Melbourne’s City Circle tram loops past a dense matrix of culture, education and commerce, but few intersections offer as much access in so little walking distance as the northern end of King Street.

Here, Aspire Melbourne rises 64 storeys from the edge of Flagstaff Gardens, with immediate connectivity to tram and train networks, and pedestrian access to Queen Victoria Market, Marvel Stadium and Melbourne’s major university precincts.

Developed by ICD Property with design by Fraser &amp; Partners, Aspire Melbourne brings 570 apartments to one of the CBD’s most spatially balanced positions, directly between civic green space and key employment infrastructure.

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Everything from retail and dining to sporting events, art, theatre, and festivals, or the serenity of the city’s gardens, is within walking distance of Aspire.

Melbourne's thriving coffee culture is showcased in the CBD's cobblestoned laneways, with popular cafes such as Brother Baba Budan, Krimper, Stagger Lee's, Higher Ground, and Manchester Press all nearby.

For culinary enthusiasts, Melbourne offers a variety of dining experiences. Highly recommended establishments include Maha, Farmer's Daughter, Coda, and MoVida Next Door, offering everything from Middle Eastern dinners to a night out.

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Getting around Melbourne is as effortless as finding a great cup of coffee, thanks to the city’s clean, reliable and extensive public transport network. Aspire’s curved tower is a short walk from Melbourne Central Station, Southern Cross Station and the Free Tram Zone, offering seamless connections across the CBD and out to suburban precincts.

This inner-city accessibility is complemented by Aspire’s rare proximity to green space. The tower directly overlooks Flagstaff Gardens, the city’s oldest park, with Fitzroy Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens also nearby, framing the CBD in natural beauty.

Just 11 minutes on foot, Queen Victoria Market adds another layer of amenity. A longstanding hub of culture and commerce, it offers fresh produce, gourmet foods, artisanal goods and vibrant multicultural fare, all woven into the daily rhythm of city life.

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To the west, the CBD’s entertainment quarter features Marvel Stadium, just 750 metres from Aspire, ideal for sports fans and major events.

To the south, Crown Casino along the Yarra River offers entertainment, dining and family-friendly activities, accessible in under 10 minutes by tram.

The Arts Centre Melbourne, a hub for visual art, theatre, music and performance, is also within easy reach by public transport or car.

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For families looking to set up roots in the CBD, education options abound within a one-kilometre radius of Aspire.

The prestigious Haileybury opened its Melbourne CBD campus in January 2017 offering Melbourne's first Early Learning Centre to Year 12 private school campus in the CBD.&nbsp;

<a href="/developments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">North Melbourne</a> Primary School, South Melbourne Primary School, Ozford College, and Simonds Catholic College are among the other choices, while universities like Victoria University, La Trobe University, and Monash University are less than 600 metres away.

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A limited selection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments remain for sale, with pricing starting from $647,000.

“The Melbourne CBD apartment market has evolved in response to both the strong growth of the overall city as well as the increasing attraction of the CBD which offers unique lifestyle appeal, especially to the fast-growing cohorts of young professionals and university students,” <a href="/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>&nbsp;Managing Director Residential Tim Storey said.

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Joel Robinson

On the fringe of Flagstaff Gardens: Aspire Melbourne's prime location

The onset of the pandemic was a tough time for developers across the country.

In Western Australia, development came to a grinding halt.

“There had been little to no increase in the cost to build for about 12 to 13 years before the pandemic,” Gavin Hawkins, Executive Director of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a>, one of Perth’s premier developers, told Apartments.com.au.

“Everything then went up overnight. Costs escalated, and so did the prices buyers had to pay. Pair the cost increase with the lack of available builders, and any project worth upwards of $100 million had to be paused because it wasn’t feasible to deliver.”

There were also a series of builder insolvencies, while many tier-one firms shifted their focus away from residential towers. “A lot of the large builders had taken on major government contracts for hospitals, schools and transport infrastructure, which offered lower risk and steadier returns. That left very few willing or able to deliver large-scale apartment projects in WA,” Hawkins said.

As a solution-driven business, Edge decided they would bring construction in-house.

“The builder-developer model is a more common model in the eastern states, but it hasn’t really been done in WA before,” Hawkins says. In the middle of 2023, they established Edge Construction, hiring senior staff members from reputable tier-one builders.

“We showed them our pipeline of projects, which de-risked the process somewhat, and now we have a 45-strong construction team working across our six projects currently under construction.”

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Edge’s portfolio is arguably one of the most enviable in the state, with a diverse spread both geographically and in terms of density.

In Crawley, the team is approaching completion of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/broadway-on-the-bay-crawley-168-broadway-crawley-wa-6009">Broadway on the Bay</a>, just 21 riverfront apartments in an eight-level building. North of Crawley, Edge is also soon to complete <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/claytons-mindarie-beachfront-mindarie-50-alexandria-view-mindarie-wa-6030">Claytons Mindarie Beachfront</a>, an 89-residence community comprising apartments, penthouses, and two-storey townhouses.

