Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Property News

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A real estate agency in Gosnells landed in court after employing a sales representative with a lapsed registration.
Attree Real Estate was fined $2,500 for employing and paying commissions to the unregistered employee, even though they had been informed that the sales representative's registration was not current.
For 10 months, between August 2012 and May 2013, the employee received commissions continued to work as a sales representative at Atree Real Estate. The agency was ordered by the court to pay $1,500 for employing an unregistered sales representative and $1,100 for the payment of sales commissions.
In a separate case in late November, the same employee was fined $500 and ordered to pay costs of $588 for acting as a real estate sales representative without being registered. The employee admitted that they had been reminded multiple times by Consumer Protection to renew their registration.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll said real estate agents are legally obliged to ensure their sales representatives were registered.
"The licensing and registration system is designed to maintain high standards of conduct within the WA real estate industry and provide protection for consumers who place a great deal of trust in agents and their sales representatives to handle one of their biggest assets," said Driscoll.
"Agents who employ unregistered sales representatives and sales representatives who fail to renew their registrations but continue to operate are breaking the law and will face prosecution with the risk of being fined as well as having their professional reputation tarnished."
Last week, a different Western Australian agency and its employee were also fined after Consumer Protection investigations. Sand Dollar WA Pty Ltd, trading as Harcourts Rockingham, was fined $500 after employing a sales representative for 22 months after their registration had lapsed.
The employee was also fined $500.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Western Australian agency fined for unregistered employee

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A number of property industry members have told us about this data scraping website house.ksou.cn, yet it seems very few know where it has come from.
<img src="/images/2014/12/10/house-dec-10-breakout.jpg" alt="">
Offering sold prices for free in an easily accessible Google-style way, <a href="https://house.ksou.cn/" target="_blank">house.ksou</a> also offers a ‘School’ function that allows you to search schools and gives you information as to the type of school, how it performs and other details.
The portal has been the source of discussion on property forums for some time, particularly in regards to whether the data is accurate.
This unusual property portal has seen much speculation as to its ownership in recent days and as to where the data comes from, so use it as a starting point and not as your only research hub. It hosts some Google Adsense advertisements.
It also doesn’t cover every area in Australia, with best coverage in Victoria and New South Wales.
Auction results, profiles of suburbs and new home information are also listed and it provides the option to subscribe to sold results through an email sendout.
The URL is registered to a Beijing address, unsurprising given the .cn extension, and appears to have been registered on 6 June, 2005.
The profiles of suburbs clearly explain that the site is geared towards Chinese buyers. When you click into ‘suburb profile’ and look at who is born overseas, ‘Chinese suburb’ is at the top of the list. This shows you popular suburbs for Chinese buyers.
Millers Point, Chatswood, Burwood, Ultimo, Artarmon, Hurstville, Chatswood West, East Wood, Hurstville Grove, Homebush, Campsie, Homebush West, Ashfield, Carlingford, Carlton, Kingsgrove, Penshurst, Beverly Hills, Harris Park, Parramatta, Narwee, Marsfield and Allawah are the New South Wales areas <a href="https://house.ksou.cn/suburbtop.php?sta=nsw&amp;cat=Born+Overseas&amp;name=Viet+Nam" target="_blank">noted as having double figure percentages of Chinese people in the area</a>.
The ‘About Us’ page is just as elusive as the rest of the site.
“House sales data is quite open and transparent in Australia, weekly auction results, recent sold prices on famous realestate (sic) websites and agent websites etc. (sic)," it says.
“However, the data is scattered on many corners of the internet, and the detailed historic sales data must be paid for,” it explains.
It notes that their idea was to build a free “home sold price website” that automatically collects data from many sources for home buyers.
Their FAQ notes that the data is updated daily, with the oldest home auction record in 2008 and that the data comes from “weekly auction results, realestate (sic) agents and famous realestate (sic) websites”.
Property reports on the site are not completely up to date. We double checked some recent settlements (in the past three months) that we have been aware of and found that the records still retain their older details.
On FlatMates.com at least one user has linked to this site instead of a mainstream listings portal to advertise a room available for rent in St Kilda.
Property Observer has requested comment through the available Feedback form on the website.
If you have a tip on where this site comes from and the source of the data, email: <a href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

What do you know about property portal house.ksou?

