna, and communal lounge zones anchors the building's other end. Together they give the building a rhythm, somewhere to arrive at the top and somewhere to retreat to below.

The site itself is part of the pitch. "One of the last available sites to develop in an established precinct," is how Playfield Developments describes the Playfield Street address, and the surrounding context backs that up. Westfield Chermside, the second largest Westfield in Australia, is within a few minutes on foot, along with its dining precinct and cinema complex.&nbsp;

The Chermside bus interchange connects directly to the Brisbane CBD and across the northern suburbs via more than 20 Translink routes, with the CBD roughly 15 minutes away by road. The Prince Charles Hospital, one of Queensland's major teaching hospitals and the state's leading cardiac centre, is roughly a kilometre up the road on Rode Road.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149578 project_image_fid=354321]

Place Projects is handling sales, bringing a track record across some of Queensland's largest residential developments. Early buyer response has centred on the finishes and scale, "buyers consistently comment on the high-quality finishes throughout the apartments," the sales team notes, pointing to craftsmanship and considered design as the recurring draw.&nbsp;

"They're looking for generously sized apartments that offer both space and functionality, combined with a strong lifestyle offering," Place Projects says.

Construction has been awarded to Clearcon, with completion slated for late 2027. Pricing runs from $1.5 million for a lower-floor three-bedroom up to $3.65 million for the penthouse.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149578]

Playfield Developments brings 64 apartments to Chermside with Kabbalah

More than 3,000 dwellings are currently selling or gearing up to launch across Surfers Paradise, the suburb’s most concentrated apartment pipeline in years. At least eight projects are already in market, with more moving through registration and presale, creating a meaningful wave of new supply.

This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Strong interstate migration into Queensland, particularly the Gold Coast, continues to underpin demand, with the local population expected to push past 800,000 in the early 2030s.

We’re also seeing solid early-stage buyer activity. As usual, the earliest phases tend to offer the best mix of pricing and choice, before the more popular layouts get snapped up.

Comparing Surfers Paradise projects? Browse all listings → <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">View all Surfers Paradise apartments</a>

<hr data-end="1189" data-start="1186" />
<h2 data-end="1218" data-section-id="tdhbfr" data-start="1191">How to Read the Pipeline</h2>

Apartment projects in Surfers Paradise are at various stages of their project lifecycle, from pre-launch, selling now, construction commenced, or construction complete.

Where you buy in that cycle matters.

<ul data-end="1674" data-start="1409">
	<li data-end="1542" data-section-id="d5c11p" data-start="1409">Registration and&nbsp;presale: Typically the lowest price points and best choice, but with longer wait times to completion</li>
	<li data-end="1608" data-section-id="plnjqp" data-start="1543">Under construction: Greater certainty, shorter timelines.</li>
	<li data-end="1674" data-section-id="13k7yl8" data-start="1609">Completed: No construction risk, but pricing reflects that.</li>
</ul>

The projects below are grouped by stage to help buyers understand where they sit in the buying window.

<hr data-end="1942" data-start="1939" />
<h2 data-end="1967" data-section-id="zj5dj7" data-start="1944">Projects Now Selling</h2>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a> is the newest apartment development to launch in Surfers Paradise.

Exhale, being developed by SIERA, comprises just 54 apartments, a density not often seen in Surfers. It sits on the corner of Enderley Avenue and Garfield Terrace, just off Northcliffe Beach. SIERA Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson spent over a year trying to secure the rare beachside site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

SIERA engaged BDA Architecture to design the building, with a striking glass curtain wall&nbsp;façade.

Offering two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments, Exhale will also offer its residents a two-level wellness podium with a heated magnesium pool, spa, sauna, Nordic&nbsp;cold shower, and biophilic designed landscaped gardens.

There's also a dedicated Pilates and yoga studio, library and reading retreat, cinema lounge, and private dining room with a private bar and wine cellar.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Exhale →</a>

<hr data-end="2500" data-start="2497" />
Paradiso Place is the largest project currently in market in Surfers Paradise. Developer SPG Land recently begun construction on its 845-unit development they are bringing to 103 Ferny Avenue.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185858]

At this scale, it’s effectively its own sub-market, offering a wide mix of configurations across multiple price points, from entry-level investor stock through to larger owner-occupier product. Amenities include a pool, gym, and outdoor spaces.

