Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

First look: Ceerose doubles down in Leichhardt with adaptive reuse of former warehouse site

Edwin Almeida

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
Not so long ago it was considered a wise investment to buy an off the plan property.
I’m not sure if this premise stacks up now. As shared in a previous article, overseas investors (OI) are paying premium prices for property and the notion of “buying at a cheaper price point” to assist the builder/developer no longer exists. With the new trend of having guaranteed purchasers predominantly from Asia, purchasers pay future prices for property thus allowing for add-hock construction and for builders to push property out quicker than ever.
This new trend of quick development and guaranteed sales is fuelled by the high commissions payed to real estate marketers and agents that have a reach into the off shore investor markets. Investors that by nature I have come to identify as highly speculative risks takers. Why not, when the current market conditions in Sydney is hot and Sydney is seeing as a safe haven politically and with respect to property?
Ove the last 18 months I have been a witness to properties sold to OI with commissions as high as 8-10% and with these attractive rewards, the agents have made sure the projects are sold in record time. With the high returns developers and builders are achieving, comes (in some but not all cases) the temptation to lodge what is known as a Section 96.
A Section 96 is a variation to the building, primarily to increase the unit lots in the project. With the current property climate, the temptation is for developers and builders to cut corners in the construction phase.
Is it any wonder that when builders lodge the section 96s for variations, major changes to the unit complex come to the point where there are reports of units disappearing to make room for more car spaces, as commented on Radio 2UE a few weeks back.
However, this discussion fails to consider the real estate agent’s duty of care to the purchaser, as well as his client, the vendor.
The key to this is the solicitors acting for the purchasers. They have a duty to be on side of the purchaser and to be thorough and act swiftly when required. Once again in some cases but not all, the solicitors acting for the OI purchasers have the same unique relationships with the agents and developers.
Five tips on how to protect yourself when purchasing off the plan properties:
<ol>
<li>Insist all variation clauses in off the plan purchasing contract are looked at methodically. 
</li>
<li>Check proposed location of unit and car space and storage on proposed strata plan. Have these identified and signed off by vendor. 
</li>
<li>Carefully check that list of inclusions is detailed and very descriptive and not vague; 
</li>
<li>Discuss in detail what the tolerance percentage allowable for variations to unit size will be. Keep it as minimal as possible. Developers typically want a 5% variation. This could be the loss of a laundry or a linen cupboard, or even a bathroom.  
</li>
<li>Don’t accept the unit before completing an independent building inspection, done at your cost. Make the vendor aware this will take place as a condition of purchase. Builders will rely on their own reports and their foremen will not have the eye for detail, particularly when inspecting a hundred units or so. </li>
</ol>
{qtube vid:=m6E1os9ubA0}
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ:
<a href="/news/what-are-sydney-s-million-dollar-ghettos-and-where-are-they">What are Sydney’s “million dollar ghettos” and where are they?</a>
EDWIN ALMEIDA is managing partner and licensee-in-charge of <a href="https://www.just-think.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Just Think Real Estate</a>.
</body></html>

