The real reason Australian apartment prices are surging

Apartment prices are rising faster than house prices in most capital cities as more home buyers are forced to compromise on the type of property they purchase due to affordability constraints and restricted borrowing capacity. More owner-occupiers are deciding their budgets are too stretched and they would rather buy a high–quality strata home instead of a house requiring renovations.

Additionally, growing demand from investors due to rising rents, low vacancy rates and ongoing capital growth is also pushing up apartment prices. Investors now represent 37.1 percent of the value of new loans to property buyers, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is the highest level in eight years. The number of loans issued to investors has increased by almost 25 percent over the past year.

First home buyers are also adding to demand for units, with support from the Bank of Mum and Dad a key factor allowing some young buyers to purchase their first homes when, historically, higher interest rates would normally dampen demand from starter buyers on strict budgets.

CoreLogic’s research director, Tim Lawless, said units had outperformed in every capital city over the past three months except Darwin and Canberra, where greater supply of medium to high–density housing meant less competition per property and a reduction in median prices over the period.

“With stretched housing affordability, lower borrowing capacity and a lift in both investor and first home buyer activity, it’s not surprising to see the unit sector outperforming for a change,” he said.

Mr Lawless explained that most cities now have a median house value that is at least 1.5 times that of apartments. Choosing apartments over houses means buyers may have more choice over how much debt they are willing to take on and could also buy in more attractive lifestyle locations.

Increasing demand for apartments is being met with ongoing restricted supply in the new apartment market. In its latest monthly market report, CoreLogic said the supply of newly built homes remained insufficient relative to population growth. ABS data shows approvals for strata-title properties have fallen 22.1 percent over the 12 months to June.

Over the three months to July 31, CoreLogic data shows apartment values grew by 1.4 percent in Sydney vs. 1.1 percent for houses. Units rose 5.8 percent in Brisbane vs. 3.4 percent for houses. In Adelaide, unit values rose 7.1 percent vs. 4.7 percent for houses. In Perth, apartment prices rose 6.4 percent vs. 6.2 percent for houses. Hobart apartment prices rose 2.2 percent while house prices fell 1.5 percent. In Melbourne, apartments outperformed houses but the median values of both fell. Unit prices fell 0.2 percent while house prices fell 1.2 percent.

Overall, the national median dwelling price lifted 0.5 percent in June, which was the 18th consecutive month of growth. However, CoreLogic noted in its report that “it is clear momentum is leaving the cycle and conditions are becoming more diverse”. The market is very strong in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide and weak in Melbourne, Hobart and Darwin, where overall median dwelling values fell over the past three months. The pace of property price growth has also “slowed markedly” in Sydney as the number of listings for sale returns to normal levels.

Mr Lawless said supply was the key differentiating factor in the performance of Australia’s capital city markets. “The number of homes for sale in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth is more than 30 percent below average for this time of the year, while weaker markets like Melbourne and Hobart are recording advertised supply well above average levels,” he said.

Mirvac has topped out Trielle at Melbourne’s Yarra’s Edge, with more than 70 per cent of the riverfront development sold and approximately 80 per cent of purchasers intending to make their apartment a home.

The figures, released on September 22, point to an owner-occupier audience for one of the precinct’s final residential towers. Mirvac began developing Yarra’s Edge in 2003, and its latest addition occupies one of the remaining absolute riverfront sites.

Mirvac CEO of Development Stuart Penklis said existing residents were among those moving up within the neighbourhood.

“Many purchasers already have a connection to Yarra’s Edge,” Mr Penklis said, describing buyers whose changing needs were encouraging an upgrade within the precinct.

“As one of the final residential towers within Yarra’s Edge, Trielle represents the culmination of more than two decades of creating one of Melbourne’s most established and sought-after waterfront communities,” Penklis said.

“Positioned on the Collins Street axis with absolute river frontage, Trielle offers residents a rare opportunity to enjoy sweeping views across the Yarra River, Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, while remaining seamlessly connected to the CBD. With Trielle now more than 70 per cent sold, we’re continuing to see strong demand from buyers seeking quality homes in established locations.”

The developer also flagged a penthouse and sub-penthouse collection with larger layouts, premium finishes and broad outlooks. The planned wellness centrepiece, The Oasis, encompasses a 900-square-metre elevated urban rainforest.

Mirvac General Manager Residential Development Victoria Elysa Anderson said Trielle had resonated strongly with buyers seeking a rare lifestyle offering in Melbourne.

“Opportunities to secure a new luxury residence on a riverfront site of this calibre are incredibly rare, particularly within a community like Yarra’s Edge,” Anderson said.

“What makes Trielle unique is the combination of exceptional views, world-class residential facilities and the lifestyle that already exists around it. Residents are buying into a mature waterfront community with parks, promenades, dining, wellness and strong community connections already in place.”

The 45-level tower brings a substantial new presence to that waterfront. Its residential offering spans one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, with Signature, Prestige and Sub-Penthouse collections accommodating different household sizes. The north-facing position connects the apartments visually to the river and city beyond.

Seven storeys above the promenade, the planned Oasis combines planting and a running stream with a Scandinavian-inspired wellness club developed with spa specialist Naomi Gregory. Facilities include a 25-metre lap pool, hot magnesium pool, sauna, hydrotherapy, a gym, yoga and Pilates room, and treatment spaces.

The amenity extends beyond exercise. Residents will have access to The Biblioteca library and workspaces, ground-floor work pods, and The Salone piano lounge. A private Chef’s Table dining room offers a setting for larger gatherings, while a cinema, games room and sports lounge broaden the entertaining options. Concierge services and a dog-wash area support everyday routines.

Trielle comprises a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences. Reflecting strong demand from owner occupiers, approximately 80 per cent of purchasers to date intend to live in their homes, highlighting the project’s appeal to those seeking a long-term waterfront lifestyle.

Mirvac has recently delivered The Albertine, a premium apartment development on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD, and is nearing completion of Prince & Parade in Brunswick, further strengthening its portfolio of thoughtfully designed apartment communities in some of Melbourne’s most sought-after urban locations.

The real reason Australian apartment prices are surging

Units have outperformed houses in every capital city except Darwin and Canberra over the past three months

Mirvac’s 45-level Trielle has topped out at Yarra’s Edge, pairing riverfront apartments with wellness facilities, private dining and resident services.