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Is Australia is having a property boom? If so, no one's told the owners of these 10 homes.
Some have had their prices slashed by more than $1 million. Others have been waiting patiently on the market for years.
According to SQM Research, these are the 10 most discounted homes in Australia.
Overvalued or underloved? You be the judge.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-ranelagh-113279035" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="">2 Louisa Street, Ranelagh, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/04/discounted%20list.jpg" alt="">
Clifton, a heritage circa 1865 property, has been on the market for 622 days. Its asking price has halved in that time, from $2 million to $995,000.
The mixed use property has a 25 bed main residence, with two separate cottages. It has at times been used as a farming enterprise and as a bed and breakfast.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-wa-watermans+bay-200498923" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="">63 Flora Terrace, Watermans Bay, Western Australia</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/10/image2.jpg" alt="">
This double title Watermans Bay property was initially listed for $1.45 million, but is now priced at $825,000. A house sits on the 1,012 square metre plot.
It's rented out for $600 per week, representing a yield of 3.7% at its current asking price. Subdivision plans are available on request. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi+rural-qld-rochedale-114981059" target="_blank"> <img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="">948 Priestdale Street, Rochedale, Queensland</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/04/2.jpg" alt="">
 A 20 paddock rural property, 948 Priestdale street has been on the market for 420 days. When first listed for sale, it had a $2.8 million price guidance.
Now, it's listed 41% lower, at $1.65 million. The property includes a three bedroom main house, multiple sheds and barns.
 <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-wattle+grove-116035107" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="">78 Walters Road, Wattle Grove, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/11/26/1.jpg" alt=""> This two titled property on 10 acres is listed at $685,000, 40% down from its initial price guidance of $1.15 million.
The property with a three bedroom, two bathroom house and a separate two bedroom cottage has been on the market for 282 days.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-wa-carabooda-200627671" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="">292 Carabooda Road, Carabooda, Western Australia</a>
<img src="/images/2014/10/1/1.jpg" alt=""> One of two Carabooda properties on the top 10 discount list, 292 Carabooda Road has seen its price chopped by 37% in its 475 days on the market. The 7.1 hectare farm was first listed at $1.65 million, but vendors will now take $1,032,000.
The farm has a three bedroom cottage with a double garage on site.
This article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/28a-malsbury-street-bicton/Property-Details-buy-residential-7962768" target="_blank"></a>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/28a-malsbury-street-bicton/Property-Details-buy-residential-7962768" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="">28a Malsbury Street, Bicton, Western Australia</a>
<img src="/images/2014/11/26/image3.jpg" alt=""> This West Australian property has also had a 37% price cut. Its similarities with 292 Carabooda Road end there. This Bicton strata unit has two bedrooms and one bathroom has seen a $450,000 price cut, from $1.5 million to $950,000.
It's rented out for $480 a week, representing a 2.6% yield at its current asking price.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-battery+point-108230936" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="">1/23 Albuera Street, Battery Point, Tasmania</a> <img src="/images/2014/07/09/6.jpg" alt=""> A luxury ground floor apartment in a former school house is listed at $1.4 million. Initially, it was listed a $2.2 million, more than three years ago. The timber-floored apartment has three double bedrooms. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-mawson+lakes-113369071" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="">35 The Walk, Mawson Lakes, South Australia</a> <img src="/images/2014/12/10/mawsons%20lakes.jpg" alt=""> The most discounted home in South Australia is a four bedroom, three bathroom house in the new residential development of Mawson Lakes.
The house with a "commanding street presence" has decorated 10 foot ceilings and a lot of columns. It's been on the market for 588 days, and was initially listed at $1.8 million. Vendors will now take $1.15 million.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/2-wellington-street-richmond/Property-Details-buy-residential-6093682" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-nine.jpg" alt="">2 Wellington Street, Richmond, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/07/09/2.jpg" alt=""> Vendors have been trying to sell Mill House, a historic Tasmanian estate, for more than a year. In that time, its price has dropped by $1 million, from $2.8 million to $1.8 million.
The 3,450 square metre estate has a four bedroom, four bathroom main house, with a separate cottage. The buildings include convict laid brick walls.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-carabooda-114289451" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-ten.jpg" alt="">219 Bernard Road North, Carabooda, Western Australia</a>
<img src="/images/2014/10/1/2.jpg" alt="">
This Carabooda home is now listed for $2,727,000, 35% down from its initial price guidance of $3.5 million. The 15 hectare farm shares a listing agent with its Carabooda cousin further up on the discount list.
The property includes two houses, one described as being "in disrepair".
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Overvalued or underloved? The country’s most discounted homes

