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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

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

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

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

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

Construction Finance

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Last week I was assisting a client with her dual occupancy construction finance. We have Development Application (DA) and Construction Certificate (CC) consents and the builder has issued their Building Contract. The bank now has all the documentation required to unconditionally approve her construction finance.
They had conditionally approved her loan a few weeks earlier after verifying income and assessing serviceability and all the other stuff they do after you sign a mountain of loan docs. The next step was for the bank to value the two dwellings and then they could finalise the construction loan.
Her bank did an "As if Complete" valuation. This is also known as a Tentative on Completion valuation. It's when the bank value the project before it's constructed but based on how they think it will be completed.  lf it's more than one dwelling - a dual occupancy or multi unit project - they look for a value of the property '"in one line". This means not subdivided. If the bank had to sell the dwellings all on the original title, what would they get for them?
The number one, massive, biggest, fattest, most frustrating issue with this type of valuation  is that there are generally NO sales references. Who in their right mind would sell in one line if given the choice of making far more profit by subdividing?
When there are no sales references in one line, it is up to the valuer to determine how they discount the end values if the dwellings were on their own title.  Valuers must take legal responsibility for their opinion. The valuer needs to cover themselves in the instance that the bank may need to fire sell the properties together on one title of land.
The process of subdivision after building works are complete, whilst not complicated, can take a number of months to get to the registration stage. Yet the builder's final payment is due on completion of construction.
The Australian Property Institute publish a very interesting document on valuation standards. It's 395 pages long. That's how complicated the valuation process can be.  It covers valuations for different purposes such as market, mortgage and loan security, rating and taxing, for compulsory acquisitions, for assessing rental value, for property plant and material, for insurance purposes and to use in financial reports. 
In this instance due to no direct sales the valuer will possibly use a gross realisation of the dwellings assuming they are subdivided and on separate titles and then deduct a profit and risk factor, holding and selling costs to arrive at their valuation figure. 
They may also take into consideration a capitalisation of the gross income and use an acceptable market capitalisation rate or cap rate. 
In my opinion, without actual sales references of properties sold in one line, the valuer will be super conservative in their calculations and hence, a low On Completion valuation may be received. This is one of the perils of construction finance and so a buffer of cash should be put aside in case the construction loan requires supplementing. 
Applying for and then finally receiving approval of, construction finance can be one of the most lengthy phases of a development project. It can take longer than obtaining the DA consent and in some cases, has taken longer than the construction phase itself!  So be careful to allow, not only enough extra funds, but also time for your construction finance.
Jo Chivers is chief executive officer of property development project managers <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/about" target="_blank">Property Bloom</a>.
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jochivers-wq5Bp59R5a