One of Edge’s most notable developments is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-dunes-beachfront-residences-scarborough-1-reserve-street-scarborough-wa-6019">The Dunes</a>, a landmark project on the iconic Scarborough beachfront. Its 223 residences are spread across two buildings that will also feature a lagoon pool, wine cellar, and a series of formal and informal dining and lounge areas, reinforcing its positioning as one of the suburb’s most ambitious residential undertakings.

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Edge’s Fremantle project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/muse-at-artisan-place-fremantle-19-burt-street-fremantle-wa-6160">Muse at Artisan Place</a>, is also breaking new ground as the first, and most premium stage, of a new residential precinct in the city’s east end. They have two of the four buildings, Muse West and Muse East, under construction, which will deliver 153 of the broader Artisan Place precinct that will eventually comprise 277 residences.&nbsp;

Not forgetting the CBD fringe, Edge has also commenced the build of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lumiere-south-perth-35-mends-street-south-perth-wa-6151">Lumiere</a>, a mix of 115 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in a striking curved building by Hilliam Architects in South Perth. Lumiere also leans heavily on resident amenity, with an infinity heated pool with cabanas, a gym with a sauna and yoga deck, billiards room and cocktail bar, a residents’ lounge with fireplace and dining area, and a street-level café and wine bar.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=101025 project_image_fid=250028]

Edge is doubling down in South Perth, having recently acquired a site on Harper Terrace, the last privately held riverfront block in South Perth’s Mends Street precinct. Hawkins says the team had been working for years to secure the adjoining block, which had four separate owners in an original apartment building. Then the neighbouring cleared block came up for sale, allowing them to create a prized and unrepeatable 4,000 sqm-plus site.

The plan is to launch Harper on Swan, an 11-level building with around 71 apartments, mostly three-bedroom residences, to the market soon. Hawkins says the downsizer market in particular continues to be resilient in WA. “Now their homes are up to double what they were four years ago, and they are ready to take advantage of that and move into a new apartment,” Hawkins says.

“With strong population growth, full employment, and limited supply in the new apartment space, WA is well positioned heading into 2026.”

Edge’s portfolio is arguably one of the most enviable in the state, with a diverse spread both geographically and in terms of density.

How EDGE Visionary Living navigated the pandemic, and came out stronger: Five minutes with Gavin Hawkins

Construction has officially commenced at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/botanical-turner-2-forbes-street-turner-act-2612">Botanical Turner</a>, one of Canberra’s most anticipated new residential communities, with site works well underway in preparation for the piling rig to arrive in November. &nbsp;

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/amalgamated-property-group">Amalgamated Property Group</a> in partnership with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/base-developments">Base Developments</a>, Botanical Turner builds on the team’s proven track record of delivering landmark projects across Canberra and beyond. It is being brought to life by the highly respected team at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/milin-builders">Milin Builders</a>, known for delivering a number of award-winning projects across the ACT.&nbsp;

Almost 50 per cent of the residences have already sold during Stage 1, signalling both the strength of &nbsp;buyer confidence and the rarity of Botanical’s offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149632 project_image_fid=338672]

Graham Potts, Principal and Founding Director of Amalgamated Property Group, said the market response affirms the vision for Botanical.&nbsp;

“To see construction now underway is a milestone for both our team and our buyers. Nearly half &nbsp;of the residences have been secured in this first stage, which validates our approach of creating &nbsp;homes that are both distinctive in design and generous in scale. Botanical is more than a &nbsp;residential project, it’s a contribution to the future of Canberra’s inner north, designed to hold its &nbsp;value for generations to come.”&nbsp;

Proving popular with owner-occupiers, Botanical Turner offers a broad range of floorplans with one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences designed for flexibility. The project has drawn the attention of downsizers in particular, who value the low upkeep, leafy inner-north location, and forward-thinking considerations for storage and functionality.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Designed by award-winning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB Architects</a> (2023 International Interior of the Year at World &nbsp;Architecture Festival and 2024 Premiers Prize at NSW Architecture Awards), Botanical Turner &nbsp;makes a statement in both presence and liveability. The building’s bold geometric form is layered in a palette of red brick, terracotta and crisp white.

Carefully integrated communal spaces, including a landscaped courtyard, arched walkways &nbsp;and open thoroughfares, give residents a sense of connection and ease, while the abundant &nbsp;amenities reflect the expectations of a discerning market backed by Amalgamated’s lifestyle-led approach. These include a concierge, indoor lap pool set among greenery, spa, sauna, &nbsp;steam room and a fully equipped gym.