With projects of this size, early buyers typically benefit most from the broader selection before key layouts are taken up.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/paradiso-place-surfers-paradise-103-ferny-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Paradiso Place →</a>

<hr data-end="2500" data-start="2497" />
Jewel Residences is the only completed development on this list. The three towers, which drastically altered the Surfers Paradise skyline when they were complete in 2020 from their dress circle position&nbsp;at 36 Old Burleigh Road, home 512 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8843 project_image_fid=264503]

With the six-star The Langham within the middle tower, Jewel offers&nbsp;​​​​​​significant hospitality venues including&nbsp;signature restaurants, a bar, cafe, and a resort pool with a swim-up bar

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/jewel-residences-surfers-paradise-36-old-burleigh-road-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Jewel Residences </a>

<hr data-end="2938" data-start="2935" />
Andrews Projects recently commenced construction at South Beach, just shy of 400 apartments at 3006–3016 Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Prices start from $1.08 million for the one-bedroom apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887 project_image_fid=358399]

Central to the South Beach offering is a 5,500m sqm wellness and lifestyle precinct designed around the concept of renewal as a daily ritual.

The wellness facilities include sunrise and sunset pools, an indoor hydrotherapy pool, plunge baths, a Hammam, traditional and infrared saunas, red-light therapy and dedicated treatment rooms. A Technogym gym,&nbsp;cinema, co-working lounge and a range of indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining spaces, including BBQ terraces, complete the amenity.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/south-beach-surfers-paradise-3006-3016-surfers-paradise-boulevard-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about South Beach →</a>

<hr data-end="3316" data-start="3313" />
Another new entry to the market is Palmera Residences, developed by Central Equity at 18 Garfield Terrace. That majority of the 347 residences are large three-bedroom apartments, priced from just shy of $3 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=361247]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>&nbsp;is being constructed in the prestigious Northcliffe residential neighbourhood on an expansive 3,239 sqm site. It is located at 18 Garfield Terrace near the Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club and the patrolled Northcliffe surf beach, situated between&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Surfers Paradise</a>.

Residents will have private access to extensive, state-of-the-art amenities, featuring two large pools including a generously scaled, family-friendly pool with safe shallow zones, and a 25-metre lap pool facing the western side, ensuring maximum sunlight all day.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-surfers-paradise-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Palmera Residences →</a>

<hr data-end="3711" data-start="3708" />
26 Vista has benefitted from the boom in Surfers Paradise over the last few years. Over 70 per cent of the 280 apartments have sold, with the remaining priced from $1.86 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112730 project_image_fid=365605]

26 Vista, being developed by MRCB, is scheduled to complete in late 2030 and has attracted strong interest from locals and interstate buyers, Matt George, from project marketer Urban Activation, says.

“The diverse mix of buyers we’ve seen investing in this development stands as a testament to the superior product that is being offered. 26 Vista is truly the gold standard for coastal living, with its thoughtfully considered design and its commitment to providing residents with five-star luxury in sub-tropical surrounds.”

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-surfers-paradise-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about 26 Vista →</a>

<hr data-end="3711" data-start="3708" />
Away from the beach and closer to the Budds Beach area of Surfers Paradise is Homecorp's new tower, Florence Residences.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=357950]

The Monte Carlo building has 116 apartments amid a suite of wellness spaces including&nbsp;a private residents’ only wellness club including a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Florence Residences →</a>

<hr data-end="4321" data-start="4318" />
<h2 data-end="4364" data-section-id="1bj0450" data-start="4323">The Broader Pipeline</h2>

There's a lot more to come in Surfers Paradise in the coming years. The most interest is likely the two-tower beachfront project proposed by Winx billionaire John Camilleri. The two towers, which will comprise 275 apartments, are to be connected by a 45-storey skybridge.

On the more boutique end, Cavella, by SEYAH, will have <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-seyah-to-launch-cavella-in-emerging-sunrise-boulevard-surfers-paradise-pocket-following-density-rethink">just 18 residences</a> across a more modestly-sized 12-level building, also nearer the river than the beach.

For a broader view, see our breakdown of the top 10 new apartment projects launching on the Gold Coast in 2026, covering key opportunities suburb by suburb.