The complicated process of valuation: Jo Chivers

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<img src="/images/2016/03/Holdencapital_banner.jpg" alt="" width="655" height="138">
SPONSORED POST
Currently we are seeing a constant barrage of articles from all sectors of the press and social media regarding the onset of an impending financial readjustment or even a collapse, with some arguing it will be worse than the last GFC.
There are many areas being pointed to as the likely root causes or triggers for this financial Armageddon and most are driven by international triggers well beyond our control, however the potential ramifications on our markets are being touted as devastating and even their potential occurrences are impacting our day to day business confidence.
One key area of influence that we have touched on previously is the impact of the post GFC capital requirements on our banks and how that impacts their appetite for construction lending. It is important to understand why this is happening but of more importance is what you need to do to ensure your business is not adversely impacted.
While the changes in bank policies towards construction lending will fluctuate within certain low risk parameters, these overriding regulatory requirements are not temporary responses to a specific event; they represent an ongoing constraint that will impact the pricing and structure of all future loan transactions and represent a new world order in construction finance.
Fundamentally this is because Australians have an expectation that their savings accounts will always be there when things get tough and they expect their politicians to ensure that this is so. No political leader wants to be explaining why they allowed unscrupulous lenders to lose the hard earned savings of their Mum and Dad depositors.
Accordingly, Governments of both persuasions continue to apply pressure on the major banks via the available regulatory levers to ensure that their contingent exposure to underwriting a portion of the banks deposit funds is appropriately controlled and that the banks risks are “well managed”.
History tells us that during booms, lenders can get over-excited and sometimes leads to being careless in the race to secure a share of the profits being generated as markets run hot, and then as it peaks and the signs are there that risks are increasing, the temptation to do “one more deal” often leads to losses.
The regulatory requirements being imposed on the banks are designed to minimise this risk and this is demonstrated by the recent changes seen their attitude towards construction lending that has been substantially pared back to ensure that they maintain appropriate capital reserve exposures.
Putting aside the question of the profitability of these types of loans to the major banks which we have also addressed in a previous paper, all bank loans of this type are now assessed on deal-by-deal basis with all the relevant factors input into a complex risk model in order to monitor the banks risk profile as prescribed by ASIC. As a consequence, there are far fewer “discretionary” decisions available to your bank manager when he deals with your application, which also reflects the lower risk appetite now prevailing amongst the major banks.
As a result of all this, developers can no longer expect their regular bank will provide the necessary funding just because “they have always done it in the past”. 
As many are learning, the fact that you may have had a 30+ year sound relationship with your bank is of no consequence and does not guarantee they will lend you money when you ask them for it, or on the terms they previously have.
With the banks limiting their exposure to the sector and pricing risk far more keenly than in the past, there is now a wide range of alternative providers of debt, equity and all the permutations between entering the market.
The challenge for tody’s developer is identifying which ones best fit both their business and specific project needs. This in turn requires a readjustment of expectations as to what constitutes an appropriate finance cost when assessing project viability.
While all this sounds like the industry has become a lot more complicated, and in some ways it has, it also means there are far more options available to Developers, enabling them to fulfil their project ambitions and maximise their available capital.
As a consequence, knowledge of all these competing options is a critical prerequisite to getting the best outcome. Even more importantly, engaging the right finance consultant who can navigate your transaction through to a successful conclusion, just as you would with any specialised requirement such as town planning or engineering solutions, is the key to securing funding and ensuring a profitable outcome for your next development.
As always, your success is directly related to how well you adapt and deal with change and as the saying goes, there is nothing surer than change. So make sure that you are setting your expectations at the appropriate levels and getting sound advice.
This article was written by Dan Holden of HoldenCAPITAL, who are a bespoke construction finance firm, they arrange construction finance and invest in projects through their equity fund, Queen Street INVEST. To discuss your project finance requirement please call (07) 3171 4200 or visit HoldenCAPITAL <a href="https://www.holdencapital.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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firstname-zEygzUaHDN

Development finance new world order: Resetting your expectations for success

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GUEST OBSERVER
In late 2015, the major banks began to feel the heat from APRA regarding their exposure to residential investor loans and how their appetite for this type of funding was driving new development product and impacting the market. 
Prior to this inevitable crack down by ASIC and APRA in their respective spheres of responsibility, the major banks enjoyed a long and prosperous period where they were largely unchallenged in the construction finance sector. 
However, now we are seeing changes as the capital requirements imposed on the banks start to take effect. Importantly, all political parties support the continued application of pressure via the regulatory levers to ensure that their contingent exposure to underwriting the banks deposit funds is appropriately controlled and “well managed”. This is because Australians have an expectation that their savings accounts will always be there when things get tough and they expect their politicians to ensure this is so. No political leader wants to be explaining why they allowed unscrupulous bankers to lose the hard earned savings of their Mum and Dad constituents. 
These overriding regulatory requirements are not temporary responses to a specific event; they represent an ongoing constraint that will impact the pricing and structure of all future construction loans, resulting in permanent changes to bank lending policies which will now fluctuate within certain lower risk parameters. 
This represents a new world order in construction finance and has been clearly demonstrated with all four banks being either closed for “new to bank” business; or, operating with significantly reduced appetite and lending parameters over the past 10 months. 
These loans are assessed individually via a complex risk model that requires all the relevant factors to be input to ensure the banks satisfy and maintain the accepted risk levels required of them by APRA. As a consequence, there are far fewer “discretionary” decisions available to your bank manager when he deals with an application. 
Developers can no longer expect their house bank to provide the necessary funding because “they have always done it in the past”. As many are learning, the fact that they may have had a long-term relationship with their bank is of no consequence and doesn’t guarantee an ability to borrow funds on the same terms that they have become accustomed to. 
With the banks now limiting their exposure to the sector and pricing risk far more keenly than in the past, a wide range of alternative debt providers and equity players are entering the market or broadening their existing reach. The challenge for today’s developer is identifying which ones best fit both their business and specific project needs. This in turn requires a readjustment of expectations as to what constitutes an appropriate finance cost when assessing project viability as the cost of these funds is generally between 2-3% higher. 
While all this sounds like the industry has become a lot more complicated, and in some ways it has, it also means there are far more options available to developers, enabling them to fulfil their project ambitions and maximise their available capital. Just as the housing mortgage market was completely restructured with the coming of the wholesale funds and brokerage structures, we expect to see the construction finance industry undergo a similar metamorphosis, ultimately with similar positive results for developers. 
With the re-emergence of various second tier lenders, investment funds, managed trusts and private lenders all vying for a share of what will continue to be a growingly sophisticated market, the challenge for the governments and the regulators will be ensuring that Mum and Dad investors in search of better returns get the appropriate levels of protection that their bank funds do. 
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This article appeared in Holden CAPITAL's Special Edition Market Update - Winter 2016 Insights from the Front Line of Construction Finance .
This article was written by Dan Holden of HoldenCAPITAL, who are a bespoke construction finance firm, they arranged over $300 million of construction finance in 2015 across 52 projects. To discuss your project finance requirement please call (07) 3171 4200 or visit <a href="https://www.holdencapital.com.au/" target="_blank">www.holdencapital.com.au</a>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Construction finance industry likely to undergo metamorphosis: Holden Capital