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Keenan Veraar, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/lj-hooker-project-marketing-act-0">LJ Hooker</a>, said Botanical Turner has exceeded expectations in terms of demand.&nbsp;

“Botanical Turner has attracted strong early interest and I believe that is because of three key factors; its beautiful build form, the generous apartment sizes, and buyers know they are purchasing into a project backed by one of Canberra’s most respected development partnerships,"&nbsp;Veraar said.

"Amalgamated and Base have delivered time and again, and that consistency gives people confidence. SJB Architects has created outstanding projects interstate using similar &nbsp;tones and materials, all of which have been incredibly well received. That pedigree reassures &nbsp;our buyers that Botanical will set a new benchmark for Canberra.”&nbsp;

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Dennis Milin, Principal of Base Developments and Milin Builders, said construction progress is advancing on schedule.&nbsp;

“Off-site works and site servicing are nearing completion, with excavation and preparation for &nbsp;piling equipment in progress to allow for the commencement of basement earthworks," Milin says.

"With decades of delivery experience and a longstanding partnership with Amalgamated, we’re &nbsp;committed to bringing SJB’s vision for Botanical Turner to life. The project will be defined by the &nbsp;same uncompromising standards and attention to detail that underpin every one of our developments.”&nbsp;

Apartments at Botanical start from $600,000.

&nbsp;

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Construction commences at Botanical Turner as stage one reaches 50 per cent sold

Design-led property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/orchard-piper">Orchard Piper</a> has achieved $125 million in sales prior to publicly launching its latest Toorak Village development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-toorak-place-7-19-carters-avenue-toorak-vic-3142">One Toorak Place</a>, to market.

The milestone was reached with the sale of a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom apartment to a Toorak local for $13.75 million, achieving per square metre rates of $37,000.

Another notable recent transaction is the sale of a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom residence to Toorak local Paul Rosen for $12.65 million in July representing a square meter rate of $43,174.&nbsp;

In May, the development made history with the record-breaking penthouse sale of more than $20 million, to Group CEO at Accent Group Limited Daniel Agostinelli and his wife Lynette.&nbsp;

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Orchard Piper Director Luke McKie said the record breaking achievement and sales success reflects the demand for thoughtfully designed, luxury residences and the unique lifestyle proposition of a serviced residential building that offers the scale of a home, but with added lifestyle benefits, high security and amenity.

“The early purchasers of this project are very familiar faces to Orchard Piper. Many of them are Toorak locals who have waited years for the right project to buy into. They understand how rare this offering is, and trust us to deliver them an outstanding property.”&nbsp;

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Developed in collaboration with joint venture partner NPACT (a partnership between James Packer’s family office and Todd Nisbet), One Toorak Place introduces a new model of hotel-style residential living to the suburb.&nbsp;

Located at 7-11A and 17-19 Carters Avenue, the development includes a collection of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences and penthouses, boutique commercial suites, curated retail and an integrated hospitality precinct by acclaimed restaurateur Chris Lucas.

Delivered in his signature style, the precinct will be curated to reflect the spirit of the neighbourhood and the lifestyle of its residents. Lucas will also design a suite of bespoke services for residents of the building, including in-residence private dining, cellar concierge services and priority access to all Chris Lucas restaurants.&nbsp;

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/kerry-hill-architects">KHA (Kerry Hill Architects)</a>, residents will enjoy access to hotel-style five-star services and amenities, including concierge, a 25-metre lap pool, full-service gym, sauna, steam room, and hot and cold therapies. Also included are a dedicated resident lounge, resident meeting room, a golf simulator, and practical facilities such as dog-wash and car-wash bays.&nbsp;

One Toorak Place is Toorak’s largest planning approval to date, occupying the 3,589 sqm former Mercedes-Benz Toorak site. With a total of 5,000 sqm of premium land under development across two projects in Toorak Village, Orchard Piper’s contribution to the precinct is set to surpass $550 million in value, reinforcing its long-term commitment to design-led renewal in the area.&nbsp;

Construction on One Toorak Place is expected to commence towards the end of 2025.&nbsp;

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The development is now over 30 per cent sold by value in under three months, with significant sales including a record-breaking $20 million penthouse, and two four-bedroom apartments for $13.75 million and $12.65 million. 

Orchard Piper achieves $125 million in pre-launch sales at Packer-backed Toorak Village development

The first large-scale residential community built on the Gold Coast’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/isle-of-capri-qld-4217">Isle of Capri</a> in more than 30 years is nearing sell-out, with limited villas now available in the exclusive island enclave.

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/monaco-property-group">Monaco Property Group</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/greyburn">Greyburn</a>, Capri Villas brings 48 architect-designed homes to one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after addresses. The gated community combines privacy, security and premium design in a central location.

Michael Kollosche, Managing Director of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/kollosche-new-projects">Kollosche</a>, said security and lifestyle are front of mind for today’s buyers.

