<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/draycon">Draycon Building</a> is nearing completion of Boutique Chevron Island, a 42-apartment development on the northern end of Chevron Island at 17–19 Parneno Street, with a limited-time offer of fully furnished apartments available.

Now more than 90 per cent complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/boutique-chevron-island-17-19-parneno-chevron-island-qld-4217">Boutique</a> has been shaped by one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held island addresses, where riverfront outlooks and walkable access to Surfers Paradise converge.

For Draycon Building Managing Director Howard Dabit, the appeal of the site was immediate.

“I knew it was a good site as soon as I saw it,” Dabit said.

“The position and location on the north end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>, the way the river swirls around the site basically from the north to the east, it feels like the site is surrounded by the water. The height that we’ve got and the aspect looking north is beautiful. Eighty per cent of the apartments are looking north so they get that drenching sunlight coming in.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360922]

That northern orientation places the development within a stretch of Chevron Island defined by open river aspects and skyline views, while remaining embedded in the suburb’s established village setting.

Chevron Island has increasingly drawn owner-occupiers seeking centrality without the intensity of high-rise beachfront living. Positioned at the geographical centre of the Gold Coast, the island offers direct access to both the beach and key cultural infrastructure while retaining a neighbourhood-scale character.

Connected by bridge to Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island offers walkable access to beaches, riverfront parklands and a revitalised foreshore boulevard animated by walkers and cyclists throughout the day. The Pacific Ocean is only minutes away, reinforcing the suburb’s dual river-and-surf identity.

At the same time, Thomas Drive forms the spine of the island’s village life, delivering cafés, wine bars, casual dining and everyday services within easy reach. Independent grocers, wellness operators and neighbourhood retailers contribute to a community atmosphere that remains distinct from the vertical scale of the beachfront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360915]

In the opposite direction, the Green Bridge links directly to HOTA – Home of the Arts – placing galleries, performance venues and parklands within walking distance. Weekly markets and major exhibitions draw visitors from across the region, while residents return to a quieter residential pocket at day’s end.

Public transport, including nearby bus routes and the G:link light rail corridor along the coastal spine, strengthens connectivity north and south. Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital precinct and established private schools such as The Southport School are all within a short drive.

Ongoing investment across Surfers Paradise, HOTA and the broader Southport corridor has elevated amenity while preserving Chevron Island’s comparatively low-rise residential character. It is this balance, walkable village atmosphere paired with metropolitan-scale infrastructure, that continues to differentiate the suburb from higher-density beachfront precincts.

Boutique comprises just 42 residences, designed to maximise river and skyline outlooks within this tightly held island setting.

Boutique Chevron Island is slated for completion in April 2026, with prices starting from $1,220,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89709]

Joel Robinson

Draycon Building’s Boutique Chevron Island places 42 residences at the heart of the Gold Coast

Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.

Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.

Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.

In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.

The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb

“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.

"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."

Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.

Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.

Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.

Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.

"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.

"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."

The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.

"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."

Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

More than a century after the Corrimal Coke Works first opened in 1912, the industrial landmark that helped shape the suburb is being reinterpreted as a walkable residential neighbourhood, with Stage One of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-works-stage-one-27-railway-street-corrimal-nsw-2518">The Works</a> now underway at 27 Railway Street.

For 102 years, the site was central to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/corrimal-nsw-2518">Corrimal</a>’s economic and social identity before operations ceased in 2014. Rather than erasing that legacy, developer Legacy Property has embedded it into the masterplan, retaining and reinterpreting elements such as the iconic 1912 brick chimney and sections of the original C1 Coke Oven Battery, alongside the adaptive reuse of the former powerhouse building.

Stage One will introduce 181 apartments across low-rise buildings, offering predominantly two and three-bedroom residences with completion targeted for mid-2027. The scale and configuration reflect a deliberate focus on owner-occupiers, targeting those seeking a lower-maintenance home in a prime location within the northern suburbs of Wollongong.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359833]

Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation, with floor-to-ceiling glazing extending living areas onto generous balconies. Engineered timber flooring, induction cooktops and 900mm ovens in larger residences support everyday functionality, while two interior palettes allow buyers to tailor finishes to their preferences. The material selection draws on a restrained coastal language, intended to connect homes to their surroundings rather than compete with them.