ealmedia-arK4DBYLjS

Five tips for protecting yourself when buying an off the plan property

<html><body>
Is there a glass ceiling for women in real estate? Some will say yes, others will say no. We encourage you to have your say in the comments section and in the poll at the bottom of this post.
Just Think Real Estate’s Edwin Almeida took this question to Gai Waterhouse, legendary horse trainer and businesswoman, and <a href="/news/gai-waterhouse-springs-into-melbourne-apartment-high-society-title-tattle">purchaser of a Spring Street, Melbourne apartment</a>.
“It is perhaps only when you stand next to celebrated women, iconic celebrities, if I can put it this way, that you truly understand how tenacious and well-grounded such individuals are in their knowledge of the industry,” Almeida explains.
“The question asked of Gai Waterhouse was; is there a glass ceiling that sits above professional women, particularly in regards to the real estate industry?”
The simple answer she provided was that yes, for professional women there is a glass ceiling.
“However, women that want to make it in any industry and be the leaders breaking new grounds, need to approach this obstacle with determination to be the best and to continually chip away until you break through. Notably, Waterhouse’s insights is grounded in experience and as I said, her expert knowledge within the racing industry,” said Almeida.
He explained that observing Waterhouse quickly identified some of the skills behind her successes.
With Waterhouse engaging every guest that visited at the Sunday charity event, including the children, Almeida noted that real estate agents could learn a lot – particularly for their approach at an open home.
She gave this advice: “Know your market, know your product, know your industry,” Almeida explains.
You can see the full interview, or read it in the transcript, below.
{qtube vid:=2aoWKaAiQWg}
Transcript:
ALMEIDA: Welcome, my name is Edwin from Oz Real Estate TV and I am delighted to have Gai Waterhouse with us today. Thank you.
WATERHOUSE: Lovely to be with you. I’m very excited.
ALMEIDA: Gai has made a huge contribution to our inaugural competition to raise funds for Westmead medical research foundation. Gai, your prize on the night raised just over $3,000. Thank you.
WATERHOUSE: I’m glad you’ve come out today as it’s very important, firstly to raise money for charity. It’s such a worthwhile charity that you’ve personally had so much involvement with.
ALMEIDA: Gai, there’s a perception out in the real estate world that there’s a glass ceiling for female real estate professionals. I’m sure you have a lot to say about that. Is there a glass ceiling for any female professional?
WATERHOUSE: There is a glass ceiling, and I just say you keep on chipping away and you crack it and you make sure you get to the top. You’ve got to be very focused, you’ve got to be very determined in life and you’ve got to know what you’re doing and do it well. Every Sunday at the stables I open the yard for my owners and friends and people from charities, like you Edwin, to be here and to see exactly what we do behind the shutter door here on Kensington Street in Bowral, Sydney.
ALMEIDA: So, you’ve heard it from Gai, there’s the perception that there is a glass ceiling but you’ve got to chip away at it. Gai, I’ve written a couple of articles about the real estate industry being poised for female agents to take over the industry. The platform, the springboard is there, I’ve seen you do it in the racing industry, and I’m hoping that somebody of your calibre actually takes that platform on and takes on John McGrath.
WATERHOUSE: [Laughs] Well, John is a personal friend of mine. All I know is that if you know your product, you know it well and, importantly, you have the right product to sell – you’ve got to have the credibility, you’ve got to have the determination not to allow the sale to walk out the door. That’s the most important thing.
ALMEIDA: And the question I’m sure all the viewers are waiting for me to ask – what’s your tip for the weekend?
WATERHOUSE: My tip for the weekend… well, horses you should follow is a horse called Access Knowledge, which is a horse bought in England by Bruce Slade, a very exciting horse. I also like a horse called Almaha, he races in Queensland. He’s really exciting. A filly called Bay Rock runs at Randwick, she’s delightful and the cutest horse called PJ, we call it PJ like Pyjamas, Pajero, who runs on Monday over the long weekend – a very nice horse.
ALMEIDA: Well, I’m putting my money on PJ. Gai, thank you very much for your time. Thank you once again for your charitable heart and you’re an absolutely gorgeous woman. Thank you very much.
{module Do you think there is a glass ceiling for female real estate agents?}
</body></html>

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Gai Waterhouse answers the question of the day: Is there a glass ceiling in real estate?

