Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

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

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

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

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

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

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

Property Investments

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Property investors have been pampered with an assortment of developments throughout Sydney over the last three years. Developments that have seen in the most part vacancy rates as low as 1.2%. 
Adding to the investors fortune are almost no-vacancy periods. High capital growth and low vacancy is an investors dream but how long will and can the party last? 
As I drive around Sydney in general and meet with clients in coffee shops, I have been noticing the emergence of the For Lease signboard. In some apartment buildings there are two, even three signboards adorning their front landscape. A sight not witnessed for some time.
As many investors have been feasting on the high property yields, many may drop their guard with respect to the upcoming oversupply and less demand for rental property. Current reports are now emerging with vacancy rate figures on the rise.
With the rise in vacancy periods comes the upsurge of the For Lease signboard - a symbol that should bring terror to the property investor. I am of the opinion that these signboards will grow in numbers, as they pop up like mushrooms in the front yards of older buildings. Tenants will migrate from the older apartment blocks to those newly built. 
There are other reports floating around that we have 90,000 off-the-plan purchases yet to be completed over the following 12 months. Again, I’m of the opinion the numbers quoted by the mainstream are conservative figures. It will be no surprise to finally calculate 130,000 plus apartments being built in the capital cities along the east coast of Australia. 
But wait! There is a hell of a lot more in planning and proposal stages. When I say a lot, I don’t just mean tens of thousands; let us just say that the Parramatta Rd corridor will see close to 100,000, if not more. 
What will set the trend for 2016 will be how quickly the tens of thousands of apartments will be occupied as they are completed in the following there to four months and what rental-incomes or returns are achieved. But not taking into account the rental guarantees promised by agents and developers.  
What I foresee will take place in the near future:
<ul>
<li>We will witness a migration of tenants from older unit blocks, to newly completed unit blocks. </li>
<li>Rents will be reduced to those promised to investors. However, although tenants will pay much less, the agents and developers will make up the difference. Happy-days for the renters. </li>
<li>Rental expectations will be adjusted even lower in the older apartment blocks to counter-act the mass exodus of tenants vacating the older dwellings.</li>
<li>Unit blocks that are 3 years and older will begin to creep down in value in some parts of Sydney and in others it will be a sudden drop.  </li>
</ul>
Why is this all important? 
If you are an investor and you believe you may be in an area where there is a high level of construction, then it’s time you begin to lock your tenants into a long term tenancy period. Perhaps even drop the rent a little to gain long term peace of mind. 
A vacancy-plan strategy will need to be put in place with your property management team - a plan that monitors both rental demand and vacancy periods in the area. 
Furthermore, right now is not the time to be looking at increasing rents in most parts of Sydney. There are only a few areas in Sydney that are coping with rental increases. With a smorgasbord of rental property available and more to come, tenants will move to newer and cheaper accommodation. 
What's the net result?
The net result for many that moved into the property investment game in the last 18 months will be very painful. Needless to say, a large number of investors that have borrowed equity against established dwellings to grow their property-portfolio will also find the near future somewhat turbulent. 
 
EDWIN ALMEIDA is licensee in charge of <a href="https://www.just-think.com.au/" target="_blank">Just Think Real Estate</a>.<a href="https://www.just-thin.com.au/"> </a>
He is also the creator of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/JustThinkProperty" target="_blank">Oz Real Estate.TV</a> and a presenter for <a href="https://propertyinvestingvault.com/" target="_blank">propertyinvestingvault.com</a>.
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The rise of the For Lease signboard: Edwin Almeida

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New research has revealed more than 1 in 2 Aussies think property is the most secure and profitable long-term investment, compared with shares, gold, cash and fixed interest.
So much so, that 41 per cent would invest it within their superannuation if they met the criteria. But will it continue to perform better than shares post-pandemic?
The findings come from a survey of an independent, nationally representative panel of 1006 Australians commissioned by online finance information platform Money.com.au. 
Forty-two (42) per cent of Aussies said property is the best avenue for long-term return on investment, followed by a third (32 per cent) who believe shares will provide the best returns. An equal nine per cent think gold and cash are the best investments, and eight per cent think fixed interest such as government or corporate bonds is the best avenue for investing money long term.
The extent to which Aussies feel property will continue to perform strongly is in the high proportion: (41 per cent) that said they would consider investing in direct property – such as a residential apartment – in a self-managed super fund (SMSF).
When asked what types of property respondents would be most interested in investing in their SMSF, the majority of respondents (66 per cent) said residential houses, 39 per cent said residential apartments, and 34 per cent said commercial property.
In Australia, direct property accounts for 15 per cent of SMSF asset allocations.
“The survey findings indicate that Australians are still confident in investing in our property market, despite the swaying effects of the pandemic. Our property market has shown resilience over the past six months, with house prices not falling nearly as low as experts had predicted at the start of the shutdowns. This high level of confidence is also echoed in the fact that many would invest in property within a self-managed super fund to fund their retirement. However, not many people know how to establish a self-managed fund," Helen Baker, licensed financial advisor and spokesperson at Money.com.au said.
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Aussies vote property as most secure and profitable investment: Money.com.au