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GUEST OBSERVER
To most within the development sector, the world of construction finance beyond the major banks is largely opaque, with no clear signage or yellow pages directory to guide developers in the right direction to find the best fit for their business and project needs. 
There are a multitude of sophisticated providers of private construction or site acquisition money available to be tapped into, however most do not have a front door as such and they certainly don’t have a team of business development executives who pound the pavement looking for deals to invest in. 
They rely on origination businesses like HoldenCAPITAL to source and present the opportunities to them, which is why we commit a lot of our time to engaging with them to gain a clear understanding of what they will and won’t invest in and the terms on which they will do so. 
A point we often make to clients is that you wouldn’t waste your time trying to negotiate an important town planning issue without input from an experience town planner in order to draw on their experience, relationships and understanding of current approval authority expectations. 
Similarly, we see ourselves in the same light, tapping into the knowledge gained from settling over $340 million in new development transactions over the past 12 months and our accreditation with over 100 lenders to ensure we secure the best possible financial outcome for our clients. 
In fact, our list of lenders and equity providers is growing at the rate of about one a week and of these, some 87 are currently active in one form or another with Investor Funds, Mezzanine Lenders and Private Lenders accounting for over 70 percent of them. 
<a href="/images/2016/08/30/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-30%20at%2012.50.54%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/08/30/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-30%20at%2012.50.54%20PM.png" alt="">
In particular, we are seeing a growing level of demand for and supply of, Stretch Senior funding options where lenders are prepared to provide up to 86% of the Total Development Cost, in return for a total interest cost in the order of 11 percent but with more relaxed terms and conditions. This is particularly evident in the area of pre-sale debt cover, where there is scope to reduce this figure to well below the 100 percent+ required by the banks. 
The demand supply equation for construction funds tends to react quickly as evidenced when the major and second tier banks started to withdraw from the market under regulatory pressure and we saw increased demand on those smaller funds and private lenders to fill the gap. After a flurry of activity many were tapped out and we found ourselves looking further afield to meet the demand. 
Following interstate visits and trips to Asia we now have a significant number of new sources and as a result, we are finding that the capital supply is meeting demand and with a steadily growing supply of mandated transactions these new lenders are stepping up to meet the demand. 
This article was written by Dan Holden of HoldenCAPITAL, who are a bespoke construction finance firm, they arranged over $300 million of construction finance in 2015 across 52 projects. To discuss your project finance requirement please call (07) 3171 4200 or visit <a href="https://www.holdencapital.com.au/" target="_blank">www.holdencapital.com.au</a>
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The world of construction finance without banks: HoldenCAPITAL