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An Australian startup is hoping to revolutionise the surveying and building industries by using a cloud-based platform to create 3D images from data gathered by drone aircraft. 
Propeller Aviation works by collecting data, from either a third-party UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) service or through one of the company’s drones and feeding it into its cloud-based platform, called Aerodata. From there the data can either be viewed through the Aeroviewer app or be exported to another app through an API.
The company was cofounded in May this year by drone expert Rory San Miguel and software guru Francis Vierboom.
“Rory helped the UNSW set up a drone society and imported a lot of quadrocopters from China. We worked together on a number of projects… I got involved in late 2013,” Vierboom said.
“With Propeller Aerobotics, we took on a big project working with surveyors and construction companies on 3D modelling. But the problem is not doing that with drones – the problem is making the data coherent and creating a platform for that data.
“The problem we’re addressing is many of those companies do their surveys and give it to you on a USB stick instead of in the cloud…. We can get them to log in and upload the data and then make it available.”
Propeller Aerobotics comes at a time when interest in UAVs is booming.
“There are already around 170 licensed UAV operators in Australia, and we’ve opened them up to surveyors. There was less than 100 [operators] 12 months ago and that number is likely to double again in the next 12 months.
“Using the entire industry means that you can use drones from a local operator at local cost in the surveying industry, instead of flying in specialist operators and having to pay for a hotel room for them.”
According to Vierboom, there’s growing interest internationally in the startup, which is based at the National Innovation Centre in Canberra. It was <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.startupsmart.com.au/technology/connecting-flying-robots-to-what-we-do-every-day-drone-developer-wants-to-make-australia-a-little-more-like-the-jetsons/2014081212967" target="_blank">one of 19 finalists in Cisco’s Internet of Things (IoT) Innovation Grand Challenge</a>, and will be among <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.startupsmart.com.au/growth/sydney-startups-chosen-to-compete-in-the-global-challenge-festival/2014111213607" target="_blank">the four Australian startups set to participate in the 1776 Challenge Festival in May next year</a>.
“In the Cisco competition, we were look at as an opportunity for an IoT technology that could change the world. Propeller Aerobotics was a great story about how flying robots won’t be toys anymore.
“Just in Australia alone, surveying is worth $4 billion a year. Drones will have a huge impact as well in environmental monitoring and project management.”
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/" target="_blank">StartUpSmart</a>.
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Australian startup aiming to revolutionise building and surveying industries with drones

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Construction companies could be fined up to $22,000 if they don't comply with a new cash retention trust scheme in New South Wales.
New South Wales will soon become the first state in Australia to require construction companies to hold retention money in trust funds to pay subcontractors.
Usually, the contractor holds a portion of the subcontractor's payments until the work is completed. The new scheme will attempt to stop contractors from using that money for other purposes or withholding it from subcontractors if they become insolvent.
NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox says Fair Trading will be looking over audit reports to make sure head contractors are holding retention money in their own accounts.
In addition to fines, the NSW government will also consider making company directors personally liable for any breaches of responsibility for the trust accounts.
"This will end the widespread industry practice of using subcontractors' trust money for the head contractor's working capital purposes," says Mason-Cox.
"At the end of the day, this money belongs to subcontractors and it's about time it was protected as such.
"This principle underpins the proposed retention trust scheme and is widely supported by industry.''
The changes, initially applying to contractors for projects valued above $20 million, are part of the government's response to Collins Inquiry into Construction Industry Insolvency.
"While most builders do the right thing and pay their subcontractors on time, we need to protect subcontractors' retention money if a construction company collapses,'' he explains.
According to Mason-Cox, the government will next year begin a full review of the Security of Payment Act.
Building is a $40 billion industry in New South Wales.
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NSW subcontractors to get greater protection against builder collapse