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Former NRL champion Todd Carney has quickly found a buyer for his Wentworth Point investment apartment.
He's accepted a $500,000 offer, up from its $480,000 guide. 
It was Carney's first property purchase when he paid $395,000 back in 2007 when he was at the Canberra Raiders.
The 86 sqm, one bedroom rental apartment on the sixth floor of the Lipari building was sold by Frank Colacicco at Cobden &amp; Hayson.
The Goulburn-born play-maker is now in the English Super League with Hull Kingston Rover after being released from his Northern Pride contract in Queensland.
He sustained a calf-injury on his home debut in a defeat to Salford earlier this month. 
Carney's property portfolio includes apartments in Coogee, Waverley and Sans Souci.
This article first appeared in The Saturday Daily Telegraph. 
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Todd Carney sells at Wentworth Point

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SPONSORED POST
DPN has launched a range of architecturally designed investment homes, including a dual income property, to be built to a standard that rivals or surpasses owner-occupied homes. 
One of the common issues property investors have when purchasing is that they end up buying a property they don’t actually like.
In an ideal world, investors would buy properties they want to live in. However, more often than not, investors buy houses that are ageing mutton dressed as lamb. This is not through choice but what’s on the market. Perhaps the house has a hideously outdated kitchen, thin layers of paint hiding decades of mould or poorly designed living spaces. Or, as is often the case, they’re project homes, quickly knocked out without thought to form or function.
Investors see these far too often.
Yet it has clearly shown that a high quality, highly livable property will always be a better investment bet for attracting renters. There are a few simple reasons for this. If you love and enjoy the space you live in, you’ll stay there for the long term. This means rental stability. The better the quality home means a better quality renter. Renters who are happy living in a property are more likely to take care of it.
"Renters who are happy living in a property are more likely to take good care of it and stay longer."
Introducing DPN's architecturally designed investment properties
This may sound obvious, yet what has long been missing is a product that can weave together a good liveable environment with one that maximises capital returns. But this has all changed. DPN has created an innovative property that pulls off the rare trick of pleasing both the investor and the renter. It’s called the DPN Casa series. DPN Casa is a range of investment homes that are architecturally designed to a standard that rivals and even surpasses owner-occupied homes. Included in the DPN range is a Designer Series 5 bedroom home and a <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/promo/dual" target="_blank">Dual Income</a> home.
DPN Casa also has owner-occupiers interested offering a boutique alternative to a project home at an affordable price. Owner-occupiers can build DPN Casa properties on their own land.
"What makes these properties stand out is the meticulous thought that has gone into the design. Over two years of careful research and work was spent with architects to come up with a designed home that is universally attractive."
What differentiates them from other project homes on the market?
DPN’s Director of Property, Sean Blattman, explains: “Clean lines, efficient use of space and loads of natural light. Large stacking glazed doors and an excellent interface between indoors and outdoors make them very distinctive from what you find out there. The form and functions of the designs are second to none.”
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/06/30/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-30%20at%201.51.19%20PM.png" alt=""> 
<a href="https://www.directpropertynetwork.com.au/casa/dual-income" target="_blank">DPN Casa: Dual Income.  One Property.Two Rents™</a>
DPN Casa includes within its range a dual income home.
It’s a sophisticated architectural design that allows for two self-contained residences on the same block of land.  They function as two entirely separate and private dwellings and use the space superbly. These homes are often cash-flow positive by a significant amount from day one of tenancy.
The key point to remember is the painstaking time and effort that has gone into creating these designs. It has also been thought out in terms of a holistic journey for both the renter and the investor. Blattman explains:
“The finished home should complete the property investment journey for a DPN customer. It’s the culmination of a customer experience that begins from the first contact they have with DPN to arranging finance, construction of the home, having it tenanted, then looking forward to the next purchase.”
The homes all come with the usual building guarantees and warranties that are important for project homes. However, this product goes even further to ensure peace of mind. Blattman points out: “We also provide a fixed priced guarantee - that the price will not increase during construction and that everything included is ready for rental, with no surprise costs. DPN also work with builders that provide a fixed build time with liquidated damages if the home is not delivered on time. This varies from 16 - 26 weeks.”
The DPN Dual Income homes can be built in New South Wales and Queensland at this stage, although our coverage is expanding. DPN Dual Income homes are available as a house and land package or as a build on your own land subject to meeting site survey requirements.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/06/30/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-30%20at%201.52.29%20PM.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.directpropertynetwork.com.au" target="_blank">DPN Casa: Designer Series 5 bedroom home</a>
Visually, the home looks stunning. It has a beautiful flow, uses natural light to its absolute best effect and has an exquisite design that remains efficient in terms of its size. A clever use of space means that although the home is technically using the blueprint of a 4 bedroom house, you end up with a five bedroom home and an additional living area - for a similar price. 
A recent Domain survey found that 71% of Australian renters identify the number of bedrooms in a rental property as one of the most important factors in selecting a home. Ample storage also ranked ninth on the must-have list. The DPN Designer 5 bedroom home has all this and more.
You can read the original article <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/an-investment-property-you-ll-want-to-live-in" target="_blank">here</a>.
For more information from <a href="https://www.directpropertynetwork.com.au" target="_blank">DPN</a>. 
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An investment property you’ll want to live in