The Works forms part of a broader 18-hectare masterplan that will ultimately deliver around 550 dwellings, new parks, and a heritage precinct celebrating the site’s past. More than seven hectares are dedicated to open space, including Southern Park and a Village Green with community gardens and recreation areas. The creek corridor is being rehabilitated with 150,000 native plantings, restoring biodiversity to the site and softening landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359841]

Positioned adjacent to Corrimal Station and within walking distance of Corrimal Town Centre, the precinct places daily essentials, rail connections and local retail within easy reach. Wollongong CBD, including the hospital, university and entertainment venues, sits approximately 6.5 kilometres to the south.

For buyers more familiar with North Wollongong, Corrimal offers a different proposition: a well-established coastal suburb framed by beaches to the east and the escarpment to the west, with a strong sense of local identity shaped in part by the former Coke Works. The Works seeks to reinforce that identity by creating a connected, walkable neighbourhood between coast and escarpment, rather than a standalone apartment complex.

Sustainability underpins the development approach. The Works is targeting Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star-rated community, with water-sensitive urban design, recycled materials and energy-efficient buildings integrated across the masterplan. For residents, these measures provide not only environmental benefits but also reduced operational costs and future resilience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359842]

With construction commenced and display materials available to view, prospective buyers can now engage more directly with the project’s vision, reviewing floorplans, material selections and the broader masterplan in detail. For many local homeowners weighing a move, the opportunity to experience how heritage, landscape and contemporary design intersect may help bridge the gap between familiarity and the next chapter.

As Stage One progresses toward its mid-2027 completion, The Works represents a significant chapter in Corrimal’s evolution, transforming a site that once powered local industry into a walkable residential precinct designed for its next generation of residents.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143415]

Legacy Property’s The Works reimagines Corrimal’s century-old Coke Works

When it comes to developing in Melb​ourne's Bayside region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> knows exactly what buyers want.

With a longstanding presence in the area and a string of sell-out projects, Lowe Living consistently delivers developments that are as sought-after as their predecessors.

Their latest instalment is in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-east-vic-3188">&nbsp;East,</a> the same postcode where they have previously delivered Hampton Hill and Oceano. The developer-builder recently commenced construction on its newest project,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marella-hampton-31-35-alicia-street-hampton-east-vic-3188">Marella</a>, a collection of 32 apartments just five minutes from the beach.

Site acquisition is paramount to success. Lowe Living rarely brings a building to market that isn’t within walking distance of essential amenities, whether it be the beach, a prominent retail strip, or a train station. Marella is no exception, located at its Alicia Street address, less than a kilometre from the retail heart of Hampton Street and Hampton Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358495]

Equally important to Lowe Living is the architecture.

For Marella, they appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, who explains that the architectural vision was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of the Californian bungalow, a style that’s iconic to Hampton’s heritage.

"By borrowing, abstracting, and reinterpreting elements of this quintessential style, such as strong datum lines, articulated columns, exposed structures, and roof tiles, our design strikes a balance between modernity and familiarity," says Cera Stribley.

"This approach ensures that the development is not only visually appealing but also contextually sensitive, resonating with Hampton's existing architectural landscape."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358499]

The building features terracotta brick, soft cream masonry, and exposed metal detailing, giving it a tactile presence that is intended to weather gently over time.

Internally, the focus on lasting quality continues, with two and three-bedroom residences anchored by sculptural stone kitchen islands, natural light, and clearly defined transitions between living, dining, and outdoor spaces.

The layouts have been carefully designed. Open-plan zones extend to private balconies, with light-filled interiors and generous kitchen proportions, supported by Miele wall ovens, induction cooktops, and integrated fridge-freezers. These are not small apartments rebranded as luxury; they have been designed at scale, with ample storage, hotel-style entry access, and secure basement parking provided as standard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358492]

At the uppermost level, Marella’s Signature Collection penthouses offer city or bay views, large entertaining terraces (some with outdoor spas), and elevated finishes, including fully wrapped stone kitchen benches and a Liebherr wine fridge.

