Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

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The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Residential Market

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Property developing can throw many different challenges at you and one thing I have learnt in this industry is there is always a solution to a problem.
 The trick is to understand what possible problems may arise and preparing yourself for them.  Unfortunately things don’t always go to plan and as a project manager it is up to us to make sure the development gets through as efficiently as possible.
One of the biggest areas for problems is not allowing enough for building works. 
When pricing a development and running feasibilities, it is important to understand that your building estimate is an organic creature. By this I mean the building estimate you start with will nearly always be different to the one you end with.  It will evolve throughout the process as you obtain more and more details.  Once you have all the fine details, the building estimate can be finalised to the fixed price builder’s contract. 
If architecturally designing our villas, we generally follow this process:
<ol>
<li>Concept plan – this will show the number and size of villas on the land, but not much detail</li>
<li>Development Application (DA) plans – enough information is included on the plans to satisfy  council</li>
<li>Construction Certificate (CC) plans –more detail, including engineer drainage and slab design</li>
</ol>
The starting point for our build estimate will be based on similar projects that we have recently completed and an allowance for the different site.
This progresses to an estimate based on the Concept Plan.  Still a very ‘loose’ estimate as there is usually not enough detail on the Concept Plan for the builder to have all information he needs.  The build estimate we have at this stage will tell us whether we are tracking within budget.  If not, we can make the necessary changes required, perhaps reducing the size of the villas working with both our builder and architect to design the right dwellings for our project to be successful.
Once the Concept Plan is approved, the architect will proceed to full DA plans.  It is here that much more detail is added and we will have our builder price the DA plans.  Again, this does not give us a final build cost but we will be getting closer to the expected outcome.  Once approved by our client, the DA plans are finalised and the DA is prepared.
During the DA process, council may request some changes to the plans, so it is important to understand we are still ‘evolving’ at this stage. We also need to review the Conditions of the DA Consent before we have more detail to finalise the build costs.
Once council have approved the DA, we will start to prepare the CC plans.  Engineers will be briefed and a drainage and engineered slab design or footings for the foundations will be produced. More detail is added to the CC plans, finalising levels and double checking schedules. 
Before we lodge the CC plans with our private certifier we will have our builder issue a third costing. It is this costing that will give us the final build costs...well almost.  We still need to have the CC approved and ensure there are no further revisions to the plans required.  
After we have the CC stamped plans, our builder will issue their final tender and building contract. This will be a fixed price contract; however, there may still be a few items that will be ‘provisional’. They are usually some site works, removal of fill and retaining walls.  The builder may mark these items as provisional as they won’t know until works proceed exactly what the cost is. For instance, if rock is hit during the site cut, this will increase the site costs. If the site cut differs slightly to the plans, this may impact on the height of retaining walls.  So these ‘provisional’ items will be charged at actual cost whether it is lower or higher. Our clients often enjoy credits on their provisional items as it’s always best to over allow than under.
So you can see how the build estimate must evolve through the development process and until your development is completed, you really won’t know the exact cost.  It’s important you allow a contingency amount for any variations that may crop up along the way.  At Property Bloom we are happy to say that for many of our projects the end construction cost is lower than our original estimates. This is because our builder uses accurate allowances and because we’ve worked together for so long, we all understand what the cost is likely to be based on the typical, lower risk development sites we select for our clients.
As a developer, you will embark on a challenging journey from start to finish and the path you choose can be simplified with the help of a project manager to guide you along the way.  Always take the time to have full builder’s estimates done at each stage to avoid any nasty surprises. 
Jo Chivers is chief executive officer of property development project managers <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/about" target="_blank">Property Bloom</a>.
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Why construction costs evolve: Jo Chivers