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As the weather heats up, open fireplaces begin to seem a lot less charming.
As does the local public pool, where the overpriced ice creams can't quite make up for poorly ventilated change rooms, other people's screaming kids and mystery floating band aids.
Suddenly, home pools have a lot of appeal. Here are our top five, all currently on the market.
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-maribyrnong-118218163" target="_blank">24 Skyline Drive, Maribyrnong, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/05/maribynong-dec-5-one.jpg" alt=""> This award winning pool runs along the third level of a home designed by owner architect Ferras Raffoul of FGR Architects. The suspended concrete 15 metre lap pool has acrylic walls on three sides, turning it into an aesthetic feature visible from the top-floor living, dining and kitchen area and the front and rear of the house. From the rooftop pool, swimmers have city views.
The vendor is seeking offers over $2.5 million.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-116759895" target="_blank">23 Power Avenue, Toorak, Vic</a> 
 <img src="/images/2014/12/05/2.jpg" alt="">
A far cry from its brutalist cousin in Maribyrnong, this tiled lap pool is bordered by flowers, a tennis court and a sunny paved area. The infinity pool shares a 1,600 square metre Toorak plot with a five bedroom 1930s Arnaud Wright Regency house. There is also a separate outdoor spa and two pergolas – one with electric blinds, and the other with in-built heating.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-darling+point-118504959" target="_blank">21 Eastbourne Road, Darling Point, NSW</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/05/3.jpg" alt="">
Part of a "dedicated resort area", this pool is accompanied by a separate kitchen, men and women's changing rooms, a steam room and a theatre. The pool itself directly overlooks the water, bordered by palm trees and an outdoor lounge. The three level house has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms in total.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-daintree-117495083" target="_blank">Alkira, 3726 Cape Tribulation Rd, Daintree</a> 
<img src="/images/2014/12/05/4.jpg" alt=""> This contemporary home in the Daintree Rainforest is extraordinary for reasons beyond its pool. Alkira was designed by architect Charles Wright and was named The Australian Institute of Architects 2014 House of the Year for Queensland. The concrete house comprises a series of pods surrounding an irregularly shaped in ground central pool, in the middle of a man-made lake.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-isle+of+capri-115255947" target="_blank">57 The Corso, Sunshine Coast, Qld</a>
 <img src="/images/2014/12/05/5.jpg" alt="">
At the other end of Queensland's coast is a six bedroom, six bathroom home on the Sunshine Coast. Its curved pool is adjoined by a massive covered entertaining area with resort-style double height roofs. The pool is mirrored by internal water features within the house, and overlooks the river.
</li>
</ol>
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Ready for a summer splash? The five best pools on the market