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Australia received the second-largest share worldwide of capital spent on international real estate by property investors from the People’s Republic of China in 2016, according to figures from Juwai.com.
Chinese spent AU$133.7 billion (US$101.4 billion) on international real estate in 2016, a new report from Juwai.com found.
The report predicts Chinese international property acquisition will be lower in 2017 at around AU$104.5 billion (US$80 billion) but will still rank among the top three years on record.
Sue Jong, Chief of Operations for Juwai.com said this is the first time in history that Chinese buyers acquired more than AU$130 billion of international real estate.
“The 2016 total represents a 25.4 percent increase over 2015 and an 845 percent increase over five years," she said.
"Our forecast suggests 2017 will also be one of the top three years on record.
“In Australia, we see that investment flows have decreased markedly from their peak, while remaining strong by historic standards.
"Capital controls, bank lending standards and foreign buyer taxes have combined to wind back the clock to 2015. 
 “Current trends suggest that Chinese property investment this year will be on par with the levels of 2015, or about AU$105 billion.
"That would make 2017 one of the top two or three years in history. While levels are lower than in 2016, they will still be extremely high by any standard.
“We believe we estimate conservatively.
"When we forecast that Chinese investors will acquire more than AU$2 trillion (US$1.5 trillion) of overseas assets in coming decade or so as they close the underinvestment gap. Up to half this new investment could go to property.
According to the report, the top five countries for Chinese investment by dollar value in 2016 are:
1. United States
2. Australia 3. Hong Kong
4. Canada
5. United Kingdom
Vanessa Rader, Head of Research at Ray White Commercial, said the statistics also show markets such as Canada, which have similar investment drivers to Australia, and the impact government imposed taxes has had.
"This gives us a great insight to what 2017 results may look like for Australia," she said.
 
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Australia reaps second-largest share worldwide of Chinese property investment dollars in 2016