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GUEST OBSERVER
So far, the early parts of this year have been impacted by public holidays; this has reduced listing numbers and overall choice, which have been strong contributors to healthy clearance rates and strong competition by bidders.
Overall prices were down at the start of 2016 relative to the end of last year, which is mostly due to the cyclical nature of the property market. The month of March alone reveals signs of the trend reversing and property prices swinging up again. Many suburbs have left the “Bust” list, with only CBD apartments experiencing four consecutive rolling quarters of negative price growth.
Similar to last month, average house prices in the inner suburbs were down 2 percent over the rolling quarter. However, compared to March 2015, all inner regions saw increases in real prices: 8 percent in the inner South, 8.5 percent in the inner North and 14 percent in the inner West. Due to several multimillion dollar property sales in the inner East this month, real median prices are up over 33 percent since this time last year. As pointed out in Secret Agent’s recent blog post, these large fluctuations show the limitations of analysis using medians and averages within concentrated areas.
Prices of townhouses remained nearly unchanged this quarter compared to last, dropping by less than half a per cent. The average price per square metre was also identical to last month’s figure of $6,300, but is still well below levels seen towards the end of last year. Standalone houses on the other hand are closing the gap, with their median price per square metre nearing $5,900.
Median apartment prices are about 4 percent lower than at the end of 2015, while total listings are down slightly, remaining at over 3,200 combined across all inner regions. The market for apartments did not adjust correctly to the much lower demand for property at the start of the new year, which means the price decline is most likely due to an oversupply.
Compared to March last year, CBD apartments have gained a slither of real value, with median prices up 0.16 percent. Northcote and West Melbourne have seen two consecutive rolling quarters of negative growth. Collingwood was the only area to buck the trend, with apartment prices rising consecutively since November last year.
Secret Agent still believes that value in the property market is easier to leverage at the top end of the market and many buyers seem to share this sentiment: nearly 16 percent of all houses sold this quarter had a price tag of $2 million or more, with $7 million and $5 million value properties in South Yarra and Hawthorn having no trouble finding a buyer happy to exchange fortunes for keys. However, true value may still be much harder to find. For properties above $3 million, buyers on average paid $7,200 per square metre, which is well above the average for houses in the inner suburbs. Larger homes are increasingly being sold to developers who are optimistic about creating further value on these sites. Secret Agent plans to investigate true capital growth more deeply.
We believe that many figures that can be found readily on the web do not offer home buyers the real insights into the property market. Whenever a property undergoes change between sales, the price reflects the value added by the owners as well as the appreciation of the property itself. We’re excited to bring these findings to you over the coming few months.
Quarterly Scorecard
JAN - MAR 2016
<a href="/images/2016/03/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-31%20at%202.58.58%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-31%20at%202.58.58%20PM.png" alt="" width="793" height="678">
For more information, <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Melbourne townhouse price largely unchanged: Secret Agent

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 A near record low 1.9 percent of Sydney homes resold at a loss over the final quarter of 2015, according to CoreLogic RP Data's latest Pain &amp; Gain report.
The report found no council area in the city had more than 5.0 percent of homes resold at a loss over the quarter.
Camden (0.4 percent), Willoughby (0.4 percent) and Auburn (0.5 percent) council areas had the lowest proportions of loss-making resales for the period. Botany Bay (4.5 percent), North Sydney (4.0 percent) and Mosman (3.6 percent) had the highest.
<a href="/images/2016/03/30/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-30%20at%202.23.08%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/30/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-30%20at%202.23.08%20PM.png" alt="">
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Sydney property losses at record lows: CoreLogic Pain & Gain Sydney

