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 Sale

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GUEST OBSERVER
The land registries in NSW, Victoria and Queensland have developed and adopted Verification of Identity Standards (VOI Standards) for verifying the identity of parties to land transactions for the purposes of the National Electronic Conveyancing laws in Australia. 
The current VOI Standards are set out in Schedule 8 of version 3 of the Model Participation Rules (Rules) developed for the purposes of electronic conveyancing. 
To ensure consistency between paper transactions and electronic transactions, the VOI Standards for paper transactions have been introduced in Victoria.  NSW and Queensland have also introduced the VOI Standards for the verification of paper mortgages. 
Queensland
Under sections 11A and 11B of the Land Title Act 1994 (Qld) and sections 288A and 288B of the Land Act 1994 (Qld), mortgagees (lenders) are required to take reasonable steps to confirm the identity of mortgagors (borrowers). 
Revised practices for lenders confirming the identity of borrowers, to be incorporated into the Queensland Land Titles Practice Manual in the form of the VOI Standards, will take effect from 1 March 2016.  Under these practices a lender will be considered to have taken reasonable steps if they have complied with the VOI Standards.
Victoria 
The Victorian Registrar of Titles has adopted new verification of identity requirements for parties who wish to lodge dealings in paper form at Land Victoria pursuant to section 106A of the Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic).  
The Registrar’s requirements for all dealings, which came into effect on 9 November 2015, have adopted the VOI Standards and under these requirements a solicitor, conveyancer or lender will be deemed to have taken reasonable steps if they have complied with the VOI Standards.
New South Wales
Under section 56C of the Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) lenders are required to take reasonable steps to confirm the identity of borrowers, and regulation 16 of the Real Property Regulation 2014 (NSW) provides that from 1 January 2015 lenders are considered to have taken reasonable steps if they have complied with the VOI Standards.  
From 9 November 2015, an amended table of minimum document requirements for verification of identity took effect under the VOI Standards and now applies to verifying borrowers in NSW. 
PURPOSE OF VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY 
The purpose of carrying out a verification of identity for land transactions is to:
<ul>
<li>ensure a person is who they claim to be;</li>
<li>reduce the risk of identity fraud; and</li>
<li>prevent the registration of fraudulent land transactions. </li>
</ul>
WHEN VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY IS REQUIRED 
The Rules require solicitors, conveyancers and lenders (Verifiers) to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of:
<ul>
<li>their clients;</li>
<li>borrowers; and</li>
<li>persons to whom certificates of title are to be provided.</li>
</ul>
CARRYING OUT VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY 
When verifying the identity of a party, reasonable steps to verify their identity must be taken.  
Reasonable Steps
‘Reasonable steps’ means the taking of such steps as an ordinarily prudent Verifier would take in the circumstances and in the ordinary course of their business.  Whether reasonable steps have been taken is a question of fact depending on the circumstances of each case. 
Previous Verification of Identity
Where a verification of identity has occurred within the previous 2 years, the party’s identity is not required to be verified again provided the Verifier takes reasonable steps to ensure they are dealing with the party previously identified. 
Supporting Evidence 
In order to demonstrate reasonable steps were taken, Verifiers must retain evidence supporting a verification of identity for at least 7 years. 
Verification of Identity Overseas 
The Rules have established arrangements with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for verifying the identity of people overseas.  The arrangements standardise services provided by Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates to persons overseas.  
AGENTS 
A Verifier may use an agent to undertake verification of identity on the Verifier’s behalf.  The Verifier must direct the agent how to conduct the verification of identity, and this could be by using the VOI Standard or some other method that constitutes taking reasonable steps.  A Verifier must reasonably believe an agent to be reputable, competent and insured in accordance with the Rules. 
Australia Post currently provides a verification of identity service in each of NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Tress Cox Lawyers can assist with verification of your identity.
We use InfoTrack’s ‘IDfy’ iOS app-based system for face to face VOI interviews in our offices.  We have worked with InfoTrack to fine tune the app.  We can also attend our clients’ offices to carry out VOI interviews using the app.  The relevant identity information is encrypted before it is stored.
We have also registered with Australia Post for clients who prefer to attend their local post office to carry out the VOI interview.  Certified VOI documents are forwarded to us electronically by Australia Post.
 
