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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The NSW government has ensured that Stanely Ho, the father of James Packer’s Macau casino business partner, does not get involved in the Sydney casino project.
Casino legend Stanley Ho, known as 'the king of gambling', is one of Asia’s wealthiest individuals.
His son Lawrence is James Packer’s business partner in their Macau casino in the Melco Crown Entertainment.
The previously secret conditions, revealed this week in the NSW Parliament, restrict Crown Resorts’ junket operations between Crown and Stanley Ho and his associates.
"Crown will ensure that it prevents any new business activities or transactions of a material nature between Stanley Huang Sun Ho or a Stanley Ho Associate and Crown, any of Crown’s officers, directors or employees or any Crown Subsidiary."
The News Ltd report says it also prevents Stanley Ho from buying any part of Crown or holding any position with Crown, and Crown has to undertake regular searches to make sure he or his associates have not bought shares in the company.
The secret conditions of Crown’s Sydney casino licence were revealed only after a battle for their release by the NSW Greens MLC John Kaye.
Stanley Ho has had links to Sydney in the past, developing the Kirribilli Grande with the Waterhouse bookmaking family on the harbour front in the 1990s.  
Meanwhile the daughter of Stanley Ho, Pansy Ho says tax rules will determine future Chinese investment into Australia.
Speaking at the G20 Summit in Brisbane on Thursday, Ms Ho said Chinese customers would be tough to predict for Australian casino interests wanting to cash in on Chinese tourism.
Ms Ho warned the two proponents of Brisbane’s next casino project to be careful about trying to predict what Chinese customers want.
James Packer’s Crown Resorts has teamed up with up with Chinese property developer Greenland Holdings Group while Echo Entertainment Group has teamed up with Chinese property developers Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium.
Their proposals are currently with the Newman government.
“We tried to predict what Chinese customers are going to be like but you can never think you can know them enough simply because its a very big country and they are going through a very quick learning curve,” Ms Ho said.
Ms Ho said the perception of investing in Australia was still very positive.
“I have not yet had the pleasure of doing direct investments in Australia but I have been sharing with other speakers about how Australia is a relatively friendly and open investment environment,” the Australian Financial Review reported.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Stanley Ho locked out of Sydney's Barangaroo casino operations

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"All these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can't be good for you," said the artist formerly and once again known as Prince.<a href="https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/prince" title="view author" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </a>
And while the 'Purple One' sure knows how to play funky guitar, his estimation of numerical knowledge by digital distribution is questionable.
Here are but a few of the numbers rumbling through property investor zeitgeist this week.
<ul>
<li>28%</li>
</ul>
<a href="/news/qld/miles-queensland-the-limping-surat-basin-hotspot"><img src="/images/2014/11/13/miles-nov-13-breakout.jpg" alt="Miles, Queensland: The limping Surat Basin hotspot"></a>
Photo of Miles main street courtesy of <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mattinbgn" title="User:Mattinbgn">Mattinbgn</a>/<a class="mw-mmv-license cc-license" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>.
Miles, in the Surat Basin Western Downs area of Queensland, is the state's highest yielding suburb, according to RP Data.
But does the <a href="/news/qld/miles-queensland-the-limping-surat-basin-hotspot">11.17% yield figure really stack up?</a>
Over the past year, Miles' median price movement has dropped 8.16%. But that's not the scary figure for anyone considering investing in the regional mining town.
Miles has a vacancy rate of 28%, according to SQM Research. Enough to deter any investor thinking it could represent a sure-fire cash flow hit.
 