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 A million lopped off the asking price, years on the market – vendors just can't seem to shift these homes.
These are the 10 most heavily discounted homes in the country, according to <a href="https://www.sqmresearch.com.au/" target="_blank">SQM Research</a>.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-ranelagh-113279035" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">2 Louisa Street, Ranelagh, Tasmania</a>
 <img src="/images/2014/12/04/discounted%20list.jpg" alt="">
Buyers aren't biting, despite Clifton's historic heritage. The circa 1865 home on a corner plot has been on the market for 615 days, and in that time its asking price has halved. Originally listed at $2 million, vendors are now seeking offers at $995,000.
Before a series of transactions from 2000, the property was passed down through a single family.
The property, with a 25 bed main residence and two separate cottages, was once used as a farming enterprise, and at other times as a bed and breakfast.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi+rural-qld-rochedale-114981059" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">948 Priestdale Street, Rochedale, Queensland</a>
<img src="/images/2014/12/04/2.jpg" alt="">
One of many rural or regional properties on the top 10 list, this 4.99 hectare property has also had a million dollar price chop. Its initial price guidance was $2.8 million, and it is now listed at $1.65 million (a 41% drop).
The 20 paddock property has been on the market for 412 days. It has multiple sheds and barns, and a three bedroom main house.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-wattle+grove-116035107" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">78 Walters Road, Wattle Grove, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/11/26/1.jpg" alt="">
This Wattle Grove property was until this week the most discounted home in Australia, with its asking price down 40% from $1.15 million to $685,000. It's been on the market for 285 days. T
he property has 10 acres, set over two titles. It holds a three bedroom, two bathroom house and a separate two bedroom cottage.
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/property/for-sale/rural/nsw/leppington/?adid=2011255071" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">61 Woolgen Park Road, Leppington, New South Wales</a>
<img src="/images/2014/11/26/2.jpg" alt=""> 
A 5.24 acre block running parallel to Camden Valley Why has been discounted by 39%. Around five months ago, it was listed for $1.55 million. Now, the vendors are asking for $950,000. Its currently rented for $300 per week by a horse owner.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-wa-carabooda-200627671" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">292 Carabooda Road, Carabooda, Western Australia</a>
<img src="/images/2014/10/1/1.jpg" alt="">
Taking out the joint title for most heavily discounted home in Western Australia is a 7.1 hectare farm. The property's asking price has dropped from $1.65 million to $1,032,000 – a 37% drop.
The property has a three bedroom cottage, a double garage and water supplied by an on-property bore. It's been listed for 467 days.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/28a-malsbury-street-bicton/Property-Details-buy-residential-7962768" target="_blank"></a>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/28a-malsbury-street-bicton/Property-Details-buy-residential-7962768" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">28a Malsbury Street, Bicton, Western Australia</a> 
<img src="/images/2014/11/26/image3.jpg" alt="">
This two bedroom, one strata unit has also had a 37% price cut. The house has been on the market for a little over a year. At first, it was listed at $1.5 million. Now, vendors are asking for $950,000.
The vacant property is currently listed for rent at $480 per week. If tenanted and sold at its current advertised price, it would return a 2.6% yield.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-battery+point-108230936" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">1/23 Albuera Street, Battery Point, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/07/09/6.jpg" alt="">
This schoolhouse conversion apartment is on the market for $1.4 million, down 36% from its initial listing price of $2.2 million. The luxury ground floor apartment has three double bedrooms, polished timber floors and pressed metal ceilings.
It's been on the market for more than three years.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/2-wellington-street-richmond/Property-Details-buy-residential-6093682" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">2 Wellington Street, Richmond, Tasmania</a>
<img src="/images/2014/07/09/2.jpg" alt="">
Another historic Tasmanian estate, Mill House, can't seem to attract buyers. Originally given a $2.8 million price guide, it's now on the market for $1.8 million.
The estate, with a four bedroom, four bathroom main house and a self contained cottage, has been listed for 428 days. The vendors will consider selling the adjoining plot.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-carabooda-114289451" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-nine.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">219 Bernard Road North, Carabooda, Western Australia</a>
<img src="/images/2014/10/1/2.jpg" alt="">
The rural property at 219 Bernard Road North shares a selling agent with 292 Carabooda Road and, unfortunately, the same difficulty finding a buyer. It's on the market for $2,727,000 after it was listed for $3.5 million.
The 15 hectare farm set over two lots has been on the market for 467 days. It includes a brick and tile home and farm sheds on one plot, and a "home in disrepair" on another.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-strathalbyn-107584093" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-ten.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">21 Cotton Court, Strathalbyn, South Australia</a> 
<img src="/images/2014/04/30/strathalbyn.jpg">
This discount-list veteran has been on the market for 1,204 days – just over three years and three months. The Strathalbyn home was first put on the market with a $498,000 price guide. Now, it's listed at $325,000.
The owners purchased the three bedroom, one bathroom c1900 house on 1,229 square metres for $118,000 in 1955.
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Prices slashed: The 10 biggest property discounts in Australia

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Queensland real estates no longer have to disclose their commissions, as of Monday.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/neiljenman/status/539677619445182465" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/12/03/tweet-dec-3-one.jpg" alt=""></a>
The changes deregulating agent fees have been largely eclipsed by the other big change in Queensland real estate legislation – the <a href="/news/qld/price-guide-ban-now-in-place-for-queensland-auctions">ban of auction price guides</a>.
While the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, who helped push through the changes, acknowledge some real estate agents will probably increase their charges, consumer advocate <a href="https://twitter.com/neiljenman" target="_blank">Neil Jenman</a> urges Queenslanders to question their agents' fees.
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Tweet of the day: Neil Jenman on Queensland real estate deregulation