<div>
Martyn Tier, Lynette Reynolds and Dan Flynn, are partners forTress Cox Lawyers and can be contacted <a href="https://www.tresscox.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
</div>
 
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Property 101: ID verification in electronic property transfers in NSW, QLD and Victoria

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A $488,000 sale of a two bedroom fibro on 600 sqm at Bradbury was the cheapest among recent weekend auctions.
Selling to an investor, it suggested the headlines around the negative gearing policy debate had failed to unnerve strong buying interest.
Some four of the five registered parties were investors.
But it's selling agent Russell Wyer from Richardson &amp; Wrench Campbelltown suggested the investor interest was more likely to be directed towards the prospect of positive gearing than negative gearing.
He thought the acquisition lent itself to the addition of a granny flat in its vast back yard on <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/15-bland-street-bradbury-nsw-2560-2012550475" target="_blank">Bland Street</a>.
He envisaged a doubling in rental income to around $650 a week after the $100,000 plus outlay on the granny flat.
The pursuit of positive gearing by many conservative investors has been somewhat overlooked in the debate that has followed the unveiling of the federal opposition's policy to restrict negative gearing to new properties and raise the tax on any sale.
There's complexity around the investment terms and ofcourse it’s not the property that determines whether an investment is negative or positive. 
What is a positively geared property for one could be a negatively geared one for another, due to different income tax circumstances.
Basically a property with negative cashflow means the rental income does not cover all the outgoing costs, so this loss helps reduce a person’s overall tax liability.
The gearing aspect means that the property has been bought using finance with the loan repayments adding to the outgoings.
Leaving personal tax considerations aside, negatively geared property is a loss making situation.
But the investor's expectation is for the value of the property to increase to cover the annual losses.
And they might also anticipate future rental income will increase sufficiently to cover the losses.
The big risk with a negatively geared property is that its value may not increase sufficiently to cover the loss especially if interest rates rise.
There’s also now the prospect raised by Labor of hiking the tax on any capital gains.
According to property research and investment firm Aviate Group managing director Neil Smoli it typically takes five to six years for an investment property to become neutral, that is, for the rent received to balance the interest payable.
"This is influenced by the interest rate of the day, the net rental income received after costs, the investor’s marginal tax rate as well as depreciation allowances,” he said.
He argues any reform should take a long-term view and classify ‘new’ stock as any property up to 10 years old so as not to pull the rug from under the feet of investors abruptly.
“A timeline of this duration for the investor to be able to use negative gearing seems logical and fair.”
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Positive gearing the prospect with granny flat on Bland Street, Bradbury

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Places Victoria, the state government’s property development agency, has sold a 9,000 square metre development site in Melbourne’s inner western suburb of Footscray to an off-shore developer for an undisclosed sum.
Places Victoria purchased the site, around five km from Melbourne’s CBD, in May 2011 for $11.5 million. According to places.vic.gov.au, the buyer is an investor from Hong Kong.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-footscray-501750614" target="_blank">2/52 Cowper Street</a> property was sold with a development scheme comprising up to 500 apartments over four, 8-14 level towers with 454 car spaces and ground floor retail. 
The 9,052 square metre corner site with 180 metres frontage was sold vacant, cleared and ready for construction.
According to selling agents, Savills’ directors, Julian Heatherich and Nick Peden, the expressions of interest campaign attracted interest from a range of prospective buyers, including syndicates and funds and local and off-shore investors and developers.
“Melbourne‘s nation leading population growth and most liveable city status are obvious drivers along with the influx of huge amounts of foreign capital which has forced local investors and developers into a very competitive market,” said Heatherich.   
The elevated site offers the potential for uninterrupted CBD views and is close to Footscray Railway Station and retail outlets, added Peden.
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Places Victoria sells 500-apartment site in Footscray to HK investor