<ul>
<li>$450 million</li>
</ul>
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/sydney-hilton-for-sale-with-price-expectations-in-excess-of-450-million"><img src="/images/2014/11/12/hilton-nov-12-breakout.jpg" alt="Sydney Hilton for sale with price expectations in excess of $450 million"></a>
The newly refurbished <a href="/expert-insights/investing/sydney-hilton-for-sale-with-price-expectations-in-excess-of-450-million">Sydney Hilton Hotel is set to hit the market</a>. With offshore investors circling, price expectations for the 579-room hotel are well over $450 million.
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/sydney-hilton-for-sale-with-price-expectations-in-excess-of-450-million"> </a>
<ul>
<li>10.35%</li>
</ul>
<a href="/news/qld/can-you-really-get-a-double-digit-rental-return-in-queenslands-mount-morgan"><img src="/images/2014/11/12/mouhnt-morgan-nov-12-breakout.jpg" alt="Can you really get a double-digit rental return in Queensland's Mount Morgan?"></a>
With a yield of 10.35%, according to RP Data, Queensland's Mount Morgan appears to offer be an attractive target for investors. 
But is this yield really achievable? 
Property Observer crunched the numbers and found that in this small town, <a href="https://propertyobserver.com.au/finding/location/qld/37719-can-you-really-get-a-double-digit-rental-return-in-queensland-s-mount-morgan" target="_blank">not everything is quite as it appears...</a>
 
<ul>
<li>14%</li>
</ul>
<a href="/expert-insights/add-14-to-sydney-spring-auction-price-guidance-intelligent-property-services"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/housing-always-up-july-4.jpg" alt="Add 14% to Sydney spring auction price guidance: Intelligent Property Services"></a>
Like the strange smell at the back of my fridge, the issue of underquoting just doesn't seem to go away.
Intelligent Property Services' Ramon Mitchell browsed a selection of Sydney auction results throughout the month of October to find that the selling price is, on average, <a href="/expert-insights/add-14-to-sydney-spring-auction-price-guidance-intelligent-property-services">14% higher than the initial price guidance</a>.
One Newtown property sold for nearly a quarter more than its guidance, while a Homebush house fetched $950,000 more than its guide.
 
<ul>
<li>17</li>
</ul>
<a href="/news/firb-issued-just-17-divestment-orders-to-foreign-buyers-over-past-decade"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/china-keys1-breakout-new.jpg" alt="FIRB issued just 17 divestment orders to foreign buyers over past decade"></a>
According to evidence presented to The House of Representatives economics committee’s inquiry into foreign investment in residential real estate, since 2003, the Foriegn Investment Review Board has issued <a href="/news/firb-issued-just-17-divestment-orders-to-foreign-buyers-over-past-decade">just 17 divestment orders to foreign buyers</a>.
In this time period they have also failed to prosecute a single matter for illegally acquiring property in Australia.
The inquiry heard evidence that the current laws are routinely flouted, with foreigners happy to take the risk of not being caught.
 
<ul>
<li>$136 million</li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="/expert-insights/investing/victorian-politicians-136-million-of-property-what-hope-is-there-of-housing-policy-reform"><img src="/images/2014/11/10/melbourne-aerial-nov-10-breakout.jpg" alt="Victorian politicians' $136 million of property: What hope is there of housing policy reform?"></a></h3>
In the leadup to the Victorian state election there are few issues that unite the jostling parties. But it appears property investment may be one of them.
With Victoria's pollies owning an <a href="https://propertyobserver.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=24bd0766a834290948593f5aa&amp;id=a919f349b0&amp;e=035e81ff9a" target="_blank">estimated $136 million of property between them</a>, three academics asked the question: What hope does Victoria have of meaningful housing policy reform?
 
<ul>
<li>64,000</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="timeline-header"><a href="/news/vic/over-64-000-melbourne-properties-sit-vacant-prosper-australia"><img src="/images/2014/11/13/docklands-nov-13-breakout.jpg" alt="Over 64,000 Melbourne properties sit vacant: Propser Australia"></a></h3>
According to a new report from Prosper Australia, authored by Property Observer's regular columnist Catherine Cashmore,<a href="/news/vic/over-64-000-melbourne-properties-sit-vacant-prosper-australia"> there are over 64,000 vacant properties throughout Melbourne</a>.
According to the report, the Docklands area has the highest proportion of properties that are likely to be vacant based on water consumption.
 
