Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Residential Investment

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<div>
Young home buyers who want to put a toe into the booming Sydney property market are turning to an innovative trading platform that offers part ownership.
The BrickX investment scheme allows for the online purchase and sale of ‘Bricks’ starting from as little as $67 in residential properties. 
Young couple Steven Farrer (30 yrs old) and Holly Bozier (24 yrs old) are among the early stakeholders who've bought a small stake in a Mosman flat where the so-called bricks are selling for $140 each.
They didn't want to be over-committed, but nor locked out of the property market. And are happy to learn about the property market through their outlay.
They own eight - costing $1040 - of the 10,000 so-called bricks in the two bedroom Parriwi Road flat which was bought by the fractional ownership company for $1.2 million in 2015 with its tenants now paying $990 a week.
"The BrickX website offerings have been like looking at a real estate office website, however this time we can afford to invest in the property we see," Steven said.
"We have been to heaps of open homes however everything is being sold way over the buyers' guide price and is just out of our price range. 
"We wish we has bought something two to three years ago," said the couple who have their finances pre-approved to buy their first home. 
"But we don’t want to spend $750,000 on a property today and find it's worth $600,000 or less tomorrow if the market crashes."
Like shareholders in publicly listed companies, first home buyers and investors can also also buy into their Enmore apartment at $67 per investment or an Annandale house at $98 a brick. 
Steven Farrer and Holly Bozier say knowing that experts - including CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless and Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at the REA Group - are doing all the hard work prompted their decision. 
BrickX chief executive Anthony Millet said they were working towards having 100 properties.
BridgeLane Group's Markus Kahlbetzer is the co-founder of BrickX having devised what he envisages as an easy route into investing in residential property across Australia with transparency. 
Until this month it was licensed only for wholesale investors under the Corporations Act, but the offering is now available to regular mum and dad type retail investors who will derive dividend incomes on a monthly basis. Investors can buy a maximum 5 percent ownership. 
Each individual property is in a trust and investors can buy or sell into that trust.
The property is managed by BrickX on behalf of the investor on the platform, and the investor receives a dividend from the rent of the property that they own, in proportion to the units that they own in the trust. As the price of the “Bricks” move, so do the investor’s returns.
There is no minimum investment required to purchase Bricks and there is a flat 1.75 percent transaction fee on purchases.
Tim Lawless says it would carefully select properties based on a number of key strengths including:
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Value $500k-$1.5m</li>
<li>Newly renovated/good condition</li>
<li>Modern fit-out</li>
<li>Buying the normal type of property in an area (i.e. if a suburb is known for houses, buy the normal)</li>
<li>Healthy strata budgets</li>
<li>Avoid large unit blocks where rents can be under pressure from other void units in same block</li>
<li>Avoid off plan or large new developments</li>
<li>Avoid properties which have additional features that would add to the running costs (i.e. pool)</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.brickx.com/how-it-works?utm_source=propertyobserver&amp;utm_medium=runofsite&amp;utm_term=becomeapropertyinvestor&amp;utm_content=halfpage&amp;utm_campaign=launch" target="_blank">For more information</a>.<a href="https://www.brickx.com/properties/MOS01/summary" target="_blank"> </a>
This article was first published in the Daily Telegraph.
</div>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Building home equity one BrickX at a time

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Off-the-plan property portal Investorist has launched a B Round Capital Raising, seeking up to $7 million to further expand its global activities.
Investorist, with a valuation of around $30 million, comes with more than $45 billion in apartment listings and over 5,000 customers in 25 countries. 
Headquartered in Melbourne, Investorist was initially bootstrapped by Ellis before attracting seed investment from David Tarascio, chief executive of Salta Capital to fund expansion into China as well as other Australian cities.
The company undertook its A Round Capital Raise in July 2015, raising $ 2.5 million. 
<img src="/images/2016/09/08/Jon-Ellis.jpg" alt="">
 “We are currently in rapid global scale up mode, and the company is undertaking this next Capital Raise to drive further penetration into new and existing markets and fund the resources necessary to achieve this,” said Jon Ellis, founder and CEO of Investorist (above). 
“In Australia, about 60-70 percent of all apartment sales occur 'off market' or pre-launch with the remainder sold 'on market' after public launch.
"Whilst our platform has captured a healthy slice of these project listings, we have very ambitious targets, especially for the UK which is double the size of Australia's OTP market, and the US which is five times the size,” he added.
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Investorist seeks $7 million for global expansion