“Capri Villas offers the comfort of a home, the convenience of a central location, and the confidence that comes with a gated community.”

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With only a handful of villas remaining, the sales momentum reflects both strong buyer demand for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/capri-villas-81-salerno-street-isle-of-capri-qld-4217">Capri Villas</a> and a broader shortage of new, move-in-ready boutique homes on the Gold Coast.

The villas span two levels, each with three bedrooms, generous living areas and high-end finishes such as marble kitchens with Gaggenau appliances. Solid concrete construction underpins the design, while landscaped courtyards extend living spaces outdoors. Practical inclusions like secure garaging, ducted climate control and ample storage enhance everyday comfort.

Residents also have access to resort-style facilities within the gated grounds, including a swimming pool with cabanas and day beds, landscaped outdoor entertaining areas with barbecues, and a residents’ lounge.

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“Opportunities like this don’t come up often,” Kollosche added.

“Capri Villas combines security, design and location in a way that is rare on the Gold Coast and the level of interest we’re seeing reflects that.”

Isle of Capri is an island community tucked in behind Surfers Paradise, offering residents a quieter lifestyle while remaining close to the action. Linked to the beachfront by bridge, the suburb is favoured for its walkability, with Capri on Via Roma (including Harris Farm Markets) providing dining, cafes and essentials just 800 metres away. Beaches, restaurants and entertainment are close at hand, while transport connections add to the suburb’s appeal.

Capri Villas are located at 81 Salerno Street, Isle of Capri. Two-level, three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.4 million.

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Capri Villas approach sell-out following recent completion

Property Development

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ASIC has commenced civil proceedings in the Federal Court over what the corporate regulator claims is an unregistered Perth based managed investment scheme providing unlicensed financial advice.

The scheme has raised over $11 million for property development purposes.

The proceedings are against Ms Monica Kaur, MKS Property Investments/Developments Pty Ltd (MKS Property), Paradise Property Group Pty Ltd (Paradise Property) as well as against Mr Sadu Singh, Mr Melvin Paul Singh and Ms Stephanie Lee.

“ASIC is concerned that Ms Kaur is providing unlicensed financial advice services and that she, together with the defendants, are involved in promoting and operating an unregistered managed investment scheme,” ASIC advised.

On 16 December 2020, ASIC obtained urgent interim orders:  

- restraining the defendants from removing their assets from Australia, disposing of their property, and freezing monies in their bank accounts including in Singapore; and

- preventing Ms Kaur, Mr Singh and Mr Melvin Singh from leaving Australia.

ASIC alleges the defendants raised at least $11.3 million from around 300 investors during the period March 2017 to September 2020 through MKS Property. 

It is alleged that investors were encouraged to establish a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) and invest part or all of their SMSFs or other funds into property investments and developments set up by MKS Property and/or Paradise Property. 

These funds would be pooled together to invest in property development.

“ASIC alleges the defendants used investor funds, at least in part, for their own personal use and to pay returns to investors,” it claims.

On 17 December 2020, ASIC, with the assistance of the AFP, executed search warrants.

The orders are to remain until February 15.

ASIC’s investigation is continuing.
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ASIC alleges the defendants raised at least $11.3 million from around 300 investors during the period March 2017 to September 2020 through MKS Property.

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ASIC launch Federal Court proceedings over alleged unlicensed $11.3 million property development scheme

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Balfour Group, the Melbourne-based high end property developer, has taken out the inaugural Best Boutique Property Developer in Australia award at the Property Guru Asia Property Awards.

Balfour, ran by owner and architect Steve A'Beckett, were judged on their One Adams Street development in South Yarra (pictured above and below), Armadale Residences on Armadale's Horsburgh Grove and 1683 Malvern Road in Malvern.

The independent judges said Balfour Group’s impeccably designed and forward-thinking projects provide a glimpse into the future of residential development in Australia.

"Their residences impress with glamorous interiors, generous spaces and top of the line health, wellness and automation features, raising the bar high in luxury and sustainable development.”

It was One Adams St which really caught the eye of the judges.

<img alt="" height="2235" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/balfour_one_adams_2.jpg" width="2000">

A'Beckett says that in the case of One Adam Street, their objective is always to ensure our design is a real show of strength, detail, permanence, luxury and style.

"You don’t get many significant buildings constructed out of brick anymore as it is laborious and therefore expensive. However, it is a beautiful material that is creating a sense of monumentalism. We are creating a legacy building that will further enhance South Yarra’s rich architectural heritage 100 years from now.” 

Balfour had Rob Mills Architecture design the boutique project of seven apartments.

"One Adams Street Apartments sculptural form challenges the senses and enlivens South Yarra's streetscape," Rob Mills says.