<hr data-end="5185" data-start="5182" />
<h2 data-end="5234" data-section-id="1kp72fk" data-start="5187">What Buyers Should Weigh Up Before Enquiring</h2>

Where a project sits in the development cycle matters just as much, if not more than, the price.

An off-the-plan apartment at registration stage may offer the lowest entry point, but it typically comes with a 24–36 month settlement timeline.

Later-stage projects trade some of that upside for greater certainty, so the right choice ultimately depends on your timeframe, risk appetite, and what you’re prioritising: price, selection, or delivery.

The 3,000 apartments to reshape Surfers Paradise skyline

Brisbane Market

<html><body>
The Sydney housing market is starting to slow following more than five years of strong increases in dwelling values.
As the Sydney market slows there could be some upside for other housing markets where capital gains have been more sustainable and rental yields are higher.
Australia’s third largest city, Brisbane, has recently garnered more attention as a candidate for improved housing market conditions.
In this week’s blog we look at the historic relationship between housing market growth in Sydney and Brisbane in order to determine whether the slowdown in Sydney could translate into an acceleration in Brisbane.
 
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-10/2017-10-09-blogimage1.png" alt="2017-10-09--annualchangeindwellingvalues" width="570" height="198">
The 30 year annual change chart above tends to indicate that after a surge in Sydney dwelling values Brisbane has followed suit thereafter.  
Following Sydney dwelling value growth peaking at 61.7% p.a. in August 1988, Brisbane dwelling value growth peaked at an annual rate of 35.3% in February 1989.  
Annual growth in Sydney dwelling values also peaked in January 2002 at 20.8% with Brisbane’s rate of growth not peaking until December 2003 at 30.7%.  
Keep in mind that outside of these two clear examples, a rise in Sydney value growth has not necessarily been met with a rise in Brisbane (or vice versa).
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-10/2017-10-09-blogimage2.png" alt="2017-10-09--sydneydwellingvaluepremiumrelativetobrisbane" width="570" height="198">
  What the growth of Sydney values in 1988 and 2001 did have in common is that they resulted in a significant gap opening between values in Sydney and Brisbane.  
At its peak in August 1988, Sydney dwelling values were typically 104% more than Brisbane dwellings.  
At its height in September 2001, Sydney dwelling values were 107% higher than Brisbane dwelling prices.  
Recently the chart shows that the gap between values in Sydney and Brisbane has increased and at September 2017 the differential was 86%.  
The long-term average premium for Sydney dwellings over Brisbane is 55% indicating that the gap remains above the long-term average.  Interestingly, even taking a shorter time-frame the average gap has been 56% over the past 20 years and a lower 41% over the past decade.
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-10/2017-10-09-blogimage3.png" alt="2017-10-09--quarterlyinterstatemigrationfromnswtoqld" width="570" height="198">
  Queensland has historically been a popular migration destination for people choosing to leave New South Wales.  
The above chart highlights that following the surge in value growth and the widening of dwelling prices between Sydney and Brisbane, migration from New South Wales to Queensland has typically increased.  
Over the long-term, the average quarterly number of persons migrating from New South Wales to Queensland has been recorded at 12,376 persons.  
Migration from New South Wales to Queensland peaked over the March 1989 quarter at 18,259 persons and then averaged 14,461 persons per quarter from March 1989 to December 1991.  
Migration from New South Wales to Queensland peaked again in December 2002 at 18,129 persons and then averaged 15,392 persons per quarter from December 2002 to September 2004.
As migration from New South Wales to Queensland has recently picked-up, so far it has peaked at a much lower 13,487 persons over the December 2016 quarter which is only 9.0% above the long-term average.  
By comparison the 1989 peak saw migration to Queensland peak at 47.5% above the long-run average and the 2002 peak saw migration peak at 46.5% above the long-run average.