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
A lot is being said about the standard rate of commissions dropping in recent months, where the average fees have dropped by up to 30%. This from an industry average of 2% rates over the sale price of the property to 1.7%. Is it a case of too many “agents spoiling the industry” or simply basic mathematics?
Property Prices
We have seen over the last 12 months double digit figures in the percentile rate of properties increasing in values across major capital cities.
Almost three years of capital growth with alarming figures in prices achieved another bench mark of what is happening in the property market. Some areas such as the outer western suburbs of Sydney ( such as <a href="/news">Mount Druitt</a>, <a href="/news">Hebersham</a>, <a href="/news">Lethbridge Park</a>, <a href="/news">Whalan</a> and <a href="/news">Bidwil</a>), have witnessed property values increase from $210,000 to $290,000. Valuations and prices sourced from our landlords. 
Now let’s look at the affluent areas making headlines such as; the Inner Western suburbs, Redfern and the North Shore Corridors. These areas that have been exposed to 20% to 35% capital growth in pricing.
Let’s do the maths
Lower priced properties last three years: Three bedroom home 
<ul>
<li>$210,000 x 2% = $4,200</li>
<li>$290,000 x 1.7% = $4930</li>
</ul>
Higher valued properties sample <a href="/news">Dulwich Hill</a> last three years: Two bedroom apartment
<ul>
<li>$530,000 x 2% = $10,600</li>
<li>$640,000 x 1.7% = $10,880</li>
</ul>
And if we look at median prices:
<ul>
<li>2010 median home values Sydney $633,200 x 2% = $12,664</li>
<li>Current median figures Sydney $781,000 x 1.7% = $13,277</li>
</ul>
What does a Vendor get for their commission?
The average time properties currently spend on the market is notably less. There is a push toward auction campaigns that run three to four weeks and the banter from industry 'specialists' is that if the home is on the market for longer than four weeks, the advertising is stale.
Summary
There is an incorrect assumption that agents deserve more for the work they do, and real estate agents need to pull their heads in. In fact, agents are being paid more although the commission rate may reflect a lower figure. Are agents giving any more for their want to earn more in fees? I believe not. If anything the push for vendor paid advertising throughout most major industry training seminars is actually costing vendors more.
There are approximately 53,000 registered real estate agents in NSW alone; an overcrowded industry with fewer experienced agents staying in.
We now have direct competition from mortgage brokers, financial planners and accountants as well as marketing companies assuming the role of the real estate agent when selling new properties.
Most of the industry is bidding for the custom of a reduced footprint of sales in the “secondary stock” space, the mum and dad homes.
EDWIN ALMEIDA is managing partner and licensee-in-charge of <a href="https://www.just-think.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Just Think Real Estate</a>.
Note: Edwin happily takes 1.5% commission on properties for certain clients as a commercial decision. Some use both his property management services and sell multiple properties through his business.
</body></html>

Agents: Pull your heads in about commissions, you’re getting more, not less

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
It didn’t really hit me how many consumers take advantage of your non-traditional shopping institutions on a Sunday, until I just walked past a bank that’s open for trading.
I have been saying for a while now that Sundays has become the norm for some real estate offices to remain open. I have on many occasions held open home inspections on a Sunday both to: cater for the possible buyers that work on a Saturday and also due to the level of interest in the property.
At all times trying to achieve the most for the vendor, by allowing and accommodating for the “dream buyer” to come through.
Sundays is my new Monday I banter around the office and share with industry colleagues, as more and more of them seem to also have open house inspections on Sundays. This I believe to be truer with the independent offices rather than the franchise groups.
I do, however, recall working Sundays many years ago, with a RE/MAX office where I was employed. Different market conditions, in fact it was very flat.
The reason was not dissimilar to this hot property market, it was simply trying to accommodate for the ideal buyer. The buyer that would pay more but needed more time to inspect.
My surprise today, was nonetheless to see a bank open on a Sunday, and full for that matter; I counted at least five tellers serving and all busy.
Is this the changing landscape for commercial institutions that are predominantly centred in and around property?
What next, will we see conveyancing offices and law firms also opening up on a Sunday? 
On the one hand it does make sense if you want to maintain market share. On the other hand, make hay whilst the sun shines and get in early, especially with the record sales presently being reported.  
EDWIN ALMEIDA is managing partner and licensee-in-charge of <a href="https://www.just-think.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Just Think Real Estate</a>.
</body></html>

Edwin Almeida

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Edwin Almeida

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News