<img alt="" height="1383" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/balfour_one_adams_3.jpg" width="2000">

"Each has a distinct character responding to the shape of the site, the built context and the surrounding views. In this instance, a long, rectangular site easing into a tapered corner becomes the driver for a strong sculptural building, housing seven luxury apartments including a spectacular penthouse.

"The scale and form of the building is in keeping with the adjacent Art Deco apartment blocks and a domed synagogue, while views of Fawkner Park help the building extend its visual reach and make connections with the landscape capturing space beyond the built form."

There was also plenty of interest from the judges in the two residence development in Armadale, with each 538 sqm property asking $12 million.

Each whole floor residence is set to have two separate studies and two living spaces.

“We are committed to creating breathtaking developments that are best in their class," Beckett says.

"Our success is evidenced by our extensive track record delivering beautifully designed buildings which integrate harmoniously into their exclusive urban environments.”

Balfour Development Group is a property development Company founded in 2000 by property development industry veteran Stephen A’Beckett.
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The independent judges said Balfour Group’s impeccably designed and forward-thinking projects provide a glimpse into the future of residential development in Australia

Melbourne-based Balfour Group named Best Boutique Developer at the 2020 Property Guru Asia Property Awards

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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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The complicated process of valuation: Jo Chivers

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A survey by researcher Michael Matusik has confirmed what many in the real estate industry knew or suspected – that developer claims about sales in their unit projects are often a pack of lies.
He surveyed 10 recently-completed projects with a combined 1,500 apartments in the Brisbane inner-city market and found that sales rates were, in most cases, agonizingly slow - quite a contrast to the claims of “selling fast”, “few remain” and “50% sold within the first month of release”.
He says many claims made by developers and marketers are so outrageously false, they should be investigated and prosecuted by the relevant authorities.
His conclusions: “The sales rates promoted in many new apartment advertisements are optimistic at best. In some case, there’s outright lying, which should be challenged by ASIC and the real estate institute.”
Amen to that. Project proponents who falsely claim to have made high levels of off-the-plan sales often goad gullible investors or home-buyers into hasty action, for fear of missing out. These buyers often end up with dud investments, over-priced and falling in value.
I get frequent emails from investors, usually impressionable young people, who are being pressured by accountants, solicitors or financial advisors into buying off-the-plan apartments in the inner-city suburbs of our major cities. 
They are bombarded with claims of high sales rates, never-to-be-repeated offers and the prospect of windfall capital gains. They’re under heavy pressure and highly stressed, because they’re afraid of making a decision they’ll regret. Many are unaware of the massive commissions their “advisors” will receive if they buy.
It’s the dirty underbelly of the property industry that regulators seem powerless to eradicate. But a clampdown on false claims about sales rates as a way of enticing buyers would be quite easy for ASIC or the Office of Trade Trading to police.
If Matusik can conduct a revealing survey, surely the authorities with their much greater resources can do the same or better.
His survey found that the true sales rate among the surveyed developments was just three apartments per project per month. The results ranged from one to seven sales per month per project, but the average was three sales per month. It took most of the projects 15 months to sell enough units (i.e. over 60% of the project) to start construction.
“The shortest time period to sell out a project was 21 months, while the average time was just over three years,” Matusik said. “Several projects took over four years to sell out.”
Amazing to consider these results, against frequent claims by project proponents of having sold half the units even before the launch of marketing, or having sold out most of the project in the first weekend of marketing. Often an expression of interest is classified as a sale.
Media reports such claims as gospel, when often they’re shameless fabrications. Journalists don’t challenge anything anymore.
Matusik says: “We need some clear rules. For mine, an off-the-plan sales can only be reported as ‘sold’ if the contract is signed, unconditional as to finance and the stipulated deposit has been paid.”
This issue will get worse before it gets better, given the upcoming tsunami of new apartment projects in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth as our major cities head into an era of over-supply.
TERRY RYDER is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can  <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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Over supply ahead as tsunami of new apartment projects hit Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth: Terry Ryder