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GUEST OBSERVER
Are you looking to buy property off the plan? Buying a property is likely to be one of the largest purchases you will ever make so making sure you buy the right property is really important.
Buying a property on your own can be extremely difficult and stressful and you might not have access to all the correct data and latest information available. How do you know that this property will be a solid investment? Is your data correct? Which suburb should you be investing in for capital growth? 
To help take the stress and complications out of buying a property, it is important that you seek the help and guidance of property specialists such as iBuyNew who are experts in this field. However, you should not just go with the first company you come across – it is essential that you thoroughly research the company as well to ensure that they are reputable, trustworthy and have your best interests at heart. 
There are plenty of cowboys out there who only care about lining their own pockets and can be quite pushy with their sales techniques. You can rest assured that our property consultants are not like this and we also work with reputable developers to give you peace of mind that your property is of the highest quality.  
SO, WHY SHOULD YOU BUY PROPERTY WITH IBUYNEW?
When it comes to buying property off the plan, iBuyNew isn’t your average real estate agent.
We pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service alongside our extensive range of high quality projects, allowing you to review, compare and make an informed decision all under one roof utilising one of our professional property consultants.
As mentioned previously, buying a property on your own can be a challenging and stressful experience. This is because you might not have access to the correct data or even have access to the most up to date research. Buying a property can also be costly and making sure you have the right advice when you’re making such a large purchase as a property is extremely important. There’s nothing worse than paying a substantial amount of money for a property that will drain your pockets rather than line them.
WHY CHOOSE IBUYNEW?
There are a number of reasons as to why you should buy a property with iBuyNew. HERE ARE OUR TOP 7 REASONS: 
<ol>
<li>INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL ADVICE - We offer independent and impartial advice and our consultants are paid a flat fee irrespective of whether you’re spending $300,000 or a million dollars. Many other real estate agents are paid a commission, so the more you spend, the more they gain.</li>
<li>ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF PROPERTIES – No one else in Australia has access to the properties we have. We have the largest variety of off the plan apartments across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. This gives you an extensive choice of properties to view and compare and we have offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane where you can come in and speak to our Property Consultants face to face.</li>
<li>ACTIVELY SEEKING NEW PROJECTS - We’re always on the lookout for exciting new properties and developments and developers are coming to us before they’ve even launched to the market. If you want to be in first you really should be talking to us. The earlier you get in, the greater choice of apartments you have and you might even have the opportunity to choose your preferred colour scheme and finishes.</li>
<li>FLEXIBLE - We’re small enough to be flexible and make sure that we look after you, but big enough to be respected in the marketplace. We realise that every client is different so we can tailor the right property to suit your needs and requirements.</li>
<li>VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS - Our property consultants come from very different backgrounds including financial planning, accounting and mortgage broking. This allows us to provide you with extra advice on building that property portfolio you’re looking for, especially if you are a first time buyer or investor.</li>
<li>WE ARE PROPERTY CONSULTANTS - One thing that makes us really different from other real estate agents is that we’re not real estate agents, we’re Property Consultants. We’re here to hold your hand all the way through the journey, from the time that you’re looking at a property, through to exchange, over to settlement and beyond. Once you have been assigned to a Property Consultant they will work with you every step of the way to meet your end goals and even help you with your future property purchases.</li>
<li>WE DON’T JUST SELL YOU A PROPERTY – we actually tailor the experience for your needs. We make sure that what you’re looking for is what we are able to offer you and if we can’t we’ll let you know that we can’t help and point you in the right direction of someone that can.</li>
</ol>
We have hundreds and hundreds of clients who are very happy with us so if you want to find out more about what the service is like from iBuyNew, then let us know and we will be happy to pass on more information to you.
Technology investment company Disruptive Investment Group Limited has decided to increase its stake in off-the-plan property marketplace iBuyNew.com.au to 100% for $5.9 million. Read the full story <a href="/news/disruptive-investment-group-to-increase-stake-to-100-in-property-marketplace-ibuynew-com-au">here</a>. 
Mark Mendel is founder and chief executive officer of iBuyNew and can be contacted <a href="https://www.ibuynew.com.au/">here</a>.
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Why buy new? iBuyNew.com.au's Mark Mendel