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-10/2017-10-09-blogimage4.png" alt="2017-10-09--annualchangeinemployment" width="570" height="198">
  Unless those people migrating from New South Wales to Queensland are retirees, employment opportunities must be a key consideration.  
Post the 1987 boom in Sydney, New South Wales employment growth was slowing while it accelerated in Queensland.  
Similarly in the early 2000’s employment growth had been greater in New South Wales than in Queensland however, by June 2001 Queensland’s employment was growing at a faster annual rate than New South Wales’ with Queensland employment growth consistently stronger than New South Wales all the way until January 2008.  
Over this period, dwelling value growth in Brisbane had consistently been stronger than growth in Sydney.  
Looking more recently, New South Wales has consistently recorded stronger annual employment growth than Queensland between September 2014 and March 2017.  Since April 2017, annual employment growth in Queensland has been greater than in New South Wales.
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_570w_/public/2017-10/20174-10-09-blogimage5.png" alt="2017-10-09--unemploymentratetrend" width="570" height="198">
  Although employment growth is important, the unemployment rate is also a consideration.  
Although job creation picked up in Queensland after 1987, Queensland’s unemployment rate was consistently higher than New South Wales’ until October 1991 when it was fairly similar to that of New South Wales.  
By August 1992 Queensland’s unemployment rate fell below New South Wales’ and remained lower until December 1994.  
The New South Wales unemployment rate was then consistently lower than Queensland’s until July 2004 with Queensland’s unemployment rate remaining lower than News South Wales’ from July 2004 until late 2009 (thankyou mining boom!).  
From February 2010 onwards, Queensland is yet to chalk up one month in which its unemployment rate is lower than New South Wales’.  Interestingly though, the gap between the New South Wales and Queensland unemployment rate is currently lower (1.1 basis points) than it was as the Sydney housing market was peaking in August 1988 (1.5 basis points) and January 2002 (1.9 basis points).
The trends presented here would generally suggest that Brisbane could be well positioned for a pick-up in value growth as the Sydney housing market slows.  
Keep in mind though that there have been instances in the past where value growth has surged in Sydney and it hasn’t been followed by a surge in Brisbane, so a lift in Brisbane growth is no certainty.  
A significant gap in the cost of housing between the two cities was evident in both 1989 and 2002 and it also evident currently.  As value growth rose in Brisbane, interstate migration from New South Wales hit levels significantly above the long-term average and although interstate migration is increasing it is yet to hit anything close to those previous highs.  Employment growth is accelerating in Queensland which may encourage an increasing number of people from New South Wales to Queensland and the differential in unemployment rate is smaller than it was in 1989 and 2002.
One other consideration is whether the same magnitude of people leaving New South Wales for Queensland will actually settle in Brisbane.  
Both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are much bigger cities in their own right than they were in 1989 and 2002 plus connectivity with Brisbane is much better than it was previously, so perhaps these migrants will be more inclined to settle on one of the Coasts rather than Brisbane.  
Over the 12 months to September 2017, Brisbane dwelling values have increased by 2.9% while values on the Gold Coast are 5.4% higher over the year and Sunshine Coast values are 6.6%. 
In my opinion, before we can call a coming surge in Brisbane dwelling values we are going to need to see both more evidence that migrants are settling in Brisbane rather than the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.  Migration from New South Wales to Queensland is going to have to lift by a lot more than it has to-date.  Finally, Queensland will also need to see a sustained improvement in employment growth to lure more people across the border.
 