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So you’ve decided it’s time to embark on a property development. Great stuff – you’ve made the first of many, many, many decisions for your exciting development journey.
So here are some more decisions to make.  The very first question you’ll need to answer is, ‘what is your development strategy?’
It’s a good question that only you can answer but it also leads straight into a whole list of more crucial questions:
1  Budget – cash available and how much can you finance?
2  Risk profile – do you have a low or high tolerance for risk?
3  Time – how much time do you have available to run your development?
4  Knowledge – do you understand the different development processes?
5  Skills – project management, negotiation, communication, patience 
Once you have answers to the above, you can then work out your development strategy.
Your strategy may include:
<ul>
<li>Land Subdivision</li>
<li>Renovate and add value to an existing dwelling</li>
<li>Dual occupancy or low density development</li>
<li>Renovate an existing dwelling and also build new dwellings on the land</li>
<li>Medium density development</li>
</ul>
The development strategies above will all have a different impact on your crucial questions.
Let’s start with Budget. If you are on a low budget then you may choose a house renovation. For this strategy you’ll need to have lots of question 3 as house renovations can be very time consuming.
If your budget is higher, then you may choose a low or medium density project. This choice of strategy will mean you’ll need a high tolerance for number 2 and lots of number 5.
Whichever development strategy you choose; you will need some help. Now it’s time to put together your team.
Who do I need on my Development Team?
<ul>
<li>Property Specialist Accountant &amp; Solicitor</li>
<li>Finance Broker or personal banker</li>
<li>Surveyor</li>
<li>Architect/draftsperson</li>
<li>Builder and other tradesmen; plumber, electrician, carpenter, landscaper</li>
<li>Consultants such as an engineer and private certifier</li>
<li>Quantity Surveyor</li>
</ul>
And if you are short on crucial question number 5:
<ul>
<li>Development Project Manager who will guide you through the entire process</li>
</ul>
Congratulations, you have now answered the crucial questions, decided on a development strategy and built your development team. The next step is to find your development site; you’ll find this raises a whole new series of questions. Have fun!
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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5 crucial questions to answer before starting your development: Jo Chivers

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I was interviewed for a great story in one of the property magazines, the article was called Keep and Reap and it examines the pros and cons of holding onto property after you finish developing it.
One of the biggest things to consider before you start a development is entry and particularly exit costs - if you are developing to sell.
Around the same time I received a call I had from a guy called Dave.  He said ‘Hi Jo, can you help me with a dual occupancy project’.  To that I replied...’sure Dave, we’d love to. Tell me a bit about your strategy and what you are hoping to achieve from a property development’. 
'Well, my wife and I want to turn over a few developments, you know...complete one, sell and then use the profits to go again. Our aim is to use the proceeds to pay down the mortgage on our principal place of residence and keep investing’.
Dave certainly has a very good plan. As property development project managers, we are not qualified to give accounting or financial advice, but what I do like to check with anyone making this kind of enquiry is that they understand what selling or exit costs are involved.
Dave said he understood there’ll be agent’s selling commission and marketing costs to sell the new villas, we might have to pay some Capital Gains Tax and that’s it I think’. He said.   
My reply...’Are you sure Dave?’
If you take a look at the exit costs, then you may think twice about selling on completion, especially if it’s a small development like a dual occupancy.
In the Hunter Region of NSW where we manage developments for our clients, we can typically create around one hundred thousand dollars in equity on a dual occ project within twelve months. This sounds like a lot of equity to create and it is...if you are holding the properties you’ve built.
By holding on completion you'll not only get the benefits of depreciation and higher than average rental returns (everyone loves to rent a brand new property) but some clients choose to refinance and by doing this they can access some of the equity that’s been created through the development process.
But, if you are looking to sell on completion, then there is a whole list of costs you need to consider.
The big one is GST and as I explain this to Dave, I highly recommend he checks this out closely with his accountant.  GST is applicable when you sell new property, so Dave would need to ensure he pays 10% of his selling cost to the government. If he is not registered for GST, he can't claim back the GST he's paid over the life of the development so he's essentially losing 10% on his sales. However, if he holds the properties for five years, they are no longer deemed new and no GST is applicable.
Finance costs are another cost to consider. Dave needs to check with his lender what fees and charges may be applicable when he sells, these may include a prepayment fee, settlement fee, early exit fee or Government mortgage discharge fees.
There will be legal fees for your solicitor to prepare Sales Contracts and manage the conveyancing for you.
In some instances, Land Tax may also be payable on a property that is being sold.
Then of course, the sales agent's commission, marketing costs and perhaps auctioneer costs.
Also consider the holding costs. During the sales process you probably won't rent the villas and they'll be sitting empty on a fully drawn construction loan.
One of the advantages to holding and renting the properties on completion is that the interest you pay during the development process is tax deductible. However, if your intention is to sell on completion then you lose this important deduction during construction but also during the selling period.
I recommended Dave have a meeting with his accountant to make sure he understood the implications of selling.  A few weeks later, he called to tell me he's switched strategy and wanted to hold onto his properties. One of his reasons was to take advantage of the higher depreciation benefits and he wanted to build a property portfolio. His accountant showed him just how much income tax he could save himself as he was in a high tax bracket.
It wasn't long before we had found him a great site in Newcastle with a potential gross yield of 7%. This strong yield will make it easier for Dave to hold and continue on his property investment journey.
By going through the exercise of weighing up the pros and cons of holding, it helped Dave realise that if you are going to the trouble to develop property in the right location, you may as well hold to reap the immediate and future rewards. 
 