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It’s not just the first time buyers who are eligible for government grants and assistance for purchasing property.
While prospective home owners that have previously owned a property will find themselves needing to jump through more hurdles, there are some available cash grants on the market.
Property Observer notes that not every state and territory has a grant or benefit for property buyers other than first home buyers and they have been omitted where this is the case.
<h3>ACT</h3>
In the ACT, there’s no grant but there is a concession available – the Home Buyer Concession Scheme (HBCS) – that allows those purchasing a brand new home or residential vacant land to have their duty charged at a concessional rate. This was once extended to established properties, but this ended in September 2012.
Currently, this applies to properties until 31 December 2014 with a total gross income threshold of $160,000. The property also counts if it has been “substantially renovated”.
The <a href="https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/home-buyer-assistance/home-buyer-duty-concession/1-July-2014-31-December-2014" target="_blank">ACT Revenue Office</a> also notes that property worth $540,000 or more is not eligible, with land having an upper threshold limit of $292,800.
<h3>NSW</h3>
The New South Wales New Home Grant Scheme is a $5,000 grant that has been available since 1 July 2012.
It applies to new homes, off the plan purchases and vacant land that you can build a home on.
The value of the new home must not be higher than $650,000, or for land, $450,000, to achieve the grant. 
<h3>NT</h3>
Up to $7,000 is available under the Principal Place of Residence Rebate in the Northern Territory. The concession is a stamp duty rebate.
This is only achievable by those purchasing a new home or land to build a home and the property can also have been “substantially renovated”.
<h3>SA</h3>
In South Australia, buyers aged 60 or more who are purchasing or building a new home may be eligible for an $8,500 Seniors Housing Grant. This has been available since 1 July 2014 and is set to continue until 30 June 2016.
A property value upper threshold limit is currently at $450,000.
For those not in their golden years, an Off the plan Stamp Duty Concession is potentially available for those buying a new or substantially refurbished apartment within select areas.  
The partial concession is available until 30 June 2016. You can read the amounts available on the <a href="https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/grants-and-concessions/off-the-plan-concesson" target="_blank">RevenueSA portal.</a>
<h3>VIC</h3>
In Victoria, those purchasing off the plan are eligible for a concession that is deducted from the contract price of the cost of construction or refurbishment.
A concession is also available for those buying house and land packages for the construction of a new house, townhouse, apartment or unit and applies to a single lot development or a multi lot development.
Pensioners are <a href="https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/sro/sronav.nsf/LinkView/8F5F78F86966B677CA2575D0002A87C518E490D796850F8ECA2575C1008187C7" target="_blank">also available for a stamp duty concession</a>.
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Grants for non first timers: Buying new property

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The Lubelso range of homes are architecturally designed turnkey projects, fully built and fit out by Canny Group.
This year, the group has delivered the first home in the <a href="https://www.lubelso.com.au/" target="_blank">Lubelso</a> range for under $1 million, Lubelso Hawthorn. The home is based on the Malvern Lubelso home, which in 2013 was named the HIA Australian Project Home of the Year.
Property Observer visited the Lubelso Hawthorn concept home to speak to Canny Group managing director Damian Canny, design practice manager Michael Stelluto and interior designer Miffy English.
{qtube vid:=5I_zeCWJWIo}
Canny Group deliver the fully finished home – all the way down to the clothes line, intercom, integrated fridge and alarm systems – for $990,000.
The contemporary home has an expansive open plan living and dining area, a home office and powder room downstairs, with the master bedroom and smaller bedrooms on the upper level. With a neutral Scandinavian-inspired palette, the house doesn't impose a particular strong interior aesthetic on the client – important for pre-designed homes intended for a range of buyers.
The home's family-friendly appeal is evident in the details, like its arrival area, full height cabinetry and clean finishes.
According to Canny, the Group introduced the product to this year to meet demand amid low interest rates and strong activity in the housing market.
"In 2012 we identified a market gap for architecturally designed luxury homes in the sub-$1m bracket, so we refined our existing award-winning home model in Malvern to produce a home with the same exterior look, smart design and luxurious elements, to fit a slightly smaller standard block," said Canny.
The house now fits on a 13.5 metre wide block. Canny also offers pre-designed extensions and integrated pools for an additional cost.
The fully integrated pre-designed Lubelso product may suit those those who don't have the time or resources to manage a custom architectural design and construction process.
"For many people it can be a daunting process to contemplate a full design and build. There will always be a market for individual custom designed homes, but pre-designed homes that offer this same quality but with improved value and delivery timeframes are becoming an attractive alternative option – Lubelso makes this process easy," Canny said.
This year, Canny Group launched its in-house architecture practice, Canny Architecture, led by Stelluto. He said the move expanded the construction and development company's existing design services.
"Establishing a formal, registered architecture practice within the business takes this to the next level and strengthens our commitment to a fully integrated offering," said Stelluto.
According to Canny Group, having an internal architecture practice allows the Group to deliver projects within shorter time frames, tighter budgets and greater certainty for the client.
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