Flexible room arrangements allow for a fourth bedroom or secondary living space, sought-after by both empty nesters who want the space when family visits and families with older children.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358498]

A residents’ lounge on the ground floor reinforces the project’s small-community feel. With a fireplace, private dining area, and adjoining terrace, it’s one of several shared spaces that balance amenity with privacy and scale.

Construction has commenced, with completion expected in early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146197]

Lowe Living continues Bayside legacy as Marella rises in Hampton

Queensland Property

Stockland have announced the acquisition of a 77-hectare residential development site at 944-1024 Ripley Road in South Ripley, building on its presence in Ipswich and South-East Queensland to meet much-needed demand for new housing.

Set to deliver 1,100 homes as well as a State Primary School and community facilities, the site is zoned for residential use and is close to Stockland’s Providence master planned community in the maturing Ripley Valley Priority Development Area.

Stockland’s CEO of Communities, Andrew Whitson said the group were excited about increasing their residential footprint with zoned land.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1556" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/allshots_providence.jpg" width="2333" /> 
Stockland's new South Ripley site sits close by to the group's Providence masterplanned community. Image supplied.&nbsp;

“The opportunity to build on the success of our Providence community, which has a very strong brand in the South-East Queensland corridor,” he added.

“The acquisition follows more recent consolidations at Providence and aligns with our strategy to restock our master planned community pipeline with market-ready projects on capital efficient terms, in well-connected corridors close to transport, schools, jobs and infrastructure.”

“South-East Queensland remains significantly under supplied, and we expect the new community will be highly sought after by homebuyers who value quality master planned communities in attractive settings with community facilities and infrastructure on their doorstep,” said Whitson.

Stockland’s General Manager of Queensland Communities, David Laner commented on the long list of projects the group already has up and down the Queensland coast, with experience the driving force behind the envisioned South Ripley project’s success. &nbsp;

“Stockland has almost $3.6 billion invested in Queensland, with master planned communities stretching from Townsville to the Gold Coast, including the multi award-winning city of Aura on the Sunshine Coast, the largest master planned community currently being developed in Australia.

“Future residents in South Ripley will benefit from a wide range of current and planned features at Stockland Providence, including the Providence Town Centre, the highly acclaimed Splash &amp; Play facilities, District sporting and recreational grounds, schools and childcare, and a Satellite hospital.”

“A diverse range of housing is proposed for the elevated site, which will offer future residents long views and the opportunity to build their dream home,” said Laner.

Subject to approvals, Stockland will aim to start the project after site settlement in 2024.

Set to deliver 1,100 homes as well as a State Primary School and community facilities, the site is zoned for residential use and is close to Stockland’s Providence master planned community in the maturing Ripley Valley Priority Development Area.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

Stockland boosts residential pipeline with South Ripley acquisition

A large development site in the heart of the Woolloongabba Olympic precinct is up for sale, with price expectations in excess of $45 million.

The 1.28-hectare rectangular shaped development site at 73 Ipswich Road in Woolloongabba&nbsp;is expected to attract apartment developers given its central location at the heart of the planned infrastructure in the precinct.

The site has three street frontages, to Ipswich Road and Henry Street and offers multiple development outcomes including residential, commercial, medical and hotel, subject to council approval.

Knight Frank agents Blake Goddard, Christian Sandstrom and Matt Barker in conjunction with Nathan Moore of Ray White Commercial Bayside on behalf of the vendor, a local private.

Goddard said the property was one of the largest privately owned infill sites within a two-kilometre radius of the Brisbane CBD and was expected to be hotly contested by buyers.

&ldquo;We expect a wide range of developers to be interested in this site, including residential, commercial, mixed-use and build-to-rent developers, due to its flexible zoning allowances,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;It is one of the largest privately-owned properties situated in the heart of the Woolloongabba Olympic precinct, close to the Cross River Rail and the redevelopment of &lsquo;the Gabba&rsquo; stadium, and one of the most significant development opportunities to have hit the market in the last few years.