Cameron Kusher is head of research for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Sydney housing market starting to slow: will Brisbane benefit?

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Brisbane shows how complex markets can be and illustrates the folly of generalisation. 
My winter survey of sales activity and prices reveals that the number of rising markets across the Brisbane metro area is matched by the number of declining/danger areas – and in between are the majority of suburbs which are consistency or plateau markets.
Brisbane’s data shows the impact of the Covid-19 shutdown while also displaying a good level of resilience. The number of suburbs with rising sales activity (28) is lower than the Autumn 2020 survey (37), but better than at the same time last year (24).
There continues to be a high level of consistency markets (50 suburbs, down slightly from 56 in the previous survey). The existence of 28 growth suburbs and 50 consistency suburbs shows a solid degree of resistance to the virus crisis period. But also significant is the 113 plateau markets (suburbs where sales activity has dropped below the previous levels), the highest in three years.
Brisbane also has 21 suburbs ranked as declining markets, slightly fewer than in the previous quarterly survey (23) and substantially lower than six months ago (32). There are also seven danger markets, ones where sales activity and prices are down and vacancies are uncomfortably high.
The Brisbane market was poised for a long overdue boom before Covid-19 struck. As we wrote in the previous edition: “Every statistic that matters depicts uplift in the Brisbane market and prices are expected to rise in 2020. Many commentators have forecast a Brisbane boom in recent years, though many were simply assuming that the Queensland capital would follow the lead of Melbourne and Sydney. Brisbane, however, has lacked the core growth drivers that boosted markets in the two biggest cities.
“But, increasingly, growth parameters are lining up for Brisbane. Population data is favourable, the affordability comparison is helpful, surveyed investors say they are targeting Brisbane – and the major piece of the puzzle previously missing, infrastructure spending, is starting to happen.”
Because of those factors, we believe Brisbane will return to strength quickly in the recovery-from-corona phase.
As we often find with these surveys, there is particular strength in the northern suburbs of Brisbane – the Brisbane North precinct and the Moreton Bay LGA jointly account for half of the 28 suburbs ranked as rising markets. The southside has many of the struggling markets and Brisbane’s inner-city provides all of the danger markets.
In our analysis we divide the sprawling Brisbane City LGA into five precincts (inner, north, south, east and west) while the more distant parts of the metro area are covered by the LGAs of Ipswich, Logan, Redland and Moreton Bay – a total of nine precincts. 
The Brisbane North precinct and its neighbour Moreton Bay Region are the standouts, as they have been in our surveys in the past.
The Moreton Bay Region LGA has regularly been the best-performing Brisbane market, boosted by affordability, good infrastructure and proximity to employment nodes (including a new university campus). And its status has been enhanced in this survey, with the number of rising suburbs increasing from eight to nine. This LGA also has 10 suburbs ranked as consistency markets, which overall creates a strong result for this precinct in a virus-impacted market.
Leading suburbs include Petrie (quarterly sales of 43-47-53-69-66), Strathpine (65-79-81-83) and Banksia Beach (46-54-67-68-70).
Brisbane North has 5 suburbs classified as rising markets, 9 ranked as consistency markets and none ranked as declining or danger markets. There are two particular clusters with strongly-performing suburbs: the inner north (which includes suburbs like Newmarket, Windsor, Stafford and Kedron), and the north-east precinct (which includes Nudgee, Nundah, Northgate and Wavell Heights). 
Ashgrove, with quarterly sales of 54-57-60-71-74, is typical of the suburbs with rising trajectories. Zillmere (42-47-49-56-62-64) is another of the growth markets.
The other standout market to emerge in this survey is the Brisbane-east precinct, which has five growth suburbs, seven consistency markets and no locations ranked as declining or danger markets. Leading locations include Wynnum West (54-67-74-80) and Murarrie (22-28-29-35-47-51).
The Brisbane-inner precinct is a confusion of suburbs with contrasting rankings: the 22 ranked suburbs include 2 rising, 17 plateau, 1 consistency, 2 declining and 7 danger. The danger markets (Albion, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Kelvin Grove, South Brisbane, West End and Woolloongabba) are those where sales activity has dropped markedly, prices are down and vacancy rates are high – particularly with a recent virus-related surge in empty apartments in the inner-city areas.
Logan City in the far south of the Brisbane metro area continues to struggle. It has 12 suburbs with declining sales activity. But there are also signs of life, with two rising suburbs and five consistency suburbs.
Brisbane is split almost 50-50 between markets where prices are up in annual terms and those where prices have fallen in the past 12 months: 52% of apartment markets have recorded annual growth and 44% of house markets have risen, providing an overall result of 46% growth markets and 54% with falling prices.
In most cases, whether rising or falling, the change has been minor (less than 5% in the past year).
Leading suburbs for growth in their median house prices include Coorparoo (16%), Morningside (13%), St Lucia (15%) and Windsor (22%), but the market leader is Fig Tree Pocket, where the median price has increased 32% to $1.18 million. 
Among the unit markets, the best for annual growth in median prices have been Bulimba (23%, Mango Hill (13%), Alderley (12% and Annerley (11%).
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="mailto:%20&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%5Cn%20&lt;/script&gt;&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%20&lt;/script&gt;This%20email%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%20&lt;/script&gt;"></a><a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
 
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Brisbane real estate a mix of growth, consistent, plateauing and declining suburbs: Hotspotting’s Terry Ryder