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The CUA has launched an ‘investor only’ home loan - and also announced that it has eased lending restrictions.
Andy Rigg, CUA chief operating officer for member services, said the moves were part of the credit union’s plans to attract more investors.
They currently make up just under one-quarter of CUA’s home loan portfolio.
“While investor activity appears to have slowed down across the market, there are still plenty of investors shopping around for better value and an opportunity to get into the market,” Rigg told the Australian Broker website.
The Kick Start Variable Home Loan for Investors is a two-year introductory loan.
It will carry an interest rate of 3.99 percent p.a. (comparison rate 4.37 percent p.a.).
It will be available to new investors taking a loan with a minimum value of $350,000.
A maximum loan to valuation ratio (LVR) of 90 percent (inclusive of lenders mortgage insurance) will apply to the loan.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

CUA seeks property investors with newly eased lending restrictions

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First home buyers waiting to be able to afford what they want are playing a 'hope game' in attempting to get their foot on the property ladder, according to chief executive officer of buyer's agency Cohen Handler, Ben Handler. 
He said this sort of 'hope strategy', where you play the 'hope game' and wait to be able to afford what you want is the wrong way to go about it. 
Natalija Tanevska, who currently heads up Cohen Handler’s new Inner West Sydney office said now more than ever first home buyers struggle to save a substantial deposit so they can jump on the property ladder and sees many first home buyers who have been in the market for over 6 months. 
"Interest rates are at a record low, however banks have tightened up and the government has eliminated many financial incentives to fast track their process," she said.
"It’s hard enough saving 20 percent and obtaining pre-approval, there’s also the added stress of trying to secure a property in this extremely competitive market."
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Some first home buying strategies a 'hope game'

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The retired Hawthorn premiership player turned AFL commentator, Brad Sewell has listed an Armadale investment property for Jellis Craig auction.
The 10 Egerton Road has been previously leased with $1300 asking rental.
It goes to <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/10-egerton-road-armadale-vic-3143-2013010373" target="_blank">September 17</a> with $2 million plus hopes.
Sewell paid $1.505 million for the four bedroom weatherboard home in 2011.
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Hawks champion Brad Sewell lists Armadale weatherboard charmer

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As the Melbourne market gradually winds down, locations in regional Victoria are rising. Regional cities and towns within striking distance of the state capital in particular are travelling well.
There are conflicting views about whether Melbourne has passed its peak or whether it’s still booming.
My research indicates the city’s market has undoubtedly passed the peak in its cycle, with a significant reduction in sales activity since the start of the year. The markets that showed exceptional price growth in the past 12-18 months, particularly middle market suburbs, are no longer growing.
There are still some good sales happening, caused partly by a shortage of listings, which is helping to keep prices strong in selected locations. But the market that existed in 2014 and 2015, with sales activity rising strongly and prices achieving double-digit annual rises in many areas, is no longer happening.
But regional markets close to Melbourne are rising. I have written in the recent past about the City of Greater Geelong, which is now the strongest market in the state.
Bendigo and Ballarat, both strong regional economies close to the state capital, are solid markets with steady price growth.
In between those cities and Melbourne, there are two municipalities which have caught the wave from Melbourne and grabbed the attention of people seeking an affordable lifestyle just outside the city.
These are Macedon Ranges Shire and Mitchell Shire. In a July column I touched briefly on these places in discussing state government population projections.
Macedon Ranges is expected to grow its population 25 percent over the next 15 years. But the municipality likely to see the most dramatic increase in population is Mitchell Shire, which is forecast to more than double its population from 40,000 in 2016 to 81,500 in 2031.
This will make Mitchell Shire - a little north of Melbourne, including towns such as Kilmore, Seymour, Broadford and Wallan - the fastest-growing area in the state.
In the next 20 years Wallan (which is about 60km from the Melbourne CBD) is projected to grow from 11,000 to 31,000, while the village of Beveridge is forecast to explode from the current 1,700 to 21,000.
The towns of Macedon Ranges have already experienced substantial price growth. Towns with big increases in median prices in the past 12 months include Gisborne (up 11 percent), Riddells Creek (up 14 percent), Macedon (up 30 percent) and Mt Macedon (up 18 percent). The median house price for Macedon has risen from $530,000 to $685,000 in 12 months.
Now we’re seeing the towns of Mitchell Shire starting to move. The attractions are affordability relative to Melbourne; a relaxed country lifestyle; and proximity to Melbourne with good road and rail links. It’s feasible to live there while commuting to jobs in Melbourne (keeping in mind that most Melbourne jobs are NOT in the CBD – many of them are in the northern suburbs).
Median house prices include $350,000 in Kilmore, $240,000 in Seymour, $285,000 in Broadford and $380,000 in Wallan.
To date price growth has been moderate – around 5-6% in the past 12 months – but more is expected in the near future.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Forget Melbourne, the regions are Victoria's rising property hotspots 