<ul>
<li>$1 million plus</li>
</ul>
<a href="/news/nsw/sydney-s-median-asking-price-tips-over-1-million-mark-sqm-research"><img src="/images/3_StockBreakouts/sydney-aeiral-sept-10-breakout.jpg" alt="Sydney’s median asking price tips over $1 million mark: SQM Research"></a>
Earlier this week, <a href="https://propertyobserver.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=24bd0766a834290948593f5aa&amp;id=7b7e17db65&amp;e=035e81ff9a" target="_blank">Sydney’s median asking price tipped over the $1 million mark</a>, according to SQM Research.
The research house said that it is impossible to purchase a freestanding house in Sydney’s inner ring for less than seven figures.
 
<ul>
<li>$25,000</li>
</ul>
<a href="/news/wa/busselton-the-market-leader-in-regional-western-australia"><img src="/images/2014/11/11/busselton-nov-11-breakout.jpg" alt="Busselton the market leader in regional Western Australia"></a>
Picture courtesy of  <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Gobeirne" target="_blank" title="User:Gobeirne">Greg O'Beirne</a>/<a class="mw-mmv-license cc-license" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5" target="_blank">CC BY 2.5</a>.
<a href="/news/wa/busselton-the-market-leader-in-regional-western-australia">Busselton was Western Australia's top performing regional market</a> over the past 12 months, according to REIWA.
Over this time period, 500 house sales lifted the area's median house price $25,000 to $450,000.
Earlier this week, Terry Ryder explained why he had tipped the town to take off in 2014 and which of the western state's markets to approach more cautiously. 
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jake-cSmGT7VXVf

The top property investment numbers of the week

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Christine Lagarde flirted with the idea of buying a holiday bolthole in Sydney on her last trip to Australia
But the Washington-based managing director of the International Monetary Fund was in for a shock.
“It’s very expensive,” she said in an interview to the Australian Financial Review's John Kehoe on the eve of her arrival for the G20 summit in Brisbane.
Lagarde is paid a tax-free salary of US$467,940 (A$537,572). Sadly she wasn't pressed on just where she looked. Perhaps opposite the Opera House given her younger brother, Olivier Lalouette, is a well regarded baritone singer in Europe. 
She was been to Australia three times this year, in Sydney in early 2014 for a G-20 Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.
She was in Cairns too, swimming at Ellis Beach.
The former antitrust and labour lawyer, and former Finance Minister of France during Nicolas Sarkozy’s term as President, and represented the working class 12th Arrondissement voters in Paris. She was raised in the 9th Arrondissement.
She was ranked the fifth most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine earlier this year.
Her partner Xavier Giocanti heads <a href="https://www.resiliance.net" target="_blank">Resilance</a>, a Marseille based property investment company, and they are known to occasionally holiday at Corsica.
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IMF's Christine Lagarde says Sydney property is "very expensive"

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Yesterday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported 1% price growth for Melbourne houses in the September quarter.
The city, like every other Australian capital, saw price growth well below Sydney's 2.7% quarterly result.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/DocAndrewWilson/status/531978251669741568" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/11/12/tweet-nov-12-one.png" alt=""></a>
Andrew Wilson, senior economist at the Domain Group, noted the ABS' September quarter figure was relatively close to his organisation's estimates.
Fellow data house RP Data recorded a steeper price increase for the same period, reporting a <a href="/expert-insights/investing/sydney-house-prices-streak-ahead-in-september-quarter-rp-data">1.8% price increase</a> for Melbourne houses earlier this month. 
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Tweet of the day: No boomtime result for Melbourne's September quarter