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Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee says only about 10 per cent of residential sales in Queensland utilise the auction process. 
“Brisbane’s not a big auction market anyway so it won’t have the same impact we’ll see in Melbourne and Sydney,” Ms Conisbee told realestate.com.au.
Realestate.com.au has launched <a href="https://help.realestate.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/360001177803-How-to-add-a-video-or-a-3D-tour-to-a-listing" target="_blank">virtual tours of properties</a> listed on its site to help home hunters.
"To continue to view properties online, it introduced digital inspections showing all the features.
“For people looking to buy, the bigger deal will be not being able to go into the home,” Ms Conisbee said.
There are two main ways of going about adding a video or a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://help.realestate.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/360000354766">three-dimensional tour</a> to a listing.
The first being via an <a href="https://help.realestate.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/115004480103-Search-a-listing-in-Agent-Admin" target="_blank">Agent Admin</a> where you will need to find the listing. When you have found the listing, through the 'Images and Copy' tab, scroll down to 'Links'. This is where you can add video links to the Video URL field, or Online Tour 1 field for 3D tours. 
A video or 3D tour can also be added via your third-party listing uploader where you would have to update the listing directly through its portal. 
There are a range of 3D tour companies that can be embedded in the image carousel of Realestate.com.au listings. For instance, Scann3D, Ticketyview, DIAKRIT, Augment Space, Google Tour Creator, Virtual Tours Creator, CampaignTrack and BWRM. 
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Brisbane won't be as affected by onsite auction ban as Sydney and Melbourne

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Government, co-workers, and other flexible office space providers, are driving the Inner Brisbane office leasing market, according to independent valuer m3property’s latest report.
The Inner Brisbane Office: September 2019 report also found the continued expansion of flexible office space providers had been a key contributor to the declining vacancy rate over the past 18 months.
It found that while vacancy would increase to circa 13.5% by the end of 2019, on the back of the completion of 300 George Street, it would continue to trend downwards to be circa 11% to 11.5% by the end of 2021.
Report author, m3property’s Director of Research in Brisbane, Casey Robinson, said lease renewals had more than doubled as a proportion of total leases, from 13% in 2017 to 30% in 2019.
"We have seen leasing activity strengthen over the past year and that has been driven by governments, the continued expansion of the co-working and flexible office space sector, and construction and engineering firms involved in major projects, as well as general growth in white collar employing industries," Robinson said.
The report forecast effective rents to continue to nudge upwards over the short-term while incentives, now entrenched in the Brisbane office market, are expected to trend downwards over the medium- to long-term, stabilising around the 25% mark.
Commercial Director at m3property, Michael Coverdale, said weaker business confidence and cost/business efficiencies were also behind a trend to reduce footprints with a number of corporates including Arrow Energy, Shell, Cardno and Insurance Group Australia downsizing at lease renewal.
"The growth in flexible working space options, which is providing organisations with the ability to expand and contract space requirements as required, is another important factor," Mr Coverdale added.
He said there was also evidence to show reducing footprints had driven tenants to seek newer buildings especially those that offered more flexible work spaces.
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wdavis-8cCN98p7xp

Government and co-workers drive Brisbane leasing market, according to report 

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The Brisbane apartment market will continues to stabilise, a new report from JLL said.
The firm’s Australia Residential Research - April 2019 said that as supply and demand recalibrate, the Inner Brisbane apartment market will continue to stabilise throughout 2019 and into 2020.
“Inner Brisbane’s apartment supply has been steadily declining since 2016,” it said.
“In 2018, supply was around 27% below that peak.”
Supply forecasts for 2019 are estimated at 40% below 2018, and less than half of the 2016 peak.
“As poor sentiment and apprehensions around oversupply receded, the medium-term outlook for Brisbane’s inner city apartments is increasingly bright,” JLL said.
“While credit conditions and the Federal election will keep activity subdued in the short-term, a rapidly improving supply/demand balance should see Brisbane lead the next residential cycle.”
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2014.jpg" alt=""> 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2015.jpg" alt="">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2016.jpg" alt="">
Underlying demand will continue to be boosted by robust population growth, particularly net interstate migration.
“Increased infrastructure investment and an improving labour market should both support the local economy,” the report said.
“Steady population growth will continue to support underlying demand and aid the absorption of excess apartment stock.”
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2017.jpg" alt="">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2018.jpg" alt="">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2019.jpg" alt="">
While development conditions remain challenging, supply is expected to remain subdued for several years.
“Developers are unlikely to pursue high density projects over the next few years,” JLL said.
“Instead, they are more likely to focus on ‘less-is-more’, luxury and boutique developments.”
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2020.jpg" alt="">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2021.jpg" alt="">
Apartment values and rents are expected to stabilise as the market rebalances into 2020.
“Negative price growth continues, but the pace of decline is decelerating,” the report said.
“The rental market is showing strong signs of improvement, with vacancy and rents stabilising.”
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Brisbane apartment market stabilising as demand and supply approach balance: JLL 