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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Is it really worth selling on completion? Jo Chivers

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Last week one of my project managers used an interesting story to illustrate a point about being patient when developing property.    
Rich is a country lad brought up on a farm in rural NZ… no it wasn’t a sheep station. Lucky for me, he decided to ‘cross the ditch’ and settle in Australia to make his fortune in developing property in the Hunter Region of NSW. He was working with one of my builders when I discovered his expertise. It was some time later that we ended up working together. 
The message from Rich’s story was simple – “Pushing too hard at the wrong time can cause problems rather than solutions.”   
The message came about whilst discussing how we could fast track lodgement of a particular Development Application.  As project managers I knew we were doing all we could.  I also knew that the other people involved; our builder and engineering consultants, were too.  We wanted to illustrate this to our client.  And then Rich sat down with a steaming cuppa in his hand and spun me a yarn.
I thought I’d share his tale because it made sense, even to a city gal like me.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...
Rich:  On the farm we never had a dog to move the cows into the milking shed. But our neighbours did and they were always in a hurry to get the milking done for the day. One day I asked Dad; “Why don’t we have a dog to chase the cows like our neighbours?” 
He responded by saying, “Son, when a dog chases cows, by the time they arrive at the milking shed, they’re all nervous and tense because that dog has been snapping at their heels, barking and generally causing them grief. Because of this, those cows never milk for long and as a consequence, they don’t produce much milk.”
Rich explained that what those stressed out cows did was to produce a lot of crap. The cow manure mounted up quickly and ended up covering the shed while they stood waiting to be milked.  
The neighbours with dogs always finished milking earlier than us, but spent more time cleaning up their milking shed at the end.  They produced very little milk. 
When it was all washed up and done, we always finished around the same time as the neighbours. Although our cows milked longer, we had less to clean up and we always produced a lot more milk. 
Relating this back to our property development situation, the bottom line was if we did things properly and not rush the procurement and planning stages of the process, the delivery and close out will move along smoothly and end up producing a better, more profitable ‘on time’ result. 
My take out of Rich’s yarn: There are times for snappy dogs, but use them sparingly and intelligently. 
Property Bloom understands the need for speed, as do our builders.  At the end of the day we all want to complete the project quickly.  But what we really want to ensure is a development that is well planned, delivered efficiently and on budget - and hopefully with very little crap to clean up at the end!
 
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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Milking the property development process: Jo Chivers

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Getting started on your property investment journey can be daunting. I'm reminded of this when I hear from people who haven't yet been able to take that step forward. 
It's something that comes naturally to me now after sourcing many properties and development sites for our Property Bloom clients but I can still remember very clearly my first investment property purchase. Man, was I nervous!
Some people seem to be able to make a quick (yet still educated) decision and others 'think' about it for weeks, months and sometimes years. Being decisive is a great skill to have. 
I had a call the other day from a lady who said she'd been following my articles on Property Observer for years but couldn't ever get to the point of making a decision on how to buy her first property, where to buy it and how much she should spend. 
In this time, she watched the Sydney market rise and rise until it was virtually unviable to her as an investment option. Then she was kicking herself for not getting in earlier.
The one thing I wanted to communicate to her was to "take small steps".  Break down the process so that it doesn't seem so overwhelming. 
Start with your finance. How much can you borrow and service and how much do you feel comfortable borrowing? Once you have a budget then you've taken the first step. 
With that budget in mind, look for locations with a median price point around the same as your budget. Choose a few different suburbs in this location and then spend time in these suburbs. Drive around, hang out in the shopping centre, study the people who live there. Strike up conversations and ask about what they love about living there... and if  there are any streets they wouldn't live. What are the schools like and are there good community facilities like sporting fields, skate parks, playgrounds, places for families to enjoy. 
Once you get a 'feel' for the area and the people living there, then start some more detailed due diligence on the local economy, job opportunities, infrastructure projects, council's long term plans for the area, population growth, recent past sales, rental returns and vacancy rates. Attend auctions and talk to real estate agents about what tenants are looking for.   
There that's the next step taken, and all of a sudden you've become very knowledgeable and narrowed down the suburb where you'll invest.  Follow the sales market in the streets you like and you'll soon know what a good deal looks like. 
Remember to look for development potential in a property; can you add value to it either now or in the future?  Search for large block sizes, dual access points, houses you can add a bedroom or upgrade the kitchen or bathroom to increase the rent.  Property located in a medium density zone means you'll have more options later to develop it. Find property that is close to shops, on public transport routes and within a short drive to the central business district or to the closest city.  
Finally, get ready to move quickly. When you find a property that ticks all the boxes and with a finance preapproval under your belt, you can confidently make an offer.
Don't be disappointed if you miss out as all this adds to your experience and there will be other properties that come up soon. By going through this process you'll establish relationships with locals and agents and soon that first small step will lead to an investment property purchase. 
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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Small steps will lead to big things: Jo Chivers