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Is social media the next marketing channel for properties?
Last week, Property Observer reported that an apartment was sold by Raine &amp; Horne Terrigal/Avoca after a buyer saw the property on the <a href="/news/like-social-media-marketing-secures-sale">agency's Facebook page</a>.
After making contact via Facebook, the buyer then met with the agents and negotiated a purchase. The agency continues to garner interests via the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/raineandhorne" target="_blank">page</a>.
<img src="/images/2014/11/12/Picture%204.png" alt="">
Selling agent Cameron Clayton said e-mail was now considered "old fashioned", with buyers preferring "faster, more contemporary platforms such as Facebook".
It seems many agencies agree, using Facebook and Twitter to market their sales listings.
Melbourne agency Marshall White frequently posts its listings on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MarshallWhiteRE/timeline" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, averaging a post every week day. The company has 8,746 "likes" on its page, with plenty of interaction between the agency, property fans and potential buyers taking place.
<img src="/images/2014/11/12/Picture%203.png" alt="">
A listing may attract as many as 60 odd likes – increasing the chance it will appear on the news feeds of buyers who don't subscribe to Marshall White's updates or spend their time scouring listing websites.
<img src="/images/2014/11/12/Picture%202.png" alt="">
Marshall White also frequently creates unique websites for the properties it is marketing – for example, 373 Howe Parade, Port Melbourne's listing is at the relatively easy-to-remember <a href="https://373howeparade-portmelbourne.com">www.373howeparade-portmelbourne.com</a>.
The company and many others are also active on photo sharing platform Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. Using the social media platforms allows agencies to increase the number of people exposed to each listing, casting a wider net for buyers than a traditional online listing might do.
The interactive nature of social media also allows agents (or their social media managers) to quickly respond to queries from their followers. However, some take an even more proactive approach, creating unique Twitter handles for properties.
Property Observer's editor at large Jonathan Chancellor once found himself followed on Twitter by a humble weatherboard home, <a href="/news/tweeting-over-the-humble-white-picket-fence-17banksiastreet-highlights-ever-expanding-digital-era">@17BanksiaStreet</a>.
While social media marketing can be a cost effective way of extending the reach of your marketing campaign, its true value is still questionable. Certainly not every Australian has a Twitter account. Twitter says there are <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/technology/social-media/43110-2-8-million-twitter-users-in-australia-but-how-many-are-seeing-the-ads" target="_blank">2.8 million Australian accounts</a>, but the figure doesn't shed any light on how many unique users there are, with some holding multiple accounts (and many accounts unused).
It is harder still to determine whether those viewing the listings posted on social media have any intention of buying a house. When advertising on a listing website, agents have a relatively good idea of who is viewing the listings – generally, people who have searched for properties in that particular area, in that particular price bracket.
While Sean Hutchison's interest in Marshall White's Middle Park listing may be genuine, there will be many others on social media who are interior enthusiasts, buyers in different price brackets or simply uninterested.
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Facebook helped sell this property: Can it work for you?

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Today, Jonathan Shapiera has told the affordable housing inquiry about his life as a person experiencing homelessness.
<img src="/images/2014/11/11/tweet-nov-11-one.jpg" alt=""> Shapiera and several other people in his area who are homeless have made a submission to the Standing Senate Committe on Economics: Affordable Housing Inquiry. In it, he describes living in his car with his son, his employer's lack of understanding and encountering other people without homes experiencing mental health issues.
The submission also raises the lack of available affordable housing in mining areas. 
"Mining areas in Australia are the worst affected when it comes to affordable living conditions. The author relocated to Darwin in November 2011 for employment on the eHealth project after completion of a contract with a company in Brisbane," reads the submission.
"Rentals and sales at the time were at a “practical price” for employed personal. The announcement of the ICTHYS project to Darwin saw rental prices go through the roof. A one bedroom city based flat prior to ICTHYS was listed at $195 per week. After the ICTHYS announcement it went to $385 per week. The benefit of mining to the country has a hazardous effect to local residents."
The South West Australian Homeless People's full submission can be read <a href="https://www.centrecare.com.au/resources/latest-news-documents/South%20West%20Australia%20Homeless%20People.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.
Western Australian Labor Senator Sue Lines, who is at the affordable housing inquiry, tweeted a picture of Jonathan Shapiera speaking at the inquiry today.
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Tweet of the day: Jonathan Shapiera at the affordable housing inquiry