&ldquo;Quality development sites are sought after in the current market, but this site will be even more attractive to a wide range of buyers due to the rarity of size and location. The Gabba stadium and surrounding precinct is set to undergo major transformation in the coming years with over $1 billion allocated to the precinct.&rdquo;

Moore said the property benefitted from its three-street frontage, easy access to major. arterial roads including Ipswich Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway, and the fact that a majority of it was undeveloped.

&ldquo;The property is set to benefit from its prime location underpinned by exceptional future development opportunities in the area surrounding the 2032 Olympics,&rdquo; he said.

The site is surrounded by nearby&nbsp;&nbsp;amenity including The Gabba, the Logan Road dining precinct and the Cross River Rail station upon completion.

&ldquo;The three-street frontage site enjoys a strategic location within Woolloongabba, offering unrivalled amenity along with extensive surrounding transport infrastructure and development,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

The 1.28-hectare rectangular shaped development site at 73 Ipswich Road in Woolloongabba is expected to attract apartment developers given its central location at the heart of the planned infrastructure in the precinct

Developers to swoop on one of the largest sites in the Woolloongabba Olympic precinct

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Regional Queensland has achieved something that few jurisdictions across Australia have managed: it has maintained its previous high levels of well-performing markets in defiance of Covid-19.
Hotspotting’s Winter 2020 survey of sales activity has identified 54 growth markets and 30 consistency markets, down only marginally on the results of the previous (Autumn 2020) survey, which found 55 growth locations and 34 consistency ones. This was the strongest performance by Regional Queensland in three years and the results of this latest survey are only slightly inferior.
The number of “declining” markets has reduced (from 12 to six to four in recent surveys) and there are now few danger markets in Regional Queensland outside of the perennial struggler, Mount Isa.
Compared to the Covid-inspired deterioration in the results of other major jurisdictions across the nation, this is a commendable performance – and provides further evidence that regional areas have done much better in the pandemic period than the biggest capital cities.
The well-performing markets include Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay, Gympie and Toowoomba, as well as the Regional Queensland heavyweights, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
In addition, we have seen further evidence of recovery in the Gladstone market, after multiple years in decline.
We continue to rate the Sunshine Coast one of the strongest economic and real estate stories in the nation and it has produced another solid result in this winter survey. The Sunshine Coast Regional Council area and neighbouring Noosa Shire have 11 suburbs with rising sales activity and eight others with consistent sales performance. There are also a number of locations which have delivered strong price growth in the past 12 months.
Nearby Gympie has a number of growth locations and is poised for a sustained period of growth, given major infrastructure projects and its improved links to the boom Sunshine Coast economy.
Sales activity overall in Gold Coast City has declined, unsurprisingly given the impact of Covid-19 on an economy so heavily reliant on tourism. This is reflected in the 35 suburbs with plateau markets. Nevertheless, there remain 10 suburbs with rising sales activity.
There are solid performers spread across Queensland, stretching from Townsville in the far north to more southerly locations like Hervey Bay and the inland city of Toowoomba.
Townsville has five suburbs with growing sales and, boosted by major infrastructure projects, is poised for a recovery from the previous downturn.
Mackay, a growth market we have noted in previous surveys, also has five growth suburbs and has a number of locations delivering strong price growth. Sales in South Mackay have been 20-27-35-34-52 in the past five quarters, a pattern which had led to strong price growth recently.
Rockhampton is showing increasing signs of revival, with four growth suburbs and three with consistent sales performance. The suburb of Berserker has lifted quarterly sales from 21 to 31 to 33 to 43 in the past year. Frenchville and Gracemere display similar growth patterns.
The Fraser Coast, based on Hervey Bay, is showing increasing signs of a growth phase, with five suburbs with growing buyer demand.
Toowoomba, after several years of moderate activity, is showing symptoms of a rising market, with three growth and four consistency suburbs.
The one disappointing result comes from Cairns, which stood out strongly in the previous Autumn survey as a rising market with nine growth suburbs. But this Winter survey finds only two growth suburbs, with sales in most Cairns suburbs falling away recently. This is an economy strong reliant on tourism, including international visitors, which has taken a serious hit from Covid-19.
Regional Queensland has also performed well on price growth. Six out of 10 locations have produced some level of growth in their median house prices in the past 12 months and most of those where prices have declined have done so only marginally.
The Sunshine Coast has a number of strong performers with annual price growth, led by Warana (19%), Minyama (16%) and Noosa Heads (11%).
The Gold Coast also has a number of growth locations, including Runaway Bay (18%), Worongary (15%), Palm Beach (11%) and Mermaid Waters (10%).
Mackay has some outstanding performers, including South Mackay (16%), Blacks Beach (14%) and Bucasia (10%).
I’ve previously noted the revival signs in Gladstone, with vacancies down and rents rising. We are now seeing evidence of prices rising, although from a low base. West Gladstone is up 16% and Glen Eden 23% in annual terms, while Calliope, New Auckland and Tannum Sands have all risen 8-9% in the past year.
Other resources-related locations where prices are rising from low bases include Moranbah (up 19%, but still only with a median of $240,000) and Blackwater (up 45%, but with typical houses still worth only $130,000).
Emerald is headed back to growth, with quarterly sales of 50-56-59-63-72 in the past five quarters.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au ryder@hotspotting.com.au twitter.com/hotspotting
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Regional Queensland market maintained strong performance despite COVID