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One of the life’s most stressful events is buying or selling your first home – it’s said to be up there with getting married. 
The REIQ offers several tips to first home buyers and sellers that will help you navigate one of life’s trickiest transactions with confidence and with a degree of certainty that you’ll achieve a great outcome, whatever you want that to be.   One of the keys to success is engaging a real estate professional that you can trust to be your guide throughout the process. You need to find that person who you can connect with; that person who is experienced and can help you with the many decisions that you are about to make.    Choosing your agent:
Interview the experts and get their views. Meet with two or three agents and talk to them about what you want to achieve from the transaction. If you’re buying your first home a buyer’s agent is a very good idea and if you’re selling for the first time then speak to a few agents from different offices to get a feel for how they each will approach the sale of your home.   Ask questions:   1. What is your area of expertise? Many people don’t realise that real estate agents can engage in a broad range of activities, including selling residential property, auctioneering, commercial property sales, leasing and management, along with business broking. So you need to choose someone whose background is in the area that you’re seeking guidance in.   2. Feedback: You need an agent who has experience in giving feedback and having tough conversations with clients. Sometimes it can be difficult to give honest feedback to vendors who don’t want to hear that the price they want is unrealistic or the renovations are not a good idea. You want an agent who will be honest and up-front with you, so ask them about their style of feedback for vendors and what they do when they have to have the tough conversations.   3. Do you have professional indemnity insurance? This is not a statutory requirement so not all agents will have it, which is a problem if something goes wrong. All REIQ accredited agency members are required to carry a minimum of $1 million in PI insurance. It gives an added peace of mind. After all, you don’t want to be embarking on one of the biggest transactions of your career without a safety net, do you?   4. What is your dispute resolution process? Nobody wants to think that something will go awry in their property transaction but if it does, what options are available to you? If your agent doesn’t have a simple, accessible dispute resolution policy in place how will you know what to do in the event of a dispute?   5. How do you stay up-to-date with legislative changes? Not all agents maintain their professional knowledge and this can be concerning when you consider that property transactions are very heavily regulated by government legislation. You really need to make sure that the agent you choose keeps their knowledge up to date. All REIQ members are required to maintain their continuing professional development as a requirement of their membership and this gives you peace of mind to know that they are up to date.
ANTONIA MERCORELLA is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiq.com/" target="_blank">REIQ</a>.
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Property 101: How to take the stress out of property purchasing and selling: Antonia Mercorella

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A two-bedroom home at 193 Scenic Drive, Budgewoi sold at weekend auction for $339,500 by One Agency Eastlakes.
The pre-auction marketing was suggesting $275,000 plus price expectations for the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-budgewoi-121282678" target="_blank">brick veneer house</a>. 
CoreLogic RP Data put the median house price of the NSW Central Coast suburb <a href="/news">at a record $360,000</a>.
The New South Wales central coast suburb of Budgewoi was consistently one of Australia's worst performing suburbs for value of mortgage delinquencies, according to Fitch Ratings.
In September last year, Kingston, Queensland's 4114 postcode, took over Budgewoi's title as the suburb with the highest value of mortgage delinquencies.  
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Budgewoi sale at 20% premium to auction price guidance

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Australian cricket vice-captain David Warner and his wife, the iron woman, Candice have quickly commissioned architect Rolf Ockert to create their dream home following their mid-week Lurline Bay purchase.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/eastern-suburbs/maroubra/285829" target="_blank">They bought the oceanfront knock-down</a> for just under $4 million through McGrath agent Simon Exleton which was offered with lapsed Tobias Architect plans. 
David "The Kaboom Kid" Warner, in unstoppable cricket form, loves his coastal property portfolio. "You can't go wrong on bricks and mortar," he told Daily Telegraph columnist Nick Tabakoff recently.
He's not alone having outbid four contract holders to secure the 892sqm Mermaid Avenue.
The couple spent $6.25 million on their Coogee home last year.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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David Warner buys knockdown property in Maroubra