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SPONSORED POST
As a professional writer, Bianca is no stranger to the occasional plot change.
With a long history in the performing arts; from dancing at the Atlanta Olympic Games Closing Ceremony with the Bangarra Dance Company (at just thirteen years of age); studying at one of Australia’s most prestigious acting schools, The Actors Centre Australia; to penning and producing her own comedic television pilot, Coulda Gone Pro – she didn’t exactly have property investing at the forefront of her mind.
However, after extensive travels pursuing her creative ventures that saw her setting up shop in Dublin, LA and London, Bianca felt it was time to settle down.
Now back in Sydney working as a Senior Copywriter for an international beauty company, while freelancing for Fairfax Media as a health and wellness writer, Bianca contemplated options to set herself up for the future. She was always aware of the traditional ideal of ‘security’: buying a home to live in. However, with a creative spirit and a love of travel, this didn’t seem like the right option. In addition, once Bianca crunched the numbers, they spoke for themselves. 
The dream of owning your own home used to mean living in it too. Not for Bianca, she is one of a new breed of investor, the 'rentvestor'. She has the freedom to live where she likes while her property investment pays a weekly income and continues to appreciate.
Bianca shares, “I didn’t want to commit to paying off a mortgage that left me with no money to enjoy life, when I could rent a great apartment within my budget, and still have my finances working for me. 
I was aware of property investing, and had been contemplating my options for some time. Although I had seen friends and family invest, and was now in a financial position to do so myself, I was still apprehensive. 
Being a first-time investor, there was a fear of the unknown because it was all new to me, so I kept putting it off as I didn’t want to lose all my money.” 
As the plot of Bianca’s story progressed, she took the plunge and consulted with DPN’s David Khalil. “David did the initial consultation. He was extremely thorough and tremendously patient, taking the time to clarify every detail and answer a myriad of questions.
“Ultimately, what spurred me on was that property investment could help me reach financial freedom.”
What finally encouraged Bianca to go ahead and invest, was that she saw David Khalil using the strategy personally – to great financial reward. Bianca points out: “The proof is in the pudding. The fact that Dave actually follows the strategies himself, gave me a lot of confidence. He wasn’t just telling me what to do; he had invested his own money, and followed the exact same strategies with impressive success.” 
Ultimately, what spurred her on was how she could see that property investment could one day help her reach financial freedom.  
DPN presented Bianca with a property investment solution 
David alerted Bianca to a house and land package in Currans Hill South-Western Sydney, a suburb of Manooka Valley, which had just become available. It is an area that DPN had identified as having excellent capital growth. In addition, the home was the DPN Casa Second Dual Income – two houses on the same block. The property not only boasts a family-friendly four-bedroom home, but also a chic two-bedroom house. Bianca says she “jumped on it right away” when it was presented to her. DPN assisted in getting a mortgage and recommended property managers.
A Dual Income property that pays two rents
The dual income property allows Bianca to enjoy the passive income from the second home, as well as the remarkable capital growth. The purchase price was $659,961 in Sept 2014, and is now valued at $840,000 in June 2017. That’s a sizeable increase of $180,039 in three years. On top of that, Bianca receives $890 per week in rental income. That works out at a 7 percent rental yield, significantly higher than the average for the suburb. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/28/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-28%20at%2012.07.40%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/06/28/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-28%20at%2012.07.40%20PM.png" alt="">
"That's a 7 percent rental yield, significantly higher than the average for the suburb." 
So, she is enjoying a positive rental yield with the extra bite of the cherry in strong capital growth. “I’m very happy with my investment. I purchased before the area skyrocketed, and got a lot of bang for my buck.” 
Both Bianca’s brother and sister have also invested with DPN; with her brother so inspired by her success, that he invested in a Brisbane property.
Today, Bianca is a Senior Creative for a leading advertising agency, while occasionally getting back to her performance roots with presenting appearances on Seven’s ‘The Morning Show’, and Nine’s ‘Today’. Renting by the beach, Bianca enjoys seaside life while watching her investments grow.
You can read the original article <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/writing-her-own-story" target="_blank">here</a>. 
For more information from <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au" target="_blank">DPN</a>.
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CASE STUDY: How to invest in property while renting