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A Brisbane man accused of overseeing a $12 million investment was remanded in custody on Saturday after being extradited from New Zealand, to reappear for mention on April 1.
Anthony David Gray, 54, was charged with 25 counts of fraud, relating to a property investment scheme run by his Gold Coast-based business.
Synergy Gray Professional Services ran from 2007 to 2017 with investors allegedly told they would receive a high rate of interest for funding short-term bridging loans to property developers in New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Two of the 25 were allegedly defrauded of more than $2 million each.
"These investments did not exist, and the funds invested were diverted and used for the personal use of the alleged offenders," he said.
Gray allegedly told investors he was a solicitor and registered financial advisor, but he was unlicensed and his practising certificate with the Queensland Law Society had lapsed.
The scheme was based on short-term bridging loans, which Gray allegedly claimed was secured by real estate with capital and interests guaranteed, the summary of facts said.
Mr Gray's 72-year-old female business partner from Hamilton faced court in Brisbane on February 25 charged with nine counts of fraud.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paskin said the Financial and Cyber Crime Group were now investigating another six complaints, and further charges could be laid, Nine Entertainment reported.
None of the money has been recovered.
The alleged victims were either known to the offenders, or referred to the offenders by persons who knew them, Detective Senior Sergeant Paskin said.
They would see some alleged return on their investment via an allegedly fraudulent statement.
The victims came from across Australia as well as the US, UK and Europe.
Gray left Australia in February 2017 to flee creditors.
Appearing in Tauranga District Court, Gray did not oppose extradition to Australia to face the charges involving an alleged Ponzi-type investment scheme.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Synergy Gray Professional Services boss Anthony Gray extradited to Queensland