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Buyers of DUO in Central Park have shown a strong appetite for internationally designed apartments close to the Sydney CBD, with Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House Australia achieving over $229 million in sales at the recent launch.
Frasers marketing director Paul Lowe said they experienced strong sales and interest for the three-bedroom dual-key apartments in <a href="https://www.centralparksydney.com/" target="_blank">DUO</a> which were offered for the first time ever at Central Park. 
"Dual-key apartments are a unique product type in the market and have proven to be ideal for investors wanting to stay in one apartment and lease the other one out, as well as growing families who desire space and flexibility in apartment living," he said.
The remaining three bedroom dual-key apartments apartments are available from $1.93 million in the next apartment block <a href="/expert-insights/buying/central-parks-duo-to-offer-dual-key-apartment-options">in Central Park</a>.
They started at $1.78 million at pre-sale in the building which was designed by internationally acclaimed architects Foster + Partners.
A dual-key property is just one property, with a single front entrance, living room, bathroom, kitchen and one or two bedrooms.
The difference then comes in. A dual key property has an additional dwelling inside, usually an extra bedroom with its own lock door at the front door lobby.
Behind the lock door is a studio apartment with its own small kitchen and additional bathroom.
Dual-key properties allow one space to be shared by two separate tenants or members of an extended family.
They are a fairly recent emergence in Sydney; however they have existed for decades in places such as Sweden, Japan and the United States.
Meriton’s 2002 Trafalgar in Sydney included 12 dual-key apartments, all of which contain a two-bedroom apartment and a studio accessed by a common door, but separated once inside.
According to investment advisers dual-key apartments offer investors higher rental yield by splitting the apartment for separate occupants.
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Duo, Central Park finds strong dual-key buyer demand

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The most affordable property sold in Sydney at auction this weekend was a three bedroom home in San Remo.
Advertised by selling agent Andrew Sorensen of Raine &amp; Horne as "a great place to start" the home is perfect for first time buyers.
Andrew had a price guide of over $300,000 for the property before the $355,000 sale at auction.
He gave the property an average rental return of between $345 and $370 per week, which is an average gross rental yield between 5.05% and 5.42%.
San Remo is a suburb of the Central Coast, 108 kilometres away from the Sydney CBD.
The property features a large outdoor terrace and garden space.
The property last traded in 2009 for $269,950, an annual appreciation of 4.39%.
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San Remo three bedder Sydney's most affordable sale at 5% gross yield

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New South Wales auction results for the week ending Sunday 15 November show a preliminary clearance rate of 61% from 1200 total scheduled auctions.
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<div class="num">According to data from realestate.com.au, 317 properties were sold at auction within NSW, 243 passed in and 214 sold prior to auction.</div>
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<div class="num">One standout sale in the Sydney suburb of Blakehurst, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-blakehurst-120988130" target="_blank">71 Terry Street</a>, was a six bedroom home that sold for $2,980,000. The median price for a home in <a href="/news">Blakehurst is $1.5 million</a>, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
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New South Wales clearance rate at 61%: Realestate.com.au

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A four bedroom Roxburgh Park house was Melbourne's cheapest weekend auction house sale.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/16-mackellar-drive-roxburgh-park/Property-Details-buy-residential-9568392" target="_blank">Set on 305 sqm at 16 Mackellar Drive</a>, it sold at $291,000 through Raine &amp; Horne agent Adam Jurdi.
It failed to sell in 2013 when listed with $300,000 plus hopes.
The house last sold at $43,000 in 2000, reflecting 12 per cent annual growth. It was last up for rent in early 2015 with a $330 weekly asking rental, reflecting 5.9% annual growth.
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