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Bathurst/Orange were at the rising market stage in the property cycle in Herron Todd White's recent property clock.
"It is fair to say that most of the central west is undergoing a metamorphosis into the levels of cool, particularly for families," HTW advised.
"While not previously associated with cultural sophistication this is changing with the increase in entertainment venues with recent visits by Anh Do and Kitty Flanagan, increased numbers of immigrants finding it possible to settle in the central west outside of Sydney, university graduates remaining in the area, improved shopping and improved bars and restaurants, many of high quality.
"Whereas Bathurst was previously associated with young male race fans letting off steam, visitors these days are as likely to sit down to an a la carte dinner with the family as they would a meat pie," says HTW.
<a href="/images/2016/03/16/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-16%20at%209.27.30%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/16/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-16%20at%209.27.30%20AM.png" alt="">
HTW suggest he year ahead does not look like it is going to be one of increased volatility. In contrast to the major centres of Sydney and Melbourne, percentage movements have been relatively modest over the past few years. The benefit of this is that any knock- on effect from a softening in the capital cities will be felt less acutely. The likely scenario is continued gains in the order of 1 percent to 5 percent. Rents are not expected to move much with supply staying ahead of demand. 
New development is expected to continue as is the renovation of existing dwellings with a rising market allowing owners to tap into equity. The majority of new development will be freestanding dwellings, pushing the driving time from the suburbs to the shops beyond 15 minutes. This raises the question of at what point will developers sense the market potential to go up rather than out. That may possibly be this year on the old Orange hospital site. 
Orange has invested considerable effort into the Taste Orange campaign and Orange is now seen as a centre for fine food and wine.
This makes sense given the red volcanic soils and cool climate which are perfect for fruits and other crops. Both cities have benefited from the social trend to moving back to natural ingredients with restaurants and grocery stores stocking local produce.
As the trend towards lifestyle choices continues, the area is increasingly able to tick a lot of boxes for more people creating a positive cycle of more local investment, with development mindful of what is drawing people to the region in the first place. 
There is very little available in the towns below $200,000 besides slightly dated two-bedroom units. The trend over the next year and beyond is for properties in the $200,000 bracket to move into the $300,000 bracket, $300,000 to $400,000 and $400,000 to the $500,000 bracket. Properties above this price range are unlikely to experience the same percentage increases as small acreages become available to purchasers. 
Rural residential properties will continue to be in strong demand with these recognised as having some of the most attractive country in NSW. 
Property Observer found a couple of examples of recent sales in Bathurst/Orange to illustrate the 'cool' about these two places:
 <img src="/images/2016/03/30/image24.jpg" alt="">
1. A period cottage with four-bedrooms at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bathurst-121122106" target="_blank">251 Bentinck Street, Bathurst NSW 2795</a> (above) sold recently for $450,000 through Raine and Horne.
<img src="/images/2016/03/30/700_orange.jpg" alt="">
2. A house with five bedrooms at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-orange-122000274" target="_blank">29 Centennial Crescent, Orange NSW 2800</a> (above) sold for $699,000.
Gentrification can be an academic discussion but identifying when it takes hold, and quantifying its impact on property is often best left to those that spend their days in the suburbs being felt, say Herron Todd White in their property clock for March 2016.
Certainly staying ahead of the gentrification curve can prove profitable to property investors, say HTW.
 
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Bathurst and Orange changing to cool: HTW

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The Vaucluse home of Amelia Maribondo-Aspden, better know as the woman who brought the Havianas thong to Australia, has been sold.
The four bedroom Old South Head property had only been on the market for 20 days when sold through D'Leanne Lewis of Laing + Simmons Double Bay.
The upper level of the Vaucluse home offers harbour views towards Manly.
The swimming pool and alfresco dining area are surrounded by gardens at the 835 sqm property bought for $2.725 million in 2007.
She's bought in Double Bay for $4.97 million.
The Brazilian-born businesswoman has bought in Double Bay for $4.97 million.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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Havianas Amelia Maribondo-Aspden sells in Vaucluse