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Buying and selling real estate property in Queensland is covered by many different laws.
Real estate property includes land, houses, units, townhouses, retirement villages and timeshare.
<h2>Getting professional help</h2>
Buying or selling your property is a huge financial commitment and you should think carefully about who you deal with.
Before signing anything, you should get legal advice on buying or selling your property. The Queensland Law Society can refer you to a solicitor.
Using a licensed agent to buy or sell real estate protects you under the Property Occupations Act 2014 (PDF, 916KB). Licensed agents must meet industry-based standards and codes of conduct. If you buy or sell privately, you will not be protected under the Act.
<h2>Contracts</h2>
Contracts for the sale of real estate must be in writing. In most cases, there is a standard contract, which is approved by the Real Estate Institute Queenslandand Queensland Law Society.
<h3>Conditions</h3>
You might want to make the contract conditional on some things happening, such as:
<ul>
<li>getting a satisfactory building and pest inspection</li>
<li>getting a loan to finance the purchase</li>
<li>selling your existing property.</li>
</ul>
A lawyer can advise you about important conditions but, before you sign anything, make sure you understand it.
<h3>Cooling off period</h3>
You have a cooling off period of 5 business days; however, if you cancel the contract in the cooling off period, you’ll have to pay a fee, which is a percentage of the purchase price. It’s important to get legal advice about your options.
<h3>Deposit</h3>
When you sign the contract, you usually pay a deposit. Sometimes the seller will accept a small deposit on signing, and the rest of the deposit once the contract becomes unconditional. There’s no set amount for a deposit, it is up to the buyer to say what they will accept.
<h2>Conveyancing</h2>
Once you sign a contract, it takes some time for the sale of the property to be finished. The process that happens after the contract is signed is called conveyancing.
Conveyancing involves all steps necessary to ensure that the registration of the land is in the name of the buyer at the government's land title office.
During the conveyance period, searches are done to ensure that the property is owned by the seller and not affected by things such as proposed reclaiming of land, contaminated land, easements or other government requirements.
You may do your own conveyancing or have it done for you.
You should get legal advice even if you plan to do your own conveyancing.
<h2>Buying or selling at auctions</h2>
If you decide to buy or sell a property at auction, generally the property will be offered for sale to the highest bidder. If your bid is accepted, you must sign an unconditional contract immediately. This means that, if you want to buy at auction, you need to check everything out before the auction. There is no cooling off period if you buy at auction.
<h2>Mortgages</h2>
If you borrow money to buy, build or renovate a property from a bank, building society or other lender, you usually do this with a mortgage. The lender (the mortgagee) creates a legal document (a mortgage) where you (the mortgagor) offer the property as security until you pay out the loan. If you do not make payments on the loan, the lender can sell the property to recover what you owe them. The sale of the property is called a mortgagee sale.
In a mortgagee sale, the lender must sell the property for a reasonable market value. The lender can keep money from the sale to cover the costs of sale and all the money you owe. Any money left over will be paid to you.
If the sale does not make enough money to cover what you owe the lender, you will remain legally responsible for the extra amount and the lender can take you to court you to recover the owed money.
<h2>Caveats</h2>
A caveat is a document that prevents any dealings with land (e.g. prevents the land from being sold). A caveat must be lodged with Titles Registration in the Department of Natural Resources and Water.
If you wish to lodge a caveat, you should get legal advice, as you may have to pay costs if you lodge a caveat when you have no legal right to do so.
<h2>Joint ownership</h2>
When you own a property as a joint tenant, you and the other tenants own the property together.
It is not divided into shares; you each own the whole property together. If you own property as a joint tenant, you cannot leave that property in your will. When a joint tenant dies, their ownership in the property automatically passes to the surviving joint tenants. If you are the only surviving joint tenant, you will be the sole owner of the property.
If you want to end a joint tenancy, you should get legal advice.
If you own property as a ‘tenant in common’, you own a defined share of the property. This might be an equal share with the other owners or a defined percentage (e.g. 50% each or 25% and 75%).
As a tenant in common, you can transfer your share to someone else, so you can leave your share in the property in your will.
<h2>Transfer duty and land tax</h2>
If you are buying an investment property or home to live in, you will need to know about:
<ul>
<li>transfer duty—all transfers of land and property are liable to transfer duty (formally known as stamp duty). Find current transfer duty rates.</li>
<li>land tax—this tax is charged yearly on the total unimproved value of the land you own. Generally, you are exempt from land tax if your home is your principal place of residence. Take a land tax exemption eligibility test.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Further information</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/" target="_blank">Read more about buying property in Queensland</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.osr.qld.gov.au/client-group/property-investor/index.shtml" target="_blank">Read more about transfer duty and land tax</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/building-home/" target="_blank">Read more about building a home in Queensland</a></li>
<li>
<a class="download" href="https://www.reiq.com/media/44596/REIQ-Standards-of-Business-Practice_v6.pdf" target="_blank">Read the REIQ standards of business practice (PDF)</a>.</li>
</ul>
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