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A Clontarf beach-front home was the most expensive sold in Australia last week, according to RP Data. The mid-century house (pictured in the gallery above) sold for $4,875,000, changing hands for the first time in 60 years.
Second on RP Data's list was a Bellevue Hill home, which secured $4.61 million. Once again Sydney homes dominated the top-end sales, with just one appearance each from Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
RP Data's top 10 sales for the week ending Sunday 9 November: 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-clontarf-118133639" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">29 Monash Crescent, Clontarf, NSW</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/1.jpg" alt="">
The Clontarf house was sold through Belle Property. With direct access to the beach through the back gate, the home has a full panoramic view of the harbour through full height picture windows and sliding doors, which open to the back terrace. The terrace has a separate undercover entertaining area.
The home has four bedrooms and three original bathrooms, with a "retro-style" kitchen.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/29-bulkara-road-bellevue-hill/Property-Details-buy-residential-7682968" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">29 Bulkara Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/2.jpg" alt=""> A five bedroom, six bathroom house in Bellevue Hill sold for $4.61 million last week through Laing + Simmons Double Bay. The main house, with multiple entertaining terraces, shares the 892 square metre plot with a free standing pool house.
According to the listing information, there is scope for a future second floor renovation on the home. The sellers bought it for $3 million in 2009.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-yeronga-118120535" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">365 Brisbane Corso, Yeronga, Qld</a>
 <img src="/images/2014/11/11/3.jpg" alt="">
The only Queensland home to make it to this week's top 10, this Yeronga house sold for $4.38 million through Place Graceville.
Constructed by the TAK Group in 2008, the three level home sits on a 916 square metre riverfront site, with 800 square metres of internal floor space. Materials used in the house include natural stone and polished timber. There is a pool along the side of the home's raised second level, with a spout pouring water from the wall of the house's third floor.
Although it was one of Australia's most expensives homes sold this week, the vendors still made a loss on 365 Brisbane Corso. They paid $5 million for the residence in 2009.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mosman-118107239" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">14 Euryalus Street, Mosman, NSW</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/4.jpg" alt="">
A Mosman home designed by French born Sydney architect Guy de Compiegne sold for $4.15 million through LJ Hooker Mosman. Compiegne has spoken before about the changing nature of entertaining spaces in homes – this one, with its large marble kitchen island and open plan living area, seems to align with his ideas about high visibility, theatrical entertaining.
Many of the north-facing house's rooms offer panoramic views of Middle Harbour, and the home has a nine metre pool. 
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/11-ruby-street-mosman/Property-Details-buy-residential-7752208" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">11 Ruby Street, Mosman, NSW</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/5.jpg" alt="">
The second Mosman home on this week's top 10 list sold for $3,971,000 at auction through Shead Property Chatswood. The sale marks the first time the circa 1907 house has changed hands in 70 years.