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When we head to the polls, auction property market activity typically slows.
It's a bit like long weekends, Easter and school holidays which are in many markets are generally avoided given the ideal scenario is to choose an uninterrupted four-week sales campaign block. 
This year's election, perhaps as soon as Saturday July 2, will actually be well timed for minimal impact amid the traditional winter slowdown.
But expect a chill to come with it given that negative gearing policy is set to be one of the key election issues.
The seismic Labor Opposition policy, and the Government's seeming abandonment of any change, at least for the time being, will trigger diverse consequences. 
Like the balloon effect: squeeze a balloon in one place, and it inflates elsewhere, some vendors might bring their sales forward while others will bring their purchasing forward. Other owner occupiers and investors will delay.
Overall the electorate - and therefore much of the market - will simply await the outcome of any double dissolution election that will not be about the construction industry bill.
It will be much more about the future value of people’s houses given Labor’s plans and the Government's seeming abandonment of any changes. 
It seeks to restrict the use of negative gearing in the property market to new homes, and to also halve the discount applied to capital gains tax.
This campaign is therefore not likely to be typical when elections tend not to impact on actual home values. 
Elections often have an impact on listing activity.  
So I'd expect prospective vendors to bring forward their sales campaigns to May and June, but then closer to the election date the prospective sellers will postpone their sales campaigns.
CoreLogic RP Data analysis of recent elections showed that there was around a 20 percent drop in the volume of listings, while the clearance rate is usually unaffected. 
Historically when there is no change of government the housing market tends to respond better post-election than when there is a change.
Just how much the auction trends can be attributed to an election is debatable, however federal elections do have an impact on consumer and business confidence.  
Federal budgets too, and we still have to get through it's impact in May.
The debate on negative gearing has now been enlightened by the latest Tax Office statistics that show there were 1,257,301 individual investors in 2013-14 who claimed a total of $10.9 billion worth of rental losses over the year. 
The number of individuals claiming a rental loss was the lowest since 2009-10. Given low interest rates, the average loss claimed was $8,722, the lowest since 2005-06.  
A record 776,672 taxpayers earned a net profit from their investment property in fiscal 2014. 
Although landlord earnings from rents were flat at $38 billion.
More Australians than ever own a rental property at 2.03 million with an indisputable spread across low, middle and high income earners.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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Plenty of property decisions to accompany the negative gearing election

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Newcastle occupies the peak of market position on Herron Todd White's latest residential property clock and staying ahead of the gentrification curve can prove profitable to investors, according to the valuation firm.
Newcastle’s persona in recent times has moved from a blue collar, working class port city to a trendy, beach-loving metropolis flourishing with bars, cafes and hip warehouse conversions. 
<a href="/images/2016/03/16/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-16%20at%209.27.30%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/16/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-16%20at%209.27.30%20AM.png" alt="">
Newcastle is witnessing a period of substantial demographic and economic change as economic reliance is diversifying away from coal exports and moving into other economic drivers such as small business, education and professional services. With this change, the social fabric of Newcastle is seeking inner city, stylish living and services as offered in larger capital cities. 
Gentrification is on show in the once industrial parts of Newcastle. Suburbs such as Mayfield, Islington, Wickham, Carrington, Tighes Hill and Maryville are leading this revitalisation. All suburbs are within arm’s reach of Newcastle’s CBD and foreshore, while Newcastle’s world class beaches are not far away. 
Of the residential property under development, apartment living is driving much of the demand
as old industrial sites are reclaimed for trendy 1- to 3-bedroom apartments suitable for today’s working professional. Current anecdotal evidence shows that these are selling quickly. 
Subsequently Newcastle is currently in the midst of an apartment building boom with large numbers of apartments due for completion throughout 2016 to 2017. What prices do over the next 12 months will largely be determined by supply and demand forces. 
With a population of approximately 160,000, Newcastle will continue to witness gentrification first hand and leverage off its Sydney big brother’s appetite for city-based apartment living. After all, Newcastle is only a two-and-a-half hour train ride from Sydney and perfect for those keen to avoid Sydney’s higher living costs, but who still yearn for that trendy skinny latte and swanky city-based lifestyle.
<img src="/images/2016/03/29/700_newcastle.jpg" alt="">
As an example, a beachside one-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-newcastle-121630738">503/67 Watt Street Newcastle NSW 2300</a> with harbour views was sold for $445,000 by Raine &amp; Horne recently.
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Newcastle in midst of apartment boom as gentrification continues: HTW property clock