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SPONSORED POST
Sam Khalil's property investment outlook investigates and dissects recent market changes that Australian property investors should be aware of.
In part one, Sam Khalil gave his thoughts on <a href="/expert-insights/investing/sam-khalil-s-property-investment-outlook-part-one">Australian property investment in 2017</a>.  He looked at performance in the capital cities and identified regions that will continue to grow despite changing market forces. 
In part two, Sam investigates and dissects recent market changes that property investors should be aware of.
Stricter lending rules
There are far tighter lending guidelines than ever before. This has all been generated by ASIC, worried about high levels of risk in a red hot market.  It has trickled down to all the major lenders. CBA and Bankwest are refusing to refinance investors. While AMP will no longer offer new investor loans through their mortgage channel. Other lenders such as MyState have imposed a 12 basis point margin on all variable and fixed rates, for both investment and residential loans. Meanwhile APRA is bringing in a 10 percent speed limit for investors. There could be more restrictions on the horizon with APRA worried about the level of risk in the market.
Overall lenders are charging more for investment loans and then again for interest only. This will make people revaluate their lenders and question if they will purchase at all.
Foreigners locked out of the market
There has been a distinct clamping down on foreign investment over the last year. Westpac is not writing loans for non-residents, ANZ is no longer lending to non-residents and the CBA is following suit. Other banks have similar tight restrictions. The sum effect has been that foreign investors are walking away in droves, many unable to get funding. This in turn will have a flow on effect to the construction industry, impacting on the number of new builds. There’s also speculation that foreign investors will favour apartments over houses even more than they currently do because they need a lesser deposit.
Development slowing down
Developers have seen significant tightening in lending for projects. This has slowed down supply, which may be a stabilising measure to avoid any large property bubble bursting.  Banks have especially tightened down on lending to residential property developers with an oversupply of apartments and high-rise towers an especial concern. This has led to many developers to put projects on hold and others look to for alternate funding.
Shortage of land
There’s a desperate demand for new land supply in <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/macarthur-the-sleeping-giant-of-sydney" target="_blank">Sydney’s fringe</a> as well as Wollongong and Newcastle. Developers are finding it extremely difficult to process land through local councils and then register the land. We must hope that the NSW government can fast track services to bring land to the market sooner so pricing doesn’t continue to increase dramatically due to lack of supply. This is the primary issue affecting housing affordability: land supply and how quickly it arrives to the market. Remember there’s always a lag between development and construction and the frantic nature of the market itself.
Apartment oversupply
There’s a real concern about apartment oversupply in the major capital cities, especially in Melbourne. The Commonwealth Bank estimates 140,000 new apartments will be built in the city from 2016 to 2018. This oversupply will ultimately lead to a drop in prices. Some experts are anticipating drastic drops of up to 20 percent in some suburbs by 2019.  So projected growth for apartments in many major cities has hit its peak and is estimated to correct or be sideways for next 5-8 years, with owners losing money and not getting capital growth. So there’s a clear message here: be very wary of apartment purchasing for the next few years. Research the area and project meticulously.
The global market
Well, it’s almost impossible not to talk about the political upheavals last year. From Brexit through to Trump it was a year of surprises. Trump’s avowal to increase spending around infrastructure and his distancing from the Asia trade pacts will certainly have an effect on Australia. His promise to pour money into defence and infrastructure will act as a fiscal stimulus. It’ll also mean lots of capital fleeing Australia and going into the USA. Potentially Australia will have to lift interest rates to compete and keep capital here. This in turn will effect market sentiment. Properties and projects that are vulnerable will be exposed awfully quickly.
You can read the original article <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/sam-khalil%E2%80%99s-property-investment-outlook-part-two-winter-2017" target="_blank">here</a>.
For more information from <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">DPN</a>.
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Sam Khalil’s property investment outlook - part two