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Steve Wiltshire, executive chairman of HoldenCAPITAL, says the recent APRA bank regulatory balance sheet requirements will see the big banks lose interest in construction finance to most property developers.
"They will pick and chose who they deal with," he said.
"It will be less of a volume game," the experienced property investment banker said.
"This is a regulatory change that isn't going to go away.
"It is a bit of a game changer," he said.
"The banks will still continue to do construction finance.
"My own view on this is that they won't come back to dominate construction finance like they did following the gfc, where they were able to very much take the market over and really control where it was going," he said.
He said it was less profitable for the big banks compared to other products.
"The new requirements from a balance sheet prospective means property is no longer as attractive as it once was," he said.
It was suggested during episode one of <a href="https://www.holdencapital.com.au/podcast/" target="_blank">The Constructive Finance Podcast</a> when Dan Holden, at HoldenCAPITAL, spoke with Steve Wiltshire about his market views, opportunities and challenges he has faced and some advice/lessons learned thus far in his career.
The podcast will be released every fortnight on Tuesday and will feature an elite developer discussing these same topics.
The podcast will be available to stream from iTunes and via the HoldenCAPITAL website.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Big banks will pick and choose property development financing: Steve Wiltshire

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SPONSORED POST
Perhaps more importantly, the question should be what defines a bankable property developer?
The truth is, there are all types of property developers out there, from the opportunistic once off family affairs to the long-term specialist, the small one-man band operator to the listed behemoths, from the successful partnership to the passive investment fund. But the important thing that defines them all is whether or not they achieve their objectives and how the successful ones go about it? 
Most would respond that having the financial wherewithal and the skills to turn a sound profit represent the benchmarks but they are just a single solution one measure of success. But a big balance sheet is not always available and a lot of factors outside of the control of the developer can influence the ultimate profit, which of itself is not always the key measure of success.
What is critical is an ability to control or positively influence the various processes involved in the process and to cope with unforeseen problems positively in order to reach the desired outcome. As a property developer, your primary role is to “manage risk” and that is the true measure of your ability as a developer and ultimately leads to ‘bankability”.
Hopefully you will get a reward for taking that risk and in most instances that is reflected as profit. You invest $1M to buy a site, borrow another $4M to build some concrete boxes and hopefully you sell them for $7M so that after paying the associated GST and selling fees you realise a profit of $1M.
You have risked $5M and 15 months of your life to make $1M in profit. Sounds simple and sometimes it can be but there are many obstacles that can thwart that outcome. What defines you as both a successful and bankable developer is how prepared and able you are to deal with those potentially unforeseen obstacles.
Many developers serve an apprenticeship working for a major corporate developer, an architectural practice or in real estate, where as a single cog in the big machine they learn one or two key roles, get promoted into another specific area of responsibility and progressively develop many of the skills involved in the total process. After a while they build up enough experience and decide its time to go it alone. But more often than not they have not been exposed to all the processes involved and have relied on others with the requisite skills to deal with the issues in those areas.
So, however it is that you find yourself in the role of developer, the key skill required for success is actually the ability to identify and manage all the risks associated with the process, especially those where you are not the expert. Importantly, the ability to identify where you don’t have the requisite skills and to then secure the right resources required to deal with those issues is what really defines a successful and as a result, bankable developer.
There are many ways to solve the problems such as contracting the right consultants or employing the right people to deal with the process but the skill is actually knowing when you will need help and securing it before it becomes an issue and in the best way to protect your investment in the project. You don’t need to be the expert in every facet of the process, but you do need to be able to identify how, where and when to bring one in to efficiently deal with a problem before it becomes one, not after the fact.
When you are able to demonstrate to a banker that you understand all of the risks involved in the development process, have carefully assessed how they may influence your project outcome and how you can deal with them if they arise, you are well down the road towards getting the kind of funding you want and more importantly, on the terms that you want.
This article was written by Dan Holden of HoldenCAPITAL, who are a bespoke construction finance firm, they arrange construction finance and invest in projects through their equity fund, Queen Street INVEST. To discuss your project finance requirement please call (07) 3171 4200 or visit HoldenCAPITAL <a href="https://www.holdencapital.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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