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An interesting series of charts was posted by Simon Pressley of Propertyology, showing how a number of Brisbane construction hotspots have seen the rental supply tightening back into balance.
Pressley showed tightening vacancy rates in Nundah (1.6%), Bulimba (2.8%), and Chermside (2.2%) as a few prime examples, while West End and Fortitude Valley were still chewing through the their glut in January 2019. 
A bit closer in, here's New Farm and Teneriffe with the rental supply at the tightest level since 2013.
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoPSEDLF9Qc/XGclMjbarMI/AAAAAAAAud4/5aE0-lar1Zo7unykmnj8FjPOAHK2U-_JACLcBGAs/s1600/4005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoPSEDLF9Qc/XGclMjbarMI/AAAAAAAAud4/5aE0-lar1Zo7unykmnj8FjPOAHK2U-_JACLcBGAs/s640/4005.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1042"></a>
Source: SQM Research
Hamilton also recorded its lowest vacancy rate since 2013.
Commencements and units under construction have levelled off, while new approvals continue to slide back towards historic averages.
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFNTHPXnuUc/XGcmXCOSJnI/AAAAAAAAueE/Ux_4nPAi9IIsRykVgkeDyHzIpzust4x3gCLcBGAs/s1600/A1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFNTHPXnuUc/XGcmXCOSJnI/AAAAAAAAueE/Ux_4nPAi9IIsRykVgkeDyHzIpzust4x3gCLcBGAs/s640/A1.jpg" width="640" height="362" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1409"></a>
And while not all internal migrants head to the capital cities, as I write, this interstate migration to Queensland is at its highest level in about 13 years, those heady pre-crisis days when when the mining boom was in full swing. 
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IuA2xbvjQNk/XGcnJnkNq8I/AAAAAAAAueM/ej7ZA6C_KO0zK7dI3LOhGl_1W6hpYf1gACLcBGAs/s1600/NIM.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IuA2xbvjQNk/XGcnJnkNq8I/AAAAAAAAueM/ej7ZA6C_KO0zK7dI3LOhGl_1W6hpYf1gACLcBGAs/s640/NIM.jpg" width="640" height="372" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="1368"></a>
While developers aim to manage risk as well as they can, there's always an element of forecasting of demand when strategies are put together.
For a while it looked as though the demand for units and rentals wouldn't keep up with the record rates of construction.
But it increasingly looks as though things have swung back into balance in the nick of time, as Queensland draws more and more internal migrants away from the major capitals. 
<div>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Brisbane filling up with rental supply tightening: Pete Wargent