With a view of the city skyline, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, the house is set high on its 835 square metre plot. It has four bedrooms. The home features stained glass bay windows, fireplaces in the formal lounge and dining room, a cellar and a workshop.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/9-cole-street-hawthorn-east/Property-Details-buy-residential-7737540" target="_blank"></a>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/9-cole-street-hawthorn-east/Property-Details-buy-residential-7737540" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">9 Cole Street, Hawthorn East, Vic</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/6.jpg" alt="">
This Hawthorn East home with a faux Parisian façade sold for $3.8 million through Hocking Stuart Balwyn. The interior is as ornate as the exterior, with European Oak parquetry throughout, New York marble used in the kitchen and fireplaces and a calacatta marble en suite for the master bedroom.
There are five bedrooms and four bathrooms in home, with an entertaining area, kitchen and solar heated pool outside. Vendors purchased the property for $1.65 million mid-last year before building the current residence.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/248-marine-parade-cottesloe/Property-Details-buy-residential-6714305" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">248 Marine Parade, Cottesloe, WA</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/7.jpg" alt="">
The only West Australian home to appear on this week's top 10 is a $3.7 million Cottesloe home. The four bedroom, three bathroom house was designed by Perth architect Gary Banham.
After 268 days on the market, the home with ocean views was sold through Mack Hall Real Estate.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-strathfield-118149319" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">81 Homebush Road, Strathfield, NSW</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/8.jpg" alt="">
This three level heritage home sold at auction through Richard Matthew Real Estate Strathfield, who boast the $3,601,000 price was $451,000 over reserve.
The eight bedroom, five bathroom house is set over five levels on a 1,808 square metre parcel. It features formal and informal living spaces, wraparound balconies, marble fireplaces, lead lights and a separate one bedroom apartment.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/12-hall-street-brighton/Property-Details-buy-residential-7733080" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-nine.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">12 Hall Street, Brighton, Vic</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/9.jpg" alt=""> A triple storey Georgian inspired home sold for $3,515,000 through Greg Hocking Real Estate St Kilda. The five bedroom, three bathroom Brighton house is situated on a 894 square metre plot a house away from the Billilia mansion estate, within walking distance of the William Street Reserve and Church Street.
Herringbone parquetry floors are seen throughout the home's living and entertaining areas, which include a formal lounge and dining room. At the rear, french doors open onto the outdoor entertaining area and gardens.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-north+bondi-107613381" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-ten.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">71 Hastings Parade, North Bondi, NSW</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/11/10.jpg" alt="">
Raine &amp; Horne Bondi Beach secured $3.13 million for this five bedroom North Bondi house.
The living area of the freestanding home has blackbutt timber floors, with an open flame gas fireplace. Outdoors, there is a deck for entertaining, an outdoor shower and a five metre spa.
Sellers bought the house in April 2012, paying $2.4 million.
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Clontarf waterfront home tops sales: RP Data