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SPONSORED POST
The Australian property market is shifting and changing thanks to a multitude of forces. DPN's Managing Director, Sam Khalil shares his thoughts on the current market and reveals property investment opportunities in the Wollongong, Newcastle and Brisbane areas.
The last five years have seen a phenomenal surge in the demand for property. It’s been a perfect storm of consistently low interest rates; an endless, thirsty demand for stock and foreign investment at record high levels. This in turn pushed up construction and new builds and kept up supply.
However, like all good things it had to come to an end. This is not to say the market is in trouble by any means. More that it’s no longer like 2012 or 2013 where property investment was like shooting fish in a barrel. Almost anyone with a little knowledge and a lot of luck could do well in the prosperous conditions.
But things have changed in <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/sam-khalil%E2%80%99s-property-outlook-for-summer-2016" target="_blank">the last 12 months</a> and so 2017 and beyond will still present golden opportunities, but only for the canny and well researched investor.
How property investment is changing in the capital cities
2016 saw Melbourne and Sydney continue to rise significantly compared to other Australian cities. Despite gloom and doom predictions - remember there were lots of experts claiming Melbourne would slump in 2016 and that Sydney would stagnate - both cities outperformed expectations. In fact, dwelling prices rose 15.5 percent in Sydney whilst Melbourne had a rise of 13.7 percent for the year.
Perth had experienced seven quarters of negative growth and is in major recovery mode after its boom and bust. However, it may well have reached the bottom and signs are that it’s slowly starting to ascend. In the last 3 months there has been a small increase in property prices for the first time in a long time. It’s still a long way back, but investors who can’t afford the big capital cities may start looking in this direction.
Brisbane started a gentle ascent and should continue to find value in housing and land appreciation, whilst inner city apartments may experience price correction as I detail in part two.
So how will 2017/2018 play out? I’m confident we’ll see rises in Sydney and Melbourne as demand and sentiment still remain positive. Brisbane investment property will continue to follow closely behind. The lending measures that may impact the market and sentiment are the move in interest rates from lenders separate to the Reserve Bank.
Look to the regions
Land in <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/macarthur-the-sleeping-giant-of-sydney" target="_blank">South Western Sydney</a>, Wollongong and Newcastle remains very tight with strong local and investment demand helping sustain and increase prices of land.  These areas will only continue to grow in 2017. It’s not just investors but we’re seeing many Sydney “refugees” – that is younger owner-occupiers - who are moving to these areas in search of houses they can afford. Because all three areas are within coo-ee of Sydney and they all have their own strong infrastructure and local economy they are highly desirable and will continue to rise.
It’s worth noting that Brisbane is also showing signs of upward movement in land values in the metro area. And not just Brisbane itself, but even further out there’s some very strong opportunities as we recently noted in the case of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/why-springfield-brisbane-is-a-hot-investment" target="_blank">Springfield</a>.
Overall forecast
So what does all this tell us? Sam Khalil’s outlook is positive, there are a myriad of opportunities in the market. Which, as we know, are really <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/how-to-guides/what-is-a-property-market" target="_blank">many different markets</a>.
The caveat being that one has to be more selective as market forces could change due to macro economic factors and policy changes by the regulators as well as the oversupply of apartments. This apartment oversupply poses the greatest risk for investors. It’s a cautionary reminder of not buying through emotion. Or buying the wrong product at the wrong time.
There are some excellent prospects for property investment in the right areas that may not fit investors’ usual comfort zones. 2017/2018 will definitely be about hunting in different fields, certainly not in the usual areas that investors have been doing.
So there won’t be any quick rewards from backing the same winners of the past five years. The investors that will do well in the next 12 months will be those who put in the solid research and are prepared to look in other areas off their normal radar. As always: if you put in the work, the research and don’t automatically follow the herd, you can reap great rewards.
In part two, Sam Khalil investigates and dissects recent market changes that <a href="/expert-insights/investing/sam-khalil-s-property-investment-outlook-part-two">property investors should be aware of</a>.  He covers lending policy, slowing development and challenges with land and apartment supply.
You can read the original article <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/sam-khalil%E2%80%99s-property-investment-outlook-part-one-winter-2017" target="_blank">here</a>.
For more information from <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">DPN</a>.
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Sam Khalil’s property investment outlook - part one