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Dwelling values across Brisbane look to have seen the worst of their declines, suggests CoreLogic-Moody’s Analytics Australia Home Value Index Forecast.
House price values performed steadily last year across Greater Brisbane, with average gains of between three and four percent.
They are expected to continue to remain steady over 2018 and 2019, with small gains of around two to three percent.
The much publicised apartment oversupply affected apartment values last year, with most areas recording three to four percent losses.
But there's good news on the horizon for apartment values, with a sharp increase predicted in 2019, some areas even seeing increases of nearly seven percent. 
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After a lull in 2012, house prices in Greater Brisbane have seen strong gains as a result of strong local economies, partly tied to strong activity in finance, retail, construction and other sectors.
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In Brisbane-South, comprising Carindale, Holland Park and Sunnybank, house values have risen 40 percent since mid 2012.
Incomes per capita have risen a much smaller 6.7 percent over the period.
The number of houses approved for building reached 5,468 in mid 2016, more than double its 2010 to 2012 average, although approvals have since nearly halved.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/bris-approvals.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
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The effects of higher supply of houses and muted income growth mean that home values in Brisbane south are forecast to decline 1.5% in 2018, followed by a 1.2% recovery in 2019.
Overall, apartment values across Greater Brisbane are expected to recover 0.8% in 2018.
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The second housing area comprises more ‘lifestyle’ areas, including Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay, and Cairns.
Areas here are expected to perform better over the forecast period, as income growth remains robust and the degree of supply increase is not as great as in areas of Brisbane.
Housing markets in Queensland outside of Brisbane have also not seen the degree of price growth over the past few years. 
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/rest-of-qld.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
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The Sunshine Coast’s housing market has seen its value increase 32% since a slump in 2012.
Housing values are forecast to rise 5.7% in 2018, and close to 2% in 2019. The relatively stable housing market is a result of low unemployment (at 4.4% it is well below the national and state averages) and good income growth.
Building approvals across the Sunshine Coast have risen over the past two years, but at 5,000 annually they remain within historical averages and well below their rate in prior cycles 2002 and 1995. Similarly, home values in the Gold Coast are forecast to rise nearly 4% in 2018 and 6% in 2019.
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The third housing market region in Queensland is in commodity-producing areas. These include Central Queensland, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, and Darling Downs-Maranoa.
Housing markets here have seen significant value declines over the past few years partly as a result of the end of the mining boom.
In Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, house values have declined 32% since June 2012. The reduction in mining investment pushed up unemployment to 9% by 2015 and reduced incomes, which per capita have fallen about 16% since 2010.
Slower population growth has also reduced a source of demand, although this is also working to reduce unemployment.
Further declines in house values are expected before a recovery. 
Sydney's biggest drops are predicted to be in Ryde and the inner city and south areas, while in Melbourne it's the inner south values that are going to take a hit.
Nationally there's set to be a cool, but no crash.
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Brisbane's property values have seen off the worst with price falls: Moody's Analytics

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Brisbane suburbs affected by the 2011 flood are outperforming the rest of the city, new research shows.
RiskWise Property Research said that of the 20 suburbs affected by floods, 19 (or 95%) have outperformed the rest of the city in terms of housing prices.
The location of these suburbs continues to make them attractive to buyers, says RiskWise CEO Doron Peleg.
“After the 2011 floods the perception among property buyers was these areas would be looked at negatively and prices would fall, or at least deliver very poor capital growth” Peleg said.
“But our research has shown the reality is completely different and the demand for them has eclipsed the negative perception.
“This is because these high-flood areas are truly well located on the river which is in high demand.
“Also, statistically floods like those in 2011 are a once-in-a-50-year event and that makes these homes a risk people are willing to accept.”
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/5/5/Brisbane%20Flood%20Prone%20Area%20v2.0.jpg" alt="">
Peleg said many of these areas are subject to rezoning which makes them attractive to developers.
He said when considering buying property in a flood area purchasers should do a risk assessment of the suburb, the type of property they want to buy as well as what the risk for the specific property was.
“Also, that's why we have insurance companies. And while they have revised their product offerings and premiums, which no doubt will be quite high, it is still possible to get insurance.”
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Suburbs most affected by Brisbane floods outperforming rest of city

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Fund manager Clarence Property has purchased The Zone shopping centre at Underwood in south-east Brisbane.
Paying $31.25 million, The Zone was purchased at a 7.85% yield.
Its anchor retailers include OfficeWorks, Rebel Sport, Good Price Pharmacy and Best Friends Pet Warehouse.
It will be within Clarence Property's flagship unlisted Westlawn Property Trust which has more than $250 million in assets between Yamba and the Sunshine Coast.
Its target asset allocation is about 30 to 45% retail, especially high-yield neighbourhood shopping centres in growth regions.
It started in Grafton some two decades ago, expanding its strong presence in northern New South Wales into south-east Queensland.
The Zone is a sub-regional large format shopping centre 16 kilometres south of the Brisbane CBD.
It is made up of four buildings of about 11,000 square metres on a 2.85-hectare site on the corner of Compton and Kingston roads.
It opened in 2005.
CBRE's Joe Tynan, Peter Rossi, Michael Hedger and Nick Willis negotiated the sale of the property for a private Queensland investor.
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