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Hi Margaret,
My husband and I currently own a house in Macarthur (ACT) and are in negotiations with our neighbor to buy their house next door, before they move to Tasmania next year. The houses are side-by-side and at the end of a cul-de-sac.  
I'm just wondering what our first step would be if we decided to merge the two blocks of land and sell to a developer for them to build multiple dwellings. We don't want to manage or build ourselves, we just want to sell them as a package.
How do I know if this allowed in our suburb? Is there a website I can look at or someone I can contact?
Kind Regards,
Lisa 
 
Hi Lisa,
Your first port of call will be to the local council who manages subdivisions in your area. You will need to talk to their town  planning department.  The council will have a town plan in place which will be governed by the territory’s planning scheme. They will be able to tell you about the rules and regulations surrounding subdivisions, or in your case, land boundary changes in your area.
The reason it is important to start here is because you want to know exactly what you would be left with in the event that such a boundary change (that is the combining of two lots) is allowable. You need to know how many subsequent blocks a developer can achieve from this boundary change.  If they can only achieve the two blocks which you originally had, then there is no benefit to the boundary change and your blocks would be just as easily sold separately as they would combined as one.
Once you know these details you then have a choice: You can either simply offer your two blocks together for sale as a package, leaving the responsibility for a boundary change up to the potential developer, or you can effect the boundary change yourself, which may make the two blocks more valuable.  
You should consult an independent town planner, one who works in private practice, to quote you on the potential costs of having the two blocks combined, including his fees and all government charges, and also consult with a local real estate agent to establish whether or not spending this money would result in a suitably increased sale price. 
If you wanted to go all the way you could then do the subdivision into the allowable number of blocks, but as you have seen, past advice I have given in this column has outlined all the potential risks and costs of doing that, and you have said you don’t wish to incur those.
I will point out to you that one of the difficulties you face is in working out who should get what. If you offer them for sale together, with a condition that both must be purchased, but you price them separately, it’s easy to see how much each person should get. But if you price them as a package, then it’s harder to work out whose property should get the most unless they are identical properties of identical size. In addition to this, you would both have to agree on what you get as a final price, and also on the strategy you would follow in the event that one of you had an offer for their house alone that they want to take.  
Under these circumstances, tempers can flare and relationships can break down. These are all the kinds of issues you must think about before entering such an agreement, and it’s a good policy to think about all the potential problems, write them down and agree on a solution before they arise.
Have a property question?        <a href="mailto:askmargaret@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">Ask Margaret!</a>
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Ask Margaret: Merging blocks to create multiple dwellings

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As I finalise the Project Analysis on one of our last development projects for 2016, I've realised we've broken our equity creation record for a dual occupancy project.
We've manufactured just under $200,000 in equity within a year which represents an 18% return on investment (ROI). 
This wonderful client is now onto his third project with Property Bloom and so I'm very happy we've been able to deliver this amazing result for him, it's a fabulous Christmas present for our client but also for us. 
This was one of those projects where financially, things just went right. We started with a build estimate and with every update of our builder's tender the project costs dropped. We ended up with an actual construction cost of just under $40,000 less than we'd originally estimated. This includes Torrens title subdivision costs so that our client ends up with two x three bedroom dwellings each on their own title. 
We secured the development site in Newcastle in an estate that ticked all our  'great location' boxes. It has a high proportion of owner occupiers, strong sales and rental demand, community facilities including primary and high school, sporting fields, bike paths, picnic areas, children's parks and close to the local shopping centre and on the bus route. The location also allows quick drive time into the CBD and onto the major arterial roads.
We were able to prepare plans and other documentation required for the Development Application (DA) quickly and have it lodged with Newcastle City Council even before our client settled on the land. This saved on holding costs. However, the DA processing time was disappointing. It took 16 weeks, although I have to add this included Christmas, so you could say 14 weeks. Still, this is a long time. Our best DA processing time with the same council is two weeks. It all comes down to the town planner we are allocated and how efficient they are.  
The construction time was five months from the site cut date to Handover of a full turnkey product. Again, we've done better but I was happy with this result considering there is a shortage of building trades right now in the Hunter. 
Of course there was a few unexpected hiccups, like two windows that needed to be replaced after the internal linings were finished, we realised they were not centered in the area we wanted them to be. Our builder quickly had them replaced. But this didn't delay the project, just added some extra work for the builder. 
Our client will enjoy strong depreciation benefits from his new properties and a 6.5% gross yield. 
As we move closer to closing the door on 2015, it's nice to finish the year on a high. We'll be back for more fun and games in 2016. I hope you've enjoyed our stories this year, wishing all our readers and the wonderful people at Property Observer  a safe, relaxing and happy Christmas.  May 2016 bring you much joy and happiness, and a maybe a shiny new property development!
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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