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It appears that confidence is slowly returning to the Canberra housing market after conditions were relatively sedate since the 2010 federal election.
Last year the Canberra housing market recorded the strongest housing market conditions since 2011, with dwelling values rising 4.1% over the full twelve months to be 5.6% higher over five years.
Growth conditions have been concentrated within the detached housing sector, with house values rising 4.5% over the year compared with a 0.8% fall in unit values.
<a href="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%203.30.06%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-11%20at%203.30.06%20PM.png" alt="">
Dwelling investment likely to increase due to improving labour market and population growth 
The relative size of the housing market, limited data and the overall significance of the public sector to the local economy makes it difficult to reliably produce forecasts for property values in the ACT. 
Nevertheless, the ACT economy is gradually recovering from the recent fiscal tightening and public sector job cuts. NAB Economics expects economic growth to gradually improve and unemployment to stay low. With the improving labour market and population growth, dwelling investment is likely to improve as well in line with higher building approvals.
Similarly, an improving economy will provide underlying support to property values, the latest NAB housing insights report suggests.
 
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ACT dwelling investment likely to increase due to improving labour market and population growth: NAB

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Research from ME shows one in ten Australians are saving to buy a home.
That’s a lot of people working towards the same goal. And it can be done, says Nic Emery, head of deposits and transactional banking at ME. But if you’re struggling to grow a first home deposit, it could be time for a fresh approach. Weaving healthy money habits into your daily routine could be the key to growing a first home deposit sooner.
You see, while old habits die hard, new habits can be formed just as easily. The trick is to anchor new habits to existing habits. 
Use old habits to develop new habits
Research by psychologists confirms that using a non-financial cue like making your regular morning coffee to check the balance of your everyday account, can see the two actions start to go hand in hand. In fact, some people can develop new habits this way in as little as 18 days. It can mean your first home deposit starts to forge ahead in less than three weeks.
Let’s take a closer look at how your current habits can be used to launch some clever new financial habits to get into your first home sooner.
Take the bus to work. Check your budget
Whether you travel by train, tram or bus to work, use your daily commute as a cue to review your budget. 
ME research shows only one in two Gen Y Australians (aged 18-34) – those most likely to be saving for a first home – follow a budget. Yet it is a critical first step that lets you juggle household expenses, pay regular bills on time and still have money for savings.
Grab some lunch. Transfer money into your savings account
Give your savings a boost while refueling your energy levels. Making regular deposits, no matter how small, goes a long way to growing first home savings. 
Be sure to use a dedicated savings account. Over one in ten (14 percent) Gen Ys accumulate savings in an everyday account, and that may mean missing out on valuable interest income.
Head home. Review the days spending  
Only two out of five people keep a written record of their expenses. But this simple step will help you develop a more accurate picture of your spending patterns and highlight areas where you can cutback to free up cash for extra saving.
Tune into your favourite TV show. Check your savings.  
Unwind, relax and use the opportunity to monitor your savings and also your savings account to be sure your money is earning a competitive rate. 
Plenty of savings accounts offer an enticing introductory rate. The trouble is, after just a few months your money could be earning a very low return making it harder to save a first home deposit. 
Skip the hassle of shifting money around from one account to another by choosing a bank that offers a consistently good rate on savings.   
Four daily habits. Four steps to grow your first home deposit. Start today, and with plenty of repetition you can reach your goal sooner. 
 
For more information <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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