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SPONSORED POST
You can always find reasons why you shouldn’t invest in property. Property investment can seem like a big step and it’s easy to be fearful.  You’ll also hear lots of stories either from others or in the media, which may put you off.
So let’s break down some of the common myths floating about that can scare potential investors.
67 percent of investors using negative gearing have incomes of $80,000 or less.
1. You need a big deposit to invest in property
Not true. Property investment is no longer exclusively the domain of the wealthy. Smart investors who buy wisely, in high yielding areas with good capital growth, can have positively geared properties that cost them very little out of pocket. The Australian Tax Office figures found that 67 per cent of investors using negative gearing have incomes of $80,000 or less. This is not to say that all these investors are successful, but they have certainly been able to break into the market. 
Now, let’s look at the claim you need a giant deposit. Again, this isn’t correct. You can still get into the property market without a deposit by either leveraging off an existing home or getting a guarantor loan through relatives. Using super via an SMSF is another option.
Many property investors don’t own their own homes and so they rent in the suburb they want to live while having a portfolio somewhere else.
2. The market is skewed against first home buyers
There’s been a spate of media stories about how first time buyers are finding it increasingly difficult to break into the big property markets of Sydney and Melbourne. Property investors are blamed for this. However the reality is that there’s a myriad of factors. Basically Sydney and Melbourne are highly desirable places to live. Consequently population has skyrocketed; more global companies have shifted here and both cities are now firmly on the radar of international investors. The good news is that the demand to live in both cities is very unlikely to go down.
The other good news is that first home buyers are now becoming first time investors or “rentvestors”. The line between ‘first time buyers’ and ‘investors’ is very much blurred. The reality is many property investors don’t own their own homes and so they rent in the suburb they want to live while having a portfolio somewhere else.  This is the new reality for the majority of people in most capital cities of Australia as prices gallop to stratospheric levels.
3. Foreign investors make it harder to break in
This is a common complaint from locals especially in Sydney and Melbourne. Surely all the Asian investors buying up so much land and units in the cities is shutting out local investors? Actually, it’s not.
The Federal Government launched the Murray Inquiry in 2014 to look at this very issue. The inquiry found that: “foreign investment is regarded by industry experts as vital to increasing this supply. Rather than causing price pressures, the evidence suggests that foreign investments may actually help keep prices lower by increasing supply.”
It’s also worth noting that foreign investors are often playing in a different pool to local investors. They are restricted from buying established homes and can only buy newly developed properties.  This is why foreign investors are great for the construction industry, as they need more housing stock to be built.  So foreign investors help keep up a demand for supply and the market buoyant.
Your property investment, like the DPN Seconda, needs to be in a growing area with excellent infrastructure and a demand for rentals.
4. It’s best to buy in your local area
This is similar to the myth that says you should buy an investment home you’d like to live in yourself.  The reality is you may never see or visit your investment property. The property you invest in may be thousands of miles away, in another state. Investment can’t be an emotional decision where you buy a house in an area you like that you may want to live in. The investment needs to be based on cold hard facts and data. It needs to be a property with good capital growth in a growing area with excellent infrastructure and a demand for rentals. If it turns out that you have a property you do want to live in at some point, that’s a big bonus. However, as much as we get emotionally invested in properties, that can’t be part of the strategy.
Doing a renovation is no longer a guarantee that it will add exceptional value to the property.
5. Buy, renovate and sell for a quick profit
This idea of buying a rundown property, renovating and then selling quickly afterwards is out of date. Firstly, while the market may rise in the time you’ve bought and then sold, will it really have risen enough to cover all your costs? Plus, you’ll be hit with stamp duty and other property taxes, which will take the sugar out of any profits. We’re seeing now that the land is viewed far more favourably than the house that’s built on it. So that is why rundown, derelict houses on prime inner city land are often just left as they are and sold for a high price. Doing a renovation is no longer a guarantee that it will add exceptional value to the property. Finally, you’re missing out on the long-term capital growth. Good property investors think in the long term.
In conclusion, it’s dangerous to believe popular myths about property investment. No one ever made a fortune by listening to Chinese whispers. Any decision or strategy you make should be informed and backed by data and solid research.
To read the original article, <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/learn/market-updates/5-myths-about-property-investment-busted" target="_blank">click here</a>.
For more information from <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au" target="_blank">DPN</a>.
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5 myths about property investment, busted!

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The Real Estate Institute of Australia in partnership with the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has launched a new training course for real estate agents providing advice regarding property as an investment.
REIA President Malcolm Gunning said the RG146 Advice in Real Estate Course designed by IPA and provided through Mentor Education will allow property investment advisers, mortgage brokers, accountants, real estate agents and property developers to discuss the general drivers and considerations associated with a property investment decisions.
“Offering this course to agents is part of a broader strategy to professionalise the industry and to provide clients the level of advice they desire from agents providing a comprehensive service.
“Upon completion of the course, agents will have satisfactorily fulfilled ASIC’s RG146 requirements and will be able to offer general advice on financial products and services.
This will also allow them to provide factual advice on what the products are and what they do,” Mr Gunning said.
Agents undertaking the course will gain a nationally recognised competency to provide factual advice on financial products and services.
Factual advice is defined by ASIC as “objectively ascertainable information whose truth or accuracy cannot be reasonably questioned”.
This compares to general advice which ASIC defines as “advice prepared without taking into account the client's objectives, financial situations or needs.
“ASIC have indicated that successful completion of the RG 146 course would allow agents to conduct seminars, presentations, office and sales meetings and to discuss in general terms other such as Self Managed Superannuation Funds.
However, an agent would need to need to be authorised by an Australian Financial Services licensee to provide this advice or alternatively obtain an AFS licence themselves,” Mr Gunning said.
REIA commenced discussions with IPA regarding the establishment of a tailored course for Real Estate professionals in regard to property advice following a Supreme Court of NSW decision in October 2015 against Park Trent Properties Group Pty Ltd regarding advice real estate agents give particularly as it relates to SMSFs.
An outline of the course together with enrolment details can be found at <a href="https://www.publicaccountants.org.au/reia" target="_blank">https://www.publicaccountants.org.au/reia</a>.
Members of REI’s that are part of REIA will receive a 10 per cent discount.
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