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The likely sale valuation of billionaire Harry Triguboff's Meriton Apartments continues to garner interest following confirmation he has been in talks to sell the business to Chinese buyers.
For a long time it was always spoken of as a $6 billion outfit, then a $10 billion price tag <a href="/news/meritons-harry-triguboff-says-10-billion-is-his-asking-price">was recently bandied about by Harry</a>.
However, the Australian Financial Review's Street Talk column suggested an internal Meriton valuation has the company’s assets at about $7.3 billion. 
But they add that advice from Grant Samuel has it closer to the $12 billion based on a multiple of 10 times earnings.
Picture of Harry Triguboff courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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Meriton, Harry Triguboff's $12 billion company?

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With manufacturing swiftly moving overseas, renovators are making good use of our empty warehouses.
Here are six of the best warehouse conversions currently on the market, with healthy doses of exposed brick and timber cross beams.
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/9a-clifton-street-richmond/Property-Details-buy-residential-7870158" target="_blank">9a Clifton Street Richmond Vic 3121</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/10/4.jpg" alt=""> DCM and Rick Bzowy are responsible for the interiors of this three bedroom Richmond warehouse conversion. The former is best known for creating Melbourne landmarks, including the Cheese-sticks, which greet those traveling on the Citylink. The two story home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and "showroom quality garaging" for six vehicles. It includes hydronic heating, exposed trusses, a commercial grade kitchen and a butler's pantry. The renovated warehouse is listed for auction on 29 November. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/30-gibbens-street-camperdown/Property-Details-buy-residential-7861230" target="_blank">30 Gibbens Street Camperdown NSW 2050</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/10/1.jpg" alt="">
While this warehouse's internal sterility unfortunately hides some of its original 1930s materials, it does showcase two other great qualities of warehouse buildings – volume and light. Spaced over three levels, the former print factory has five bedrooms, four bathrooms and multiple living spaces on 720 square metres of internal space.
The home retains its original parquetry, concrete and terrazzo flooring.
Update: 30 Gibbens Street has now been reported as sold.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-darlinghurst-118354219" target="_blank">7/1 Printers Lane Darlinghurst NSW 2010</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/10/2.jpg" alt=""> This apartment is located in another former print factory, Darlinghurst's "The Printery". One of nine apartments, number seven has industrial-inspired interiors and 2.8 metre ceilings.
The interiors feature the building's original exposed brickwork and timber joists, with polished timber floors, while the bedroom appears to have an aged copper feature wall.
The one bedroom apartment will be auctioned on 6 December. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-clovelly-118213759" target="_blank"> 1 Greville Street Clovelly NSW 2031</a>
<img src="/images/phocagallery/2014/10/cloveeley-oct-29/clovelley_0000_1.jpg.jpg"> The former stables renovated by television producer turned tourism entrepreneur <a href="/news/henry-crawfords-former-clovelly-conversion-on-the-market">Henry Crawford</a> and his wife Nina Hill are on the market with $3.25 million expectations.
The current owners have decked the four bedroom conversion out with contemporary Australian art, including pieces by David Bromley and Bill Henson. With Asian-inspired interiors, the home features a variety of undisguised materials, including original timber flooring, timber crossbeams and exposed brick walls.
The Stables go to auction on 15 November.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.commercialview.com.au/8-eastern-place-hawthorn-east-vic/commercial-for-sale-details-7831674" target="_blank">8 Eastern Place Hawthorn East Vic 3123</a>
 <img src="/images/2014/11/10/5.jpg" alt="">
Hidden behind a cascading hedge is a mixed-use warehouse conversion with an apartment and studio office with split tenancies. A consulting company occupies the warehouse's lower floor, with the apartment on the upper floor.
The three bedroom apartment has 246 square metres of space, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms set around a central roofed terrace. The offices and residences will be auctioned as one property on Thursday 27 November.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-annandale-118345055" target="_blank">8A Piper Lane Annandale NSW 2038</a> <img src="/images/2014/11/10/6.jpg" alt="">
8 Eastern Place isn't the only warehouse with a folliage festooned façade on the market. This ivy-covered Annandale home is spread over a basement level, a ground floor and a mezzanine.
The basement holds a study and entertainment area, with timber flooring, exposed timber beams and exposed brick walls. Floating stairs take the resident up to the ground floor, where there is a lounge area, dining and kitchen space, an entry foyer and a bathroom.
The bedrooms are situated on the mezzanine level, with the master bedroom opening onto a deck. 8A Piper Lane will be auctioned on November 29.
</li>
</ol>
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The six best warehouse conversions on the market

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A real estate agency has sold a home after the buyer made contact through Facebook.
The apartment in the Scenic Terrigal development was advertised on Raine &amp; Horne Terrigal/Avoca's Facebook page.
According to general manager Brett Hunter, the social media influenced sale was a first for the agency.
"The initial buyer enquiry came through Facebook, with questions answered by us via the social media platform's chat facility. Meetings were booked, prices negotiated and a deal struck for a final purchase price of $810,000," said Hunter.
Selling agent Cameron Clayton also commissioned a website to advertise the development.
"Email is considered old fashioned now, with many buyers and tenants preferring to work with us via faster, more contemporary platforms such as Facebook," Clayton said.
"The sharing of videos through Facebook is also a massive way for us to engage with new buyers," he says.
Videos are increasingly used to market properties, with Marshall White and Century 21 among agents who create video content for listings.
The off the plan apartment sold has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two car garage.
 
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