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Pockets of two Melbourne suburbs, Thornbury and Ascot Vale have been pinpointed by Wakelin Property Advisory as having long-term investment potential. 
An “undervalued precinct” is typically a section of a suburb where there were certain attributes that meant there was more potential for growth, Jarrod McCabe, of Wakelin Property Advisory, said. 
The pockets should have all the characteristics underpinning demand and growth, not just one attraction such as relative affordability compared with the neighbouring suburb, he said.
A case in point is Ascot Vale, which has good access to the city by trains, trams and roads.
“Union Road has a really good village atmosphere; it’s really gentrified noticeably over the last five to 10 years, and has got a real variety of shops, cafes and restaurants,” Mr McCabe said.
“Proximity to Union Road and the train station are very important, so the Rothwell Hill section … is highly desirable; particularly towards the northern-end to Maribyrnong Road.”
There were also some very good pockets just west of Union Road, but buyers wouldn’t want to go too far west because it was further away from public transport and cafes, he added. 
Parts of Thornbury where the house median is still in the mid-$900,000s, compared with Northcote’s $1.05 million median could be worth a look by investors, especially areas close to the High Street village and train line near St Georges Road. There were opportunities towards Merri Creek, but be cautious of industrial areas, he suggested.
In comparison to undervalued precincts, Mr McCabe compared ”hot spots” to the property investment equivalent of “the latest fad diet” seen on the cover of women’s magazines. 
He said a hot spot was typically an entire suburb experiencing short-term price growth, and had only a few characteristics for consistent strong performance. 
“What will happen is you’ll get growth in the short term, while whatever new infrastructure or industry is being put into the area,” he said. “But once that becomes the norm, most likely the capital growth will revert back to its previous performance rather than continuing to be a high performer," Mr McCabe said.
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Rothwell Hill, Ascot Vale pinpointed as Melbourne investment property hot spot 

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<div style="text-align: left;" align="center">GUEST OBSERVER</div>
<div style="text-align: left;" align="center">
First time real estate purchasers in Australia are increasingly entering the property market as investors rather than as owner occupiers.
Data has found the number of first time buyer investors has skyrocketed over the past two years.
Since 2014 the number of first home owners who are buying through iBuyNew to invest has increased by 188 percent.
The findings by iBuyNew, which specialises in off-the-plan properties, follows a warning by outgoing Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens that the entry hurdles for first home buyers “may be getting worse”.
Mr Stevens said “almost the only way” first home buyers can enter the property market in real estate hot spots such as Sydney is through parental assistance.
Despite record low interest rates, the first time buyerowner occupier sector has collapsed with many who do choose to buy property now doing so as investors.
Even though property in most cities is very affordable with interest rates set to stay at historical lows, young Australians have been put off entering the market and they prefer to rent.
The reality is that the great Australian dream of owning your own home is fading and the goal of being a home owner is diminishing.
It’s an issue for state and federal governments with the current schemes to entice first home buyers out of the rental market either out of date or ineffective. 
We have also found that stamp duty which can add many thousands of dollars to the cost of a property purchase is also a major deterrent to first home buyers.
 
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<div style="text-align: left;" align="center">Mark Mendel is chief executive officer of iBuyNew and can be contacted <a href="https://www.ibuynew.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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First home buyer investors on the rise

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/62630/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Negative gearing was one of the federal election campaign’s fiercest battlegrounds.
While the Labor opposition claimed that the major beneficiaries of the tax policy were almost all in the very highest earnings bracket, the Coalition attacked any proposed changes, saying they would “smash” house prices and unfairly punish “mum and dad investors”.
The fact is, negative gearing can have surprising outcomes.
Using game theory, senior lecturer in mathematics Stephen Woodcock constructed four scenarios that demonstrate exactly who benefits from negative gearing.
You can watch a video explaining it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2PTCQ2j1mQ" target="_blank">here</a>.
<h2>What happened</h2>
The game maximised the desirability of occupying the best house they could afford, whether this was by buying or renting.
The ultimate outcome was that richer players used negative gearing to keep purchasing multiple houses – forcing others to buy progressively inferior houses and/or rent from others. Some missed out completely and were forced to rent.
At the end of the game, one buyer owned all the houses, with all other players forced to rent from them.
And interestingly, in this game, negative gearing increased prices.
<h2>What does the future hold?</h2>
“It is easy to see how curious (and less than ideal) ownership patterns can arise when tax policies incentivise speculation in the property market. What is less clear is what can, or should, be done now,” says Dr Woodcock.
Dr Woodcock points out that both Sydney and Melbourne rank in the world’s five least affordable cities to buy a house. Despite record low interest rates, first home buyers are at the lowest level in years. First home owner grants have done little to help this and, arguably, have only served to increase prices further.
Instantly scrapping negative gearing would almost certainly cause a huge drop in prices, which would be manifestly unfair to people who made investment choices assuming that tax advantage would be available.
Labor’s proposed restriction of the benefit to newly built properties onlywould provide some relief. It has been argued, though, that this would encourage speculation in certain areas.
“A tax policy which avoids incentivising curious outcomes for society, yet retains basic fairness for existing investors would require subtle measures and crossbench support. Albeit by the narrowest of margins, the Coalition’s retention of power might mean that any such reforms are several years away.”
Interestingly, it was noted earlier this year that federal politicians – from both major parties – averaged more than two investment properties each.
Charis Palmer is deputy business editor, The Conversation and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/team#charis-palmer" target="_blank">here</a>.
Georgina Hall is editor, The Conversation and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/team#georgina-hall" target="_blank">here</a>.
Helen Westerman is business and economy editor, The Conversation.
Jenni Henderson is assistant editor, Business and Economy, The Conversation and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/team#jenni-henderson" target="_blank">here</a>.
Wes Mountain is deputy multimedia editor, The Conversation and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/team#wes-mountain" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Property 101: The curious incentives and consequences of negative gearing

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Property on the Fraser Coast represents excellent value for money if you should have a lazy $500,000 lying around, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White's July 2016 residential market report which analyses the half-a-million dollar market.
Depending on buyer preferences, $500,000 can buy an executive four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with pool and shed on 2,000 square metres in Hervey Bay or perhaps a high rise, top to upper floor unit (circa 2007) with ocean views along the Esplanade. Units have significantly reduced in value since the GFC within most large developments, with a recent sale reflecting a 45% reduction since purchase in 2006.
Rural residential properties in Oakhurst and Tinana near Maryborough are reasonable buying, with most selling between $350,000 and $500,000, with little activity over this price point.
If uninterrupted ocean views are a priority, property in River Heads might be a consideration with a wide range of homes to choose from, particularly within the Turtle Cove Estate on the fringe.
"Most agents in the local area have reported that they have adequate buyers for property at the present time, however struggle to sustain a good volume of listings," says the HTW report.
"In conclusion, there is some terrific buying across most sectors with prices remaining stable and this is not expected to change in the short term."
Property Observer found a three-bedroom house with ocean views at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-river+heads-122686310" target="_blank">46 Turnstone Blvd, River Heads, Qld 4655</a> (above) which recently traded hands for $365,000. 
The median price of houses in River Heads was $342,500, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
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